Considering Converting

[xkatz]

If I wasn't so busy with college I'd be posting on RF more often!

Anyways, I have something serious to discuss...

This semester I have begun to attend an Anglican church on Sundays. I honestly enjoy it and I am now contemplating baptism (though I am still not 100% certain on that). Anyways, me and the campus chaplain were talking and she suggested to tell my parents. This makes me feel very conflicted. On one hand, I feel like because I love my parents I should tell them. However, I don't think my dad would take the news very well and IDK what the consequences would be with extended family. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should handle my current situation?

 

[Shiranui117]

May God grant you many blessed years, and may He continue guiding you to the Truth!

Handle it delicately, and with full consideration of your family. I remember telling my family when I was converting to the Catholic Church; they all flipped out on me at first and launched all the usual stereotypes. I was very taken aback by all of it, and they wouldn't listen at all when I tried to defend Catholicism. Over time, though, they saw the changes that an increased faith was beginning to have in my life, and I was able to slowly start explaining some of their concerns as I became better-educated. They warmed up to the idea after a while. In fact, one time when we were at the pool and I was explaining things to my extended family, my grandfather (who has a VERY negative view of priests, mind you) told me that I should become a priest!

All that is to say that, even if your family doesn't take it very well at first, just be patient with them; if they blow up on you (which won't happen, God willing), the LAST thing you should do is blow up on them. Be patient, be humble, and when they see your life changing for the better, their opinion of your new faith will improve. Once that happens, you can eventually help them understand what you believe better, and dispel some of those stereotypes and misunderstandings. It might be hard at first, but I guarantee you that it will get better.

From one college student to another...

May God bless and keep you!

 

[Sha'irullah]

Well what religion are you currently? I am assuming you are Christian from your avatar. But I have never been aware of hostility between denominations of the Christian church. Only exceptions are Catholicism, Mormonism, and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
But what are Angelican's main differences from other denominations of Christianity? I myself grew up non-denominational

 

[Breathe]

I knew that you'd like Anglicanism.

I second Shiranui's post. Wishing you success.

 

[9Westy9]

If I wasn't so busy with college I'd be posting on RF more often!

Anyways, I have something serious to discuss...

This semester I have begun to attend an Anglican church on Sundays. I honestly enjoy it and I am now contemplating baptism (though I am still not 100% certain on that). Anyways, me and the campus chaplain were talking and she suggested to tell my parents. This makes me feel very conflicted. On one hand, I feel like because I love my parents I should tell them. However, I don't think my dad would take the news very well and IDK what the consequences would be with extended family. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should handle my current situation?

Try and make the process as gradual as possible. I'd start by saying that your doubting the faith you're currently in. Then I'd slowly tell them that you feel baptism is more correct to you. That should stop any huge emotional arguments

 

[xkatz]

Well what religion are you currently? I am assuming you are Christian from your avatar. But I have never been aware of hostility between denominations of the Christian church. Only exceptions are Catholicism, Mormonism, and the Jehovah's Witnesses.
But what are Angelican's main differences from other denominations of Christianity? I myself grew up non-denominational

I was actually brought up Jewish.

As for differences, the major difference between Anglicanism and other denominations is that they are protestant catholics, but not Protestants nor Catholics (as in the RCC). This means they believe in (most) catholic rites and apostolic succession, yet also profess a somewhat protestant theology.

 

[Sha'irullah]

I was actually brought up Jewish.

As for differences, the major difference between Anglicanism and other denominations is that they are protestant Catholics, but not Protestants nor Catholics (as in the RCC). This means they believe in (most) catholic rites and apostolic succession, yet also profess a somewhat protestant theology.

