Are other countries more supportive of Catholic values?

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KatyB

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When I was a child I think it was pretty easy being Catholic in the U.S. The general population seemed to support the same types of values that Catholics believe in. But now our country not only glorifies such ideas as extramarital sex, abortion, infidelity, homosexual activity and divorce, it’s downright anti-Catholic. For hundreds of years people from around the world have come to America for a “better” life. I’m wondering if there’s somewhere else I could move to give my family a better life - meaning, a country whose laws, values, culture and people reinforce the Catholic values I’m trying to teach my children. It’s very hard for them to absorb and live Catholic values in a world where every TV show, movie, song, celebrity and politician is telling them to think otherwise.
 
KatyB said:
When I was a child I think it was pretty easy being Catholic in the U.S. The general population seemed to support the same types of values that Catholics believe in. But now our country not only glorifies such ideas as extramarital sex, abortion, infidelity, homosexual activity and divorce, it’s downright anti-Catholic. For hundreds of years people from around the world have come to America for a “better” life. I’m wondering if there’s somewhere else I could move to give my family a better life - meaning, a country whose laws, values, culture and people reinforce the Catholic values I’m trying to teach my children. It’s very hard for them to absorb and live Catholic values in a world where every TV show, movie, song, celebrity and politician is telling them to think otherwise.
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There probably are but my guess is that it’s a matter of picking and choosing *WHICH *values.
 
Believe it or not, the USA is one of the most conservative countries :confused:

I think I would safely say that Rome is the MOST conservative and supportive of Catholic values 😉 😛
 
Hi KatyB, I live in England and I face exactly the same problems you do.

I often think it would be so easy to pack up and move somewhere else where it is “okay to be Catholic” - but then I think “well it wasn’t easy for Jesus and his disciples either - so why should it be easy for me?”

Perhaps the daily challenges will make you stronger and a better person for it. I do hope there is some reason why everyday we face all the ‘anti-catholic’ things we do. I even get it from my own family as my father is Church of England and most of his family hate Catholics.

Our reward will be in heaven.

God Bless

Jacqui x
 
Jacqui,

I certainly commend you for staying faithful to Catholicism when your own family is against it. I don’t worry so much about myself as I do my children. There are so many forces working to sway their beliefs away from Catholicism, it can feel like a no-win situation for a parent. But I just keep praying. Thanks for the encouraging reminder about Jesus.

KatyB
Lady_James said:
Hi KatyB, I live in England and I face exactly the same problems you do.

I often think it would be so easy to pack up and move somewhere else where it is “okay to be Catholic” - but then I think “well it wasn’t easy for Jesus and his disciples either - so why should it be easy for me?”

Perhaps the daily challenges will make you stronger and a better person for it. I do hope there is some reason why everyday we face all the ‘anti-catholic’ things we do. I even get it from my own family as my father is Church of England and most of his family hate Catholics.

Our reward will be in heaven.

God Bless

Jacqui x
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KatyB said:
When I was a child I think it was pretty easy being Catholic in the U.S. The general population seemed to support the same types of values that Catholics believe in. But now our country not only glorifies such ideas as extramarital sex, abortion, infidelity, homosexual activity and divorce, it’s downright anti-Catholic. For hundreds of years people from around the world have come to America for a “better” life. I’m wondering if there’s somewhere else I could move to give my family a better life - meaning, a country whose laws, values, culture and people reinforce the Catholic values I’m trying to teach my children. It’s very hard for them to absorb and live Catholic values in a world where every TV show, movie, song, celebrity and politician is telling them to think otherwise.
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Not sure how old you are but I’m almost 40 and the divorce rate was higher and so was the abortion rate (A LOT HIGHER) when I was a child… so I’m not sure how you could say it’s worse unless you are 60ish…

Anyway as another poster said the US is probably one of the most if not the most conservative nation that actually allows for individual freedoms (Europe is much more liberal but Iran, Iraq, Syria etc… are probably more conservative but Muslim).

I also wouldn’t agree that all of those things you mentioned are telling us to show non Catholic values.

Our President Elect has made it clear that we need to stop torture, take care of the poor, get out of an unjust war, look at the death penalty as being unjust, and isn’t promoting homosexual marriage… in fact all of his positions nay 1 are right up our ally. The problem is that the one we disagree on is a very big one! Yet there are many Christians and non-Christians who disagree with us on that one. I believe our job is to educate them as to why life begins at conception… that’s the bottom line, right?

Anyway… we live in a fantastic Country that has had some difficult times but I firmly believe that after we get through this things will get much better!

Hang in there, don’t give up on the good ole US of A yet!

