Posted on 09/17/2015 12:42:53 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Over 50 percent of Americans raised in the Catholic Church say they've left the faith at some point in their lives, according to a Pew Research survey on religion and public life.
The data further revealed that among the 52 percent who left the Church, about six out of 10 have returned at some point.
Two-thirds of the group that left the Church now consider themselves ex-Catholics and no-longer identify with the faith.
Around 13 percent, however, still identify as Catholic, but no longer practice the religion.
For those who are still practicing, around 73 percent said they've been in the Church their entire life, and seven out of 10 said they could never imagine leaving it.
Aside from membership, Pew Research also uncovered surprising beliefs held by Catholics pertaining to families.
The survey found that a "strong majority" of Catholics said children being raised in unconventional families with unmarried parents living together, same-sex couples or single parents, is acceptable. Around 90 percent, though, preferred that children be raised with a married mother and father. Forty-three percent said it's acceptable for a gay couple to raise a child.
"Nine-in-10 U.S. Catholics say a household headed by a married mother and father is an ideal situation for bringing up children. But the survey shows that large majorities think other kinds of families — those headed by parents who are single, divorced, unmarried or gay — are OK for raising children, too," noted Pew in the analysis released just days before Pope Francis' first U.S. visit in which he'll encounter a national Catholic population largely supportive of family units not advanced or encouraged by Church teaching.
The survey also found that: "A sizable majority (85 percent) think it's acceptable for a man and a woman to live together as a couple outside of marriage, including more than half (55 percent) who say cohabitation is as good as any other living arrangement for adults. And [seven]-in-10 Catholics say married couples who opt not to have children have chosen a lifestyle that is as good as any other."
And while many Catholics hold progressive beliefs when it comes to issues involving families, the Church seems to be maintaining its traditional views, despite the change in tone from Pope Francis when it comes to divorce and homosexuality.
The Pope did, however, make changes to the Church's annulment process, loosening restrictions on Catholics who wish to remarry. The Vatican is also expected to host a meeting in October with Catholic leaders worldwide where they will analyze recommendations on family issues, including divorce and marriage.
With Pope Che at the helm, I would not be surprised if this trend becomes even more pronounced.
Come out, and fellowship with a good evangelical group for the “faith once delivered to the saints.”
Points missed by the headline:
1. “...left at sometime in their life....” Thus they stopped attending Catholic church, but resumed it later and apparently never renounced Christianity.
2. “...among the 52 percent who left the Church, about six out of 10 have returned at some point.” Again, they RETURNED.
Nuff said.
I once told a catholic priest I was a recovering catholic and his reaction was priceless, worth the price of admission at least.
I have NO doubts at all why the church of rome arose in the very same culture which gave us la cosa nostra and italian organized crime families.
Governments the world over follow the very same models of control.
I was 14 the last time I entered a church for other than tourist value.
As a christian, born-again, I consider catholics ostensible christians; Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden are living proof of this.
I do hope Malachy’s prophecy is true and that this IS the last pope.
Well can’t be a “bad” thing....
POPE FRANCIS TAPS RICK WARREN TO SELL VATICAN SOCIALIST AGENDA TO AMERICAN CHRISTIANS
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/blog/?p=35402
Pope Francis Is to the Vatican, What Obama Is to the U.S.
http://www.raptureready.com/soap2/ungurean64.html
“I do hope Malachy’s prophecy is true and that this IS the last pope”
Actually, I do too—although we have no idea if it is.
We’re clearly in the last days regardless.
God Bless!
“I can destroy your Church.”
“You can? Then go ahead and do so.”
“To do so, I need more time and more power.”
“How much time? How much power?
“75 to 100 years, and a greater power over those who will give themselves over to my service.”
“You have the time, you will have the power. Do with them what you will.”
Then there’s a person I know. She’s an associate nun (not sure of the exact term), who supports abortion, divorce and any other liberal cause.
I’ve been disregarding Pew for a long, long time.
Just an unpatriotic, anti-religious, socialist collective.
Evangelicalism didn't crop up until the 18th century.
Some writer missed a good play on words. “Pew Research Reveals Empty Pews” or similar.
Ping for your Intrest.
I wouldn’t quit the One True Church because of a bad pope, any more than I would renounce being an American because of Obama.
But of course if you point out how pathetic it is you get implied ban threats. But how other than "pathetic" is a religion that is so indefensible that it has to ban its critics?
I did for a few years but decided to come back.
It’s just not the same.
“Evangelicalism didn’t crop up until the 18th century.”
Wrong. It was from the beginning.
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