I am wondering if anyone could direct me to a website which goes over the basics of Catholicism. I have many questions about what the exact teachings are and I would appreciate your help.

Also, is there a Catholic site which explains Islam?

Thank you

-- Anne (razberrycordial@yahoo.com), December 29, 2003

Answers

The best way to cover "the basics of Catholicism" is to pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, available at any Catholic book store as well as many of the larger general book dealerships. There are also online versions, some of them searchable, such as:

http://www.christusrex.org/www2/kerygma/ccc/searchcat.html

Here is a brief coverage of Islam from a Catholic perspective:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10424a.htm

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 29, 2003.

Hi Anne,

Here's a good place to start for Catholic apologetics. http://www.jamesakin.com

You can always come here and ask questions too! I converted to Catholocism after about 20 years in born again, fundamentalist circles. You can write me personal e-mails too if you wish.

God Bless,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 29, 2003.

Here's an article on Islam found at New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 29, 2003.

Anne,

The best book after the Catechism itself is book called "The Faith Explained" by Leo Trese. Covers almost everything as in the Catechism but in a very readable format.

-- Pat Delaney (pat@patdelaney.net), December 29, 2003.

Anne,
There are a number of Catholic writings on Islam and interfaith communications here:

http://www.ewtn.com/vlibrary/search2.asp

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 30, 2003.

If you like apologetical style try 'Catholic Answers' at catholic.com. Go to their library section where they have over 100 tracts defending the faith. They also put out a recent book called 'A Catholic perspective on Islam" (or something close). That can also be found on the website, catholic.com.

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), December 30, 2003.

Anne,

I "topped" a thread for you with the Catechism on line.

Just out of curiousity if you have "many questions" on what the Church teaches than how do you teach children if you don't know, and don't have a copy of the C.C.C?

What actually do you teach about the Catholic Relegion?

-- - (David@excite.com), December 30, 2003.

It would seem someone was not telling the truth here:

I grew suspicious of some of her posts, so I did a Yahoo search and found in the Yahoo Group: 'New Muslimahs - A place for newly converted and reverted sisters ' the following:

From: "razberrycordial "
Date: Thu Jan 2, 2003 8:23 pm
Subject: introduction

Assalaamu alaikum Ladies

Let me introudce myself- My name is Anne Maryam and I have been Muslim for about 4 1/2 years. I am married and have a 2 year old son, Alhumdulillah. I live in Massachusetts in a small tourist town. We have yet to have a formal Islamic society but insha'Allah within a few years a mosque will be established. Since there are no practicing Muslim women to speak of in the area I thought I would join your group for a little friendhsip and support!

I look forward to meeting all of you!

Salaam,
Anne

By the way, relating to a different thread: The reason she is so interested in the number of conversions to Catholicism is because Muslems feel they are making a lot of conversions and that Christians are not. They would like to flaunt that fact, if they can. Unfortunately, the numbers don't hold up.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 31, 2003.

Let me correct myself and apologize to Anne. It would seem I 'assumed' she was Catholic. I cannot now find where she said she was. So she did not lie. I misinterpreted. It was my fault.

She has been very fair, and open on this forum, and I don't want to force her away in any way. Now that I know she is of a different faith, I will be even more patient with her inquiries. Which I hope will continue.

In Christ
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 31, 2003.

Hi

I never claimed to be Catholic. In fact I was Catholic but converted to Islam. I never 'knew' Catholicism or was taught to practice it correctly. I suppose after a while I thought Hmmm...I'd like to learn a little more...All in good faith.

I did not mean to dupe anyone but after reading posts sent to the Muslim woman I thought it would be better to keep my religion quite. I didn;t want to be insulted and have my beliefs attacked as I felt hers were.

I am interetsed in learning more about Catholicism and I thank you all for your help so far.

Bill- My interest in conversion numbers was not to flaunt Islam's higher number of conversion ( I believed they were about the same) I just wanted to compare the two religions I was familiar with.

