Can we have a positive thread about Catholicism?

[PadgettsDream]

There is currently a thread running where there is a lot of criticism of the Catholic Church which is in many cases fair enough and it needs to be discussed but that thread in my opinion often strays into outright anti-Catholic sentiment and even bigotry against Catholics and Catholicism in general.

So I wonder if anyone would like a space to talk about the positives of the Church? I myself was raised Catholic, went to a convent School and it was wonderful really. I did not have any bad experiences and the Church has always been a source of strength and comfort for me. It doesn't dominate my life, I'm not brainwashed by it but its been an important foundation for me and I am thankful for it. In my own family history the Church stepped in and helped when nobody else would.

Any other positive stories?

I was a very happy Catholic until the abuse scandals. The final nail in the coffin for me with the religion I loved was my Catholic priest uncle who I adored to that point and is beyond well thought of as a missionary Catholic priest told his family members to carpet sweep the sexual abuse I experienced to keep the family relationships intact and cut off communication with me when I asked him directly about his actions.

They are not a force for good in my life anymore. So this popped up in my active threads, so yes if we just block out the truly awful culture of the Catholic Church around sexual abuse, women in society then yes it is a great organisation but can we seriously be expected to do that.

What is the problem with Mary?
I would have thought it was a good thing that a woman was so venerated by the Church. I have a Baptist friend who’s also anti Mary, and I don’t understand why.

What is the problem with Mary?
Many Protestant denominations don’t see veneration of Mary as rooted in Scripture. Many focus on a ‘sola scriptura’ approach - if it’s not in scripture it’s an innovation.

The Orthodox churches also see the veneration of Mary as the ‘Theotokos’ as an important acknowledgement of her role in bringing Jesus Christ into the world.
Arguably, the sidelining of Mary within Protestant denominations is a break with the historic teachings of the early church and church fathers.

@SulisMinerva Yes, Luther had a great devotion to Mary with a Marian theology virtually identical to Catholics and Orthodox. There is a least one Lutheran great church building (although called a Cathedral it is not the seat of a Bishop) in Dresden, Germany.
Originally the site of a Catholic church named in honor of Mary, it was rebuilt at least twice as a Lutheran house of worship named after Our Lady.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frauenkirche,_Dresden

Luther's teaching on Mary
https://www.churchpop.com/5-surprising-quotes-from-martin-luther-on-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/martin-luther-s-exceptionally-catholic-devotion-to-mary

Would you mind sharing the title and author please Troubledwords?

It's called A Saint A Day by Meredith Hinds, as I said it's aimed at children, so is basic on information about each Saint, but gives dates and the country they are from, a scripture verse and a little prayer.

Yes. This is not to be anti-church, but I've read that some of the decline in the number of candidates for the Priesthood is because people feel more able to come out and live openly as SSA (writing that as same sex attracted is long winded) men instead.

There's a book called In The Closet of the Vatican that goes into all the ways SSA is involved in the structure of The Church. I could only read a few pages as it is a total hit piece on the church. But would be good if you like to read all the ins and outs/gossip. He reckons lots of them don't like the current pope allegedly because he isn't gay like them. The book is written by a SSA ex-Catholic.
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The Priest who instructed me texted today to see how I am- awwww. We had a good text exchange about stuff. My local Priests are very traditional and they're not fans of the current Pope at all.

Of course I've never liked them. I'm attracted to both men and women- if I made the rules they'd be very different of course. But sadly I don't.

Sorry to hear your uncle was like that.
In theory the church has changed somewhat now- there will still be abusers like in any org and those that cover up for them, like anywhere (the main place both abuse and people covering up for it happens is in the home.) But no organisation or religion will have worked to address abuse within it now, more than The Church has done.

What is the problem with Mary? I would have thought it was a good thing that a woman was so venerated by the Church. I have a Baptist friend who’s also anti Mary, and I don’t understand why.

It would be lovely, except it's unbiblical and potentially a violation of the commandment not to make, bow to, or serve idols.

@RedRosesPinkLilies and @porridgeisbae feel free to start a new thread where we can discuss the theology of Mary and the scripture verses and teaching tradition that led to that theology.

@Narratoritis There's only really the bit where Gabriel comes to mary and what she said then etc, or with Elisabeth. There's nothing saying she was a virgin for life for instance, in fact she wasn't. Nothing saying she was taken up to heaven. Nothing saying we should have icons of people, or say prayers in front of those icons, or repeat hail Marys ourselves etc. Quite the opposite really.

@Narratoritis
No thanks. Mine was a genuine question- which was fair enough. As a Catholic I don’t understand the antagonism towards Mary - I think it was on topic to ask

It just seems certain posters will use a genuine question to immediately denounce and attack Catholicism. It's absolutely fine to discuss amd debate all these topics, but to keep this thread positive it would be best in a thread set up for that purpose.
Otherwise people who are devout Catholics won't post because it will devolve into a typical attack on Catholicism by those who aren't Catholic or aren't practicing.

Unfortunately I will never agree.
Catholic and supposed to follow the bible and jesus teachings...so why do you believe a trinity that actually does not exist in the bible? Why do you believe gay marriage etc is ok? The bible clearly says a man and a woman. War, why will one catholic from our army fight another catholic in another country? Shouldn't you all be learning and doing the same things? And clearly Jesus said learn war no more so yous go against that to.

All your vicars get paid and some houses, vicarages etc where in the bible is that ok? Other religions everything is based on voluntary members.
Jesus said follow his footsteps closely yet I don't see it in many religions because just living a good life isn't enough.
Unfortunately for me there are so many questions that if a religion can't follow it's principles and the bible then any small positive isn't any good as that shouldn't be the basis.

It's absolutely fine to have all these questions, want to discuss them or completely disagree with Catholicism, this is just not the thread to do it on. If you sincerely want to ask those questions start a thread and plenty of Catholics (and others) will respond.

It’s a shame this tgread has descended into another religion (this time specifically Catholic) bashing thread when it was specifically set up for Catholics and others to look for positives. Everyone is entitled to follow whatever religion they like. Catholicism certainly isn’t for me (but neither is organised religion generally) but it’s interesting to know what people are attracted Uk within their religion.,

Theres been some great questions asked. But they’re not really fair in the context of this thread which seems to have been started for support.

im going to start another thread about what draws people to different denominations is anyone cares to. Join me there.

Here’s the new thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4989074-what-draws-you-to-a-particular-christian-denomination

Thank you so much @Troubledwords ! 😃

Thank you @Kdtym10 😊

Unsurprised by the fact that 5 months on from the start of this thread the answer is still no. 😂

Might look out for that saints book. I think Meredith Hinds might be the author who wrote A Catholic Home.

Few people agree with all of Catholicism's teachings as there is so much of it, there's something for everyone to disagree with.

Was told off earlier in the thread for going along with too much of it.

I might try and go back and just say to them that I won't do the Mary bits etc.

I do like how Confession helps keep you on the straight and narrow/accountable. Having to go to confession, I think does make you take behaving better more seriously.

Most of all you experience God's mercy and know you are loved through Confession.

@porridgeisbae my grandmother felt that opportunities to work for charities overseas, where it was not a lifetime commitment, also has reduced the numbers wanting to become priests or nuns.