B
bjmiller100753
Guest
As I have begun to read Threads on the various Forums I have to admit to feeling a little (a lot?) of both of the feelings in the Title above.
Most often my feelings of confusion arise out of those threads wherein individuals have made their point (often repeatedly!) and other individuals continue to rebut (equally as repeatedly!). At some point in time, someone needs to acknowledge that “we just agree to disagree” and move on. It is almost as if individuals feel whoever writes the most or writes the last post will be the “correct” one (or the “winner”).
While I was born and raised Catholic, I have not practiced nor affiliated myself with the Catholic Church for almost 4 decades. There are certainly many teachings of the Church I share but my being born into the faith and sharing SOME of those beliefs does not make me Catholic. My amusement arises from the repeated posts of those who describe themselves as “Catholic” but say they do not believe in all the teachings of the Church. Even though it has been many years for me, I still remember that the Church does not offer “options” to choose from. The Church is very clear and consistent on what Catholics must believe. When converts enter the Catholic Church they are not given a “menu of beliefs” to choose from. I find it amusing that some folks believe they can pick and choose what they would like to believe of the Church’s teachings, discard the rest and still call themselves Catholic. Just calling yourself something does not make you that thing. The Catholic Church defines who Catholics are; not individuals. Your actions will define you, not your words. If your actions are consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and you act consistently with those teachings to maintain your membership then you are Catholic. If your actions are inconsistent with the teachings of the Church, then you are NOT Catholic and you don’t maintain your Catholicism just because you call yourself one.
Most often my feelings of confusion arise out of those threads wherein individuals have made their point (often repeatedly!) and other individuals continue to rebut (equally as repeatedly!). At some point in time, someone needs to acknowledge that “we just agree to disagree” and move on. It is almost as if individuals feel whoever writes the most or writes the last post will be the “correct” one (or the “winner”).
While I was born and raised Catholic, I have not practiced nor affiliated myself with the Catholic Church for almost 4 decades. There are certainly many teachings of the Church I share but my being born into the faith and sharing SOME of those beliefs does not make me Catholic. My amusement arises from the repeated posts of those who describe themselves as “Catholic” but say they do not believe in all the teachings of the Church. Even though it has been many years for me, I still remember that the Church does not offer “options” to choose from. The Church is very clear and consistent on what Catholics must believe. When converts enter the Catholic Church they are not given a “menu of beliefs” to choose from. I find it amusing that some folks believe they can pick and choose what they would like to believe of the Church’s teachings, discard the rest and still call themselves Catholic. Just calling yourself something does not make you that thing. The Catholic Church defines who Catholics are; not individuals. Your actions will define you, not your words. If your actions are consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and you act consistently with those teachings to maintain your membership then you are Catholic. If your actions are inconsistent with the teachings of the Church, then you are NOT Catholic and you don’t maintain your Catholicism just because you call yourself one.
