Former Catholics

[kite]

I know there are a few here that were once Catholic but have since abandoned the church and I'm just curious as to why you left and what are your feelings about the Catholic doctrine in general? As for myself, I hate the politics involved, the hypocrisy (although this is the case with pretty much everything) and the blind eye turned towards the whole child molestation deal. That being said, I also feel that there is no greater collection of spiritual writings than within the Church. Some I agree with, others not so much like if a child isn't baptised it may not enter Heaven, etc.. What are some of your views?

[trip]

Re: Former Catholics

lol, i like the pagentary, history, and the service

i spent nine years under the rule of the nuns, lol

bottom line, imho, it is so steeped in preeching guilt, and focused on the negative i'm no longer involved with it

after not going for awhile, i went religiously again for about 3 years, and found it the same

[daved150]

Re: Former Catholics

it's too political...i belong now to the church of dave.

[T-Man007]

Re: Former Catholics

I left the Catholic church when I was 14 and went to a Baptist one. The reason was, the Priest would tell us that we MUST confess our sins to him. The Priest never taught us we could have a personal relationship with Christ and teh receiving of the body and blood every mass. As I started to read the Bible for myself, I realized a few things. One, no where does it say you MUST confess your sins to a Priest, it teaches about relationships throughout the whole Bible, so why wouldn't God and Jesus want me to have a personal relationship with them, and two (and this part is controversial) I don't see the point in taking of the body and blood every service. To me, and this is just my opinion, Jesus already died, he already gave his blood and body, to me, and this is just me, this act seems like Jesus's sacrifice wasn't good enough and so we have to take of it over and over and over. Again, that's just how I feel. The church I'm at now takes of these things once a year, around the time of year that Jesus actually did these things. To me, that's enough, but that's me.

As for the Baptism thing, Baptism is repeated throughout the Bible many times. Even Jesus himself was Baptised, so it's very symbolic of ones belief. However, the Bible is very clear about Salvation. Salvation comes from belief and that's it. There is not one cerimonial or symbolic thing that will get you into Heaven, not one. But, the Bible is also very clear that Baptism is a public expression of ones Salvation. If Jesus did it, Paul, John, and all those other guys, then I'll do it to. There is a lot of good stuff on Baptism in scripture. It's a persons way of saying to the world, "I accept Jesus as my Savior, I belive he died for my sins and was rose again..." (you get the point). I'd have to look up all the versus again, but I think it's a valid exercise in ones public display of faith. But, I do not believe for one second that anyone who hasn't been Baptised will not get into Heaven. That's just wrong. Abraham was found by God himself to be righteous, righteous I tell you, and he was foudn to be righteous by his faith and faith alone. Abraham was not Baptised, neither was Moses or many of the Prophets, and I know they are in Heaven, by their faith and faith alone. They didn't confess their sins to Priests, they didn't take of the body and blood every week, the believed, and they obeyed. Just try and wrap your mind around the Abraham thing for a second....all of us are going to be declared righteous before God because Jesus died for our sins, but Abraham was found righteous by God himself. Wow, that was one faithful man right there. He was the man the God personally chose to be the father of his children.

All in all, the more cerimonies, rituals, and personal acts it takes to be faithful, the more off track you get. Think about it like this, the Bible says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul" and "Love thy neighbor and you love yourself"..."upon these two comandments, all the other commandments will be built". Believe in Jesus, love him and God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love everyone as you would yourself. That's a Godly man right there. God knows what's in your heart and if you aren't confotable with yoru church you need to change churches. Period.

I am also certain of this; when you get to Heaven, you are going to be surprised at who is there and more surprised at who is not. There will be many Priests, Pastors and Preachers that don't make it, there just will, and, there will be people that you would not believe made it. It all comes down to their HEART and only God knows what's in it.

