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Cheryl Rxxx

Believing "Everything" about catholicism

I was talking to a friend who is seeking spiritual direction. (I would say I am too) Among many comments made, she said "Well you know I was Catholic at one time but there are things with which I do not agree.  So out of respect for Catholocism, I would never practice it again."  Her biggest issue with the Catholic church is its stance on homosexuality.

 

It got me thinking- I have questions about and do not agree with everything that Catholic doctrine says I should-- ie limited role of women in the church, birth control.  So my question is-- am I being completely disrepectful to my church and religion?  Do i have to believe "everything" to identify myself as Catholic.

 

Thanks for any insight...

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PatriciaPermalink Reply by Patricia on February 17, 2010 at 12:10pm
Alice,
Like you said, the key is discerning with the help of solid spiritual direction -- a desire on our part to learn & to understand (even, at times, when the answer isn't what we wanted or expected). That being said, I'm not sure referring to what the Church teaches as "what men have decided by themselves" is accurate. Recall that in the Scriptures Christ said that He would guide the Church (&, hence, the successors of St. Peter) by the Holy Spirit.
God bless--
Susie LloydPermalink Reply by Susie Lloyd on February 17, 2010 at 1:07pm
"I am not a "cafeteria Catholic" by any means but do not accept blindly anymore what men have decided by themselves!"

All talk of particular issues that Catholics may agree or disagree with aside (i.e. contraception) the real issue is in the statement above. Do we believe that the Church speaks with the voice of Christ on moral issues or do we believe it is just the voice of men deciding for themselves? I wouldn't give it two minutes of my time if mere men were just running things. If it's Christ speaking however, then to follow what the Church teaches is not to follow blindly but to trust Him rather than my own reasoning.
VanessaPermalink Reply by Vanessa on February 21, 2010 at 2:06pm
I just want to tell you that you are a very courageous woman. I bet it is so hard for you to have had those scary experiences. But know that contraception does fail. What a wonderful inspiration you are to all couples. If it helps, try not to think of the precepts of the faith as "rules". They aren't meant to put a damper on our lives. They are meant to HELP us more fully unite ourselves with God and his purpose for our lives. So while using contraception might take your mind off of worrying about becoming pregnant, it would also have other effects on your marriage that you could not predict in advance. Our whole culture's attitude toward sexuality stems from the contraceptive mentality. I know you wouldn't be using it for the same reasons, but know that you are doing the right thing, even though it is a hard thing to do. When it seems like an unreasonable burden, try to think about all the graces you are receiving by still doing the right thing through it all. God bless you!
Erika DrainPermalink Reply by Erika Drain on February 25, 2010 at 10:05am
I have PCOS too, we use NFP but use the Creighton Method since my periods are so sporadic...also, we have asked St. Gerard for his intercession regarding my PCOS and it has been veyr much (by the grace of God) under control. In the Catechism it has statements regarding having babies when it is life threatening to the mother...all the church is asking us to do is to practice natural family planning because most of all the other artificial methods are arbotificiants (spelling?)... I'd suggest you find someone in your area that can train both you and your DH in the Creighton Method, I really liked it a lot better than the Couple to Couple League NFP...it's not easy but keep in mind that the things that lead us closer to Christ are always harder, that's why it's the road less traveled!
Vicki KapronPermalink Reply by Vicki Kapron on February 8, 2010 at 10:58am
Part of having a lively, real faith in God is seeking to understand and have a closer relationship.
The Jewish tradition is one of reflection, challenge and debate, and as our Catholic Christian face
comes from the Jewish tradition (and because God gave us brains to think with), it is good to ask honest questions... but the important part of questioning is finding truth! Be willing to really dig into scripture, into the teachings of our popes, and the church fathers. Seek out to know the WHY behind the teaching...
more often than not, it's very eye opening.... and I guess that leads to where we should begin to have
our questions answered... in prayer. Go to God in prayer and just tell him your concerns and ask him
to open your the eyes of your heart, and then do your part... followup... dig deeper. Our Heavenly Father who loves us so much will lead you in truth.
Vicki
Cheryl RxxxPermalink Reply by Cheryl Rxxx on February 8, 2010 at 10:36pm
Believe me I have been praying and even in some tears recently. I am searching for something deeper.. guess I am not sure what I may find and what if the truth I seek and find doesn't line up directly with Catholic teachings...God sure did bless me with a free thinking mind and I sure do think about things LOL....I am counting on God to deepen my faith on this journey and help me find whatever I am seeking...Sorry I am just confused and not really sure that I am explaining myself well. God bless all!!


Lucy- I read trustful Surrender - thanks for sharing the link....
Diana H.Permalink Reply by Diana H. on February 10, 2010 at 3:19pm
You will get many different answers to this question depending on whom you ask. I once read a book called Why I'm Still Catholic by Gary Wells-- it's an entire book on how you can be Catholic and still have disagreements. A nun who ran my RCIA class told me once, "All you have to believe to be CAtholic is what's in the Creed."

