Anyone else considering (officially) leaving the catholic church ?

Mr.Lizard

Have a read : http://dublinstreams.blogspot.com/2007/11/leaving-irish-catholic-church-its.html

I'm seriously considering going thru with this. Of course the events of the past week or so haven't helped matters but this feeling of mine is something I've always felt made sense. In my heart I don't consider myself a catholic. Problem is the state and the RCC do.

I have the typical "catholic" stories in that I haven't done a confession since I left Primary school and I haven't been to a mass in nearly a decade. but my disinterest for catholicism goes for far that for example despite being a confirmed person I didn't even know what the act of confirmation was for until I read about what it signified on a thread here a couple of days ago.

That gives you and idea of how 'into it' I am not. I disagree with a lot of their core beliefs and also specifically take issue with the fact that I was recruited into their membership before I ever really had a chance to have an educated say in the matter.

Speaking of recruiting I think parents in general take share of the blame in making their children subscribe to a religion that often they themselves don't pay anything more than a lip service to (which is the case with my M+P). As a reulst I'll never allow my kids to be baptised (even if my family protest and it leads to their social exclusion from certain schools)
Basically already I have decided I am the end of my catholic line. If they want to become catholics when they grow up that'll be fine by me. I just won't be forcing it upon them.

So truth be told I've never really been a catholic in any shape or form beyond a being a mere statistic. I never found the religion interesting or beneficial to my life in any way amd such I figure "why should the church have a claim to me"?

I think the only reason I haven't done it already is that it might offend/sadden some people in my family, but I figure it's better to the right thing than to just sit idly by and live a lie. WRT to these people I don't even 'pretend' to be a catholic (eg goto mass on Xmas day, Easter etc) but I reckon they'll be unhappy when I start waving that piece of paper around. That's pretty much the only consideration I have left at this point.

So am I taking it too far by going thru with this? or do you think it's the natural conclusion for somone with an attitude like mine? Has anyone else here actually done the defection themselves? I'd be interested to hear from you.

(final word. This isn't a reaction to the Christian Brother relevaltions. It's based primarily on the fact that I never asked to be part of the catholic church and find even now I don't care to be counted as a member of their group.)

Random

My thoughts are - I can't leave an organisation I never joined.

If they want to think I'm a member and they feel it benefits their cause - good luck to them, I'll see them in hell.

Sharpshooter

They can go to hell for all they matter to me.
I haven't been to mass in years and have no intention of ever going again.

Apart from whenever my dad dies, then I will go for him and never darken their doors willingly again.

Loopy

Im not in it to leave it

Captain-America

Why would ya be bothered? I'm Catholic but I don't practise. It doesn't affect me. What difference would officially leaving it make to you?

deisedolly

Talking about this kinda thing on FM104 ATM if you wanna tune in!

Latchy

As said on another similar thread to this today .I stopped going to church many years ago and only being in church for funerals , weddings and other services ie, military .But I dont regret for one minute not practising the religion I was born into .

niceirishfella

Agreed..............like Jesus said "follow me"
He never said "follow the church"!

It was created subsequently and its something I'm not too fond of either.

Mr.Lizard

Captain-America wrote: »

Why would ya be bothered? I'm Catholic but I don't practise. It doesn't affect me. What difference would officially leaving it make to you?

It doesn't seem like hardly any bother at all. Reason being I don't want anyone to be able to call me something I am not.

ronano

it would just be a statement of protest i guess

is there methods outside of excommunication that allows you to leave?

Holsten

I left when I was about 11, common sense.

seanybiker

Nah couldnt be arsed. It doesnt make me a rebel to leave the church officially so I'm not doing it.
Whats the point anyways. Its not as if your whole life is gonna change because you decided to opt out of a religion.
Ya dont get any cool badges or anything when ya officially leave the church.

My name is URL

Mr.Lizard wrote: »

It doesn't seem like hardly any bother at all. Reason being I don't want anyone to be able to call me something I am not.

