What's 'wrong' with Catholicism (dare we try to discuss without debate?)

[scubamouse]

I've seen a lot of posts that I don't understand on the subject of Catholicism. Why is there so much animosity toward the religion from other Christians?

FTR - I was raised Catholic but no longer practice. We attend another Christian Church but they are not hostile to the Catholic Church.

I left the Church long before the child abuse scandal and that is the thing I'm personally most angry about. But I respect that the faith has brought tremendous peace to people I love.

Think we can do this without fighting?

 

[Marseeya]

I'm afraid I can't give you a whole lot of insight. I grew up going to a Methodist church and for some reason I got the impression that Catholics weren't like "real" Christians. They didn't have a hostile attitude towards Catholics, but just that they weren't "saved." It wasn't until I was an adult that I found out differently.

 

[Planogirl]

Think we can do this without fighting?

No. Good luck though.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Think we can do this without fighting?

No. People do not want something as personal as their religion picked a part and scrutinized. It is almost like you are scrutinizing them...and not appreciated. JMO.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm afraid I can't give you a whole lot of insight. I grew up going to a Methodist church and for some reason I got the impression that Catholics weren't like "real" Christians. They didn't have a hostile attitude towards Catholics, but just that they weren't "saved." It wasn't until I was an adult that I found out differently.

This was what I got from mainstream America while growing up. I have since been baptized and confirmed Catholic (both as an adult)....and am part of a Christian Homeschooling group. Very funny the types of questions that get asked...b/c some were honestly raised to believe that we Catholics aren't saved. Well--not in the same sense as a protestant. But we do know--and proclaim weekly in fact that Jesus was sent here to die for our sins. Especially paramount during Lenten and Easter that we go at great lenghts to discuss this.

 

[Aidensmom]

Not all other Christians have animosity towards Catholics. My mother and grandparents are Catholic, I was raised that way but now am non-denominational. We have civil, insightful discussions on matters of faith.

There are some Catholic practices I do not find neccessary (such as confessing to a priest), and honestly Mass bores me because I find it too repetitive, and so the Catholic denomination is just not the best fit for me.

 

[Jennifer S]

I was born and raised Catholic but now I attend a Lutheran church. When I was in high school my parents divorced and my dad moved far away. My mom was stuggling financially at the time and I guess the church got upset that she did not give them enough money weekly in the collection basket. She got a letter asking for more money. Her thought was where is the church when I need THEM. Instead they wanted her just for money. That is when we stopped going to church.

I also think the Catholic church needs to change with the times. Really should birth control be a sin? I don't think so- esp if you can't afford a lot of children. That is just one example.

I have many friends who are still Catholic but almost none of them go to church because they don't like it but are afraid to upset their parents by changing churches. To me that is crazy.

 

[chrissyk]

I'm afraid I can't give you a whole lot of insight. I grew up going to a Methodist church and for some reason I got the impression that Catholics weren't like "real" Christians. They didn't have a hostile attitude towards Catholics, but just that they weren't "saved." It wasn't until I was an adult that I found out differently.

I just don't get this at all. I was raised Catholic, and I was always under the impression that not only were Catholics Christian, but that Catholicism was the LARGEST Christian denomination. Until adulthood, I'd rarely heard the "Catholics aren't Christians" argument, but now I hear it all the time. I don't get it FWIW, I'm not Catholic/Christian anymore, but it still bugs me to hear other people say that Catholics aren't Christians.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Jennifer--I had heard of non-Catholic churches guilty of the same thing.

Long story short--my small church community is sponsoring two girls who's mother died in a traffic accident. They are working and living in a small apartment trying to survive and graduate high school so they do not become another statistic. Their church abandonded them (BIG BIG BIG Christian church). Yet it is Catholics who are trying to help them with getting them an attorney, helping with living expenses and working on helping get these girls into college.

And other religions discourage birth control as well.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Think we can do this without fighting?

Sure, and after we get through with this one, we'll move on to what's wrong with Georgia, what's wrong with Yankee fans and what's wrong with people with too much hair.

And if any of those people are offended, well, they don't have to read this thread.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Sure, and after we get through with this one, we'll move on to what's wrong with Georgia, what's wrong with Yankee fans and what's wrong with people with too much hair.

And if any of those people are offended, well, they don't have to read this thread.