[mick-G]

Re: Former Catholics

Most of Catholic doctrine are just the ways in which Catholic law is handed down. I do not see the hypocrisy in that. The hypocrisy lies more with the ppl who do not follow it. There are molestation cases in every denomination, and not only different faiths but also in every sector of our society, so you can not single out one and say the denomination is bad just because of this. That in itself is hypocrisy. I hear of ppl not going to Catholic church because of this, and it just doesn't make sence. As far as confession, iam suprised and find it hard to believe that your Priest 007 didn't explain that you can still pray to God directly and repent to him thru prayer and acts of contrition. The act of Confession is just another ritual of the faith that has been handed down, and i really see nothing wrong in that either, as the Priest is only acting as a surrogate in which to repent and confess your sins to, and thru him God will absolve you of your sins. As far a baptisim, there are many now in the Catholic who are waiting to get baptised at a later age, but for the most part most Catholics believe we are born unto sin and have their child baptised shortly after birth. It does not mean the child or adult will not go to heaven if there is a death before they are baptised. Catholics also believe in purgatory a waiting place where some need more repentance before entering heaven. All denominations have differring beliefs, so you can not really single out a certain one just because you do not believe or understand it.

[kite]

Re: Former Catholics

Mick, I whole heartedly agree with you about the molestation, it is ignorant for people to think it's only going on in Catholic Churches. My deal with this was the attempted cover up and complete mishandling of the situation by the Bishops.
I also don't see anything wrong with confession, it's a great tool, almost like free counseling without prescription drugs being pushed towards you. I don't think it's necassary for entrance to Heaven, but a nice tool to have nonetheless.
My remark about Baptism, mostly comes from the writings of St. Augustine (actually one of my favorite philosphers) which has largely been adopted by the Church.
I guess my real beef is with my particular parish. There is absolutely no spitual direction. You show up, go through the motions maybe get to shake the priests hand and that's it. He doesn't get there til litterally about 2 minutes before service and leaves immediately after. This one priest is "servicing" 4 churches with multiple masses (english and spanish), and has no time for any kind of one on one conversation.

[T-Man007]

Re: Former Catholics

Yeah bro, you need to find another church then. A church should have a spiritual direction and you should feel moved spiritually by your church. For every new church that goes up, 3 go down, so not every church is making a difference. I think you would be re-energized if you got into a church with a plan, one with an intentional mission. I think that would spark you back up bother, I really do. I know that I've been to many churches in my life and many had nothing to offer me and some did. There are some I would not have left if I didn't move or something.

Try some new ones and see if you like one of those better. People change churches all the time and if you aren't growing closer to God in yoru church, then it's time to find one that you can. IMO

[mick-G]

Re: Former Catholics

I think that is a big prob in the Catholic church as well as maybe some other denominations, or even Christian churches. The Priests, Ministers, etc., they are just not putting out good teachers of Christ and the Bible. You have to be enthusiastic and really be in touch with the ppl to preach the Word. Some ppl have the gift, while some don't. My wife and i were going to this Catholic church and the Priest was very in tune with how the Bible and Jesus's teachings relate to modern day trials, but then he left and went to another church. Now there is prob half the ppl that used to be there because the new priest is well...just plain boring and doesn't put anything into his sermons. We will look for another church even if it is a Christian one.

[RevTodd]

Re: Former Catholics

Some good comments here... Thanks Chris for alerting me to this thread. I'll try to answer the question succinctly.

My original reason for parting ways with the RCC was very simple… I decided I was an atheist! Hard to maintain church membership and at the same time deny God’s existence, lol!

Actually, I rejected Catholicism twice. The second time was after I abandoned my 7 years of atheism and received Christ as my Lord and Savior. When I had my spiritual awakening, my first move was to return to the only church I’d known -- the RCC. They also claimed to be the original church with apostolic succession going back to Peter himself, so it made sense to me at that time.

The problem came when I actually started to read and study my Bible. At the same time, I began to re-discover RCC doctrine and practice. I then realized for the first time in my life that Roman Catholicism is not based on biblical revelation alone, but on a mix of historical tradition, majesterial authority, papal pronouncements, and the church’s own ‘official’ interpretation of the Scriptures. I left the RCC and became an Evangelical because I believe some of their teachings clearly contradict the plain, common sense reading of the Scriptures, and that many other RCC dogmas are complete innovations with no biblical basis whatsoever (the assumption of Mary, for example). Knowing how they derive their authority, this is not surprising. Knowing something about church history also helps to shed some light.

