Why I Will Never Again Be A Catholic

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Starfish

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I spent my younger years going to mass every Sunday, Holy Days, etc. I went to Catholic school for six years. I was very much into my faith, I believed everything that I was taught. I still have my old Baltimore Catechisms and they are almost humorous right now, with what is being taught in the Catholic Church.

I was taught that you cannot pray directly to Jesus, that you have to “go through” His mother or one of the saints. Why?

If you die wearing a scapular and you are in Purgatory, the Blessed Mother comes by on Thursdays and if she sees you there with your scapular, she’ll take you out of Purgatory and bring you to Heaven. Was told it was a good deal to die then on Wednesday.

That you pray to saints.

That you may go to confession and say your penance, but that isn’t enough. You will have to go to Purgatory because you still have to pay for your sins. Jesus died for my sins. Jesus has forgiven my sins, or so I thought.

So now I am very, very happy to belong to a Bible believing church where things are as they should be:

We pray to Jesus. We do NOT pray to anyone else.

We do not have to have anyone intercede for us. If I want to talk to Jesus, I can dial Him direct, I don’t need an operator.

So what has changed with the Catholic church that I find so amazing and really, folks, amusing?

I live in Michigan but spent a good deal of time in Florida with my elderly parents. I’d take them to mass each week, but will not attend Mass. Why?

Why should I?

I brought the folks there on time. I cannot believe the number of people who showed up 15 - 20 minutes after the mass began. These, of course, are the same people who receive communion and bolt afterward. What ever happened to staying for the entire mass?

I got an answer to that one. I asked the parish priest about coming in late and leaving early. He told me that all you “have” to do, to make it “count”, is to be there for the consecration. After that, you’re free to go.

Wow, what a wonderful way to honor God.

This is another one that got me. Back in the '50s, during Lent and on days of fast, you could consume fish, but there was to be NO broth, gravy, or anything containing beef, chicken, lamb, etc. But now it is OK to have chicken broth, chicken gravy, etc, because it isn’t a piece of the flesh of the animal? Oh, come on!!! Either it is or it isn’t.

Now this is the one that pushed me over the top.

Many folks in Florida are there for the winter. They come down from the northern states and return sometime in the spring. Last year, it was coming up Ascension Thursday. The parish priest where my folks go to church explained this all to the congregation:

“If you are planning on moving back to New York, you might want to wait until AFTER Ascension Thursday. In New York, you HAVE to attend Mass on Thursday. If you stay a few extra days here in Florida, you don’t have to go on Thursday, but Sunday will take care of “it” for you.”

I find it totally amazing that a priest would take the time to explain to folks the best way of getting out of having to go to church.

Why?

Why is it such a difficult thing to go to church? To be part of it? You can set your clock by the time folks start leaving the 5PM mass on Saturday. At 5:38, the first flood of people are rushing out of church, they “got” their communion and are ready for the rest of the week. No time to think about our Lord, but they “got it in”.

Is this really what our Lord wants?
 
Hi, VC,

Not sure what you mean. We do pray the Lord’s Prayer. That is speaking directly with Him, not having to “go through” someone else.
 
You’re right, Starfish, we don’t pray to anyone but God…we ask saints and Mary to pray with us and for us. Sort of like asking me to pray for you, or I ask you to pray for me. It seems as though you were misinformed GREATLY about the Catholic faith. Before you make any definite determinations, why not check some books out of the library about the faith, someone on here mentioned to me Catholicism for Dummies. I saw it today in Borders, but didn’t buy it.

If you were not taught the faith properly, that is why much of it fails to make sense. I was never taught that you can’t talk to Jesus. I have never heard a priest ever teach or preach such a thing. The intercessory prayers, like the Rosary, are just that–intercessory, asking Mary to pray for you, and with you.

It’s hard to turn away from something, when you don’t know what you’re turning from.

God bless in whatever you choose, but I hope you choose to take a closer and more accurate look at the faith.
 
Starfish said:
Hi, VC,

Not sure what you mean. We do pray the Lord’s Prayer. That is speaking directly with Him, not having to “go through” someone else.
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I see what you mean, Starfish, sorry for the confusion. What I meant was that you stated you don’t pray to anyone but Jesus, but Jesus prayed to the Father.

Thanks!
VC
 
You are Catholic ad aeternum. If you know what the Church teaches then you can easily explain why.
 
