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.
Same in my parish...and the other 5 parishes in our deanery
There wasn’t enough pew space to accommodate the overflow attendance at last Sunday’s 10 AM Mass-—and this was repeated at the 7 PM Mass the same day. We have 5 Masses every Sunday.
My parish seats about 800. The other 4 parishes are smaller, each seating about 500. Each of these parishes has 4 Masses each Sunday.
At my parish, the morning daily Mass attendance is at least 150. At a neigboring parish,they have a morning and an evening daily Mass schedule. The daily evening Mass is well attended, as many people attend on their way home from work.
Society is condemning organized religion- except of course, Islam. They don't take it very kindly- and that have weapons.
That's where people get us. We're so worried about offending people that we don't always stand up for what we believe in. And people are so concerned with getting ahead, they don't have time, when they are ahead, they haven't the inclination. Afterward, their religion was so little a part of their lives in the first place that it just falls by the wayside. The American dream has squelched the Faith's reality.
No wonder Jesus so loved the poor...
And, Grey, said very well as always! Missed seeing you in forum!
1. Not every Italian is or was part of organized crime. That's a stereotype, and unfair. Every ethnic group that came to this country got pushed around by the one before. They needed protection. I'm not justifying it; that's just the way it was. FYI- the largest single lynching in American history took place in New Orleans in 1891. Check this out: Anti- Italianism
2. Rome ruled most of the world. St. Peter founded the Church in Rome. All roads led to Rome, literally and figuratively. It was founded by a Galilean Jew, not an Italian with a Thompson repeating rifle.
You want the Catholic Church to die out? Stand in line - that is, if you think you can do what the hates of hell cannot.
Just as you stereotype Italians, you stereotype Catholics based on Pelosi and her ilk. News flash: Not all 2.1 billion of us are perfect. Not all follow the Faith. But don't judge me or your fellow FR Catholics based on them. Born again? Good for you. Now grow up again.
Sanctae Michel Archangeli, defende nos in praelos...
Hey, if you pompous _________ wouldn’t bash every chance you get, not to mention wishing our Church destroyed, you wouldn’t be the usual suspects. You’d be fellow Christians having an adult, Christian dialogue: not dissing and proselytizing.
Oh, yeah, no bias there on those sources.
1 person's experience on which to judge there rest of us. Yeah, that's accurate.
Me, too!
Can you just feel the love?
If its”critics weren’t pushing their own agendas, Catholics could discuss our issues among ourselves in peace. Remarks such add that are why- they prohibit discussion- just mock and criticize.
Why not answer the question? How arrogant!
" In his preface to the New Testament, Luther ascribed to several books of the New Testament different degrees of doctrinal value: "St. John's Gospel and his first Epistle, St. Paul's Epistles, especially those to the Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and St. Peter's Epistle-these are the books which show to thee Christ, and teach everything that is necessary and blessed for thee to know, even if you were never to see or hear any other book of doctrine. Therefore, St. James' Epistle is a perfect straw-epistle compared with them, for it has in it nothing of an evangelic kind." Thus Luther was comparing (in his opinion) doctrinal value, not canonical validity."
If the rest of the books are canonical, but lack doctrinal value, why are they there?
The last thing Christians need are more self-interpreters.
" In his preface to the New Testament, Luther ascribed to several books of the New Testament different degrees of doctrinal value: "St. John's Gospel and his first Epistle, St. Paul's Epistles, especially those to the Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and St. Peter's Epistle-these are the books which show to thee Christ, and teach everything that is necessary and blessed for thee to know, even if you were never to see or hear any other book of doctrine. Therefore, St. James' Epistle is a perfect straw-epistle compared with them, for it has in it nothing of an evangelic kind." Thus Luther was comparing (in his opinion) doctrinal value, not canonical validity."
If the rest of the books are canonical, but lack doctrinal value, why are they there?
The last thing Christians need are more self-interpreters.
and most of the born again and protestant churches are empty on Sundays. It’s so bad that the fundamentalists have to send vans into the ghetto to fill their pews.
Talking to yourself and a superiority complex, gotta be worth at least one chapter in somebody’s book.
and most of the born again and protestant churches are empty on Sundays. It’s so bad that the fundamentalists have to send vans into the ghetto to fill their pews.
See that is the problem with proof texting, the same Jesus said this as well; Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.;
That is why the Rabbis at Jamnia threw out the NT. And any non-Catholic that knew history and is honest would realize that their OT is based on Jews that denied Christ.
And you've personally been in those churches to substantiate your claims?
It’s so bad that the fundamentalists have to send vans into the ghetto to fill their pews.
Are you disparaging reaching out to the down trodden like Jesus did?
Do you have an issue with providing a ride to church for people who want to go and have no means of transportation?
When you do it to the least of those, His brothers.......
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