Do you have doubts about the Roman Catholic Church?
By migaypelaez
@migaypelaez (48)
Philippines
April 19, 2009 8:48am CST
recently, there was news of a big suicide in our country involving the wife of a famous news broadcaster and TV personality. my friend then pitied the said woman because according to him, suicides won't be accepted for mass inside a catholic church and priests will refuse to conduct mass such persons. i wonder does the bible really command such things, or does the roman catholic church just makes up these kind of rules as they go along. i am a baptized roman catholic, but sometimes i just cant help but think that some things are just unacceptable. like the high fees they collect for certifications, seminars, marriage and death requirements. instead of helping people, its adding up to the burden. and i have this one concern regarding the sabbath day. it is said that priests know that the real sabbath is saturday and not sunday, but they decreed to preach it as sunday, isn't that categorically - lying??
i believe in God and fear him..but i have doubts with people..we are not perfect..its such a shame and burden to be confused religiously, but i cant help it.. ignorance is one thing, its not an excuse, but knowing somethings off and chosing not to know is, i dunno, is it a sin?? i have lots of questions...do you have questions too?
4 people like this
14 responses
@modstar (9605)
• Philippines
19 Apr 09
No i don't. Why should i? I think it's high time for the Roman Catholic Church to grow teeth. This religion is the most taken for granted of all religions. The Religion keeps turning the other cheek whenever provoke. I'm sick of it. Like you said, we are just human beings. Even the holy ones can become evil. I can too, and i'm Roman Catholic. But that doesn't mean i don't have faith. In fact, i'm full of it and i'm just keeping my guard up for those who say sh!t about the Religion. I mean come on, you can't live your life accepting all the trash they say about your faith. Your faith is weak. I would always be a Roman Catholic even if it's the biggest lie on Earth.
1 person likes this
@migaypelaez (48)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
hi modstar! you are always entitled to choose your own belief..thanks for your response..glad to know that there are still people who strongly believe in the roman catholic church..keeps the balance..
thanks!
@migaypelaez (48)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I have faith in God...but i don't think i can say the same for the religion...and besides, God and Religion are nowhere near the same dimension...
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
19 Apr 09
I am pleased to know that you have a mind of your own and are using it. I gave up religion at an early age because I didn't believe the Dogma. First thing you need to know is that neither God nor Jesus started the Christian Religion. It was started by business men who saw a chance to make money and become very Rich. The Christian Religion is the Greatest and most successful Scam ever dreamed up, and its become the biggest and most wealthy business the world has ever seen, and as you have noticed its all about Money! Yes the Catholic Church has been Scamming its parishioners for nearly 2000 years, with High fees for everything they can dream up. Its not about love, or helping their fellow man, its just about gathering money.
1 person likes this
@migaypelaez (48)
• Philippines
19 Apr 09
ur right..its such a sad thing to note.. +(
1 person likes this
@flagella08 (5065)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I think i'll agree with that. Our whole clan was true blooded Catholic and most of my grannies donated some lots for the church building. later on, they found out some scams that were really unacceptable. i mean the religion itself. now we're settled to a religion which is business free.
@fatherblogger (673)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
Yes, I have doubts since my childhood. In fact, I had bad experiences before especially when it comes to buying their services. Although they are saying that it is voluntary donation, it is not really true. I do believe that any religion needs money to survive, but they should not use their services as a form of business.
For the record, I have no religion since I was 14 but I do believe in one GOD whoever HE is. I think the main problem with religion is they are isolating each other, and one always think that they have the right belief which means others are wrong.
But then, I also believe that it is only about respect.
@zedlav23 (458)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I'm glad that you have the desire to know the truth. Honestly, I am a catholic myself before but I thank God because I was enlightened by the many false teachings that these denomination is trying to spread to the world. There is actually no need for you to look far on what is wrong. You just have to stare at those wooden images clinging on the walls, the rosary, and all those unmarried priests and you will know that they are a bunch of false teachers masking themselves as Christians but in reality are pagans.
Here are three verses from the book of Isaiah you can show to the priests about idolatry:
Isaiah 46:5-7
To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
I hope people can read this and know that Jesus is alive and did not remain on the cross, nor does he need any processions or fiestas because what the Lord wants is for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. All that Lord is awaiting is for us to receive Him as our Lord and personal savior, accept that we are sinners, confess our sins to Him with our mouth and believe in our hearts that He is the only one who can save us from the sure and eternal damnation of hell.
