Catholic Misconceptions

Published on November 2, 2005 By Dr Guy In Religion

I am putting this under religion because lately there has been a lot of misconceptions about Catholicism.

Now I will be the first to say that I don't understand all other religions, but I am willing to and have learned from the believers of said religions. And when I am wrong, call me on it, although as I don't assume about other religions much, I don't guess I will get many calls.

But lately, someone has decided Catholicism is a cult! And they listed reasons, 6 of 7 wrong! and the 7th? Something practiced by all Christian, Judiasm and Muslim religions! I guess that makes 3/4 of the world a sect! Duh!

Today we are going to discuss Annulment. For those who know the truth, fine. This is for the other 75% who don't have a clue, including many Catholics!

In Catholicism, we believe that when a man marries a woman, and it is blessed by the church, the love of Christ has entered into the union. And I suspect every one hopes that as well. But we must promise that we will allow that love to guide us in raising our children! Yep, that may be Cultish, but one of the promises is to raise the children Catholic!

Now all is well for 1, 2 5, 10 20 years. And then Mommy and Daddy get divorced! Something went wrong! Indeed it did, although, yep! I was totally clueless (My family was not).

So I got a divorce. I found out, via her shrink, for a non event about her brother raping her (he did not, they were just....well...I did not know it when I married her, and not until the divorce)., that she never loved me.

Excuse me? I spent 20 years of my life married (plus a couple dating)! But that was an epiphany. And no, it was not a spite thing. This was her shrink! (she still needs one BTW).

So we divorced. I should have known she was and is a complete psycho! her mother is and was! But I thought we could be peaceful! hehehehehe! yea I am stupid!

So you see the set up. The Judge nailed her and her quota kid lawyer to the wall! (Never hire a quota kid if you want to win).

So she jumps in bed with some witless wonder, and I am sitting on a bunch of assets, and a lot of income. Only child support now!

Then I met a goddess! A woman who loves me, and yea she bitch slaps me (Note for Trudy - it is not always bad) when I deserve it (and sometimes when I don't). We marry years later. But her family is Catholic. She is not a good one, but once a Catholic, always a Catholic!

So I do the Annulment thing. It was long but not hard, as since my first wife never loved me (she used me to get away from an abusive situation), it was never in doubt. I did not lie (I did not have to). And she never contested it (although her stories to the kids leave a lot to be desired).

Why was the annulment so easy? Did it make my children bastards?

The answer to the first is simple. You cannot have the love of Christ in your Marriage when one party lied at the vows! And the second part is just as easy. No they are not. We were married, legally and in the eyes of the church. But Man is not infallible, and they need to acknowledge their errors.

The Church did. period.

So all you who get on your horse about annulment, chill! It has nothing to do with bastardization! It has nothing to do with making something disappear!

it has everything to do with realizing that sometimes, marriages are flawed from the get go!

So if you want to hate my religion, please do so for the right reasons! not for some ignorant ones.

Comments (Page 2)

Gene Nash

on Nov 03, 2005

put the eucharist away in the tabernacle (Hi god, how are you in there?)

Little "g" noted.

1. Praise and worship, in song, to God all mighty for 30- 45 minutes.

You mock them and then exalt yourself -- yes yourself, not God. Do you really think you're doing God a favor by insulting others in His name?

You're no better than the Pharisee who loudly and publicly prayed (for the crowd's benefit) "Thank you that I'm not like him."

Jesus said if you bring the truth and it isn't received to stamp even the dust of the place off your feet and leave them. If you think you are so right, why don't you listen to the Master and leave "the blind to follow the blind?" At least stop trying to show everyone how good and right you are, stop blowing your horn before you in the street, because such behavior isn't about you being right with God, but you trying to elevate yourself before men.

You're the kind of "bible based" Christian that gives us all a bad name and leads to the unfortunate opinions such as those expressed by Doc G.

Matthew 6:1,16-18 NEB
Jesus said, 'Be careful not to make a show of your religion before men; if you do, no reward awaits you in your Father's house in heaven.

'Again, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; they love to say their prayers standing up in synagogue and at the street-corners, for everyone to see them. I tell you this: they have their reward already.

'So too when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites: they make their faces unsightly so that other people may see that they are fasting. I tell you this: they have their reward already. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that men may not see that you are fasting, but only your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees what is in secret will give you your reward.'

