I am done with organized religion

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MainBrain

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I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
 
You made another post complaining about your marriage and asking us how to get out of it. Let me suggest that leaving the Church in this case is misplaced anger. In the light of that other post it seems to the reader that there was an expectation that when you became Catholic, the circumstances of your life would be miraculously transformed. I’ve been there. When I converted, I enjoyed what is colloquially called a grace period. Then I and my family were subjected to what I would describe as a demonic assault that almost destroyed my family. My faith teetered, but, deo gratias, we recovered. The cross is still heavy, but we are finding the fortitude to carry it.

You have my prayers.
 
Scottgun said:
You made another post complaining about your marriage and asking us how to get out of it. Let me suggest that leaving the Church in this case is misplaced anger. In the light of that other post it seems to the reader that there was an expectation that when you became Catholic, the circumstances of your life would be miraculously transformed. I’ve been there. When I converted, I enjoyed what is colloquially called a grace period. Then I and my family were subjected to what I would describe as a demonic assault that almost destroyed my family. My faith teetered, but, deo gratias, we recovered. The cross is still heavy, but we are finding the fortitude to carry it.

You have my prayers.
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Thanks. But I have heard it all before.
But thank you.
I appreciate your prayer.
 
MainBrain said:
I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.
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There has often been elitism of clergy, theologians, and others in the Church. The laity are never really treated with all that much dignity. It’s been that way since our vision of The Church changed from “One Body ministering to The World” into “Clergy And Other Special Persons ministering to The Laity”. Dichotomy.

One question, though: what do you mean by “get nothing”? You struggle day by day, in order to achieve… what? Praise? Money? Better position in the Church? What did you expect? “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head”, whether materially on a real bed, or spiritually on the adulation and accomplishments of the praise of other people.

Sorry if I sound harsh but: in a sense, if you are done with organized religion, then you are done with Jesus. He founded a Church with apostles, disciples, ministers, and a whole family. We are not only an invisible spiritual fellowship, but a living and growing family. Sometimes we seem dead and quite static - without movement even when poked vigorously. Christ is merciful.
 
MainBrain said:
Thanks. But I have heard it all before.
But thank you.
I appreciate your prayer.
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You may have heard it all before, but that doesn’t mean it is incorrect. This is a problem of the will, not the intellect.
 
I’m confused. What is it that you want here.:confused: I hope at least venting has helped.

You seem agitated don’t ever do anything in haste.

May God continue to bless you.
 
MainBrain said:
I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
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Very few, if any, people on this Forum will condemn you. Most, however, will try to encourage you to give the Church another try. I am not Catholic or Christian so I have no dog in this fight. All I would suggest is that your giving up on organized religion does not mean you have to give up on G-d, which apparently you have not.
 
MainBrain said:
I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
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So, is there any area of your life that is functioning better than your spiritual life?

From your posts about your marriage and your job situation, it sounds like you are doing poorly across the board. This may sound harsh, but there is one constant in all of your dysfunctional situations.

despair.com/dysfunction.html

Cutting yourself off from other people (your wife, your kid, your church) is just one more brick in the wall in the direction of your total alienation from other human beings. You need more contact with other real live people, not less.

Go back to marriage counseling and talk about how you feel. And do what you are told to do, even if you think it’s stupid.

Also, talk to your doctor. And do what he or she says (for instance, follow up if he thinks you are clinically depressed).
 
MainBrain said:
I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
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:rolleyes:

Here we go again with the same old, same old, sad, bitter excuses.

So sorry that as an institution in the secular world, the Church needs to have money to pay the bills.
It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.
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How much effort have you put into this, anyways?
 
MainBrain said:
I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
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The good news is that even when we quit, God doesn’t!
 
Immaculate heart of Mary, please pray for MainBrain, now and at the hour of his death.

I will continue to pray for you.
 
MainBrain said:
I am done with church and religion. Yes, I will ask Jesus to forgive me for my sins. But I am done thinking my life will change through any efforts but my own. Yes, I will continue to pray for help. It might sound like a dichotomy. But what in life isn’t?

I have found my return to the Catholic Church is just the same as my life in the Born Again Christianity realm. The more things change the more they stay the same!! Only most of the people in the Catholic Church are more sincere than the other church.

But I find the only ones benefiting from either spiritual camp are the one’s behind the pulpit, the one’s writing the books, the ones making the documentaries… the one’s giving the selling the message. It’s slouches like me who struggle day to day and get nothing.

So I am done. And please don’t condemn me. I am done.
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Why, may I ask, have you posted that in this forum, if in fact you’re really done, unless you’re actually hoping for someone or something to prove you wrong? I am reminded of the words of our Savior in response to those who demanded that He operate in their way instead of His Own way: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” But I believe you have a truly good heart, and I know that our Lord, who searches hearts, sees that you are just acting out of pain and do not intend any malice.
 
My friend nobody here is in a position to condemn anybody for anything. And exactly what do you mean by “changing your life” and that others are “benefiting” and that you “get nothing”?
 
I believe if you would make your central idea that of giving, this would turn around for you.

His arms will be open to you when and if you decide differently.

May God our Father give you grace and peace.
 
Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strength, fortitude & wisdom in your time of need. Praying for your intentions.
 
There is a large difference between “born again christians” and Catholicism. I do recommend practicing the faith and learning about it. Of course your going to have challenges, look at the book of Job in the bible, press on even if it seems hopeless. God Bless
 
I share your frustration with organized religion. It seems like when things get too organized, they behave like corporations and lose a lot of their original purpose.
 
Write a list of what exactly you were expecting would happen. What is it that has disappointed you? I am curious to know. God bless you on your spiritual journey.
 
I will take your needs with me to Adoration today, okay? :hug3: Try to hang in there. Try to find something from your Catholic faith - be it even a simple Hail Mary or something and take your problems, your confusion, your despair, even your anger, to the foot of the Cross and lay it down there. Look at Our Lord on the crucifix and remember His words that we too must take up our crosses and follow him. But He is not going to abandon us whilst we do so. He’s walking right there with us. Maybe sometimes the Church seems bureaucratic or whatnot, but Pope Francis is trying to streamline some of it. All things take time, and trial and error. So many in this world - myself included, and maybe that’s why my heart is trying to reach your heart right now - are tempted to despair. But we mustn’t. That just gives the stupid old devil the victory.

Psalm 121 is my go-to - God is bigger than any problem we have. May you experience His peace today. :getholy:
 
Who’s your family? We believe God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit lead our family. As any family, it is organized with tiers which we adjust and grow with. Obedience is a common theme for many of the religious faithful. It is also one ofthe hardest to submit to.

Your statement sounds more like, I refuse to go to anymore family banquets (because I’m tired of dish duty & the company); but I’ll go on a few joy rides with Jesus (if he left those annoing others at home).
 
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