Quick Question... (Jesus, ritual, virgin, choice, attending)

[Ninerays]

Hey,folks..
I've got a quick question for you that nobody else seems to be able to answer.That question is, can one be a Baha'i and a Catholic at the same time?I know that the quick and obvious answer would be "no", but this question kind of came at me when I was reading about some of the earlier Baha'is retaining their former ecclesiastical affiliation and I was previously a Catholic.I'm also feeling a tad bit "homesick"(in fact, I'm getting ready to go to Mass this evening).So, anyway, the Catholic parish I hailed from is an especially huge parish which is the largest in Northern Va and my devotional life is actually more in alignment with the Baha'is.
Of course, I do not wish to lie to the Church any more than I wish to lie to the Baha'is.So, what do you think?Could I supplement my public private Baha'i practice with my public and private practice of Catholicism?Both Catholic and Baha'i friends kind of have extremely diverse opinions about the whole thing.Some are extremely negative, others are extremely positive.Anyway, any thoughts??
Allah-u-Abha!

[arthra]

You know as a new Baha'i this is something you will have to work out yourself I think... all of us move through our lives in spiritual growth and commitment and it takes time.

There were Baha'is early in the twentieth century that retained their Church membership and that was around the time Abdul-Baha but later in the time of the Guardian Shoghi Effendi it was felt that a choice had to be made.. between their new commitment as Baha'is and their earlier affiliations with their previous churches so for them this was a gradual developement.

There is no reason for there to be a negative response I think to your situation.

As you pointed out you don't want there to be any dissimulation... there is nothing wrong with Baha'is attending a church service and see the following letter to a Baha'i in somewhat analogous situation from the Guardian:

"The matter of your giving up your church membership is a conscientious obligation. He does not force you to do so, but as you no longer believe in all the doctrines of your former church, to continue to be a member of it is really to put yourself in a position of one who is acting insincerely. Should you decide to withdraw from the church as a member, however there is no reason why you should not continue to go to church with your husband, and to continue your friendly association with the congregation. He will pray that your husband may be willing for you to take this step."


In friendship,

Art

[Ninerays]

Thanks,Arthra..
Yeah, spiritual growth does take time and I'm much relieved to know that I don't have to push Jesus aside to make room for Baha'u'llah..Mass was great, although it was in Spanish(whoops) and I had to strain to hear the lesson.

[Victor]

Welcome to the forum.
Virginia is a rather strong Catholic state from my understanding?

More then once I have attended other religious services. It was mostly out of curiousity then anything else. When it went beyond curiousity for me, it was usually because I enjoyed the sermons and speaches of a certain person. No harm in that from the Catholic point of view.

Although it is not something I would recommend to every catholic. It is my opinion that only informed and mature catholics should venture into such curiousities. Only those who understand what we believe and can make a good conscious observation when faced with something new should do this. But I suppose your question lies more with regard to affiliation then being a visitor. I find myself agreeing with the Guardian Letter provided by Art.

In essense, your heart must be in one place, while extending love outward to others.

Hope that helps,
~Victor

[Ninerays]

Thanks, Victor..
You're right,the Guardian's letter is a good one.Virginia a strong Catholic state?Hmmm...well, I'm in that peculiar little corner known as Northern Virginia.A lot of folks come down from the North and back from the West and obviously they bring their religions with them.There are some of us who consider ourselves Southerners(there's a debate in Northern Virginia between natives and newcomers about whether or not this area's actually a part of the South)and are proud of the designation.
So, I've got to say that "no, VA's not a strong Catholic state,but there are strong Catholics here".My family's a religious mix of French Creole Catholics and Scots-Irish Baptists and myself, the Baha'i that's trying to keep the peace for everybody.Nomenclature ultimately means little.My prayer life has skyrocketed for me personally and my little community's been an awesome source of support.Anyway, thanks to both you and Art for your input .
Allah-u-Abha!

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Ninerays

So, what do you think?Could I supplement my public private Baha'i practice with my public and private practice of Catholicism?Both Catholic and Baha'i friends kind of have extremely diverse opinions about the whole thing.Some are extremely negative, others are extremely positive.Anyway, any thoughts??
Allah-u-Abha!

.... as long as you do not partake of the Roman Catholic Eucharist (take Holy Communion--- that would be sinful and quite offensive to us Catholics) I would say that anything that brings you closer to the divine would be a wonderful thing.

May the Immaculate Mother of God help guide you towards everlasting truth!
Scott