Where are all the Catholics???

kelly1

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!

I often wonder that in a country which is supposedly mainly Catholic (86%?) that there are so few active Catholics on this forum!

I seem to be the only one around here actively advocating and defending Catholic teachings. There are many times when I could do with some moral support when "battling" with several Protestants/non-catholics.

Why is this?

I thought it might be a good idea to have a catholic sub-forum under Christianity but would there be any point?

I really think it's a poor reflection on Catholics at the end of the day. While I think that infant baptism is perfectly valid, being a sacrament, adult baptism has the advantage that the "candidate" has consciously made the decision to be a disciple of Christ. I feel that many Catholics don't appreciate their faith and fall away from the Church due to poor education/misunderstandings in/about the faith, bad and often unfair media, apathy and the usual worldly snares/lures.

So Catholics out there, why are you in hiding!? Come out and be counted!

(And I need more support )

God bless you all!
Noel.

Run_to_da_hills

kelly1 wrote: »

.

So Catholics out there, why are you in hiding!? Come out and be counted!

Maybe they have seen the light and have become converts

SuperSean11

kelly1 wrote: »

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!

There are many times when I could do with some moral support when "battling" with several Protestants/non-catholics.

Noel.

Thats very christian of you, fighting with people because of there beliefs.

kelly1

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Maybe they have seen the light and have become converted

ha ha No, they're mostly lapsed. The lack of attendance at Mass is very concerning.

kelly1

SuperSean11 wrote: »

Thats very christian of you, fighting with people because of there beliefs.

Hello SS, nice to meet you.

To me it seems like a battle at times. It's a debate of course.

P.S. Your judgement of me is un-Christian too. Have you read my posts?

SuperSean11

kelly1 wrote: »

Hello SS, nice to meet you.

To me it seems like a battle at times. It's a debate of course.

Nice to meet you Kelly1 ill try to pop over to the Christianity forum from time to time for a look from now on

Run_to_da_hills

kelly1 wrote: »

ha ha No, they're mostly lapsed. The lack of attendance at Mass is very concerning.

Theres 7 remaining Catholics in my family and I dont think any of them have set foot in a Church (except for weddings & funerals) for well over 10 years!.

BanzaiBk

Why battling? Aren't we all Christians? (RuOrthodox)

Does seem to be a lack of practicing (in a Mass/prayer sense) of Catholic people on this forum, but variety is always good:)

kelly1

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Theres 7 remaining Catholics in my family and I dont think any of them have set foot in a Church (except for weddings & funerals) for well over 10 years!.

I'd well believe it. None of my friends have any interest in Christianity never mind Catholicism. Most are atheist/agnostic or neo-pagan/new-age adherents. God have mercy on us!

kelly1

BanzaiBk wrote: »

Why battling? Aren't we all Christians? (RuOrthodox)

Does seem to be a lack of practicing (in a Mass/prayer sense) of Catholic people on this forum, but variety is always good:)

Hello BanzaiBk, greetings

Battling is too strong a word hence I put it in quotes but I frequently feel like the lone ranger on this forum. Yes we are all Christians but I have the brass neck to claim that Jesus founded the Catholic Church and that it is the only Christian church that teach the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Naturally that leaves me open to a bit of fire - sometimes not so friendly

God bless,
Noel.

Run_to_da_hills

kelly1 wrote: »

I'd well believe it. None of my friends have any interest in Christianity never mind Catholicism. Most are atheist/agnostic or neo-pagan/new-age adherents. God have mercy on us!

So realistically speaking you could probably reverse that figure of 86% around to 14% it would be more of a realistic figure for practicing Catholics in Ireland. Although most of those 86% will eventually be burried at a Catholic funeral service.

TerrorFirmer

I am Christian but don't consider myself Catholic, even though I was raised that way. I would more consider myself a protestant actually, though I am and probably always will be an 'official' catholic.

SuperSean11

HavoK wrote: »

I am Christian but don't consider myself Catholic, even though I was raised that way. I would more consider myself a protestant actually, though I am and probably always will be an 'official' catholic.

