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  1. #1
    Garnett > Duncan sickdsm's Avatar
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    I'm a casual Lutheran (aren't all lutheran's?) and my fiancee is Catholic and much more religious (aren't all catholics?). I've said that i willl switch and i intend too. But the more and more i think about it, the more convinced I am that the Catholic faith is similar to a cult. I havn't took classes yet but i'm worried that if i question how i want to question the faith that there going to toss me out and say don't come back.


    I need someone to talk to about this without there being any repercussions.


    I don't believe in worshipping Mary, I think most priest are hypocrits that more than likely masturbate if there not preying on little boys, i don't believe in a priest being more important than me. They are there to help, there not in "power". Most catholics seem to almost worship the priests and they higher ups. I don't believe in the "rules" that this orgainzied religion brings. I'm on the straight and narrow much more than most people that are spewing out hail mary's yet if you dont go to church every single day your' not as important? Plus why the do I see the fathers that push there kids to go to church every week then see them sleeping? That's better than me going about my religious views from home but wholeheartedly? How come when you give your offering it goes elsewhere yet our small churchs stink like mothballs and are an eyesore?


    I know there's a few very smart religion scholars/catholics here and i'd like to talk to one.

    If anyone's up for it, PM me a phone number and i'll call sometime as i don't get on here that regular anymore.

  2. #2
    i hunt fenced animals clambake's Avatar
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    Why do you feel like you have to switch?

    Is this a requirement from your fiancee?

    Your statement of priest chasing little children should tell you to back away.

  3. #3
    Corpus Christi Spurs Fan Phenomanul's Avatar
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    Every religion will have its apparent extremes...

    A few comments:
    1) Not all priests are pedophiles...

    2) Not all Catholics 'worship' Mary...

    3) Religiousity (adherance to rules and doctrines) does not equate to spirituality (a connection with GOD). If you seek the latter, you will be better off.

    4) Fellowship with fellow members of the Body of Christ (the Church) should envelop you with support and encouragement, not prejudice or scorn.

    5) Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life, no man cometh to the Father except through Him. This clause should supercede any doctrine emanating from anyone not named GOD. Don't let anyone, juxtapose his position as a way of interrupting the connection between you and GOD. Christ died so that we could have a personal and direct relationship with GOD. Other men exist solely for the purpose of counsel.

  4. #4
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    I'm a casual Lutheran (aren't all lutheran's?)
    No.
    and my fiancee is Catholic and much more religious (aren't all catholics?).
    No
    I've said that i willl switch and i intend too. But the more and more i think about it, the more convinced I am that the Catholic faith is similar to a cult.
    You can make this argument regarding any religion/faith.
    I havn't took classes yet but i'm worried that if i question how i want to question the faith that there going to toss me out and say don't come back.
    You'll be pleasantly surprised how open, accepting and encouraging the people leading these classes will be to your questions and arguments.


    I need someone to talk to about this without there being any repercussions.
    I'd gladly discuss this, I'll be glad to PM you with a cell #.

    I don't believe in worshipping Mary, I think most priest are hypocrits that more than likely masturbate if there not preying on little boys
    A few bad apples ruined everyone's view on Catholic priests.
    i don't believe in a priest being more important than me.
    They don't either, I promise.
    They are there to help, there not in "power".
    Exactly.
    Most catholics seem to almost worship the priests and they higher ups. I don't believe in the "rules" that this orgainzied religion brings.
    No they don't. There are no "rules", that's the old testament.
    I'm on the straight and narrow much more than most people that are spewing out hail mary's yet if you dont go to church every single day your' not as important?
    Good for you, being on the "straight and narrow" is something preached by every religion. Catholic's aren't asked to go to church every day, just on Sunday's.
    Plus why the do I see the fathers that push there kids to go to church every week then see them sleeping?
    Because one day they will see an importance in going to church on Sunday's and slowly, over time, begin to understand and appreciate being involved each and every week.
    That's better than me going about my religious views from home but wholeheartedly?
    Are you really taking time out of your day to think about God? How about really reflecting about your family, loved ones, friends?
    How come when you give your offering it goes elsewhere yet our small churchs stink like mothballs and are an eyesore?
    Where do you want your offerings to go? Someone has to pay for everything. It's funny that you say that about mothballs though, I've often wondered why they all seem to smell like my grandparents house used too. It's most likely because the churches you've visited are old, and have had a lot of time to develop the smell. I recommend visiting a new catholic church, you'll find they smell and look just fine. Or go to an old Lutheran church, they probably smell like mothballs as well.

    I know there's a few very smart religion scholars/catholics here and i'd like to talk to one.
    That's the best thing you can do. And remember to keep an open mind all the time, your thoughts and beliefs aren't 100% right, and neither are their's. It's the same as when you go to church, not everyone is their for the right reasons, but are you their for the right reason is the only thing that matter. Everyone doubts, everyone criticizes, and everyone has their own opinions, the only thing that matters is YOUR relationship to God......

    If anyone's up for it, PM me a phone number and i'll call sometime as i don't get on here that regular anymore.
    Again, hit me up. I was born a Catholic and never really practiced the traditions until my girlfriend started making me. I went to the classes and did all that stuff and held (and still do to a certain extent) many of the doubts and frustrations you have regarding the Catholic church. Should you choose not to get a hold of me, my biggest piece of advice is this, go to church. If not for yourself, go for your fiance, it will make life much simpler for you............trust me.

  5. #5
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    definitely check out the classes before you make your judgement on the Church itself. I was also raised Catholic and do not currently attend any Masses, but your paragraph that starts with Mary worship seems to be based on tv/movie/Protestant assumptions and beliefs about the Church that are simply no longer true.

  6. #6
    The Sean Marks Dance Duff McCartney's Avatar
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    Because one day they will see an importance in going to church on Sunday's and slowly, over time, begin to understand and appreciate being involved each and every week.
    What is the importance of going to Church every Sunday?

    I don't think there is...as someone once said.."I go to my own church in my own mind."

    Nobody needs to go to a church period....I'm not religious or believe in god, but according to what is said about him, he is all power and all knowing and is everywhere....if he's everywhere, then why does a person have to go a building every sunday? I can just stay in my own building on sundays and have the same experience.

    Like I said I'm not religious, but I honestly don't see the difference between a church and my own home. The connection to god is beyond the physical, so it doesn't matter where you are or on what day you are on.

  7. #7
    Spurs Fan in AZ Samurai Jane's Avatar
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    Going to church has nothing to do with the building, its about celebration, fellowship, and learning.

  8. #8
    I can live with it JoeChalupa's Avatar
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    Once again the "cult" thing pops up again on Catholics.
    You won't find the answers you are looking for on an internet forum for the answers are within you and must find the answer on your own.

    Catholicism is like any other religion in the world. You will find all kinds of lvel of beliefs and practice.

    My wife is not Catholic but she goes to Mass with me all the time and we are raising our children as Catholics. But they also attend Baptists and other churches when invited.

    You will find all types of extreme answers on here since religion comes up a few hundred times a year.

  9. #9
    The Sean Marks Dance Duff McCartney's Avatar
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    Once again the "cult" thing pops up again on Catholics.
    You won't find the answers you are looking for on an internet forum for the answers are within you and must find the answer on your own.

    Catholicism is like any other religion in the world. You will find all kinds of lvel of beliefs and practice.

    My wife is not Catholic but she goes to Mass with me all the time and we are raising our children as Catholics. But they also attend Baptists and other churches when invited.

    You will find all types of extreme answers on here since religion comes up a few hundred times a year.
    I don't think the Da Vinci Code has helped much either. I don't totally believe the Da Vinci Code but I don't totally disagree with it either.

  10. #10
    The Sean Marks Dance Duff McCartney's Avatar
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    Going to church has nothing to do with the building, its about celebration, fellowship, and learning.
    What is there to celebrate that I can't celebrate anywhere? What is there to learn that I can't learn anywhere by readin the Bible?

  11. #11
    Garnett > Duncan sickdsm's Avatar
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    ^what I believe


    When is the last time you walked into a large catholic church and it was crappy? I've never had that happan. Old ladies diving into there retirement funds and they still have to have mass in a 1971 General Steel pole barn (literally) that smells and looks like 1971 still? I don't believe in the hierachy of the priests, deacons, etc.. The term hiearchy sp? leads one to believe that others are more important and, in the church's words "more connected with God" then us peons.


    How come i have to jump through "requirement" hoops to get married?

    I can't use a rubber but they teach me how to inside my wife when i know she can't get pregnant? That's a loophole if i've ever seen one.

  12. #12
    Spurs Fan in AZ Samurai Jane's Avatar
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    What is there to celebrate that I can't celebrate anywhere? What is there to learn that I can't learn anywhere by readin the Bible?
    We are celebrating our love of God and I prefer to do that amongst individuals that feel inclined to do likewise, whether it's at the church or at a park or whatever.

    If you actually take the time to read the Bible, I'd be interested in hearing what you have learned. However, most people recognize that there are limitations to what you can learn on your own. Often, you need a different perspective on things and you see things you never think of. Of course, why go to listen to a person who went to school for years and actually diligently studied the material and the background references, when you can sit there and try to figure it all out for yourself?