+1

And it's also about getting rid of a label that's put on you for political reasoning etc

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

seanybiker

Iolar wrote: »

Drink and sex is my religon,besides its wayyy cooler;)

Drinking during sex is fun.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

Earthhorse

Strongly considering it. Only thing holding me back is the possibility that my (imaginary) future wife would want a RC wedding and it would be a fly in the ointment.

Perhaps I should have more courage in my convictions but it'd be a concern.

Sharpshooter

Nope registry office will do huggy.

Earthhorse

Sharpshooter wrote: »

Nope registry office will do huggy.

But if she wanted a marriage recognised by the Roman Catholic church?

Sharpshooter

I don't.:D

Earthhorse

Mr.Lizard wrote: »

It doesn't seem like hardly any bother at all.

I thought it was a fairly drawn out process? Maybe it is relatively easy and they just take their time with the paperwork.

Sharpshooter wrote: »

I don't.:D

Oh.

I get it now.

jill_valentine

I've tried doing this. They won't respond to or acknowledge any of my letters.

Joey the lips

This was already covered on another thread... I honestly think with the greatest respect towards your own views that this is a daft thing to say

The catholic church is a collection of people the catholic faith is adoration of god. Say what you want! god is this god is that for allowing this to happen, but ask your self this!

There is people born every day without eyes, ears speech or mentally retarded. God did not do this! it just happens! Equally god is not responsable for the perversion in the catholic church, we are!

We are responsable for sitting back and not listening or doing anything!

But none of us are more responsable than the baxtards who commited these crimes.

I am not perfect! However I have faith in the catholic system, I practice, love and try to follow my god! I am upset by all of this and yes I do question god!

But no! I have no intention of officially leaving the catholic faith!


But can I leave you with this though! Who is going to clense you of the faith! A priest! a nun! a muslim! a jew! who is worthy!

If your not happy with faith dont practice it! But ask yourself this question! Is it because of what these people have done you are leaving or is it because of your deep down non belief in the church in the first place!

Sharpshooter

It is because of the shysters and gangsters that run the church all the way from the ordinary cleric to Rome.

Coriolanus

Seems to be a lot of interest in the issue. This thread, there's one in Christianity, another in A&A, couple of others floating around too.

As for reasons, well, the Catholic Church still bandies around the whole 4m odd Catholics in the country and internationally lay claim to over a billion souls.
Ensuring in some small way that they can't cook the numbers by blatantly ignoring attendance figures would be a Good Thing™.

I've tried doing this. They won't respond to or acknowledge any of my letters.

Afaik I know under Vatican2 they're obliged to. Try ringing the parish office and find out what the hold up is.

I thought it was a fairly drawn out process? Maybe it is relatively easy and they just take their time with the paperwork.

It's supposed to be yah. Take a look at the blogpost the OP linked to, it provides all the relevants.

Strongly considering it. Only thing holding me back is the possibility that my (imaginary) future wife would want a RC wedding and it would be a fly in the ointment.

Could be wrong, but a RC can marry a non-RC in an RC church with permission from the local bishop, which these days tends to be fairly easy to get.

Latchy

jill_valentine wrote: »

I've tried doing this. They won't respond to or acknowledge any of my letters.

( sorry I had to )

Gummy Panda

seanybiker wrote: »

Drinking during sex is fun.

Never drink and ride

Loomis

Mr.Lizard wrote: »

It doesn't seem like hardly any bother at all. Reason being I don't want anyone to be able to call me something I am not.

What way will you handle your marriage, buriel etc?

TPD

Joey the lips wrote: »

!

Do you talk that excitedly in day to day life?!!!!! !

Sharpshooter

jill_valentine wrote: »

I've tried doing this. They won't respond to or acknowledge any of my letters.

Were they french,they do look down on that sort of thing.

the_dark_side

The real final-nail-in-the-coffin for me was when I watched 'Zeitgeist - The Movie'.... I recommend you do if you havent seen it... you can watch it online here (its 'Zeitgeist -The Movie'... not the other one)

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

There never really was a church to begin with, its based on folklore from ancient Egypt and beyond.

