So what kind of Roman Catholic are (were) you?

[DevilDave]

A lot of people consider themselves to be Roman Catholic, but just as in every other Christian church and denomination, and every other religion there are certainly degrees to which one considers themself an "active" or "participating" Catholic.

I'm just curious to see what degree people who can say "I am (or was) a Catholic" would consider themselves... and why. I'm interested to hear from all: those who have been going to church since they were kids; those who might have converted to Catholicism; those who were or have become disillusioned with the church over individual issues, scandals or just plain boredom. I don't expect all of the choices above to reflect ALL points of view, but I thought it'd be a start at least.

As for me, I grew up in a fairly conservative Catholic household and I still go to church every Sunday. In general, I agree with most of the things I hear during Sunday homilies/sermons as opposed to disagreeing. I'm happy with the church I'm going to. I'll do special prayers or novenas from time to time but I rarely ever say a rosary.

I'm quite liberal in that I don't fall lockstep with everything that has been issued in Papal decrees. I don't like abortion and don't think it should be government funded, yet you won't hear me campaigning to overturn Roe v. Wade. I'm definitely against the death penalty. Other aspects of the church's message, like about social justice and equality are very appealing to me.

Let me emphasize that as per the forum guidelines, this thread SHOULD NOT become a slagging match between "different degrees" of Catholics. Just because I'm a regular Sunday Mass-goer doesn't mean I'm gonna try to tell someone to "repent and get your a$$ back to Sunday Mass... or else you're going to HELL." We're all different people under one big tent. Nor should this become a thread for Catholic-bashing nor for Catholics to bash people of other faiths. There are a lot of other Web sites and forums where that's allowed, but not here.

[MikeLastort2]

I was born and raised Catholic, went to parochial school from 1st-12th grades (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grade School followed by Bishop Guilfoyle High School). Back then I went to Mass at least once a week on Sundays. As an altar boy (from 4th through 12th grade) I had to go to Mass every morning for a week about once every other month.

I'm not religious today, but my parents are, and my sister and her husband are raising their three sons in the Church.

[Riz]

DevilDave, I'm very much in the same boat as you. I consider myself a progressive Catholic, more prone to question what comes out from the Vatican than to accept it fully on face value with no thought or consideration to its implications.

[DoctorD]

In my experience, as many people who leave the Catholic church for whatever reason go to more "conservative", fundamentalist churches as the number who go to more "liberal" chruches.

[DevilDave]

In my experience, as many people who leave the Catholic church for whatever reason go to more "conservative", fundamentalist churches as the number who go to more "liberal" chruches.

Definitely. From my experience, one of the many reasons this happens is people are seeking a more "Bible-centered faith."

There was a time while I was in college when I was a bit frustrated with the general lack of Bible knowledge of your average Catholic. Just for kicks I actually wasn't rude to Jehovah's Witnesses for a month and I studied the Bible with them. Of course, the tone of their preaching got decidedly anti-Catholic, so I chose one day to not open the door.

A lot of Catholic churches now offer some kind of Bible study programs. Not a lot of people take advantage of it, though, and there's still this perception that the Church discourages people from reading the Bible, and only digest the readings at Mass (as I believe may have been the case prior to the Second Vatican Council). I'd like to think my years spent in a Catholic high school gave me a bit more knowledge about the Bible than your average Catholic, but I don't read it as often as I'd like.

[fiddlestick]

There wasn't a time during my 12 years of Catholic schooling that my father didn't work 60 hours a week and my mother had less than 2 jobs so they could afford to send my sister and I to Catholic school.

They got a letter in the mail my junior year that told them that they weren't giving enough in the offering every Sunday, so my tuition was going to have to go up to make up for it.

Haven't been to mass since.

[vivzig]

"Cultural" Catholic, only in that Catholicism was a big elephant that nobody mentioned too much except to say how much it sucked. Both parents went to parochial school. Dad spent two years in Catholic seminary. Mom still feels the guilty though. I was never baptized by a priest. Go on Christmas and Easter on occasion.

[dj43]

In my experience, as many people who leave the Catholic church for whatever reason go to more "conservative", fundamentalist churches as the number who go to more "liberal" chruches.
I saw a survey last year (and I can't for the life of me recall where it was) that showed that indeed, the largest growth in religious organizations is in more conservative ones as opposed to more liberal ones. One of the internal questions involved the idea that people expect their "religion" to change their life, not just give them a pat on the back and send them merrily on their way.

[MikeLastort2]

I saw a survey last year (and I can't for the life of me recall where it was) that showed that indeed, the largest growth in religious organizations is in more conservative ones as opposed to more liberal ones. One of the internal questions involved the idea that people expect their "religion" to change their life, not just give them a pat on the back and send them merrily on their way.

Haven't you previously stated that you are not Catholic?

The Catholic church does not just give people a pat on the back and send them merrily on their way.

[dj43]

In my experience, we could substitute just about any religion for Roman Catholic and have a similar discussion with people who were raised in a religious home environment.

While many young people remain true to their childhood teachings, others wander away from what they were taught as a child for a host of reasons; teenage rebelliousness, other interests, you name it.

The interesting thing is that while many will cite experiences that led them away from their church, and hold those out as a primary excuse for no longer attending, most do not forget the teachings, and, while not professing that religion, still are influenced by the positive things they learned. And ultimately, many of those will come to realize they allowed bad behavior by humans to detract them from the higher calling their religion offered and return to an outward profession of those beliefs. That was certainly the case in my life and many others with whom I have come in contact over the years.

[MikeLastort2]

In my experience, we could substitute just about any religion for Roman Catholic and have a similar discussion with people who were raised in a religious home environment.

