Catholics - do you care what the Church teaches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easy for me, as a non-catholic to say "who cares what the Church thinks?", but I'm curious how Catholics feel about the church teachings on BC, abortion, etc. Are today's Catholics only so because that's how they were raised? I don't know a single one that doesn't use birth control. I'm surprised the younger generation stays with the church instead of finding a religion that is more realistic with its expectations.

I'm just curious, I guess, because I was raised in an area without many Catholics, and have spent my adult life in the northeast which obviously is much more Catholic, but all the Catholics are fairly liberal.

I suppose I am the younger generation. After a couple years of conventional birth control, I successfully switched to natural family planning (charting temps and CM, combined with surprisingly short periods of abstaining from PIV during my most fertile time each month.) Of course, this approach to managing one's fertility won't work for someone who considers any abstinence unrealistic.
Other than homosexuality, I don't disagree with any actual teachings of the Church and it is the closest fit to my personal moral code (for example, being opposed to the death penalty.) A lot of what non-Catholics and Cafeteria Catholics that I know tell me I should oppose are not actually Catholic doctrine. I suppose I was blessed to have a professor at my public undergrad who was a former Jesuit and really pushed studying what the Church teaches and then engaging it critically within the contexts of what we know about medicine, poverty, warfare, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy for me, as a non-catholic to say "who cares what the Church thinks?", but I'm curious how Catholics feel about the church teachings on BC, abortion, etc. Are today's Catholics only so because that's how they were raised? I don't know a single one that doesn't use birth control. I'm surprised the younger generation stays with the church instead of finding a religion that is more realistic with its expectations.

I'm just curious, I guess, because I was raised in an area without many Catholics, and have spent my adult life in the northeast which obviously is much more Catholic, but all the Catholics are fairly liberal.

I suppose I am the younger generation. After a couple years of conventional birth control, I successfully switched to natural family planning (charting temps and CM, combined with surprisingly short periods of abstaining from PIV during my most fertile time each month.) Of course, this approach to managing one's fertility won't work for someone who considers any abstinence unrealistic.
Other than homosexuality, I don't disagree with any actual teachings of the Church and it is the closest fit to my personal moral code (for example, being opposed to the death penalty.) A lot of what non-Catholics and Cafeteria Catholics that I know tell me I should oppose are not actually Catholic doctrine. I suppose I was blessed to have a professor at my public undergrad who was a former Jesuit and really pushed studying what the Church teaches and then engaging it critically within the contexts of what we know about medicine, poverty, warfare, etc.

For instance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am Catholic, but I've always attended Franciscan parishes which tend to be liberal and focus on liberation theology. I attend Sunday mass weekly and pray daily. I also am pro-gay marriage and pro-choice. I probably would not have had an abortion if I ever got pregnant by accident but I also knew in my two (planned) pregnancies that I would abort if there was a condition incompatible with life. I also use birth control and had sex before marriage.

My faith focuses on doing good works, not judging others, feeling a spiritual connection to God. I don't believe that to be contrary to the Catholic Church. I don't plan on converting as long as I have a strong parish and strong priests who put social justice and Jesus' words in front of policing other peoples' sex lives.

THose things are not contrary to any religion and except for "feeling a spiritual connection to God" would apply to humanism as well. There is much more to Catholicism and being pro-gay and pro-choice are not included. Granted many Catholics are acepting of those things, but they are not following the very clear directives of the Church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy for me, as a non-catholic to say "who cares what the Church thinks?", but I'm curious how Catholics feel about the church teachings on BC, abortion, etc. Are today's Catholics only so because that's how they were raised? I don't know a single one that doesn't use birth control. I'm surprised the younger generation stays with the church instead of finding a religion that is more realistic with its expectations.

I'm just curious, I guess, because I was raised in an area without many Catholics, and have spent my adult life in the northeast which obviously is much more Catholic, but all the Catholics are fairly liberal.

I suppose I am the younger generation. After a couple years of conventional birth control, I successfully switched to natural family planning (charting temps and CM, combined with surprisingly short periods of abstaining from PIV during my most fertile time each month.) Of course, this approach to managing one's fertility won't work for someone who considers any abstinence unrealistic.
Other than homosexuality, I don't disagree with any actual teachings of the Church and it is the closest fit to my personal moral code (for example, being opposed to the death penalty.) A lot of what non-Catholics and Cafeteria Catholics that I know tell me I should oppose are not actually Catholic doctrine. I suppose I was blessed to have a professor at my public undergrad who was a former Jesuit and really pushed studying what the Church teaches and then engaging it critically within the contexts of what we know about medicine, poverty, warfare, etc.