Why do you think of yourself protestant? im just wondering

TerrorFirmer

SuperSean11 wrote: »

Why do you think of yourself protestant? im just wondering

I believe simply in what I feel is right, and it just so happens to contradict everything I've been taught, being far closer to the ideals of Protestantism then Catholicism.

ryoishin

Hey,

Sometimes I think that people dont come here for serious dialouge (not all) but just a bashing session. But what can you do! Id consider myself Catholic and really people in Ireland have either only a small understanding or untrue ideas of what being a Christian is about. Well from my experience.

Sorry for the bad spelling.

kelly1

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

So realistically speaking you could probably reverse that figure of 86% around to 14% it would be more of a realistic figure for practicing Catholics in Ireland. Although most of those 86% will eventually be burried at a Catholic funeral service.

I don't think it's quite that bad but if you were to count those who put God at the centre of the lives, it could be that low but I hope not!

Nerin

There are many times when I could do with some moral support when "battling" with several Protestants/non-catholics

make a point/argument etc i agree with,and i'd "battle" alongside you
that is if your army is open to pagans

kelly1

HavoK wrote: »

I believe simply in what I feel is right, and it just so happens to contradict everything I've been taught, being far closer to the ideals of Protestantism then Catholicism.

Greetings HavoK

May I pry and ask what difficulties you have with the Catholic faith?

God bless,
Noel.

TerrorFirmer

No real difficulties as such, but I'm not inclined to believe in Gods authority being transferable for a start

kelly1

HavoK wrote: »

No real difficulties as such, but I'm not inclined to believe in Gods authority being transferable for a start

It is scriptural...

John 20:23 Whose sins you [ the apostles] shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Isn't this an account of Jesus granting the apostles the authority to forgive sins? The same goes for the authority to teach and baptize in Christ's name:-

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

John 10:16 He that heareth you [the apostles], heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.

Peace,
Noel.

ryoishin

Scripture never helps when talking to people who are nt Christian. People want more structured philosophical dialouge.

kelly1

ryoishin wrote: »

Scripture never helps when talking to people who are nt Christian. People want more structured philosophical dialouge.

Thanks ryoshin but HavoK is Christian.

ryoishin

sorry did nt mean it to sound like that. but even amoung Christians Scripture often wont help. (like i mean its important but "it says so in the book" often turns people off.) I think a Scripture arguement helps amoung like minded belivers but can often divide.

kelly1

ryoishin wrote: »

sorry did nt mean it to sound like that. but even amoung Christians Scripture often wont help. (like i mean its important but "it says so in the book" often turns people off.) I think a Scripture arguement helps amoung like minded belivers but can often divide.

Yes, I agree. e.g. different interpretations of scripture can be a major sticking point among Christians.

PDN

Even allowing for recent dramatic fall offs in mass attendance I think there would still be more Catholics observing their faith in Ireland than all the other denominations put together. So why so few Catholics on this board? I think there are several reasons.

1. The Catholic Church in Ireland would tend to be retaining more old people and less young people, whereas evangelical churches are predominantly composed of the younger sector of the population. For example, last Sunday I preached to a Pentecostal congregation of 500, but I would reckon there would there were probably only about 20 of that number aged over 50. Internet discussion boards tend not to attract too many wrinklies. Therefore this method of communication would be more appealing to the average evangelical than it would be to the average Catholic.

2. Many Catholics are not used to having defend it or discuss their faith with others of differing views. Catholicism has traditionally been seen as the Irish religion almost by default, whereas evangelicals, as a minority, are more used to being challenged about their faith.

3. Many Catholics have imbibed their faith since childhood and therefore lack the fervency of new converts. It is noticeable that Noel, the most vocal Catholic poster on this board, had left his faith and then returned to it - hence his zeal is similar to that of evangelicals who mainly converted during youth or adulthood.

Splendour

kelly1 wrote: »

Hello SS, nice to meet you.

To me it seems like a battle at times. It's a debate of course.

P.S. Your judgement of me is un-Christian too. Have you read my posts?

