The Roman Catholic Church. A respectful, civil, sharing of thoughts.

Jamala said:
If only religious people didn't want to cram their religion down the throats of non-believers, (senior ben)

Now pray tell me which gulag do you reside in that someone is cramming something down your throat...are you a toddler in your high chair and mummy is feeding you mashed carrots and all you want to do is spit out.? Grow up please.

Religion can be comforting in many ways, and can provide a social support network, friends, a sense of community..(senior ben)

Speaking for myself only, I have so many relatives all of whom I keep in touch with. Many friends of different cultures and different religions. When I need comfort I cuddle up into the arms of my hubby or have face time with my dozens of relatives. Don’t need an organisation for comfort!

That's why religious people are so angry and scared. That's why they all too often commit acts of evil. (senior ben)

Hilarious…do describe these “acts of evil:” By the way, the only “angry and scared people” I see on this thread are the non-religious bods. What are you terrified of? You guys are so disrespectful…can’t even comply with a simple request from the OP to keep the thread pleasant .

Simple rule: Go your way and let others go their way…enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBhFuL_2jg
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Here we go again -- It's started already. The directed half hiden personal insults have started again.
 

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Della said:
I also doubt that 100% of people who think abortion is wrong are religious. Don't a few non-religious people simply think that unfer our constitution unborn humans have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Isn't the right not to be killed as important to the constitution lovers as the right to bear arms? On the other hand I'm religious and I'm pro-choice. Your judgements are a bit sweeping.
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The fetus is not alive, the woman is, so no. Can't kill on the promise of a being; one must already be a being to be 'killed.' Now back to the thread.
 
Pepper said:
The fetus is not alive, the woman is, so no. Can't kill on the promise of a being; one must already be a being to be 'killed.' Now back to the thread.
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I said I was pro-choice so I don't disagree with you but senior ben states that 100% of the people who wanted to over turn Roe v Wade are religious and I know that isn't true. One of my most hard core atheist friends believes the fetus is alive and that killing it is murder.
 

Magna-Carta said:
Here we go again -- It's started already. The directed half hiden personal insults have stated again.
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There's nothing half-hidden about Ben's insults. He thinks we religious folk are all trying to cram religion down his throat (we forced him to read this thread.) Plus we're evil.

Teachers are no longer allowed to mention anything about religion and it's a wonder to me that they can teach history or literature without doing that, but Ben thinks we're forcing something on the children Just like someone thinks the Catholic church is forcing children to go to their schools instead of the free public ones. I get 500 cable TV networks and about 450 are about sex and/or violence, the only purely religious network features some sort of weird prosperity gospel stuff which I think must be paid for by the atheists. Where is all this forced indoctrination? The atheists have won, Ben, you can relax.

{Just as I was typing this some Jehovah's witnesses just came to the door. We said we were busy and they went away.}
 
Della said:
You make quite a few statements as if they're facts here that don't sound exactly right to me. Are religious people all angry and scared, do they commit more heinous crimes than non-religious ones? I don't think I've seen any statistics on the number of religious people in prison, but I don't think it's an overwhelming amount that far outnumbers the others.

I also doubt that 100% of people who think abortion is wrong are religious. Don't a few non-religious people simply think that unfer our constitution unborn humans have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Isn't the right not to be killed as important to the constitution lovers as the right to bear arms? On the other hand I'm religious and I'm pro-choice. Your judgements are a bit sweeping.
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I didn't claim that 100% of people who think abortion is wrong are religious. Where did you get that from?
 
Pepper said:
The fetus is not alive, the woman is, so no. Can't kill on the promise of a being; one must already be a being to be 'killed.' Now back to the thread.
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Actually if the 2 cells that come together were not alive, they could not form the zygote that grows into a child. So logic (and science) says the fetus is very much alive. It is simply not yet aware.
 
I'm male, definitely not religious, but agnostic more than atheistic.......I just don't know, (and cannot know).

I do believe in term limits for abortions, (surely most women....and I realize there are always extenuating circumstances.....would know immediately if they want a child or not, and if they don't then why wait until the child is virtually fully formed).

That said, I've never had children, never wanted them, and now have 5 granddaughters whom I adore.
 
Della said:
There's nothing half-hidden about Ben's insults. He thinks we religious folk are all trying to cram religion down his throat (we forced him to read this thread.) Plus we're evil.

Teachers are no longer allowed to mention anything about religion and it's a wonder to me that they can teach history or literature without doing that, but Ben thinks we're forcing something on the children Just like someone thinks the Catholic church is forcing children to go to their schools instead of the free public ones. I get 500 cable TV networks and about 450 are about sex and/or violence, the only purely religious network features some sort of weird prosperity gospel stuff which I think must be paid for by the atheists. Where is all this forced indoctrination? The atheists have won, Ben, you can relax.

