Daydream

Once again, I would like to THANK everyone who responded to my questions. Everything has been helpful.
As of today, I am being frowned upon for refusing to attend a sun. mass with the family. I can understand (a little) their perspective, yet I feel like, if (or when I have in the past) complied with others feelings, I am (at the same time) denying my own personal beliefs. I am not a catholic, and I also do not support/believe in any churches. I honestly have not been very LOUD in my oppinions of this- because I don't want to deal with all the narrow-mindedness of those who will think me "evil" for not believing in "god." It is "easier" to keep my mouth shut, yet I feel it is (also) just a matter of time, until it is obvious. I do claim to be an agnostic to some, but lately I'm realizing that I (deep down) am a hard-core atheist. It is ironic that I spent most of my life being a loud, obnoxious "christian", and now I prefer to be a quiet, keep to myself atheist. For a while I had 2 conflicting worldviews, that were constantly at war with eachother. But now I feel at peace with myself, and the way that I veiw life. I have just started to "say out-loud" what I believe in, and it's been interesting to hear the responses coming from most of the people in my life (fundi- christians, and catholics.) In a way, I think that it would (almost) be easier, to be a very evil, mean discusting person- but still claim to believe in a "god", than to ever declare what I do now. This is all new to me, and it's great to be free to express my true feelings- AND to find others with similar thinking. Thanks!!

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Daydream ]</p>

daemon

Well, probably the easiest overview of the Roman Catholic Church would be the <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm" target="_blank">Catechism of the Catholic Church</a>.

However, you've asked a lot of very broad questions here that I'm unsure can be answered without more detail. If you've got some more specific questions, ask!

tronvillain

Well, I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school, and in many ways I prefer it to other forms of Christianity. It has a lot of traditions, but the central beliefs are essentially those of the rest of Christianty.

Pitshade

The easiest way to respond to this, is to ask, "Why should I believe Catholicism to be true?" If they don't understand, ask them what their reasons are for not believing in every other religion/idea. Obviously, a belief in something is never a default position, evidence must be provided that supports it. The burden of proof falls on them to show that Catholicism is true, not on you for not believing in it.

[ March 23, 2002: Message edited by: Pitshade ]</p>

pescifish

My suggestion is to avoid any discussions -- it probably wouldn't be that hard. If they ask, say "I was looking into the religion," which is not quite a lie, but I suspect will satisfy most Catholics. I grew up Catholic, went to Catholic school and had mostly good experiences in the church without being pressured to conform or challenge.

One of the things I like about Catholicism (at least where I grew up) is that you aren't forced into the whole community and social structure that alot of other christian churches focus on each Sunday. As a Catholic, people can choose to get involved with the parish or they can simply slip in, mumble their way through the mass and slip back out unnoticed, happily maintaining whatever beliefs they personally developed. I haven't met any Catholics compelled to witness if not invited and most would be satisfied with a noncomittal brush off like I suggested above.

Daydream

Thanks to everyone that answered some of my questions about Catholicism.
I guess that I am just a little confused about some things. Does Catholicism have ANY real Theology, or dogmatic doctrine? Like, what do they believe about communion? What do they believe about Salvation? Etc.. I have also never met a catholic that has tried to convert me, or preasure me into anything (which I really respect.) Most don't seem to care, except for a selective few (that I have met), who "don't approve of me not being a catholic." THOSE are the individuals that I have been "dealing" with lately. Like- when praying to "saints", is there ANY supporting "arguments" for doing this? Or is it just passed down mouth-to-mouth, with nothing to back it up. I obviously don't know much about it, and I have heard all the Fudie-christian arguments, but I have never heard any for catholicism. Does that make any sense?

daemon

The Catechism covers all of that. It's still linked in my previous post.
This is mostly due to a lack of emphasis on evangelism in the Catholic Church. Plus, most Catholics realize evangelism of the form favored by evangelical fundies is more annoying than persuasive.
The <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a9p5.htm" target="_blank">communion of saints</a> is part of the core of Catholic beliefs. As a semantic note, Catholics do not pray to saints, but rather through them.
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm" target="_blank">Read the Catechism!</a>

WJ

I was born and raised Catholic as well, school, marrage, etc.. Though I don't practice the faith as much, I approach my spirituality as more of a 'non denominational' walk. Attend other Churches, support Charles Stanley, fellowship, prayer, etc..

I will say, that the process of confession is a good one. It makes you do quite alot of introspection.

Walrus

Brian63

Welcome to the board Daydream!

If you're interested in a good intro into atheism and a justification for it, you can do no better (IMO) than Smith's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087975124X/qid=1017098784/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-6253929-9273723" target="_blank">Atheism: The Case Against God</a>.

There are other books that are more sophisticated than his, but you'll get the general feel of atheism from this book.

Cheers,

Brian

Amos

Hello Daydream

Catholicism is a mystery religion and if you don't ever want to have nightmares about God it is the best religion because Catholicism holds that "salvation must come like a thief in the night." This means that it has nothing to do with what you believe or why you believe what you believe . . . or it could not be like a thief in the night. Do you know what I mean by that? It means that you can't even have one eye asquint towards salvation and so your relatives are good Catholics . . . no matter what they believe.

Edited to add that I think your post is priceless and can't help wonder if your relatives are from Saskatchewan.

[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]</p>