Catholicism: A Cult or A Blessing?

I was raised and taught to follow the catholic church, but i always felt something was missing. Being a catholic didn't fill me up. I didn't agree on the rules the church displayed. The happiness was missing, the do this, do that. I didn't know a loving God. I stopped going to church period. I have faith because when i cried out for help to stop drinking, I was given a path to follow. That was over 6 years ago. I am a believer, but I don't go to church yet. Take care Candygurl.

I'll take your question as more than just an anti-Catholic troll. Catholicism is neither a blessing nor a cult. It is the modern descendent of an old sect within the broader religion of Christianity.Cults share much in common with religions, including spirituality, belief in the supernatural, cliquishness, tithing, rituals, evangelism, prescriptions for how to live, amassing wealth and power, etc. Sometimes it's helpful to compare cults and religions to see what is wrong with religion (or what is harmless about a cult). But cults typically add a few layers of mind control, corruption, deception, and isolation of members from families and from the wider society that are not part of the official dogma of religions.Some of it is in the eye of the beholder.I'm fine if you want to call Catholicism a cult, if that's your agenda. You may not want to do that in front of a sincere, devout practitioner that's rude. And if everyone starts doing it we have to invent a new word for real cults so people will know what we're referring to.

Well, I understand your concern. It is true that the way the catholic priests are acting against what they preach specially when it comes to money. For me any religion or charismatic movement who ask money, for this and for that, are no longer in line with God's teaching. Just imagine they will preach that you will be blessed if you give your treasure to the church. However, if you will inventory the treasures hidden in the Vatican I suspect that it is enough to eradicate poverty in the world. If the Catholic Hierarchy will just initiate this great grand charitable act then I would conclude that this religion is really the true religion.

HI - controversy just means worthy of conversation in my opinion. When someone gets offended it means they are unclear about there own beliefs. I was raised catholic from 9 up, and attended catholic school from 3rd grade to 12th. I struggled with a lot of the teachings because they did not ring true with my heart. Most everything was good, but then there were things that just seemed wrong. Like Mary going to heaven body and soul - this is not true at al. They say that some sins are worse than others - these are false teachings - the bible says only one sin is unpardonable - blasphame, which I cannot even totally explain, but it has to do with rejecting the Holy Spirit/God/Jesus. I also had a problem calling priests "father". Jesus said that there is only one father, and that is God. i agree with the apostles creed - it is the one thing that has carried through since Jesus established the "catholic" church (note small "c" which means universal). We, the family of God, that have accepted Christ as our savior are supposed to be united in love with one another under His teachings. Many of the things that ALL religions and ALL churches teach today are from man and not from God. The Roman Catholic church has many good teachings, but like all things that man takes over, not trusting God, they too have lost their way in many aspects and they are afraid to go against something they have believed all of their life. If they would just go back to the word of God they would know the truth. For example - my dad - still Roman Catholic - cannot stand to hear the term "Born Again". Read John chapter 3, if you don't have a bible go to crosswalk.com and look it up, that question is answered. Join my friends list if you need more info. Your thought process just means that you desire the truth and you are on the right path.

