Trueness to a specific religion...

[JabbaJawz]

I am a baptized Catholic and attended Catholic school for grades K-8. Dean (fiance) is a baptized Lutheran but hasn't ever really practiced the religion. We're getting married in the Catholic Church this May, and are required to attend marriage preparation classes. We completed the class this weekend, and several issues came up that really got us thinking. While I have faith in God - my trueness to the Catholic faith is in question.

As most faith's do, there are many specific beliefs and a certain lifestyle that the Catholic church expects you to follow. It's not that they don't welcome you as a member if you don't follow all of them, but they do in a sense 'shove in down your throat' in many ways. I always realized this, but after this class and going over each lifestyle manner, it's a little more out of control that I thought!

I guess where I'm going with this - is to ask if all Catholics FULLY believe in ALL the theories and lifestyle? And follow the 'rules' per se? Is it acceptable to take from the religion what you can value for your life, or is that too much picking and choosing?

I mean, some of the things they're expecting are absolutely insane in our opinion. I guess it really hit home when we sat through presentations by a few couples, and to see how much they truly believe in and live this lifetyle to a "T". We could NEVER be like this, despite the fact that we are good people. Most of the opinions on sexual relations, quantity of children, etc... are just completely unrealistic. I could go on forever, but I suppose am looking for others' opinions on the topic.

[Kain99]

Originally posted by laureng
I mean, some of the things they're expecting are absolutely insane in our opinion. I guess it really hit home when we sat through presentations by a few couples, and to see how much they truly believe in and live this lifetyle to a "T". We could NEVER be like this, despite the fact that we are good people. Most of the opinions on sexual relations, quantity of children, etc... are just completely unrealistic. I could go on forever, but I suppose am looking for others' opinions on the topic.

My heart goes out to you Lauren. This is one of those really important questions that requires a truly honest and open answer. I'll start by letting you know that I have problems being objective when it comes to these dilemma's. So the best I can do, is give it to ya straight from the heart.

Kain' s Philosophy:

Doctrine divides. God does not expect nor does he want us to follow Religion. he simply requires that we follow him.

You could sit down with 10 Biblical scholars. All of them would take the same verse and offer 10 seperate opinions on it's meaning.

You and Dean will be joined together as one for life. The two of you should do nothing less, than stay true to yourselves and your God in the ways that you deem fit.

There are several words that you will not find in the Bible. Catholic is one of them. Do not confuse the facts. God says follow me. That's all you have to do!

[Makavide]

Originally posted by laureng
I guess it really hit home when we sat through presentations by a few couples, and to see how much they truly believe in and live this lifetyle to a "T".

I am also Catholic, I was raised Catholic and went through all the CCD classes. I then walked away from the church for a while and came back. I am fairly active in the church now as well. And truthfully, most of the people I know that attend with me do not follow all the rules the Catholic church has. Every one ussually stays true to themselves and follows what they need to to believe.

Most of the "retreats" I have been to (such as the marriage encounters) the couples that are chosen to speak at these are hand picked, and pre-screened to ensure that they toe the party line.

Just remeber, there are many Catholic Churches in the area, if one makes you uncomfortable, find another one where you feel welcomed

[JabbaJawz]

Thanks guys, you both made REALLY good points, and I feel a whole lot better. St. John's, my regular parish, has never made me feel unwelcomed, but these classes were really something else (hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington). They very much bombarded us with expectations, 'rules', etc... I really like what you both said, and it makes me feel much better about things.

[SxyPrincess]

I'm Catholic but I don't...well...practice the religion. I see them as hypocritical gold diggers.

Originally posted by SxyPrincess
I'm Catholic but I don't...well...practice the religion. I see them as hypocritical gold diggers.

Awe, come on sxy, don't you just love the churchercise?

(rise, kneel, sit, rise, kneel, sit)http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport004.gifhttp://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport004.gifhttp://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport004.gifhttp://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/sport/sport004.gif

[SxyPrincess]

Originally posted by justhangn
Awe, come on sxy, don't you just love the churchercise?

NO! I work for the Catholic Church and I get to see first-hand everyday just how corrupt they are.

Originally posted by SxyPrincess
NO! I work for the Catholic Church and I get to see first-hand everyday just how corrupt they are.

:eek: They're corrupt?? :eek:

[SxyPrincess]

Originally posted by justhangn
:eek: They're corrupt?? :eek:

No - I was just teasin.

[blueeyes76]

Originally posted by justhangn
(rise, kneel, sit, rise, kneel, sit)

Lol. My boyfriend is Baptist, he was so confused when we went to Catholic Mass before my Goddaughter's Christening. Poor guy didn't know what to do.

I was baptized Catholic, I've never attended church regularly. My father grew up in a strict Catholic home and I guess he didn't want to force religion on us the way it was forced on him. I feel like I'm a good person and I do believe in God. I think that's all that really matters. JMO.