Any not-so-dedicated Catholics around?

[FCEGM]

I don’t know if you realize this but most of the people in here are converts… not cradles. Where do you suppose the cradles are? The fact of the matter is they don’t give it much thought. I’m willing to bet most (and yes, the majority of Catholics) don’t even attend church on a regular basis.

My point exactly. 59 cradle Catholics out of 1 Billion Catholics in the world.

No, that wasn’t your point as your earlier post quoted above was in reference to those participating in this Forum. The converts and those in the process of converting totalled 69; the “cradle” Catholics and “reverts” and those who identified themselves as Catholics seeking to grow in their faith totalled 166; so most of those participating are “cradle” - including myself.

 

[FCEGM]

Sorry Mrs Abbott,

But you may be dissapointed with this cradle Catholic. I actually trust the Church and all teachings. Go figure, I must be an idiot.

To top it off, I read the bible. Wow. Who would have guessed.

I hate threads like this.

 

[believers]

Umm, believe it or not, alot of those people do not have access to the internet

I live in the US. A tourist town. 80% of the school age children do not even own a computer in thier homes.

But I do agree that this seems to be a poor showing for the number of cradle Catholics. Technically, I am a cradle Catholic, but I did not vote that one since I think Revert is more accurate. As well as until it was linked to this thread, I had not seen this poll. Even us junkies have to sleep sometime and don’t actually read every thread

I used to live in New Orleans where many many many people are Catholic. They have internet and this site would definitely be last on their list to visit.

 

[undeserving]

Born and brought up as a Catholic, love my church and will support it all my life.

 

[believers]

No, that wasn’t your point as your earlier post quoted above was in reference to those participating in this Forum. The converts and those in the process of converting totalled 69; the “cradle” Catholics and “reverts” and those who identified themselves as Catholics seeking to grow in their faith totalled 166; so most of those participating are “cradle” - including myself.

For a such a huge organization, the total it is very few. Most of the people who debate are converts. I’ve run into very few who are cradles.

 

[Techno2000]

So then I guess I fall into your category of a “not-so-dedicated” Catholic since I need to go to confession on a regular basis. But wait I GO to confession so does that make me a devout Catholic?

See what I mean?

I believe everything the Church teaches is true. But I certainly don’t DO everything the Church tells me to do. I just don’t think I’m justified in doing so. But then if I thought I was justified in defying Church teachings, do I meet the minimum criteria for even being a Catholic?

I think you are a Good Catholic if you go to Confession ,you are
just struggling like the rest of us. Jesus wants us to struggle it shows that one is trying wich is the most important thing.

 

[Techno2000]

I used to live in New Orleans where many many many people are Catholic. They have internet and this site would definitely be last on their list to visit.

Really

 

[FCEGM]

For a such a huge organization, the total it is very few. Most of the people who debate are converts. I’ve run into very few who are cradles.

Looking through the list of names of those who participated in the poll, I see many familiar names among the “cradles” (including reverts) who participate in the discussions here - including debates. A lack of participation in this Forum by millions of other Catholics is hardly an indicator of the depth of their Catholic faith; I’ve no doubt that many who don’t participate are more involved in praying than arguing - an estimable choice, I would say. I’ve also no doubt that many Catholics are ill-informed about their faith and pray that they will try to inform themselves about - and be formed by - the truth of the Catholic Faith; but once accomplished, they don’t have to show up here to prove the strength of their faith to others.

 

[MarisStella]

I am a 50-year-old cradle Catholic who grew up in one of the more liberal, Protestant-like dioceses in the US.
Only about 5-10 years ago did I begin to understand my Catholic faith (primarily thanks to EWTN). And only that many years ago did I realize what type of diocese I was and still am in.
I guess it’s like growing up in a dysfunctional family. You think all families (or in this case dioceses) are like yours until you get older and start looking around and realizing–what? This isn’t the way most everyone else does it?
If you haven’t read George Wiegel’s “The Courage to be Catholic,” I would recommend it. It helped me to understand the culture of dissent that became so vocal, and normalized almost, after Vatican II, and esp. after the issuance of Humanae Vitae, which affirmed the church teaching against contraception. It helped me to understand the lack of sound catechesis and the cafeteria Catholic mentality that gripped so many of us, me included.
I pray fervently for my fellow cradle Catholics, and I speak to them and write to them as I can about this too.
Those of you who are passionate converts, please pray for and help educate those of us who are cradle Catholics, through these forums, but primarily when you see us and attend Mass with us!
Remember too, that your passion might be seen as being mean-spirited (by some on these forums too). I’ve been accused of that too by my two sisters who have left their Catholic faith. But how can you not be passionate about the truth when you find it?!
Significant to my growth as a Catholic Christian was my acceptance of the church teaching on contraception. I grieve that I did not come to this realization years ago, though, when I was taking “the pill.” I grieve especially knowing too now that birth control pills act at times as an abortifacient. God forgive me. I have seen too, the harm contraception has caused in my life and in the culture around me (as Pope Paul VI said it would).
So I decided to quit trying to be my own authority. I decided to let Jesus be God and His church to be the teaching authority that He meant it to be.

 

[Journeyer11]

But didn’t Pope John Paul, stop short of calling Mary a Co-Redemptrix?? I don’t believe he went that far…Am I wrong?

 

[Hellisreal]

I used to live in New Orleans where many many many people are Catholic. They have internet and this site would definitely be last on their list to visit.