  13. #13
    Spurs Fan in AZ Samurai Jane's Avatar
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    By the way, I'm not Catholic, so I'm sorry I can't provide any information to you. I'm just pointing out that a church is not just a building. I personally don't go to church just to satisfy an obligation, although, unfortunately, alot of people do. Anyway, that's all. Sorry to interrupt..

  14. #14
    Alleged Michigander ChumpDumper's Avatar
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    It sounds like you'll resent your wife if you convert. Seems like a bad idea.

  15. #15
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    What is the importance of going to Church every Sunday?

    I don't think there is...as someone once said.."I go to my own church in my own mind."

    Nobody needs to go to a church period....I'm not religious or believe in god, but according to what is said about him, he is all power and all knowing and is everywhere....if he's everywhere, then why does a person have to go a building every sunday? I can just stay in my own building on sundays and have the same experience.

    Like I said I'm not religious, but I honestly don't see the difference between a church and my own home. The connection to god is beyond the physical, so it doesn't matter where you are or on what day you are on.

    The importance of going to church is that God sacrificed his only son so that the rest of us could be forgiven. In return, we are asked to sacrifice one hour of every week in return to thank God, celebrate God, reflect upon our own lives, and come together as a community.
    Having said that, I don't think there is anything wrong with not being religious or believing in something else, this is just what I choose to believe.

  16. #16
    Banned George W Bush's Avatar
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    Why don't you just pretend to be a Christian?

    Me and my party do it all the time,
    and it's worked out just fine.

  17. #17
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    ^what I believe


    When is the last time you walked into a large catholic church and it was crappy? I've never had that happan. Old ladies diving into there retirement funds and they still have to have mass in a 1971 General Steel pole barn (literally) that smells and looks like 1971 still? I don't believe in the hierachy of the priests, deacons, etc.. The term hiearchy sp? leads one to believe that others are more important and, in the church's words "more connected with God" then us peons.


    How come i have to jump through "requirement" hoops to get married?

    I can't use a rubber but they teach me how to inside my wife when i know she can't get pregnant? That's a loophole if i've ever seen one.
    The requirements aren't near as bad as you think. In fact, the "engaged encounter" weekend should be attended, in my opinion, by anyone getting married. They don't preach to you, in fact, God doesn't really come up all that often. It's just a way to talk about potential problems/issues that may come up and remind the two of you why you are getting married in the first place. Trust me, it's not what you think it is.

    Oh, and get over the hierarchy (sp) as well. It won't affect you in any way, shape or form. Remember, like any other form of Christianity, at the end of the day it's really only about love and that's about it.

  18. #18
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    It sounds like you'll resent your wife if you convert. Seems like a bad idea.

    Agreed, but if it makes her happy and makes life easier on you as well, I'd say do it anyway. Sure you might have to go to church hungover every now and again, but would you rather deal with that or argue over it all the damn time.

    Oh, and I find that church is a wonderful way of preparing me to scream at the television all day long during the games as well.

  19. #19
    Basketball Expertise spurster's Avatar
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    The difference between Catholics and Protestants is that Catholics have a Pope and Protestants don't. It's surprising Catholicism is not even stranger than it is given that Catholics have had Popes for so long.

    Once you have a sequence of authorities from before the Dark Ages whose pronouncements can't be questioned or changed except with great soul-searching and gut-wrenching, any outsider is going to find a lot of "tradition" difficult to accept.

    The Protestants have the opposite problem as they are all over the map.

  20. #20
    i hunt fenced animals clambake's Avatar
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    Something strange about a religion when a Pope protects priest that rape little boys.

  21. #21
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    if you're talking about infallibility, the pope isn't infallible most of the time. the main difference between (roman and eastern orthodox) catholics and protestants is that catholics believe in transubstantiation; i.e. the bread literally is jesus's body and the wine is jesus's blood, they're not just symbols

    Yes and no. Catholics believed that when Jesus said "this is the my blood" it actually turned into his blood etc. Today however, they are still symbols.

  22. #22
    i hunt fenced animals clambake's Avatar
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    I guess what that means is the congregation DOES condone this sort of criminality.

  23. #23
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    I guess what that means is the congregation DOES condone this sort of criminality.

    Yeah, you're right, I think I speak for everyone at my church when I say that I hope every priest is molesting children and getting away with it.

  24. #24
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    it's a sacrament -- a symbol that brings about what it symbolizes

    Thank you.

  25. #25
    I cannot grok its fullnes leemajors's Avatar
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    I guess what that means is the congregation DOES condone this sort of criminality.
    it means you are making re ed assumptions. is there any reason to believe that protestant ministers aren't molesting little boys in equal or greater numbers? it's easy to pick on catholic priests because they have taken a vow of celibacy and there is a central authority in the church.

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