OK, I will.
Again, what is your goal here? Should I stop being Christian and worshiping Jesus?
Do you want the world to become atheist or another religion?
The Catholic church seems to be on the verge of imploding
- Thread starter shank hawk
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OK, I will.
Again, what is your goal here? Should I stop being Christian and worshiping Jesus?
Do you want the world to become atheist or another religion?
I hope so. I was raised Catholic and you can’t get a better congregation as far drinking and sense of humor. However, the Catholic Roman mafia needs to die. I worked for them for five years, good people but a silly religion as are all of them. There should be no man or woman between you and your God...if you’re strange enough to worship one.
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No, Catholic theology and your faith are your perview I think that you underestimate the damage caused by a fatally flawed hierarchy. For example, I believe the fact that cardinal law never had to face criminal proceedings abhorrent. He was bailed out by the Vatican itself. The previous pope under scrutiny resigned and the current pope had to apologize for defending priests accused of abuse. Promote the theology, promote your faith but stop defending the hierarchy.
OK, but again, do you think all the hierarchy should be condemned because of Cardinal Law and his ilk?
No offense, but sex issues with Catholic Priests have been an issue for centuries.
I come from a strong catholic background and my family is very religious. I believe the Catholic Church is failing and other religions are taking over. They have to come into the 21st century. The old ways are not working and the more they try and make it old world, the worse it has gotten.
The priest shortage is alarming and a lot of older males are asked to conduct 3-4 masses a weekend. The other issue is many of these guys now have to travel to their parishes, some travel 20-30min!! Retired priests are having to pick up masses and are just burnt out and some are pushing 80-90yrs old! They have to let them marry and have a family.
The views on divorce, LGBT and other sensatice issues are out dated. They can still spread the good word regardless.
We had an old priest who went on a rant last week about what people were wearing to church. Complaining that some kids were wearing shorts and uniforms to church. One parent said to him after mass “pretty sure god doesn’t care what we wear, he’s just happy we’re here.”
The priest shortage is alarming and a lot of older males are asked to conduct 3-4 masses a weekend. The other issue is many of these guys now have to travel to their parishes, some travel 20-30min!! Retired priests are having to pick up masses and are just burnt out and some are pushing 80-90yrs old! They have to let them marry and have a family.
The views on divorce, LGBT and other sensatice issues are out dated. They can still spread the good word regardless.
We had an old priest who went on a rant last week about what people were wearing to church. Complaining that some kids were wearing shorts and uniforms to church. One parent said to him after mass “pretty sure god doesn’t care what we wear, he’s just happy we’re here.”
I believe the priest at St. Mary's in Iowa City is married and has kids. He was a deacon and became a priest later.
There are some flaws in your thinking, according to the facts we have.
First, the denominations that have ignored Scripture and Tradition and accepted divorce, abortion, gay "marriage" and have tried to adapt to the world are failing: the Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ and Methodist Church are all hemorrhaging members and many of them are going to go extinct in a few decades if trends continue.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/post...churches-are-thriving/?utm_term=.574c7ecdfc5d
@Capernum
Second, regarding how people dress in Mass, Scripture says "worship the Lord in holy attire." I feel like many people view Mass with a lack of reverence and dress like they would at a football game. I understand your Priest's mentality because half the men at my Church wear jeans and don't even try to make an effort.
Third, if Priests were married, they would be even more burnt out. Do you know how much effort it requires to be a good parent and spouse? How can a Priest do Masses on weekends when he had to go to four soccer games? There is also the huge financial burden of being a parent, too. That would impact everything.
Jesus was clear that Christians had to pick up their cross. Christianity isn't about adapting to the world.
To quote Lute: Bottom line, the Churches that adapt to our culture are ignoring Scripture, tradition and as a result, they are dying out.
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Concerning any type of dress code for attending
Sunday worship:
1. We should wear our best clothes to church as we
honor God. Our Sunday best is not casual clothing
for a picnic or sporting event. It is a good thing if a
man wears a sport coat and tie. This attire shows some
respect for the worship service.
2. Ultimately, God does not look at our clothing to see
if we are taking worship seriously. God looks at our
heart when we are in worship. Do we love Him with
all of our heart, soul, and mind? Is God a priority in
our life all seven days of the week?
Sunday worship:
1. We should wear our best clothes to church as we
honor God. Our Sunday best is not casual clothing
for a picnic or sporting event. It is a good thing if a
man wears a sport coat and tie. This attire shows some
respect for the worship service.
2. Ultimately, God does not look at our clothing to see
if we are taking worship seriously. God looks at our
heart when we are in worship. Do we love Him with
all of our heart, soul, and mind? Is God a priority in
our life all seven days of the week?
As far as the clothing, give me a break. If you have a problem with what someone wears, that's a you problem. Grew up in a Baptist Church. Everyone was suited up. Occasionally would go to a Catholic church and the dress was more laid back. God doesn't care how you dress. In fact I found the fashion show a little bit much.
I'm now Catholic and will sometimes dress in khaki's and a polo shirt. Sometimes I might even go with jeans. Even shorts, oh no I'm going to hell. I never see people suiting it up outside an occasional Usher. Well I guess during C&E Services people do dress up a little more.