-- Anne (razberrycordial@yahoo.com), December 31, 2003.

I never claimed to be Catholic. In fact I was Catholic but converted to Islam. I never 'knew' Catholicism or was taught to practice it correctly. I suppose after a while I thought Hmmm...I'd like to learn a little more...All in good faith.

Yep, my mistake, I’m sorry.

I did not mean to dupe anyone but after reading posts sent to the Muslim woman I thought it would be better to keep my religion quite. I didn;t want to be insulted and have my beliefs attacked as I felt hers were.

I don’t blame you.

I am interetsed in learning more about Catholicism and I thank you all for your help so far.

Sure, anything we can do, just ask. There is a lot of material out there (after 2,000 years you can just imagine!)

Bill- My interest in conversion numbers was not to flaunt Islam's higher number of conversion ( I believed they were about the same) I just wanted to compare the two religions I was familiar with.

Cool.

Something to keep in mind in this area, if it matters: In the 20th century people convert to or leave Catholicism pretty much because they want to. In just about every country Catholicism is practiced, it is that way. That is not true with Islam. Not only in most Islamic countries is it ‘expected’ that certain people subscribe to a certain version of Islam, but in many countries, if you don’t you are either taxed or persecuted (or both). So the numbers, although similar, do not reflect a similar independent conversion rate. Also, unfortunately, conversion to Christianity in many Moslem countries can be hazardous to your health. I, of course, come to this conclusion as a Catholic, but I cannot see any other conclusion. I wish it were not so.

As-Salam-u’Alaikum,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 31, 2003.

It was perfectly natural, Bill, for you to assume that Anne was a Catholic. Go back to the first thread that she visited, and read all her messages there. Clearly, she was trying to pretend to be Catholic in those messages. Repeatedly, she chastised Catholics, using the word, "We," to make it seem as those she was a better Catholic than others.

Interestingly, I was asked, by e-mail last night, if I thought that Anne was a Moslem. I said that I doubted it, especially because she has the name of Jesus's grandmother. But, sure enough, she is just another fallen-away Catholic -- exactly like "Un Danyaal" and so many other wandering souls, in danger of hell, who haunt this forum. (I shouldn't have doubted my e-mail partner, who has an uncanny knack, almost an ESP, for this kind of thing.)

-- GFA (GFA@asdf.org), December 31, 2003.

When I spoke of "we' I meant it collectively- people of all faiths who are trying to teach others about what they view as the truth.

A good example of what I was talking about is my situation- I decide not to reveal my religion because I thought that I would be prejudged and perhaps insulted. I joined the forum to learn about Catholicism and I thought that wouldn't occur if I announced I was a Muslim. When I saw that some people on the forum were not polite about discusing Catholicism to Non-catholics I decided to point out that this is essential in order to create dialogue!

I did not try to make anyone think that I was Catholic and I defiantely did not try to portray myself as a better Catholic than anyone one on the forum- since I am not Catholic or Christian. If anyone had any doubts all you had to do was ask I would have told you the truth- I am a Muslim.

I wanted to learn more about Catholicism for a number of reasons but I geuss this forum is not the place to do this. Perhaps I'll buy a book or speak with a priest.

Thank you for your time.

Anne

Thank you for your time

-- Anne (razberrycordial@yahoo.com), December 31, 2003.

Anne, Just relax, ask questions if you have any.

Happy New Year :)

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), December 31, 2003.

Hi Anne,

Actually this is a very good place to find out about Catholicism. I've learned more here in the past year than in many years of Catholic education. Many of the contributors here are very knowlegible and serious about their faith. There has been some very serious Catholic bashing that has occurred at different times over the past years at this forum, so many here are "on guard" and may come off as being harsh. I found this "vibe" somewhat offputting when I first found this forum, but if you stick it out, you'll find that you can learn a lot, and that the posters are genuinely interested in, and concerned about providing correct information.

Even if it doesn't always "seem" like it, you are welcome here. I agree with Bill, "Ask away"

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), January 01, 2004.