u/smokingwalrus1

I’m trying to fully believe that I don’t have to do anything to earn my salvation and realize that Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross was enough and the ultimate gift. What makes this hard is I used to be a practicing Catholic, so with all the rituals it felt like I was trying to maintain and earn my salvation by avoiding mortal sin and taking the Eucharist. And I’ve realized that when I was very devout, it was based off of fear and I don’t want that for my relationship with God. I’ve been exploring other denominations and most likely want to be in historical/high church Protestantism. Catholicism gave me a good starting foundation for my faith, but after re-learning its history and dogmas I don’t want to stay. But that’s kinda besides the point rn and just some extra info.

Anyway, How can I let go of my anxiety and need to feel like I have to do stuff to earn salvation? It feels deeply rooted in me that I have to do that and that I’m not forgiven unless I go to a priest specifically. I’m tired of letting this consume me. I want to focus on God, but it’s hard when I have all these “obligations” and rules from my infant baptism on me, that I don’t want to follow. Also if anyone’s been in my situation and changing denominations I’d love to hear your story for some encouragement. This is one of the hardest things I’ve gone through.

(Posted this to extradtionalcatholic too)

i think this is the hardest Catholic dogma to deconstruct from. i am still Christian and a believer in God & Jesus Christ, and i overall feel more fulfilled and grow more in Protestant churches. but i feel like growing up devout RCC, this dogma scares the hell out of me (ha no pun intended there). anyway, for anyone in a similar situation to me (cradle Catholic, devout many years, went through sacraments, discovered there's more out there than just RCC etc) does it get better? does the salvation over anxiety ever go away?
it's such a struggle. i believe in the scriptures over tradition personally now, but i feel like Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus was so ingrained in me since young age that it seems like i will be uncomfortable forever and not have peace. even tho parts of my conscience do not agree with Catholicism doctrine/ dogma. this choice feels life or death. so like, am i just supposed to stay Catholic cause of my baptism & sacraments even tho i believe God can most definitely work outside the RCC and Protestants are saved, bc then at that point it's out of fear. but what about my salvation? would i really go to hell for still saying in Christianity but not as a catholic? sorry, just rambling and thinking out loud there. i don't know what to do to help me have assurance that leaving RCC is okay.