Historically and doctrinally there is a significant distinction between the “catholic,” or universal, church and the Roman Catholic Church. From the death of the last apostle to the elevation of what I’ll call Political Roman Christianity begun by Roman Emperor Constantine in 313 AD with the Edict of Milan, the church was frequently persecuted as a radical sub-sect of Judaism. Under these conditions the teachings of the Apostles remained well-preserved, the church’s doctrinal understanding, while rudimentary, was relatively pure, and books of the New Testament were acknowledged, circulated, and revered as God’s very Word.

From a socio-political perspective, Rome’s adopting of Christianity as the state religion was a shrewd way to consolidate a fragmented situation under a unifying and exclusive “spiritual” influence. Politically, it could be seen as a prudent move given the times, but it was catastrophic for the church. Acceptance by Constantine and the eventual official sanction by Theodosius in 380 led to the inevitable compromises of political, economic and social expediency. The church morphed into more a branch of government than a community of faith, and it became in many ways as corrupt as the system that embraced it.

So if you ask me if I’m still a member of the catholic (meaning, “universal”) church, I’d answer yes, as are all true believers in Christ. But the reasons I abandoned the Roman Catholic Church are, in a nutshell, as I stated.

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Former Catholics

I know there are a few here that were once Catholic but have since abandoned the church and I'm just curious as to why you left and what are your feelings about the Catholic doctrine in general? As for myself, I hate the politics involved, the hypocrisy (although this is the case with pretty much everything) and the blind eye turned towards the whole child molestation deal. That being said, I also feel that there is no greater collection of spiritual writings than within the Church. Some I agree with, others not so much like if a child isn't baptised it may not enter Heaven, etc.. What are some of your views?

I feel the church in and of itself is corrupted. I feel the bible is a good source of moral fiber, but is not 100% accurate. I also feel I don't need someone else to tell me how to have a relationship with god, that is between me and him. I still worship the same god as I did being a catholic. But I do so without being caught up in the politics of it like you said! I think it's a giant money making machine so it has been compromised. But my bond with god cannot be compromised because it is pure and uncorruptable.

[kite]

Re: Former Catholics

Very good replies guys, thanks for the input.

[mick-G]

Re: Former Catholics

I have to look into the Assumtion of Mary, as im not really informed on it, but i do know the Catholics have changed many things, and even taken quite a few of the Saint off their lists. That has many older Catholics unhappy. I guess i go mostly for myself and a feeling of inspiration, and not get into the politics of it. Go where it makes your feel closer to God. That is prob the #1 reason to go to your particular church.

[kite]

Re: Former Catholics

I have to look into the Assumtion of Mary, as im not really informed on it, but i do know the Catholics have changed many things, and even taken quite a few of the Saint off their lists. That has many older Catholics unhappy. I guess i go mostly for myself and a feeling of inspiration, and not get into the politics of it. Go where it makes your feel closer to God. That is prob the #1 reason to go to your particular church.

The Assumtion is the theory that she was taken body and soul into Heaven. The Scripture says only that she went to "sleep". There is no way of knowing what happened to the body.

[DJDIGGLER]

Re: Former Catholics

Since we're on the religon topic.....

Out of curiosity I wonder what you guys think about the few things mentioned in the bible that seem to be lined up pretty well today....

A one world government, a one world cashless currency (which I'd like to note our own dollar is going the way of the dinosaur. It's not even backed by gold or silver anymore!), Natural disasters galore!

My buddy is very religious and was just telling me all of these things and how it lines up with revelations and the end times. I was curious as to what everyone thinks about it?

[kite]

Re: Former Catholics

Since we're on the religon topic.....

Out of curiosity I wonder what you guys think about the few things mentioned in the bible that seem to be lined up pretty well today....

A one world government, a one world cashless currency (which I'd like to note our own dollar is going the way of the dinosaur. It's not even backed by gold or silver anymore!), Natural disasters galore!

My buddy is very religious and was just telling me all of these things and how it lines up with revelations and the end times. I was curious as to what everyone thinks about it?

I don't know. I suppose it could be close to the end, but most of what's goin on in the world today has been going on for centuries. Personally I can't imagine God putting up with much more of us fukkin up but that's His call.