And my 10 year old thinks school is a waste of time. Why can't I read books at home? Why can't I just write stories at home? Why can't I take classes online?

Um, because you are 10 and I'm your parent, you will still go to school.

too confusing
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Anonymous wrote:My 10 year old said she doesn't want to be ruled by any religion or any god. (She attended Catholic school through 3rd grade.)

"Why should I bother? Why can't I just live my life and be happy? Why do I need rules to show me how to live? And why are there so many religions? and different gods to worship? It's just to confusing and ridiculous."

My 10 year old said she doesn't want to be ruled by any religion or any god. (She attended Catholic school through 3rd grade.)

"Why should I bother? Why can't I just live my life and be happy? Why do I need rules to show me how to live? And why are there so many religions? and different gods to worship? It's just to confusing and ridiculous."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And a good catholic can be pro choice...as long as they don't personally have an abortion.

what happens if they have an abortion, but don't confess it and raise their children Catholic?

The point is...we are steeped in sin and God expects you to know him well enough to know what displeases pure love. I don't think you would like it if God chose to abort your soul when you are helpless and having just left this world. That would not be a God of love and knowing how awful you are compared to pure love is the beginning of salvation.

There's nothing wrong with going to church if you're still discerning. There are so many Catholic teachings that of course you may not even have an opinion on some of them! I struggle with some of the teachings, but I value the Church's opinion so I don't just accept my ideas outright over theirs without a lot of prayer.

If you believe in the Eucharist it really doesn't make sense to just go to another church, since that's the whole idea of Mass.

Try going to Confession and telling the priest your struggles. I always get good, kind advice there.

And for those of you who have had bad experiences at a Catholic Church, remember that no one is perfect, and any priest or faithful Catholic will tell you that it's a struggle. If you're given medicine but don't take it correctly, do you blame the medicine?

Do you want to go to church for feel-good socialization, or do you want to participate in the true Church that Jesus founded and passed down to us? Are you looking for truth, or acceptance?

Anonymous wrote:And a good catholic can be pro choice...as long as they don't personally have an abortion.

what happens if they have an abortion, but don't confess it and raise their children Catholic?

And a good catholic can be pro choice...as long as they don't personally have an abortion.

Basic catholic teachings like inequality and passing judgment on homosexuals, pp? Correct, I've opted not to embrace those teachings...because I am a good person.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here - Baptized, Communion, Confirmed and married by the Catholic Church.

I am pro choice, believe that gays should have the right to marriage and believe in birth control. My feeling is this, those are someone else's choices that they have to make for themselves. They are not mine to make for them. I personally would not have an abortion and I am gay and if I was I personally would not get married. Because I would not personally make those decisions for myself, I still feel comfortable going to a Catholic Church. I also let the church for a while. I came back when I needed God the most. I think believing in God is more than the religion you chose to belong to. Go to church and know that your relationship with God is between you and your God.

Thiis is a very modern view of belief. If too many people held that view, churches would go out of business. Why bother going to church if you set you own beliefs?

I go to church to hear the readings and for spirituality. I still give my $ to the church. I think if you are Catholic then YOU should not have an abortion and if you are a gay Catholic then know that the church will not be marring you.

I don't believe that any religion should push their beliefs on anyone.

If they want to kick me out, I'll take my money elsewhere.

Well, what about birth control? And masturbation? And premarital sex? And divorce? And remarrying and living in a blended family? And being in a gay marriage? All mortal sins, some ongoing.

I just can't be a good Catholic under these terms, so I am no longer any Catholic at all.

Or you could change your definition of "good catholic" like the ultra-liberal Catholic posting here, who doesn't let church rules or basic Christian teachings, like hell, get in the way of her self-image.

To pp: I'm the ultra liberal you are quoting, and I do believe in heaven (but not hell). Ymmv (and that's groovy).

Anonymous wrote:To Pp:

Who is "The Church"???

I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world, we are the church together. (Or however that song I learned in catholic school goes.)

No one can tell you that you are a bad catholic. Period. Let's face it: the men who are allegedly running the church aren't doing a great job. The pope is trying to open some doors and make things better, and I applaud that. I feel like I'm more enlightened in my beliefs (pro choice, pro birth control, pro gay marriage, etc) and hopefully one day MY church will catch up.

My kid asked me the other day if we are lunchtime Catholics. Apparently his ccd teacher raised the issue of cafeteria Catholics recently. I told him proudly that YES we are cafeteria Catholics...and that's not a bad thing.

Try following the Nuns on the Bus...they embody the best of catholic social justice, and I think that's my true religion.

There are Catholics who doubt the divinity of Jesus, thinking he was just a charismatic 1st century Jewish preacher - and that Mary wasn't necessarily a virgin and that it's not relevant that Joseph is in a direct line to King David. Who cares? They have retained the important aspects of Christianity -- love for your neighbor, social justice and eternal redemption, though some ultra-liberals like pp may not even believe in heaven or hell.