Why is that? I dont blame any Catholic for not being signed up here and posting here.

Is this site some kind of alter call or what?

 

[Hellisreal]

But didn’t Pope John Paul, stop short of calling Mary a Co-Redemptrix?? I don’t believe he went that far…Am I wrong?

“stop short”?

Nice, cute, and all too ambiguous. The answer is she IS NOT.

Speculation on it should be done on your own thread.

 

[Hellisreal]

Its hard to play magesterium, but its easy to play “pretend”.

You would expect the church Jesus set up to speak with authority and to speak to those who refuse to hear…

Funny thing that. Who does this today?

Hmmmmm:shrug:

I am a 50-year-old cradle Catholic who grew up in one of the more liberal, Protestant-like dioceses in the US.
Only about 5-10 years ago did I begin to understand my Catholic faith (primarily thanks to EWTN). And only that many years ago did I realize what type of diocese I was and still am in.
I guess it’s like growing up in a dysfunctional family. You think all families (or in this case dioceses) are like yours until you get older and start looking around and realizing–what? This isn’t the way most everyone else does it?
If you haven’t read George Wiegel’s “The Courage to be Catholic,” I would recommend it. It helped me to understand the culture of dissent that became so vocal, and normalized almost, after Vatican II, and esp. after the issuance of Humanae Vitae, which affirmed the church teaching against contraception. It helped me to understand the lack of sound catechesis and the cafeteria Catholic mentality that gripped so many of us, me included.
I pray fervently for my fellow cradle Catholics, and I speak to them and write to them as I can about this too.
Those of you who are passionate converts, please pray for and help educate those of us who are cradle Catholics, through these forums, but primarily when you see us and attend Mass with us!
Remember too, that your passion might be seen as being mean-spirited (by some on these forums too). I’ve been accused of that too by my two sisters who have left their Catholic faith. But how can you not be passionate about the truth when you find it?!
Significant to my growth as a Catholic Christian was my acceptance of the church teaching on contraception. I grieve that I did not come to this realization years ago, though, when I was taking “the pill.” I grieve especially knowing too now that birth control pills act at times as an abortifacient. God forgive me. I have seen too, the harm contraception has caused in my life and in the culture around me (as Pope Paul VI said it would).
So I decided to quit trying to be my own authority. I decided to let Jesus be God and His church to be the teaching authority that He meant it to be.

 

[Catolico]

My point exactly. 59 cradle Catholics out of 1 Billion Catholics in the world.

That´s your point?!?! So according to you EVERY Catholic in the world must be:

1. cradle Catholic
2. speak english
3. have internet access
4. be members of CAF

Yeah this all makes a lot of sense! Just so you know one of the characteristics of the ONE TRUE CHURCH is that it is UNIVERSAL (that´s what Catholic means)

 

[Hellisreal]

That´s your point?!?! So according to you EVERY Catholic in the world must be:

1. cradle Catholic
2. speak english
3. have internet access
4. be members of CAF

Yeah this all makes a lot of sense! Just so you know one of the characteristics of the ONE TRUE CHURCH is that it is UNIVERSAL (that´s what Catholic means)

You know, I was thinking numbers here meant everything! I even thought that I could guess that simply posting here to stop traffic to get other like minded individuals who had a beef with the Church would be somehow agree with me to prop me up. Make me feel better for leaving the Altar for an alter call. Or whatever.

LOL.

Mrs Abbot, what is the point of your thread if I may be so bold to ask?

Do you need some kind of affirment?

Were you a Catholic? Sounds to me like you were.

 

[shadow_fire]

I was a bit ago. But then after a while I woke up and ditched the whole religion all together.

 

[Hellisreal]

I was a bit ago. But then after a while I woke up and ditched the whole religion all together.

May I be so bold to ask why?

Would you care to post a thread about it in apologetics?

I cant understand this decision, can you let me attempt to dialouge with you?

 

[shadow_fire]

May I be so bold to ask why?

Would you care to post a thread about it in apologetics?

I cant understand this decision, can you let me attempt to dialouge with you?

O theres tons of reasons. But to narrow it down I down see any proof that the religion is actually true. It seems just as credible as any other religion and I do not agree with some of the teachings in catholicism so I really see no reason to stay apart of the church. If you would like to talk more or if your still curious you can pm me. [Moderator Note: removed private email.}[/COLOR]

 

[Hellisreal]

O theres tons of reasons. But to narrow it down I down see any proof that the religion is actually true. It seems just as credible as any other religion and I do not agree with some of the teachings in catholicism so I really see no reason to stay apart of the church. If you would like to talk more or if your still curious you can pm me

Dear Shadowfire,

Please dont brush me off that way. I really think it would be in your benefit, as well as mine for you to vent all this out on the apologetics forum, and if you think anyone will be harsh with you- dont worry!

I will be with you.

I want to hear what you have to say!

 

[shadow_fire]

Dear Shadowfire,

Please dont brush me off that way. I really think it would be in your benefit, as well as mine for you to vent all this out on the apologetics forum, and if you think anyone will be harsh with you- dont worry!

I will be with you.

I want to hear what you have to say!

Thats actually quite kind of you. I’m not sure though I’ve posted a bit on this forum and most people seem to just try to tear me apart…this whole forum has been quite a scary experience. Either way I cannot post it today because I have to go to bed in a couple of minutes maybe if you send me a pm tomorrow or even send me an email. Do you have msn though? I’d love to talk to you there