Catholic Prejudice a serious thing

I feel like someone is trying to destroy my soul

from JoeUser Forums
Do you know what really pisses me off? Some people, even Christians, fail to follow Jesus's law of unconditional love and acceptance. Myself included, but some people on this blog site make me very perturbed. In my short life I have been called a bigot, even by people I know who are on this blog site who I know personally, idol-worshipper, etc. Some people on this blog site have almost open hatred of everyone else besides themselves, including dead musical artists, homosexuals (I am not against homosexuals, that is how God made them, but sex is supposed to be for a male and a female), and especially Catholics. You know exactly who you are. I believe that peace can come through understanding. Many people do not understand or are ignorant of Catholicism. I open this blog up to anyone who has a question, comment, etc. I expect criticism, but if someone just wants to be mean and attack me whatever I respond, I will delete your posts. I know questions will concern Mary the mother of God, (and no, we do not pray to Mary, we ask of her intercession, just like we ask the intercession of saints). I hope my limited theological knowledge wil answer any questions you have. If you want to learn more without asking me a question, I suggest the novel A Philadlephia Catholic in King Jame's Court in which an 18 year old Catholic defends his faith using the Bible and logic. So, feel free to post.
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5,308 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

Jesus, did not in fact ever say that he was "THE" son of god, but that he said he was "A" son of god.  It was interpralated in the King James Bible to read "the son of god". (that's actually what italics mean, that the words were changed in translation)  But the good news of the gospel is, in fact, that were are all sons of god, just like he was.  However politically he was pedistalized to as to maintain a standard authoritive religion.

?

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Is that a question, could you rephrase that?
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Many people do not understand or are ignorant of Catholicism


I couldn't agree with you more. I can't tell you the number of times that I have been told that I am going to burn in hell for not being Christian (hello--Catholics are Christians).

Good luck trying to education--it's a worthwhile pursuit (just remember that when you are getting frustrated!)
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I also agree. I am a Catholic with lots of friends who are atheists or agnostics. I an constantly teased for being Catholic by people who don't at all understand the religion. They also assume that because I am Catholic, I must be pro-life when it comes to abortion and I must hate gay people, neither of which is true.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I need someone to define "Catholic" for me because I hear a lot of things from people who claim to be Catholic that go against everything I learned about Catholicism. For instance, how can you be Catholic and not pro-life? I can understand not hating others. You can hate the sin but love the sinner.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
For instance, how can you be Catholic and not pro-life?


I'm going to defer to Catholics for Free Choice to answer this one:

Most people believe that the Roman Catholic church's position on abortion has remained unchanged for two thousand years. Not true. Church teaching on abortion has varied continually over the course of its history. There has been no unanimous opinion on abortion at any time. While there has been constant general agreement that abortion is almost always evil and sinful, the church has had difficulty in defining the nature of that evil. Members of the Catholic hierarchy have opposed abortion consistently as evidence of sexual sin, but they have not always seen early abortion as homicide. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the "right-to-life" argument is a relatively recent development in church teaching. The debate continues today.

Also contrary to popular belief, no pope has proclaimed the prohibition of abortion an "infallible" teaching. This fact leaves much more room for discussion on abortion than is usually thought, with opinions among theologians and the laity differing widely. In any case, Catholic theology tells individuals to follow their personal conscience in moral matters, even when their conscience is in conflict with hierarchical views.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
TARSIER
It is sad that people tend to judge without knowing the facts, isn't it? While there are things about the Catholic Church I do not agree with, there are things about many denominational things I don't agree with. But to say a person isn't a Christian because they are Catholic is just plain stupid. Protestants either forget or plain don't know that prior to the Reformation ALL Christians were Catholics or Jews.

Just more stupid denominational bickering. Even among Protestants there are those who say if you don't belong to OUR church you aren't saved. OUR'S is the only TRUE Church. These folks need to get real.

I have attended mass in Catholic Churches many times, especially in Italy and found it to be a beautiful thing. There are parts of the Catholic tradition I really enjoy and respect.

