Believing "Everything" about catholicism

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Permalink Reply by Diane on February 11, 2010 at 1:24pm

I understand but I think that we are looking at things from two different perspectives. You from a Informative nature and me from a condescending... "You are unworthy to call yourself Catholic" standpoint. I just feel that if the church were to cast out all who were unworthy, it would be slim attendence on Sunday.
The major problem that I have is the "Holier than though" attitude ( and even pride)that some seem to have in the name of helpfulness. Kind of a "let he who is without sin cast the first stone "kind of thing. Information is one thing.... Judgement is another.
As for the quote... It isn't adressing simply the creed but it is Catholocism. It means the whole... not just the rightious.... not just those who totally agree.... but the whole. That is my point

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on February 11, 2010 at 4:06pm

Thanks for your honest response. I do see what you are saying. While Christ (& hence, the Church) does meet us where we are, it is with the aim to lead us out of ourselves (& our sins) & back toward Christ. We are all called to metanoia, an ongoing (day by day, even minute by minute for me!), conversion & internal reorientation to follow Christ.

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Permalink Reply by Lucy Sheahan on February 11, 2010 at 6:29pm

I'm one of those people who hates confrontation and wants everyone to "get along", so it's hard for me to talk to others about the truth the Church teaches that might go against their grain.

But I guess that Jesus did exactly that. You know, He called the woman at the well on the carpet for the men she had lived with; and although He said, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone," he also told that woman to,"Go and sin no more." So I guess He really did meet them right where they were, with love. They certainly showed that they felt loved by Him after their meeting. But he also held them accountable and didn't excuse their sins.

It's hard to speak the truth as it is taught in the Bible and Catechism today, but I also know (from plenty of personal experience) that sin is the cause of all unhappiness.

I try to remember what Mother Theresa said: "We must speak the truth, but we don't have to convince anyone."

God Bless,
Lucy
www.mysticalrosedesign.blogspot.com
PS I'm telling everyone today to go to my blog to place their petitions before Our Lady of Lourdes on her feast day. I know Our Lord Jesus can't refuse her on her special day!

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Permalink Reply by Susie Lloyd on February 13, 2010 at 10:56am

Hi Diane,
I doubt that anyone gets a high from telling another Catholic that to be a Catholic means believing all that the Church teaches. I'm a devout coward. I would rather move to Alaska and live in an igloo than have that touchy conversation!

Nevertheless, I do not see the point of being Catholic if I really protest what the Church teaches. This is how protestantism got started. Sadly, Christianity has never recovered from that great divorce. Jesus wants us all in one household - not living separately or believing different things about who He is and what He teaches. That's why He founded one Church - so we would have a sure way to follow and not follow our own plans. Chesterton said it best: "The Catholic Church is the only thing that frees a man from the degrading slavery of being a child of his age."

But I agree, I'm glad that the Church seldom casts anyone out. It's natural to have questions and doubts. And no one lives perfectly. Not people who appear holier than thou either. (Appear. We aren't supposed to judge them either. Only God knows the heart.) We all have something to improve upon. That's when we seek answers, pray more, and go to Confession.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on February 13, 2010 at 1:49pm

Susie,
I am glad you emphasized the point that rarely does the Church cast anyone out...in fact, I've not heard of that ever happening. Even with the rare case of excommunication -- it is the individual who, in effect, cuts off communion with the Church & excommunicates themselves. This is one way in which the Church, in her mercy & wisdom, tries to bring an errant soul back into the fold when their very soul is at risk of permanent separation from God.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Rxxx on February 14, 2010 at 4:46pm

I understand Jesus found the One True Church- Catholicism. It has changed a LOT since its original form-- heck even since the 60s with Vatican II. I have a hard time with that too-how do I explain to friends (or even myself) that things can change so drastically--isn't that similar to what protestants did? They updated and changed things they viewed as corrupt. Heck, if you read history books around that time- people, governments, churches, clerics full of corruption and unbelievable stories of very Ungodly things...not trying to totally stir the pot but honestly saying I can't understand and explain these things...I think what I need to read is a good Apologetics book and go from there.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on February 15, 2010 at 2:52pm

Over time, various dogmas have developed as the Church comes to a fuller understanding of certain doctrines. Church teaching has also developed as culture & technology changes -- examples of this would be Church teaching on human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, in vitro fertilization & the like.

As the Church is made up of sinful human beings, there have been times throughout history (as you mentioned) when scandal & corruption were very real problems. While Christ promised the Holy Spirit would guide the Church, the same cannot necessarily be said for the frail & sinful human beings that represent the Church here on earth. The Church itself is the spotless & unchanging Bride of Christ.

During the Protestant revolt, Scripture & teachings that had previously been accepted since the time of Christ & the early Church Fathers were tossed aside. That differs greatly from the development of doctrine over time.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Cross on February 25, 2010 at 11:39am

I don't want to be a Negative Nelly here because I hear and agree with what you say here Patricia. And my husband and I do use NFP even though I still question whether or not it is necessary. I see all the evils that contraception causes, trust me, I do. My question in my mind arises when we say that we follow all that Jesus taught us. When did He tell us not to contracept? I'm not that familiar with the Bible so I struggle with this. Did Jesus really address sexuality in that way?? It's just so confusing.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on February 25, 2010 at 8:28pm

Karen,
I am glad that you asked. The teaching of the Church on contraception (& related issues) may be difficult for some, but it does not need to be confusing.

These links are a great resource for what the Scriptures say about the matter, as well as Apostolic Tradition & the Early Church Fathers:

http://www.catholic.com/library/Birth_Control.asp

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/contraception.html

God bless--

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Permalink Reply by Karen Cross on February 25, 2010 at 9:41pm

Very cool, thank you so much! I will check these out!

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Mark Andrews on February 14, 2010 at 12:53am

yes Saint Aslem said Believe so that you might understand.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Rxxx on February 14, 2010 at 4:38pm

If only it were that simple :-) ...God gave us amazing, complex minds which he created so we could think and question things. Though other animals are intelligent, God did not create any other mammal with the capacities which we have. What Saint Aslem said is very simple yet so complicated...I tend to delve deep and complicate things but truly believe by really exploring it is the only way I can be true to my faith. That PERSONAL faith, which IMHO, has more to do with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and I than whether I believe 100% of what the Catholic Doctrine.

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