"recovering Catholics"?

[hosemonkey]

That wouldn’t work for a non-believer. They could care less, as they don’t believe in heaven or hell. ** Besides, if they turn out to be wrong, most unbelievers who have read the Bible, would not want to spend anytime with the God of the Bible.**

For a fundamentalist, they’re the ones who think that Catholics are going to hell.

Either way, a very weak response.

My dearest hope is to spend eternity with my God. Have you stopped to ponder this: If I am wrong, and there is no God, I have lost nothing.
If you are wrong and there IS a just God, and you are finally unrepentant, YOU will spend eternity separated from Him ie: IN HELL.

 

[Snerticus]

My dearest hope is to spend eternity with my God. Have you stopped to ponder this: If I am wrong, and there is no God, I have lost nothing.
If you are wrong and there IS a just God, and you are finally unrepentant, YOU will spend eternity separated from Him ie: IN HELL.

Did you know that many unbelievers don’t care that they would go to Hell? That’s because they have no idea what it is and that it does exist.

You know, the Church teaches that people may be on their deathbead and convert. We even go so far as to say when Jesus stands before us and asks us at the point of death if we believe, that if we say “yes” we will be ulitimately saved (although a bout in purgatory may be in order). I have often wondered why, if God Himself stands before us at our own personal judgement, why anyone would deny that He exists or not want to be with Him. I’m beginning to understand now. Although one thing I pray for is that I’m never put into that situation myself.

Catholic Answers is not only a great place to learn about Catholic teaching, but about other faiths or non-faiths as well.

 

[Pug]

It’s a humorous term to express how someone is in the process of cleansing themselves from their Roman Catholic indoctrination.

I would think that their are very few people who aim to be taken seriously when they claim that they’re recovering Catholics.

You mean it is a phrase like “the old ball and chain”, which I sometimes hear uttered in that not so serious tone people use? Huh, the old ball and chain reminds me things Lenny would say on the old Law and Order.

I hear “recovering Catholic” and it leads me to think they see Catholicism as a disease, or some nightmare they are finally starting to escape, like alcoholism.

 

[hosemonkey]

Did you know that many unbelievers don’t care that they would go to Hell? That’s because they have no idea what it is and that it does exist.

You know, the Church teaches that people may be on their deathbead and convert. We even go so far as to say when Jesus stands before us and asks us at the point of death if we believe, that if we say “yes” we will be ulitimately saved (although a bout in purgatory may be in order). I have often wondered why, if God Himself stands before us at our own personal judgement, why anyone would deny that He exists or not want to be with Him. I’m beginning to understand now. Although one thing I pray for is that I’m never put into that situation myself.

Catholic Answers is not only a great place to learn about Catholic teaching, but about other faiths or non-faiths as well.

You know, you are perfectly correct. You know the saying; “God wills not the death of the sinner.” Note that I said that those who are" FINALLY" unrepentant will consign THEMSELVES to Hell. God sends no one to Hell, we send ourselves to hell by refusing God’s friendship. We may very well be astonished by those whom we may meet in heaven, and by those who are not to be found there. My dearest wish is to be granted the favor of Purgatory, God knows that I have much to be cleansed of.

 

[phantasm]

If you are wrong and there IS a just God, and you are finally unrepentant, YOU will spend eternity separated from Him ie: IN HELL.

In that case…

I’ll be carrying out Gods will for me while I inhabit Hell. That alone will bring me unending joy, knowing that I am fulfilling Gods plan!

 

[promethius]

It’s a humorous term to express how someone is in the process of cleansing themselves from their Roman Catholic indoctrination.

This phrase always seemed so stupid to me. The catholic church has no program whatsoever that involves forceful indoctrination. You might as well say that your teachers in high school indoctrinated you with english, physics, history, calculus… er, wait, modern high school, i meant to say “american”, “general science”, “revisionist history”, and intro algebra.

The bottom line is that people who use this term must be so weak of mind that they think that any forum of teaching represents “indoctrination”. It’s a stupid application of the term.

 

[tomarin]

I guess I’m just curious why it is that

a) there’s a group of people who feel sufficiently sorry for themselves because they were raised Catholic that they go around complaining about it to strangers years later

b) they think that’s actually societally acceptable

and how do practicing Catholics respond when they meet someone who identifies that way?

People who use this term are trying to get attention by being obnoxious and/or irreverent. Surely you noticed that it’s hip to be irreverent? You can respond by 1. getting visibly angry or 2. playing it cool and coming up with a witty comeback (how about something like “yeah, and I’m a recovering atheist”).

 

[distracted]

I’m a recovering Catholic.

I think your missing the point entirely.

It’s a humorous term to express how someone is in the process of cleansing themselves from their Roman Catholic indoctrination.