Luke 18:9-14 NEB
Jesus told a parable, which was aimed at those who were sure of their own goodness and looked down on everyone else. 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax gatherer. The Pharisee stood up and prayed thus: "I thank you, O God, that I am not like the rest of men, greedy, dishonest, adulterous; or, for that matter, like this tax gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all that I get." But the other kept his distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven, but beat upon his breast, saying, " O God, have mercy on me, sinner that I am." It was this man, I tell you, and not the other, who went home acquitted of his sins. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

You're the kind of "bible based" Christian that gives us all a bad name and leads to the unfortunate opinions such as those expressed by Doc G.

I should not have allowed my anger to get the best of me, and I appologize for my statements You are correct, they were as bad as his.

Ziggystyles

on Nov 03, 2005

First, your 20 steps are wrong. Not to say there are not a lot of parts to a Catholic mass, but it is apparent you don't know what they are.

Never said they were steps...more the like the procedure they follow. Very structured and very ritualistic. I do know all of the parts of a standard Catholic mass; but like most people...I dont know the specific names given to each part of the service. And no...Im not wrong..that is the way the service goes.

Let me give you another clue. Guess what bible the Christians on the early church used?Give up?NONE! Because it had not been written yet! So you see, your very hypocrisy of "everything you need to know is in the bible" is just plain stupid! Otherwise, there would be no Christian religion since Jesus did not write the bible. Neither did God, and it is only that he inspired it through Catholics!

First off...he did not inspire it through Catholics. The Catholic church wasnt even founded until some time after his death and resurrection. The Bible was written through people inspired by Christ...God wrote through these people. If it isnt in the Bible...I cant make it up on my own based on what I think is right or based on ancient texts that are not generally accepted in the whole of the Christian faith. The Bible is the word of God...not a complimentary pamphlet to the Catholic church.

So the whole Catholic religion is based upon the life and times of Jesus Christ (with some pageantry and mystery put in for the pagans of ancient times), NOT ON THE BIBLE.So worship your precious bible. I can laugh at all the holier than thou people who condemn Catholics to hell, knowing that their beliefs, fragile as they are, were written by Catholics!

Once again...I never said I worship the Bible. Are you missing that part? Also....I never condemned Catholics to hell. And...if the Catholics did everything as you say...why did it take my leaving the church and going to a Pentacostal Church before I felt the Hand of God in my life?

While in the Catholic church, I was never told about a relationship with Christ.
I was never told to open my heart to God.
I was never taught to hand my life over and my worries to Christ.
I never knew that I needed to dedicate my life towards Christ so that his will and plan that he has set for me can be fulfilled.
I never knew that God had a plan for me which was far different from the plan I had for myself.
I always thought that I should give 10% because...thats what im supposed to do. I later then realized that God has given me an opportunity to give back a portion of what he has allowed me to recieve and that 10% is just what 'tithe' means. I started trusting, praying and giving more for each time I recieved more pay and the more I gave, the more I was blessed in return.

I attended a Pentacostal service and I was the first person out of the service because I was scared. But...something kept drawing me back. After attending more and more...and I read the Bible and what God teaches in it; I handed my life over to Christ and only then did I feel his true presence in my life. I was uplifted and my life became something that it had never been before...complete and I knew that God had a plan for me. I started praying directly to God and started a relationship with him and asked him to enter my life, clean me up and lead me to his will and my life has never been the same since.

Now, once again...I never said it was a cult, but I said that some view it as such.

Personally...I just dont know how they can justify some of the things they do that arent taught in the Bible. There are many things that are done that I just wonder...why do they do that if its not in the Bible? Even if I was to think of the Bible merely as a reference tool...what other scriptures and teachings from God justify the various things done in the church today?

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Whatever floats your boat, goat, just don't knock others for their personal preferences.

All paths to God are valid, and yours is no better than any other's.

Exactly. And Catholics actually teach that now, altho they did not in years past.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Try again. That is not how it goes.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

why did it take my leaving the church and going to a Pentacostal Church before I felt the Hand of God in my life?

Read Little Whip's response. Get an education.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

The Catholic church wasnt even founded until some time after his death and resurrection.

Uh, why dont you check out the Papal Succession. Who was the first pope? What did Jesus say? Some time? Would that be in Days or minutes?

Tova7

on Nov 03, 2005

Wow....no WONDER there was a Protestant revolution.

Do we have to relive it here?

Look the only thing that matters in Christianity is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Period.

All the other things aren't going to cost you salvation. They are just something Satan uses to keep us all fighting amongst ourselves. Because (gasp) if we were united he would actually have to WORK for his souls...

Texas Wahine

on Nov 03, 2005

Dr.Guy:

I got to ask, How? HOw did a Priest bless your child against your will? Just Curious.