If you listen to most people on Catholic radio or EWTN, though, you'll hear a different story.

I personally started out as a Catholic who believed in birth control, but I stayed anyway. I spent a lot of time bashing the birth control teaching as anti-woman. I have come to realize the wisdom in the Church's teachings and the efficacy of NFP. I now think it's contraception (especially birth control pills and IUDs) that are anti-woman). I went to confession to confess birth control and had a priest basically tell me that wasn't a sin; obviously you can EVEN be a PRIEST and not be "fully" Catholic!!

Just be prepared that if you stay, you might have a major change of heart on these issues-- Catholicism is powerful.
Diana H.Permalink Reply by Diana H. on February 10, 2010 at 4:39pm
Oh, here's a good quote for you:
"The Church always proposes, She never imposes." :)
DianePermalink Reply by Diane on February 11, 2010 at 12:10pm
I honestly question why so many Catholic people care what other Catholic's believe or don't believe, do or don't do, and so on. How does Mary using birth control pills affect you or your faith ? I for awhile now have been noticing a few self righteous people who are quick to criticize, uncharitably correct, preach and quote like they are above the Pope. Honestly, I don't think "what a great Catholic" these people are but rather how sad their lives must be that they feel the need to whip the entire( so called because they surely do not consider me (with my views) one of them) Catholic population into shape.
I think that we all must remember that God meets us where we are and that we are all sinners. None of us are worthy and this is why God sent his only begotten son to die so that we could live. Honestly, does anyone respond to condescending tones of an "and I quote.......so You are wrong and I am right" attitude ? Perhaps these people don't even realize how they are being perceived and perhaps they do intend to be charitable . But honestly, it seems to me that you are out to tell us all that we are not worthy to call ourselves Catholic,and you know what... You are right and we know it but Thankfully Our God ( who is the only true judge) will take us where we are ( while we are using birth control,missing mass now and then, asking the church why women can't be priests, and whatever other abominations we are guilty of) and do wonderful things with us all to his glory and the Glory of his Catholic church. So please people, before giving into the knee jerk and hopping on your alter of righteousness to " tell me", Remember... God loves me too and is using me for as important things as he is using you.
BTW
Catholic comes from the Greek katholikos, the combination of two words, kata (concerning), and holos (whole). According to the Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, the word catholic comes from a Greek word meaning "regarding the whole," or, more simply, "universal" or "general." The word church comes from the Greek ecclesia, which means "those called out," as in those summoned out of the world at large to form a distinct society. So the Catholic Church is made up of those called out and gathered into the universal society founded by Christ.
Cheryl RxxxPermalink Reply by Cheryl Rxxx on February 14, 2010 at 4:40pm
Diane- I get what you are saying and have felt this way myself at times including very recently...
Erika DrainPermalink Reply by Erika Drain on February 25, 2010 at 10:12am
I understand what you are saying...there are a lot of Catholics who are very judgemental and fail to see the "log in their own eye" BUT on the other hand there are way too many cafeteria Catholics these days! If people are going to pick and choose what they believe, why call yourself Catholic? I always wonder that...in no way am I saying I'm a "perfect" Catholic because that's impossible, I'm a mortal human, limited by so many means...and thank God the Lord understands this...yet it is my duty as a Catholic to live my life by the Church's teachings...if Christ didn't want men to run the Church he wouldn't have commended it to Peter, another mere mortal! Don't you think?
PatriciaPermalink Reply by Patricia on February 11, 2010 at 12:48pm
As Catholics, we ought to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of our Catholic & non-Catholic brothers & sisters in Christ. This includes taking the opportunity to charitably catechize (which is a spiritual work of mercy) when the teachings of the Church are misunderstood or misrepresented.

While we as Catholics are required to believe the articles of faith which we profess in the Creed, there are other doctrines, dogmas & teachings of the Church which are not explicitly mentioned in the Creed that we are bound to believe in & adhere to with the submission of faith (Lumen Gentium 25).

Jesus Himself promised the apostles & their successors the bishops, & the magisterium of the Church: "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matt. 18:18), "Feed my sheep . . . " (John 21:15-17), "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32), "You are Peter . . . " (Matt, 16:18). Christ instructed the Church to preach everything He taught (Matt. 28:19–20) & promised the protection of the Holy Spirit to "guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). That mandate & that promise guarantee the Church will never fall away from His teachings (Matt. 16:18, 1 Tim. 3:15), even if we individual Catholics might.

If an individual (layperson, consecrated religious or priest) knowingly dissents from a particular Church teaching (& preaches/teaches as such), I feel it is disingenuous & misleading to claim to represent the Church. Questioning & doubting are not the same as open dissent. Certainly, we are all sinners in need of God's abundant mercy & grace -- but we are also our brother's keeper.

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