Does Roman Catholicism alienate non catholics?

Question

I feel it preaches to the converted and does not accomodate to non believers.

I feel it preaches to the converted and does not accomodate to non believers. Being RC myself, and having married someone with no denomination, what I originally thought was welcoming now appears to have a bias tint, which waivers from Jesus' fundamental teachings of caring for one another. I look around and it get the impression that most "true" catholics present are praying by wrote, with several occasions catching comments like "Who does she think she is not praying this, not saying that, not kneeling here" I'm a youth leader, and she volunteers her time more often than they do. I still think she's more catholic than the rest of them. Is this only happening at my parish?

Answer 1

Its mandate is to teach the Catholic faith. Its says this is what we believe to be true and moral. Anyone is free to join, free to learn more about the catholic faith but obviously its teaching are not going to be acceptable to everyone. Its not a matter of taking a vote as to what we believe today. Each person can say I agree or disagree with the Church but at least they know what the Church believes.

If you feel alienated because it doesn't teach what you want to hear, isn't that your problem?

Answer 2

No, we do not alienate non-Catholics. Never has the Church had such good relationships with the Jews, with Muslims and others. In fact, the Catholic Church is currently in dialog with many non-Catholic and non-Christian churches. My pastor has the same line at the beginning of every Mass: "We especially want to welcome here today those who are joining us for the first time. we hope that you feel welcome here and that you join us often".

That being said, the Catholic church just does not preach on the same level as many protestant pastors....seems they lack substance. We don't do "altar calls"; we don't have revival-type music and other such things, but my particular parish draws members from miles around. Our pastor is not an eloquent speaker -- but he preaches very well; unlike fundy churches that lack substance, we do not need all kinds of guest speakers and cantatas and themed-- Sundays like "clown Sunday" or "bring a friend Sunday". The Catholic Liturgy and Jewish liturgy can both each stand on their own....we do not need to add any fluff. yet our church receives many new members each year who leave their faith behind and deliberately choose the Catholic Church as the Home.

Answer 3

Good heavens!! The people who alienate non-Catholics and everyone else are the fundamentalist. I am not RC, but I have great respect for the RC church, but not for the fundies. They turn any rational, intelligent person away from God, not towards. On the other hand if you read the theology of the RC church, most of it make sense. (All of the Orthodox makes sense. I an not Orthodox either.)

Answer 4

As an ex-catholic and now an atheist I understand the disease and I am quite at home around it untill it tries to attack . It's usually only a mild schizoprenia anyway.

If one attempts to assign to religion its place in man's evolution, it seems not so much to be a lasting acquisition, as a parallel to the neurosis which the civilized individual must pass through on his way from childhood to maturity. Sigmund Freud

Answer 5

yes, thru their insistance that theirs is the only true faith, and their silly belief that the pope is infallible. give me a break! what other church has its own little country like the Vatican. i was raised catholic, but broke away 30 yr ago, praise God!

Answer 6

It alienates Catholics too, and it's the reason for a lot of non-believers.

Answer 7

I'm not RC, but I have always been made to feel most welcome in their parishes, so I would say "no".

Answer 8

We do not alianate anyone.