Why do the majority of Catholics not follow their own teachings?

[Abira]

I’ve posted on this subject of cafeteria catholics before.

How do you expect to bring others to your faith when every Catholic I have ever met in real life is Catholic in name only.

I know three Catholics as close friends:

• all three do not believe in confession
• all three do not believe that we need to go to church or a service to worship God (they do not attend regularly)
• none of them believe it matters what denomination you attend…
  *all have sex with their partners and all receive communion when they do attend, one has even had her daughter recently confirmed despite the above beliefs… how is her daughter to grow up with any understanding?

I don’t discuss religion with them now as I’m scared it will just leave me disappointed and unwilling to look into Catholicism cos it will be a total let down.

How can potential converts be informed if Catholics aren’t?

This subject really annoys me as everyone in my Anglican church can discuss things on a real level of understanding. We know why we say the creed, where it comes from, why we use the male form for God’s name etc etc. I had a discussion this morning after church with a total stranger about Paul’s letters and the idea of maintaining the Sabbath in a modern world… and the cuppa English tea was nice too lol

even though there are some things I know we have wrong - like sola scriptura, how can I even bother to get up the courage to attend a Catholic service when all three I know in real life are Catholics in name only - and protestants in reality. I even know two others who do not believe in God but call themselves Catholic!! Why don’t they just leave Catholicism and join a denomination they can at least assent to and not be hypocritical?

(sorry that post seemed to spill out of me lol- - - just skim read or ignore )

S

 

[chris_molter]

Abira,

I know it can be disconcerting when the only folks you know from a particular Church aren’t exactly paragons of virtue. But anecdotal evidence alone shouldn’t really be enough to dissuade you from looking into Catholicism. I mean, if I said most of the Anglicans I know don’t believe a word of the Creed they recite weekly, would that, in itself, negate Anglicanism? Of course not, and it would also be insulting to those faithful Anglicans (like yourself, and most of my family) who DO believe.

I’d encourage you, if you’re looking into the Catholic Church, to try to find a local parish with a solid Priest. Remember, Catholicism, since it’s so widespread, is going to have a LOT of “Cultural Catholics” who are essentially secular agnostics, but can’t rid themselves of their Catholic background and feel like they still “belong” because they were raised Catholic.

Just remember that all through history, there have been really horrible people in the Church. From Popes on down to the laity, we’ve had all kinds. The Church survives and continues, because the sinfulness of its members do not affect the truth of her teachings. I wish you well and I must say I miss being in the UK terribly! God be with you.

 

[Abira]

I wish you well and I must say I miss being in the UK terribly! God be with you.

Thanks Chris, you wouldn’t miss it his year, we’ve been underwater by three feet for about a fortnight now … roll on the British summer!

There is a priest that I really like and was considering attending but he believes in many things that I can’t accept even as an Anglican lol:

the priesting of women,
he believes and allows any person of any faith, confirmed or not, can receive commuion during his Catholic services,

so I’m trying to find somewhere else I can visit with a full time priest, though I think I may be putting it off cos it makes me nervous lol. It’s awkward as my Father is a Priest in the Anglican church and I would feel I’d need an excuse as to why I never went to the church next door but to another! (I know that might not make sense but it’s like I’d be disrespecting him as my parent)… also I’ve been very anti-Catholic in my time so it will be a surprise when the issue arises .

Take care,
S

 

[FatBoy]

Whatever, Fatboy. I am sick to death of antagonists coming to this forum for the sake of antagonizing - not to engage in true dialogue, but merely to ruffle feathers.
You lay down accusations like, “at least 80% of all Catholics are contracepting” and “Catholics pick and choose the teachings they want to follow ah?” - yet when somebody who is more informed than you calls you on the carpet, do you come back with an intelligent response? NO. You come back with more impotent drivel like, “You are obviously showing your ignorance”.
Give me a break. Sell your venom on another forum - but don’t spew your antagonistic garbage here.
You wanna talk? You wanna share ideas? You wanna evangelize? Grow up, then and save the ingnorant praddle for somebody who appreciates lies and misinforation.
We educated Catholics will not be shaken by ignorant blow-hards.

God bless you.