The Collapse of Cultural Catholicism

Standing on My Head ^ | 1/27/11 | Fr. Dwight Longenecker

[marshmallow]

Shery Weddell at the St Catherine of Siena Institute reports that 32% of Americans raised Catholic abandon the identity altogether by their mid twenties. An additional 38% retain the identity but rarely practice their faith. 30% of those who call themselves Catholic attend Mass only once a month. On a given Sunday only about 15.6% of American Catholics attend Mass.

What is the reason for these disastrous statistics? Basically because for the last forty years Catholics themselves have not taught Catholicism to their children. They've taught 'American Catholicism' which is a watered down blend of sentimentalism, political correctness, community activism and utilitarianism. In other words, "Catholicism is about feeling good about yourself, being just to others and trying to change the world." The next generation have drawn the obvious conclusion that you don't need to go to Mass to do all that. You can feel good about yourself much more effectively with a good book from the self help shelf, or by attending a personal development seminar. You can be involved in making the world a better place without going to church.

If only 15% of Catholics go to Mass on a given Sunday, look around and see how many of them are old. Even the 15% who are there won't be there for very long.

The solution is simple: we must return to the supernatural realities of the historic faith and evangelize like the Apostles of old. The big difference is that the Apostles knew their targets were pagans and the pagans knew they weren't Christians. We're dealing with a huge population of Americans (Catholics and Protestants alike) who are pagan but who think they're 'good Christians.' It is very difficult to evangelize people who already think they're fine just as they are. We don't know what we don't know, and the vast majority of poorly catechized, lazy and worldly Catholics aren't aware that there's anything wrong.

What will it take for us to wake up?

[lastchance]

Just remember Christ never promised easy. I have many, many friends who are not Catholic. They are Christian down to their very marrow. I love and esteem them highly.

[Quix]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

how sweet.

One of the favorite

manipulative strategies and demands of the RC's rises again

!!!!CLOSE THE THREAD!!!!

it jangles our sensibilities!

Basically, from where I sit . . . over and over again, whenever RC's begin to get bested at their own games, they want to roll up the sidewalks, empty the stands, stamp their feet like 2 year olds and go home. How impressive.

And this purportedly from the power-mongering cult that claims that "The gates of hell shall not prevail against the RCC."

What a pile of convoluted contradictory balderdash.

[Judith Anne]

Thank you for your reply. We regret to inform you that at this time it does not serve our present needs. Should there be any future need for this reply we will contact you. Your answer will be kept on file for 30 days.

[Quix]

I gather you’ve forgotten

Petronski?

[lastchance]

“just human.”

I’m sure Jesus Himself must shake HIs head and mutter those words when He sees the folly of which we are capable.

[RnMomof7]

Sorry, you are right

It was post 40 where you brought in predestination

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2664899/posts?page=40#40

[marshmallow]

Was Mary predestined

Again, predestined as in foreknowledge.

Not predetermined.

Mary's "yes" was freely given.

[diamond6]

Yes I agree. In fact my best friend is a Protestant. She never took issue with my catholic beliefs, and I never took issue with hers. We were simply happy that we had alot in common and left it at that. God bless her.

[diamond6]

Do not post to me!!

[RnMomof7]

And I started a thread with a song of worship that ended up in hundreds of debate posts.. thats life in the kitchen.. if ya can’t stand the heat in the kitchen .. well you know

[Quix]

INDEED

it IS life.

Howver, I guess if RC’s aren’t wrapped in 12 layers of white hankys, foam rubber and rabbit fur,

they just can’t handle it.

[Judith Anne]

From the Moderator:

“Final note: Trolls, troublemakers, disruptors, forum pests, malcontents, RINOs, liberals, stalkers, et al, would continue posting to (harassing) someone after being asked to stop. Conservative FReepers would not.”

So which are you? A troll, troublemaker, disruptor, forum pest, malcontent, RINOs, liberal, stalker? Or maybe just an uninspired garden variety jerk?

[RnMomof7]

agreed

[diamond6]

You better watch out Judith, someone may post some pictures and words in big font to you.

[RnMomof7]

What is the difference between predestined and predetermined?

[Judith Anne]

Heck, I MARRIED a protestant. Mo Synod Lutheran.

He ended up his last fifteen years, he was Catholic, thank God. He said he was sick of hearing that all his works were as filthy rags in the sight of God. I told him God loved him so much, that as much as I loved him, God loved him even more, and that was when he converted.

[Judith Anne]

You mean, some STALKER?

[RnMomof7]

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow , he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

[1000 silverlings]

who?