"I used to be Catholic..."

[Monketi Ghost]

I was a Catholic kid, went to Catholic school K through 8.

Believed it all, went to church every day but Saturday during the school year, stand up, sit down, kneel.

I'm free of that stuff. But I remember all the rituals, the magic word sequences that brought the stimulating Holy Spirit upon us all, the discomforting impression we were worshipping the priest. I was so inundated that as a heavy metal loving teenager, I bought and returned the Slayer album Reign In Blood to the store because it was just too Satanic for my comfort level.

I still have an inclination to tell people I'll pray for them when they're grieving. I say, "Oh Jesus" and "Mother of Jesus" and "Lord" as mild oaths. I feel a sort of kinship when I discover another person is Catholic, because kids from other denominations looked down on us and laughed at us for various dogmatic differences. Or worse, they sometimes acted like they were sorry for me.~~ "Oh, you're Catholic ," with a sympathetic look.

How many of you are familiar with this, or had a rich and exciting-to-talk-about religious background? Still do some things almost involuntarily?

 

[Morwen]

I was raised in a Catholic environment, in a Catholic country. I was taught all the moves and rituals, without any particular emphasis in believing them. It was just what was done.

Now, as a declared atheist, I have no problem anywhere nor with anyone, including my parents; I think that their upbringing was considerably more restrictive than mine, and that they kind of envy me because their respect for the forms of Catholicism will not let them, even now, speak out fully against it, out of sheer ingrained politeness to the dominant cult.

I know an awful lot of catholic doctrine; I don't know why, but it tends to stick to my mind. I know when to sit down, stand, kneel (voluntary in Catholic mass), and what to answer when the priest talks. I know the prayers. I know the reason behind most of the rituals. When I go to mass (normally in some social occasion, a holiday, a major feast, or an unavoidable family-related affair, such as funerals or christenings) I don't feel uncomfortable in the least. Only bored. Except for the sermon, I'm normally able to appreciate some of the most beautiful parts of the ceremony, and if there's music, such as a choir, then I enjoy the whole mass immensely. It can be an extremely beautiful experience.

As for the spiritual part, I'm totally indifferent to it. It doesn't bother me. It doesn't amuse me or anger me or whatever, I just don't pay attention (I think the priest feels just the same way). Only the aesthetic part of Catholicism appeals to me anymore. The rest, I discard.

When I came to the US, yes, I did search for a Catholic church here. It is a horrible building. I've never been in it, nor felt any desire to.

Catholicism can be a habit, just as wearing socks with sandals or a hat. Most catholics in my country are like that.

 

[American]

At my catholic church, they did a good job explaining their reasons and pretending we choose to be catholic, that blind faith wasn't blind, and that being a drone was not being a drone.

The effect of what they taught was that good intentions allow you to do absolutely anything (however damaging), and that you can repeat any sick "mistake" as long as you feel badly about it.

It's a strange mix of logic and playing off of human nature and even our biology. Disgusting hypocrisy and destructive outcomes are overlooked as the result of not having faith.

That's why I'm anti-catholic. (Not to mention the lives of drugging and suicide caused by the church's molesting of kids.)

 

[HarryKeogh]

as a former catholic i still find myself pretending to pray at funerals and when im over people's homes and they say grace before dinner.

at funerals because when people are grieving i dont want to seem insensitive. sure, it goes against my beliefs (or lack of) but i dont care.

at dinner just because i get tired explaining my atheism for 15 minutes and still have people think i worship satan. i just want some fried chicken.

 

[American]

as a former catholic i still find myself pretending to pray at funerals and when im over people's homes and they say grace before dinner.

at funerals because when people are grieving i dont want to seem insensitive. sure, it goes against my beliefs (or lack of) but i dont care.

at dinner just because i get tired explaining my atheism for 15 minutes and still have people think i worship satan. i just want some fried chicken.

That's very much my approach. My familiy's got a lot of old people, and I don't want to upset them by forcing the issue.

Bottom line- they might be right! Faith doesn't ask for proof. I can't prove what happens in a black hole, but I claim to know exactly what does.

