Born into a Catholic family, I was raised by the liberal ideals of freedom and individuality... essentially making up your own mind about things and respecting other people for what they think as well.
Recently however, I announced to close friends and family that I was leaving my Catholic religion due to many reasons, but evidently, hypocrasy was the leading cause. I refused to go to church with people who "preached" about doing the right thing and the better good of humanity whom in turn, only left that building to practice just the opposite. Perhaps the beliefs of the religion are not what is wrong necessarily... but rather the men and women who are involved and have corrupted it so.
So I denounced all organized religion and switched to a Buddhist ideology of Karma and the balance of the universe. That does not mean I no longer believe in God, but rather... that I just want to be at peace again and feel whole, not corrupt.
Do you feel this way too sometimes about it all?
2006-09-25 12:54:30 · 26 answers · asked by benh316 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am glad to hear that a fellow human has had the same realization i have. however to denounce your religion is not necessary. just because most people are hypocritical does not mean all are. many buddhists are also hypocrites, as a fellow buddhist i must admit that none of us are perfect and all of us can act a bit hypocritical at times. i believe that many such people don't even realize what they are doing and those that do will pay for it in the next life. i say believe what you will and let others do the same but don't let their actions and beliefs affect your own.
2006-09-25 13:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by nameless 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you, I'm in the same boat. I dropped off the Catholic wagon because it didn't make sense that the church didn't know what to do with a child molesting priest, but I can tell me I'm going to hell for eating a hot dog on Friday.
Anyway I read this book "God Without Religion"(http://www.godwithoutreligion.com/) and it really opened my eyes. So basically rather than sitting there on Sundays reciting the same stuff, listening to someone telling me what to think like I'm some drone, I spend my time researching, investigating, listening to my own God given heart and using my own God given brain. Right now I study Buddhism and Unitarianism and I'm more at peace with myself than ever. Do I have all the answers? Of course not, but nobody does so you must follow that path that's right for you.
I know if I answer my own questions rather than be spoon fed religious dogma I will become closer to the powers that be.
I used to be scared of death, but Buddhism has helped me to come to terms with it, but that's another topic;)
2006-09-25 22:21:28 · answer #2 · answered by Galvatron 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hey, knock yourself out, fella!
But who do you think gave you that freedom of speech?
It was Christians who invented free speech, liberalism, individualism, and all those good things.
Do you think you would be so free in Burma or Tibet?
Buddhism has great ideas, but they have not produced the sort of progress in human rights as we see in 'Christian' countries. Of course, the common man of any religion is a poor example of what it might achieve in serious students, but the overall effect of that religion upon the societies which claim it is relevant to a fair comparison of religion. In the west, because of the ethics of Jesus and those who came after him, we have been held to a standard which has produced religious tolerance and individual choice, secular government, social welfare, and the greatest standard of living in the history of the human species.
Why? Because the irreconcilable plurality of religious views in Christianity made religious men realize that to preserve anyone's freedom, we must preserve all persons freedoms. And not just religion, but anywhere in the West today you have the same freedoms of the press, of assembly, of speech and protection of civil and criminal rights.
This does not exist in non-western (non-christian) countries.
2006-09-26 14:08:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You aren't denoucing Christianity, you are denouncing the Roman Catholic's version of it. However, it's too bad that you didn't try to find a good Bible teaching, Christ honoring, Spirit led church like the one that I belong to http://www.alcf.net
But that's how the Devil works. He always brings error in pairs so that way if a man becomes offended by one extreme he can the more easily be driven to the other. :o(
2006-09-26 00:43:56 · answer #4 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel this way at all. It is possible that the Catholic church wasn't doing it for you and I understand that you wanted a change. But it is up to you on what kinds of changes you make. So good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.
2006-09-25 19:59:59 · answer #5 · answered by AT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. I myself attended church quite a bit before my initiation into paganism. I personally got fed up with the whole attitude of "Do as I say, not as I do". I also NEVER got any of my more profound questions answered--the church was really good at sending one on a wild goose chase with bible verses. Last but not least, I could not tolerate the church's attitude towards women. We are not second-class citizens. We are not incubators, and there is absolutely NOTHING to be "afraid" of us for.
I find my Wiccan faith makes MUCH more sense to me and puts the world in a much more positive light and a more proper perspective.
I am also a much happier and more well-adjusted person these days.
Blessings to you.
2006-09-25 20:01:29 · answer #6 · answered by Ana 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You haven't studied and learned what Catholicism really is or teaches. You can't control individual people and their hypocricy but you can learn the truth of your faith.
You know what will happen if you're Catholic and turn your back on Christ.
Hebrews 13:9
9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
Hebrews 10:26 (King James Version)
26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
And finally, Matthew 10:33 says:
KJV: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Please, for the sake of your eternal soul, don't make this mistake. God Bless
P.S. Also...you must know in your heart that what I am telling you is truth because I am receiving so many "thumbs down". This message and this faith are not of this world.
2006-09-25 19:57:59 · answer #7 · answered by Augustine 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
that's how i felt every time i was in a church when i was little, I was raised pagan and was taught to be respectful and tolerant of all religions. When i was a teenager I briefly when to a Lutheran school, and the pastor wouldn't speak to me until i renounced my mother because she was pagan. that was when I decided to be Wiccan/Pagan. Christianity isn't right for everyone, the key is to find what works for you, and don't let others talk you out of it once you found it. When you do find what is right it feels like coming home. Good luck!
2006-09-25 20:06:05 · answer #8 · answered by paganrosemama 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your decision makes no sense. If you are a Catholic, a Christian, you do not believe in the other people who are Catholics, but in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
And is Jesus is the Son of God, regardless of how people live, then in order to be true to yourself, you must follow Him, not what you think or want.
The whole idea of believing in God is that I do not get to simply choose what I want as if I am God. I must do what God requires since He knows what is best.
2006-09-25 20:02:59 · answer #9 · answered by jakejr6 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buddism is the best religion in the world. No drop of blood was used for spread of this religion. Infact if china was not communist, Buddism would have been the most popular religion. It explains several things which other religions give vaugue explainations. Good choice
2006-09-25 19:59:10 · answer #10 · answered by stauros 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