OT: Am I a Bad Catholic?

[Karlzmom]

In Europe this is not an observed law in most homes.
. .

funny, when I was in southern Germany [Bavaria] for a number of years we got no meat on all Fridays, just like it used to be here in America!

 

[JimR24]

Ouch. Pretty offensive.

Do what you want, believe what you want. But there's no reason to put down anyone whose beliefs differ from yours.

Didn't mean to offend anyone nor did I care if I did. It was a decision I made on my own free will and didn't think I was "putting down" the whole Catholic religon. Now if I mentioned altar boys and priests, that would be offensive.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

And, are you Catholic? If you'll notice, the OP asked for opinions. You're welcome to find my opinion, supporting Church practices, to be un-Catholic. You, however, are wrong.

Had the OP simply commented on not following this practice in a post, I wouldn't have responded. Those of us who responded honestly are now being attacked as being judgemental and un-Catholic. I would guess that those of you doing the attacking are either lapsed Catholics yourselves or you belong to other denominations, in which case what in the world makes you think you have any business answering or commenting on this issue?

I stand by my opinion: if you don't believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church, don't call yourself Catholic. If you want to call yourself Catholic, follow the teachings. The Catholic church was founded by Jesus himself...given the choice, I will choose to follow church teachings .

Yes I am Catholic. The Catholic church has changed many rules since it began. Do you remember when women had to have their heads covered to even go to church? The point is that the church makes changes to things. They interpret it the way they want at that particular moment in time (a general time not moment by moment). The teachings of Jesus are open to much interpretation. God says to love one another yet if you are gay you are a sinner. The list goes on. This is their interpretation of the Bible. I believe in many of the teachings of the church. I also think many of their teachings are outdated. As an example priests cannot marry. That is not the teachings of Jesus. That rule was made so that when they die any land etc. that they own would go to the church and not a spouse or family.
I was not commenting on you specifically but since you have quoted me I will. Yes, I find your post that I have quoted here to be un-Catholic. Instead of condeming how about tolerance, acceptance and maybe trying to explain why you think it is important to uphold the non meat Fridays? Maybe spread the good word instead of seeming to look down on others. Many people truly don't understand every church "rule". I went to church every Sunday growing up and was in youth group there all through my schooling. I have received my sacraments etc. I still do not know everything there is to know about the religion. I doubt anyone does. So instead of telling people that if they can't follow the "rules" they should get out, how about explaining the "rules" and why they are important and opening your arms to not only a fellow parishioner but a fellow person. That is what I find Un-Catholic.

Flame away.

 

[becca-becca]

Let's see - didn't the Pope just communicate to Nancy Pelosi that you can't be a cafeteria Catholic (picking and choosing).

Your post sounds like you want to purposely eat meat on Fridays even though you are well aware it is against the lenton rules. In that case, I think it is a sin. If you ate meat because you honestly forgot (and God knows), then it is not.

Again, God is not going to take a poll to see who is good or not when judgement day comes. That is between you and God (not the people on the Disboards) ... and, if you are a practicing Catholic, you can get your answer from the Priest in the confessional.

I agree completely!

 

[DianeV]

I am a Catholic and am very saddened by the very un Christian like responses on this thread. So many on here have a superior attitude and that is not what Jesus wanted or was even like.

I believe the Catholic church needs to realize that some things are very outdated and not realistic to the world of today. They are losing people (especially young people) due to the rigidness and turning people off to the church

Again I dont think that is what Jesus wanted or was even like. There are also things that are not in the bible specifically but are just interpretations done by those in the past. Remember how long ago that was?

 

[LisaNJ25]

nah.. personally I dont think your a bad catholic for eating meat on Friday. Hubby and my kids are catholic and I dont go out of my way to have meatless meals those nights.

Jesus is not going to think any less of someone because they ate meat.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am a Catholic and am very saddened by the very un Christian like responses on this thread. So many on here have a superior attitude and that is not what Jesus wanted or was even like.

I believe the Catholic church needs to realize that some things are very outdated and not realistic to the world of today. They are losing people (especially young people) due to the rigidness and turning people off to the church

Again I dont think that is what Jesus wanted or was even like. There are also things that are not in the bible specifically but are just interpretations done by those in the past. Remember how long ago that was?

Thank you!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am a Catholic and am very saddened by the very un Christian like responses on this thread. So many on here have a superior attitude and that is not what Jesus wanted or was even like.

I believe the Catholic church needs to realize that some things are very outdated and not realistic to the world of today. They are losing people (especially young people) due to the rigidness and turning people off to the church

Again I dont think that is what Jesus wanted or was even like. There are also things that are not in the bible specifically but are just interpretations done by those in the past. Remember how long ago that was?

Thank you!

 

[jrt1176]

I believe I read somewhere that the whole "no meat on Fridays" thing was started to help the fishermen at some time?

Once I heard this, I never cared about eating meat on the Fridays...

This year, I'm not really eating meat during lent...so I guess I am following...\

But, you're fine! I dont think anyone is a "good" Catholic!

 

[mjkacmom]

I am a Catholic and am very saddened by the very un Christian like responses on this thread. So many on here have a superior attitude and that is not what Jesus wanted or was even like.

I believe the Catholic church needs to realize that some things are very outdated and not realistic to the world of today. They are losing people (especially young people) due to the rigidness and turning people off to the church

Again I dont think that is what Jesus wanted or was even like. There are also things that are not in the bible specifically but are just interpretations done by those in the past. Remember how long ago that was?

