I have always heard people talk about so-and-so being a good catholic. Is there such a thing as a bad Catholic? I was born, baptized, and raised Catholic, but I'm an atheist now. Does that make me a bad Catholic?
2006-06-23 11:45:02 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I personally never liked that phrase.
I think that there are people who consider themselves "Good Catholics" who haven't the slightest idea of what Catholicism or life for that matter is all about. I believe in questioning. I believe in doing for others.
Just because you go to church doesn't make you a good anything. That's like saying because I go to the garage I'm a good car. That's dumb. Right?
I don't think you are a bad Catholic. I think you have to find what's right for you. I think that the only way to find your faith is to understand it. To live a while and try to understand what it is all about.
There are "church going Christians" who smoke weed, sleep around, who are hate-filled individuals pretending to do good while they neglect to do good for others. I sincerely believe we were all put here to love one another and help each other.
Yeah, I sound like a peace loving, tree-hugging hippie, but you know, Jesus always preached LOVE as being the greatest commandment. I have a feeling he wouldn't have a problem with my point of view.
"Good Catholic"...a good Catholic, if you have to define it is one who LIVES faith through action--in respecting and giving dignity to others and loving unconditionally even if someone royally deserves a kick in the nuts and or boobs. You do your best. No judging. No hating. Just being.
No, dude. You aren't a BAD Catholic. You're just trying to figure it all out like the rest of us.
Peace,
Melissa.
2006-06-23 11:56:35 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa A 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am a Catholic. This is how the Church views your situation as a Catholic (the following is specific only to Catholic and not necessarily applicable to anyone else).
1. If you have been baptized you are a Catholic, permanently and forever no matter what you do. If you do not make it to heaven, you are still a Catholic because baptism cannot be undone.
2. If you have been confirmed you are a member of that specific Rite/Church of the Catholic Church. You may be Roman Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, etc. This distinction legally lasts until you excommunicate yourself according to the norms in Canon Law.
Given your situation, you are a Catholic. If you are not in communion with the Church and the Faith, then you are schismatic. If you hold some positions that are false positions according to the teachings of the Faith, then you are heterodox. If you hold positions that have been condemned by the Faith, then you are heretical. If you have specifically denied the Faith, then you are apostate.
If you are a true atheist, and have willfully and knowingly rejected the Faith, then you are an apostate Catholic who is schismatic from the Church.
HOWEVER, you may or may not be excommunicated. If you have been officially notified by the local bishop, then yes. If not, then you may have incurred automatic excommunication depending on your actions. THIS IS NOT EXACTLY EASY TO DO. You really have to go out of your way. It is also very specific and something that you would need to check with your local bishop or canon law specialist over.
Let me say though that excommunication is not a good thing, so do not go looking for it. Excommunication is not just cutting oneself off, but it is closing the door.
I also want to say that you probably have no idea what the Catholic Faith teaches. Catechesis in the US has been terribly for decades and only started getting better in the mid 90's.
Let me suggest that you buy the Compendium to the Catechism that came out this year.
Also
The book "A Bad Catholic's Guide to Good Living" would be good for you.
2006-06-23 19:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because you're not a Catholic, being a good Catholic means following the 10 Commandments, going to Church every Sunday, just doing what the Bible says.
2006-06-23 18:49:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a good catholic means strictly following and practicing the traditional catholic dogma. By being an atheist you are not a catholic, so you cannot be a bad catholic.
I suppose being a bad catholic would be someone who considers themselves catholic but does not follow all the rules
2006-06-23 18:49:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The meaning of the terms "good Catholic" and "bad Catholic" change according to whoever is using them. Therefore they are not very useful terms.
Denying the existence of God would probably make you a "bad Catholic" in most people's use of the term.
With love in Christ.
2006-06-24 00:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me, being a good Catholic is following the Ten Commandments, attending Mass on Sundays and all Holy Days of Obligation (I LOVE attending Mass), reading my Bible, praying the Rosary, going to Confession, receiving Holy Communion (the Eucharist is the only thing Jesus asks us to do for Him) and following the precepts of the Church.
Basically, living the way God wants me to and doing for others instead of thinking solely of myself.
2006-06-23 19:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No such thing as a good person. Break one of the 10 commandments, which we all have done, and you are a sinner worthy of death.
2006-06-23 18:54:42 · answer #7 · answered by Caboman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it makes you a atheist, not a catholic, since you have to beleive and accept God and Christ to be Catholic.
a "good" catholic is normally a bad reference to someone not following the rules of the church
2006-06-23 21:28:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not even Christian.....but I think it would be a person who does a lot of good things....like helping the needy etc. I dunno....if that's not what a good Catholic is then it should be.
2006-06-23 18:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by Frodo the space bard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes...you're obviously not a Catholic anymore so I think that alone would consider you bad in thier eyes. this can't be a serious question..
2006-06-23 18:49:10 · answer #10 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