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WilT
Guest
I too like the idea of getting a few core Church members and doing a picnic:yup::yup:
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Marie5890
Guest
I think for many itâs because they are experiencing cognitive dissonance, for whatever reason.
I think if one were to find exactly what issues are causing the cognitive dissonance for them, then it can be addressed.
There is no one simplistic or generalized answer for âwhy do people leave the Faithâ.
I think if one were to find exactly what issues are causing the cognitive dissonance for them, then it can be addressed.
There is no one simplistic or generalized answer for âwhy do people leave the Faithâ.
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Sy_Noe
Guest
Not that it matters because I donât sense people are truly listening because one thing you seem to continue doing wrong is insisting others are just not properly catechized if they have left or have a different understanding of some matter of faith than you. Or if they prefer a certain music they are told they donât understand the Mass. And so on and so on. People are not robots and some like to think and question with open minds. Or along with the Eucharist they might like the experience of a certain type of music or homily which speaks more to them than other types. No one expects the CC to change its beliefs. But everyone expects theirs to be respected. I know I tire of Catholics going around saying they know the truth for sure. i donât understand why it is so difficult for Catholics to admit they needed faith, whether in God, Christ, the ECFs, the CC interpretation of ECFs, etc, before they got to that point of believing they know. And why ir is so hard to understand the difference between knowing and believing you do.
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millstreet
Guest
Iâm trying to understand the point here. People expect their beliefs to be respected, okay, you can believe what you think is right. If youâve come to that conclusion thoughtfully and with rationally, I donât have an issue with it, and if youâve left the Church youâre probably not coming back. But a lot of us left the Church because someone else told us what the Church taught and why. Those become beliefs based on misinformation and, frankly, intellectual laziness. The Catholic Church has been horrendous marketing itself and the media has not helped matters, but it is incumbent on anyone raised Catholic, I think, to go back and find out the rationale behind the values they were taught. To not do so is to disrespect possibly generations before you who, in some cases, risked everything so that the faith could be transmitted to you. If then in your head and your heart you still come to a different conclusion - and itâs not just because some of these things are actually quite difficult to live by - that, we should respect.
That said I think many Catholics leave because theyâre misinformed, and/or they find the implications of the Churchâs teachings too hard to deal with. Correcting that takes personal effort and maturity. And I hope that aggressive atheism will make Catholics come home and take another look at their Church.
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WilT
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Cheers.
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Emily2014
Guest
The original post asked what we are doing wrong. It saddens me to see so many posts implying that we are right and everybody else is wrong. This gives an impression of smugness and lack of open-mindedness which can be most off-putting.
There are many paths to God. He made each one of us and loves us all - not just those who are committed Catholics.
There are many paths to God. He made each one of us and loves us all - not just those who are committed Catholics.
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millstreet
Guest
To the extent that it embraces relativism, âopen-mindednessâ is not always a desirable quality. Some things are right or wrong, period. The only thing you can be open-minded about is recognizing that some people have it wrong. What WE are doing is letting other people define the Catholic faith for younger Catholics, not helping them get educated as to the real reasons behind the Churchâs teachings, not challenging them, and generally letting them get sucked into this liberal tidal wave weâre experiencing.
I feel like Iâm in a decent position here because I was one of these people who let liberalism tell me my beliefs were inconsistent with being a smart, civilized (even enlightened) person. Itâs like a cult, and Iâm glad Iâm out of it.
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millstreet
Guest
I also see a lot of posts here saying we think we are right and others are wrong (or in some cases think we KNOW we are right). Is this not, however, the strength of conviction we take from fully being Catholic? And canât any other religion say the same thing? Yes, we need to recognize what non-Catholics think. Perhaps there are many paths to God. But if we truly embrace our faith, are we not certain it is the path God wants us all to take (or at least the general route)? I know personally, for me it would be extremely difficult to attend church every Sunday and live my values every other day of the week if I didnât have pretty strong faith that the Church offers the one true path to our one God.
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Mummsie
Guest
We do believe we are with the True Church. BUT, our methods might be a little out of sync with Jesus Christ. We should always speak with Love. Others might be a little more open if we show openness to themâŚnot to deny the truthâŚbut to listen to them and with love in our hearts show them the truth. Wasnât it St. Thomas who said âPreach the Gospel; but only when necessary use wordsâ? We have Greeters in our church and we have a âhabitual huggerâ. Itâs amazing how so many people brighten up with those hugs.
Kindness goes a long way to keeping parishioners coming back.
God Bless
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millstreet
Guest
Haha, thatâs what annoyed me about the Protestant churches where I used to play the organ. Everyone hugged. I always appreciated the Catholicsâ ability to keep their distance
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Mummsie
Guest
LOL. It certainly took me a while to get used to it. We are a small community and she is acquainted with many of them. If she doesnât know someone, sheâll ask if itâs ok. But, as I watch the peoplesâ faces, they actually light up and start smiling. I canât deny the results. Canât really join in, but love to watch her in action.Haha, thatâs what annoyed me about the Protestant churches where I used to play the organ. Everyone hugged. I always appreciated the Catholicsâ ability to keep their distance
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Joko2599
Guest
As someone who is a recently returned Catholic who went through a period of agnosticism, I can list some of the reasons I left right here.