Hey Starfish,

If you were baptizied Catholic, then you will always be Catholic. Baptism leaves an indelible mark. Lets just pray that Heb.6 does not apply to you. I will keep you in my prayers.

God Bless,
DCD
 
Hello, whatevergirl,

I was taught by the Dominican nuns from 1958 until 1963 when I left the Catholic school and began studies at the public schools. I still did attend CCD classes and was taught the same stuff, over and over.

Believe me, I know exactly what I was taught and I know exactly why I will never return. There is/was so much contradiction in everything that I was taught in the early years, to what is believed now. You won’t find me praying TO anyone other than our Lord. My word, my younger brother was killed years ago and I remember my mother telling me to PRAY TO MY BROTHER for whatever I needed! Oh, come on!!!

I was the good catholic girl, I went to mass daily, made regular confessions, made my Easter Duty, etc. I even tried to convert the daughters of my mom’s friends, who were not catholic. Told them they’d never go to Heaven, they’d never see Jesus, that they’d never know God, but that they’d go to Limbo ---- And now the Catholic Church has disregarded Limbo. So where did all the souls go, after that?

Thanks for your comments. I am not looking for arguments here, just wanting to let folks know just what WAS taught and how it has affected not only my life, but the lives of my sisters as well.
 
Dear Starfish,

I know, we shouldn’t be late or leave early. We are the ones who miss out, not God. I wasn’t there, but if that caused what the Bible calls “scandal” and affects you so much, I’m truly sorry.

Who knows why people do or don’t do things…it’s complicated.

Getting back to other things, though…

I find it very disturbing that you were taught that you COULD NOT pray directly to Jesus! I would have run in the opposite direction myself! Thanks God, I have never heard such non-sense! I have always been Catholic, and attended Catholic schools from 1st grade through college…and I have always been encouraged [HIGHLY] to pray directly to the Father, the Son AND the Holy Spirit several times a day! So, whoever taught you that, was not communicating the Catholic teachings correctly.

I have always read the Bible, or had it read to me, in school and church. I have been taught to think about God, to talk to God, to meditate on His Word, to act on His teachings [particularly the social justice and the sanctity of life teachings].

My 3 sons also go to Catholic schools. One graduated and is in college {MIT}, and tells me that the only people there that seem to believe in God, all happen to be Muslims…no Christians though…everyone Agnostic or Atheist, and proud of it! Everyone tells him how on Earth can he possibly believe in God, that makes no sense, isn’t he smart? [MIT students think of themselves as “smart”] You know, he tells them he actually believes in and likes his religion. He doesn’t know how to “prove” God to an atheist, but he believes in Him & tells everyone. He called me to tell me that on Ash Wednesday, he went to the Chapel & got the ashes on his forehead. I know you probably disapprove of that…but please, think about this…what a witnessing of his belief in Jesus and that He died for him! He walked with a physical sign on his head all day long, in a place where they ridicule even the belief in God, let alone a physical sign!
That takes guts…I’m proud of him.

I am sad that you were unhappy with Catholicism. I am glad that you found a way back to God. That’s the important thing…but please, don’t become the Catholic-bashing type. It looks to others like we Christians have no compassion for even each other.
 
Where do you think that Bible you believe in came from? It didn’t fall from the sky it came from the Catholic Church

You are woefully ignorant in matters of Catholicism I fear
 
Starfish said:
Hello, whatevergirl,

I was taught by the Dominican nuns from 1958 until 1963 when I left the Catholic school and began studies at the public schools. I still did attend CCD classes and was taught the same stuff, over and over.

Believe me, I know exactly what I was taught and I know exactly why I will never return. There is/was so much contradiction in everything that I was taught in the early years, to what is believed now. You won’t find me praying TO anyone other than our Lord. My word, my younger brother was killed years ago and I remember my mother telling me to PRAY TO MY BROTHER for whatever I needed! Oh, come on!!!

I was the good catholic girl, I went to mass daily, made regular confessions, made my Easter Duty, etc. I even tried to convert the daughters of my mom’s friends, who were not catholic. Told them they’d never go to Heaven, they’d never see Jesus, that they’d never know God, but that they’d go to Limbo ---- And now the Catholic Church has disregarded Limbo. So where did all the souls go, after that?

