Por que sou católico?

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey to Catholicism, explaining the philosophical and historical reasons behind their conversion. They discuss the influence of Platonic and Aristotelian thought, particularly the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas, which led them to explore the existence of God. They also address their struggles with atheism and Protestantism, emphasizing the historical roots and consistency of Catholic doctrine. The speaker reflects on the Church's role in shaping Western civilization and the importance of faith, personal conviction, and the spiritual legacy of Catholicism in their life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker initially lacked certainty about God's existence, which led them to explore philosophical arguments, including the works of Plato and Aristotle, eventually coming to the conclusion that God's existence is plausible.
• 😀 The works of St. Thomas Aquinas played a pivotal role in the speaker's journey toward Catholicism, as his philosophical system deeply resonated with their understanding of reality and the existence of God.
• 😀 The speaker explored the arguments against God's existence but found them lacking, particularly in their denial of basic metaphysical concepts like causality, which further solidified their belief in God's existence.
• 😀 The speaker dismissed the idea of a scientific proof for God, emphasizing that the existence of God is more of a metaphysical question, not something that can be scientifically verified.
• 😀 The speaker's investigation into different religions led them to dismiss Eastern religions for being too symbolic and non-revealed, ultimately finding the internal coherence of Christianity more compelling.
• 😀 The debate between Catholicism and Protestantism was significant in the speaker's conversion. They found Protestant arguments weak, particularly the historical arguments about the nature of the early Church.
• 😀 The speaker's exploration of early Christian writings, such as those by Justino and Clement, revealed that the early Church was very much aligned with Catholicism, challenging Protestant claims about the Church's origins.
• 😀 The speaker considered the Orthodox Church but ultimately rejected it due to historical disputes, feeling that they were more political than theological, and saw Catholicism as the more consistent path.
• 😀 The speaker highlighted the significant contributions of the Catholic Church to Western civilization, including its role in establishing universities, hospitals, and advancing the arts and sciences.
• 😀 Ultimately, the speaker's conversion to Catholicism was not based on purely intellectual arguments but on a personal, faith-driven experience, acknowledging the need for divine grace in coming to faith.

Q & A

What initially led the speaker to explore Catholicism?

The speaker's initial exploration into Catholicism was driven by doubts about the existence of God, which led him to delve into philosophical discussions, particularly through the works of Plato and Aristotle. This eventually led him to consider the arguments in favor of God's existence, particularly those of the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition.

How did the works of Plato influence the speaker's religious journey?

Plato's discussions on the immortality of the soul and his philosophical ideas about the nature of existence sparked the speaker's reflections on the existence of God. These readings contributed to the speaker's engagement with the metaphysical arguments for God's existence.

What role did Saint Thomas Aquinas play in the speaker's conversion?

Saint Thomas Aquinas was a significant figure in the speaker's conversion to Catholicism. His philosophical depth and the application of Aristotelian thought to theology helped the speaker understand Catholicism more profoundly. Aquinas' realist philosophical system, which integrated metaphysical arguments for God's existence, was a key factor in the speaker's shift towards Catholicism.

Why did the speaker find arguments against the existence of God to be unconvincing?

The speaker found arguments against the existence of God, particularly those from atheists like David Hume, to be problematic. Many of these arguments seemed to deny basic principles like the reality of the world and the possibility of metaphysical knowledge, making them harder for the speaker to accept compared to the philosophical arguments supporting God's existence.

What was the speaker's perspective on the Protestant Reformation?

The speaker was not convinced by the arguments of the Protestant Reformation, particularly its historical claims that the early Church was essentially Protestant and later corrupted. By reading early Christian writings and the works of the Apostolic Fathers, the speaker found that the early Church's practices were much closer to Catholicism than to Protestantism.

How did the speaker evaluate the Orthodox Church in comparison to the Catholic Church?

The speaker acknowledged the Orthodox Church as being close to Catholicism in many aspects, especially in terms of doctrine and liturgy. However, he ultimately rejected the Orthodox position, seeing many of the disputes leading to the East-West Schism as more political than theological, and found no compelling theological reason to follow the Orthodox tradition over Catholicism.

What role did the history of Western civilization play in the speaker's decision to become Catholic?

The speaker was deeply influenced by the historical contributions of the Catholic Church to Western civilization, including the creation of universities, hospitals, and advancements in science. The Church's role in preserving and promoting cultural, intellectual, and artistic achievements convinced the speaker that Catholicism had played a vital role in shaping the world.

How did the speaker view the importance of tradition in Catholicism?

The speaker emphasized the importance of Catholic tradition in maintaining the integrity of the faith and its teachings. He found that the Catholic Church, through its unbroken tradition, had preserved the teachings of the early Church, which was essential for understanding and practicing the Christian faith authentically.

What was the significance of the sacraments in the speaker's journey towards Catholicism?

The speaker found the sacraments to be a key aspect of Catholicism that aligned with the teachings of the Gospels. He was particularly persuaded by the sacrament of confession and the real presence in the Eucharist, seeing them as integral to Catholic worship and spiritual life.

How did the speaker address the question of faith and reason in his conversion?

The speaker acknowledged that faith played a crucial role in his conversion, stating that while there were compelling intellectual reasons for embracing Catholicism, the ultimate decision to be Catholic came through God's grace and a personal gift of faith. He emphasized that faith is a gift and that reason alone could not lead him to this conclusion.