quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:
Yes; they WORSHIP him.

This is a common misconception.

Catholics do not worship the Pope, nor do we worship Mary (as some believe we do).

I'm sure that there are some within the faith who do, but they would be wrong to do so.

I'm not trying to imply that Catholicism deifies the pope; just that many of his followers do.

My point was that MANY people in MANY countries go absolutely nuts when they see him. In my opinion, this equates to full-out 'worship' of the man, and even the office he holds. People are amazing critters - we can screw up just about anything when we get involved, and religion is no different. . .

the church pushed me out the door when I was about 16

after asking questions and not getting answers, being asked to suspend common sense and accept unverified tales as 'truth' I decided to punt religion over the fence and call it a day

the current Pope does nothing to make me ever want to come back - I don't even like going to funerals in churches any longer

the last one I went to was my grandmothers - the minister droned on for an hour and never once mentioned my grandmothers name

for me that was the final straw

Maybe because of my age but I find it interesting that no one has mentioned Vatican II of the early '60s.

From my knothole that's when the slide started in ernest. Followed by the pedophilia scandals and leftist preaching. And of course now the social justice crap to include wholesale resettling of non-vetted muslims.

There is a reason why many feel, like Mel Gibson to Sedevacantists, that the Church left them.

Church's have no business getting involved in political things.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:
A lot of you guys should check out Missouri Synod Lutheran. You might like it.

https://www.lcms.org/

The ELCA is the 'social justice' Lutheran branch - we disavow them.

----------------------------

Pffft! The Wisconsin Synod thinks you're liberal.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Church's have no business getting involved in political things.

Churches (organized religions)have always been political entities. The notion of separation of Church and State is a relatively modern concept.

"At the core of every principle taught by Christ is individual agency and personal responsibility. "

as a non Catholic, this is one of the Main Tenets that makes sense to me;

Years ago I read a book titled "The Bad Popes", which was a marvelous history of some of the worst leaders of any faith I've ever read. It had a smattering of just how so much of the accumulated wealth of the Continent came to be condensed into the early Church of Rome.

I was raised Catholic. At age 10 I essentially told off the local priest as he was still pushing anti-Galileo theories. This was a couple of years after the moon landings. I got responses similar to those related by nhtagmember.

quote:

The Church is pushing me out the door

I'm not Catholic, or even Christian, but...

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
— Matthew 24:24

It seems to me in my limited understanding that the new pope has turned the Church 180 degrees and onto it's ear.

Please don't leave. It's not about the people who run the Church, it's about who started the Church.

If you would like to talk personally, email me and we can talk. I would like to discuss here, but people often jump all over each other's ideologies and it's not usually productive.

I will be praying for you and all of the people struggling through tough times in the Church. Just remember that Jesus told us that Satan would try to destroy His Church, but would not prevail.

Left about 4 yeasts ago. New commie priest came in. Said people should not say things like "Live free or die". Ripped up or donation check on the spot.

Shook hands with parishioners at the time of peace and said "live free or die" and never returned.

The Catholic Church is infected and run by communists. I do worry about those that stayed behind.

quote:

Originally posted by jeff_nh:
... The Catholic Church is infected and run by communists. I do worry about those that stayed behind.

Hasn't this always been the case though? Is my assumption wrong that the catholic church, and by extension the protestant church, is affiliated with the worker party?

quote:

Originally posted by recoatlift:
The Church is doing a great job pushing me out!

You shouldn't be Catholic because of your priest, your bishop, or the Pope.

I'm Catholic because of my faith and in spite of some of the people running the Church. The Church has survived idiots before, and will survive the current crop.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:
A lot of you guys should check out Missouri Synod Lutheran. You might like it.

https://www.lcms.org/

The ELCA is the 'social justice' Lutheran branch - we disavow them.

----------------------------

Agreed! We left the Roman Church several years ago....I was raised Catholic, schools, altar boy, the whole nine yards. Got to the point where I just couldn't stomach the hypocrisy any longer. Walked away from it, and never looked back. After searching for a few years we found a real home in our local LCMS congregation. It feels like the Catholic church felt when I was growing up. Any disinfranchished Catholics ought to give the Missouri Synod a hard look. Eastern Rite Greek Orthodox is a good choice as well, though no real congregations here where I am.

Organized religion has had strong political ties since the beginning of organized religion, both Christian and non-christian. Also we should not confuse The Church with religion. The Church is the bride of Christ. Organized religion is man made and subject to all of man's short comings and failings.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Rod

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
To all those who left:
Where did you go?
Another religion, or simply not practicing any religion?

I left organized religion completely. After every Sunday as a child, to a decade trying to fit in as an adult, I have zero use for it.

Church tries to do a lot of good, but it's a business, pure and simple.

I don't need the guilt or shame pushed on me by anyone, or read some book to tell me what is plain as day by opening my eyes.

95% agnostics, 5% aetheist.