OK from those words alone I can tell the difference. I am actually familiar with Protestant and Catholic teachings.
So your parents are practicing Jews I assume? This is weird because being Jewish means you should have first hand exposure to the original sacred texts of the Bible. Although I will admit Christianity is far less rigid then Judaism but perhaps that is its appeal . I seriously dislike the denomination rifts in Christianity because they are so subtle that really it is the same story no matter where you go. Some are conservative, some are fundamental and some or more liberal but not that much difference remains except for Catholicism which has been considered a separate religion in its own right.
I would not even recommend worrying about whether you are an Anglican or Protestant, just worry about being Christian and worry about sects later.
I did the same to Islam and that did not work out so well for me. Sort of made me bitter and angry. I jumped into Sunni'ism not Islam so I recommend you jump into Christianity and not Anglicism. When you are quick to label yourself by a denomination of a religion that only means you are following someone else's opinions which can (and usually are) wrong (no offense). I have known many people ho identify as Lutheran and never say Christian. Such attitudes really defeat the purpose of being a Christian in the first place.
But do not take my words as law because I am obviously VERY bias towards sects, denominations and divisions of any sort. Yes I am a Muslim 80% of the time but it does not mean I agree with everything simply because I am "mostly" a Muslim. I am just a monotheist and that label fits better then anything else really.
My advice in regards to Christianity is to be as CHRISTIAN as possible. Be a follower of the Christ not a follow of another man's interpretations of the Christ. If you are worried about denominations this early then you will have a tough path ahead of you. I may sound like a lazy stoner when I say this but.... it is best to take the easy route sometimes :angel2:

 

[SageTree]

I've been happily attending Anglican Churches for over three years now.

I am currently in a High Anglican Church, which I love, which has a Priest who has a strong interest Eastern Orthodoxy.
All the better.




Good luck, katz. :namaste

 

[Gaura Priya]

Hey there xkatz! I'm also trying to learn more about Anglicanism. It seems like a good moderate spirituality: Catholic in theology, Reformed in character. It's like they take the best of both worlds! Once in a blue moon I'll pop up at the Anglo-Catholic High Church Mass in my locality.

Absolutely beautiful! Incense, bells, Hail Mary's and chanting; it's a very aesthetic experience. Anglo-Catholicism (and Anglicanism in general) is historically English Catholicism with a good interest in Eastern Orthodoxy.

I'm not a fan of the low and broad parishes too much. Too Protestant!

But yes, since the foundations of Anglican Christianity are: Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, you will get a good variety of people, some more conservative, and others more liberal. I've been thinking of Reception into the Anglican Church of Canada, but we'll see by next Easter: I'm just keeping myself in study-mode for now.

 

[Treks]

Ooohhhh, interest piqued! Too many to learn about! *googlegooglegoogle*

Best wishes to you xkatz. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you.

 

[SageTree]

Hey there xkatz! I'm also trying to learn more about Anglicanism. It seems like a good moderate spirituality: Catholic in theology, Reformed in character. It's like they take the best of both worlds! Once in a blue moon I'll pop up at the Anglo-Catholic High Church Mass in my locality.

Absolutely beautiful! Incense, bells, Hail Mary's and chanting; it's a very aesthetic experience. Anglo-Catholicism (and Anglicanism in general) is historically English Catholicism with a good interest in Eastern Orthodoxy.

I'm not a fan of the low and broad parishes too much. Too Protestant!

But yes, since the foundations of Anglican Christianity are: Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, you will get a good variety of people, some more conservative, and others more liberal. I've been thinking of Reception into the Anglican Church of Canada, but we'll see by next Easter: I'm just keeping myself in study-mode for now.

I just finished Holy Week's marathon of services at the ACC here in my town.
I feel renewed and refreshed... uplifted.
Never have been part of something so rich.
I love it.


I've been part of mixed, middle-high and high services and I've really liked the high church the best, where I am at currently.

All the 'bells and smells'... I really fell in love with it.
Quite breath taking and music to the ears.

The ACC (Anglican Church of Canada) I go to has a priest that is very interested in Eastern Orthodoxy,
and feel I've seen more prostrations that Hail Marys.

One practical thing I really like, is that there is one nearly everywhere I go in Canada.
And to boot, in the three cities I've lived in, I could walk to one down the street each time.
Really adds a layer of awesomeness to the churchery.

Most important to me, is that I'm able to grown and express myself there.
Via a more Christianized language, more Trinity and all that....
Which sort of feels like betrayal, in terms of 'One God'....
But in a more eastern fashion, that 3 gets back to the 1 easily enough for me in the services and within myself.

I do hope you go check it out and find out more for yourself.

The twist for me:
Everywhere else has used the Alternative Services.
Moving here I had to accommodate my knowledge to the Book of Common Prayer,
but feel comfortable with it now.
And the ideas behind it being that way are also intriguing to consider.
Bringing monastic practices into the laity and the home. Awesome!

