Am I a Catholic?

[estesbob]

Interesting. The temporal quality of hell has also bothered me. That is, that it is permanent. So an eternity of suffering is the necessary result from the unfortunate experiences of a rebellious teenager who died in mortal sin? Over the course of his/her human life, he would have had the possibility of growing and learning from his mistake. Why not the same opportunity for his soul?

I agree that it makes much more sense to allow for the idea that a soul should have an opportunity to learn from experience. Why does it have to be an eternal state, even for a wayward soul? I’m not sure, but it seems to me that Catholic teaching doesn’t allow for this possibility. If anyone has contrary knowledge, I’d like to be made aware of it. I have trouble believing that a God, who supposedly died for us, and loves us unconditionally, would mandate an eternal state of hell.

C.S, Lewis said "The Gates of Hell are locked from the inside. Nobody is “sent” to hell-everyone there went there by their own accord.

I too have problems with hell being a place of eternal torment . I have read lots of theological discussions on what exactly the nature of Hell is. From my standpoint I want to stay in the “light” so I never have to find out whast the real nature of hell is.

 

[crazzeto]

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

You’re most certainly still Catholic, nothing can seperate you from the body of Christ. That isn’t to say though, that it isn’t concerning that you question Church authority, and support such ultra-liberal views.

I say this as one who used to feel exactly as you’re feeling now. I used to think advocating anything but so called “safe sex” was utterly stupid, a waste of time. I also didn’t see any difference between homosexual sex and hetro-sex other than men never really caught my eye personally, “I don’t understand it, but I see nothing wrong with it” I always used to say.

That was before I took the study of my faith seriously, before I read the arguments made by the Church. Quite frankly, this was all before I took the time to actually think for my self, and actually reason out what it was I was supporting.

Now I’m in the slow process of getting my life fully in line with what I know is true at the very core of my being. Here are a few resources I can recommend for you check out. First Peruse here (seriously)

chastity.com/

Print and read this, makes clear the effects of the so called “sexual revolution” in the communion of saints
docstoc.com/docs/13611117/In-Bill-185-the-Stakes-are-Very-High

 

[PJM]

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

***In name only! That will not gain you salvation!

**Eph. 2:19 ***So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Heb.6 Verses 4 to 10: 4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift,[Eucharist] and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt. For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned. "
**

With TRUE repentace and conversion of mind, heart and soul; any sin is forgiveable!

From the current Code of Canon Law:

Can. 748 §1 ***All are bound to seek the truth in the matters which concern God and his Church; when they have found it, then by divine law they are bound, and they have the right, to embrace and keep it. ***

**§2 **It is never lawful for anyone to force others to embrace the catholic faith against their conscience.

Can. 749 §1 In virtue of his office the Supreme Pontiff is infallible in his teaching when, as chief Shepherd and Teacher of all Christ’s faithful, with the duty of strengthening his brethren in the faith, he proclaims by definitive act a doctrine to be held concerning faith or morals.

§2 The College of Bishops also possesses infallibility in its teaching when the Bishops, gathered together in an Ecumenical Council and exercising their magisterium as teachers and judges of faith and morals, definitively declare for the universal Church a doctrine to be held concerning faith or morals; likewise, when the Bishops, dispersed throughout the world but maintaining the bond of union among themselves and with the successor of Peter, together with the same Roman Pontiff authentically teach matters of faith or morals, and are agreed that a particular teaching is definitively to be held.

**§3 **No doctrine is understood to be infallibly defined unless this is manifestly demonstrated.

**Can. 750 **Those things are to be believed by divine and catholic faith which are contained in the word of God as it has been written or handed down by tradition, that is, in the single deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and which are at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church, or by its ordinary and universal magisterium, which is manifested by the common adherence of Christ’s faithful under the guidance of the sacred magisterium. All are therefore bound to shun any contrary doctrines.

** Can. 751 **Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt, after baptism, of a truth which must be believed by divine and catholic faith. Apostasy is the total repudiation of the christian faith. Schism is the withdrawal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or from communion with the members of the Church subject to him. **

Friend its your soul and your decision!

Can. 752** While the assent of faith is not required, a religious submission of intellect and will is to be given to any doctrine which either the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising their authentic magisterium, declare upon a matter of faith or morals, even though they do not intend to proclaim that doctrine by definitive act. Christ’s faithful are therefore to ensure that they avoid whatever does not accord with that doctrine.

Can. 753 Whether they teach individually, or in Episcopal Conferences, or gathered together in particular councils, Bishops in communion with the head and the members of the College, while not infallible in their teaching, are the authentic instructors and teachers of the faith for Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care. The faithful are bound to adhere, with a religious submission of mind, to this authentic magisterium of their Bishops.

