How many former Catholics here?

[scubamouse]

I saw on one of the ubquitous religion threads that there are a lot of people who were raised Catholic but don't practice Catholicism.

I'm one - I was raised in a strict Catholic family (is there any other kind ) and was forced to attend mass. The priests were all very old and I just never related to them. Plus I really dislike the way the Church treats women. I stopped attending mass after I moved out. Even my parents have huge issues w/the Church right now because of the pedophilia scandals.

DH was raised Episcopalian and we're members of an Episcopal church. I love that our kids adore going to services.

ok ... everyone else ... confession time

 

[Miss Jasmine]

For the first 10 years of my life I was raised Catholic. My mom had some misgivings about the Catholic church and we converted to Presbyterianism. I have also attended a Methodist church and now I go to a nondenominational christian church.

 

[luvmydogs]

I, too, was born and raised into a very strict Catholic family, but left the Church when I was 19 because of dogmatic disagreements.

I totally dig God and Jesus, though, and consider myself a non-denominational Christian.

 

[Aidensmom]

I was raised Catholic, but for the last 15 years I have attended a non-denominational church.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I was raised catholic in the bible belt - I was lucky, I had a great church life - my priest was wonderful. my husband, however, was molested by a priest when young so b/c of that, and how they have treated him since he came out publicly, is the reason I no longer practice.

 

[ziggystardust]

I was raised Catholic, going to mass every sun and attending Catholic HS but I don't remember the last time I went to mass. I live fairly close to my church and literally pass it 5 times a day and always think about going in but I don't for whatever reason.

I disagree with the church on a lot of subjects but I do like that I was raised Catholic, even if I was dragged kicking and screaming every Sun when I was little.

 

[tinaluis]

DH and I were both raised Catholic -- the whole kit and kaboodle, Catholic School, Mass on Sundays, etc., but we left the church completely when they tried to tell us that it wasn't a good idea that we marry because he's Mexican and I'm White.

 

[Quackmore]

I too was raised Catholic and attended Sunday school and all that but I stopped going to Church when I was 18. Personally I do not like the Catholic Church any more. However my wife wants our children to be raised Catholic so they are enrolled in Sunday School etc... I'm just staying out of that one.


Here's what I say:

 

[DelitefulDory]

I was raised Catholic too and stopped going after a divorce and remarriage. I know they do annulments, but according to the masses I've attended, I will always be commiting adulty, annulment or not.
I won't even get into the whole priest scandal thing, but that's a tough one for me to wrap my mind around.

 

[chrissyk]

Another recovering Catholic here I was raised Catholic in the Archdiocese of Boston. 'nuf said.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Raised Catholic Now a Jewish convert. I still have much affection for the Catholic Church though

 

[disneymom3]

I was raised Catholic and DH converted after we were married. Always had positive experiences with the church and am still Catholic in many ways in my soul. however, when we had kids, I just couldn't get myself comfortable with making them go through Reconcilliation as I hate it and don't believe in it. Can't go on to receive the other sacraments without that one so we started looking for another church. We go to a very contemporary ELCA church now and love it! I would say 50% of our membership is formerly Catholic.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Raised Catholic, went to Catholic College, still practicing. I have never had a problem with The Church personally. Do I think they have made mistakes in the past? You betcha! But, so have a lot of other organized religions, they are just not as large and get as much publicity... Oh yeah, I was raised in the Boston Arch Diocese too....

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I wasn't raised Catholic, but I have a question I've always wanted to ask a Catholic. It involves praying to Saints, and even the Virgin Mary. I understand that the Catholic churh believes that Saints are those who have reached heaven and are therefore used as an intermediary between the one who is praying and God. But isn't praying to a person, such as a Saint, elevating them to the status of God? Now I've prayed for people, asking God to look after them in times of need, family problems and so forth, but praying directly to a person, even a Saint, I kind of have a problem with. If someone wants to pray, why not pray to the big man himself? Can anyone explain praying to a Saint thing to me? I sure would appreciate it. Unfortunately I'll be leaving work, and my access to the computer for the rest of the day in about 40 min., but I'll try and look for this post tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

 

[C.Ann]

Former/recovering Catholic here.. Non-denominational church now..

 

[helenabear]

I wasn't raised Catholic, but I have a question I've always wanted to ask a Catholic. It involves praying to Saints, and even the Virgin Mary. I understand that the Catholic churh believes that Saints are those who have reached heaven and are therefore used as an intermediary between the one who is praying and God. But isn't praying to a person, such as a Saint, elevating them to the status of God? Now I've prayed for people, asking God to look after them in times of need, family problems and so forth, but praying directly to a person, even a Saint, I kind of have a problem with. If someone wants to pray, why not pray to the big man himself? Can anyone explain praying to a Saint thing to me? I sure would appreciate it. Unfortunately I'll be leaving work, and my access to the computer for the rest of the day in about 40 min., but I'll try and look for this post tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

The best way I can ever explain this is that praying to a Saint is like asking for someone else to pray for you. We say that the Saints are praying for us just as I say my friends pray for me as well. We don't pray to Saints thinking they will be the intermediary.

Hard to explain sometimes, but if I have issues, I pray to God. If I feel like I need more help, I will ask Saints and other deceased as well as my living friends to pray for me.

There are songs I sing in church that ask Saints to pray for us, and the Hail Mary is also pretty much the same (the part I am referring to says "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death"

They aren't God, and I don't see them as any different as a living friend to go to. You could say in a way we pray with them, not to them.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

There are songs I sing in church that ask Saints to pray for us, and the Hail Mary is also pretty much the same (the part I am referring to says "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death"

I can understand the part about asking them to pray for you...much in the same way I, you, or we all, ask someone to pray for us. Now, when you go to pray, do you see it more as talking to the Saints instead of praying to them?

 

[helenabear]

Yep, I see it more of talking to them. A good way to explain it to some, is I see no difference in talking to Saints as I would to my deceased mother.

I admit for myself, though, if I say prayer, I am referring my direct prayer to God Himself.

 

[chrissyk]

I wasn't raised Catholic, but I have a question I've always wanted to ask a Catholic. It involves praying to Saints, and even the Virgin Mary. I understand that the Catholic churh believes that Saints are those who have reached heaven and are therefore used as an intermediary between the one who is praying and God. But isn't praying to a person, such as a Saint, elevating them to the status of God? Now I've prayed for people, asking God to look after them in times of need, family problems and so forth, but praying directly to a person, even a Saint, I kind of have a problem with. If someone wants to pray, why not pray to the big man himself? Can anyone explain praying to a Saint thing to me? I sure would appreciate it. Unfortunately I'll be leaving work, and my access to the computer for the rest of the day in about 40 min., but I'll try and look for this post tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

Youa re praying for intercession. You're not treating the saint as God, but you're asking them to talk to God for you. Also, some saints have specific purposes (St. Anthony for instance), so you ask them for intercession with something specific (for example, finding something lost in the case of St. Anthony). You aren't really praying to the saint...you are asking for their help. That's how I always understood it.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Raised Catholic but I left the church when I was 18 and I've only been back for weddings, funerals & baptisms.