Conversion

[JRed95]

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

[GeorgeTheWild]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church concerning the fourth commandment:

2217 As long as a child lives at home with his parents, the child should obey his parents in all that they ask of him when it is for his good or that of the family. "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."22 Children should also obey the reasonable directions of their teachers and all to whom their parents have entrusted them. But if a child is convinced in conscience that it would be morally wrong to obey a particular order, he must not do so.
As they grow up, children should continue to respect their parents. They should anticipate their wishes, willingly seek their advice, and accept their just admonitions. Obedience toward parents ceases with the emancipation of the children; not so respect, which is always owed to them. This respect has its roots in the fear of God, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

That being said, it never hurts to talk about the subject with your parents. Just make sure you do it with respect. I definitely think confrontation is not the way to bring up this issue.

[Trishie]

God bless you for responding to God's grace with initiative and courage.
I ask God to continue to inspire and lead you.
And I ask God to give your parents the understanding they will need to accept your choice, now/in the future..
May God continue to bless you.

[JeanMichel]

Originally Posted by JRed95

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

I agree that this is not an occaision to "confront" anyone. It is not a time to argue about doctrines or stating your parents' beliefs are wrong. It is a time for loving obedience to your parents and a time to respectfully explain the desires of your heart. For example, "I have been studying Catholicism for a long time now and I really feel led to attend the Catholic Church." Maybe just say you would like to begin attending RICA and study more.

Some parents will react badly and others will not. If they react badly, it would be my personal counsel to be obedient to your parents until such time as you are an adult. If they are open to you entering RICA, then do so.

Also, try to just visit a local Catholic Church for Mass with their permission. God will guide you and may the Spirit of love and understanding dwell in your home.

[valentino]

Originally Posted by JRed95

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

First of all how old are you?What are your father's feelings toward the Church?Indifference?Hostile?Explain.

[JRed95]

Originally Posted by valentino

First of all how old are you?What are your father's feelings toward the Church?Indifference?Hostile?Explain.

As of right now I'm 16. My father's view of the Church is really negative.
My sister was once dating a catholic boy and my father told her that she wouldn't be allowed to marry him unless he converted to the Baptist faith.

[wmscott]

Originally Posted by JRed95

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

I am a convert, Southern Baptist by birth. You are 16 and my suggestion is to wait out the two years and use this time to study and pray, and pray and study. This will be time well spent. If at 18 you still want to convert and you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to the Catholic faith, then by all means do so. These two years will still be spent as a Christian and following Christ, and as a minor by waiting you are honoring your father and his beliefs. This is just my own opinion. Peace of Christ be with you.

[SteveVH]

Originally Posted by JRed95

As of right now I'm 16. My father's view of the Church is really negative.
My sister was once dating a catholic boy and my father told her that she wouldn't be allowed to marry him unless he converted to the Baptist faith.

From a practical standpoint, I would wait until you are 18, which is just a couple of years. Continue to study on your own until you can enter RCIA. It doesn't sound like your father would be supportive at this time and I would agree with the others that we have been commanded to honor our parents. God knows the desire in your heart and he will bless you for honoring your parents while continuing to learn about the Catholic Church.

You are in my prayers.

God bless.

[JonNC]

Originally Posted by JRed95

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

Martin Luther's commnetary on the 4th Commandment in his Small Catechism says:

The Fourth Commandment.

Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother [that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth].

What does this mean?--Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not despise nor anger our parents and masters, but give them honor, serve, obey, and hold them in love and esteem.

I concur with the advice you have received here, including the Catholic Catechism quote. Honor, love, and obey your parents, strive to learn more and pray regarding your faith journey, and most of all, for 2 years, be patient.

I think you might be able to tell by the responses that many people here are moved by your faith
as a young Christian.

Jon

[Hesychios]

Originally Posted by JRed95

I wish to join the Catholic Church, but I a minor and my father is a fundamentalist Baptist minister. I have read many of the writing of the early church fathers, and I've researched a lot about the Catholic Church, and I have come to the conclusion that it is the one true Church. What should I do? Should I just wait or should I try confront my parents?

Wait, and pray.

Make a habit of an examination of conscience every night before retiring, it is a practice that will serve you well.

[arabic catholic]

My advice to you is be strong and wait until you turn 18

in this time try to learn more about the faith , the catholic faith is so beautiful , and the more you understand the roots of every pray and every practice that we do ,the more you will discover how biblical this church is and you will fall in love with it !

consider me as an older brother , i want you to believe that jesus will take care of you . and he will always be with you and dont worry about whats going to happen to you , he loves you and will take care of your fears.

let me tell you a story happened to me which might make you feel better.

2 months ago my parents visited me here in the US , my mom and dad were shocked and mad at me when they knew that i am Christian and wanting to join the catholic church , they said all what you can imagine about me, they did not respect my choice , nor they wanted to understand why . they just attack me as a person.

they just amused that i was a brain washed cowered who wants to use a religion to be part of THEM(Americans) which is not true at all. they felt very ashamed from me , it was like they discover that i was selling drugs or turning to a gay or something like that !.

and when I response to them and gave them facts that their religion is false , and try to tell them that i studied a lot before making such a choice my dad tried to threatens me , by giving me a last chance to come back to islam , or he will no longer consider me as his son (which means he will not pay my university tuition , that will lead me to go back to saudi arabia)

I told him KEEP DREAMING I will never go back to islam and I found the truth, Jesus is my Lord .

you cant understand emotionally how i was broken from inside , just looking at your own parents who you did not see for a year visiting you and now they are attacking your beliefs and you as a person ,and looking at the dark future that is waiting for me just because of my own beliefs . i was mad at the lord because of what happen to me , its look like i was not trusting him enough . And i was lost in my loneliness .However , days later a group of catholics knew about me and start to pray for me . I went home My mom and dad changed their mind and accepted my choice after a long talk. That was a Miracle

I was sad because I did not trust that the Lord enough , but he himself took care of me .

So dont be afraid my brother in christ, Jesus promise us that people will hate us for his name , Just be strong in christ and he will be with you on your journey to the catholic faith.

[Jehoshua]

I concur with waiting.

The two years in anticipation and research can only help deepen your understanding of the Catholic Church all the while you remain in humble obedience to your parents. All the time of course pray for guidance from the holy spirit and also pray that the Holy Spirit guides your parents to the Truth as well.