I would ask this question, as I have not taken the time to study the Catholic Church in depth; Where, in the bible does it say to ask Mary or the Saints to intercede for us instead of Jesus? This is not a pot-shot by any means. I am truly curious and would like to know this from a Catholic point of view.

Thanks for being willing to field a few honest questions. God Bless you.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
I need someone to define "Catholic" for me because I hear a lot of things from people who claim to be Catholic that go against everything I learned about Catholicism. For instance, how can you be Catholic and not pro-life?


I'm Catholic and pro-choice. Pretty much the only way I can explain is that my religion tells me that I believe in God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It doesn't tell me what to believe about abortion (okay, some people interpret the Bible in different ways and say that it does, but lets not get into that). What other Catholics (bishops, priests, etc.) in the Catholic religion believe about politics is not necessarily my view as well, but that doesn't mean I'm not Catholic. I base my opinions on the matter on other things, and if you want to know about that, there are other threads that discuss abortion.

Catholicism is different from other denominations and that's what makes me Catholic, not political views. It has some different traditions, celebrations, and beliefs. For example, most people don't know that the Catholic religion actually does not believe in the 7 day creation in the Old Testament or in Adam and Eve. Other denominations do and choose to take the Bible word for word.

~Molly
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
In my experience there are Catholics who are very traditional in their faith and practice and others who are more ecumenical. Sometimes it seems as if some Catholics venerate Mary more than Jesus. Other times it seems as if the statues in the church are more than just art but something that some people worship. This seems especially true in poor countries. Personally, I believe that Catholics are Christians, after all they were the first and only Christians until the reformation. On the other hand, there were many practices that weren't Christian and give Protestants a reason for thinking that Catholics have lost the faith of the early church.

How do you view Protestants?
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have no problem with Protestants, or with any other relgions really for that matter. I just don't necessarily agree with all of their beliefs. I don't really like that there are Christian denominations because I think, on a more simple level, its all the same thing. We all believe in the same God and Jesus, etc. The Protestant religions were mostly created for political reasons, which is why denominations are kind of annoying. However, I don't agree with a lot of the beliefs that the Protestant religions have, so I am Catholic.

~Molly
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am not prejudiced about any denomination or religion. I respect anyone who is true to their own beliefs. I have never understood the politics involved between denominations.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Why do so many Catholic priests bugger young boys?

This problem seems to involve a disproportionate number of Catholic Priests.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I havent been on in a while and havent responded to these as I should have. First off, I am Pro Life 100%, and not just because of the Catholic Church, that is my own belief. Second thing, we ask for intercession from Mary and the Saints for obvious reasons. First off, how is it not a good thing to have people praying for you, and since we believe in eternal life because Christ died for us, they are alive and try to help us, just like if I asked you to pray for me, same general concept. Next thing, some people think that we idolize statues and such, but it is just a symbol to help guide us. Some statues show Mary holding Jesus showing us the love for the Son of God. Is that wrong? You may see people praying BEFORE a statue, but they are not praying to it. It is just a constant reminder. And to Sir Peter, only a very small percentage of priests have been caught in the scandal in relation to the amount of Catholic Priests, but a lot of people try to destructure the Catholic Church any way possible. Yes, it is very wrong, a grave sin, and the amount of scandals are way too much for anyones comfort, but since the Church has human beings in it, it is obvious that there will be scandal. It is a really sad thing though,really sad. I hope that answers peoples questions.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks TARSIER. That helps me understand that a bit more. I appreciate the response.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Catholic for a Free Choice?

No such thing. If you support abortion, you are de facto excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Why do you think that there is a huge issue with John Kerry? Because he believes that he defines what it means to be Catholic, instead of the magisterum. Whenever politicians think they can dictate to the Vatican what to believe, it never turns out right. (See issues: slavery, Nazism, Communism, all of which the Vatican and individual bishops condemned)
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Catholic for a Free Choice? No such thing


um, ok...But it is an organization that exists in the US. Also, please re-read my post. The Vatican has never claimed Papal Infallibility with the abortion issue, nor has it declared when the fetus acquires a soul. However, catholic theology does tell people to follow their conscience on moral matters.

