The future of the Catholic Church

[Anonymous]

I was raised hard-core Catholic, Catholic School, nuns etc., now vehemently anti-catholic, and one of several posters who have taken issue with Catholic policies on this board.

Thought some of you might be interested in this article about US Latinos being the future of the Catholic Church:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/10/2...ic.church/index.html

The hardcore liberal in me trembles to think that the large and growing Hispanic population in this country might adhere to Catholicism and make us more conservative in the future. Wondering what will happen to reproductive and gay rights in a majority hispanic, largely Catholic country. I never worried at all about immigration before. This is the first issue that's given me pause.

And FYI before you flame me I am married to a Latino and my two children are of Latino heritage.

[Anonymous]

what if the OP said:

I am vehemently anti-jewish, and one of several posters who have taken issue with jewish policies and the jewish faith.

bigot.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I read the article too quickly, but I didn't see any discussion of Hispanic Catholics being more conservative than Anglo Catholics. I do understand that Latin American culture as a whole & on average is more conservative about the roles of women (although it seems that there's also a lot of respect for fatherhood & a love of children, which US culture could learn from). But I think that as more immigrants arrive, they'll be changed by US culture (even as they change US culture).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what if the OP said:

I am vehemently anti-jewish, and one of several posters who have taken issue with jewish policies and the jewish faith.

bigot.

If by jewish policies, you mean zionist/israeli policies, I'd back you up on that. No bigotry at all. I don't think you understand the word, in fact.

[Anonymous]

I remember hearing a story on NPR about how conservative various generations of latinos who have come to the US are. This story was based on a survey of people in Southern California and it was interesting how the 1st generation, 2nd generation and 3rd generation beliefs changed.

If I remember correctly, 2nd generation was conservative and 3rd liberal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what if the OP said:

I am vehemently anti-jewish, and one of several posters who have taken issue with jewish policies and the jewish faith.

bigot.

I think there is a subtle difference. If one says they are "vehemently anti-jewish", that can be interpreted to refer to more than just the jewish dogma. It can refer to individuals of jewish descent.

I am opposed Catholic dogma and teachings, for example those that condemn poor women to be endlessly bearing children, reject homosexuals, etc. I am not a hater of Catholic human beings. It's their beliefs and the application of those beliefs to society as a whole that concern me. I think you know that but you are intentionally ignoring the point.

Also, even in our PC society today, aren't individuals who BELONG to an ethnic group for example, usually given a pass to criticize that group? Like Bill Cosby's criticism of the behavior of some black people?

As someone who spent 20 years being tortured by Catholicism, I feel I've earned my right to bitch.

- OP

[Anonymous]

I would be concerned about the global shift due to the growth of African Catholicism. But as for the American Church, I think it's a generational issue as another poster pointed out. If you are born here, your attitudes become much more mainstream than your parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what if the OP said:

I am vehemently anti-jewish, and one of several posters who have taken issue with jewish policies and the jewish faith.

bigot.

Do you know the definition of "Bigot?" Doubtful.

Moreover, I am so sick of Catholics (I was raised one) throwing around words like this when people criticize or disagree with the Catholic church. So tiresome.

[Anonymous]

if you are vehemently anti-catholic then you are intolerant against catholics, both the institution and the members since they go hand-in-hand, and that my bigoted friend makes you a bigot.

[Anonymous]

I also think it behooves a Catholic to think twice before trying to draw analogies to being persecuted like Jews (which is not to say there hasn't been prejudice against catholics, or that prejudice against catholics is okay).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what if the OP said:

I am vehemently anti-jewish, and one of several posters who have taken issue with jewish policies and the jewish faith.

bigot.

I think there is a subtle difference. If one says they are "vehemently anti-jewish", that can be interpreted to refer to more than just the jewish dogma. It can refer to individuals of jewish descent.

I am opposed Catholic dogma and teachings, for example those that condemn poor women to be endlessly bearing children, reject homosexuals, etc. I am not a hater of Catholic human beings. It's their beliefs and the application of those beliefs to society as a whole that concern me. I think you know that but you are intentionally ignoring the point.

Also, even in our PC society today, aren't individuals who BELONG to an ethnic group for example, usually given a pass to criticize that group? Like Bill Cosby's criticism of the behavior of some black people?

As someone who spent 20 years being tortured by Catholicism, I feel I've earned my right to bitch.

- OP

Unlike Bill Cosby who can't stop being Black, you have stopped being Catholic. I can't even believe you thought that was a great analogy to make.

You don't agree with the teaching of the Church. Fine. But get your facts straight, will ya.
The church doesn't condemn poor women to endlessly bear children, when you go to for premarital classes you receive information on how to use natural family planning. If you choose to have your tubes tied, guess what? The church doesn't do inquiries or inspections of your reproductive organs.

The Catholic Church is one of the few Christian Churches that don't reject gays and have said that being gay is not a sin.

have never been to a mass where they have polled the congregation on reproductive rights. In fact, everyone I know who has had an abortion is actually Catholic, and they still go to Mass, none of them have been excommunicated.

I am so sick of people like you on this board who think that it's OK to start topics about how they HATE Catholics. Great you spent 20 years "tortured" that doesn't mean everyone raised in the Church is nor does it give you the right to tell others that their beliefs are not OK.

I think you need to just shut the fuck up and keep your opinions to yourself. Especially since your examples about what you think is wrong with the Catholic Church weren't even accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if you are vehemently anti-catholic then you are intolerant against catholics, both the institution and the members since they go hand-in-hand, and that my bigoted friend makes you a bigot.

That's BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think it behooves a Catholic to think twice before trying to draw analogies to being persecuted like Jews (which is not to say there hasn't been prejudice against catholics, or that prejudice against catholics is okay).

and why is that? that may be the dumbest thing I've seen here yet. Only certain groups can be victimized and prejudiced against, and others cannot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also think it behooves a Catholic to think twice before trying to draw analogies to being persecuted like Jews (which is not to say there hasn't been prejudice against catholics, or that prejudice against catholics is okay).

and why is that? that may be the dumbest thing I've seen here yet. Only certain groups can be victimized and prejudiced against, and others cannot?

While I don't agree with the first part of this quote . . . I will say that Catholics are not "victimized." In ANY way, shape or form. Catholicism is criticized -heavily by some- and by extension those who practice are criticized. That is far different than "Vicitmized." Criticism does not equate to the things you are saying. If you want to defend your practices or beliefs, fine. Great, even. But, don't deflect with cries of being victims. That is hardly the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if you are vehemently anti-catholic then you are intolerant against catholics, both the institution and the members since they go hand-in-hand, and that my bigoted friend makes you a bigot.

That's BS.

Agree. Total BS.