I was born and raised Catholic, but once I made my Confirmation, I began to question it a bit. My mother wasn't happy that I was doing so, but even she didn't believe in all of the 'rules' (she disagreed about the use of birth control) and b/c the people that I was friendly with that she didn't like were not a part of Young Life, she allowed me to go on retreats. I still wasn't sure. I left the church for a number of years because of the monsignor (sp?) and only went back last year (part of my self-improvement program!). My ex was a lapsed Baptist and a somewhat bad Charismatic Christian--I was very uncomfortable with singing and praying with my hands in the air, having communion once a month and being ostracized because I was a working mom. But now I'm divorced, seeing a wonderful man who happens to be Catholic and he's the one that nudged me into going to church. Now there are things I still differ from the Church on: I feel that if I confess my sins directly to God, that's enough; I believe in birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy; I also believe in the right to choose. Those beliefs are more likely to make ME hellbound than you! Now, how I recovered it--my mom passed away in 2002 and I felt lost and alone. My ex left the same weekend my father was hospitalized for a double hernia that burst and I felt alone. I found out that the Monsignor had retired (whew!). Talking to my boyfriend, he revealed (in 2004) that he had not missed a Mass in four years. I began to think and to pray. When I lost my job in 2005, I began reevaluating my life and decided to make some changes. I remembered the peace I received there. When I first went to the church I grew up in, I realized that they changed mass times and the door was locked. I vowed to call and check on date the following day. At first, I'd just go and think and let my mind be filled with peace. Since August (?), I've been saying a short prayer. It must be working--I don't get as emotional when they talk about parishioners no longer here (earthbound) and I feel more peaceful. I have a long way to go, but I feel a 1000% better than I did before. It's a long journey for each of us--good luck with what you feel is best for you!

i still believe in my religion and that there is really a God although there are really a lot of priests who really go against what they are preaching but as for me its their own responsibility and we will be punish for what we have done in our life. because not all priest are like them there are still who are true to what they teach. because God so love us that He gave us our freewill. our freedom to choose from right or wrong. and though i'm not really a Bible reader i also believe that "for God so love the world that he gave us His only son so that who ever believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life."

, I am Catholic. But I was never taught that our way is the ONLY way to reach God. In fact, part of why I'm Catholic is because it's the only group of Christianity I've seen that doesn't profess to determine who goes to heaven and who burns in hellfire. =P Instead, they acknowledge that only God can make such judgments. Your saying what you just said makes me wonder if you are really Catholic. Maybe you are; there are a lot of people out there (not only Catholic) who don't seem to know much about their own religion

First of all dont be so hard on yourself. Im what I call myself as a none practiseing catholic. I just dont go to church anymore or its very seldom. But I havent lost my faith in the lord. Just because you are doing things that you think are right that doesnt mean youve lost faith. It sounds like you do still believe in god and are just being hard on yourself. I wouldnt let this worry me. Just talk to god now and then, and remember he will always love you. and dont listen to these people who say you will be punished for not having faith. Not true.

no i have not lost faith and i am a christian....I hope that you do recover your faith in the Lord God bless you anyway

After reading the replies to your discussions, it saddens me that some of them had a bad experience with the catholic community. As a person, I too do not want that this happenings be tolerated by individuals or even the people within the community. I am born Catholic, raised by not so religious parents, studied from elementary to high school in an exclusive catholic school, studied college in a catholic university as well, but this doesn't make me a very religious person. I love being Catholic. I experienced to be really down, what help me cope up? I went to the church and cried out my heart to HIM, every time I'm feeling sad or is burdened with so many things to think about, I just pray and cry to HIM. I think the faith goes on with how strong you are as a person. My experiences in my life are really very hard and if I'm a weak person I might be mentally disturbed person now. My being a strong person helped me not to loose my faith and face the challenges that has come my way. We don't have to blame our religion for whatever is happening in our life, people commit mistakes, they may hold a position but that doesn't mean that they are perfect. Whatever sins we have committed, it was our own choosing, so we have to take the consequences of the actions we have made. The church has their rights and wrongs, as an adult we also know the rights and wrongs, so it is up to us to do the right thing and face the consequence if we will do the wrong thing. I also think that we have to personally answer for the things we have done, we don't have to put the blame to other sectors or people for the actions we have made. We might see people from our community doing things that are wrong, but that doesn't mean that all the people from that community are the same. Its just like this logic, Pedro is bad, he is from the Philippines. Juan is from the Philippines. Is Juan bad?

Does it count as fifty if i reply twice ? lol sorry just asking. hope i didnt' offend you :)

Im a catholic. I also lost my faith on one incident i wish to keep to myself. Im glad that I found my way back to my faith before it was too late. I realize then that in the end, it will not matter what church do you belong, as long as you have your faith and you belive in your God, and you live each day with your conscience in you.

