do u believe in god?

[Tasha]

Well, NOW she said child abuse lol.

For some reason this really made me giggle.

 

[Tasha]

Well, NOW she said child abuse lol.

what?

Before socitycourty had just said abuse and there were people presuming it was to do with child abuse, so before MommaAlexis pointed out it could of been abuse towards gay people or whatever, but now it is very clear that she said child abuse

 

[MommaAlexis]

I had said her earlier post only said abuse, not child abuse so she could have meant something else. Then she posted again saying that is what she meant.

 

[socitycourty]

I'm not lumping ALL Catholics in this, but the fact is as a major religious organization they have done too many things that are wrong. Individual parishes have harboured abusive priests, transferred them to other parishes, given them money donated by the parishioners. Why don't people think this is wrong? Go join another church, if it's that important to you but I wouldn't spend a minute or a dollar on the catholic church as they are wrong. plain and simple. If it wasn't a real problem they wouldn't try so hard to hide it. The corruption and abuse goes all the way up to the Vatican.

No one is going to change my opinion on the catholic church so please don't bother. My dad and uncle went to Catholic school got abused by nuns, they require ridiculous "Donations" for the sacraments to be performed, if they cared at all about people they wouldn't be all about the almight dollar.

 

[MommaAlexis]

I've never heard of them charging for sacraments. They don't do that here. Every system is corrupt, that doesn't mean everyone in it is corrupt.

 

[Dragonfly]

I see now. I mentioned abuse to above as it has happened a lot here in Ireland. The magdelin sisters where terrible to children in their homes to. And there was a local priests arrested for child porn last week here as I seen my friend fuming about it as he only just confirmed her daughter. But I dont think every one is like that, its shameful but Catholics are just as ashamed it represents their religion to. And I know they do cover up a lot here as they run the schools to and cover up still. I was born catholic by the way.

 

[Tasha]

But it isnt as simple as join another church if your beliefs follow that of the catholic faith. There are differences between churchs and whilst they may not be huge, they may be important to the person who follows the catholic religion.

I only said about the lumping it in together, because you specifically said who cares. And I do.

I understand this is an emotive subject for you, especially given what your Dad went through

 

[socitycourty]

a wedding is a suggested donation of $350 here. same for funeral.

 

[Dragonfly]

a wedding is a suggested donation of $350 here. same for funeral.

Yes they have that here to.

 

[socitycourty]

it's just hard for me to understand, is all. also have had problems with my IL's as they are evangelical christians.

 

[socitycourty]

also no longer offer private baptisms but you still have to pay/donate

 

[MommaAlexis]

Suggested, not mandatory. But I'm not having a church wedding or church funeral so it doesn't affect me.

 

[Tasha]

I've never heard of them charging for sacraments. They don't do that here. Every system is corrupt, that doesn't mean everyone in it is corrupt.

That is exactly what I was trying to say but wrote some massive arse reply and you said it in one sentence. Thank you.

 

[Dragonfly]

Suggested, not mandatory. But I'm not having a church wedding or church funeral so it doesn't affect me.

Yes not mandatory but its like an unwritten rule you arnt going to walk in and get it for free it would be considered rude. My parents offered to pay for my children's christening, yes thats donation but no one dosnt pay. Its frowned on.

 

[tasha41]

It's not a mandatory donation- surely if you can't afford to donate any money and still want to have your child baptized, it's quite alright! HOWEVER if you can afford to donate that money, are a Catholic & wish to have your child baptized, why wouldn't you donate some money? The funds aren't lining priests' pockets- they are going towards upkeeping the church & the grounds, renovating, etc.

 

[Dragonfly]

It's not a mandatory donation- surely if you can't afford to donate any money and still want to have your child baptized, it's quite alright! HOWEVER if you can afford to donate that money, are a Catholic & wish to have your child baptized, why wouldn't you donate some money? The funds aren't lining priests' pockets- they are going towards upkeeping the church & the grounds, renovating, etc.

You just answered it there yourself. If you cant afford to donate, you wont but theres social pressure to. When my parents where pressurizing me I said I wouldnt as I had no money as an excuse even though its not mandatory then they said they would pay as they couldn't take the embarrassment of not paying the priest (no matter where money goes).

 

[Sarahkka]

Maybe what socitycourt is objecting to is that the corruption in the Catholic Church does appear to be ingrained and systemic. And that she feels that even by participating in it, there is a certain amount of acceptance of that corruption? I think there is something to that, but I also think that one could say that about almost any "system", if you will. For example (and I am just picking the first unconscionable scandal off the top of my head here), the Canadian government worked hand in hand with churches to run "residential schools" during the last century that were rife with horrific abuse and cultural repression. Do I stop voting or paying taxes or participating in the democratic process because I was horrified by that? I could, I suppose, but I think I would accomplish a lot more by working for change from within. If your relationship with your god is intrinsically aligned with the rituals of your faith, then I think you face a similar problem. Shunning the religion is an option, I guess, but one that would cut you off from your spiritual life. Working to change the institution that houses your religion is another option - one that would hopefully fulfill both the spiritual need and deal with the human corruption.
And one way to create that change is to challenge sweeping condemnations and ask for a chance to discuss the problems and how to fix them.

 

[Tasha]

Great post Sarah. My friend is catholic and she works as a safe guarder/child protection within it, she is clearly trying to help change the system

 

[Sarahkka]

Yeah, there are some very important changes going on as modern catholics seek to reclaim and redefine their religion. The Vatican would be well advised to pay attention, I think!

 

[socitycourty]