As an ex-Catholic do you really know what the Church teaches?

[qui_est_ce]

You do know about the permanent diaconate, right?

In St. Louis we have a new evangelization office, headed by Hector Molina. You may have heard him on Catholic radio. Right now he is a one man office. He had considered priesthood when he was doing youth ministry in Brooklyn, NY. He is now married with young children. He is a DYNAMIC speaker. That’s his job. He runs a one-man office at the Archdiocese. But it will grow. He will be coming to our parish in November and December this year. Watch out! We won’t know what hit us!! :extrahappy:

hectormolina.net/

He calls himself “The Arsonist for Christ”

This ministry is being taught at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis:

ai.edu/

Check it out, we need more people like you Drew! If you know Truth and feel a real calling to the ministry, you can’t run away from it any more!

Also, Youth Ministry is getting huge. We have full time positions. With educated on-fire people.

 

[AKG]

But anyone who truly understands the Church would never leave and anyone who is not in the Church but comes to understand it would join .

I’m not convinced that this is true. I believe that Judas Iscariot really understood who Jesus was, perhaps even more so than the other disciples, and betrayed Him anyhow. So I contend that there are some ex-Catholics who really do understand what the Church is all about and readily and willfully betray her. Some, but not all. There are also many others who turn their backs on Catholic faith out of ignorance or lack of careful study.

I also believe that there are many non-Catholic people who are convinced that their own religious traditions and beliefs are the correct ones and would never think to abandon them. Even if Catholic faith is presented to them, and they understand it, they do not come to Catholic faith. I am reminded of the passage in the New Testament that says “Many are called but few are chosen.” We should keep in mind that faith is a precious and undeserved gift, and is not something that can simply be acquired by even the best of instruction.

I know from experience that God responds mightily to our fervent and persistent intercessory prayers in behalf of others that do not embrace our faith. We cannot sit by and throw up our hands. Ours is the responsibility of the Great Commission by virtue of our Baptism in Christ Jesus. With that in mind, let us encourage one another to proclaim the good news not only through the words we say, but also in how we live.

 

[Keikiolu]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirdath forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif
Hahahahaha…

…{snip}…

I left because I just don’t get this ‘faith’ thing: much like the apostle Thomas, I can’t believe in something I can’t see and touch (metaphorically speaking). There’s something in the mind you guys have that I don’t. And honestly I’m not sure who’s better off.

Oh no, here you are wrong about Thomas. Thomas was brave, he understood that witnessing to Christ through personal courageous behavior was the key to being credible when preaching Christ’s message(John 11:16)" Let us go and die with Him" did he falter? Yes like all the apostles, save John, he was the most prominent doubter of the reserrection. But, by the grace of Jesus, Thomas would be BROUGHT to faith and use words prayed ever since by those adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, “My Lord and my God”. So you may be like Thomas in the fact that you need to see to believe but don’t forget that he was brought to faith by Jesus, like all of us. Don’t give up, you will be better off with Jesus.

I am SO glad that I’ve got Mirdath, and Peregrino, on my ignore list…!

My bloodpressure thanks me, those who are tempted to BAN me are thanking me, and the world seems such a more cheery and uplifting place in general…

Still praying for you guys. I know where you’re coming from, as I was there, and you’ll LOVE IT when you finally “get over the hump”…!

Best of everything to you, and to the other folks here.

And, to the OP,… No, they don’t know what they’re talking about in the least.

Mahalo ke Akua…!
E pili mau na pomaikai ia oe. Aloha nui.

 

[MarcoPolo]

And the worst of it is that I’ve explained many, many times in e-mails what the Church truly teaches and she chooses to ignore me!

Can anyone tell me why that is? Is it some kind of guilty feeling on her part that won’t let her accept what I’m telling her? Does she think that I’m trying to deceive her? I don’t get it.

Think of it as a relationship. Let’s say Suzy breaks up with Jimmy because Jimmy rejected her. Jimmy might be a perfectly reasonable and loving individual, but all too often, the rejected party will proceed to demonize the other person afterward. Some of the most vehemently, fire-shooting-out-of-the-nose anti-Catholics are former Catholics. Like Mike Gendron or that “Father” Bennett fellow, I think his name is. It is apparent they didn’t leave the Church for what it teaches, because they invariably don’t get the teaching right when they try to explain it! Instead, what is revealed is a very personal bitterness. Maybe that person doesn’t want to stop contracepting. Maybe they want to be able to divorce. Maybe they don’t like confession to forgive mortal sin. This of course does not apply to everyone, as evidenced in this thread.

 

[Mirdath]

I am SO glad that I’ve got Mirdath, and Peregrino, on my ignore list…!

