Watch out! Loaded questions!

[Kephapaulos]

Okay, simply put: how do we know that the Catholic religion is the True Religion?

 

How do we explain it non-Catholics from basic reason if our presentation of the Catholic religion looks no different on the outside from others presenting false religions?

[kjvail]

It depends on who you are talking to.
If an athiest/agnostic then start with natural theology. The existence of God is demonstrable thru pure reason.(first mover, first cause, designer, the ontological argument, pascal's wager, etc)
If you are dealing with a non-Christian it kind of depends on what kind of non-Christian. Hindu's and Buddhist will have no problem believing that Christianity is a path to enlightenment, just one more road up the mountain so to speak. Your challenge will be to show its the only road up the mountain.
Muslims - good luck, there has been very little success in converting Mohammadans in the last 12 centuries. I don't really know where you'd start with them.

If heretical Christians then at least you share the scriptures (unless we are talking about mormons or JW, and those are not really Christians) so start there. Our Lord established a Church with Peter, apostolic succession, the Church Fathers, etc.

[creimann]

Find some copies of Peter Kreeft's books. He does a nice contemporary job of outlining some apologetical arguments. He doesn't "apologize" all the way to 'tradition' but still it's a good start. He has a web site. Can you find it?

[Vandaler]

 

Okay, simply put: how do we know that the Catholic religion is the True Religion?

 

How do we explain it non-Catholics from basic reason if our presentation of the Catholic religion looks no different on the outside from others presenting false religions?

 

My answer will probably cause the Ire of others but here goes...

 

You can't. Simply because you hold your Catholic Faith through your willful abandon to the graces afforded to you by the Holy Spirit. You don't hold your faith through the force of particularly effective argumentation. Same will go for others.

 

To the eyes of another, you hold no special properties that would permit you to claim possessing the Truth.

 

What you could do however is to be a beacon of your faith. A light that shine and attract, that foster curiosity, trust and genuine interest in the Catholic Faith.  Under those conditions, you will find a receptive heart and through this interaction, God's graces might be seized by your entourage.

 

 

[Vincentius]

Okay, simply put: how do we know that the Catholic religion is the True Religion?

How  do we explain it non-Catholics from basic reason if our presentation of  the Catholic religion looks no different on the outside from others  presenting false religions?

 
 Kepha, to the  ordinary non-Catholic who is a church-goer the question that his  religion is the true one has already been hammered into his mind. He  has been given the hope (false hope of course) that he is already  saved, and nothing can or will take that salvation from him. That's  what people like to hear -- easy salvation.
 
 However, there  are some of these who have that nagging doubt, are not too sure and  they will try to seek some answers. These you might be able to convince  about the Catholic Church, whereas the former will be a little hard nut  to crack, although if you are a forceful speaker and know the  Scriptures inside out, you might be able to talk through their errors.  99% of Protestants (we're speaking of these here) know only a few  verses from the Scriptures that are supportive of what they have been  taught, and are ignorant of the rest of the Bible.
 
 Matthew  16:18-19, 28:18-20 -- these protestants need to understand what these  verses mean, because no other verse(s) will prove that the Catholic  Church is the true Church. Once they are open to these verses, then a  history of the Church comes next. Just the very fact that no other  instirution has survived its existence from the time it was founded  (overcoming every kind of attack) is proof enough that this institution  is divinely founded as her Founder has guaranteed in Gospel of St.  Matthew.
 
 There are others here who may have a better way of  answering your questions, especially those who were once Protestants  and have converted because they became convinced that the Catholic  Church is the true Church.

[Credo]

       The number one things which a person must do if he really wants to find the true religion is to lay aside all pre-concieved notions of all the religions. GK Chesterton says something to that effect. Humility and openness are the keys. This does not mean they open themselves to every spirit and "god" out there. It means they examine the claims of all the founders of the religions, and critically cross-test each one against the other. Now in about 35 more days, I will tell you the biggest difference.

[creimann]

To expand somewhat on what Vandaler says: St. Thomas observes that it begins with faith. If a person believes, has faith, that there is a God, then the rest follows and is provable. Yes it requires faith first. St. Thomas observed that those lacking faith must be approached on that level. Perhaps they have to learn to see that faith is reasonable. But those whose god is Reason will have a hard time with this leap. Western society is (presently) founded upon the notion that doubt is truth, that received wisdom is unwise, that questions are the answer, that life is an experiment. Faith is contrary to these premises, and indeed many people who profess faith may actually have what amounts to a secondary faith in their religion, and a primary faith in the secular values they see around themselves.

[miss_fluffy]

My answer will probably cause the Ire of others but here goes...

 

You can't. Simply because you hold your Catholic Faith through your willful abandon to the graces afforded to you by the Holy Spirit. You don't hold your faith through the force of particularly effective argumentation. Same will go for others.

 

To the eyes of another, you hold no special properties that would permit you to claim possessing the Truth.

 

What you could do however is to be a beacon of your faith. A light that shine and attract, that foster curiosity, trust and genuine interest in the Catholic Faith.  Under those conditions, you will find a receptive heart and through this interaction, God's graces might be seized by your entourage.

 

 

 

 

Here here Vandaler! 

 

Desperately trying to convert others may only push them away further.  They must have a natural desire to learn more.

 

When I first began asking questions about Catholicism, I was just curious and had no desire to convert, this will be the same for anyone else.  As far as what convinced me, it began in learning about all the scientific evidence that refutes Darwinism first and foremost.  And then just following the history of the bible led me to Catholicism.  It seemed a given that the first Christians would be the true Christians.  As far as protestant conversion, I think talking to them about the importance of the Eucharist, how it goes back to the early Christians etc. and how it infers special graces that are not available in other denominations.   Also, if you learn a little history about how the other denominations came about you can refute their legitimacy.  For example, episcopalians come from the Anglican church which was only instituted so that Henry VIII could get his divorce, so how can they be the one true church?  But you really won't get anywhere unless your friend asks you questions about it.

[ernestus]

So you want to convert people to the Vatican II, novus ordo religion? I don't think that is even allowed anymore even if you wanted to. Ecumenical dialogue is the way of the future. We are not on the path of 'conversion', but of 'convergence'. Haven't you heard that non-Catholic religions are a means of salvation?:clink:

[Deogratias]

Along the lines of what Vandaler said,

 

1. Pray

2. Lead by example (dont let your holiness be a byproduct of trying to be an example, let your example be a byproduct of trying to be holy)

3. Dispel the lies

 

You cannot prove a supernatural God by mere natural means.  And this my friend, is where supernatural faith (grace given by God) comes in.  All the intellectual arguments in the world will not convert someone, only the Holy Spirit will.

 

I get kind of skeptical when people say there are "proofs" for God.

 

However, it is rational to believe in God, and that can be shown.  We do the best we can to carry out our commission.  I dont think the way to do that is to try and "prove" to people that God exists.  Lead by example, speak only truth and do not entertain lies. All should be done in faith, hope, and charity.  You do not have to prove God exists to anyone, you need to shine light on the lies that says He doesnt.