A question for Catholics (and non-Catholics too)?

Question

I have noticed that many people who identify themselves as "strong catholics" also can take stances that are different than the official stance of the church. (Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite things about Catholics.)

What are some of the main issues where parishoners differ from the Church's official stance? Do you have any differences personally? And finally, would it be petty if I posted this question just because I've blocked an especially mean anti-catholic person and I wanted to frustrate him?

Answer 1

I see two most often.

The first is confession. Now I try to go to confession every six weeks or so (i really like going every four.) But I know devout Catholics who haven't been in years. They just don't agree with the teachings.

The other thing is annullements. Many Catholics think it is ok to get a divorce and remarried and that they can still recieve communion and that they are not doing anything wrong. They don't agree with the whole annullment process and they won't go through it.

As for me personally, from time to time I have had some disagreements with the church. But when I really sat down and looked at the church teaching, and read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and found the answers for myself, then I could understand where the church was coming from. I am in no way saying I am some living saint, cause I am not. I just try to understand and live by what the church teaches. And when I fail those teachings then I try to accept those consequences.

Answer 2

The real reason is because people always end up doing what they really want to do, or believe, regardless of what someone tells them they should. The hearts of Men cannot be changed unless they themselves are willing to change. Not only that, but knowing what is right and doing what is right are two different things. If they claim to be "strong catholics" or "devout catholics" and then blatantly do somthing that is frowned upon under catholic dogma, then they were lying to begin with. Christians call this paying lip service. A true Christian does not talk himself up, but rather is humble. A true Christian would say he is a bad person, or a poor Christian, etc. A false Christian says things along the lines of "I'm a really strong Lutheran!" The denomination is not important. The Bible condemns the boastful.

Answer 3

Not petty at all, as a matter of fact I thank you for it. It's good for the "anti's" of that stripe to have a bit of frustration as penance.

I hesitate to go so far as to sit here and accuse anyone of not being a "real" Catholic if their personal stance/practice doesn't line up with the Church on certain issues. (There's quite enough of that being flung at us from people outside the faith, who insist that Catholics aren't "real" Christians.)

However, I can offer an explanation of sorts as to why you see this.

In general, most Roman Catholics in the US fall into one of four loose categories:
1. Non-practicing Catholics, those who were raised in the faith and received their sacraments but have separated themselves from the Church. Strictly speaking, they are still Catholic but no longer in communion.
2. "Cultural" Catholics, who practice many of the externals of the faith as one of the identifying factors of their culture but have not absorbed the meanings of those practices, nor received anything close to adequate catechesis in their faith.
3. So-called "progressive" or liberal Catholics, sometimes called "cafeteria" Catholics because they seem to pick and choose which doctrines they agree with and which they don't, and practice their faith to the extent that they agree with the Church.
4. "Orthodox" Catholics (with a small "o", not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox Church) who are faithful to the Magisterium, uphold the doctrines of the Church in their entirety, and practice their faith accordingly.

Any individual Catholic may not personally agree with Church doctrine on a given issue. The difference between orthodox Catholics and the others listed above is that they accept the doctrine and are faithful to it, despite their personal feelings on the matter.

Answer 4

the vast majority of my extended family is Catholic - and yes it's alot of people.
The vast majority of THOSE are non practicing Catholics, or "holiday" Catholics. Most of them, if I took a poll, would probably cite "birth control" and "hypocricy" as the main issues they have.
Hypocricy is the reason my father left the church. My mother struggled for years because of this, and finally came to a crisis of her own when she was forced to go on the pill to regulate her period.

Just so you know, my family is huge. Both my parents were raised Catholic, and both had 7 brothers and sisters in addition to them. The averaged number of children my aunts and uncles had was 4. Almost all cousins are married with children.... etc.

blessings :)

Answer 5

Quick answers below. For more depth, I suggest asking each question separately. 1:Why do Catholics believe it's necessary to celebrate Christmas claiming that it's Jesus' birthday when it's not mentioned in the bible? Christmas celebrates God coming to be born among us as a human being. That's in the Bible--see John 1. 2:Why do alot of Catholic priests and higher ups practice celibacy which is to stay single and never marry? Because Jesus recommended it (see Matt 19:12). It is a rule of discipline that could change. 3:What are the reasonings of having statues and images in the church? To remind us of the historical events and people who changed the world, especially Jesus dying on the cross. 4:Why are Catholics forbidden to eat meat excluding fish on Friday? It is a shared sacrifice, a small one, that we make to grow stronger and more disciplined during the season of Lent. Most of us take on other disciplines during Lent. 5:Catholics, do you or do not claim to worship the pope? We do not. 6:Why do most non-Catholics claim that you moved the Sabbath to Sunday? This was a decision of the early church to celebrate on the day of the Resurrection. As Jesus taught, the Sabbath is made for man, not vice versa. 7:What is the claim that you worship Mary, you actually claim to venerate Mary. We venerate her as our greatest saint. We don't worship Mary. 8:What is the concept of infant baptism? It is in baptism that we are born again by water and the Spirit and become children of God. We want our children to be born again in infancy. 9:What are the conclusions that St Peter was the first Pope? Jesus appointed Peter as the first leader of the Church (see Matt 16:18), a position we now call pope. Cheers, Bruce

Answer 6

It's petty but sometimes you don't really need the cruelty. At any rate, I was Catholic for 27 years and I really don't hate that I was brought up Catholic. It actually led me to Buddhism. The biggest problem I had was that I never felt good enough. I never felt I could live up to the expectations and never felt like I could make up for my 'sins'. There were lots of rules but little spirituality. I needed more and I also needed less in terms of the bashing my spirit took but that's just me. My birth family are all practicing Catholics and don't go against the doctrines. My younger sister practices birth control (I guess that counts her out in terms of 'strong catholics') but that's about it.

Answer 7

lol, not petty at all. Not in my opinion anyway . . . . ;)

Crap. I don't have a real answer. Sorry.

Well, not that this is a real answer, but I find more people saying, "I was raised Catholic." So many of them in my experience are either ashamed to admit they are Catholic or are no longer practicing. I'm not saying this is the case worldwide, just with the folks I've met.

Answer 8

I differ with official church teachings when it comes to matters of sex and procreation. There are some points on which I agree and some points on which I can at least understand, if not agree... it all boils down to the church's views on sex and science, and while I appreciate its caution, I just don't always agree.

Answer 9

i consider myself a strong catholic because i will defend my faith until the end. But at the same time i beleive that our Father knows us and understands our circumstances thus i am pro-choice and i am for gay rights. and about blocking that user, good for you! hatred should be blocked and with that you open the flow of love! belssed be!!

Answer 10

LOL on the blocking!

As a Catholic, women priests and birth control are the biggest issue I hear about


I don't have any differences personally.