You are honestly the first person I have ever considered putting on mine, but I finally decided against it because I still hope that on some day, you will discover the virtues of courtesy, respect, and charity, and I want to be first in line to applaud you on that day!

 

[JCChick]

AMEN!

My mother attended Catholic school in the 1930’s and 40’s through the 8th grade, where “the sisters made everyone memorize the Catechism”. Because of this, she now claims to “know the Catholic Church”, and yet misunderstands so many things about the Faith, that she left to become a “Bible Christian”.

She actually told my four young children (daily Communicants) that Catholics worship statues! Such an outragious lie from a woman who claims to have “memorized the Cathecism”? I think that she needed to concentrate less on memorization, and more on comprehension.

I cant believe I just read that! Its the same for me! I was born and raised Catholic and have three children in Catholic school–my parents decided last year to join a Baptist Church…I am so disheartened by it…especially when my mom tries to tell me everything that is WRONG with the church–like that we arent allowed to read our Bibles, etc! Aargh!

 

[BrewMax]

I know catechesis for the past 30-35 years in the Catholic Church has been not very good to say the least. And there are definitely signs that it is getting better—this forum being one of them! My question, though, is why do ex-Catholics who have been to a Catholic elementary school believe that they know everything about the church? Even college graduates will pontificate about what the Church supposedly teaches because they went to Catholic elementary school. But obviously they felt the need for continued study in their secular careers— So what’s up here?

I practiced indepthly and studied my cradle faith the most in the last couple of years that i was in the church. What I knew is why I left.

 

[bengal_fan]

I practiced indepthly and studied my cradle faith the most in the last couple of years that i was in the church. What I knew is why I left.

so what was the “straw” that broke it for you? not church is perfect, that’s why i’m asking. what couldn’t you put up with any longer or what “untruth” did you find the church teaching that was just completely incompatible with the Christian faith? i am asking honestly (i am a protestant as well).

 

[qui_est_ce]

so what was the “straw” that broke it for you? not church is perfect, that’s why i’m asking. what couldn’t you put up with any longer or what “untruth” did you find the church teaching that was just completely incompatible with the Christian faith? i am asking honestly (i am a protestant as well).

WOW, the more I thought I knew, I didn’t, yet what I continue to learn is why I stay

 

[St_Violet]

Some people just can’t accept Truth.

 

[bengal_fan]

Some people just can’t accept Truth.

sometimes those who think they are spreading the truth aren’t. truth must be spoken in love. if people aren’t hearing you, find a different way to communicate. don’t just say “some people just can’t accept truth” as if that absolves you and the church from a responsibility to share the truth in ways people can understand.

 

[qui_est_ce]

sometimes those who think they are spreading the truth aren’t. truth must be spoken in love. if people aren’t hearing you, find a different way to communicate. don’t just say “some people just can’t accept truth” as if that absolves you and the church from a responsibility to share the truth in ways people can understand.

Well, I do RCIA. I had it last night. This old man keeps coming. He is not Catholic but his wife is. I don’t know why he comes. He is completely disruptive. He interrupts the discussions with his rants on priest scandal, or priests should be allowed to marry, women should be allowed to be priests, the Blessed Mother, blah, blah. Last night he wanted to celebrate Reformation Day.

The guy is not crazy, just a little senile due to his age.

Monsignor says he is there for a reason, let him stay.

After 6 sessions, he is starting to quiet down, (either that or I have gotten used to him)! He saves rants for the end of the session, either that, or. Some of the Catholic Sponsors who attend wanted to kick him out, but the Catechumens said no, let him come. He is testing our faith! I would have wanted to kick him out too, if Monsignor hadn’t said to let him stay.

I learned a lot last night.

 

[bengal_fan]

Well, I do RCIA. I had it last night. This old man keeps coming. He is not Catholic but his wife is. I don’t know why he comes. He is completely disruptive. He interrupts the discussions with his rants on priest scandal, or priests should be allowed to marry, women should be allowed to be priests, the Blessed Mother, blah, blah. Last night he wanted to celebrate Reformation Day.

The guy is not crazy, just a little senile due to his age.

Monsignor says he is there for a reason, let him stay.

After 6 sessions, he is starting to quiet down, (either that or I have gotten used to him)! He saves rants for the end of the session, either that, or. Some of the Catholic Sponsors who attend wanted to kick him out, but the Catechumens said no, let him come. He is testing our faith! I would have wanted to kick him out too, if Monsignor hadn’t said to let him stay.

I learned a lot last night.

i totally understand how you feel with him. i am also glad the Monsignor has enough insight to know that God is always at work (i know i wish i could have that type of insight) and what a great response from the catechumens!! (he is testing our faith!!).

on a side note, as a protestant i have never understood the logic behind celebrating the tearing apart of the church. i completely understand the desire to reform the church and when that reform was rejected (on some things correctly, on others i don’t think it was correct, but that is for another thread) they didn’t have much of a choice other than to continue to worship God. that being said, why celebrate disunity?? it makes no sense to me. i will never celebrate reformation day.

