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jmjconder
Guest
Heard this today on a Catholic radio station.
Have you left for similar reasons…please share what those issues are.
Have you left for similar reasons…please share what those issues are.
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triumphguy
Guest
Not enough social teachings?
I’ve seen that.
I’ve seen that.
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Corki
Guest
Well, in a broad sense, the Church’s teaching on marriage, family, Catholic education and care for the poor are all social teachings. And I have certainly seen people leave parishes (but not the Church altogether) when they feel the pastor focuses too much on any of these topics (or mentions them at all). So it’s not too much of a stretch that someone would leave the Church.
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andyklein
Guest
I don’t think that it’s because of social teachings. I think that its because some Catholics don’t know how to accommodate these teachings into their lives in today’s world. So the issue is the secular world, not the Church.
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ChurchSoldier
Guest
Leave because of what the Church teaches or because what it does not teach? An example might be helpful.
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Christy_Beth
Guest
I think many leave because they don’t understand the Catholic teachings enough to defend them against those who speak out against the church. That, or they feel that the Chuch doesn’t “fulfill” their “need.” 
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ChurchSoldier
Guest
That is sad.I think many leave because they don’t understand the Catholic teachings enough to defend them against those who speak out against the church. That, or they feel that the Chuch doesn’t “fulfill” their “need.”
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mikekle
Guest
I can understand this, and probably is why alot of people leave the church.I think many leave because they don’t understand the Catholic teachings enough to defend them against those who speak out against the church. That, or they feel that the Chuch doesn’t “fulfill” their “need.”
My family is all catholic, and I was raised catholic, went to catholic school for most of my education, however I cannot remember one instance where I felt Gods presence or help in any way, even when I was going thru tough times in my early 20s, I prayed until I cried many times, and still…nothing.
I am a good person though, yet as of right now, I can say that I have never once felt God or seen anything he has done in my life.
But when I talk to my dad about what he thinks about church, he claims when he goes to mass every week, he leaves feeling ‘filled up’ and revived. He also said he felt this as a child going to mass, so this makes me wonder why I have never felt this, especially as a child, pre-teenager.
As a result of this, I used to wonder seriously if I was an atheist, but I am not, as I do believe in God/Satan, but just wonder if we truly are interpreting the bible correctly, plus Seems strange to me the vatican keeps certain information about God and the bible in general from us or doesnt talk about some topics,or bans some topics ( one example in particular…The existence of other tribes and cities at the same time when adam and eve were in the garden)
It just seems to me the catholic church in general is run like a big corporation versus the church God actually intended. I think this is the reason the vatican keeps alot of information from the people and keeps it locked up in secret vaults, like it doesnt want people to learn of these things.
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ChurchSoldier
Guest
I’m sorry you have gone decades without feeling God’s presence in your life. There are a few things which people find helpful sometimes. The basic concept is to add or change the way you do things. Here are 2 suggestions.
First read the Gospel according to John. Read it twice. First straight through. It’s 21 chapters will take 45 minutes or so. Then read it again slowly highlighting as you go and meditating on those highlighted areas. In it Jesus tells us who He is.
Second, is read daily prayers in a different form than you usually do. Either shorter Christian Prayer or a Liturgy of the Hours. One I use is Breviary.net (It is a TLM group. Costs $2 a month for their website access). It gives the daily readings from the Breviary in old English (and Latin) A benefit is in using the old English it makes you slow down and concentrate on what you are reading instead of rote recitation. This slowing down brings a new focus and often new insight into the prayers.
I will keep you in my prayers.
LeafByNiggle
Well-known member
You might be able to take comfort from the experience of Mother Teresa, In part, this article says:
So, you are in good company!
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LiberalPrincess
Guest
Well, look at polling data from Pew. A significant number of Catholics in the USA say they disagree with the Vatican on gay marriage, contraception, etc.
LeafByNiggle
Well-known member
Your point being…?
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Abu
Guest
Adam and Eve were the first people created by God – the first parents of mankind. As the Catholic Church declared the Bible to be the Word of God and Christ, the Son of God, established His Catholic Church on St Peter the first Pope to teach His truths, to lead mankind to Him, anything different is in error.
This reads as incoherent jumble.
That simply means that they have never understood Christ when He built His Church on St Peter – do you not know of the unlimited authority and importance from the words of Christ Himself?
Jesus specifically entrusts Peter with His authority and confers infallibility:
All four promises to Peter alone:
“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church.” (Mt 16:18)
“The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16:18)
“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven." ( Mt 16:19)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) [Later to the Twelve].
Sole authority to Peter:
“Strengthen your brethren.” (Lk 22:32)
“Feed My sheep.”(Jn 21:17).
In the 1964 Instruction of the Pontifical Biblical Commission The Historical Truth of the Gospels, in counseling exegetes and teachers of biblical studies, the Commission states: “Let him always obey the Magisterium of the Church.” [Refer: *The New Biblical Theorists, Msgr George A Kelly, Servant Books, 1983, p 134-5, 141].
Real Catholics think with the mind of the Church because they assent to and obey the Church in dogma and doctrine because they know that She is infallible in teaching such truths of faith and morals as mandated by Christ.
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speters33w
Guest
I think there is a deeper core problem in the United States than people leaving the Church over social issues…
The Nation is sharply divided over politics, and the rhetoric of both of these political parties influences their members to iconize their own party (can do no wrong) and demonize people who adhere to the other party (they are evil and in sin if they vote for that party).
