Elvis, to me, it read like you were attacking the poster because you found his answer to the OP was lacking. Yet he was expressing his spiritual journey and not asserting Catholic TRUTHS that needed correction.
Indeed. Todd, PLeeD, I am most grateful to both of you. I mentioned in my post how warmly I have been greeted by those in this forum, and my thanks go out to the both of you for your comments following my post. You both understood my remarks, and defended my intention in making them.
Elvis, I am well aware of the Catholic teaching in regards to the issues I discussed. In my post, I highlighted the very fact that these items are a part of Catholic doctrine. I explained why, from my heart, I cannot align myself with those teachings. I do not refute that they
are teachings. I was raised a Catholic, as I stated earlier, and from a very young age, these same issues plagued me. As I mentioned in the discussion about Muslems, in a separate thread, it was my heart and my sincere intent to learn the nature of God and to be close to Him, that led me to follow an example that does indeed diverge from that of the Church. I appreciate your pointing out to me that according to Catholic doctrine, there is only one path to God – through his Son. Again, this is simply a point I don’t agree with. I was expressing a personal faith belief in so stating–not refuting yours.
I had hoped that members reading my post would realize it was inherent in my words, that I was accepting of the facts as presented; that they did indeed align themselves with Catholic doctrine. As a
non-Catholic, I wished to elucidate how one might find himself separating from the Church, from out of an inner sense that those teachings did not align perfectly with one’s own internal sense of God.
I am sincere in stating that I am moved each time I visit this forum, to see those members who follow God’s word and who worship Him in open sincerity. I do not take issue with Catholics on their quest to follow God. When I say I believe
all paths lead to God, I naturally include Catholics in that “all.” I was merely explaining the reasons why I personally have left the Church. I am aware that this could indeed make a follower of the Church see me as one of the fallen. I apologize to you for having offended you. I never intended that. But please try to see that refuting my spiritual beliefs does not accomplish your objective. You ‘corrected’ my spiritual beliefs, and that is not really possible. Just as I would not attempt to ‘correct’ your spiritual beliefs–there is nothing to correct. Any spiritual belief is beautiful, to me. I believe one can come to a posture of ‘knowing’ God, which is not necessarily found in all religions, by all persons of sincerity. It can be very difficult to find, to feel, and to know God. Many of those with whom I was raised within the Catholic Church expressed remorse over their
lack of knowing; their inability to feel close with God during mass, or moments of quiet repose, in deep prayer. My heart goes out to all who have difficulty in achieving this quest. As a matter of fact, once I was an adult both of my parents admitting to atheism! They took us to mass once a week, and had us attend Catholic school – with the intention of instilling in us a faith in God they never managed to achieve. While I did leave the Church, I do believe in God, and I worship Him privately, and several times a day. So my parents’ objective was successful!
For me, I have found that God has touched me the most deeply during times of trauma and pain. I have known He walked with me when I was in my darkest hour. Like my very favorite poem, “Footprints in the Sand.” One might meet their end and ask God, why were you not with me when I found myself in my darkest hour? You said you’d be with me during the hardest times. I see only set of footprints in the sand, during those times I felt the greatest pain. And God responds by saying, Child, those times you see only set of footprints in the sand . . it was then that I carried you.
Elvis, I wish you could see that God would not wish for you to harshly criticize and chastise a person who sincerely spoke to their heart and their soul. I am a loving person who is kind to others. I am now a visitor to the Catholic Forum because at my current position in faith, I am reaching out to a former community, one I knew as a child. I have greatly enjoyed renewing my knowledge base regarding Church doctrine, and I find my spiritual quest has been greatly enriched by this knowledge.
Perhaps it is difficult for you to fathom my divergence from the Church, but consider the following. Which items did I list, and why did I list them? . . . in defense of homosexuals, whom I do not believe deserve such harsh judgment. In defense of the newly born soul, again whom I do not believe deserve such harsh judgment. In defense of the impoverished and the disease-stricken, whom I witness in their suffering as they attempt to be faithful to CC. In defense of those injured by us, when we trespass against them; I do not believe they are justly served when we make amends merely by visiting the priest for confession, but not by visiting them directly, to apologize. Each of the points I listed addressed instances I saw judgment negatively impacting individuals. It is my empathy for
them that brings me to my departure from formal doctrine.
Peace to each of you, and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to Todd and PLeeD, for displaying the open charity of your hearts.
Light1111