 

[qui_est_ce]

on a side note, as a protestant i have never understood the logic behind celebrating the tearing apart of the church. i completely understand the desire to reform the church and when that reform was rejected (on some things correctly, on others i don’t think it was correct, but that is for another thread) they didn’t have much of a choice other than to continue to worship God. that being said, why celebrate disunity?? it makes no sense to me. i will never celebrate reformation day.

You are so right. My daughter’s (liberal Catholic) high school uses “diversity” in just about every correspondence. What an oxymoron, a CATHOLIC GIRL’S high school, that costs an arm and leg in tuition, and situated in a wealthy suburb. (BTW, I don’t live in that suburb, I live in the city, and parent’s alway have to check me out bc they think we have shootings in the alleys) I think as long as we focus on what makes us different, we will never find peace. Notice, I say FOCUS. I don’t not mean we should not explore. I’m just so tired of intolerant people telling me to be tolerant! I can respect another’s views without agreeing with them.

 

[BrewMax]

so what was the “straw” that broke it for you? not church is perfect, that’s why i’m asking. what couldn’t you put up with any longer or what “untruth” did you find the church teaching that was just completely incompatible with the Christian faith? i am asking honestly (i am a protestant as well).

The fact that the church holds tradition and magisterium in the same authority as Scripture so they claim. I believe that in many cases, the church holds magisterium supreme to Scripture to be able to justify some of its teachings and doctrine. The straw that broke the camel’s back you ask? A hugely painted picture of a church who cannot attest several of its teachings with the Scriptures.

 

[exoflare]

The fact that the church holds tradition and magisterium in the same authority as Scripture so they claim. I believe that in many cases, the church holds magisterium supreme to Scripture to be able to justify some of its teachings and doctrine. The straw that broke the camel’s back you ask? A hugely painted picture of a church who cannot attest several of its teachings with the Scriptures.

And I suppose you drew your “Bible-only” stuff from something in scripture? Let me guess, a distorted reading of 2 Timothy 3:16 where “profitable” gets twisted into meaning “the only authority”?

Meanwhile there’s 1 Timothy 3:15 which states that the CHURCH (I guess that really means the “Bible”) is the pillar and foundation of truth. If you really want to do something constructive for your cause, you can become some kind of modern day Martin Luther and throw out some of the other parts of scripture that he apparently didn’t have the time to. Maybe after that, you can read from your new revised “Bible” and your beliefs will actually bear some vague semblance of consistency.

 

[BrewMax]

And I suppose you drew your “Bible-only” stuff from something in scripture? Let me guess, a distorted reading of 2 Timothy 3:16 where “profitable” gets twisted into meaning “the only authority”?

Meanwhile there’s 1 Timothy 3:15 which states that the CHURCH (I guess that really means the “Bible”) is the pillar and foundation of truth. If you really want to do something constructive for your cause, you can become some kind of modern day Martin Luther and throw out some of the other parts of scripture that he apparently didn’t have the time to. Maybe after that, you can read from your new revised “Bible” and your beliefs will actually bear some vague semblance of consistency.

Excuse me… I was asked what made me leave the chuch and I was as honest in responding. I didn’t ask for a personal attack. I have been very cordial in explaining that I do not believe that the Catholic church teaches truth. I have done nothing to be chastised for.

 

[bengal_fan]

And I suppose you drew your “Bible-only” stuff from something in scripture? Let me guess, a distorted reading of 2 Timothy 3:16 where “profitable” gets twisted into meaning “the only authority”?

Meanwhile there’s 1 Timothy 3:15 which states that the CHURCH (I guess that really means the “Bible”) is the pillar and foundation of truth. If you really want to do something constructive for your cause, you can become some kind of modern day Martin Luther and throw out some of the other parts of scripture that he apparently didn’t have the time to. Maybe after that, you can read from your new revised “Bible” and your beliefs will actually bear some vague semblance of consistency.

that was a little out of line. i asked him what his experience was and he told me. he shouldn’t be attacked for expressing his opinion. now, in another thread where he might say, “the catholic church teaches lies” (which i have not seen him say outright btw) a response like this could be in order (although personal attacks in a debate just show a lack of knowledge on the subject) but not in this thread.

 

[MarcoPolo]

The straw that broke the camel’s back you ask? A hugely painted picture of a church who cannot attest several of its teachings with the Scriptures.

Interesting. But what is an example of one of those teachings that contradicts Scripture?

 

[exoflare]

That was out of line. I apologize.