Catholic confirmation: Were you required to "prove" mass attendance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was raised in a strict Catholic household but have been non-practicing since adulthood. Since I am an only child, DH and I had our three oldest children attend CCD and receive the sacraments - since it mattered so much to my mother. It was extremely painful for me, but I went along with it because I knew it broke her heart that I simply did not believe the same things she did.

We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for each sacrament and it wore me down more and more over the years. My mom is still alive in her 90s, but thankfully she is not really tracking the progress of our fourth child and we stopped with communion for him. I just don’t have it in my heart. DH and I might have been more accepting of confirming the youngest child, but the process was demoralizing.

If somebody had tracked mass attendance, none of our kids would have made it through. We are by no means the only family in this situation. It’s the church's prerogative to do as it wishes, but I feel it drives lots of people away.

But only people who have already moved away on their own. Seriously -- if you are not a Catholic in good standing, how can you expect to be ready for confirmation.

It's like being shocked that you get a speeding ticket on the stretch of road that everybody speeds on a little. It's still against the law and if you get caught, you have to pay the ticket if you want to keep your license. You can drive without a license, but you know if you get caught unlicensed, you've broken the law and are going to court.

With church, you have the option of finding another church that's not as strict or just stopping church altogether -- it's not a crime, unless you believe it's sinful, which apparently some people here don't believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was raised in a strict Catholic household but have been non-practicing since adulthood. Since I am an only child, DH and I had our three oldest children attend CCD and receive the sacraments - since it mattered so much to my mother. It was extremely painful for me, but I went along with it because I knew it broke her heart that I simply did not believe the same things she did.

We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for each sacrament and it wore me down more and more over the years. My mom is still alive in her 90s, but thankfully she is not really tracking the progress of our fourth child and we stopped with communion for him. I just don’t have it in my heart. DH and I might have been more accepting of confirming the youngest child, but the process was demoralizing.

If somebody had tracked mass attendance, none of our kids would have made it through. We are by no means the only family in this situation. It’s the church's prerogative to do as it wishes, but I feel it drives lots of people away.

You didn’t really do your kids any favors. If you aren’t a practicing Catholic, doing this for your mother’s sake is completely the wrong reason. I couldn’t imagine trying to encourage a child to be a participant in in a faith community that I myself had turned my back on. If this is what you thought would make your mother happy, I’m sure it was only because she thought getting them involved in the sacraments might somehow bring you back to the church. Because sometimes it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Nothing needed to be cleared up. Most people know that. His followers wrote the books and letters of the New Testament, long after Jesus died

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was raised in a strict Catholic household but have been non-practicing since adulthood. Since I am an only child, DH and I had our three oldest children attend CCD and receive the sacraments - since it mattered so much to my mother. It was extremely painful for me, but I went along with it because I knew it broke her heart that I simply did not believe the same things she did.

We had to jump through a bunch of hoops for each sacrament and it wore me down more and more over the years. My mom is still alive in her 90s, but thankfully she is not really tracking the progress of our fourth child and we stopped with communion for him. I just don’t have it in my heart. DH and I might have been more accepting of confirming the youngest child, but the process was demoralizing.

If somebody had tracked mass attendance, none of our kids would have made it through. We are by no means the only family in this situation. It’s the church's prerogative to do as it wishes, but I feel it drives lots of people away.

You didn’t really do your kids any favors. If you aren’t a practicing Catholic, doing this for your mother’s sake is completely the wrong reason. I couldn’t imagine trying to encourage a child to be a participant in in a faith community that I myself had turned my back on. If this is what you thought would make your mother happy, I’m sure it was only because she thought getting them involved in the sacraments might somehow bring you back to the church. Because sometimes it does.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

+1

There are many faiths represented on this board (and some non religious folks as well). Disagreement isn’t “attacking” anyone or their faith- all viewpoints should be welcome. If people want a “Protestant only” “Catholic only” “atheist only” board- there are many forums for all of these (and every other religion) available on other sites. This board is very broad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Nothing needed to be cleared up. Most people know that. His followers wrote the books and letters of the New Testament, long after Jesus died

And that is what Christianity is based on. Not the arbitrary and controlling policies of Rome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

+1

There are many faiths represented on this board (and some non religious folks as well). Disagreement isn’t “attacking” anyone or their faith- all viewpoints should be welcome. If people want a “Protestant only” “Catholic only” “atheist only” board- there are many forums for all of these (and every other religion) available on other sites. This board is very broad.

