freedomofreligion.myfreeforum.org

Just Snowy · super star constellation Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 66

I'm religious. I don't believe in the christian version of "god". (or their concept of "satan")

There's a huge difference between being spiritual/religious - and "organized religion".

Organizing religion is what pisses off the god/ess, I think.

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Where there's a witch, there's a way.

ReasoningFilly · Bronze Star Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Posts: 178

Yep. Organized Religion is what's whacked everything out!

Control, control, control.
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Man is certainly stark mad: He cannot make a flea, yet he makes gods by the dozens. - Montaigne

janicelee · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

I am a former catholic, I am now a Wiccan and also a Unitarian Universalist, It takes more then one religion to keep an eye on me.

I was however raised a catholic. I have been told that being Catholic is a little bit like being a Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine, once a Catholic always a Catholic. I think there something to that. I haven't been a catholic in more then 25 years, yet, I stil can't bring myself to eat meat on Friday during lent. i also still find much that is beautiful in both catholic theology and in catholic ritual. I view the catholic church much like a first love. Even though you move on and outgrow your first love you never do completely get over your first love, and from a spiritual standpoint the Catholic Church was my first love.
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still trying to think of something witty for my signature.

Just Snowy · super star constellation Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 66

Hi Janice

That's so interesting because it follows what I've found in catholics who converted to wicca - that they do still hold some of the catholic practices dear to their hearts. Can it be because much of catholicism/christianity relates directly back to the old pagan ways? I see the Virgin Mary as an incarnation of the Goddess. I see the ceremonialism (if that's a word LOL!) similar to that which we do in wiccan rituals. Although, I think both were borrowed from ceremonial magick - perhaps dating back to even the days of Solomon...?

Anyway, very nice to "meet" you here! Thumb Left

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Where there's a witch, there's a way.

quiscalus · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

Excellent point, snowy. Catholicism certainly did incorporate many "pagan" beliefs it found in various cultures to aid in converting people from those cultures. Many of the earliest "saints" -- other than the martyrs in Rome -- were probably gods and goddesses...especially in the Celtic countries.

Going back to the original question, which was posted, I believe, in 1988 (LOL!), the poster WOULD still be considered Catholic, according to Church doctrine. She was baptized a Catholic. And the Church doesn't let you get away that easily! After 30 years of on-again, off-again atheism (but no attempt at reconciling myself to the Church during those "off again" times), my prodigal-daughter return involved nothing special that I had to do. I didn't have to stand up in the middle of a congregation and confess my myriad "sins." I didn't have to be re-baptized. I just WAS.

I think for the Catholic Church to actually excommunicate you, you have to do a little Satan-dance in front of Benedict and tell him you hate Jesus. A priest can deny a person communion if he feels that person has deliberately disobeyed Church teachings...but most priests won't. There have been some cases -- Giuliani being denied communion...but hell, I think he's Satan anyway -- but most priests won't go that far. The average priest will leave it up to the individual to use discernment and decide for him/herself if (s)he's "breaking the rules."

Things do get dicey during election season, sometimes. Very recently a priest denied a law professor communion because of the prof's support for Barack Obama, who is pro-choice on the aborition issue. (I guess the priest doesn't care that John McCain is pro-Iraq war, which the Church also condemns.) That priest's superiors have declared that he (the priest, not the professor) was waaaaayyyy out of line in doing what he did. In other words, he was a dick.

Besides, if the Church decided that supporting Obama was grounds for non-communion, at least three-quarters of the priests I know wouldn't be able to preside over the mass, since they think McCain's a dick.

Uh....what was the original question?

Oh...to the poster, if you ever return: You are what you want to be. Unless you are accepted into another denomination, the Church considers you Catholic. But YOU don't have to consider yourself Catholic. Or Episcopalian. Or anything at all. Except a person, of course.
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"I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing." -- Melville

quiscalus · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

I wonder how come people (including me) use the term "practicing Catholic?" I don't think I've ever heard someone called a "practicing Baptist" or a "practicing Jehovah's Witness."

The word is also often linked to gay people, i.e., "practicing homosexual." I've never heard anyone called a "practicing heterosexual."

I was just thinkin', is all. Maybe I shouldn't.
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"I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing." -- Melville

DurhamDawg · Sliver STAR Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 225

"Practice makes perfect," or so they say.....
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"Faith is believing what you know ain't so." - Mark Twain

Just Snowy · super star constellation Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 66

No, KEEP THINKING Quis!! I LIKE when you think!

your post just reminded me of something I read in the news today so I need to go and start a thread on it...
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Where there's a witch, there's a way.

janicelee · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:02 am Post subject:

Just Snowy · super star constellation Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 66

i don't think you're a hypocrite at all Janice - all gods and goddesses lead back to one, even those who were morphed into Saints by the catholic church, IMO.

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Where there's a witch, there's a way.