Do not be so arrogant as to think that you can tell me whether or not I am a Catholic. You have your opinion, I will have mine, but I will not stand for being judged by you or anyone else. And for the record, the comment about Kerry came from a Cardinal, not the Pope, and it is not Vacitan law.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am perfectly aware about "Catholics for a Free Choice" an organization which has lobbyed to remove the Permanant Status of the Vatican from the UN and wants churches to pay taxes.

I AM NOT TELLING YOU ANYTHING! Link Oh, snap, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is telling you that you cannot be pro-choice and Catholic.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh, snap, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is telling you that you cannot be pro-choice and Catholic


Sorry, that says *I* can't have an abortion and still be an member of the church, not that I can't be pro-choice. Giving others the choice and having an abortion are two different things. Nice try though, and please refrain from yelling.

I am perfectly aware about "Catholics for a Free Choice" an organization which has lobbyed to remove the Permanant Status of the Vatican from the UN and wants churches to pay taxes.


Um...I'm not sure where you are getting this from. Catholics for Free Choice deal with reproductive health issues.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm Catholic but I'm an oddity. I'm one of the very few who know that Pope John Paul II was in fact murdered. The Vatican is infested with Freemasons.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
R.I.G.H.T anyways, as you can see from my newest article, I am leaving, but continue to post because I might check back once in a while.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
That is like saying, "I do not murder Jews because they are Jews, although I will allow people to do so because it is their choice." To the Church, you are supporting murder! Hardly a position that the Church supports.

Link

Perhaps you did not read the whole of the section of the Catechism, but allowing abortion, or the right to choose, is allowing murder.

For more reading on Catholics for a Free Choice:

Link

 Finally, another comment on the founder of the CFFC, which has been denounced by the Vatican and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as not representing the Church...Link
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
That is like saying, "I do not murder Jews because they are Jews, although I will allow people to do so because it is their choice." To the Church, you are supporting murder! Hardly a position that the Church supports.


I disagree. And yes, it is possible to be Catholic AND pro-choice because I am.

First of all, It is not the same thing. I personally am pro-life because I would never have an abortion; HOWEVER, looking at this is the eyes of the government or just anyone else in society, I think people should have the choice, so I am pro-choice. I believe in a strong separation of church and state.

And second, I think you have a skewed definition of what being Catholic really means. As I just stated, I believe in a strong separation of church and state. Being Catholic does not mean I sit by and let the Pope and other Catholic people decide my opinions for me. Only I can do that. Being Catholic means I have Catholic religious views. My political views are decided by me and me alone. I realize that the entire country is not Christian, so I prefer to look at things in the eyes of the government, where everyone's view should matter. Relgion doesn't factor in.

So if you want to talk about Catholic prejudice, this is what it is. People assume what my opinions must be because some other Cathoilc people beileve that. Its the same as the white people who assume all Mexicans or Blacks or whatever are in gangs.

~Molly;)
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
See, in heart I agree with you. The Church is especially cautious these days not to be polemical. I also believe in the separation of church and state, insofar in that one religion should not be established. Abortion cuts across religious grounds though, with Mormons, Evangelicals, Catholics, Jews, Muslims opposing it. Yet, I find it strange about how people are so presumptive in stating that they can decide on what it means to be Catholic. I wonder how this came about.

The Catechism says that abortion is such a serious offense that makes the person de facto excommunicated. The objective nature of the Sacraments (basically outlined by St. Thomas Aquinas) that they provide actual grace upon the person makes me wonder how, when the teaching of the Church is so clearly defined, can one consider themselves Catholic and pro-choice? It seems that you either choose Ceaser or Christ (that is, assuming you acknowledge the teaching authority of the magisterum).

What I do not think the separation of church and state should entail is the closeting of religious faith. The government becomes a tyranny when it tells its citizens what they can, or cannot, think or believe. This wonderful thing called democracy should allow the freedom of religious belief and practice. I certainly do not think that Dr. King should have been silenced because he was a reverend, nor JPII because he was priest. In my mind, religions usually serve as a counter-cultural force. A force that limits the artbritrary power of government.
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am not against homosexuals, that is how God made them, but sex is supposed to be for a male and a female


That has to be the funniest thing I've ever read.