But I wouldn't force it on my kids the way they did to me. Because... I'm better than them, as proved by my actions (not what I state as my beliefs).

 

[subgenius]

I don't believe in God, and Mary is his mother--Brendan Behan (?)

 

[belinda]

I was brought up as a Catholic, and I always find it interesting to hear how catholicism (sp?) is viewed in the USA. It is not so marginalised here...sample story from my youth....when I was about 7, and about to have my first communion (which the ex-catholic's out there will understand) I was all dressed up in the little white dress and veil and hanging out with some kids from up the road. They asked me why I was dressed up like I was getting married, and I told them "Duh...I'm having my First Communion" Except of course they were from a protestant chuch (can't remember which one). I ended up explaining what it was all about, and that was the first time I realised that religion was a choice, or even that any other different beliefs/non-beliefs existed out there.

I can still remember all the motions, prayers, and still have a favourite hymn. ( "On eagle's wings") I always wanted to know what the word was though....as in "Simply say the Word and I shall be healed" Maybe the word was "gullible" ?

 

[Brown]

I was brought up in the Lutheran Church.

Later in my life, I found that the Lutheran service is surprisingly similar to the Catholic service, and the churches share a lot of doctrinal similarity.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

I was brought up in the Lutheran Church.

Later in my life, I found that the Lutheran service is surprisingly similar to the Catholic service, and the churches share a lot of doctrinal similarity.

My best friend is Lutheran, but I really don't know what the doctrinal differences are. Can you mention a few, Brown?

I know he believes that anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus is going to hell. It's so odd~~ he's the most rational, intelligent person I know, and yet he firmly believes this.

 

[UnrepentantSinner]

I was brought up in the Lutheran Church.

Later in my life, I found that the Lutheran service is surprisingly similar to the Catholic service, and the churches share a lot of doctrinal similarity.

A Lutheran in Minnesota? No way!

 

[Guest]

I don't believe in God, and Mary is his mother--Brendan Behan (?)

WHy?

What is your opinion about prayers?

 

[RSLancastr]

I feel a sort of kinship when I discover another person is Catholic, because kids from other denominations looked down on us and laughed at us for various dogmatic differences. Or worse, they sometimes acted like they were sorry for me.~~ "Oh, you're Catholic ," with a sympathetic look.

I was brought up in a nominally Christian household (meaning we exchanged presents at Christmas and got baskets of candy at Easter.

My first experience with a Catholic was when I was around eight years old. I was flying a kite in a local park, when another kid walked up to me, dressed up - I guess for church.

The following conversation took place:

Him: What are you?
Me: What?
Him: What are you?
Me: (confused pause) A boy?
Him: No... I'm Catholic - what are you?
Me: (having no idea what he was on about) I don't know.
Him: Then you're not a Catholic?
Me: I guess not.
Him (smugly) Then you're going to Hell.

At that point, he walked away.

The next time I remember dealing with Catholics much was right after I graduated from high school, and was in a local production of a play. Aside from me and one other guy, the entire cast (around 30 people) were from the local catholic high school (Bishop Amat).

This was the rowdiest, drinkingest, tokingest, most sexually active group of kids I'd ever seen. I think a lifetime of being under the thumbs of the nuns had made them that way.

A few years later I (an agnostic) married a girl who was Catholic. Around 15 years into the marriage, she told me that she had become a Wiccan. When she asked what I thought of it, I told her that it didn't sound any more or less wacky than Catholicism did.

After 23 years of marriage, we divorced. So I can truly say, without malice, that my ex-wife is a witch.

 

[Brown]

My best friend is Lutheran, but I really don't know what the doctrinal differences are. Can you mention a few, Brown?

One could write a pretty large essay about this. One of the biggest doctrinal differences is that the Lutherans reject the authority of the Pope. Also, Lutherans place a greater emphasis on grace, i.e., salvation being something given as a gift, rather than something earned. Lutherans no longer have private confession (although Martin Luther himself continued the practice). Lutherans and Catholics also disagree with what happens to the bread and wine during communion (and Lutherans can't agree with each other on this point, for that matter).

