Know anyone who has left CATHOLICISM? (Buddhism, presbyterian, churches, preacher) - - City-Data Forum

REFORMED · 07-20-2008, 10:01 PM

Have you, or anyone you know, LEFT the Catholic religion? If so, please explain reasoning....

Reason being, I know quite a few Catholics who say they are Catholic, but absolutely do not believe in Catholicism (or it's teachings) based on several doctrinal and/or personal issues.

Your story-----???

skbs · 07-21-2008, 06:15 AM

My sister is Catholic... baptized Catholic (once you are baptized Catholic you are always Catholic unless you are excommunicated)... but she does not practice...

She practices Buddhism I believe... but we do not really discuss it. She doesn't like the "Catholic Guilt" as she calls it. Not that I am the one guilting her... It is her choice... but she feels the the Church creates guilt for its members... keeping them in line...- her opinion not mine.

studedude · 07-21-2008, 07:09 AM

I left the Catholic church as a teen. I was too busy for church. While in the service I met a cute blond preachers daughter. Her deal was if I wanted to take her out on Sat night I had to pick her up and take her to church on Sun. As I observed her life and the lives of several of my friends, in the service, I saw that they had a deep faith in a God who I had not previously been introduced too. I learned that works are the result of salvation not the reason for it.

Long story short. As a result of a very interesting conversation with an old Priest, in a coffee shop, I came to this conclusion. I was taught to answer questions about God and the church. If I was told I needed to believe it I somehow missed that part. My Catholic training was like studying for a test. During my confirmation study we were told if the Bishop asked us a question we better know the answer.

Now, a Baptist minister, I still have trouble with some of their teaching but agree with much of it and look forward to spending an eternity with some of my friends from both churches. The use of the word some is intentional. I cannot know anyone's heart but mine.

PS The cute blonde and I will celebrate out 39 anniversary this Sept.

MICoastieMom · 07-21-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skbs

(once you are baptized Catholic you are always Catholic unless you are excommunicated)

I am not so sure about that, my family is not Catholic, but my brother, who was born in a Catholic hospital and not expected to live, was taken with my parents permission to the chapel and baptized. Our church recognizes Catholic baptism, he was raised, confirmed and practices as an Episcopalian.

My husband was raised Catholic, he refused to be confirmed and quit attending church because he was unhappy about certain changes being made in the liturgy. He was confirmed into the Episcopal faith after we married, and does not consider himself to have ever truely been Catholic. We have any number of lapsed Catholics and former born-again Christians who attend our parish, and in fact, in the 20 years I have been attending at least six of them have felt truely called to serve and have either completed divinty school or are in the process.

Some years back a friend of the family who was Catholic found himself in a very difficult situation. His wife, who had been cheating on him, divorced him so she could get re-married to her boyfriend. He was the one who was made to feel like a pariah and no longer welcome by the very church he looked to for comfort and solace. He was understandably bitter, and although he did not join, and still considered himself Catholic, he began to attend services with us, where he felt welcomed and completely at ease. His final request was for our vicar to act as his interim priest, and he was buried out of the Episcopal church in the Protestant cemetary.

Oakback · 07-21-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studedude

I left the Catholic church as a teen. I was too busy for church. While in the service I met a cute blond preachers daughter. Her deal was if I wanted to take her out on Sat night I had to pick her up and take her to church on Sun. As I observed her life and the lives of several of my friends, in the service, I saw that they had a deep faith in a God who I had not previously been introduced too. I learned that works are the result of salvation not the reason for it.

Long story short. As a result of a very interesting conversation with an old Priest, in a coffee shop, I came to this conclusion. I was taught to answer questions about God and the church. If I was told I needed to believe it I somehow missed that part. My Catholic training was like studying for a test. During my confirmation study we were told if the Bishop asked us a question we better know the answer.

Now, a Baptist minister, I still have trouble with some of their teaching but agree with much of it and look forward to spending an eternity with some of my friends from both churches. The use of the word some is intentional. I cannot know anyone's heart but mine.

PS The cute blonde and I will celebrate out 39 anniversary this Sept.

God willing, this papist looks forward to it too

Miss Blue · 07-21-2008, 01:38 PM

My mother was ex-comminicated when she married my dad because he was a Presbyterian and absolutely refused to have his children raised catholic..I always sorry for mom, because in moments of great sorrow as she feared for the life of my brother after an accident, she wept as she said the imaginary rosary in her hands..

Oakback · 07-21-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue62

My mother was ex-comminicated when she married my dad because he was a Presbyterian and absolutely refused to have his children raised catholic..I always sorry for mom, because in moments of great sorrow as she feared for the life of my brother after an accident, she wept as she said the imaginary rosary in her hands..

Blue, that's so sad.
I hear many horror stories, and can't help to believe that in many cases some hard a**ed preist made a bad call.

Towhee · 07-21-2008, 02:04 PM

I know several members of the church of Christ that were raised Catholic. They have been faithful members now for several years.

Miss Blue · 07-21-2008, 02:05 PM

Oak, that was many many years ago..I imagine some things have changed in the church now..My mom did attend church during her married life though and took us kids also..The churches we attended were the ones within walking distance when we lived in town and whichever one a neighbor offered to give us a ride to when we lived in the country..She and we children though were forbidden by dad to attend any Catholic Church nearby. But during the summers when we visited my moms mother who was a devout Catholic she took us to mass..Anyway, I am grateful that I was exposed to so many different churches during my childhood..I think it makes one more respectful and understanding of the many different ways people worship the same God.

cpg35223 · 07-21-2008, 02:07 PM

My wife was Catholic. When we got engaged, before discussing it with anybody else, I told her that I wouldn't convert to Catholicism. I was Episcopalian, and I wasn't changing. And if we wanted to split our time between the two churches that would be fine by me. Then we could decide how to baptize the children.

As it turned out, my wife preferred the Episcopal church and made the decision for us. Her mother was absolutely furious, and nearly boycotted our first child's baptism. As it was, she made an ass of herself during the liturgy by flinging the Book of Common Prayer down the pew.

14 years later, they've finally accepted it. In fact, during my daughter's confirmation, they actually came to the communion rail for a blessing by the bishop.

As for my wife, leaving the Catholic church was her decision, not prompted by me in any way. In fact, when she made the decision to convert, I challenged her, asking if she was just doing it for me. I would have rather her be happy in her own faith than be unhappy in the Episcopal church. However, she loves the Episcopal church, serves in it more than I do, and recently told me that she'd never go back to Catholicism.