Hi frens...I’ve been an active poster over in PW since the Donald days...but I feel like this post is more suited for the GaW crowd....I wonder if there are any other Catholics that can empathize with how I’m feeling right now, and can maybe offer some guidance... I was born and raised Catholic, and still practice—in fact, have been incredibly involved with the music ministry in my church for over a decade...it’s something that gives me great joy and peace to share with my parish family. But each day, I see more and more diocese announcing vax mandates with NO religious exemptions, and my heart just breaks. I find myself thinking that I might leave the only church I ever knew over this—and it’s really the only constant thing that I’ve had in my 41 years of life, so it’s a terrifying thought. But, how can entire dioceses turn their backs on, and abandon a central tenant of our faith SO easily, and so callously? If they can, it just doesn’t seem like it’s the right faith for me. For other Christian anons out there—maybe even some ex-Catholics—did you find a new faith home in a certain denomination, or did you feel most comfortable in a non-denominational setting? I’m not sure where to even begin to look. 😢
Thanks for reading, my friends ❤️
I understand that. I’m what you would consider a tad bit ‘indoctrinated’ by an organized religion, though, and it will take a complete and total re-programming of my faith-life to not ‘belong’ to a parish. So, maybe baby steps for now. ☺️
Just remember one thing, the Catholic church is based on a single mis-translation of 'young woman'.
Look for Him inside your heart and the world will be your church :)
You are wrong. Not a catholic but the Bible makes it clear that Mary was a virgin. The narrative in the gospels make that clear. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, bore our sins on the cross, died and on the third day arose from the grave. Jesus is Lord. Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved.
a good majority of my brothers and sisters in Christ who God has surrounded me with had came from catholicism... A beauty of sanctification as a believer is that we will always be being "re-programmed", as you say... A lot of the times this leads to a believer being led to a new church, one which hopefully they are being fed and that teaches that salvation does not come by any means of works.
We will never be perfect, but God is faithful and He will, as He has promised, keep conforming us to the image of His Son throughout the rest of our time on earth.
This. You have no idea how many times I've been asked which church I follow if I'm a Christian.
I tell them I'm a Gnostic and they're just oblivious.
The6 ask me where I got to worship, and i just say 'I open the doors of my heart, and he's already there waiting for me.'.
I don't think many of them really understand to be honest.
I love Gnosticism, they knew about the NPCs
UMMM, isn't that where he was flipping over the tables and calling them a den of thieves?
Do you mean the Synagogues?
Yeah isn't that just an assembly or a Jewish congregation? Isn't that essentially a church?
no... the church is the body of believers in Jesus Christ.
He would call them out for what it was.
That was outside the temple. Jesus observed Judaic law and argued the detail and revealed God's plans through parables.
And he promised that He would be with us if two or more people met in His name.
Incorrect, it was inside also. That is why it was a Den.
Edited for explanation
You are correct about Jesus and parables and about two or more in his name. I think Jesus would have been a bigger fan of people just getting together for dinners or small get togethers to teach and learn from each other than what we do today. I don't think he would like the mega churches and would be tipping over more tables if he were here.
BOOM! This 100%.
He’s talking about community and fellowship. Belonging as opposed to total isolation.