I'm now Catholic and will sometimes dress in khaki's and a polo shirt. Sometimes I might even go with jeans. Even shorts, oh no I'm going to hell. I never see people suiting it up outside an occasional Usher. Well I guess during C&E Services people do dress up a little more.
Do you golf?
Do you think it's interesting that many men dress better to golf than they do at Church?
Never said I knew God's word better than anyone else. I posted my opinion and I stand by it. I'm sorry if it's not enough for you.
I don't personally golf. But this may come as a surprise to you, not everybody on the golf course is dressing like they are on the PGA tour.
That's true, but most golf courses have dress codes.
If many men skipped Church and played golf instead, they'd dress better than they would at Church.
Another aspect of having a dress code at church is it does disswade people who would otherwise attend. People should want to come to services. Not be judged because their attire isn't great. Met a man recently that just came back to going to church. For a time he was homeless. He is not homeless anymore but he is very poor. This guy can't afford to have a suit.
I see your point but the vast majority of people at my Church are not poor and can afford to at least not wear jeans and t-shirts as if they're going to a football game.
I know that most Americans dress down in almost every situation now.
In most cases, it's just the fact that people don't care...
Last year I went to mass in DC. It was near Dupont Circle. I really wouldn't call it a poor area. I dressed up in a polo shirt, khakis and nice shoes. Thinking I better dress up a little here. I was the most dressed up person there.
I live about 20 miles north. You should have paged me, brah.
I usually wear a polo shirt, khakis and a blazer and I'm better dressed than 90% of the people at my Church...
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And, you see how that ended up for Jesus.
Yes.
He resurrected from the dead and showed the way to eternal life.
Not bad, right?
I bet in 20years there will be 1 Catholic Church per county in Iowa and maybe only 1-2 in larger cities. People aren’t on board with it anymore. I’ve attended other churches where their singing and clapping during the service and it’s very enjoyable. My kids love it and always ask when are we going back.
Those Churches seem like social clubs or rock concerts that lack depth to me, but if that's your preference, more power to you.
Maybe they will be using their pent up sexual desires on females instead of young boys.
How come most pedophiles are not celibate?
Bottom line: you're ignorant and my links prove that.
Then explain the behavior for your sainted boy rapers. Fvck your church crap.
What has saved the Roman Catholic Church is the
employment of Deacons. In 1965 there were 1000
Lay Deacons in the RCC (USA). By 2002, there were
13,348 Lay Deacons in RCC.(USA)
In 1965, there were 36,700 active priests (USA)
and in 2002 there were 15,000 active priests (USA)
Bottom Line: In 2002, we had 13,348 Lay Deacons
and 15,000 active priests in America.
employment of Deacons. In 1965 there were 1000
Lay Deacons in the RCC (USA). By 2002, there were
13,348 Lay Deacons in RCC.(USA)
In 1965, there were 36,700 active priests (USA)
and in 2002 there were 15,000 active priests (USA)
Bottom Line: In 2002, we had 13,348 Lay Deacons
and 15,000 active priests in America.
Lute, the decline in Priests is a symptom of Christianity declining across America.
The Churches with married clergy like Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists and United Church of Christ are crumbling to the point where they will go extinct unless something changes.
https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2017/7/14/15959682/evangelical-mainline-voting-patterns-trump
Bottom line: The Catholic Church shouldn't take wisdom from the Protestants.
Not going to read three pages to see if my point was already brought up.
My understanding is the church didn’t like married priests dying and having their spouses obtain their wealth. So they got rid of marriage so as to keep more of what they had.
My understanding is the church didn’t like married priests dying and having their spouses obtain their wealth. So they got rid of marriage so as to keep more of what they had.
That's what our culture claims. I don't think that was the main reason. Here's an article, it's kind've long, but you may be interested in it.
https://www.catholic.com/tract/celibacy-and-the-priesthood
Did you read my links?
First, sex abuse scandals happen more in schools than they do in the Catholic Church. Perhaps we should allow teachers to get married? (Oh wait, they already are)
https://www.investors.com/politics/...amp-down-news-of-children-abused-by-teachers/
Second, what does the divorce rate have to do with anything? Practicing Catholics have a lower divorce rate than the general population.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholics-continue-to-have-lowest-divorce-rates-report-finds
Third, what does males watching porn have to do with anything?
Of course, not everyone lives up to the moral teaching. That doesn't mean we should change Jesus's teachings just to form to our inherent flaws.
The Protestant denominations did that and most of them are dying...
Catholicisism in America is declining at a faster rate at least in terms of regular attendance is concerned though when compared to Protestant churches. The percentage of Protestants who attend weekly plateaued decades ago fluctuating between 38-45% between 1955-2017. Catholic weekly attendance has declined from 75% in the 1950s to about 39% in the last few years falling below Protestant attendance just recently. For every Catholic convert six former Catholics exit and if it weren’t for the Hispanic and immigrant populations, the outlook would be even worse.
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Well yeah, Americans are leaving God and religion in droves.
But, the mainline denominations will go extinct if trends continue.
