how does one 'become' a Catholic?
489773
Many of your questions about becoming Catholic and their beliefs can be answered here.
945877
I am 23 now and right about 14 I started questioning being Catholic also.  I think at around 14 you realize the world isn't fun and games like you thought it was and start to have to act like an adult.  Up until I was 14 my parents were the ones who brought me up Catholic, and then all of a sudden it seemed as if it was up to me.  I think you are at an awesome point in your walk with Christ.  Don't give up or give in to the lies that you are wrong.  \nThis is a learning expirience for you.  I went through the same thing, only it took me till about 2 years ago to figure it all out.  I am so much stronger now, so don't give up.  I think you are just at the age where you are taking the responsibility out of your parents hands and are now having an awesome individual relationship with God.  It is kind scary and it makes you question a lot, but stick with your faith and you will be so much stronger and it will help for those future temptaions.  \nThe world is going to throw a lot more out there, and it is going to be harder to deal with as time goes on.  Questioning isn't bad, as long as in the end you are closer to God.  Good luck and God bless!
1033036
As usual, people completely ignore the question to push their own agendas, as opposed to just ANSWERING THE FREAKING THING.....\n\nAnyways....\n\nTo become an ordained HP legally, considering that Wicca and Paganism don't recognise a head of church (just heads of their own covens) your best bet would be to go to the Universal Life Church website for ordination, and send away for their ordination packet.  It has the info and paperwork you would need to file with your local government to be legally recognised as clergy.  \n\nThe only other option would possibly be getting in with the Covenant of the Goddess, but it's a bit harder with them, and I'm not sure how close you are to them.\n\nGood luck on your journey. :)
106121
If you want to get married in a catholic church, you will be given all kinds of "conditions" and have to jump through all kinds of hoops to satisfy the priest.  Even after you jump through all the hoops, he might refuse to let you actually walk up the aisle, you might have to stand at the back of the church and get married there.  And the priest also might look and see how much your fiance has donated, and if it is not enough, he might still might not do the ceremony until your fiance satisfies his greed.\n\nUpdate to david_in_mil...:  My brother was one of the people I know that went through it.  He and his wife did all the nonsense the priest demanded, then he told them he would not marry them because he looked at the ledger, and saw no donations from him or his wife.  When they explained that she did not like using envelopes and simply put the money in the collection basket, he said she had no proof, and until they met his price, no wedding.  They went to an Episcopal church and were married there - no nonsense, no problems.
218990
I'm not sure on all the details, but I know that in order to enter the seminary, you must have a bachelor's degree and have taken a specific number of philosophy courses.  I would suggest talking with a priest and finding a seminary to find out more.
870167
Whether or not you are Catholic is not a question of legality. It is a question of Spirituality.\n\nTry to think of your Baptism's wider implications. The Catholic Church recognizes and respects baptisms that take place in other Christian denominations. That is because, once baptized, we become members of His church; either directly as Catholics, or indirectly as non-Catholic Christians.\n\nOnce Baptized, you are considered Christian. In your case, a Catholic Christian. You may be inactive in your church, but that does not in any way nullify your baptism.
259737
Believe in GOD - Go to Church - Go to Confession - Be a good Person - Make the right choices
868728
The 5th step:  Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. \nDoes NOT require clergy.  God knows what is in your heart.  \nYou can speak with God [however you perceive God] in the privacy of your room.  \nYou can speak with yourself in your own room too, of course.\nAnother human being can be found at any AA meeting. \nGo to the damn meetings!
