Why is it ok to bash Catholics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell would break lose on this board if something anti-Jewish or anti-black was said. Why do you continue to bash Catholics? If I made a comment that all Jewish women appear to be overweight I would be called an anti-Semite..... The SUV thread which started out funny really took an ugly and offensive turn and I am surprised that everyone thinks it is alright.

Born and raised Catholic, Catholic school through senior year in HS, confirmed etc. here. I feel compelled to speak out about what I see as the terrible cultural poison of the Catholic church. Just one random example, making impoverished women in Catholic countries feel like it's a sin to use birth control. Or how about we discuss pedophile priests and related cover ups? The degradation of women in Catholic history and culture? Original Sin?

If someone left a Mormon compound where they practice polygamy and marry young girls, and that person felt compelled to speak out, I wouldn't consider that bashing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something about the Catholic attitude that isn't inclusive or open and that's what I find off-putting. There is more "my way or the highway" than in other religions -- and I am just talking about my first-hand experience as a non-Catholic who married a Catholic. I didn't have this view until I went through the intrusive pre-Cana process, met with the priest, etc.

Wow. It's actually quite the opposite. Very much inclusive and about treating each other with kindness and having a sense of community. . .it's hard to put it into words, but this is from a non-catholic who attended a catholic school, and I was one of the only non Catholics there.

100% my experience as well

[Anonymous]

^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

You obviously don't know sh!t about this. Catholic communion is limited to Catholics and some others from Orthdox religions because it holds a different meaning for them than for Protestants. To Catholics, it actually is believed to be the body of Christ, while for Protestants, it is simply a symbol of Christ. Educate yourself before labeling a sacred religious practice as "so rude."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many practicing Catholics can't stand criticism of the Church, even when it's totally fact-based.

Many Catholics haters can't stand the idea that Catholics love their Church and find meaning and comfort in it. The haters obviously believe that it is much better to worship money, material goods, and self promotion and to bash everyone whose choices and beliefs don't mirror theirs. But then they spew on about what great open minded liberals they are in other contexts, such as when it comes to defending Islam, which, ironically is the most conservative religion of all. They say whatever is politically fashionable. What hypocrites!

someone went off their meds

Sorry if the truth isn't what you wanted to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a non-practicing Catholic and can see exactly why there is a lot of animosity toward the Catholic church. It's hard for millions of people to approve of a multi-billion dollar institution that tells other people how to live while not only turning a blind eye to decades of child molestation, but could also easily build a hospital for the poor if it sold off a few lavish properties in the US and Europe. The church in many ways has forgotten the poor man who walked around in sandals, was kind to children and threw money changers out of his father's house. And the church is able to go on this way because so many Catholics are more interested in the blessings but not actually living according to the words of Jesus Christ.

And there is still not a hint of traditional American Protestant anti-Catholicism out there? I find a lot of today's anti-Catholic sentiment is the same kind of stuff that the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale and other Protestant anti-Catholics used to peddle back in the day. Only now, it has been picked by so called "secular" liberals, feminists, etc. They are not happy that an institution that has existed for 2,000 plus years fails to "get with the times," so they attribute to it and its members all sorts of malignant intents.

Why have we not had a Catholic President since JFK? There are plenty of Catholics in both parties who have been more than qualified?

You hit the nail on the head. I think that a lot of the criticism of the Church today comes from people who think that they are too smart and clever for religion and who think that they can earn their liberal stripes by bashing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something about the Catholic attitude that isn't inclusive or open and that's what I find off-putting. There is more "my way or the highway" than in other religions -- and I am just talking about my first-hand experience as a non-Catholic who married a Catholic. I didn't have this view until I went through the intrusive pre-Cana process, met with the priest, etc.

Wow. It's actually quite the opposite. Very much inclusive and about treating each other with kindness and having a sense of community. . .it's hard to put it into words, but this is from a non-catholic who attended a catholic school, and I was one of the only non Catholics there.

100% my experience as well

Mine, too. Other PPs have talked about this...the haters cannot seem to separate the everyday people of the Church and the good works they do in their communities from the sins of the Church leadership. That would be the same as looking at all the scandals with Congressmen and saying that means every single one of the Americans that elected them must also be corrupt and horrible. Many of us are just as horrified by the coverups of priests' abuses and don't take every piece of doctrine to heart. In my church community, the emphasis is on loving your neighbor and service to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

This is printed in every Missal you find in every Catholic Church:

"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . .

I think that this is very clearly and respectfully asking our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to abstain from taking the Eucharist until such time as we are all again united in faith, life and worship. I see nothing rude at all in this, and would find it disrespectful if a non-Catholic decided of their own accord to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church without first discussing it with the priest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

This is printed in every Missal you find in every Catholic Church:

"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . .

I think that this is very clearly and respectfully asking our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to abstain from taking the Eucharist until such time as we are all again united in faith, life and worship. I see nothing rude at all in this, and would find it disrespectful if a non-Catholic decided of their own accord to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church without first discussing it with the priest.

Yes, I know that they have "reasons" and that they don't say it in a mean voice. It's still rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many practicing Catholics can't stand criticism of the Church, even when it's totally fact-based.

Many Catholics haters can't stand the idea that Catholics love their Church and find meaning and comfort in it. The haters obviously believe that it is much better to worship money, material goods, and self promotion and to bash everyone whose choices and beliefs don't mirror theirs. But then they spew on about what great open minded liberals they are in other contexts, such as when it comes to defending Islam, which, ironically is the most conservative religion of all. They say whatever is politically fashionable. What hypocrites!

someone went off their meds

Sorry if the truth isn't what you wanted to hear.

no here's the real truth - most critics of the Catholic church find it said that people support a blatantly corrupt institution. Their support allows the RCC to continue to do a lot of harm in the world

if you want some more truth you can watch this, although I doubt it's what you want to hear.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

This is printed in every Missal you find in every Catholic Church:

"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . .

I think that this is very clearly and respectfully asking our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to abstain from taking the Eucharist until such time as we are all again united in faith, life and worship. I see nothing rude at all in this, and would find it disrespectful if a non-Catholic decided of their own accord to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church without first discussing it with the priest.

Yes, I know that they have "reasons" and that they don't say it in a mean voice. It's still rude.

Why is it rude? If you are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church and do not hold the Eucharist to be the Body and Blood of Christ, why is rude to respectfully ask you to abstain? Would go into a synogogue or Hindu temple and partake of a rite in which you do not believe?

[Anonymous]

Jesus told the Apostles to "do this in memory of me" at the Last Supper. You are reenacting a meal, the Last Supper. You are calling the attendees to your table to partake of food and drink (now the body and blood). Except you tell some of your guests, "Except if you are not a Catholic, you aren't invited to partake".

Sorry but to me it's rude and others have expressed the same feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

This is printed in every Missal you find in every Catholic Church:

"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . .

I think that this is very clearly and respectfully asking our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to abstain from taking the Eucharist until such time as we are all again united in faith, life and worship. I see nothing rude at all in this, and would find it disrespectful if a non-Catholic decided of their own accord to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church without first discussing it with the priest.

Yes, I know that they have "reasons" and that they don't say it in a mean voice. It's still rude.

Is it also rude that Christians are not allowed to just walk into a temple and demand to be Bar Mitzvahed? Communion is a sacrament that you must learn and prepare for. It is not a simple breaking of bread. Besides, why do you care? It doesn't sound like you want to be a part of it anyway. You are just looking for something to criticize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jesus told the Apostles to "do this in memory of me" at the Last Supper. You are reenacting a meal, the Last Supper. You are calling the attendees to your table to partake of food and drink (now the body and blood). Except you tell some of your guests, "Except if you are not a Catholic, you aren't invited to partake".

Sorry but to me it's rude and others have expressed the same feeling.

For the hundredth time, it is not a meal, it is a sacrament! Get your facts straight!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ how can you say that it's inclusive where, in one of the fundamental events of the religion, breaking of bread during mass, non Catholics are specifically excluded? I've been at masses where the priest announces that non-Catholics should not come forward to eat at out table. So rude.

This is printed in every Missal you find in every Catholic Church:

"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . .

I think that this is very clearly and respectfully asking our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to abstain from taking the Eucharist until such time as we are all again united in faith, life and worship. I see nothing rude at all in this, and would find it disrespectful if a non-Catholic decided of their own accord to take the Eucharist in a Catholic Church without first discussing it with the priest.

Yes, I know that they have "reasons" and that they don't say it in a mean voice. It's still rude.

Is it also rude that Christians are not allowed to just walk into a temple and demand to be Bar Mitzvahed? Communion is a sacrament that you must learn and prepare for. It is not a simple breaking of bread. Besides, why do you care? It doesn't sound like you want to be a part of it anyway. You are just looking for something to criticize.

Why are you so sensitive to the criticism? This is my opinion as someone born and raised Catholic. You have given your explanations as to why the Church doesn't want non Catholics to partake. Some people will still find it rude regardless of the reasons.

You have your opinion, fine. You haven't changed mine.