I'm leaving the Catholic church. any insight?

Question

I've decided to do so, because none of the questions I have ever get answers. Every homily keeps telling me to just "be faithful". What's that supposed to mean!?? I'm trying to figure out why there are wars with a "loving god" and why "the Crusades" were fought. why only men can be Priests. and none of these questions are ever answered. not at church, not in the bible, nowhere. I still have a firm belief in god, but religion Isn't doing it for me anymore. any Insight into why I would ask these questions, or Why i shouldn't leave?

Answer 1

Hate to be technical here, but------
If you do leave a belief, you need to write a letter stating such to the church you was confirmed. And, or, the one that has your current records. State you want your intentions and wishes recorded.

Just one of those little things, -------that really isn't so little.

Answer 2

Medieval battles fought from the close of the 11th century through the 13th were engaged for a variety of motives, but they were, for the most part, wars over religion. The Catholic Church sought to harness both the knights' energy and martial skills-and found a role for them in the church's structure of society as protectors. Rules were formulated under which a "just war" could be fought and enlisted the knights to fight for them in the Crusades.

Eight crusades were fought; the first, called by Pope Urban II, taking place between 1096-1100 under the command of Godfrey de Bouillon, Raymond of Toulouse and Bohemund of Tantrum. More than 5,000 knights, joined by thousands of other soliders, peasants, men, women and children, marched eastward with the battle cry Deus Vult (It is God's Will). Few knew anything about the difficult climate awaiting them in the Holy land, and many died along the way from disease, thirst and hunger. The first Crusade was successful for the West, but they would only hold the territory for a century before being repelled by Muslim forces.

Subsequent crusades never had the success of the first, and thousands of people perished on both sides of the battlefields. The victory of the first Crusade may have been a fluke, as the Christian army arrived in the Middle East at a time when Muslim armies were at an all-time weak point.

Later crusades were fought against Turks who were trying to destroy what was left of the Byzantine Empire, but these failed as well. Other battles, fought in Spain, and Germany would prove to be more successful.

One of the positive effects of the crusades were the advances in medicine that knights saw in their Arab and Persian opponents and brought back to Western Europe.

Remember- these decisions were made by men in the name of God. God did not declare war.

This was a time when Christianity was fairly new and becoming a political force.

Men are priests because the apostles were men.

I can tell you that if you were raised Catholic, it will always be with you. Study about it. Don't relay on homilies or church services only.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear this. I can sympathize with being fed up with the warm-feeling kind of "Catholic" messages being taught from the pulpit these days.

War, just like all suffering, is redemptive. A primer on the theology behind this can be found here: http://www.fisheaters.com/offeringitup.html

As for the Crusades, each one was fought for a different reason, even though all had to do with fighting back the Turks' imperialistic take-over of the Holy Land and intended take-over of Europe. The politics surrounding each one are complicated. I can guide you to primary sources if you want to contact me.

The best thing I can do to explain the reason why only men can become priests is to guide you to this article: http://www.lumengentleman.com/content.asp?id=147.

Here Jacob Michael explains why a woman, qua woman, has a soul that is ontologically incapable of receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders--much as a man has a reproductive system that is ontologically incpable of becoming inpregnated.

Answer 4

Whether you stay or leave is between you and God. I will pray that God will guide to the proper choice.

Lets see what we can do about a couple of your questions.

+ Why does a loving God allow suffering to exist? +

Many people have asked the questions like:
Why does God allow wars?
Why was this person born blind?
Why is this person crippled?
Why can't this couple have children?

These are some of the mysteries about which humans have been asking God for answers since the beginning of time.

Even Job, a just man, asked God why were so many bad things happening to him.

I am not wise enough to answer this question but Pope John Paul II wrote a beautiful letter called Salvifici Doloris, On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris_en.html

+ The Crusades? +

Muslim armies had conquered much of northern Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Spain, which had been some of the most heavily Christian areas in the world.

Thousands, and possibly millions, of Christians died during this drive to eventually bring the entire world under Islam.

The First Crusade was launched in 1095 by Pope Urban II to check the advance of the Muslims and regain control of the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

I am sure that some atrocities were committed by both sides during this war but by most people's judgment this was a just war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Crusade

+ Women Priests? +

The Catholic Church currently teaches:

The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.