**Can. 754 **All Christ’s faithful are obliged to observe the constitutions and decrees which lawful ecclesiastical authority issues for the purpose of proposing doctrine or of proscribing erroneous opinions; this is particularly the case of those published by the Roman Pontiff or by the College of Bishops.

Now yo have the facts; what are YOU going to do about your salvation?

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[PJM]

If you accept the concept of “good” and “evil”; then you must either accept the concept of heaven and HELL or lie to yourself.

 

[KC91]

Once a Catholic, always a Catholic; even excommunicated people are obliged to attend mass.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

I think you can still consider yourself to be Catholic. I know there are people who will say that if you disagree with the Church on anything then you’re not a “real” Catholic. But there is a lot of disagreement among Catholics and the Church does indeed change her policies, albeit very slowly.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

You must accept all the teachings of the Church to be fully Catholic. But remember, you were baptized which is a permanent mark on your soul, which means you are forever Catholic, bpbasilphx is right. If you are pro-choice, well then remember what Fr. Corapi says about them

You cannot be Pro - Choice and Catholic!

I will pray for you.

You do not have to agree with all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic.
And you do not have to fully follow all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic,
for if that were so the only people who would be fully Catholic would be
those who never experienced a moment of doubt in the Church’s teachings
and who never violated any of the Church’s teachings by commiting a sin.

According to your statement, no one who ever sinned in thought or deed is fully Catholic.

 

[crazzeto]

You do not have to agree with all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic.
And you do not have to fully follow all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic,
for if that were so the only people who would be fully Catholic would be
those who never experienced a moment of doubt in the Church’s teachings
and who never violated any of the Church’s teachings by commiting a sin.

According to your statement, no one who ever sinned in thought or deed is fully Catholic.

While you are not “kicked out” or even “excomunicant”, you are at risk of grave or mortal sin depending upon what it is you’re thinking. I would exhort anyone who is having trouble with Catholic teachings (as I once did) to actually study the matter’s in depth. When I actually did that, rather than make shallow decissions based upon my own preconsived notions (not accusing anyone else, this was the case with me) I found my self consitantly in the wrong.

 

[PJM]

=SugarMagnolia;6237816]I think you can still consider yourself to be Catholic. I know there are people who will say that if you disagree with the Church on anything then you’re not a “real” Catholic. But there is a lot of disagreement among Catholics and the Church does indeed change her policies, albeit very slowly.

***My dear friends in Christ;

PLEASE be very careful with the advice you post.

ANY and ALL defined Catholic Dotrines an Dogma are unchanageable * [The male priesthood for example]. While Church practices can be changed; but do so at a snails pace to void eror. [Married priesthood for example.]** Friends, it is better to NOT post an opinion than to post one that does not [or may not] conform with the teachings of the Magistrium. When it doubt, either do not post or get th clairifican first. many non- Catholics read these post..

THANKS, love an prayers,

Pat

 

[warpspeedpetey]

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

you can no more wash off the mark of your Baptism, than you can wash off the color of your eyes. i hope you will return in submission to the Church, to an orthodox faith and not the superficial liberalism that so many fall into. but that is just my prayer for you, because…

you are, and will eternally be a Catholic. no power on earth can change that. not you, not we who disagree with you, no one. you are marked throughout all time, you belong to us, and we too you. and all of us belong to Christ.

 

[PJM]

=warpspeedpetey;6238455]you can no more wash off the mark of your Baptism, than you can wash off the color of your eyes. i hope you will return in submission to the Church, to an orthodox faith and not the superficial liberalism that so many fall into. but that is just my prayer for you, because…

you are, and will eternally be a Catholic. no power on earth can change that. not you, not we who disagree with you, no one. you are marked throughout all time, you belong to us, and we too you. and all of us belong to Christ.

***You friend are a “catholic/heritic.” *You may identify yourself as you wish; howeven if you desire to actually be an informed and praticing Catholic, then you must Go by the rules of Final Judgement and fully live your faith.

ONLY by doing so do you have a chance for your personal salvation. And that friend is FACT!

Love and prayers, **

 

[warpspeedpetey]

***You friend are a “catholic/heritic.” ***You may identify yourself as you wish; howeven if you desire to actually be an informed and praticing Catholic, then you must Go by the rules of Final Judgement and fully live your faith.

ONLY by doing so do you have a chance for your personal salvation. And that friend is FACT!

Love and prayers,

we arent talking about salvation, we are talking about someone losing their Catholicism over disagreements with the Church. which i correctly answered.

why dont you wait and let a Bishop declare me a heretic.