When in reality both parties are secular and have practices in accordance with Catholic social teachings and in conflict with them.
One party supports legislation favorable to abortion and homosexuality.
One party supports legislation favorable to support of the poor, humane treatment of all people, acceptance of immigrants, etc.
There are entire bodies of Catholic literature on all these topics.
And of course neither party is good or evil in and of itself.
In a way, it might be better if we all lived in a dictatorship or monarchy as the people of the Nation would not be responsible for the decisions of the Nation (see Matthew 25:31-46),
We REALLY must stop iconizing our own political party and demonizing the other. This is unchristian.
The Nation is sharply divided over politics, and the rhetoric of both of these political parties influences their members to iconize their own party (can do no wrong) and demonize people who adhere to the other party (they are evil and in sin if they vote for that party).
When in reality both parties are secular and have practices in accordance with Catholic social teachings and in conflict with them.
One party supports legislation favorable to abortion and homosexuality.
One party supports legislation favorable to support of the poor, humane treatment of all people, acceptance of immigrants, etc.
There are entire bodies of Catholic literature on all these topics.
And of course neither party is good or evil in and of itself.
In a way, it might be better if we all lived in a dictatorship or monarchy as the people of the Nation would not be responsible for the decisions of the Nation (see Matthew 25:31-46),
We REALLY must stop iconizing our own political party and demonizing the other. This is unchristian.
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ffg
Guest
People leave the CC because of something they do not like (A negative to them). Be it an action of a member, or a rule they disagree with, etc… That’s convenience / feeling.
People join the CC because they are seeking the fullness of Truth. It would be much easier for them to stay in their comfort and happy zone, but they move toward something at the risk of losing family and friends. That’s sacrifice.
The person walking away, never does so because they found Truth elsewhere, otherwise, we would all be there.
People join the CC because they are seeking the fullness of Truth. It would be much easier for them to stay in their comfort and happy zone, but they move toward something at the risk of losing family and friends. That’s sacrifice.
The person walking away, never does so because they found Truth elsewhere, otherwise, we would all be there.
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janeway529
Guest
If you want a concrete example, take the farm labor disputes in the 1970s. The poor migrant workers were protesting their maltreatment and unsafe working conditions against the large Catholic growers. Both the workers and the growers thought that the Church was on their side. The Church sided with the poor, and a majority of the growers who thought that the Church was on their side essentially left the Church in anger.
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MikiBee
Guest
I think a lot of people leave the church also because of ignorance. They were never properly catechized. I certainly wasn’t even after 12 years in a Catholic school. There were so many “Thall Shall nots… and if you do you will go to hell.” I knew so many Catholics going to mass every Sunday and being very visible around the church, but some of the meanest people you would ever meet at home, my family included. There was always the feeling of "do this, don’t do that, but no explanation as to why. It was always, “Because the church says so.” That’s hard for a young person.
I found very few Catholics that were compassionate, understanding or caring. Even now as an adult I have a hard time with how many Catholics act. When I first came back to the church about 6 years ago, this was one of the first places I came, and unfortunately had many many bad experiences here while searching for the questions I needed answers for. It was so bad I was wondering why I wanted to come back to the Church if people were so mean. Of course not everyone was, but there were quite a few. I literally almost gave up because of some of the replies I’ve seen here. Even last year with that terrible tragedy in Newtown, CT with the massacre of those poor children, there were Catholics so bent on their own agendas, they were saying things such as, “Why are people so upset about the killing of the kids in Connecticut, yet not outraged at abortion?” I was appalled at the lack of compassion in that statement. It might have been true, but at the very least, insensitive.
I think the church needs to emphasize compassion, forgiveness, love they neighbor as thyself, fellowship, etc… They’re all just as important. I’m not saying to ease up on teachings at all, as I don’t believe it can or should, just get the message across with love rather than condemnation. I’m so happy for Pope Francis-- I think he is just the Pope the church needs right now.
I found very few Catholics that were compassionate, understanding or caring. Even now as an adult I have a hard time with how many Catholics act. When I first came back to the church about 6 years ago, this was one of the first places I came, and unfortunately had many many bad experiences here while searching for the questions I needed answers for. It was so bad I was wondering why I wanted to come back to the Church if people were so mean. Of course not everyone was, but there were quite a few. I literally almost gave up because of some of the replies I’ve seen here. Even last year with that terrible tragedy in Newtown, CT with the massacre of those poor children, there were Catholics so bent on their own agendas, they were saying things such as, “Why are people so upset about the killing of the kids in Connecticut, yet not outraged at abortion?” I was appalled at the lack of compassion in that statement. It might have been true, but at the very least, insensitive.
I think the church needs to emphasize compassion, forgiveness, love they neighbor as thyself, fellowship, etc… They’re all just as important. I’m not saying to ease up on teachings at all, as I don’t believe it can or should, just get the message across with love rather than condemnation. I’m so happy for Pope Francis-- I think he is just the Pope the church needs right now.
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livingwordunity
Guest
IMO, the hardest social teaching of the Catholic Church for most to accept is “love thy enemy”.
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ffg
Guest
Seems to fall under ‘rule they disagree with’.
It is quite a general statement, but I think the key is that the ‘fullness of truth’ hasn’t been found elsewhere.
If it was, you have enough people that have made the jump from comfort zones to Catholic that moving closer to the “fullness of truth” wouldn’t be an issue. We would see mass exodus.
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