I think it is perfectly normal in some point of a person life that you question your belief.. I have done that too in the past.. However, I dont agree with what you said what priests tell you what to eat etc2.. because so far the catholic that I know.. the catholic that I believe in and love .. it is all about free will.. God gave me free will to choose to do whatever I want to do .. there is no rule of what I should and shouldnt eat .. not like some other religion where they may have certain animal that they cant eat.. Catholic dont have that.. Even during the Holy Friday, where you are supposed to go fasting .. it is still your own choice.. if you dont want to then you dont do it.. there is no one who will force it .. Though, I admit that there are some catholic who goes against their beliefs and still act in sin.. even priests.. and I am sad especially because priest is supposed to be a leader.. an example for others.. but again.. priest is also a human.. and human makes mistake.. after all the bible said.. the desire of our body is greater than the desire to follow the Lord's comment :)

With all due respect to all religions out there... each one is a cult to another. One of the problems with organized religion is that it puts humans in charge. Humans are infalliable, prone to mistakes, temptation, greed and the like (thus the phrase "human nature"). It is normal for us to put our trust in these humans that are in a position of authority (however infalliable they are... authority does not negate human nature). So it is also normal for us to feel as if we've been let down by whatever god/spirit/higher power when those humans in a position of authority give into human nature, however depraved or morally wrong it may be. (I'm using the term human nature to describe the un-perfectness of humans, not any depraved or morally wrong act) I was raised in the church, but as I grew older, I quickly became disillusioned towards Christianity and organized religion as a whole. Religion is of a deeply personal nature... and because of that, I find it amazing that people as a whole are not willing to question their faith... because what better way for faith to be proved than faith to be tested?

The religion was built up to develop the human life n bring peace in society. But these days each and every religion is undergoing vast changes and it seems they are going away from it's objectives. Hence catholics are not the only one where fanaticism is rising.

This is a touchy subject, so I cannot voice my full opinion, as I would not want to offend anyone. So, what I am going to say, is just what I feel, and you can take it from there. There are only two ways how to worship God and they are: 1...Man made rules, religions, what you can and cannot do for your faith in your religion...traditions. and so forth 2...Faith, a personal walk and salvation though Jesus Christ. A spiritally one on one. No rules, just what He preached. Love.

all reliogions, cults, followings etc are the same the people (i call them sheep) all have no idea of how to run their own life and NEED some one to tell them they all claim that they are not brainwashed but they cannot see any other point of view other than what they are told by their leader (reminds me of hitler, maybe hilter was a god?)

My girl, i wasn't going to answer this because i never had any faith to begin with but your so close to 50 responses i have to :P So, i never had any faith, i'm not religious, i doubt that i will ever be religious, i wasn't raised with any religion, although i was baptised for some ungodly reason, well i guess its a godley reason lol. I made a funny. ok. enough on the subject for me!

I understand your concerns and questions. I was raised in the Catholic church but about 7 or 8 years ago I came to realize that there were so many things about it that didn't feel right to me. Plus I just felt spiritually empty inside and wasn't sure what was going on. I began to find fault with the church and picked apart all the things that I didn't agree with. But you know what I came to realize? It wasn't so much the church itself that was lacking, although it does have it's faults just like other religions do. The simple fact was that being a Catholic wasn't the right spiritual path for me. So I began to forge my own spirituality based on a collection of practices, and it has been and still continues to be an enriching experience. I feel that everyone has their own, unique path to follow and it sounds like you just haven't found yours yet. Or maybe you have an idea and haven't explored it yet. But try not to worry about it too much and,most of all, try not to let anyone convince you that you should or shouldn't be following a certain path if it doesn't feel right to you. Take care

A blessing is the best thing to know everywhere in our common life to know every body