- Inability to reconcile political beliefs with religious beliefs. The Catholic Church has a tendency to advocate for members opposing same-sex marriage and abortion at every turn, and some voters make them one line issues. While I wouldnât get an abortion (if I were female) or marry someone of the same gender, we need to live our lives the way we see fit. To legislate our beliefs into secular law, that only gives the Church a bit of a negative reputation.
- Inability to believe that good people, just because they werenât Catholic or any other type of Christian, would not go to heaven. However, I understand that the Church says that there are many paths to God, with Catholicism being the one established by Himself. Thus, I was able to reconcile my beliefs.
- âScience vs. religion stigma.â As someone who spends a lot of time reading about science-type stuff, I commonly discuss things with other like-minded people in the comments. However, once I bring up that Iâm Catholic, many people who are irreligious say that all credibility I have is ruined, and proceed to insult me and be hurtful. This influences young minds to adopt the so-called âsuperior mindset.â However, many Catholics can act the same way to irreligious people. So what we need to do is show respect and tolerance to all faiths. Isnât that what Pope Francis wants?
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cycleman
Guest
I can only comment on why I left.
After study and reflection, I find there are certain teachings I cannot accept. I have studied the Catechism and Canon law, and I DO UNDERSTAND the churchâs position and reasoning on the controversial issues. But I canât accept in my heart of hearts that the church is right on some of them.
Not that it matters necessarily, but Iâm not some brash twenty something who thinks they know better than anyone else whatâs right and wrong. Iâm a senior citizen, practicing Catholic for over 50 years who just became uncomfortable with Catholic teachings a bit at a time over a long period of time.
But, the Catholic Church insists Her teachings are the Word of God, infallibly, and that my rejection of them is a direct rejection of God.
The Church does not allow any kind of dissent. They allow for doubt, but not dissent.
The Church will never Her position on fundamental doctrine. Therefore unless I can find a way to change my views, there is no place for me in the Church.
(Just to be clear, I am not saying the Church ârejectedâ me. I take full responsibility for leaving, it was my decision.)
After study and reflection, I find there are certain teachings I cannot accept. I have studied the Catechism and Canon law, and I DO UNDERSTAND the churchâs position and reasoning on the controversial issues. But I canât accept in my heart of hearts that the church is right on some of them.
Not that it matters necessarily, but Iâm not some brash twenty something who thinks they know better than anyone else whatâs right and wrong. Iâm a senior citizen, practicing Catholic for over 50 years who just became uncomfortable with Catholic teachings a bit at a time over a long period of time.
But, the Catholic Church insists Her teachings are the Word of God, infallibly, and that my rejection of them is a direct rejection of God.
The Church does not allow any kind of dissent. They allow for doubt, but not dissent.
The Church will never Her position on fundamental doctrine. Therefore unless I can find a way to change my views, there is no place for me in the Church.
(Just to be clear, I am not saying the Church ârejectedâ me. I take full responsibility for leaving, it was my decision.)
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WilT
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oooooo
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WilT
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WilT
Guest
Your right Cycleman to say you left the Church because it is extremely rare, at our local level, for anyone to be excommunicated. Possibly 99.75% leave the Church on their own accord. Most of your answer seem wrong and incorrect and so extreme. If anything it seems that you lack the trust and confidence on an institution designed by God. Your fight and lack of trust is not at the Church but in God. Most of the time it is due to our self-centeredness and large egos.
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Mummsie
Guest
I am so sorry to hear youâve left our Church after 50 years. Wow! That must have been hard for you. I canât even imagine. I hope you spoke with your priest or a spiritual director before giving up. Iâm praying your heart will be softened and your concerns overcome. God Bless You.
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millstreet
Guest
Actually I think people, if they are researching Catholicism, arenât going to Catholic sources to do it. My strong feeling is that a big part of the problem is that others are defining what it means to be Catholic, not the Church (in practice, not in actual doctrine). The availability of information makes it harder, because much of that information is put on-line with an agenda, and does not always represent the Church in the best light, or even an accurate light. There is probably a 10:1 ratio of BS:accurate information (unscientific)!
Your point on atheism is well-made as well. Itâs not just atheism, itâs aggressive, antagonistic atheism. My hope is that former Catholics, many of whom still maintain a Catholic cultural identity, will feel that they are under attack, and use the opportunity to go and find out from the Church exactly what the Church is teaching, and why. It could be exactly what the Church needs, a backlash. I know that in part this is why I am back in church every Sunday and heading to RCIA in a few weeks so I can be confirmed.
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WilT
Guest
I agree!
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WilT
Guest
This new crop of people you talk about are Churchless people who are easily blown by the wind to follow anything and everything. They basically have no trained conscious and are really and truly lost. They are just lost souls. There is no new change coming to the Church other than good ones set up by our Holy Father Popes. Pope Francis is truly a gem in our times. Now thatâs good change!
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