Though I may not agree with everything kelly1 has to say, he is always a gentleman and never offensive in his posts (not that I've seen anyway!)

laughin'joe

Were are all the Catholics gone....good question but first you have to ask why are they gone and not were. Seriously have you lived in Ireland the last few years, with all the crap the Catholic Chruch done on the people in this country you ask that question. The youth of today seen first hand what the chruch are capable of and me and the rest of my age bracket suffered at the hands of these so called men of God. Take for instance hiding all the pedo's around the world to avoid being locked up or charged, yes this is your church the lies and the constant denial of these sick twisted people they employed. Let it be Christian Brothers, Nuns or Priests I have had experiance with them all and I have no time for either of them. Our country is ruled by religion and it is now pulling away from it and we are liberated finally. Everything years ago in this country was based around the Chruch and how many roofs have there been events for...how many roofs do these chruches need and being the most powerful and richest religion in the world and preaching "God helps those who help theselves" why are they always asking for our help ?? and then we have the spread, enormous spread of HIV in Africa were the Chruch moved in and done it's preaching about sex and the no no on condoms, yes they helped these people but at what cost....to the world. I feel religion is dying out because more and more have had it with it, all it does it make you think there is something missing in your life and there isn't really. I grew up in the 80's in Ireland and while we were all starving the Chruch was eating great and still asking for money....is this greed ??? I think so. Forgive me for being blunt but for me there is GOD, we don't have to go to some place to pray to him ,after all is not Jesus who said Iam all around and you can pray to me when ever you want I will hear and why is the Chruch holding back on the gospel of Thomas ??? In his Gospel he has said the Jesus himself said not to build buildings in his or his Fathers name but to spread the word of God and love your fellow man. Not kill milions to take the Holy Land and anyone that doesn't believe kill them, are we forgetting that the Catholic Chruch has killed more people than Hitler and yet he was the most and still is the most evil person ever on the planet. And what about the Popes are we forgetting about the history of the Chruch. I believe all religions are praying to the same GOD they just got different messengers/profits and when you think about it all these Bibles were written by men and after the so called "profit" had died and does it seem strange that all the religions don't give women an inch in the books and women have still are feeling the effects of this in modern life.

kelly1 wrote: »

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!

I often wonder that in a country which is supposedly mainly Catholic (86%?) that there are so few active Catholics on this forum!

I seem to be the only one around here actively advocating and defending Catholic teachings. There are many times when I could do with some moral support when "battling" with several Protestants/non-catholics.

Why is this?

I thought it might be a good idea to have a catholic sub-forum under Christianity but would there be any point?

I really think it's a poor reflection on Catholics at the end of the day. While I think that infant baptism is perfectly valid, being a sacrament, adult baptism has the advantage that the "candidate" has consciously made the decision to be a disciple of Christ. I feel that many Catholics don't appreciate their faith and fall away from the Church due to poor education/misunderstandings in/about the faith, bad and often unfair media, apathy and the usual worldly snares/lures.

So Catholics out there, why are you in hiding!? Come out and be counted!

(And I need more support )

God bless you all!
Noel.

SubjectSean

laughin'joe wrote: »

all the religions don't give women an inch in the books and women have still are feeling the effects of this in modern life.

Well then they should have made up their own religions instead of jumping on the bandwagon with the ones we'd invented shouldn't they? They've only themselves to blame IMHO

ryoishin

Hey,

I dont know how to put other peoples quotes up so sorry if this is all over the place.

I dont think alot of Catholics feel like they need to defend their faith or the Church. Young people (like myself) dont like the rigid regimental church structure that was so characteristic of the Irish church scene. I think its starting to develop a bit sometimes in both the right and wrong direction. Young people want more of the spiritualistic aspects of faith which is very rich in the Catholic faith but has never been apart of public teaching in schools and to the community in general.

Theres a genuine lack of a spiritual experience for young people for many reasons.

Language has changed meaning as time has gone on and so some of the teachings seem outdated.

I think that the Catholic faith has to be a living experince for people and not just an obligation.


I think the treatment of women in the past was cultural thing and not just a church invention. But sure the Church did nt help. theres only one place in Scripture that i can think of that is "anti-women" but thats a different think altogether.

(Im not making any sense)

sorry for the bad spelling.

philologos

kelly1 wrote: »

I thought it might be a good idea to have a catholic sub-forum under Christianity but would there be any point?

That's just encouraging division.

We are one under Christ Jesus, Jew or Gentile, male or female, slave or free.

kelly1

Good points raised there PDN.