Actually, the rules don't change much in the Catholic religion. There will never be female priests, birth control will never be accepted, homosexuality will never be condoned. Something to do with the infallibility of the Pope - if these changes are made, the religion is no longer Catholic (which is why there are SO many other christian denominations - the Catholic church is the original church, and when people didn't like the "rules," they formed other churches. So although they're losing members, I doubt these major changes will be made after all of these years.

 

[javamoma]

Although I have found this thread intersting to read, it has also haunted me. I sat in church yesterday and prayed over it. It occured to me that we could take the easy way out and agree to disagree or debate who is right until we are bitter and angy (this thread may have already reached this point) which would not honor God nor shine the light of Jesus into the dark world. I tend to have a very sharp tongue and it has been extremely hard not to reply to every post I disagree with. Bible verses and documented history all come to mind and I start to get fired up (some of you probably feel this way too) but I have had to pray for help to hold back because I know it could go to a place that will not honor God. You people are making it tough on me

Anyway, I think this is where God's amazing grace comes in. I am guessing that everyone who has posted has felt strongly in their heart about the way they feel. Thus, emotions run high.

I am protestant. And I am willing to attend any church where they preach from the bible and teach the gospel. That is my critera. If it can't be backed up from the bible then red flags are raised and I go somewhere else. I didn't actually want to be Baptist (don't have anything against them) but I know with all my heart that God has called me to be apart of the Baptist church I am now a member of. It's where He wants be to be for whatever reason. It is not my place to ask Him why.

Likewise I believe He leads others of us to other churches such as Catholic, Methodist etc. I am guessing that we all sat in church yesterday and thought, "wow, this is where I need to be. This feels right and God is here."
He puts those passions in our hearts that lead us to the church we need to be in so we can reach the people He wants us to reach.

So, although we don't agree with each other we cannot judge what God is telling another person. That is so out of our realm. And neither can we put God in a box and say He fits this set of rules or that set. He is so much bigger that that.

This isn't really a reply to the OP's question but just my opinion on the whole discussion here.

OP, like so many others have replied, pray and ask God what to do. He may tell you to straighten up and follow the Catholic rules and He may tell you something far from that. It would be wrong of me to guess and tell you what God wants you to do.

I think this whole thread needs one big giant

 

[lntsmom]

Thank you!

You can't be Catholic and not behave as a Catholic.

You have Secular Humanism confused with Catholicism. The Catholic church isn't a feel-good whatever-goes institution.

If you mislead others you are no better than the scribes and pharisees that Christ said made their followers twice as fit for hell as they are themselves.

Do not believe that God will gladly tolerate your spreading mistruths and falsehoods in His name.

There is right and there is wrong. If you believe the Catholic church is outdated I suggest you try the Methodist, Lutheran, or Episcopal churches. The door opens both ways!

 

[DianeV]

I think sometime in the future (maybe sooner then we think) there will have to be changes made...they already cannot get enough priests, they are losing members and you cannot continue to live in this day and age with interpretations from thousands of years ago

Many people already use birth control because we live in a different world then before...who can afford to keep having kids and give them what they need and take care of them?

What about when we run out of priests? Don think it will or can happen? It could!

I know there are those who are 'old school' and believe things should never change. Alot of them also dont like change in any way. But you have to be realistic

Just some thoughts

 

[mjkacmom]

OP, just because you are a bad Catholic doesn't make you a bad Christian. A true Catholic does not pick and choose, but tries his or her best to follow the rules and teachings of the Church, not just the ones he or she agrees with (I'm guessing this is not the case with other Christian religions, where you have more choices). This doesn't make you a bad person. I fully admit that I'm a bad Catholic, because I don't follow all of the rules and laws of the religion - doesn't make me a bad Christian, however.

The laws of the Catholic church are pretty black and white - for example, not many Christian religions consider it a mortal sin to miss church on Sunday, and not just any church, but your denomination's church. I think the Catholic church would die out before making changes.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You can't be Catholic and not behave as a Catholic.

You have Secular Humanism confused with Catholicism. The Catholic church isn't a feel-good whatever-goes institution.

If you mislead others you are no better than the scribes and pharisees that Christ said made their followers twice as fit for hell as they are themselves.

Do not believe that God will gladly tolerate your spreading mistruths and falsehoods in His name.

There is right and there is wrong. If you believe the Catholic church is outdated I suggest you try the Methodist, Lutheran, or Episcopal churches. The door opens both ways!

Are you behaving like a Catholic? I don't think so. At least you are not behaving like anything that I was taught at church or religious ed. In fact, you seem to be very judgemental and un-Catholic if I was to be honest. It is very nice of you though to say in so many words that other churches are wrong. I didn't know that us Catholics had the market on God cornered. At least I now know that all those other people are just spreading mistruths and falsehoods. Glad you cleared that up.
Now I will go and spread the good word that everyone but the Catholics are wrong and if you don't agree you will be condemed to eternal damnation! I suppose it is only fair since I was born and raised Catholic and I don't believe in confession either. At least not in the traditional way. So, I will get my SPF 100 sunscreen since that will now make me twice as fit for hell.
Really, if you want people to respect the Catholic religion and to abide by the rules perhaps a better approach would be to explain why things are done, and why you feel they are important to uphold instead of telling people that is the right way and if you don't like it then to hit the street because they are heathens.
So I will pray for you. You seem angry. May God give you peace and clarity.