I am being raised Catholic, in a catholic school, and have found many subjects within the church that i don't agree with (i.e. pope = infallibility, some situations concerning abortion, and gay marriage). I do, however, agree more with the Catholic church than I do with, say, the Protestant church. I believe in transubstantiation, prayer to saints to pray for you, etc. If I can't be Catholic because of these disagreements, then I don't know what to follow, please someone help?
2007-01-08 11:30:17 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
first off thepapal infallibility is NOT in all things! on abortions, there are times when even the Rcc understands that it has to happen - just not as a form of birth control. gay marriage - that's a tough one....
you are being challenged and challenging modern situations - you are fully conscious and understand the true meaning of Cathocolism - the Eucharist and the fact that Christ IS the way and the truth and the light!
i understand where you are coming from - feel free to email if you'd like to chat - i've been in a similar situation 1-12 in school, walked away in the 80's and 90's and back with a vengence. you are truly blessed to have a good mind AND be living post pope John Paul 2 -- you CAN ask questions of the priests and nuns. they will generally be happy to talk to you - some may require an appointment if they are in a large parish and strapped for time - but really talk with them and they can help!
you are on the right track.... God be with you!!!
2007-01-08 11:38:35 · answer #1 · answered by Marysia 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Please, please, please, think very carefully about your faith and your religion. Do not allow yourself to be forced into believing what your parents and school want you to believe. Really think about it in your own way. Even look into the bible and interpret it in your own way, after all, this is what the many denominations of Christianity have done, and there is no scripture that will tell you objectively which is the right one to follow. Think about what you feel Jesus meant by what he said. You say you don't agree with some of the things the Pope has said about certain things. Is this from your understanding of Jesus' teachings on tolerance, acceptance and love? If so, then you are on the right track. Just because people who are older than you and are in positions of authority tell you something is true does not mean that it is. The point of Jesus in coming was to destroy the Jewish temple and set up a new personal relationship with God, just man and God with nothing in between. That is definitely an interpretation you can take from the Bible, and if that is the case, you can follow your own path and your own personal relationship with God. If you live your life this way and develop your own sense of morality (which it sounds as though you're already doing) you will be stronger, more fulfilled and probably better at responding to and being strong for others.
2007-01-08 19:41:46 · answer #2 · answered by Katrina W 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What would you do if you come to pearly gates only to find Lucifer there as your god? Wouldn't this be the ultimate in lies and deciet?
Whether or not this is true, would you still be making the same moral decisions you do on an everyday basis? You should. Whether the reward be heaven or Lucifer succeding in casting out God, should not affect the right moral decisions you make. If it did affect the right moral decisions you make, then you are living a lie. This would be a win win situation for Lucifer.
Only being able to make the right moral decisions without thinking of reward, will completely negate the above scenario. Reward should not affect what you think is right and what you think is wrong. In your religion, I believe an expected reward is considered temptation, which is a sin.
Do not expect anything in return for making donations. Just do what you feel is the morally right thing.
This should help your faith.
2007-01-08 19:56:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spaz, why do you think you need to follow anything?
I went through the same nonsense with the catholic church when I was young. I just could not swallow some of it. Many of the same things you mention were the same thing that turned me sour on the church.
I finally got fed up with it in the third grade when they told me that all of the hypocrites I went to church with were going to heaven, and all the good people of other faiths were going to hell.
What an arrogant stupid thing to believe.
Trust me, you can have a great relationship with God with out any of the nonsense religion tries to scam you with.
Much of what Religion says is little more than a lie about God.
You will be fine without it.
Love and blessings Don
2007-01-08 19:39:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I applaud you for questioning what you are being taught. You must compare the teachings of any church with what the Bible itself says. If a church deviates from what the scriptures say you're obviously in the wrong place... assuming you believe it is God's word.
Even the ancient Boroeans compared what the Apostle Paul taught them with what scriptures they had at the time.
"The latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)
It's a good example to follow.
Keep one thing in mind though. You have to be humble enough to accept the truth when faced with it . What would be the point of your search otherwise?
2007-01-08 19:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
pray to God in Jesus' name for guidance. The Catholic church was founded by Christ on St. Peter (the first pope) The catholic church chose the books of the bible for all christians and made the christian faith (nicene creed 312. a.d.). Without authority (pope, church heirachy, etc.) protestants have divided into 60,000 plus denmoninations!! The Catholic church is built upon sacred scripture (bible), sacred tradition, and the authority of the church. You can't have one without the other two (Just like God). The Catholic Church upholds God's law for 2000 years, and won't submit to the worlds sinful desires such as gay marriage, abortion, etc. Keep praying and stick with your fiath!!
2007-01-08 19:35:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I can't help you with your disagreements with the dogma of the Catholic church. I can tell you that while you have these disagreements you shouldn't be confirmed.
If you have a good relationship with your priest, you can debate these issues with him. He may recommend that you contact a seminary or a ecumenical scholar who can help you come to some decision about your future with Catholicism.
You may find that a more liberal congregation is to your liking. Many Catholics maintain their faith while also disagreeing with the church's policies, so you aren't alone.
2007-01-08 19:37:03 · answer #7 · answered by ftapao 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Questioning the pope's infallibility gets you a direct ticket to catholic hell by the way.
How do you like that ?
You are lucky that the Flying Spaghetti Monster decided to save everybody.
Ramen!
2007-01-08 19:36:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You need to analyze why you disagree with the churches stand on abortion and on gay marriage.
When you have that figured out, then you can make a decision.
grace2u
2007-01-08 19:34:55 · answer #9 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's a pretty tough question. The parts of the faith you believe are those with the weakest scriptural backing. (Please, I assure you I am not trying to be insulting).
You can always just remain a Catholic, you know. Christ is supposd to be in your heart. I doubt he's concerned about points of doctrine.
Just an Athiest trying to be helpful. Peace.
2007-01-08 19:38:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