{Just as I was typing this some Jehovah's witnesses just came to the door. We said we were busy and they went away.}
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It really does amaze me. In fact, more accurately, it really fascinates me. In that ‘some’ on both sides of the fence choose to take offence, and then respond with stronger offensive and more directed language. Only for it to then slowing escalates, to the point where the people involved can only see the offence (or perceived or chosen offence) coming from the other side, and nothing of their own. Someone should write a book about it.

I’ve been in discussions with 13 year olds that are that are far more intelligent & respectfull than some of the stuff I see posted here

The common denominator here isn’t the subject matter, its certain individuals. I see a common thread from them.
 
Magna-Carta said:
I’ve been in discussions with 13 year olds that are that are far more intelligent & respectfull than some of the stuff I see posted here
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If that's the way you feel, you know what to do but I hope you don't make that choice as I find you a fascinating member of this forum. :)
 
Magna-Carta said:
The common denominator here isn’t the subject matter, its certain individuals. I see a common thread from them.
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I'm having to agree with you here, @Magna-Carta . I really have trouble with things like this thread and other threads that have become problematic. Know why? Because I've seen what you mentioned. My views have been respected here (well, sans a scrappy reply or two ... oppositional defiance disorder?)

I feel that I can say I'm a Christian, I'm pro-life, and I hate guns... and I wouldn't expect anything but being respected for my own personal views because I am not about to attack my atheist friends here. I believe you're right and no matter what controversial topic comes up, there is going to be dissension because it feeds some personality types.
 
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The title of this thread asks what we think about the Roman Catholic Church, and in my mind, the church itself is different from the people who believe in that religion. History tells of horrible things that came from this church (leaders and organization), but that does not mean that all members of the church support things like the Inquisition.

My first husband was raised Catholic (and I was Pentecostal, and then LDS); so when our son was born, my mother-in-law arranged for them to take the baby early in the morning while I was still sleeping and have him baptized, since they believed in infant baptism.
I was more upset at the deception than the act of baptism, because I knew that my son would grow up to be a thinker and make his own decisions about religion as an adult, and he has done exactly that.

If she had asked me about having him baptized, i would have respected her wishes because I knew it was important to her with her Catholic beliefs, and to me, it didn’t change anything.
 
Pepper said:
If that's the way you feel, you know what to do but I hope you don't make that choice as I find you a fascinating member of this forum. :)
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Errrmm… :) I’m inclined to take that as a compliment. :D Of cause I would, as generally I’m not inclined to take offence at anything involving words. In life, I might see or observe offence being given, but we all have a chose on how it is received. The words don’t bother me; it’s the attempt to offend that irritates me. A lot of people don’t seem to realise they are doing it.
 
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Happyflowerlady said:
...when our son was born, my mother-in-law arranged for them to take the baby early in the morning while I was still sleeping and have him baptized, since they believed in infant baptism. I was more upset at the deception than the act of baptism...
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I think internally I would have gone ballistic. Outwardly my response would have been very calculated measured and precise. The baptism itself wouldn’t have bothered me in the slightest. As you say, it’s the deception, and for me what would have been seen as the removal by others of my parental responsibly. There would have been nothing illegal about my response, but she would have hated herself by the time I’d finished with a mother-in-law like that. I wouldn’t have cared whose mother she is.
 
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Pepper said:
There will always be dissension if you live among other humans.
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Yes, absolutely.... but I do think that some of it is intentional just to stir things up. The way things are worded... the subtle digs knowing that saying it will cause a heated discussion. Bottom line is that no amount of "loudness" is going to make anyone change their beliefs so it becomes pointless.
 
I went to parochial school for 8 years and was an altar boy to boot. When I got older and started thinking for myself instead of being indoctrinated, I quit going to church. It was probably the repetitive ceremony and the same prayers over and over that got me wondering if a supreme being would be impressed by all that mindless repetition. Then there's the pedophilia.
 
Della said:
{Just as I was typing this some Jehovah's witnesses just came to the door. We said we were busy and they went away.}
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It was that easy?? You are so lucky! When they come to my door (if I open it) I could tell them I just broke my leg and was waiting for the ambulance and they would still want to give me a pamphlet and ask if I was saved yet. :rolleyes:
 
Magna-Carta said:
The common denominator here isn’t the subject matter, its certain individuals. I see a common thread from them.
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We're a mixed group. Some of us enjoy the energy in a slightly heated debate. Some are very smooth and manage to maintain an even tone throughout. Still others like to watch from a position of superiority and make passive aggressive remarks.
 
Pepper said:
I am currently angry with the church as my grandson will be forced into it. Can't stand the thought of his first communion or confirmation or whatever it is. Big discussion with son yesterday on this topic. He told me to feel free to be honest with grandson, but I will wait until he talks about it. Like, I wouldn't tell him now there's no Santa Claus.

Since he was born, I was worried about the first time he mentions 'baby Jesus.' If/when he does I might just go ballistic.
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My grandson is being raised Jewish. How would you like it if I went on about how I couldn't stand the thought of a circumcision or him learning Hebrew or going through all the stupid rigamarole of keeping kosher?

Fortunately, I'm open-minded and tolerant and would never think of saying such a thing.
 
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