You'd feel differently if natural family planning was a big bust for you. I know a family -- now on their sixth child. They are broke and miserable, but hey, they're "Catholic."

It's depressing and disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Catholic, but I've always attended Franciscan parishes which tend to be liberal and focus on liberation theology. I attend Sunday mass weekly and pray daily. I also am pro-gay marriage and pro-choice. I probably would not have had an abortion if I ever got pregnant by accident but I also knew in my two (planned) pregnancies that I would abort if there was a condition incompatible with life. I also use birth control and had sex before marriage.

My faith focuses on doing good works, not judging others, feeling a spiritual connection to God. I don't believe that to be contrary to the Catholic Church. I don't plan on converting as long as I have a strong parish and strong priests who put social justice and Jesus' words in front of policing other peoples' sex lives.

THose things are not contrary to any religion and except for "feeling a spiritual connection to God" would apply to humanism as well. There is much more to Catholicism and being pro-gay and pro-choice are not included. Granted many Catholics are acepting of those things, but they are not following the very clear directives of the Church.

My relation to the church is a complicated one. I have considered converting many times. However, I have been lucky enough to find Catholic parishes and priests who focus on the non-judge mental aspects of Catholicism, for lack of a better term. I am friends with many priests who take issue with the Church's position on gay marriage. In fact one of the priests I know will bless the marriages of gay Catholics in a private ceremony (it's not the sacrament of marriage). The Church is thousands of years old and does not change as quickly as many of its parishioners but I do believe that it is slowly liberalizing. I'm not sure why some people on this board are so rabid and judgmental about the way others choose to live our faith. If the only people allowed at church were those who don't use birth control, the Church would be in even worse shape than it is now. I don't remember the exact statistic but something like 85% of all Catholic women use birth control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easy for me, as a non-catholic to say "who cares what the Church thinks?", but I'm curious how Catholics feel about the church teachings on BC, abortion, etc. Are today's Catholics only so because that's how they were raised? I don't know a single one that doesn't use birth control. I'm surprised the younger generation stays with the church instead of finding a religion that is more realistic with its expectations.

I'm just curious, I guess, because I was raised in an area without many Catholics, and have spent my adult life in the northeast which obviously is much more Catholic, but all the Catholics are fairly liberal.

I suppose I am the younger generation. After a couple years of conventional birth control, I successfully switched to natural family planning (charting temps and CM, combined with surprisingly short periods of abstaining from PIV during my most fertile time each month.) Of course, this approach to managing one's fertility won't work for someone who considers any abstinence unrealistic.
Other than homosexuality, I don't disagree with any actual teachings of the Church and it is the closest fit to my personal moral code (for example, being opposed to the death penalty.) A lot of what non-Catholics and Cafeteria Catholics that I know tell me I should oppose are not actually Catholic doctrine. I suppose I was blessed to have a professor at my public undergrad who was a former Jesuit and really pushed studying what the Church teaches and then engaging it critically within the contexts of what we know about medicine, poverty, warfare, etc.

You'd feel differently if natural family planning was a big bust for you. I know a family -- now on their sixth child. They are broke and miserable, but hey, they're "Catholic."

It's depressing and disgusting.

Surely their church will help them financially. A devout Catholic family in my town when I was growing up had 20 children and the church provided financial assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Catholic here. I disregard the church's position. I am late 30s. My parents were better Catholics. I go to church once a year.

You're not a Catholic.

bottom line

And I say this as someone who turned away from the church years ago.

Catholicism (or any religion for that matter) is not a once-a-year celebration.

Get off your high horse. If PP believes themselves to be a Catholic, it's not for you to say they aren't. For many Catholics, it's a cultural bond that keeps them with the church...they may have attended Catholic school, so it's what they know, what their friends are and what their family is, so it's easier to stay with some form of it than make a change. It's such a demanding faith...very few Americans follow all the rules to the letter.

PP is NOT a Catholic.

Just shut up, honey bunny! I received ALL of my sacraments attended Catholic. And where did it get me? certainly not closer to the church, as I can't STAND the church and its hypocrisy

So yes, genius, I can speak about PP. And PP is NOT a Catholic.

Not following the rules to the letter is DRASTICALLY different from attending church once a year and calling oneself a Catholic.

Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Catholic here. I disregard the church's position. I am late 30s. My parents were better Catholics. I go to church once a year.

You're not a Catholic.

bottom line

And I say this as someone who turned away from the church years ago.

Catholicism (or any religion for that matter) is not a once-a-year celebration.