My mother-in-law (and her entire family) is Catholic, and when my youngest was still an infant we spent the weekend with my in-laws. On Sunday morning, out of respect for them, we attended services with them.

After services were over, we were sitting in the pew, waiting for my in-laws to be ready to leave. The priest was talking to my m-i-l and then turns to me (I'm holding the baby) and he begins doing the whole blessing thing.

Now, you can argue that I could have just said I didn't want him to do it, but that would have been incredibly rude and a poor reflection on my m-i-l, so I just sat there in disbelief. He didn't ask me if he could or if I wanted him to...he just did it.

It really bothered me. I felt violated.

So I really dont see why anyone would care. If you are not catholic, it does not affect you.

Exactly.

Gene:

Yes, there is a secular annulment legal "thing." It's when a court vacates a marriage, making it as if it never happened. Try googling: legal annulment.

Heh, like what Britney Spears did?

In a Christian context, remarriage after divorce is, in general, considered adultery (something most denominations ignore) -- hence the need for annulment of the religious variety.

(And, yes, it's more complex than that, but I don't feel like writing a long-winded, scripture referenced screed when that's good enough for this convo.

I'm familiar with the Scripture that discusses divorce (Matthew 4:31 touches this very topic), but I'm not sure where the authority for annulment comes from. Could you enlighten me?

Tova7

on Nov 03, 2005

...why do they do that if its not in the Bible?

Let me get this straight.....are you Marcie's boyfriend?

If not please disregard.

If so, your Pentecostal and shacking up????? Well shacking up is NOT in the Bible. I wonder how many tongues your church would speak in if they knew about that.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Personally...I just dont know how they can justify some of the things they do that arent taught in the Bible. There are many things that are done that I just wonder...why do they do that if its not in the Bible? Even if I was to think of the Bible merely as a reference tool...what other scriptures and teachings from God justify the various things done in the church today?

The Bible was never meant as a how to book. It was a book of inspiration and history. That is what it was created for, and that is what it is. I wrote this to clear up some misconceptions, not as a history of the Catholic Church. I can delve into that if you would like at another time.

As for the ritual and pagentry, that has grown up over time. Once the church moved into greater Europe, and started converting the pagans, it was done to keep them in line and keep some of the 'magic' that they had believed in. But as people grew in awareness and spirituality, that was then stripped away.

You decry the parts of the mass and then list your own parts for your own religion - which by the way is nothing like the Lutherans or Episcopalians since their liturgy closely follows that of Catholocism - and then complain that perhaps - perhaps - Catholics have more steps? There is a reason for each part of the liturgy as Mass is not only a time for fellowship, but a time for learning and rejoicing in the Spirit.

The Bible was written by man. It may have been inspired by Jesus and God, but it was written and edited by man. So that is why so many Gospels did not make it, and the 4 did. As well as many of Paul's letters did not make it. You take your entire faith on a wrok that is by definition fallible, and let no other factors influence you. That is fine, that is what a lot of Christians do, and I will not tar them with a broad brush. But by the same token, that does not make your faith any more valid than mine. And that is where you are dead wrong.

It is time for you to learn about the faith of your birth. Not to convert. But so you can see with clear eyes instead of the prejudiced view you now hold.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, played as a child, learned as a child. When I became a man, I put my childish ways away. Time for you to do the same.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Wow....no WONDER there was a Protestant revolution.

If there had not been one, we would have had to invent it. For the Church of the Middle ages was not a god-like institution! But I for one am glad that it was reformed and is now the Church it is. I could never be a Catholic, prior to Vatican II. I am glad it happened in my life time, and now the Church is one I have faith in and believe in because it does make sense to me. But it does not for all.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

Now, you can argue that I could have just said I didn't want him to do it, but that would have been incredibly rude and a poor reflection on my m-i-l, so I just sat there in disbelief. He didn't ask me if he could or if I wanted him to...he just did it.

It really bothered me. I felt violated

He should have asked, but in his defense, he just thought he was doing you a favor. That does not make it right, and I am sorry for your experience.

Dr Guy

on Nov 03, 2005

If so, your Pentecostal and shacking up????? Well shacking up is NOT in the Bible. I wonder how many tongues your church would speak in if they knew about that.

Oops!

Tova7

on Nov 03, 2005

Hey Tex...maybe your MIL SET YOU UP!! She may have had this all worked out with the Priest before you even got there for your visit.

She knows your not Catholic, and maybe it bugs her that her grandkids aren't baptized so she had to get SOMETHING!

I only say that because its sounds like something that would happen in my family if the DIL wasn't "up to snuff" so to speak.

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