Catholics: what's the biggest problem you have encountered?

Question

is it hard for you to be Catholic? especially when others say we're not Christian? the other day somoene said that i was "the whore of Babylon"...

Answer 1

I know exactly what you're saying -- but nevertheless it's not important to me whether (or when) it's hard being Catholic. I don't like to hear the hateful things some people have to say about the Church, but if I'm going to be ridiculed and even despised for following Christ as a Catholic then so be it. I will defend my faith when I am able, pray for those who refuse to hear the truth, and gladly offer up any pain. I count it all joy, every bit of it.

Answer 2

Oh, yeah, I remember that "whore of Babylon" thing. It's not hard for me to be Catholic because of so-called "Christians" lack of knowledge and ignorance. In fact, they've made me a stronger Catholic, but I've always been stubborn like that. If anyone isn't doing the right Christian thing, it's those who judge, especially when they haven't got a clue.

Answer 3

I live in a State that's only 3% Catholic so I'm surrounded by a lot of people that don't understand or care to understand the faith. They just want to judge you right off the bat. The scariest thing happened about 2 years ago. There was this woman standing outside our parish w/ a sign that read something along the lines of you entering the house of Satan. She was wearing like a nuns outfit except it was completely white. When we walked up the church she screamed at us that we were going to hell and it was a house of Satan and we were going to be taken by demons. She scared the living crap out me. Then when church started she walked in the church screaming and ranting about the devil, hell, demons, you name it. They had to escort her out and the priest made us pray for her. I guess it was more traumatic to me cause I had a week old baby w/ me and I didn't know what this lady was going to do.

Answer 4

It is never hard for me to be Catholic because I know the true beauty of what the word entails. I also know that most people who say things about Catholicism that are hurtful is because they don't know what it is to be Catholic, don't know about the rich tradition and beauty in our Church and above all are missing out on the true presence of Jesus Christ himself.
So far be it to be called a "whore of Babylon" but remember that even she played an important role in who we are today and the finality of this role was Jesus Christ himself.
In the future if this person calls you this again, remind them that as a sister of Jesus Christ, able to touch him unlike you will ever know, accept your ignorance and invite you to find out the truth... come with me a see the true presence of Christ.
God bless and keep you always, and know and find solace in that Christ went through a lot more than just being a whore for you, carry your cross with dignity always.

Answer 5

The biggest problem I have encountered is that it is hard to get biblical materials (study books, devotionals, biblical encyclopedias) that incorporate our understanding of the bible.

Because we're the majority of the Christian world, you'd think publishers would cater to us. But they don't. Protestant translations always, with never a reference to the deuterocanonicals.

That's one good thing about a pilgrimage to a place like St. Anne de Beaupre. The stores there are always pro-Catholic.

Answer 6

I kid you not, I have had other "Christians" ask me to my face why good Catholic girls like me didn't whore themselves out to priests to save little boys from abuse. I was turned away from Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in college. I have had evangelical Protestant "friends" suddenly refuse to speak to me when they found out I am Catholic. It's difficult to be so misunderstood sometimes.

I wouldn't give up my faith for anything, though. I am *proud* to be part of the Body of Christ - the Church He established. When I worship my God and Savior, I feel such a connection to the generations of holy men and women who have gone before me and said the same prayers, worshipped in the same manner.

Let me state plainly (for the 5 billionth time) that we do not worship Mary or any of the other saints, but I'm very glad there is room in Catholicism for honoring strong, pious women in addition to our worship of a Deity traditionally and Scripturally given a masculine aspect. It is good to be reminded, I think, that God loves His daughters just as much as He loves His sons. I think this is an aspect of spirituality that our Protestant sisters sometimes miss out on, and I think it's sad that their pastors and ministers tell them that we are bad Christians for honoring the many different aspects of pious femininity alongside our worship of God and our respect for holy men.

Answer 7

The biggest problem I see is misconception being passed out like candy by those who have a personal agenda.

If someone truly is ignorant of what we believe, asks and receives an answer from us, then no longer perpetuates the lies, that is no problem.

It is those who keep telling us what we believe despite our explanations to the contrary, who are the problem.

Answer 8

it is hard to be a Catholic, especially to those practicing Catholic, but it's all worth it. the more protestants discredit the Catholic Church with lies, the more I am convinced that it is the one true Church, the one that has the fullness of truth.

Answer 9

Putting my faith in the Church and it's traditions.

Christianity is about living a Spiritual life with our living God, not about living a "religious" one. I've put my faith in Jesus Christ... our High Priest, Lord and King. He died so that we could have this relationship. To Him be all the power and glory forever.

Answer 10

The biggest problem I encounted being Catholic was the Catholic church itself.

Hence the reason I left the church. I can't stand by a church who helped Nazi's escape from Germany after WWII, deny the holocaust happend and allow/know/cover up multitudes of abuse from priests.