I believe that many catholics (as high as 50%), do not even understand the doctrine by which they live.?

Question

Does anyone else agree that many Catholics (possibly even more than half) have less understanding of their faith than the average sports fan does of the history of football? I have this crazy idea that if one truly believes in this omnipotent, omniscient, and all-caring god then he/she should devote more than just half an hour on sunday? I think even fervent Catholics, whom I am not attacking, would agree. Catholic myself, i am appalled by those who fornicate and sin all week and then go to church on sunday. I am criticized enough for my faith as it is without the absolute lack devotion demonstrated by most Catholics. Isn't wrong for one to attend catholic church without so much as understanding the conditions for mortal sin? Shouldn't luke warm people stick to less important movements? If all humans behaved like Christ, wouldn't we actually be capable of making a change rather than "praying in church on sundays?" I belive jesus was social reformist who dreamed of change.

Note i should have included quotations above "they live" because I am saying most don't live by catholic doctrine.

Answer 1

I would say you can leave the word catholic out and merely just say christian, it would apply to baptist, methodist, Lutheran and all of the faiths. ( and about 100 percent of those poor little morom misionaries)

But actually knowing all of the doctrine, I would have to say do we really care if they are living or trying to live the life of Christ.

If you ever have been to a House of Bishops meeting, I will tell you directly, that even the leaders do not agree exactly how all rules and points and doctrine.

Answer 2

Jesus was a social reformist who dreamed of change, I agree. But Catholicism has applied many new rules and interpretations to the teachings of Jesus which make its dogma difficult to accept (or even understand). The "rules" surrounding mortal sins, confession, reconciliation, indulgence, and the afterlife attempt to put a framework of organization on God that is just as unlikely as any other framework engineered by humans.

I think that the ridigity of the framework of Catholic doctrine and the uninspiring repetitive nature of Catholic mass have two implications: first, Catholics fall into the trap of "going through the motions," simply following the priest's instructions of saying this creed or attending this ceremony, and become comfortable that they are good Christians without seeking a Christian way of life; and second, folks who are not Christians are turned off by the overwhelming detail of Catholic doctrine, rightfully questioning how anyone can be so sure that God works in a particular way. Neither of these implication is good for Catholicism.

Hopefully for Catholics, a new pope can reinvigorate the Church and inspire what would amount to a faith revolution, calling its members less to dogmatic criteria and more to Christian action. Benedict, a traditionalist, is definitely not that pope.

Good luck to Catholicism. I agree with your observations, and I suggest you try a Protestant church. I'm not saying Protestants are right and Catholics are wrong, but you may want to see if a Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian Church might approach faith more like you do. Good luck to you too.

Answer 3

Understand the difference between a sports fan and most people who attend church on Sunday. The sports fan is positively motivated, while the churchgoer is negatively motivated.

The sports fan is into his sport because he loves it and wants to be in it. It is part of his being. He can rattle off just about any player's stats in the blink of an eye. He will travel long distances to an important game, or camp out in a stadium parking lot all night if need be.

The churchgoer goes to church because the alternative is worse. If the neighbors think he is not going to church then the churchgoer thinks they will think he is some sort of an infidel, an unbeliever who is an unsavory character who will rot in hell. To avoid becoming a pariah, the churchgoer attends services regularly, but his head is somewhere else. His heart and mind is not into it. For this reason the sermons are nothing more than noise, the buzz of a mosquito flying around his head or a passing freight train. None of it has any meaning.

Ask yourself how many churchgoers would start lining up at the door of the church the night before, or even 4 or five hours before? Then ask yourselves how many sports fans might get to the stadium hours early (a la tailgate parties). This is the difference: enthusiasm.

People remember the things that excite them and forget the rest.

Answer 4

I agree with you. Jesus was a social reformist dreaming of change. I believe that this is why He did not leave a Church established. I believe that when He taught us the Lord's prayer he was basically saying that we can speak to God without needing an intermediary. Jesus knew and understood that a Church run by human beings would be corrupt, power hungry and misguided (sound familiar?)