 

[twb1621]

***You friend are a “catholic/heritic.” ***You may identify yourself as you wish; howeven if you desire to actually be an informed and praticing Catholic, then you must Go by the rules of Final Judgement and fully live your faith.

ONLY by doing so do you have a chance for your personal salvation. And that friend is FACT!

***Love and prayers, ***

Hi PJM, The mark of the soul once Baptism as a child is instilled is indelible. If a person once of the age of reason rejects the teachings of Christ protected and presented by the Catholic Church, they are heretics unless and until such time as they repent with a contrite heart. They are responsible for the Blood of Christ as scripture tells us. Once repentance takes place, there is no options or needs for re-Baptism as this person has already been once baptized into the childhood of God. The mark of God on the soul brings with it the responsibility to hold and respect the Gifts God offers us as His child and in this regard, to reject them is far greater a self condemnation than in any other case. Regardless, it is up to God as we realize, who He provides His most Divine Mercy and Forgiveness to based on whatever circumstances He may consider and because only God knows the hearts of man, we can never know nor should we attempt to judge. I realize you know most if not all I say here. A person my excommunicate themselves from the Faith but they are never relieved of the responsibility of the gifts and the mark is the sign in that case of the soul who rejects what was offered him or her. I write this in general and do thank you for the many valued posts you have offered and do not want to appear critical by any means. Merely clarifying.

 

[twb1621]

You do not have to agree with all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic.
And you do not have to fully follow all the teachings of the Church to be Catholic,
for if that were so the only people who would be fully Catholic would be
those who never experienced a moment of doubt in the Church’s teachings
and who never violated any of the Church’s teachings by commiting a sin.

According to your statement, no one who ever sinned in thought or deed is fully Catholic.

A person of the Catholic Faith commits no sin in not understanding or possessing doubts in regard to a teaching of the Catholic Faith, even Mother Teresa had her times of weakness and doubts. However, you most certainly must follow the teachings of the Catholic Church empowered by Christ through His teachings. No one is expected to be free of all sin. It is the desire and effort to overcome sin and temptation that is most important. The Word of God is not flexible and His teachings must be accepted in their entirity without selectivity. With that said, No one is without sin.

 

[PJM]

Originally Posted by PJM
You friend are a “catholic/heritic.” You may identify yourself as you wish; however if you desire to actually be an informed and praticing Catholic, then you must Go by the rules of Final Judgement and fully live your faith.

ONLY by doing so do you have a chance for your personal salvation. And that friend is FACT!

Love and prayers,

***The reply: ***
we arent talking about salvation, we are talking about someone losing their Catholicism over disagreements with the Church. which i correctly answered.

why dont you wait and let a Bishop declare me a heretic.

***My response:

Actually friend that is precisely what I have shared: And we are talking about salvation.

From the current Code of Canon Law [The Magisterium / a group of Bishops and the Pope.]

Can. 747 §1* It is the obligation and inherent right of the Church, independent of any human authority, to preach the Gospel to all peoples, using for this purpose even its own means of social communication, for it is to the Church that Christ the Lord entrusted the deposit of faith, so that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, it might conscientiously guard revealed truth, more intimately penetrate it, and faithfully proclaim and expound it. §2 The Church has the right always and everywhere to proclaim moral principles, even in respect of the social order, and to make judgements about any human matter in so far as this is required by fundamental human rights or the salvation of souls.

Can. 748 §1 All are bound to seek the truth in the matters which concern God and his Church; when they have found it, then by divine law they are bound, and they have the right, to embrace and keep it.

§2 It is never lawful for anyone to force others to embrace the catholic faith against their conscience.

Can. 749 §1 In virtue of his office the Supreme Pontiff is infallible in his teaching when, as chief Shepherd and Teacher of all Christ’s faithful, with the duty of strengthening his brethren in the faith, he proclaims by definitive act a doctrine to be held concerning faith or morals.

**§2 **The College of Bishops also possesses infallibility in its teaching when the Bishops, gathered together in an Ecumenical Council and exercising their magisterium as teachers and judges of faith and morals, definitively declare for the universal Church a doctrine to be held concerning faith or morals; likewise, when the Bishops, dispersed throughout the world but maintaining the bond of union among themselves and with the successor of Peter, together with the same Roman Pontiff authentically teach matters of faith or morals, and are agreed that a particular teaching is definitively to be held.

§3 No doctrine is understood to be infallibly defined unless this is manifestly demonstrated.