@tipay26 (867)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
Honestly speaking,when a discussion is about a certain religion I prefer not to comment or participate in it .Why?because asking about the "why's" or the "what's" of a certain religion will actually confuse you.There are somethings in our lives that is much greater if it is left unsaid or un answered trust me it will do you more help if you just learn to accept things that are already present and is religiously practiced in our lives.And if I may answer your question about the sabbath day,I believe they made it a Sunday because in the Beginning when God made everything, it is only in a Sunday that He can rest.And as far as the church is concerned,it is the only day that a family is reunited with each other because it's the only free day that school,work,and careers are left aside to rest and be with God through hearing a mass together with your family.
@edujccz (929)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I like your attitude tipay, it means that those person who question religion are on a confused state but they have rigth to do so since we have a free will.
It says on the sevent day, and sunday is the seventh day from monday, just my interpretation. I am happy with my church.
@tipay26 (867)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
Yes,you are right.but they have their rights to question what is bugging in their minds.but as of now on my own perception i am happy and contented in my religion.I may not go to mass as often but I do know how to repent and ask for forgiveness and anything bad I hear about my religion is not of my concern anymore.I am confident in what I believe and when it comes to religion i don't really put any hand to engage with a debate or discussion.the thing here is..I BELIEVE AND I AM A BELIEVER OF GOD AND MY RELIGION.=)
@charlenmendoza (922)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I am catholic and i also have questions. No one can answer our questions so what i did i just believe in what i know is right. I don't often go to church or attend mass but i pray everytime i want to pray. I think what is important is that you believed in GOD and you don't do anything bad to hurt other people.
@flagella08 (5065)
• Philippines
19 Apr 09
i think you should try for the truth. though we can't really assure what's the truth, at least a religion that's within the right reasoning. it is only by reasoning that man can disover GOD. try attending evangelical missions of some religions in your area. maybe you will find the truth.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
23 Apr 09
I was raised in a strict Catholic home and to be honest, I found it to be frightening. I also had the chance to learn about other religions. I had much to question in every religion actually. I am very spiritual but I won't subscribe to any man made religion nor did I make my kids do so. In growing up, they learned about all religions and beliefs and it is up to them what path they choose.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
20 Apr 09
i was raised catholic and went to catholic school. i am no longer catholic for many reasons. first of all, in my eyes it is a big, money making machine. it uses fear and guilt to motivate its parishioners. it seems to be void of christianity because for instance, when i was in catholic school, if someone could not pay their tuition they were asked to leave. where is the christianity in that? also how can catholic priests molest children? how is that christian? not enough has been done about that. there is much to be said about the catholic church and it is very controversial. the main problem i have with it is how people revere the pope. he is not God. God and Jesus are the ones who should be revered, not a figurehead. i could go on but do not have the time.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
of course, no religion is perfect. so though they say they are working for God still their beliefs many of which are man made and are not based on the bible. Cause there are still many beliefs in religion born out of traditions and some rules made by the vatican. and we can't blame them. cause they are just humans. they will just make rules and beliefs as to their conscience. which may not always be in accordance with the truths of the bible.
you are right to feel bad about your religion. that is why i don't depend on religion on how i view God and about my spirituality cause they also don't what truth to believe many times. they are just obeying what their superiors beleive.
@dollardollar (159)
• Philippines
8 May 09
actually i don't believe in religion, because religion just separate us for being one in god.
@kdmlrys (398)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I was raised as a Christian through the Protestant denomination. But (sadly for some people) I don't go to church anymore.
Some of the things you've said in this discussion are actually few of the reasons why I don't go to church. I encountered a very judgmental pastor once and since then, I was really turned-off!
I'm still a believer but now I am confident to say that the church is not really a part of my faith.
Basically, it is just a building! I don't believe that it is the house of God as what most believers say. I think it sounds like a religious fanaticism already, that even tattoos and rock music are being forbidden by most religious leaders.
I love what Gil Grissom (one of the main characters on the show C.S.I.) had said on one of the C.S.I. episodes - where he was talking to a priest, he said something like:
"I believe in God, I believe in science, but I don't believe in religion that tells me how to live."
@migaypelaez (48)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
nice one kdmlrys! i have totally experienced what you related...i met a lot of pastors or avid church goers who are such hypocrits..i cant raelly understand what theyre trying to preach or show..
nway, i love that you quoted characters from CSI..love the show, but thats another story..ehehhe..
thanks a lot!
@mimiang (3760)
• Philippines
20 Apr 09
I can't comment on Catholicism because I belong to other group..In the Bible :The day of Church should be on the first day of the week.The other days can be in accordance to what is agreed by the people of the Church . I don't know what chapter and verse is it in the bible but it is how it is explained to us in our religion.