An outsider might consider many of the doctrinal disagreements trivial. But those in the respective churches do not consider them trivial at all.

 

[Brown]

A Lutheran in Minnesota? No way!

It's true, there are loads of Lutherans in Minnesota. But I am not one of them. I was raised as a Lutheran, but I was not raised in Minnesota. And I am not a member of that church now.

 

[arcticpenguin]

It's true, there are loads of Lutherans in Minnesota. But I am not one of them. I was raised as a Lutheran, but I was not raised in Minnesota. And I am not a member of that church now.

Yes, I recall you outing yourself as a native Iowan in a previous thread. Meet my extortion demands, or I will tell your co-workers and neighbors.

"I used to be Catholic, but I gave it up for lent."

Attended Catholic school grades 1-12.

 

[bignickel]

Yes, I recall you outing yourself as a native Iowan in a previous thread. Meet my extortion demands, or I will tell your co-workers and neighbors.

"I used to be Catholic, but I gave it up for lent."

HEY!! That's my line, gidammit!

Prithee, stay away from my party piece, or I will rend thee with my blurdlecrutcheon (see if I don't)!

 

[Monketi Ghost]

Re: Re: "I used to be Catholic..."

Him: What are you?
Me: What?
Him: What are you?
Me: (confused pause) A boy?
Him: No... I'm Catholic - what are you?
Me: (having no idea what he was on about) I don't know.
Him: Then you're not a Catholic?
Me: I guess not.
Him (smugly) Then you're going to Hell.

At that point, he walked away.

That's hilarious.

After 23 years of marriage, we divorced. So I can truly say, without malice, that my ex-wife is a witch.

That is also hilarious.

 

[Melissa Johnson]

I was brought up in extreme Catholicity--my folks stayed with the traditonalists, so we went to latin masses, wore veils, the whole bit. Domine, non sum dignus.... But then I grew up, got married to a non-believer, and decided not to have kids anytime soon--if at all-- (at least two things that are considered anathema to traditionalists.

Graham Greene is one of my favorite authors. I consider myself a skeptical believer--take everything with a grain of salt and wait for the results, I suppose. However, I have a certain affection for traditonal sacred music--Gregorian-style chant; I love Catholic architecture, Catholic mythology, certain styles of Catholic art, etc. I don't like the Church's beaureacracy, policy toward women, contraception, infallibility clause, etc. etc...so I don't consider myself a "practicing" Catholic. I like having come from a Catholic background, but I don't feel the least bit inclined to the faith. So saying "I used to be Catholic" doesn't really apply...I'm not sure how to put it...

 

[Monketi Ghost]

One could write a pretty large essay about this. One of the biggest doctrinal differences is that the Lutherans reject the authority of the Pope. Also, Lutherans place a greater emphasis on grace, i.e., salvation being something given as a gift, rather than something earned. Lutherans no longer have private confession (although Martin Luther himself continued the practice). Lutherans and Catholics also disagree with what happens to the bread and wine during communion (and Lutherans can't agree with each other on this point, for that matter).

An outsider might consider many of the doctrinal disagreements trivial. But those in the respective churches do not consider them trivial at all.

Thank you, Brown! Excellent response. Immediately upon seeing "reject the authority of the Pope" I twitched spasmodically and fell off my chair.

They're absolutely wrong, of course: Grace must be earned through a life of self-sacrifice and toil, and if possible a good deal of self-flagellation.

 

[Melissa Johnson]

Thank you, Brown! Excellent response. Immediately upon seeing "reject the authority of the Pope" I twitched spasmodically and fell off my chair.

They're absolutely wrong, of course: Grace must be earned through a life of self-sacrifice and toil, and if possible a good deal of self-flagellation.

You're lucky if you achieve grace even then...you know, even on your deathbed, Satan can still get you! The great thing about being Catholic is that you're never, ever absolutely saved...you have to keep vigilant and work at it! My problem, I'm too lazy...