by-grace-of-god:

catherine-of-alexandria:

So the thing that got me out of my atheist/agnostic phase was realizing that consciousness is immaterial. I just knew that science can never explain the kind of thoughts I was having. Since science can’t explain how consciousness is made, only God is the possible explanation for it. But that didn’t really turn me Catholic right away. I was kinda a deist/protestant for a while because I just didn’t think God would make it so complicated with all the rituals and sacraments found in the Catholic Church. My family was friends with a devout Catholic woman who was very knowledgeable in chemistry so I kinda figured if she’s so smart and believes in the supernatural stuff of the Bible and the Catholic Church, it must be true. 

It was only until later that I started researching more into the Catholic faith and started to piece together the following things: 

-If consciousness is immaterial, then afterlife exists. Eternal damnation is something to worry about. 

-All the arguments for the existence of God reveals this: God did not just made the universe, but is constantly dependent on Him. For example, the hierarchy in nature points to Him as the ultimate perfection, The First Cause reveals that He is the reason you began to exist, and the Contingency argument reveals that the world is impermanent so it wouldn’t make sense to attach myself to it. God made you so He would want you to get to know and serve Him. 

-Other religions tried to reach the Infinite through incense or whatever ritual they came up with, but Christianity is the story of God coming down from Heaven. Obviously a finite being cannot reach the Infinite. The Infinite must come down. 

-After the Infinite has come down, it only makes sense that He would leave an institution to interpret His word. Human beings are just too fallible to read and interpret the Bible on their own and discern God’s will by themselves. 

-My favorite argument for the existence of God is the argument from conscience. Peter Kreeft said that it is the voice of God in the soul. It amazes me that God is right inside us guiding us in the way to salvation.I like that it’s something all people from all nations share, though a lot of us interpreted it wrongly. Pope Benedict said that conscience is an organ, something we have to take care of by educating ourselves of the morals put forth by the Catholic Church. 

-No other institution on earth has a greater respect for the dignity of each person than the Catholic Church. She understands human nature more than any other philosopher that ever walked on this earth and understands the end for each human beings desires and how it can be perfectly satisfied. Her firm stance on rules to make sure we don’t hurt ourselves physically, psychologically, and spiritually is coupled with her endless mercy and guidance to make sure we pick ourselves back up to continue our battle against this fallen world. 

-The Sacraments are essential in transferring God’s grace to us. God uses material things such as water, oil, and bread because we’re not just spiritual beings, we’re also made of matter

-Receiving the Eucharist is the most intimate way a person can be with God. The Infinite chose to dwell inside the finite, this love is beautiful. 

“Eternal Life is this: to know You, the only true God, and him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ. I have given You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do. Do You now, Father, give me glory at Your side.” – John 17: 3-5

^ Read it all but know and believe that this is true:

“No other institution on earth has a greater respect for the dignity of each person than the Catholic Church. She understands human nature more than any other philosopher that ever walked on this earth and understands the end for each human beings desires and how it can be perfectly satisfied. Her firm stance on rules to make sure we don’t hurt ourselves physically, psychologically, and spiritually is coupled with her endless mercy and guidance to make sure we pick ourselves back up to continue our battle against this fallen world.”