Get off your high horse. If PP believes themselves to be a Catholic, it's not for you to say they aren't. For many Catholics, it's a cultural bond that keeps them with the church...they may have attended Catholic school, so it's what they know, what their friends are and what their family is, so it's easier to stay with some form of it than make a change. It's such a demanding faith...very few Americans follow all the rules to the letter.

PP is NOT a Catholic.

Just shut up, honey bunny! I received ALL of my sacraments attended Catholic. And where did it get me? certainly not closer to the church, as I can't STAND the church and its hypocrisy

So yes, genius, I can speak about PP. And PP is NOT a Catholic.

Not following the rules to the letter is DRASTICALLY different from attending church once a year and calling oneself a Catholic.

Get over yourself.

According to canon law PP is still Catholic unless she was excommunicated or converted to another religion.

[Anonymous]

Kids, stop it. Haven't you learned by now that people are what they say they are, not what YOU say they are? This goes for race, nationality, creed, religion, etc. Get over yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Catholic here. I disregard the church's position. I am late 30s. My parents were better Catholics. I go to church once a year.

You're not a Catholic.

bottom line

And I say this as someone who turned away from the church years ago.

Catholicism (or any religion for that matter) is not a once-a-year celebration.

Get off your high horse. If PP believes themselves to be a Catholic, it's not for you to say they aren't. For many Catholics, it's a cultural bond that keeps them with the church...they may have attended Catholic school, so it's what they know, what their friends are and what their family is, so it's easier to stay with some form of it than make a change. It's such a demanding faith...very few Americans follow all the rules to the letter.

PP is NOT a Catholic.

Just shut up, honey bunny! I received ALL of my sacraments attended Catholic. And where did it get me? certainly not closer to the church, as I can't STAND the church and its hypocrisy

So yes, genius, I can speak about PP. And PP is NOT a Catholic.

Not following the rules to the letter is DRASTICALLY different from attending church once a year and calling oneself a Catholic.

Get over yourself.

According to canon law PP is still Catholic unless she was excommunicated or converted to another religion.

But she's not a Catholic in good standing. For that, she needs to go to confession and communion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids, stop it. Haven't you learned by now that people are what they say they are, not what YOU say they are? This goes for race, nationality, creed, religion, etc. Get over yourselves.

Tell that to the passport authority -- saying you're American without documentation does not make you a citizen. As for religion - try being a godparent for a Catholic child without being a Catholic yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids, stop it. Haven't you learned by now that people are what they say they are, not what YOU say they are? This goes for race, nationality, creed, religion, etc. Get over yourselves.

Tell that to the passport authority -- saying you're American without documentation does not make you a citizen. As for religion - try being a godparent for a Catholic child without being a Catholic yourself.

I've been the godmother to two Catholic children. For the first I didn't have to do anything, my sister just wrote that I was Catholic. For the second I had to have a letter stating I was a parishioner at a Catholic Church, which I had. I didn't have to prove I was in good standing.

Also the godfather of my DD is not Catholic and she was baptized in a Catholic Church. The priest and church knew he was not Catholic. Her godmother is Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am Catholic, but I've always attended Franciscan parishes which tend to be liberal and focus on liberation theology. I attend Sunday mass weekly and pray daily. I also am pro-gay marriage and pro-choice. I probably would not have had an abortion if I ever got pregnant by accident but I also knew in my two (planned) pregnancies that I would abort if there was a condition incompatible with life. I also use birth control and had sex before marriage.

My faith focuses on doing good works, not judging others, feeling a spiritual connection to God. I don't believe that to be contrary to the Catholic Church. I don't plan on converting as long as I have a strong parish and strong priests who put social justice and Jesus' words in front of policing other peoples' sex lives.

Are you local? I am not familiar with Franciscan parishes, are there any in NoVa or DC? I've recently returned to Catholicism, but am struggling with my Diocese of Arlington parish. I am willing to travel to find a church that places a great emphasis on liberation theology and social justice.

[Anonymous]

So good Catholics. Answer me this. You say repeatedly in this thread that Catholics are taught not to be "judgy" - yet my mother-in-law, rabid Catholic, and those I met up with in a Catholic parochial school are the worst Christian, most judgmental, most gossipy and punishing people I have ever met in my life. ????? I would much rather hang out with my agnostic, atheist, Jewish and Evangelical friends. Catholics? I don't trust them. Maybe I've just met a bad lot . . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids, stop it. Haven't you learned by now that people are what they say they are, not what YOU say they are? This goes for race, nationality, creed, religion, etc. Get over yourselves.

If she was baptized she is Catholic.