I would think that their are very few people who aim to be taken seriously when they claim that they’re recovering Catholics.

well, basically Jesus said (paraphrasing) that if we are not “indoctrinated” into Him … (the Church He established “is Him”…)

we are going to Hell…

some indoctrination, obviously, is better than others…

 

[distracted]

hosemonkey;4946410:

Your post reminds of something Mohandas Ghandi said;

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."

that does not take away from Christ…

unless you are looking exclusively at humans… and not at Him… something we are NOT to do… (idolatry)…

I would have left the Church 10 times over by now if i had gone by what Her members do… Of course they don’t practice what they preach… they are human… and as Jesus said (again paraphrasing) most people do not make it to that “narrow” way that leads to eternal life…

so if we follow humans, we will end up on … the raod to Hell…

"Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings… " (Mass reading from a few days ago…)

 

[distracted]

This phrase always seemed so stupid to me. The catholic church has no program whatsoever that involves forceful indoctrination. You might as well say that your teachers in high school indoctrinated you with english, physics, history, calculus… er, wait, modern high school, i meant to say “american”, “general science”, “revisionist history”, and intro algebra.

The bottom line is that people who use this term must be so weak of mind that they think that any forum of teaching represents “indoctrination”. It’s a stupid application of the term.

for sure… :clapping:

 

[reteeks21]

phantasm;4946681:

that does not take away from Christ…

unless you are looking exclusively at humans… and not at Him… something we are NOT to do… (idolatry)…

I would have left the Church 10 times over by now if i had gone by what Her members do… Of course

they don’t practice what they preach… they are human… and as Jesus said (again paraphrasing) most people do not make it to that “narrow” way that leads to eternal life…

so if we follow humans, we will end up on … the raod to Hell…

"Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings… " (Mass reading from a few days ago…)

That’s a great point, but I am afraid some folks will use that same line of thinking to justify their arguements against tradition and scripture being equal, or even the Papacy.

 

[phantasm]

This phrase always seemed so stupid to me. The catholic church has no program whatsoever that involves forceful indoctrination. You might as well say that your teachers in high school indoctrinated you with english, physics, history, calculus… er, wait, modern high school, i meant to say “american”, “general science”, “revisionist history”, and intro algebra.

The difference being that there is no hell for rejecting Algebra. However your glorious Lord so thoughtfully created such a place for the majority of his children and especially those who reject the Holy Spirit.

I assure you, telling children that there is an invisible God that can read their minds and will punish for eternity any that are unrepentant, is forced indoctrination into a system of belief, that can only be believed by faith.

What 8 year old child of devout Catholics has the choice to opt out of this religious indoctrination? I’d suggest that none have such a choice.

What did you expect from a bronze aged desert God?

Recovering Catholic, although a humorous term, it does touch on truth, in that it takes a long time for many former Catholics to lose their fear of hell and the weight of the rule based system of salvation that is fed to them by the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[qui_est_ce]

However your glorious Lord so thoughtfully created such a place for the majority of his children and especially those who reject the Holy Spirit.

Actually, Hell was created by the Devil and his minions. People put themselves in Hell. It’s a state of being, not a created place by God. Our glorious Lord thoughtfully created you too.

I assure you, telling children that there is an invisible God that can read their minds and will punish for eternity any that are unrepentant, is forced indoctrination into a system of belief, that can only be believed by faith.

What 8 year old child of devout Catholics has the choice to opt out of this religious indoctrination? I’d suggest that none have such a choice.

Which system of belief would you recommend?

Recovering Catholic, although a humorous term,

Curious, only anti-Catholics find it humorous. I had a psychiatrist and his wife over for dinner. He made the same remark in my home. I find it rude and arrogant.

it does touch on truth, in that it takes a long time for many former Catholics to lose their fear of hell and the weight of the rule based system of salvation that is fed to them by the Roman Catholic Church.

Your ignorance is showing:

• The Catholic Church teaches that Hell is the separation from God. I do not fear Hell as much as I desire to please God
• There is no such thing as teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. There are many rites in the Catholic Church, Roman Rite being just one.

What did you expect from a bronze aged desert God?

32 AD is the Bronze Age?

 

[Stephen168]

What 8 year old child of devout Catholics has the choice to opt out of this religious indoctrination? I’d suggest that none have such a choice.

My wife was raised around Quarter horses, but a few folks also had Arabians. We didn’t own horses while raising our children because we didn’t want to inflict our horse beliefs on them. Today they don’t ride horses.

 

[Peter_J]

I’m a recovering Catholic.

I think your missing the point entirely.

It’s a humorous term to express how someone is in the process of cleansing themselves from their Roman Catholic indoctrination.