PDN wrote: »

1. The Catholic Church in Ireland would tend to be retaining more old people and less young people, whereas evangelical churches are predominantly composed of the younger sector of the population. For example, last Sunday I preached to a Pentecostal congregation of 500, but I would reckon there would there were probably only about 20 of that number aged over 50. Internet discussion boards tend not to attract too many wrinklies. Therefore this method of communication would be more appealing to the average evangelical than it would be to the average Catholic.

Yes sound about right. I'd suggest that many younger people have left the Church because they can't accept it's moral teachings. "I'm not having any pope tell me what I can put on my John-thomas!" etc. I imagine that most "traditional" churches are finding a fall-off in membership due to the lures of "the devil, the world and the flesh".

PDN wrote: »

3. Many Catholics have imbibed their faith since childhood and therefore lack the fervency of new converts. It is noticeable that Noel, the most vocal Catholic poster on this board, had left his faith and then returned to it - hence his zeal is similar to that of evangelicals who mainly converted during youth or adulthood.

Yes, agreed, like a reformed alcoholic! The CC does a very poor job of evangelizing in this country but I think that will (must) change.

God bless,
Noel.

PDN

kelly1 wrote: »

Yes sound about right. I'd suggest that many younger people have left the Church because they can't accept it's moral teachings. "I'm not having any pope tell me what I can put on my John-thomas!" etc. I imagine that most "traditional" churches are finding a fall-off in membership due to the lures of "the devil, the world and the flesh".

I'm not sure if moral teaching is the issue. After all, with the exception of the rules about contraception, evangelicals would adhere to the same morality as Catholics.

I think it may have much more to do with styles of music, buildings, preaching etc.

philologos

PDN wrote: »

I'm not sure if moral teaching is the issue. After all, with the exception of the rules about contraception, evangelicals would adhere to the same morality as Catholics.

I think it may have much more to do with styles of music, buildings, preaching etc.

I still think that there should be a certain value placed on tradition. We need to relate to the story of Christ by being part of it's antiquity and rituals as well.

Although there has been new measures carried out by the Anglican Church in Ireland as of late to take stock of where the church should be going in the future, and how to gain interest among youths.

SubjectSean

I was brought up a Catholic but so much of the Catholic dogma is based on lies that it is really hard to justify being a Catholic. If you see a tree and all through its history it is bearing very many rotten fruit then what can you think?

PDN

Jakkass wrote: »

I still think that there should be a certain value placed on tradition. We need to relate to the story of Christ by being part of it's antiquity and rituals as well.

Nothing wrong with tradition if that's what does it for you. However, I think most of the antiquity and rituals in churches relate more to a few centuries ago than to the story of Christ.

kelly1

SubjectSean wrote: »

I was brought up a Catholic but so much of the Catholic dogma is based on lies that it is really hard to justify being a Catholic.

What?? You have absolutely nothing to back that up, do you?! That is such an ignorant statement!

estebancambias

That comment from SubjectSean shows me that a lot of Non-believers have been infiltrated by anti-Religous propaganda.

JimiTime

kelly1 wrote: »

What?? You have absolutely nothing to back that up, do you?! That is such an ignorant statement!

He gave you the reason in the following line Noel

subjectsean wrote:

If you see a tree and all through its history it is bearing very many rotten fruit then what can you think?

ryoishin

thats not a reason its an illustration.

kelly1

JimiTime wrote: »

He gave you the reason in the following line Noel

Yes I agree, you are confused. Please lookup the meaning of the word dogma.

SubjectSean

kelly1 wrote: »

What?? You have absolutely nothing to back that up, do you?! That is such an ignorant statement!

I submit Constantine the Great, the subsequent history of the Church and the movement known as the Reformation.

SubjectSean

kelly1 wrote: »

What?? You have absolutely nothing to back that up, do you?! That is such an ignorant statement!

estebancambias wrote: »

That comment from SubjectSean shows me that a lot of Non-believers have been infiltrated by anti-Religous propaganda.

Oh this isn't about religion it's about Catholicism. If you think that I have been infiltrated by anti Catholic propaganda perhaps that is because the pro-Catholic propaganda is so unconvincing.

kelly1

SubjectSean wrote: »

I submit Constantine the Great, the subsequent history of the Church and the movement known as the Reformation.

