Former Catholics, Please Post Your Story Here

[stubiegirl]

Auberon Quin:

Didn’t know I was required to state a reason.

You aren’t required to state a reason but maybe if you shared someone could help you. You know just clear up any misunderstandings, appologize for past hurts, point you in the right direction. Do whatever we can for you.
Sincerely,
andrea

 

[stubiegirl]

SPOKENWORD:

I LEFT THE RCC BECAUSE OF THE ANGER AND BITERNESS OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE HIARCHY OF THE RCC. I FELT BETRAYED BY THE ACTIONS OF BISHOPS AND CARDINALS, WHO REPRESENTED THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. I LOST TRUST AND NOW HAVE DECIDED TO KEEP MY EYES ON THE LORD. I KNOW HE WILL NOT DISAPPOINT ME. I WILL SERVE HIM ALONE FOREVER.

You are right that the bishops and cardinals represent the church but they are only humans. They make mistakes too. But, we have to forgive them for that. As Frank Sheed so aptly quips, “A medicine must not be judged by those who buy it but by those who actualy take it.” (Theology for Beginners p.116) In other words, when people fail, it is their choosing to ABANDON what the church is. However, we never have to fear that something will be taught from Rome on faith and morals that is contrary to what the Church stands for (aka Christ). That is very reassuring to me. The Holy Spirit is in control of HIS church.

 

[stubiegirl]

BayCityRickL:

. . .

To me, it was simply a practical matter that I couldn’t take the stress of it anymore. I haven’t left the faith or the Church; it just simply doesn’t exist here, but rather one masquerading as the Holy Church.

I would like you to commend you for being here. Although it’s only “cyber support” there is tons of resources here at Catholic Answers. I am sorry that you have had to endure so many abuses in your diocese. But DON’T GIVE UP!!! Your faith is WAY too important! Is there another diocese near-by that you could go to? It might be a little drive but at least you would be able to be spiritually refreshed. I don’t know your situation, but know that you are not alone. We are all praying for you. You will be rewarded for your persistence.

“Do not grow slack, be fervernt in spirit. Rejoice in hope, be patient in trial, PERSEVERE IN PRAYER!” Romans 12:11-12

 

[Auberon_Quin]

stubiegirl:

You aren’t required to state a reason but maybe if you shared someone could help you. You know just clear up any misunderstandings, appologize for past hurts, point you in the right direction. Do whatever we can for you.
Sincerely,
andrea

Thanks, Andrea.

I’m not really looking for help, though.

 

[Binky_Brown]

jjanderson:

Answering the question, where is the Scripture reference to “Take it to the Church.”

**The previous poster did not mention " a scriptural reference" to “Take it to the Church”: she claimed that He *said ***it. He did not. What He said, and the reference and context within which He said it, is pointed out by you.

By the way, read on. Versus 18 through 20 established the Sacrament of Penance. Also, on the Sacrament of the Eucharist, read John Chapter 6. In light of the above, do you take the Bible literally or not?

Since you ask for a “literal” interpretation, where is the literal enumeration of the words “Sacrament of Penance”? Where, in John 6, do the words “Sacrament of the Eucharist”, literally appear? Moreover, where in scripture does it literally claim that Christ gives to a priestly caste the power to transubstantiate ( or immoliate) bread and wine into " the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity" of Christ in an ongoing “unbloody” sacrifice ? Again, if you are claiming as a source a *literal *interpretation of scripture, it must appear within scripture literally.

---

You know, of course, that we could continue this nearly 500 year old polemic until well after we’re both receiving Social Security (asssuming, of course, there are any funds for Social Security left…). When you and I are both in our graves, Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants will still be arguing it. And let’s face it: it’s been argued on both sides by men much wiser and smarter than you, myself, or anyone on these boards.