I would think that their are very few people who aim to be taken seriously when they claim that they’re recovering Catholics.

Oh no, you will find that it is you who are missing the point. About a great many things.

Seriously, I respect people’s right to express opinions that I disagree with. For example, “I’m glad I’m no longer Catholic” and “I’m a recovering Catholic” both express an opinion with which I disagree. But the point is that the latter statement is offensive.

P.S. Since you’re now an atheist, wouldn’t it be more natural for you to say “I’m a recovering Christian” rather than “I’m a recovering Catholic”? It seems to me that by saying “I’m a recovering Catholic”, you’re trying to turn Christians against one another.

 

[imasinner]

My wife was raised around Quarter horses, but a few folks also had Arabians. We didn’t own horses while raising our children because we didn’t want to inflict our horse beliefs on them. Today they don’t ride horses.

:clapping::clapping:

 

[phantasm]

Actually, Hell was created by the Devil and his minions. People put themselves in Hell.

Question - Who created the Angel who became the Devil?
Answer - God
Question - Who is the Deity who is omniscient and new that Lucifer would rebel and end up as the Devil?
Answer - God.
Question - Who created this angel, knowing that this angel would rebel and end up tormenting man as the Devil and still created him anyway?
Answer - God.

Who does the Holy Bible attribute as the one who said the following;

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Answer - The answer is in the quote, God.

Question - Who makes the rules that man is forced to abide by if he wants an eternal reward?
Answer - God
Question - Who is the final judge that decides who spends eternity in heaven or eternity in hell?
Answer - God
Question - Who created everything in the universe?
Answer - God

So, God is responsible for evil, God created Lucifer knowing beforehand that Lucifer would rebel, be cast out of heaven and into hell. Where upon Lucifer would be free to prey upon Gods children for the rest of his days and finally, God is the one who actually judges man and says yay or nay regarding mans eternal damnation in hell.

You still going to blame the Devil for all of that?

Which system of belief would you recommend?

One that is not immersed in superstition or that is focused on an ancient text written by primitive men.

How about a belief in rationality, free thought and critical thinking that is not dependent upon superstition or unseen spirits?

 

[phantasm]

you’re trying to turn Christians against one another.

Thirty plus thousand Christian denominations and counting?

I don’t think I can be of much assistance in getting Christians to turn against each other, as clearly, they’re doing a find job on their own.

 

[Peter_J]

Thirty plus thousand Christian denominations and counting?

I don’t think I can be of much assistance in getting Christians to turn against each other, as clearly, they’re doing a find job on their own.

Every little effort “helps”.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Question - Who created the Angel who became the Devil?
Answer - God
Question - Who is the Deity who is omniscient and new that Lucifer would rebel and end up as the Devil?
Answer - God.
Question - Who created this angel, knowing that this angel would rebel and end up tormenting man as the Devil and still created him anyway?
Answer - God.

Who created you? Are you not happy to have a chance at life?

Who does the Holy Bible attribute as the one who said the following;

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

My translation say “woe” The footnote is

4 [7] Create woe: God permits evil for the sake of a greater good.
usccb.org/nab/bible/isaiah/isaiah45.htm#foot4

This does not mean Eternal Damnation. It means sometimes people appreciate their blessings when then have been deprived of them for a while. People create their own Hell.

Answer - The answer is in the quote, God.

YES!

Question - Who makes the rules that man is forced to abide by if he wants an eternal reward?
Answer - God
Question - Who is the final judge that decides who spends eternity in heaven or eternity in hell?
Answer - God
Question - Who created everything in the universe?
Answer - God

Heaven and Hell have been likened to everyone seated a banquet. All are given eating utensils that are longer than their arms. In Hell, everyone was starving, because they could reach their mouths with the utensils. In Heaven, all were happy and well-fed. They were feeding each other.

Tell me who creates Hell?

So, God is responsible for evil,

explained above (he allows it, doesn’t create it)

God created Lucifer knowing beforehand that Lucifer would rebel, be cast out of heaven and into hell. Where upon Lucifer would be free to prey upon Gods children for the rest of his days and finally, God is the one who actually judges man and says yay or nay regarding mans eternal damnation in hell.

You still going to blame the Devil for all of that?

God wants us to love Him freely, not as a slave. He gave us free will. Would you rather be born with no free will? Judging from the below, you like your free will.

One that is not immersed in superstition or that is focused on an ancient text written by primitive men.

How about a belief in rationality, **free thought and critical thinking **that is not dependent upon superstition or unseen spirits?

What makes you move and think and have being? Can you see it? What makes you the arbiter of what is rational and what is superstitious?

Your bias that Western idealogy is superior all other idealogies is nothing more than elitism and intellectual snobbery.