First of all, let me be state outright that I appreciate each of your posts in this thread. I am not intending to "push" someone out of the Church. I may have been less than charitable with some of my replies and for that, mea culpa.
I don't think everyone should leave if they are wrestling with difficult teachings. I also don't believe the Catholic church is in a popularity contest. What they have to sell does not change with the times. It is not routinely updated to capture the latest swing in pollster's numbers.
You either believe there is a
Truth in this world that is unchanging, that there is a universal reference point by which things can be assessed and judged of value, or you believe all things are relative. I don't know of any in-between. I've read various authors attempt to dress up relativism to sound like it's an ultimate truth of which we are the gods but it falls flat when it's given the "reductio ad absurdum" litmus test.
We are either merely sensory creatures who happen to have the cruelest evolution imaginable in that we've arrived at consciousness with no barometer for what truly should be done and thus we continue updating our thoughts on things to appeal to the mob lest we be lynched or, we have more than sensate perception. Many attest to this "6th" sense which has been popularized by the occult as of late. This is not to discount the cerebral aspect of religion, of which I believe can arrive you squarely at the point that it's a 50/50, from there you put your faith in nothingness or something-ness. The history of humanity is fraught with search for signs and symbols, for a reason, a savior, a redeemer and a good shepherd.
I will be very clear in this statement: the Catholic church would be better off if it booted some of the people who claim the Catholic title yet work to
undermine the Church, this includes some priests. Please receive this message with as much charity as you can as I am not directing it at anyone on this message board but there are priests and congress who openly claim the Catholic religion on stage and their life is anathema to it's mission. And to be clear, this isn't directed at someone who wrestles with sin, this is directed at the people who have their mind made up and merely use the Catholic badge to their own gain.
1. My apologies, I completely mistook you for another poster and simply posted based on that assumption. Much of my post could be redacted, as I would've worded it much differently and far less aggressive had I known to whom I was replying.
2. I don't believe the Catholic church is infallible and always just, I believe there have been atrocities committed in Her name and their have been poor leaders but I do not believe any of that affected her doctrinal statements or creeds.
I am firmly in belief that what is promulgated from Rome as theological or doctrinal is inerrant in form and substance. I believe the transmission through the ages harbors no error in that it was divinely guided and that Christ's words have been handed on as He so intended.
The hypostatic union of Christ is either true or false. It is not some half way point on the scale. If he was truly God, there is no room for error. If He came down to establish His Church and give a template for life that is most fulfilling and worthy of His kingdom, then to fail would be impossible. Errant man could not override inerrant God.
If God is all powerful, then no matter how impoverished man is, he would be unable to destroy the message, even through audible transmission. There is this idea that once we understand it at a historical level and understand all of the snares that would've resulted in poetry being distorted, that we must assume the same was true for something Jesus would've given us. That is a logical fallacy unless Jesus was a schizophrenic who talked about being God, who said He was the way but was simply delusional. If He was what He says He was, the buck stops there.
3. No offense and my apologies for coming across more abrasive than I intended. You are certainly in the majority but as I stated above, Catholicism does not sway on the popular vote. The Church will continue to feel the effects of modernity as it's increasing reach continues. The Church's words are caustic if you find yourself on the other side of them. There is no half way point in the Church, not in the matters of grave sin and not in the matters of it's Theology or tenants of faith. If any of the creeds are spoken at Mass and intended in the heart, then it is logically impossible to pick and choose what we want at the Catholic buffet line.
Stubborn implies the Catholic church sees a better way to be and resists it, I would suggest it sees the folly of the world in all it's changes and is merely waiting for the pendulum to reach it's apex. As it begins to swing back with the fires burning in the background from our great modern experiment, it'll be standing where you last saw it, with the same message, but it'll seem warmer and much more inviting amidst the chaos and pain.
4. This is a very sobering point but probably not as you intended. It saddens me that these trends exist but it is to be expected. All ages have their plights and we are no different.
On the upside, the Churches that didn't throw out their statues and that maintained the alter in it's traditional placement and have Latin Masses and live out the faith to the fullest have seen increasing number in the pews and in young men called to the seminary. These reports are coming in across the country, so there are signs of life but they are most likely not at the Mass conducted by the hippy priest.
5. I don't think you are a heretic unless you actively preach anathema to the Church's teachings. I'll leave you to decide as I don't know you personally nor do I care to pronounce judgement from the webz. I've read plenty on how often people don't live out their proclaimed faith, we can merely agree that their is a line drawn by the Church and we all choose on which side we fall. I claim I have the Church on my side, you claim the majority sentiment. We appeal to what we can with the choices we have made.
6. This we can agree on. It is saddening indeed to wear the title and not carry it's duties with you. It's the continued fallout of bad formation and modernity.
7. I know you stretched the truth, that's why I called it out
Good for you with the Lenten resolution. Even if it's not for spiritual reasons, it's good to force ourselves to live without something we desire on occasion. It helps strengthen the will.
I won't be able to respond to all your points, but I will say that I agree with most of your points and I commend you for sticking to your principles. You're absolutely right that the church doesn't sway with the popular vote. Sometimes I wish they would consider rethinking their stance on a few topics and make a few concessions, but it's for them to decide how God wants us to live. I do still love the Catholic church, and I don't see myself ever leaving. If my views on a few topics don't agree with the Church, I can accept that. If they don't agree with God, then I'll meet a punishment in Purgatory if needs be.