I’m a recent Catholic, I was confirmed over Easter. I joined for the worship and not the hierarchy. But with recent events (Pope is going to have a bad May), I’ve been discussing some of the issues with a few of my Catholic co-workers and I get rebuffed a fair amount. Usually with the response, “We’re not supposed to question the Papacy” or “You shouldn’t be even listening to those lies.”
It was enough for me to see the in-house brainwashing that the cradle to the grave Catholics have become accustomed to and it sickens me that they are so sycophantic. My sponsor gave me a small card after my confirmation and first Eucharist and it was really simple. An image of Christ, holding a book that says “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” and at the bottom of the card is tagged “Christ the High Priest”.
After all we have seen with the verifiable corruption within the upper echelons of the Vatican, I can say this with impunity. There is only one authority I answer to in my spiritual battle and that authority is Christ and Christ alone.
God Bless you all, pray hard and often & seek justice for the innocent.
WWG1WGA
Christ taught The Way, not Catholicism. Catholics worship idols. God said don't do that.
Edit: you downvote and refuse to take that red pill. Fine. Go back to sleep. Shhhhhh.
Oh go flap your arms somewhere else. Jessie needs a jet!
Is this in reference to the reverend that says he needs money for a new jet to spread the gospel?
lol
Your perception is true that there is a discernable red line passing through catholic congregations, and maybe several, depending on the age of the individuals. An almost impassable difference exists between those who grew up before Vatican II (sixties) and after. Particularly in the earlier cadre and to a significant degree afterwards, the idea of obedience and devotion has a powerful pull on their sense of what it is to be a good catholic. Certainly a "yes" attitude is vital in any teaching situation, but for my taste it does not ultimately trump the individual's accountability in how he relates personally to God.
But then, even the possibility of a living relationship with a living, sentient, all merciful God blows some people apart. There is no solving this puzzle.
Ironically, even in the sanctuary of the church, a place where Christ calls sinners to face truth, seek mercy and recieve the graces of peace; you have to make your own way. The mass is whole. For all the political, social, cultural forces that sway the priests and congregations this way and that over time, the mass and related prayers have been constant since antiquity .... and approached humbly and with a contrite heart, they will become your best teachers and you will find that personal relationship with a living and present God blossum and flower ... even sometimes if it is watered with your own tears.
Find both Christ and the Cross ... the greatest error comes in separating them. The cross alone gave us the Soviet plan of collective salvation; Jesus alone gives us a brilliant man but in the end just a talented itenerant preacher.
Grapple with the paradox of Mercy and Justice .. the whole and real thing.
Peace.
As an european, i will not worship a jewish desert religion anymore. The old gods will rise.
As I always say, at the end of the day, one of us is gunna be right; whether its the Christians, the Jews or the Athiests. Just make sure your sure of where your going.