They don't need a bunch of men in dresses and funny hats to tell them how to be good Christians. Like many people before them, they are determining their own religious beliefs, and letting them evolve in enlightened ways that make sense in today's world.

To Pp:

Who is "The Church"???

I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world, we are the church together. (Or however that song I learned in catholic school goes.)

No one can tell you that you are a bad catholic. Period. Let's face it: the men who are allegedly running the church aren't doing a great job. The pope is trying to open some doors and make things better, and I applaud that. I feel like I'm more enlightened in my beliefs (pro choice, pro birth control, pro gay marriage, etc) and hopefully one day MY church will catch up.

My kid asked me the other day if we are lunchtime Catholics. Apparently his ccd teacher raised the issue of cafeteria Catholics recently. I told him proudly that YES we are cafeteria Catholics...and that's not a bad thing.

Try following the Nuns on the Bus...they embody the best of catholic social justice, and I think that's my true religion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here - Baptized, Communion, Confirmed and married by the Catholic Church.

I am pro choice, believe that gays should have the right to marriage and believe in birth control. My feeling is this, those are someone else's choices that they have to make for themselves. They are not mine to make for them. I personally would not have an abortion and I am gay and if I was I personally would not get married. Because I would not personally make those decisions for myself, I still feel comfortable going to a Catholic Church. I also let the church for a while. I came back when I needed God the most. I think believing in God is more than the religion you chose to belong to. Go to church and know that your relationship with God is between you and your God.

Thiis is a very modern view of belief. If too many people held that view, churches would go out of business. Why bother going to church if you set you own beliefs?

I go to church to hear the readings and for spirituality. I still give my $ to the church. I think if you are Catholic then YOU should not have an abortion and if you are a gay Catholic then know that the church will not be marring you.

I don't believe that any religion should push their beliefs on anyone.

If they want to kick me out, I'll take my money elsewhere.

Well, what about birth control? And masturbation? And premarital sex? And divorce? And remarrying and living in a blended family? And being in a gay marriage? All mortal sins, some ongoing.

I just can't be a good Catholic under these terms, so I am no longer any Catholic at all.

And what about lying stealing, cheating on taxes, adultery or being prideful, vain, angry or lustful?

It is a church of sinners, not of saints.

Well, I agree with the Church that those things are bad. If I concentrate I can keep out of those sins. And if I fall, I can be honest about my repentance. So, we coincide there.

It's the other stuff that I cannot reconcile. I cannot happily use my vibrator and take communion. I understand we are all sinners, and we all fail at times.

The thing is, what is a real sin? What deserves repentance and the determination not to do so again? The Church and I differ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here - Baptized, Communion, Confirmed and married by the Catholic Church.

I am pro choice, believe that gays should have the right to marriage and believe in birth control. My feeling is this, those are someone else's choices that they have to make for themselves. They are not mine to make for them. I personally would not have an abortion and I am gay and if I was I personally would not get married. Because I would not personally make those decisions for myself, I still feel comfortable going to a Catholic Church. I also let the church for a while. I came back when I needed God the most. I think believing in God is more than the religion you chose to belong to. Go to church and know that your relationship with God is between you and your God.

Thiis is a very modern view of belief. If too many people held that view, churches would go out of business. Why bother going to church if you set you own beliefs?

I go to church to hear the readings and for spirituality. I still give my $ to the church. I think if you are Catholic then YOU should not have an abortion and if you are a gay Catholic then know that the church will not be marring you.

I don't believe that any religion should push their beliefs on anyone.

If they want to kick me out, I'll take my money elsewhere.

Well, what about birth control? And masturbation? And premarital sex? And divorce? And remarrying and living in a blended family? And being in a gay marriage? All mortal sins, some ongoing.

I just can't be a good Catholic under these terms, so I am no longer any Catholic at all.

And what about lying stealing, cheating on taxes, adultery or being prideful, vain, angry or lustful?

It is a church of sinners, not of saints.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here - Baptized, Communion, Confirmed and married by the Catholic Church.

I am pro choice, believe that gays should have the right to marriage and believe in birth control. My feeling is this, those are someone else's choices that they have to make for themselves. They are not mine to make for them. I personally would not have an abortion and I am gay and if I was I personally would not get married. Because I would not personally make those decisions for myself, I still feel comfortable going to a Catholic Church. I also let the church for a while. I came back when I needed God the most. I think believing in God is more than the religion you chose to belong to. Go to church and know that your relationship with God is between you and your God.

Thiis is a very modern view of belief. If too many people held that view, churches would go out of business. Why bother going to church if you set you own beliefs?

I go to church to hear the readings and for spirituality. I still give my $ to the church. I think if you are Catholic then YOU should not have an abortion and if you are a gay Catholic then know that the church will not be marring you.

I don't believe that any religion should push their beliefs on anyone.

If they want to kick me out, I'll take my money elsewhere.

Well, what about birth control? And masturbation? And premarital sex? And divorce? And remarrying and living in a blended family? And being in a gay marriage? All mortal sins, some ongoing.

I just can't be a good Catholic under these terms, so I am no longer any Catholic at all.