**The title of this thread is: Former Catholics, Please Post Your Story Here. I have done that. Others have done that. We have left the Roman Catholic Church. You can deal with that however you please. I, for one, will never go back to the RCC. Perhaps we are better off at this point “agreeing to disagree”, and let God, alone, judge our hearts, actions, and motives. **

 

[Little_Mary]

jjanderson:

Answering the question, where is the Scripture reference to “Take it to the Church.”

The Scripture reference to “take it to the church” is Matthew 18, versus 15 - 20. Jesus first tells the apostles to counsel one who sins privately (verse 15). Then if that doesn’t work, bring one or two others along to establish evidence. Then in verse 17 Jesus tells the Apostles to “tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the, church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.” With your definition of church, that would mean the Apostles and their successors were directed to gather every Christian in the whole world in one spot to counsel the sinner. By the way, read on. Versus 18 through 20 established the Sacrament of Penance. Also, on the Sacrament of the Eucharist, read John Chapter 6. In light of the above, do you take the Bible literally or not?

Peace in Christ +

Thanks for jumping in here. I’ve been away from the computer for a couple of days.

 

[jjanderson]

**The previous poster did not mention " a scriptural reference" to “Take it to the Church”: she claimed that He *said ***it. He did not.

Jesus SAID as recorded in Matt. 18:17, “If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.”

Moreover, where in scripture does it literally

claim that Christ gives to a priestly caste the power to transubstantiate ( or immoliate) bread and wine into " the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity" of Christ in an ongoing “unbloody” sacrifice

---

Transubstantiation and immolation mean two entirely different things. Our Lord through the words of His priest sacramentally changes the bread and wine to his own flesh and blood as food for our souls. Jesus is not re-sacrificed at the Mass. He becomes present as the Sacrificial Lamb whose ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice on the cross redeemed us from our sins and applies the fruits of that once for all sacrifice to his faithful until the end of time. We offer our lives with Jesus to the Father. We hold him up and before us as if to say, See your Son, He comes before us and on our behalf. We offer thanksgiving for the priceless gift of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus died at a point and time in history, but his beautiful act of sacrifice lives on as he applies its fruit to countless people every minute of every day. Our Lord is not bound by a limited point in history.
As far as not believing in anything that doesn’t appear with “literal words in the Bible,” do you believe in the Trinity? That word doesn’t appear in the Bible, either. The Catholic church coined it.
P.S. 500 hundred years is but a minutia in time.

Peace in Christ +
.

 

[Little_Mary]

Binky Brown:

jjanderson:

Answering the question, where is the Scripture reference to “Take it to the Church.”

**The previous poster did not mention " a scriptural reference" to “Take it to the Church”: she claimed that He *said ***

it. He did not. What He said, and the reference and context within which He said it, is pointed out by you.

Hello. The poster you are referring to here is me and I guess (I’m not so sure) I should apologize for not quoting chapter and verse but the point remains the same. You, like so many others, dance around issues when the answers are presented to you clearly and concisely, and straight from the Bible even!! (By the way, if you haven’t already, you might want to study up on the history of the Bible so that you might learn who caused that wonderful document to be compiled).

I sense a lot of anger in all of your posts, and, yes, we can agree to disagree, but I find it charming that you come to boards like this to discuss things (you think) you are certain of.

I want you to know that I will say a prayer for you.

 

[Little_Mary]

jjanderson:

**The previous poster did not mention " a scriptural reference" to “Take it to the Church”: she claimed that He *said ***

it. He did not.

.
Oh, and, Binky dear, He DID say it.

 

[Little_Mary]

jjanderson:

…As far as not believing in anything that doesn’t appear with “literal words in the Bible,” do you believe in the Trinity? That word doesn’t appear in the Bible, either. The Catholic church coined it.

P.S. 500 hundred years is but a minutia in time.

Peace in Christ +
.
jj, you’re great!

Binky,

To elaborate on jj’s question here, not only does the word “trinity” not appear in the bible, but neither does the word “bible”, “sola scriptura”, or going to church on Wednesday night.