 

[Gaura Priya]

I just finished Holy Week's marathon of services at the ACC here in my town.
I feel renewed and refreshed... uplifted.
Never have been part of something so rich.
I love it.


I've been part of mixed, middle-high and high services and I've really liked the high church the best, where I am at currently.

All the 'bells and smells'... I really fell in love with it.
Quite breath taking and music to the ears.

The ACC (Anglican Church of Canada) I go to has a priest that is very interested in Eastern Orthodoxy,
and feel I've seen more prostrations that Hail Marys.

One practical thing I really like, is that there is one nearly everywhere I go in Canada.
And to boot, in the three cities I've lived in, I could walk to one down the street each time.
Really adds a layer of awesomeness to the churchery.

Most important to me, is that I'm able to grown and express myself there.
Via a more Christianized language, more Trinity and all that....
Which sort of feels like betrayal, in terms of 'One God'....
But in a more eastern fashion, that 3 gets back to the 1 easily enough for me in the services and within myself.

I do hope you go check it out and find out more for yourself.

The twist for me:
Everywhere else has used the Alternative Services.
Moving here I had to accommodate my knowledge to the Book of Common Prayer,
but feel comfortable with it now.
And the ideas behind it being that way are also intriguing to consider.
Bringing monastic practices into the laity and the home. Awesome!

Looks like the parish I attend once in a while made a cute little video:

[youtube]S2Vsy4FxemY[/youtube]
High Mass at St. James Anglican Church - YouTube

St. James Anglican church. That's the choir in the background. It's so beautiful! It is an 'affirming Catholic' parish (i.e. I've never seen two grown bear-ish men cry before!)

Our church is mainly based in the Western rite, so they'll sing the Angelus at the end of Mass (no Roman Catholic parish I knew and grew up in ever did that!), and do rosary devotions during Lent season. And while socially liberal, they are very theologically traditional, lol, and I have yet to go to Confession.

For the ACC parishes here on this part of Canada, most of them use the BAS, but this parish will use the Sarum Rite with a few prayers here and there from the BCP, and then the Collects from the BAS (further made into archaic English, lol).

I don't like the BCP content (blood, guilt, sin, etc.), but I love the prayers, and am memorising some of the Collects for private devotions!

I'm theologically Unitarian and Arian, so it's okay. I justify Trinitarian doctrine as metaphorical, and no one's the wiser!

 

[SageTree]

Looks like the parish I attend once in a while made a cute little video:

[youtube]S2Vsy4FxemY[/youtube]
High Mass at St. James Anglican Church - YouTube

St. James Anglican church. That's the choir in the background. It's so beautiful! It is an 'affirming Catholic' parish (i.e. I've never seen two grown bear-ish men cry before!)

Our church is mainly based in the Western rite, so they'll sing the Angelus at the end of Mass (no Roman Catholic parish I knew and grew up in ever did that!), and do rosary devotions during Lent season. And while socially liberal, they are very theologically traditional, lol, and I have yet to go to Confession.

For the ACC parishes here on this part of Canada, most of them use the BAS, but this parish will use the Sarum Rite with a few prayers here and there from the BCP, and then the Collects from the BAS (further made into archaic English, lol).

I don't like the BCP content (blood, guilt, sin, etc.), but I love the prayers, and am memorising some of the Collects for private devotions!

I'm theologically Unitarian and Arian, so it's okay. I justify Trinitarian doctrine as metaphorical, and no one's the wiser!

Ah yes! What an awesome church.
It's funny to imagine how many times we might have passed each other on the street!


Re: "Bear-ish men cry": I see that quite often. ::Holds up mirror::


It's interesting how the Anglican Church is, in a way, the 'older' Church now that the RC Church has revamped over the years, isn't it?

Next time I'm in town, I'll have to stop by.

If I'm not mistaken the older BOC language is in the BAS, but as an alternative.... heh....
I quite enjoyed the BAS, but it was refreshing, somehow, to learn a new language for the liturgy... method that is. But basically the same form.

My Father now talks about the BOCs darker language, that you mention.
I wish I was able to summon up the wonderful way he talked about it a few weeks ago in a private discussion.

In short he talks a lot about how as Christians we are to balance the sorrow and the joy found therein.
Right amount of reflection,right amount of celebration.... seems to make sense.
The language of 'Eating the Flesh of thy dear Son' is a little heady....
But I certainly feel the catharsis of it all more, personally speaking, when it said like that.
Even though it sounds CRAZY. LOL.