The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.

For more information see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1577: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3.htm#1577

+ With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 5

Will you take answers instead?
Jimmy, so sorry to hear that you plan on leaving the Catholic Church :( It's good to ask questions. You may be of the same generation as me- very poorly catechized in our faith. I left the church, searched around, and finally returned and have found answers and peace! Start with praying for faith. Ask Our Blessed Mother to help. One Hail Mary every day. Visit a church, not during Mass, and sit and pray in the stillness. Answers will not come right away, but you'll be lead if you allow yourself to be. Share your thoughts and heart with God.

My adult education has been largely by self instruction. There are so many websites out there that will answer your questions. Try www.catholic.com (great for answers on the Crusades and for apologetics-why we do what we do as Catholics- why confession, why male only priesthood,etc.), www.ewtn.com (great Q&A section), www.saint-mike.org (Q&A- great moderator- straight shooter), www. catholicexchange.com (daily articles), also www.renewalministries.net (listen to the archives of the radio shows- great encouragement and practical information on our faith. It's the fifteen minute equivalent of a great homily on the days readings.)

Maybe you're asking these questions because you're searching for the truth and meaning of things, of life. There are answers and you can find them without giving up your faith. You're struggling, but don't throw in the towel. Don't give up. I will pray for you.

Answer 6

Have you ever read the The Teachings of Christ Himself manifested through the magistarium of the Catholic Church. Its called the Catachism. Our heavenly Father loves you so much that maybe He is directing you to find the answers on your own to come to a deeper understanding of who and what God is. Love is a decision that has to be made on your part Love Him with your whole heart mind and strength. This is not a reason to leave the only true faith

Answer 7

I'm not saying you shouldn't leave the Catholic church, but why would you consider it necessary to leave the body of Christ (the true church)? There are answers to be found to the questions that you raise. I raised plenty myself as a new Christian, but stayed connected to some good teachers and found some satisfying answers eventually. But patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and unless you have sought the Spirit it is no surprise that you have found the "church" experience unsatisfying. Stick with it and study the Bible for yourself.

Answer 8

V. Women in the Priesthood
http://scripturecatholic.com/the_priesthood.html

Women and the Priesthood
http://www.catholic.com/library/Women_and_the_Priesthood.asp

APOSTOLIC LETTER ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html



CATHOLIC APOLOGETIC SITES:

The One True Church by Fr. Damen (1815-1890)
http://home.inreach.com/~bstanley/damenchu.htm

Scripture Catholic
http://scripturecatholic.com/index.html

Catholic Answers
http://www.catholic.com/

The Theological Works of Fr. William G. Most (an excellent site!)
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/most/

The Catholic Treasure Chest
http://home.inreach.com/~bstanley/

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/index.cfm

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm

Catholic Doctrinal Concordance
http://www.infpage.com/concordance/

Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html

The Holy See (God's Home Page)
http://www.vatican.va/

The Holy Bible
http://www.awmach.org/BDY/dochome.htm

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/index.htm

Catholic Prophecy & the End Times
http://www.call2holiness.org/era-of-peace.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/era-of-peace/

(See the LINKS & MESSAGES sections of the above site.)

Answer 9

If you are not being adequately fed spiritually at your current Catholic parish, go to another parish. The Fullness of Truth resides in the Holy Catholic Church. Do not be deceived by false, man-made religions.

Answer 10

You CAN find all those answers, in an RCIA class, in private meetings with a priest, in studying various historical books. So I don't think you've tried very hard. Sounds like you've spent more time stewing about your misgivings than trying to find real answers to your real questions.

I hope you won't go until you've at least actually tried to get the answers you need.

Answer 11

It seems that you don't look for answers, as you don't say anything about that. If you want to be answered, you're going to have to put a little effort into that. We like to call it "private study and devotion"

There are many many many resources (which I will list) that can answer your questions, you just gotta put a little elbow grease into it.

And believe me, after 2000 years of having and interpreting Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and holy Saints, I think the Church might have a clue when it comes to matters of faith and morals.

I pray that you stay, but it is ultimately your decision.