May I remind you that it is this statement to which I am objecting:-

(I was brought up a Catholic but) so much of the Catholic dogma is based on lies

Do you know what dogma means and what does it have to do with the actions of the clergy?

SubjectSean

kelly1 wrote: »

May I remind you that it is this statement to which I am objecting:-

(I was brought up a Catholic but) so much of the Catholic dogma is based on lies

Do you know what dogma means and what does it have to do with the actions of the clergy?

The clergy invented the dogma and used it over the little people for nearly 1500 years, I don't really see how this has escaped you it's all down quite clearly in the history books. Furthermore The Trinity and the deification of Jesus are blasphemous lies IMHO that were totally absent in the first followers of Jesus. So too the invention of a perpetually virgin 'Mother of God'. This stuff is all straight from the pagan hymsheet and not at all similar to what the Essenes, John the Baptist and his most famous follower preached. Along with Constantine the Catholic Church is responsible for turning Christianity into a corrupt shadow of the movement intended. It focuses only on the crib and the cross and wholly ignores the teachings of the man it claims is God.

condra

Maybe they have seen the light and have become converted

kelly1 wrote: »

ha ha No, they're mostly lapsed.

Lapsed? LAPSED?!!

You reckon? If you think this genuinely is the case, then I suggest you are deluded in more ways than I initially suspected.

Noel, the church is dying in Ireland and a lot of it has to do with a shedload of people who were abused, beaten, raped, molested (etc) by priests, Christian brothers and nuns (etc), mostly in their childhood.

Another reason is that childhood indoctrination is on the decline as Ireland becomes a more cosmopolitan and secular country.

The churches influence on this country grows less and less by the day.

Personally, I am delighted to see the decline in both childhood indoctrination and church attendance.

estebancambias wrote:

That comment from SubjectSean shows me that a lot of Non-believers have been infiltrated by anti-Religous propaganda.

Perhaps infiltrated by anti-religious propaganda, such as education, critical thought, logic, science, and other such evils.:rolleyes:

cuppa

lo i am or was rc.
Think i probally gave up or grew up, For me now the idea of god or a god is not my cup of tea.
All these planets stars ect. is not created by a god.

Weather your book is The lord of the rings ,irobot ,dune The bible. They are just storys, and for me religion is just a way to control the masses.

So why fall into slavery. we are our own person we live as we do good or bad ,Is there a differance.
The universe is so old,so big ,,but will die..Stars die , planets die. we die ,,everything dies ..

Why would some thing want to live forever ,,nothing lives forever.( If a god has been there forever how bored it must be.)


I would say sol is my god ,,the bringer of light and in the end death/

philologos

womoma wrote:

Another reason is that childhood indoctrination is on the decline as Ireland becomes a more cosmopolitan and secular country.

The churches influence on this country grows less and less by the day.

Personally, I am delighted to see the decline in both childhood indoctrination and church attendance.

I'm sorry womoma but I think this is rediculous.

Firstly, if one decides to bring up their child atheist it seems to be perfectly acceptable in this society, but if one wants to instill proper Christian values into a child it's "indoctrination". Parent's should have a right to do this. Tell me this, if you believed that your child would have to believe in Jesus Christ to have eternal life, you would try to do all you could to bring them to Christianity?

The churches influence is declining in some sectors, but Christianity is actually growing rapidly across the world. I believe some of the Pentecostal churches grew by 150% between 2002 and 2006 in Ireland. And the COI and other churches, and the RC Church are growing rapidly.

Actually you might be interested but the Economist magazine from about 3 weeks ago (3/11/2007) said that religion is very much on the increase and that the decline in Europe will end roughly around 2040. Christianity still expected to be top dog in 2050. Also something that might interest you. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam will rise from 73% together in 2005, to 80% together in 2050 according to statistics.

Hopefully the churches influence will not decline for too long. How is church attendance harmful? Have you been to a church service recently? I can only speak from a COI perspective, but the RC Church seems relatively tame.

Scofflaw

Jakkass wrote: »

Firstly, if one decides to bring up their child atheist it seems to be perfectly acceptable in this society, but if one wants to instill proper Christian values into a child it's "indoctrination".

Hmm. I am "bringing my child up as an atheist". What do you think it involves?