 

[JennyMominRI]

[QUOTEwhat's wrong with Yankee fans .[/QUOTE]
Where would I start

 

[Jennifer S]

Jennifer--I had heard of non-Catholic churches guilty of the same thing.

Long story short--my small church community is sponsoring two girls who's mother died in a traffic accident. They are working and living in a small apartment trying to survive and graduate high school so they do not become another statistic. Their church abandonded them (BIG BIG BIG Christian church). Yet it is Catholics who are trying to help them with getting them an attorney, helping with living expenses and working on helping get these girls into college.

And other religions discourage birth control as well.

That is great what your church is doing. I was just saying stating the reason why our family was upset with the church. Maybe we just had a bad priest. I'm not saying all Catholic churches are that way but ours was.

I guess you have to find the right fit for your life and I found it. Sadly it is not the Catholic Church anymore.

Wonder why churches discourage birth control. I can see why it used to be but in this day and age I think that's crazy.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess you have to find the right fit for your life and I found it. Sadly it is not the Catholic Church anymore.

That's fine. The OP asked what's wrong with Catholicism specifically--and the items you mentioned happened to not be particular to just the Catholic faith. That is all I was saying.


If a church doesn't promote birth control, it is probably b/c they are in the "business" of promoting sex within marriage and not how to have it when not married. (with or without exceptions to the rule b/c I know they are coming in future posts of course ).

 

[bananiem]

I also think the Catholic church needs to change with the times. Really should birth control be a sin? I don't think so- esp if you can't afford a lot of children. That is just one example.

Actually, I believe birth control is not seen as a sin. It's just that they want Catholics to use a certain type of birth control that does not include the bc pill. Natural Family Planning works for several couples I know, however I went the "to be sure" route.

 

[Jennifer S]

. Natural Family Planning works for several couples I know, however I went the "to be sure" route.

Yeah me too. The couples I know who used it have 10- 12 kids They are the huge Irish catholic families.

 

[declansdad]

I believe the word "christian" has been hijacked by the more evangelical religions. They seem to portray that if you are not one of them, you are not christian. I was raised Anglican and I feel just as much christian as the next person. I no longer attend church but I don't think that makes me any less christian either.

It seems that most organized religions like to make you feel if you are not attending church services, you will not be going to the great beyond, whatever that may be.

 

[bananiem]

My in-laws are Presbyterian. My MIL was NOT happy that her 2 oldest sons married practicing Catholics and all 6 of her grandchildren are Catholic. She hides it weel though. However, she does NOT hide the displeasure of her middle son (my dh) converting. He did it all on his own, with no coaxing from me.
I have to sit back and laugh though after having gone to services for them for the past 19 years and how much their services are starting to mimic the Catholic mass. They even do the sign of peace now!

 

[RickinNYC]

Sure, and after we get through with this one, we'll move on to what's wrong with Georgia, what's wrong with Yankee fans and what's wrong with people with too much hair.

And if any of those people are offended, well, they don't have to read this thread.

Dude, that is just... wrong. I'm a Yankee fan AND I have a beautiful, thick, head of healthy hair. Not my fault or problem that you... well... but if you wanted to marry a bald Cubs fan, I wouldn't stop you. As long as you don't rub it in my face and make it part of my life.

 

[CheshireVal]

I believe the word "christian" has been hijacked by the more evangelical religions. They seem to portray that if you are not one of them, you are not christian. I was raised Anglican and I feel just as much christian as the next person. I no longer attend church but I don't think that makes me any less christian either.

It seems that most organized religions like to make you feel if you are not attending church services, you will not be going to the great beyond, whatever that may be.

Well said. It's sometimes embarrassing to admit that I'm a Christian because it carries with it all sorts of negative connotations. I don't go to Church anymore either (was raised in a very liberal and tolerant Presbyterian church) but I still consider myself Christian.

I've always been fascinated with Catholicism and its traditions, but there are several things that I just don't fundamentally believe in (Mary being holy and remaining a virgin forever, the concept of confessing sins to a priest, and the idea that communion is *literally* the flesh and blood of Christ). I do have respect for the church, but some of those concepts are just too strange and unfamiliar for me to embrace myself. (I married a non-practicing Catholic-- we've agreed that any future kids will be raised in a Presbyterian or Lutheran church).