The problem with the Catholic Church is that it is so corrupt and misguided! Most Catholics (as is the case with Christians) have not read the bible which is the basis of their faith...the History of their Church. Catholics are even worse because they don't have to read the Bible...they get what they need from the Catholic Missalette. This is published by the Catholic Church, read at Church and it's what the priest gives his sermon on on Sundays. These readings are recycled throughout the years and they rarely change. Why read the Bible?

When the followers don't read the Bible, and rely on others for information, they become uninformed and misguided. This is what we see happening to the Catholic Church.

What I don't necessarily agree with you is on the "lukewarm people." We (humans) have no right to be judging or deciding who is lukewarm and who isn't. That is not our job. God and Jesus will take that on later. For now, there are many things undermining your faith, you need to look within yourself to remedy that and come to terms with how things are going.

As for myself, I once was a Catholic, became a Christian...was unhappy with both. I'm currently without religion. And you know what? I kind of enjoy that!

Answer 5

I believe that half of the ppl as high as 50% will answer this question wrong, by going on assumptions they have of the Catholic church.

I think you assumed wrong many go to church to worship God, ppl do devote their time to God, with works and being an example to non-christians. Many ppl fornicate and sin even those who weren't Catholic, because we are all sinners and as a catholic I am equally ashamed but don't blame the church for that

Answer 6

I agree. Truly the world doesn't need more Christians it needs more Christians practicing Christianity. I have been doing a lot of learning myself in the past year and was pretty shocked a few weeks back when I took a baptism class for my neice's baptism. The lack of knowledge and misunderstanding is sad. I grew up in a mixed Catholic \Protestant household and catichism wasn't the highest priorty. though we had basic teachings and the sacraments. I think it's parents and what is taught as well as personal development. You can't throw out the baby with the bathwater though, teach (find out what classes you need to take) devote time to helping others get education, see what laity groups are in your parish and see what you can do, pray for the conversion of hearts\souls. We all have callings, with baptism and confirmation the Holy Spirit will intervene with those folks as he did with me. Thank goodness for reconcillation right?

Answer 7

I think using statistics ( or facts) that can't be substantiated is generally a bad idea. And some of the problems you describe can be associated with any faith. But in a more general sense, I agree. I posted a question to Catholics...to see if they knew...scriptural speaking...why they prayed to Mary and the saints, and why they repeated the same words over and over and over in the Rosary...to learn why they did this...not to criticize them. I actually received some very good replies and see how, in one sense, that the Rosary can be justified...but the question of praying to Mary brought some of the most mind-boggling rationalization and conflagration of obscure scriptures I have ever seen...requiring one to accept the conclusions of those who seem to know. It led me to conclude that the average Catholic does not understand the ins and outs of some of the deeper issues of their faith, and are content to leave the more complicated aspects of Catholicism to those who have the time to delve into them. I think it is quite steeped in ritualism and lends itself to superstition more than any other mainstream religion. But this is does not disqualify Catholics from salvation, or from enjoying a relationship with Christ. I have known quite a few Catholics whom I deeply respect and admire, and have I no problem calling them brothers...and feel honored they refer to me as such. And Catholics have not cornered the market on hypocrisy. I think we should all step carefully when it comes to knowing why we believe what we believe...and following up via our actions.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you, and I personally believe that the number goes way higher than just 50 %, a lot of people that barely go to church, (probably for a funeral or a baptism) called themselves Catholic, and I think the reason is because it has become more like a title than a christian life style, it's sad but it's true. god bless.

Answer 9

I understand what you are saying. I have seen some Catholics who do go to church but are not very nice people in "everyday" life. I am Catholic as well, and I think if people (of any religion) are going to church, temple, etc. but are not actually nice people who do good things, they are hypocrites. Some people seem to think that just going to church is enough, and then they can act any way they want.

Answer 10

The apostle Paul, after mentioning conditions that aptly describe what we see in the world today, talked about the prominence of such people when he said that there would be ..."lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. "
It's clear that a "form of godly devotion" does not make one a true Christian..but one who lives by, and acts on the things he has learned about what Gods wants us to be and to do.

Again he wrote to Titus.."They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort."

A person can call themselves whatever they like but a true Christian would avoid being one these.