While many young people remain true to their childhood teachings, others wander away from what they were taught as a child for a host of reasons; teenage rebelliousness, other interests, you name it.

The interesting thing is that while many will cite experiences that led them away from their church, and hold those out as a primary excuse for no longer attending, most do not forget the teachings, and, while not professing that religion, still are influenced by the positive things they learned. And ultimately, many of those will come to realize they allowed bad behavior by humans to detract them from the higher calling their religion offered and return to an outward profession of those beliefs. That was certainly the case in my life and many others with whom I have come in contact over the years.
From the post that started this thread:

I'm just curious to see what degree people who can say "I am (or was) a Catholic" would consider themselves... and why. I'm interested to hear from all: those who have been going to church since they were kids; those who might have converted to Catholicism; those who were or have become disillusioned with the church over individual issues, scandals or just plain boredom. I don't expect all of the choices above to reflect ALL points of view, but I thought it'd be a start at least.
And

Let me emphasize that as per the forum guidelines, this thread SHOULD NOT become a slagging match between "different degrees" of Catholics. Just because I'm a regular Sunday Mass-goer doesn't mean I'm gonna try to tell someone to "repent and get your a$$ back to Sunday Mass... or else you're going to HELL." We're all different people under one big tent. Nor should this become a thread for Catholic-bashing nor for Catholics to bash people of other faiths. There are a lot of other Web sites and forums where that's allowed, but not here.
Are you or are you not a Catholic?

If you are not, why do you feel it necessary to comment in this thread?

[dj43]

Haven't you previously stated that you are not Catholic?

The Catholic church does not just give people a pat on the back and send them merrily on their way.

You are correct. I am not a Catholic. I was making a general (somewhat off topic) response to that particular post.

I do agree with you that Catholic theology is not "a pat on the back and on your way."

My general comment would apply more aptly to any denomination which appears to be changing the rules, lowering the standards if you will, in order to appeal to a larger number of people as opposed to holding up God's truth. If one is to believe there is a god, and that god sets the rules, then humans are acting out of foolishness to think they can change God's rules. Now if one doesn't believe there is a god, then you can just set the standards by a vote of the population and go from there.

[MikeLastort2]

You are correct. I am not a Catholic. I was making a general (somewhat off topic) response to that particular post.
Why are you posting in this thread?

I do agree with you that Catholic theology is not "a pat on the back and on your way." However, that is not the way it plays out for many. The idea that one can go to confession, say 20 Hail Marys and all is good again, appears to me to have the same effect.
Why are you bashing the Catholic church?

Now this is, once again, looking at the abuse and not the use, as that is not what a true believer would do.
Why are you commenting on Catholic doctrine?

My general comment would apply more aptly to any denomination which appears to be changing the rules, lowering the standards if you will, in order to appeal to a larger number of people as opposed to holding up God's truth. If one is to believe there is a god, and that god sets the rules, then humans are acting out of foolishness to think they can change God's rules. Now if one doesn't believe there is a god, then you can just set the standards by a vote of the population and go from there.
Why are you posting in this thread?

This is not the first time I've seen you post anti-Catholic stuff in the P&CE forum. Please stop doing it.

[dj43]

Why are you posting in this thread?


Why are you bashing the Catholic church?


Why are you commenting on Catholic doctrine?


Why are you posting in this thread?

This is not the first time I've seen you post anti-Catholic stuff in the P&CE forum. Please stop doing it.
note my edit. sorry.

[MikeLastort2]

note my edit. sorry.

Thank you.

[Solid444]

You are correct. I am not a Catholic. I was making a general (somewhat off topic) response to that particular post.

I do agree with you that Catholic theology is not "a pat on the back and on your way."

My general comment would apply more aptly to any denomination which appears to be changing the rules, lowering the standards if you will, in order to appeal to a larger number of people as opposed to holding up God's truth. If one is to believe there is a god, and that god sets the rules, then humans are acting out of foolishness to think they can change God's rules. Now if one doesn't believe there is a god, then you can just set the standards by a vote of the population and go from there.

Do you guys mind if i respond to this guys post, because he is way off, however i dont want to take this somewhere where you guys dont want the thread to go?

[christopher d]

As long as you've read the other posts and aren't duplicating, knock yourself out :)

[DevilDave]

Do you guys mind if i respond to this guys post, because he is way off, however i dont want to take this somewhere where you guys dont want the thread to go?

Well I was hoping this could be an informative (and possibly therapeutic) thread for current and former Catholics, but the above exchange seems to have already taken the thread well on and beyond my original intent. :(

So knock yourself out. Personally, I am sort of wondering what the Catholic church and others have done to "change God's rules."

Historically, there are a lot of instances where the Catholic Church and its leadership had wandered well off the moral road. However, I wouldn't still be a practicing Roman Catholic if I had a lot of beefs with the current incarnation of the Church.

[Sempre]

A very bad Catholic. That's for sure.

[Shabs]

Was born and raised a Christmas and Easter Catholic. Went to parochial HS. From then until early 20's, went to mass occasionally, more than rest of family.
Always had questions about church and faith. One day, very soon after my 1st sexual encounter, realized that if I said the act of contrition at confession, notably "...I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more and avoid near occasions of sin...", it'd be insincere, as there was no way I wasn't going to try not to have sex again. So I stopped going to confession and taking mass. Upon much observation after this, I realized that a good majority of catholics around me were probably as insincere in confessing as I would have been, they just didnt give it any real thought. In which case, would they really be forgiven? This led to a slew of introspection of my faith, and faith and religion in general. Read the bible in its entirety. I'm now agnostic.