I appreciate your words on Unitarian/Arian thought
At least I won't be sitting the pew alone. :hug:
I'm sure there are more of us, truly.

Until next time... :namaste

:flower:
SageTree

 

[xkatz]

Hey there xkatz! I'm also trying to learn more about Anglicanism. It seems like a good moderate spirituality: Catholic in theology, Reformed in character. It's like they take the best of both worlds! Once in a blue moon I'll pop up at the Anglo-Catholic High Church Mass in my locality.

Absolutely beautiful! Incense, bells, Hail Mary's and chanting; it's a very aesthetic experience. Anglo-Catholicism (and Anglicanism in general) is historically English Catholicism with a good interest in Eastern Orthodoxy.

I'm not a fan of the low and broad parishes too much. Too Protestant!

I definitely lean towards Anglo-Catholicism as well I agree with everything said here.

 

[Shiranui117]

I definitely lean towards Anglo-Catholicism as well I agree with everything said here.

To be honest, it seems like Anglo-Catholicism is a good place to start your journey into Christianity, especially with the influence of so many prominent and diverse churches; it allows you to really get a feel for the broad swath of Christianity, and leaves you free to either inquire into one of the many influences on Anglo-Catholicism, or to remain in Anglo-Catholicism as a good middle-road.

I'm glad that you've found yourself such a good option in Anglo-Catholicism!

 

[SageTree]

To be honest, it seems like Anglo-Catholicism is a good place to start your journey into Christianity, especially with the influence of so many prominent and diverse churches; it allows you to really get a feel for the broad swath of Christianity, and leaves you free to either inquire into one of the many influences on Anglo-Catholicism, or to remain in Anglo-Catholicism as a good middle-road.

I'm glad that you've found yourself such a good option in Anglo-Catholicism!

I agree with this.

There is also an emerging Anglo-Orthodox trending, even though I still think it's disguised as Anglo-Catholic.

Worth reading about.

 

[Gaura Priya]

I agree with this.

There is also an emerging Anglo-Orthodox trending, even though I still think it's disguised as Anglo-Catholic.

Worth reading about.

Funny about that: I was reading about that too. XD When I visited some various Anglican places, many seem to take to Orthodox icons: either as decorative art on the wall, or with votives for worship! :angel2: I remember walking into one of the rector's office from another parish, and it had a beautiful icon of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus.

I almost think it would be better to call themselves 'Liturgical Anglicans' or some other thing to show that Anglicanism seems to embrace the good in both the Catholic, Orthodox, and dare I say it, Protestant world! One can be 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic' without having to make claims of being the 'One True Church' or whatever fanatical notion.

 

[SageTree]

Funny about that: I was reading about that too. XD When I visited some various Anglican places, many seem to take to Orthodox icons: either as decorative art on the wall, or with votives for worship! :angel2: I remember walking into one of the rector's office from another parish, and it had a beautiful icon of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus.

I almost think it would be better to call themselves 'Liturgical Anglicans' or some other thing to show that Anglicanism seems to embrace the good in both the Catholic, Orthodox, and dare I say it, Protestant world! One can be 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic' without having to make claims of being the 'One True Church' or whatever fanatical notion.

No doubt Anglicanism feels more of a philosophy within Christianity than a branch off.....

 

[james bond]

Sounds like you're almost committed.

I remember college was a difficult and crazy time with living away from my parents for the first time.

One was exposed to alcohol, drugs, sex, war, abortion, horse play, sports, casual dates, going to the library together, and money or lack of were some of the things I remember. This was in addition to having to cook, clean, and look after one self and go to college classes. Also, other kids had a different outlook than you and they were going through the same crazy times trying to find out who they were and what their values were. I remember talking to other kids about it during that time.

The best advice I got was to take it slow. You don't have to or want to jump in without looking. You can experiment if you want, but know what you are getting into. I guess with religion, it's talking with different people about their religion and why they chose it. What they believe. (Even atheism. I think that is a religion.) After all that, I thought religion was a feeling of trying it out and being comfortable.

 

[xkatz]

I just wanted to post an "update".

While I have not converted and I am exploring other faiths (particularly Nichiren Buddhism), I am still seriously considering Christianity.