Reply #31: Wow, a post that is offensive, rude, ignorant and narrow-minded [View All]

[youngred]

Those are some pretty nasty slams you're tossing around in that first paragraph. You asked for an explanation of why i remain Catholic then call me a traitor or hypocritical based on a half truth misrepresentation of Catholicism and your own inability to see that someone might not fit a stereotype. That's impressive!

The Pope does not represent all Catholicsm - Protestant misconception
The Pope does not speak for God - He is a representative of God on earth (note a, not The)

I am not a sheep, I follow my own spiritual, political and social path. I sometimes agree with organizations of which I am a part, and sometimes not, but I retain my right to think freely, criticize, and work to change those organizations. Catholicism is very definitely there for me to define and change, since by being a part of it I have some say in what it is. The pope is Catholic, Does Jesus not speak for catholicism because he wasn't a Pope or even a Christian? How about St Francis. He was never Pope, but surely he had nothing to say about what it was like to be Catholic. Oscar Romero and Mother Teresa knew nothing and couldn't tell you what a Catholic is because they weren't Pope.

Who says the Catholic Church doesn't want my membership? I happen to belong to an extremely liberal community of Catholics, who are very welcoming of my presence. The Priest dines at my house, I see my fellow parishoners every sunday at Mass, and they aren't burning to kick me out for not following the parts of catholic teaching they disagree with.

As for Fear, that's the most bullshit, and stupid response. What would I have to fear leaving the church. If I felt it came to a point where all the bad made the good unsalvagable I would leave. If it stopped helping me along my INDIVIDUAL spiritual path i would leave. however I feel the church can and needs to be changed and running away from it isn't going to accomplish anything.

Why do you feel the need to bash? Is it Fear?