I Have Officially Left the RCC

[JSojourner]

I know it might be hard for a lot of you to believe, but after a number of things that have happened, both within me and with the outside world, I finally decided that I am no longer a member of the Roman Catholic Church.  I am not joining another Church at this time, nor do I plan to do so anytime soon.  Frankly, I choose to remain an Independent.  For the sake of family unity and tradition (at least this is tradition in my family, in the space of 200 years, my family went from being fullout Calvinists to Catholics based on who the men married), if I do ever get married, I will probably just join my wife's church, whatever she may be (as long as she isn't a Southern Baptist).  They will have my money and my help, but they won't have my mind.

Over the past few years, I have become very disallusioned with organized religion as a whole.  MY own views of faith have liberalized considerably.  I still believe in God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but I can't bring myself to allign with all but the loosest doctrines of faith, since they all seem to be desinged more to be exclusive than inclusive, and I don't think that's what Christ wanted.

The Catholic clergy are of particular concern to me in this area.  I'm nto talking about pedaphilia, though that might have been the start of my process.  I am refering to their seeming lack of true understanding and true commitment to the faith.  Back in Central, PA we had a number of very good, very respectable preists.  In my travels, however, I have discovered that that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

Most preists here in Erie are either super-Liberal freaks who are nothing but social workers with a collar, or they are totally disconnected from even thier parish community, let alone the community as a whole.  The Bishop in particular worries me.  I can't see how a Church that is influnced by the Holy Spirit any more than anyother Christian Church could ever make our Bishop a leader of the faith.

I had not gone to Mass in over 6 months until a few weeks ago when I went out of curtisy to my friends and to show them that I wasn't becoming evil (as my family seems to think) but I just honestly had a hardtime applying my faith to a Catholic setting.  On the way in, I made a joke about how chances were they woudl just talk abotu money... and low and behold, after the Readings (which concerned the "One Body") the priest luanched into a talk about how they needed money for the Stewardship Appeal.  They was no mention of the readings at all.  Afterwards... I refused to go to communion out of respect for a Chruch I no longer have full faith in and as we left, the fact that I was right in my prediction and that I was the only one who remembered the readings somehow made me an asshole to my friends.

That was pretty much it, but until now, I was not prepared to make any real announcment.  I am sure of it now.

Anyway... just thought you guys might find this suprising.

Oddly enough... I don't feel joy.  My Irish ancestors were starved, beat up and killed for this faith... I hate to think that I am dishonoring them, but I have to do what I feel is right at the moment.

Your story, Soulty, sounds a lot like mine...only partially in reverse.  I didn't end up in the RCC.  I ended up Episcopalian (Anglican).  But I started in a seriously fundamentalist tradition.  And I attended a staunch, Calvinst Bible College.

Just hang in there, listen, pray, study and be patient with yourself. 

And know you're more than welcome on the Canterbury Trail if you have a mind.  ;-)

[JSojourner]

We should install some sort of filter that prohibits jmfcst from quoting the Bible.

well, if you need a filter, you could cover your ears if you no longer what to hear that Jesus is the only way to God.

Given that I can't hear anything on this forum, I no longer want to see that Jesus is the only way to God.  Let me guess; I should shut my eyes and start typing randomly?

Hmm, I'm actually kinda curious.  Let's try it:

djoy i[ uoi nptiem yt;rojpv myuivsdr; kphbdu vstrd snpuy uipit fivclomh \\\\\nioble.

Actually, there are some church services where the above sentence would make complete sense.

Repeat after me:  Shecomeonahonda...shecomeonahonda...

[JSojourner]

Ever heard of evening services?

I've heard of them, I haven't been to my church in so long I have no idea if they have them.

And Lewis, Midnight Mass only happens once a year, on Christmas Eve.

In the Episcopal Church, we have a Christmas Eve mass (usually a 7 p.m. service AND an 11 p.m. service).  Then, there is sometimes a midnight service called The Great Vigil of Easter.  It is one of the most powerful and beautiful services you will ever attend, if done right.  The Orthodox probably do it best, however.  (And have the best food afterward!)