Joe
 
It used to be the Phillipines. When the Pope JP II visited for World Youth Day some years back…4 million came out for his visit. More than any other time.
 
stbruno said:
It used to be the Phillipines. When the Pope JP II visited for World Youth Day some years back…4 million came out for his visit. More than any other time.
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The written law still does. How the people actually live with a quarter of Filipinos crowed into Metro-Manila, well that’s another matter. The Church still draws, google the Feast of the Black Nazarene from January 8th,9th, however the country reports as one of the most corrupt in Asia with adultery and abortion illegal but running at a high level.
 
KatyB said:
When I was a child I think it was pretty easy being Catholic in the U.S. The general population seemed to support the same types of values that Catholics believe in. But now our country not only glorifies such ideas as extramarital sex, abortion, infidelity, homosexual activity and divorce, it’s downright anti-Catholic. For hundreds of years people from around the world have come to America for a “better” life. I’m wondering if there’s somewhere else I could move to give my family a better life - meaning, a country whose laws, values, culture and people reinforce the Catholic values I’m trying to teach my children. It’s very hard for them to absorb and live Catholic values in a world where every TV show, movie, song, celebrity and politician is telling them to think otherwise.
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**Chile. **

Abortion is illegal. Marriage and family is still important to Chilians. Only recently (in 2004) did it sadly become one of the last countries to legalize divorce. It is the safest country in Latin America. It is actually safer then most American cities. Chile is absolutely beautiful as well. You can live somewhere where the beach, snow-caped mountains, and just beautiful farms are all but an hour away. It is affordable. The economy there is better then it is here in America.

I would say the only downer is their views on modesty are just a wee bit different then ours, however you have to understand that they were founded by Spaniards and America was founded by Puritans. And, every other country is going to have a different view on modesty then America.

I also think Poland is a very Catholic country, although unlike Poland abortion is illegal in all circumstances in Chile. They take it very seriously and are acually more in line with the church’s views then Poland is. All types of abortion in Chile, including those done for a therapeutic purpose or even to save the life of the pregnant woman are illegal. This is not the case in Poland. And Chilians generally view abortion as unjustified, which I think lets you know that this isn’t just something a few in the government are struggling to keep illegal. In a survey in 2006 26% of Chileans believed that abortion is “justified” while 74% believe that it is not.

Malta

Abortion is illegal in all circumstances in Malta. Possession of any form of pornography is illegal in Malta. And Malta is one of two countries where divorce is still illegal. The pill and the patch are illegal in Malta as well (however condemns are not).

It is an island off the coast of Sicily. Yeah, it is beautiful. The official religion of Malta is Roman Catholic. 98% of the population is Catholic, unlike in Chile where only about 70%. Malta is known for being one of the most Catholic countries in the world. And, unlike in Chile, you can live there and survive knowing only English. The official languages are both Maltese and English (as it only gained it’s independence from the UK in the 1960s). The school system is good and the Church and the state actually do a lot together in that arena, the point where the state pays the teacher’s salary at Catholic schools. It’s health care system is in the top five in the world, far better then the US.
 
The US is pretty supportive as in ‘practice what you believe in’. If you’re looking to have your beliefs forced upon everyone else, I dunno, try Gibraltar or Vatican City?
 
KatyB said:
When I was a child I think it was pretty easy being Catholic in the U.S. The general population seemed to support the same types of values that Catholics believe in. But now our country not only glorifies such ideas as extramarital sex, abortion, infidelity, homosexual activity and divorce, it’s downright anti-Catholic. For hundreds of years people from around the world have come to America for a “better” life. I’m wondering if there’s somewhere else I could move to give my family a better life - meaning, a country whose laws, values, culture and people reinforce the Catholic values I’m trying to teach my children. It’s very hard for them to absorb and live Catholic values in a world where every TV show, movie, song, celebrity and politician is telling them to think otherwise.
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I am basically thinking Holy See. It’s this great little country where everyone knows each other and they all have the same boss. Your kids will get to wake up and see the largest Catholic church in the world and will catch glimpses of the Pope at least five times a week if he’s home! 👍
 
Mirdath said:
The US is pretty supportive as in ‘practice what you believe in’. If you’re looking to have your beliefs forced upon everyone else, I dunno, try Gibraltar or Vatican City?
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Gibraltar?
 
I’ve always been deeply moved by the conditions faced by the downtrodden peasantry of both San Marino and Monaco whenever I’ve visited.
 
Practically speaking it is very hard to move to any country unless you are highly skilled in your profession, ie, a physician or nurse. They are always needed. But for the rest of us, they don’t want us taking their jobs, just as we are trying to hang onto ours.
 
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