**Can. 750 **Those things are to be believed by divine and catholic faith which are contained in the word of God as it has been written or handed down by tradition, that is, in the single deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and which are at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn magisterium of the Church, or by its ordinary and universal magisterium, which is manifested by the common adherence of Christ’s faithful under the guidance of the sacred magisterium. All are therefore bound to shun any contrary doctrines.

Can. 751 Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt, after baptism, of a truth which must be believed by divine and catholic faith. Apostasy is the total repudiation of the christian faith. Schism is the withdrawal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or from communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Can. 752 While the assent of faith is not required, a religious submission of intellect and will is to be given to any doctrine which either the Supreme Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising their authentic magisterium, declare upon a matter of faith or morals, even though they do not intend to proclaim that doctrine by definitive act. Christ’s faithful are therefore to ensure that they avoid whatever does not accord with that doctrine.

Can. 753 Whether they teach individually, or in Episcopal Conferences, or gathered together in particular councils, Bishops in communion with the head and the members of the College, while not infallible in their teaching, are the authentic instructors and teachers of the faith for Christ’s faithful entrusted to their care. The faithful are bound to adhere, with a religious submission of mind, to this authentic magisterium of their Bishops.

**Can. 754 **All Christ’s faithful are obliged to observe the constitutions and decrees which lawful ecclesiastical authority issues for the purpose of proposing doctrine or of proscribing erroneous opinions; this is particularly the case of those published by the Roman Pontiff or by the College of Bishops. **

Love and prayers friend; your playing with fire.

Pat

 

[ATL_Granny]

Oh, for the love of Pete…

PJM, I’m so glad that you have made yourself the final arbiter on someone’s eternal salvation. I realize you are trying to be helpful. Honestly I do. But quoting the Code of Canon Law to someone who is seriously seeking truth — admitting that they are questioning – is akin to standing on a rock in the ocean, pontificating about how to save yourself while someone is bobbing in the water, asking for help.

Nobody. Not the Pope. Not the bishop. Not even the Magisterium has full knowledge of anyone’s eternal salvation. You know this. The Catholic Church will state emphatically that they have no certain knowledge of anyone’s final destination. The Church will not even state that people like Hitler or Stalin are in hell.

The reason is because we also know that God is all knowing and all merciful. He ALONE knows the path as well as the obstacles that have been placed in every man’s journey.

One of the proclamations you highlighted states: *All are bound to seek the truth in the matters which concern God and his Church; when they have found it, then by divine law they are bound, and they have the right, to embrace and keep it. *

What a travesty that you would see this as proof text for your position. In fact, it says that all people must seek the truth and WHEN THEY HAVE FOUND IT they are bound. Someone who is admitting that they have doubt does not automatically get sent to hell simply because they had been baptised. If you read the lives of the saints, almost ALL of them had days, months and even years of doubt. St. Teresa of Avila is one that prominently comes to mind. We have recently heard that Mother Teresa had similar doubts and that, in point of fact, a primary sign of potential sainthood is this very thing – a doubting of the faith.

Please understand that beating people over the head with definitive proclamations of eternal damnation rarely draws people to God. Rather, it often causes people to flee.

The person who started this thread came here to ask, which is the very essence of “seeking the truth.” We owe that person Christian charity, not pontification.

 

[michaeldaniels]

Yes…and you are in my prayers. I just don’t understand how one can come to believe in those things…but I am sure you have your reasons. Liberalism is such a horrible and destructive cancer and it ruins everything it touches and influences…I sure hope you change your mind and come back to The Church instead of holding these extremely heretical and anti-Christian beliefs. Oh an FYI, just because you don’t believe in these things or what the Church teaches, doesn’t excuse you…You were raised and confirmed Catholic and have been given the fullness of Truth…now you have turned your back on His Church, Christ, The Holy Spirit, and The Truth…That is worst thing a Christian can do. You are definitely in my prayers and I hope you have a change of heart.

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

 

[AmericanJosiah]

.

There is no singular definition of “Catholic” in Catholicism…

1. Sometimes, it is defined institutionally. A person officially registered in a parish of The Catholic Church is a “Catholic.”
2. Sometimes, it is defined Sacramentally. A person baptized by a Catholic priest is a “Catholic.” Theologically, this is often extended to any baptized by ANYONE if the baptism is Trinitarian.
3. Sometimes, it is defined theologically. A person who docilicly accepts all and whatever the Church teaches (officially) in matters of faith and morals is a “Catholic.”
4. Sometimes, it is defined culturally. A person who embraces Catholic customs, who identifies himself culturally and historically with the Church, is a “Catholic.”

Note the humorous debate over the late Senator Ted Kennedy… Or whether France is a “Catholic” country.