This from 21:00 on page 5, and the surrounding posts about how Catholics are denying sacraments to 10-year-olds, are actually attacks.

“Is this a joke? Seriously? I’m not religious so it’s a serious question. I thought churches were supposed to be full of the honest people and it was the rest of us heathens who were apparently dishonest and dishonorable. I can’t even imagine being called a liar by a priest.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Nothing needed to be cleared up. Most people know that. His followers wrote the books and letters of the New Testament, long after Jesus died

Wasn’t all that long. Paul started writing within a decade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

+1

There are many faiths represented on this board (and some non religious folks as well). Disagreement isn’t “attacking” anyone or their faith- all viewpoints should be welcome. If people want a “Protestant only” “Catholic only” “atheist only” board- there are many forums for all of these (and every other religion) available on other sites. This board is very broad.

This from 21:00 on page 5, and the surrounding posts about how Catholics are denying sacraments to 10-year-olds, are actually attacks.

“Is this a joke? Seriously? I’m not religious so it’s a serious question. I thought churches were supposed to be full of the honest people and it was the rest of us heathens who were apparently dishonest and dishonorable. I can’t even imagine being called a liar by a priest.”

I don’t see the problem with this comment at all. Criticism or disagreement is not an “attack”. I think you need to grow some thicker skin TBH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

The person accusing Catholics of cruelly denying sacraments to a 10-year-old boy—and the pages it took to clear that up including all the new lines of criticism after the original criticisms were done away with—doesn’t want “help.” She wants to bully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“I and family belong to a non-denomination church. Good for those whose Catholic church experience is what they need. I can never go back.”

Same but I’m Protestant, now. OP, show me where Jesus requires these ridiculous hoops through which to jump, to follow him.

They are in the catechism, not the Bible.

Right. Man-made. Not Jesus’ Word at all. Thank you for clearing that up.

FYI -- Jesus did not write the Bible.

The New Testament records Jesus’ teachings through his followers. I hope this clears things up for you.

Nothing needed to be cleared up. Most people know that. His followers wrote the books and letters of the New Testament, long after Jesus died

And that is what Christianity is based on. Not the arbitrary and controlling policies of Rome.

That's a pretty harsh criticism. Have you study how and they the catechism was created and how it evolves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m another poster who’s a little tired of the constant drive-by shootings by non-Christians and atheists who, if they are challenged at all, pretend innocence. The moderator won’t do anything about it, so I can understand, even if I don’t condone, how some would take matters into their own hands.

If the "it" that the moderator won't do anything about is not demanding that people of particular religions are not offended by people of other religions (or no religion), then I agree with the moderator.

The “it” is the drive-by attacks. It’s odd to write that your insults are the result of something you took offense at, when your insults so often come out of the blue.

Hope that helps.

Nope -- sounds like you think you know who you're talking to -- and that you don't really want to "help" that person - that anyone who doesn't see things your way is conducting a drive-by attack.

+1

There are many faiths represented on this board (and some non religious folks as well). Disagreement isn’t “attacking” anyone or their faith- all viewpoints should be welcome. If people want a “Protestant only” “Catholic only” “atheist only” board- there are many forums for all of these (and every other religion) available on other sites. This board is very broad.

This from 21:00 on page 5, and the surrounding posts about how Catholics are denying sacraments to 10-year-olds, are actually attacks.

“Is this a joke? Seriously? I’m not religious so it’s a serious question. I thought churches were supposed to be full of the honest people and it was the rest of us heathens who were apparently dishonest and dishonorable. I can’t even imagine being called a liar by a priest.”

+1. These people are bullies.