Jakkass wrote: »

Parent's should have a right to do this. Tell me this, if you believed that your child would have to believe in Jesus Christ to have eternal life, you would try to do all you could to bring them to Christianity?

It is not really possible to answer the question, since I would have to be a completely different person.

Jakkass wrote: »

Hopefully the churches influence will not decline for too long. How is church attendance harmful? Have you been to a church service recently? I can only speak from a COI perspective, but the RC Church seems relatively tame.

How can any delusion be better than, or as good as, the truth, in the matter of guiding one's life?

cordially,
Scofflaw

Splendour

PDN wrote: »

I'm not sure if moral teaching is the issue. After all, with the exception of the rules about contraception, evangelicals would adhere to the same morality as Catholics.

I think it may have much more to do with styles of music, buildings, preaching etc.

In my experience the Catholic church I was involved in was very much alive, including priests and lay people and also had (still has) one of the best contemporary music groups in the county!

Wheras morals are basically the same,the Catholic church teaches the sarcraments (confirmation, communion etc...) are the most important aspects of Christianity.
The bible (God) tells us to put Him first and if we are born again we become children of God. therest then follows. If we don't follow the God's 'blueprint', what do we expect?

philologos

Scofflaw wrote: »

Hmm. I am "bringing my child up as an atheist". What do you think it involves?




It is not really possible to answer the question, since I would have to be a completely different person.



How can any delusion be better than, or as good as, the truth, in the matter of guiding one's life?

cordially,
Scofflaw

Thanks for the correspondence Scofflaw:

1) I don't know what it involves. I'm not sure I'll ever need to know what it involves. I don't consider it child abuse though to bring your child up in faith or indoctrination for that matter, at some point they will have to see the world for themselves.

2) I know but I was merely just showing how the Christian understanding of it goes, and I think given those confines that it is a rather fine ambition for your child.

3) Depends. It's still quite a judgement to make to say that religion or attending church is harmful. Even if it was a "delusion" as you point it out to be, I still would see it as a rather harmless delusion, wouldn't you?

I don't see the need for hostility to parents rightfully and under the law choosing to bring up their children as Christians under God. I've heard this "child abuse" excuse too often. Parents have to make the same choice in bringing up their children to be irreligious so the claim doesn't have much water. Would you agree?

condra

Originally Posted by womoma
Another reason is that childhood indoctrination is on the decline as Ireland becomes a more cosmopolitan and secular country.

The churches influence on this country grows less and less by the day.

Personally, I am delighted to see the decline in both childhood indoctrination and church attendance.

Jakkass wrote: »

I'm sorry womoma but I think this is rediculous.

Many people would argue that misspelling ridiculous is even more ridiculous. You tee them up and I'll shoot them off.

Firstly, if one decides to bring up their child atheist it seems to be perfectly acceptable in this society, but if one wants to instill proper Christian values into a child it's "indoctrination".

No. Instilling Christian values such as "treat people how you would like to be treated" is not indoctrination. It is good parenting. Atheists instill values in their children too, many of which would be similar to Christian values.

It is teaching children the belief in a God, sins, Heaven, Hell etc that many atheists are opposed to.

Bringing up a child an atheist is not indoctrination. It is the complete opposite. One is allowing the child to be a child, then make up their own mind when they are mature enough to do so.

Parent's should have a right to do this.

They do have the right to do it.

Tell me this, if you believed that your child would have to believe in Jesus Christ to have eternal life, you would try to do all you could to bring them to Christianity?

If I was deluded that my child had to wear a blue hat until the age of 12 to save her from Hell, I would make her wear that hat.

Nobody said you think you are doing the children harm by indoctrinating them. Your intentions are good, but that doesn't make it right.

The churches influence is declining in some sectors, but Christianity is actually growing rapidly across the world. ........................

I was talking about Ireland. Either way, don't believe everything you read. I suppose that might be difficult for you.

Hopefully the churches influence will not decline for too long.

Hopefully it the decline continues. A couple more scandals would do the trick. I'm sure the RCC has plenty more ghosts in its closet.

How is church attendance harmful?

I never said it was. But I believe the world would be a better, safer, more tolerant, fairer place without religion.

Have you been to a church service recently?

The last time I was in church was a couple of years ago with an X girlfriend who insisted on going during Easter. We were the only young people in the church. It was hilarious.