Thanks for your comments. I am not looking for arguments here, just wanting to let folks know just what WAS taught and how it has affected not only my life, but the lives of my sisters as well.
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Have you ever asked anyone around you to pray for you? There is no difference in asking them to intercede whether they reside here on earth or in heaven.
 
Starfish said:
…now the Catholic Church has disregarded Limbo. So where did all the souls go, after that?..
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Limbo was never Catholic doctrine, it was never anything more than a philosophical speculation.

It is probably not your fault that you did not receive a good Catholic education as a child, but it is sad that you have decided to leave the Church based on faulty and incomplete information. You deserve to be able to make an informed decision.
 
Sunflower,

I am not bashing, nor did I think I was. I am merely pointing out what was taught to me as a child and what I am still seeing in the church now. I was totally mortified when I heard that priest saying that business about staying in Florida, so that you don’t have to go to mass on Ascension Thursday. What in the world is all that?

When I was born again, it was one of the most wonderful and amazing days of my life. I found a wonderful church, full of amazing and compassionate people, those who believe in the Bible and will help you with anything.

I remember so well when my brother (23 years old) was killed. I was devastated. I went to my parish priest and needed comfort and to be consoled, somehow. What did the priest say? “I never knew your brother, what do you want me to say?”

Wow, compassion, eh? Just to let you know, these instances are from different catholic churches across the USA. It’s not as if it was one single diocese.

Since my return to Christ, I find is so much easier to speak freely about Him and His will and desire for us. I will no longer tell anyone that they will not see God if they are not Catholic, I wonder to this day, what I said to that young girl did to her. I was only doing what I thought was right, telling her that she’d never see Jesus because she wasn’t Catholic. That’s bothered me for 50 years.
 
So now I am very, very happy to belong to a Bible believing church where things are as they should be
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Sounds like Heaven on earth. Just one question: if you reject the authority of the Church founded by Jesus Christ and governed by the successors of the Apostles, how do you and Pastor Megachurch know what documents make up the Bible? Who has the authority to write the canon of scripture to which you now subscribe, and what is the source of that authority?
 
redrosetea,

I’m sorry, but that is what I was taught, along with countless other millions of children in the Detroit area during the 50s and 60s. Don’t call me ignorant.
 
Starfish said:
Thanks for your comments. I am not looking for arguments here, just wanting to let folks know just what WAS taught and how it has affected not only my life, but the lives of my sisters as well.
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And what do expect to achieve by airing your grievances here? Do you expect us committed Catholics to shout ‘Hallelujah! I see the light now!’ and forthwith depart the church forevermore? To say ‘oh yes, my faith is such a BAD one, you’re absolutely right’ and proceed to flagellate ourselves for faults and failings of our fellow Catholics that are totally beyond our control? To pay you compensation for making you feel bad or for the fact that you may have been taught wrong? To take you back in a time machine and undo the past? What?
 
Starfish said:
Hello, whatevergirl,

I was taught by the Dominican nuns from 1958 until 1963 when I left the Catholic school and began studies at the public schools. I still did attend CCD classes and was taught the same stuff, over and over.

Believe me, I know exactly what I was taught and I know exactly why I will never return. There is/was so much contradiction in everything that I was taught in the early years, to what is believed now. You won’t find me praying TO anyone other than our Lord. My word, my younger brother was killed years ago and I remember my mother telling me to PRAY TO MY BROTHER for whatever I needed! Oh, come on!!!

I was the good catholic girl, I went to mass daily, made regular confessions, made my Easter Duty, etc. I even tried to convert the daughters of my mom’s friends, who were not catholic. Told them they’d never go to Heaven, they’d never see Jesus, that they’d never know God, but that they’d go to Limbo ---- And now the Catholic Church has disregarded Limbo. So where did all the souls go, after that?

Thanks for your comments. I am not looking for arguments here, just wanting to let folks know just what WAS taught and how it has affected not only my life, but the lives of my sisters as well.
Click to expand...
The word prayer means to ask. If I go to my neighbor for a cup of sugar, I have prayed to her.🤷

We ask the saints in heaven to pray along with us to God. Your mother’s request to talk to your dead brother was not wrong.

LImbo was never an offical doctrine of the Church.

Yes, we know what is taught.
 
Starfish said:
Hello, whatevergirl,

I was taught by the Dominican nuns from 1958 until 1963 when I left the Catholic school and began studies at the public schools. I still did attend CCD classes and was taught the same stuff, over and over.

