2007-06-09 13:27:43 · 9 answers · asked by Midge 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I listen, but in my experience, it's almost always nothing but sour grapes...such as tat person did not get approval for behavior contrary to Church teaching.
2007-06-09 13:56:20 · answer #1 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You could probably trust them when they tell you why they left the Church; most are eager to spell it out in detail. Some remain respectful of the faith, some do not.
More to the point, though -- if I were not a Catholic and wanted to know about the Church, I wouldn't blindly trust what an ex-Catholic told me without also verifying it with an authoritative source, because of the great likelihood of their bias against the Church. In fact, this was my own experience. I heard all kinds of weird stuff from ex-Catholics that proved to be totally wrong once I began studying the Catechism prior to converting.
2007-06-09 13:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by Clare † 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm certainly willing to listen to them openly, and give them a chance to speak their mind. I'd give them the same respect I'd extend to anyone else. I may or may not necessarily agree with them, but I'm willing to hear them out. Some people leave the Church because they've been hurt, and if so, then it would be a very good idea to listen to them and see what happened. If it's something I can ever personally avoid doing to another person, it's good to be told what bothers or hurts others. However, I've also heard from a few people who claimed to be former Catholics who had such odd ideas about how the Church works that it makes me wonder how active they really were as Catholics, or if they were really ever there at all.
2007-06-09 13:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by solarius 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends. There are some people who have had very unbiasedly negative experiences with the Catholic Church; I don't blame those people for being bitter and if you can get under the emotion, there are some valid points.
Unfortunately, there are also former Catholics who say things when they really don't know what they are talking about. So like anyone, I listen and take into account WHO is doing the talking as much as what is being said.
2007-06-09 13:44:04 · answer #4 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what the person says . Bitter Ex Catholics usually describe a"Catholicism" that I have never experienced,is contrary to the teachings of the Church and oozes with hatred and misinformation,so how could I trust them?
2007-06-09 13:32:30 · answer #5 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
First of all there is no such a thing as an ex catholic, once you are baptized catholic it's for life, there are many catholics that question their religion today I for one, our religious world is changing because of science and archaeology, the bible is being questioned for it's validity and it's credibility, many people including some priests have pointed out many discrepancies that have been written in the bible, is it any wonder that religion is put on the block.
2007-06-09 13:45:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
I think it is important to listen to them. Even though they may be mistaken, or mislead. It is important to try and understand why the feel the way they do.
2007-06-10 12:25:55 · answer #7 · answered by Br. Rich OFS 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on what they say. If it is in accordance with Church teaching - Yes. if not - No. If it is a personal opinion - no comment.
Cheers :-)
2007-06-10 00:55:40 · answer #8 · answered by chekeir 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm a Ex - Catholic.
Do you trust me?
2007-06-09 13:34:19 · answer #9 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