.

 

[PJM]

=ATL Granny;6241384]Oh, for the love of Pete…

PJM, I’m so glad that you have made yourself the final arbiter on someone’s eternal salvation. I realize you are trying to be helpful. Honestly I do. But quoting the Code of Canon Law to someone who is seriously seeking truth — admitting that they are questioning – is akin to standing on a rock in the ocean, pontificating about how to save yourself while someone is bobbing in the water, asking for help.

Nobody. Not the Pope. Not the bishop. Not even the Magisterium has full knowledge of anyone’s eternal salvation. You know this. The Catholic Church will state emphatically that they have no certain knowledge of anyone’s final destination. The Church will not even state that people like Hitler or Stalin are in hell.

The reason is because we also know that God is all knowing and all merciful. He ALONE knows the path as well as the obstacles that have been placed in every man’s journey.

One of the proclamations you highlighted states: *All are bound to seek the truth in the matters which concern God and his Church; when they have found it, then by divine law they are bound, and they have the right, to embrace and keep it. *

What a travesty that you would see this as proof text for your position. In fact, it says that all people must seek the truth and WHEN THEY HAVE FOUND IT they are bound. Someone who is admitting that they have doubt does not automatically get sent to hell simply because they had been baptised. If you read the lives of the saints, almost ALL of them had days, months and even years of doubt. St. Teresa of Avila is one that prominently comes to mind. We have recently heard that Mother Teresa had similar doubts and that, in point of fact, a primary sign of potential sainthood is this very thing – a doubting of the faith.

Please understand that beating people over the head with definitive proclamations of eternal damnation rarely draws people to God. Rather, it often causes people to flee.

The person who started this thread came here to ask, which is the very essence of “seeking the truth.” We owe that person Christian charity, not pontification.

***Hi and sincere thanks for sharing!

However I think you may have over looked a couple of points?

The Orginal OPQ was from a Baptized, CONFIRMED and First Communion former Catholic.Not simply a Baptized at birth, never practized the faith person.

Aso; I’m not sending anyone to Hell. I am making clear this person seems to have chosen positions that MIGHT [very likely] be leading them in that direction. And that they are personal positions that are greviously opposed to the Bible and the Teachings of th CC.

Never once did I share a personal opinion, rather I have shared Biblical evidence, and the official position of the CC on how a heritic is defined, and further what ones obligations are to seek and then accept the truth.

This person is posting on a CATHOLIC FORUM FOR A SPCIFIC PURPOSE: either to learn the truth or to flaunt there lifes choices. In both cases they deserve to be exposed to the truth, which is precisely what I have done.

Love and prayers for you both.

Pat

Perhaps Granny, you’ll pray for both of us? ***

**Heb. 6: 1-8 **…For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, [Catholic Holy Cmmunion] and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt. In a most specific way this applies to fallen away Catholics] For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.”

Ar you aware Granny, that the second largest religious sec of christians in America is “fallen away Catholics?” Are we not to attempt to sahre God’s Word? God’s TRUTH?

 

[twb1621]

I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, and for a time I was a faithful Catholic who extensively studied the faith and obeyed the teachings of the Church.

Since then, I have become very liberal. I no longer agree with the Church in many areas (like divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, women priests, the existence of hell, and many others). I don’t even know if Jesus was God, or if God exists at all. However, sometimes I still pray.

My question is, am I still a Catholic? My understanding is that the Church considers me Catholic for life.

It is good that you pray. But it seems that your issues are centered around intimacy and sexuality based on the above, and your doubts about the existence of hell certainly would fall in line with these issues just as your doubts regarding Christ and the existence of God.

The choice come down to recognition of the two choices one has to make; placing the most importance on what pleasures one can obtain in the possible 70 or so years one has in this life at the cost of spending eternal life in darkness or recognizing what is true in regard to this life and seeking enternal life in the beauty and pleasures of the house of God. Of course to do this in your frame of mind, you whole heartedly must seek what the truth is. Answer one question in total honesty;

what in this life will give you total satisfaction and fulfillment? Sexual pleasures, money, cars, big homes, a boat, recognition or fame? Briefly, sexual pleasures are short lived and not worth anything outside of a legitimate relationship with a commitment worthy of and in the state of marriage. Everything else will rot or rust away because it comes from man, not God. And no man ever finds complete fulfillment and satisfaction unless he has entered an intimate relationship with God. Human nature seeks until it finds and materialism never fulfills or completely satisfies. The question is, how well did you seek to learn who God is, who Jesus is? If you knew that, you wouldn’t be sacraficing your soul for this temporary lay-over.