Catholics: Help me understand this.?

Question

I don't have a problem with the Catholic religion - I feel people need faith - I just have a very difficult time understanding most things about the Catholic religion.

I live in the Midwest - Illinois. There is, without exageration, a new church being built 24/7. And they're huge! These gigantic churches, with indoor pools, gyms, etc. Why? And does the money that people donate to the church go to this? I've seen priest who live in giant homes and drive expensive cars. The money collected in church - I never see it put to GOOD use. I never see where local churches feed the poor, shelter the homeless, etc. But, I do see them sponsoring vacations for youth, building outrageous buildings, hookin up the priest. This seems wrong for a religion. Shouldn't they be helping the needy instead of gaining material items for themselves?

This is not an insult - an honest question.

Answer 1

The question is honest. The subject is more than just one religion its almost all of them. The problem is that the things taught in churches in the past 100 years have been as the parable that Jesus talked about to people 2000 years ago.
See Mathew 13:24-30 and then See 36-43
On the basis of these fundamental facts, a farmer who had worked hard sowing good wheat at seedtime was confident that in due season there would be a harvest. The one would logically follow the other. Likewise, when his farm workers informed him sometime later that his field was producing not only wheat but a certain weed, he was sure that there had been foul play. He knew what he had sown: wheat, not weeds. This new development required a decision. His employees suggested immediate action. They wanted to uproot the weeds right away, but the wise farmer tempered their eagerness. He told them to hold off, for fear of hurting the wheat while uprooting the weeds. Let both grow together. The harvest season would be time enough to separate the genuine wheat from the false.

This illustration was used by Jesus Christ to portray certain developments that would occur in the work he had started on earth. That sowing work was meant to produce the required crop of true Christians to be associated with him in the heavenly government known as “the kingdom of the heavens.” He thus foretold that his good sowing would be infringed upon by the enemy Satan the Devil. The field would produce not only the desired harvest of wheatlike, true Christians but also a crop of weedlike counterfeit Christians. Both would be allowed to grow together until harvesttime, when the separating work would take place. Moreover, this separating work would be a further feature of the “last days,” the “conclusion of a system of things.”—Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43; compare Matthew 24:3; 2 Timothy 3:1.
Today because the people that are searching for right answers no longer are buying the weed like teachings of men.
On the other hand the Churches are trying to build up their business by offering intertainment. They miss the point that the truth of God's word is free and his temple is not to be made a cave for robbers. The Bible is our instruction book so when in doubt as to what to believe, go to scripture for support. See John 17:3 I hope this answer is truthful as I think your question is truful? [e-mail]

Answer 2

I both agree with you and disagree. Because I have seen Catholics do many good works. Catholic Education allows the poor to come into the Church and be instructed in their religion. From this instruction and education in trades and professions, they go out into the world and make their way out of poverty. Catholics do support shelters work in soup kitchens, counsel the distressed and help teens in trouble.
Not every Church do I like, I have to tell you this. Not every Christian is true hearted, there are many two-faced people now. But you find them in every religion. God will be the judge of our works. And Catholic Missions have done great works all over the world.

I would also caution you to see if these are Roman Catholic churches under the Pope. Because there is a false church that calls itself catholic, and it is not.

Answer 3

Whoa... I would love to know which diocese this is. Cuz what you've described doesn't make me happy. One thing I can think of is if they are building a new cathedral... those tend to be huge and pretty and all that. But a gym? An indoor pool? Oh no no no no no! That is NOT right.

I'm sorry you haven't had the chance to see local churches reaching out to the poor in their midst. I've been blessed to work with several parishes in California who make this a priority. I hope you get to encounter communities like those someday.

Answer 4

Are you sure is a Catholic church? Not a megachurch? My church is not small or big and the priests relied on donations not salaries. They don't live in fancy homes or drive expensive cars. My church helps the poor and does food drives. Is a Catholic church. I don't think this particular church where you live is doing what is supposed to be doing.

Answer 5

maybe these giant churches really are helping the poor. there are many people in every town living in poverty that you don't necessarily see. i can almost guarantee that poor kids in the community are benefitting from the pool or gym in the church. i can't stand to see priests in fancy cars wearing fancy clothes in fancy houses, but it happens all over! i guess some churches are better than others. yes, money is the root of all evil, and yes, many (not all) churches want it so badly that they risk their free ride to heaven.

Answer 6

Are you sure it is a Catholic Church? You just described the Baptist Church down the road to where I live.

Did you know that Joel Osteen, the fundamentalist preacher bought the Summit, the BASKETBALL AreNA that used to be the home of the Houston Rockets and had it refurbished to be his church to the cost of TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS?

Answer 7

Catholic churches going up 24.7 sounds strange to me.If You
think the church does not help, call a local parish or the Catholic Charities,They help any one in need.I am not Catholic.

Answer 8

Are you sure this is catholic?

Much of the many goes to the Vatican and doled out to various programs and much is done for the unfortunate. The wage for a priest is not grand by any means

Answer 9

I have often ask the same question, why are they building mega churches when they should be helping people like the preach about doing

And you know ive never got a real answear. Honestly it disguts me

Answer 10

How do you know they don't??

But, you are not thier final judge and neither am I.