Believe me, I know exactly what I was taught and I know exactly why I will never return. There is/was so much contradiction in everything that I was taught in the early years, to what is believed now. You won’t find me praying TO anyone other than our Lord. My word, my younger brother was killed years ago and I remember my mother telling me to PRAY TO MY BROTHER for whatever I needed! Oh, come on!!!

I was the good catholic girl, I went to mass daily, made regular confessions, made my Easter Duty, etc. I even tried to convert the daughters of my mom’s friends, who were not catholic. Told them they’d never go to Heaven, they’d never see Jesus, that they’d never know God, but that they’d go to Limbo ---- And now the Catholic Church has disregarded Limbo. So where did all the souls go, after that?

Thanks for your comments. I am not looking for arguments here, just wanting to let folks know just what WAS taught and how it has affected not only my life, but the lives of my sisters as well.
Click to expand...
When you are a child you are taught the foundations. It is our job as Catholics to continue to learn and mature in our faith.
 
Starfish said:
I spent my younger years going to mass every Sunday, Holy Days, etc. I went to Catholic school for six years. I was very much into my faith, I believed everything that I was taught. I still have my old Baltimore Catechisms and they are almost humorous right now, with what is being taught in the Catholic Church.

I was taught that you cannot pray directly to Jesus, that you have to “go through” His mother or one of the saints. Why?

If you die wearing a scapular and you are in Purgatory, the Blessed Mother comes by on Thursdays and if she sees you there with your scapular, she’ll take you out of Purgatory and bring you to Heaven. Was told it was a good deal to die then on Wednesday.

That you pray to saints.

That you may go to confession and say your penance, but that isn’t enough. You will have to go to Purgatory because you still have to pay for your sins. Jesus died for my sins. Jesus has forgiven my sins, or so I thought.

So now I am very, very happy to belong to a Bible believing church where things are as they should be:

We pray to Jesus. We do NOT pray to anyone else.

We do not have to have anyone intercede for us. If I want to talk to Jesus, I can dial Him direct, I don’t need an operator.

So what has changed with the Catholic church that I find so amazing and really, folks, amusing?

I live in Michigan but spent a good deal of time in Florida with my elderly parents. I’d take them to mass each week, but will not attend Mass. Why?

Why should I?

I brought the folks there on time. I cannot believe the number of people who showed up 15 - 20 minutes after the mass began. These, of course, are the same people who receive communion and bolt afterward. What ever happened to staying for the entire mass?

I got an answer to that one. I asked the parish priest about coming in late and leaving early. He told me that all you “have” to do, to make it “count”, is to be there for the consecration. After that, you’re free to go.

Wow, what a wonderful way to honor God.

This is another one that got me. Back in the '50s, during Lent and on days of fast, you could consume fish, but there was to be NO broth, gravy, or anything containing beef, chicken, lamb, etc. But now it is OK to have chicken broth, chicken gravy, etc, because it isn’t a piece of the flesh of the animal? Oh, come on!!! Either it is or it isn’t.

Now this is the one that pushed me over the top.

Many folks in Florida are there for the winter. They come down from the northern states and return sometime in the spring. Last year, it was coming up Ascension Thursday. The parish priest where my folks go to church explained this all to the congregation:

“If you are planning on moving back to New York, you might want to wait until AFTER Ascension Thursday. In New York, you HAVE to attend Mass on Thursday. If you stay a few extra days here in Florida, you don’t have to go on Thursday, but Sunday will take care of “it” for you.”

I find it totally amazing that a priest would take the time to explain to folks the best way of getting out of having to go to church.

Why?

Why is it such a difficult thing to go to church? To be part of it? You can set your clock by the time folks start leaving the 5PM mass on Saturday. At 5:38, the first flood of people are rushing out of church, they “got” their communion and are ready for the rest of the week. No time to think about our Lord, but they “got it in”.

Is this really what our Lord wants?
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I doubt you were taught some of these things. The bottom line is the Catholic church is the only way for you to get to heaven. As Jesus said in John 6 “Are you going to leave too?” The apostles responded. “Where we going to go?” —I ask you," where you going to go?" Salvation is with Christ and His Church. My advice: Wake up tomorrow find a Catholic Church, and spend an hour with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I am sure you will hear him say “COME HOME.” God Bless!!!
 
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