Pope Francis Calls Extraordinary Synod On Family And Marriage

[John Ryan]

Yeah. If there's one thing I've learned through my own spiritual journey, it's that the Church doesn't change its stance on much of anything. Especially when it comes things like contraception, abortion, gay marriage. And the ordination of women.

If people don't like the church stance on contraceptives or whatever, learn more about the church's stance and why that is, accept it and move on. Or find a religion which accepts your views. Just please don't call yourself a Catholic. Because you're not, really. You can't just pick and choose.

 

I do not accept the notion that being Roman Catholic means strictly obeying the Magisterium. Therefore, I reject the idea that I am a heretical Catholic or non-Catholic, because I disagree with their notion of sexual ethics. Reactionaries can want me out of the Church as much as they like, but I am Roman Catholic and I am here to stay.

Edited October 11, 2013 by John Ryan

[zabbazooey]

I mean I understand where you're coming from, and it's great you're going to church.

But I like Buddhist philosophy but hate meditating. I'm not a Buddhist. I guess I'm more of a black and white thinker. If I don't adhere to all of the tenets of a religion I feel like a heretic. Or hypocrite. I'd rather not be Catholic than be a cafeteria Catholic.

[Apotheoun]

have faith/obediance to your bishops/authority apo, trust there ability to make the right choices with the grace of God.

Thankfully the people of Constantinople did not place their trust in Patriarch Nestorios when he was bishop of that city, because if they had they would have all followed him in Christological heresy. The same can be said about the people not following Pope Honorius, the bishop of Rome, in his heresy, or Pope Dioscorus, the bishop of Alexandria, in his heresy. It is also a good thing that the people did not follow Patriarch Pyrrhus of Constantinople when he embraced the Monothelite heresy.

 

It is best to test all things, and hold fast to the truth. 

[Jaime]

Still trying to figure out what a formless church is. Haven't had that class in theology yet.

 

Is it like going paperless?  Will a formless church save trees or stop global warming?

[Anastasia13]

I do not accept the notion that being Roman Catholic means strictly obeying the Magisterium. Therefore, I reject the idea that I am a heretical Catholic or non-Catholic, because I disagree with their notion of sexual ethics. Reactionaries can want me out of the Church as much as they like, but I am Roman Catholic and I am here to stay.

 

Just don't get yourself excommunicated, cause that would suck.

[Anastasia13]

Still trying to figure out what a formless church is. Haven't had that class in theology yet.

 

One step past Calvary Chapelish 70's style churches. Great for reaching people with the Gospel-incomplete in the expression of living it.

[CatherineM]

I do not accept the notion that being Roman Catholic means strictly obeying the Magisterium. Therefore, I reject the idea that I am a heretical Catholic or non-Catholic, because I disagree with their notion of sexual ethics. Reactionaries can want me out of the Church as much as they like, but I am Roman Catholic and I am here to stay.

Why would you want to belong to a church, or a club for that matter, that you disagreed with their basic tenet? I've always wondered why people who disagree with what being a Catholic requires would still want to be one.

[GeorgiiMichael]

I do not accept the notion that being Roman Catholic means strictly obeying the Magisterium. Therefore, I reject the idea that I am a heretical Catholic or non-Catholic, because I disagree with their notion of sexual ethics. Reactionaries can want me out of the Church as much as they like, but I am Roman Catholic and I am here to stay.

There might be reactionaries who want you out, but the fact of the matter is, you can't use the reactionary/progressive terminology in regards to Church Doctrine in the same way you can in government policy. The Church, as you should be able to agree, deals with the Truth and morality. You can't be "progressive" in determining what the Truth is, or what is moral. Progressivism is about making choices and seeing if they work (which is much better than the reverse when it comes to public policy). But you can't just do that when discussing the Truth or morals. Something is true or it isn't. It is either a moral act or an immoral one. The Church cannot embrace something unless it's both Good and True, and so She, via the Magisterium, must decide on what is true.

 

The three basic building blocks of the faith are Holy Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, if you disbelieve in any of these three, you're denying 1/3 of the Catholic faith, which, quite frankly, is a larger portion than many protestants. Being Catholic (not merely of the Latin Church, but in all of the Churches that are in union with the Pope) necessitates being obedient to the Magisterium, and your local bishop in particular. I'm happy you want to stay but, just like when you stay at someone else's house, you have to follow the rules.

[Maggyie]

Why would you want to belong to a church, or a club for that matter, that you disagreed with their basic tenet? I've always wondered why people who disagree with what being a Catholic requires would still want to be one.

 

Because:

 

1. culture

2. tradition

3. they don't agree, but they wish they could agree

4. it's a beautiful religion, rich and satisfying when it comes to the human experience of it.

5. The music is beautiful, the art is beautiful

6. They want to belong somewhere. They want to have somewhere to go on Christmas Eve and when someone dies, somewhere to turn. They want to be able to check off the Catholic box on forms and surveys.

7. Just because you're estranged from your mother doesn't mean she's not your mother anymore.

 

Ultimately it's #7 which makes the Catholic Church different than a club or any other type of church, where you drop out if you decide the Rotary's mission statement is whacked.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Thankfully the people of Constantinople did not place their trust in Patriarch Nestorios when he was bishop of that city, because if they had they would have all followed him in Christological heresy. The same can be said about the people not following Pope Honorius, the bishop of Rome, in his heresy, or Pope Dioscorus, the bishop of Alexandria, in his heresy. It is also a good thing that the people did not follow Patriarch Pyrrhus of Constantinople when he embraced the Monothelite heresy.

 

It is best to test all things, and hold fast to the truth. 

 

 

So are you saying pope francis is a heretic? I think paranoia and mis trust in small doses is a good thing but in large doses can cause us to make believe our own ideology instead of reality. Though of course if a pope or bishop is indefinitely a heretic and that is the consensus of the majority then you have to think again about the pope or bishops view, but also not everything is a sin or heresy. I take this approach with my own understandings too, sometimes my views are leaning towards heretic and when i realize this or enough people tell me then i alter the parts of my thinking that those parts are no longer heretical or obliterate the thought pattern completely, with the grace of God.

Edited October 23, 2013 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye