Why do SOME Catholics act the way they do?

Question

I was dating a girl a year back. She's Mexican Catholic and I'm Pagan. She's not a person who thinks her religion is the only one in the world. But she doesn't act like that religion means anything to her. Doesn't go to a church, she does drugs, etc. But she actually told me that if we ever had a child, she's raising the child to be Catholic and I had no say in it whatsoever. Of course, we're not together today, but not because of this. Whole different thing. Anyway, she doesn't follow any of the Catholic "rules", but she's said that the child will go up like that. Wouldn't that be considered Atheist or something? I've heard a COUPLE people say that.

Answer 1

Yeah it's weird, one time I was with some friends and this catholic guy who was dating one of my friends was holding a bible with one hand and was smoking a joint with his other hand

Answer 2

Catholicism, like Judaism, is a very ritualistic religion. This is especially true of the Mexican Catholic tradition which is a really wonderful blend of Catholic and native Mexteca traditions.

Sometimes we see people that follow through with some of the ritual (sending kids to Catholic school or to CCD) but not following other parts of the tradition. Just as I know many secular Jews that still follow many of the traditions without being religiously active.

I know in some ways it's incredibly hypocritical. I'm a former Catholic and I see it in my siblings all the time and it makes me nuts too, but I just have to remember it's just where they are.

Answer 3

What you ran into is a person that has 'religion' but not a 'personal relationship with God' type.

Ask someone that was raised in a Christian home or that was always made to go to church, that no longer goes to church/reads their bible/prays/lives a life totally opposite of Christian if they are indeed a Christian - - and they more than likely will tell you, 'Yes'.

Many fail to ever grasp that just because your grand/parents/uncles/aunts whatever relative or friend was Christian has nothing to do with them being a Christian.

Christianity is a personal relationship with God thru His Son Jesus. Such a person is led by God thru the Holy Spirit. They are not 'perfect' - but they do have a personal relationship with God thru His Son. Such are a forgiven people.

The type of person that you write about is coming more from the view as a social setting brought on by connections thru personal relationship to others that have that relationship. They live a confused life with many contradictions within that life. Totally different than what a Christian relationship actually is.

Answer 4

Some people weren't given proper Catholic education. Some of the traditions are pretty old and don't appeal to the younger generation. Over time our Catholic religion feels forced on us because it's rare we fin love in our religion. But when you find true Christianity in it which is hard for most. then you'd see the beauty of Christianity. Many Catholics are good people, but many are also misled. We still are people after all.:)

Answer 5

One thing you said she use drugs and doesn't go to church,another nothing it look like she will do anything you said if you had a baby by her in you too kept on dating the judge may have given you the Child anyway because of her way of living.;Being Pagan is a Religion not my religion because I am a Christian. You seen to have more faith in you religion then she had in her religion and amazing she want to raise a child this way. More like she doesn't have her mind in the right place. I do have children and I am doing my best to raise them in my husband and my religion but when they are adult I hope and pray they continue to be christian but if they are not I will love them any way

Answer 6

It sounds like she's very "culturally Catholic" -- in other words, the cultural aspects of the religion appeal to her, even if she doesn't take the religious or moral teachings very seriously.

Try not to single out Catholics for this, though. There are people who are culturally Jewish or culturally Buddhist or whatever as well -- the customs and traditions of these faiths appeal to them, even if the deeper religious aspects do not.

Here in Japan, where I live, a lot of people "go through the cultural motions" regarding Buddhism -- at weddings and funerals and such -- even though the religion itself is not really a big part of most people's lives.

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Answer 7

"Do not err, my brethren. If any man follows him that makes a schism in the Church, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God." - St. Ignatius of Antioch ("Epistle to the Philadelphians," 105 A.D.)

St. Paul begs the early Christians to be unified in mind and in what they say. There can only be one "true" Christian Church. How can the Holy Spirit guide the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Baptist Church, etc. if all of those denominations have doctrines and beliefs differing from each other? There is only one interpretation of the Bible. Otherwise, people can and have "read" literally anything into It

Answer 8

Being baptized Christian, and especially Catholic, is the equivalent of being adopted into a royal family.

Many people are too weak or too set in their ways to appreciate that for themselves, at least for the moment, but they understand enough of the truth of it to want it for the ones they love.

And for a baptized Christian, while there is life, there is hope.

Things can and do change. They might even change for you.

Answer 9

She must have grown up in a strong Catholic background and allow she has lapsed herself perhaps there is something of a spark for Catholicism deep down inside her.

Answer 10

What about other Religions are they perfect and as usual Catholics are not. Don't judge one person on Catholics

God Bless You