 

[Little_Mary]

jjanderson:

. If you’re going to listen to others bash your Church, you have an obligation to make sure they’re right! Peace in Christ +

:clapping: :dancing: :bowdown:

I’m sorry I can’t help myself! You’re on a roll! God bless you!

 

[jjanderson]

:clapping: :dancing: :bowdown:

I’m sorry I can’t help myself! You’re on a roll! God bless you!

Thanks, but better said, the Holy Spirit is on a roll! God Bless you too.

Peace in Christ +

 

[Binky_Brown]

Little Mary:

Oh, and, Binky dear, He DID say it.

He never said “Take it to the Church”. You did. Your words, not His. Pity you can’t tell the difference.

 

[jjanderson]

He never said “Take it to the Church”. You did. Your words, not His. Pity you can’t tell the difference.

Then what does Jesus say in Matt 18:17? Please give the translation of the Bible you’re using to answer. Thanks!

Peace in Christ +

 

[Auberon_Quin]

jjanderson:

Then what does Jesus say in Matt 18:17? Please give the translation of the Bible you’re using to answer. Thanks!

I suppose chilling out isn’t really an option, here?

 

[jjanderson]

Auberon Quin:

I suppose chilling out isn’t really an option, here?

I’m totally chilled. Just wondering why Binky is saying that Little Mary’s paraphrasing of what Jesus said in Matt 18:17 doesn’t exist. I apologizie if I’ve been impolite in any way.

Peace in Christ +

 

[space_ghost]

Auberon Quin:

Cradle Catholic.

Catholic-educated through college.

Realized one day that I just didn’t believe in God anymore.

Left.

Still don’t.

Never came back.

God loves you.

We (the Catholic Church) do to.

Never say never.

Good luck…

Peace!..

 

[Binky_Brown]

Little Mary:

.
You, like so many others, dance around issues when the answers are presented to you clearly and concisely…

I sense a lot of anger in all of your posts… I find it charming that you come to boards like this to discuss things (you think) you are certain of.

I want you to know that I will say a prayer for you.

And this genre of sophmoric patronization is supposed to persuade me and other Former Catholics to reconsider the RCC because…?

---

 

[MBS1]

This is for BAYCITY RICK - I hope you’re still out there.

There is hope. Being also in the Saginaw Diocese, brother, I feel your pain!! There are a lot of us praying for a new, more orthodox bishop to head our diocese. However, you can make a difference now. We have a group in the area (Midland) who meet for Catholic Bible study (using the CatholicExchange material). These are very orthodox studies with great apologetics material in them. It is simply amazing to lead a study and explain Catholic teaching to those truly interested - and believe me, their interest will spread to others in the church as well. You can start one in your own church - you’ll never regret it. We also were able to have an apologetics program through our church - attended by about 75 parishoners. It was put on by simple lay catholics with no formal training (but lots of studying and research). The feedback was awesome - there is sure a hunger in our area for teaching people why the Catholic Church believes what it does. (This was done before Bishop Ken died too). Please don’t separate yourself from the Church - we need good Catholics like you to help work within the diocese and try to teach our fellow Catholics the truth. It may take a while for change to occur - but it can happen. Keep the faith!!:dancing: In Christ.

 

[dredgtone]

Interesting topic. I was raised in a Catholic house, went to a Catholic school, went to Church every Sunday, said my prayers every night and was an altar boy.

When i was roughly in 6th grade, i was sitting in Church at the right hand of the priest feeling kind of disturbed about the whole altar serving thing. I was mainly just tired of having to wake up so early to serve masses, while i was getting nothing out of it. All of the sudden it occured to me, there is no God, so why am i serving mass?

It’s funny because everybody says belief is a choice. Not for me. It was a realization, but that’s neither here nor there. That’s why I am a former Catholic. It was just a realization that I could no longer have faith because that’s just not the type of person I am. It’s not how my mind works.