4697
Ask Christ into your heart. Believe that he died for your sins and will forgive you and he is the risen Lord. Read the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. Find someone who is a Christian who can answer your many questions you will have. Find a good church that teaches truth from the bible. Continue to pray and strive to become more like Jesus by reading the bible and listening to Him in prayer.\n---In your question you said "REAL" Christian..These below are of "real" or true Christian ways. \n1. go to church. (the church is the body of Christ, everyone who is a Christian is a part of this, going to church can help you because there are some or many Christians there)\n2. hate everyone who is not of your faith.(not true)\n3. try and convert everyone who is not of your faith.(if you believe and love them you would, but you do not need to make everyone exactly like what you think a Christian is)\n4. call gays bad. (love the sinner hate the sin)\n5. be intolerant of everyone whom you don't like.\n6. fear god (true)\n7. love god (true)\n8. hate the devil (true)\n9. be understanding of hell. \n10. be the best person you can be (Jesus died for all the bad we do..wouldn't you want to do what you can for him?)\n11. don't over due it, as deeds don't get you into heaven. (Most believe we are saved by God's grace and we couldn't do it on our own because we are sinners by nature)
761430
I am Catholic.  There are many organizations at school and other places where people of all faiths get together to pray, have fun, and serve others.\n\nI hope that you are able to do this in your town.  If not, take the first step and invite the Catholics to participate in some community service project or celebration.  It is a great time of the year to start.
1125119
I agree. Just like if you want to know about baking a cake, don't ask your local plumber, as a baker of a bakery that makes cakes. But don't just ask someone in the church that may not have a perfect understanding of their religion, not everyone thats catholic are scholar on Catholism. Ask someone who are in authority. Like a bishop or a missionary, or whoever else who should know alot.
1033002
God bless you!   The first step would be to contact the office of the nearest Catholic parish to your home.  \n\nIt should be in the phone book; you can also do a Yahoo Yellow Pages search on the Net for the Catholic parish nearest you.\n\nAfter some individual discussion, the priest (or deacon, or qualified lay member of the parish) will get you started as far as RCIA classes.  RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.\n\nI'd be curious to know more about what is drawing you to Catholicism.  Feel free to PM me or email me at encarnacionjulia@yahoo.com .  \n\nGod bless you again!
144553
I like what has been said.  The whole point of being a Christian (past the salvation part) is to become like Christ.  How do you do this??  Good suggestions have been given, and here are some more:\n-get into the Word every day.  God is going to talk to you through the ultimate "user manual".  \n-Get plugged into a Bible based church.  Get involved!!!  \n-Be open to letting the Spirit help you in life with making choices and reaching out to others.\n-Memorize Scripture- that helps write His Word on your heart, and you will pull that out of your memory when you least expect to.\n-Clean up your "house" bit by bit.  If you wear clothes that are making guys think unholy thoughts, make the choice and wear something else.  If you have a potty mouth, bite your tongue.  We ALL have things that we are working on.  Others will see this change in you, and see how Christ is changing you.  \n-praise God all throughout the day, this helps focus on what He has made good.\n\nI have been praying for you already!
448818
The Church requires that one of the Godparents be Catholic:\n\nThus if we remember a few basic things about Baptism—it gives a person both a new and special status as a child of God and it makes a person a member of the Body of Christ, the Church—then what you are looking for are godparents who \ncan truly represent that Christian community. Basically this means you want at least one active and committed Catholic. \n\nThe Catechism of the Catholic Church states "...the godfather and godmother... must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized—child or adult—on the road of Christian life" (#1255). This is the Church's way of saying that being a godparent is truly a ministry in the Church, and not simply an honor.
1177188
I grew up as Catholic. \n\nWhen I reached the age to ask questions about what I believed and cared about, I looked around at other faiths and decided that Catholicism answered all my questions. \n\nSo I go to the Catholic church around the corner. I can also find a Catholic church where ever I travel.\n\nWith love in Christ.
794976
Welcome home!\n\nHave faith in God. In Him all things are possible. We are all prodigal sons and daughters at certain times in our lives and the Father will always take us back.\n\nStart by going regularly to Church.\n\nBecome involved in your parish.\n\nAs you become comfortable, go to confession and begin receiving the Eucharist.\n\nTake classes that discuss the doctrines of the Church, most of your struggles may be based on misunderstandings.\n\nWith love and prayers in Christ.
1155397
Raised without religion. Became Catholic as an adult.