Joey the lips

Nevore wrote: »

Seems to be a lot of interest in the issue. This thread, there's one in Christianity, another in A&A, couple of others floating around too.

As for reasons, well, the Catholic Church still bandies around the whole 4m odd Catholics in the country and internationally lay claim to over a billion souls.
Ensuring in some small way that they can't cook the numbers by blatantly ignoring attendance figures would be a Good Thing™.

Afaik I know under Vatican2 they're obliged to. Try ringing the parish office and find out what the hold up is.

It's supposed to be yah. Take a look at the blogpost the OP linked to, it provides all the relevants.

Could be wrong, but a RC can marry a non-RC in an RC church with permission from the local bishop, which these days tends to be fairly easy to get.

whats a & a

rainbow kirby

Tempted to do the formal defection, I've been an atheist for more years of my life than I ever tried to be Catholic. I'd really rather that they didn't try to claim me among their numbers.

Joey - A&A is the Atheist and Agnostic forum.

Coriolanus

the_dark_side wrote: »

The real final-nail-in-the-coffin for me was when I watched 'Zeitgeist - The Movie'.... I recommend you do if you havent seen it... you can watch it online here (its 'Zeitgeist -The Movie'... not the other one)

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

There never really was a church to begin with, its based on folklore from ancient Egypt and beyond.

Zeitgeist is a damn shoddy piece of work. What valid points they do have is drowned in speculation and fabrication.

Joey the lips wrote: »

whats a & a

Atheism and Agnosticism http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=614

My name is URL

the_dark_side wrote: »

The real final-nail-in-the-coffin for me was when I watched 'Zeitgeist - The Movie'.... I recommend you do if you havent seen it... you can watch it online here (its 'Zeitgeist -The Movie'... not the other one)

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

There never really was a church to begin with, its based on folklore from ancient Egypt and beyond.

I wouldn't let that movie sway you tbh - http://www.conspiracyscience.com/articles/zeitgeist/

Joey the lips

TPD wrote: »

Do you talk that excitedly in day to day life?!!!!! !

You will have to explain that to me. I am sorry I dont understand.

t-ha

My main issue is that if I die tommorrow I'll probably have a catholic funeral, which I don't want, with a catholic priest who doesn't know me talking about what a great Catholic I was, which I really don't want.
I've instructed my g/f to make a big scene in the middle of it if that happens, but maybe I could find a way out of the religion instead...

towel401

Never joined the catholic church but if I did I wouldnt be bothered one little bit

Coriolanus

t-ha wrote: »

My main issue is that if I die tommorrow I'll probably have a catholic funeral, which I don't want, with a catholic priest who doesn't know me talking about what a great Catholic I was, which I really don't want.
I've instructed my g/f to make a big scene in the middle of it if that happens, but maybe I could find a way out of the religion instead...

Personally, I want a Speaker for the Dead. I know I haven't lead a perfect life and don't particularly think that once I'm dead everyone should be expected to pretend I did.

Sharpshooter

Nevore wrote: »

Personally, I want a Speaker for the Dead. I know I haven't lead a perfect life and don't particularly think that once I'm dead everyone should be expected to pretend I did.

The priests are just used to making bad things go away, they can't help it now and they don't know how to stop.

Snowie

So if you never joined can I mock ?


SUCKERS

Joey the lips

What I honestly love about all these discussions is they all start as cause with no effect

Eg: I am going to leave the catholic church (Cause) becuase I want to be an athiest!(Effect) This to me is someone who never really had a faith becuase they tried I hope to discover it and there was nothing in it for them!

No I believe that if even half of those that say they want to leave the catholic faith but are still believers this would be the result

I am going to leave the catholic faith(Cause), I believe in god but am very annoyed in it so I am going to be a christian(Effect)

Your still a believer in god! Unless of course you have decided god done all this!

Where as to become an Athiest! Fine but dont blame the church you just never had faith in the first place!

Snowie

Oh guys watch the life of Brian too itle help

Sharpshooter

Joey the lips wrote: »

What I honestly love about all these discussions is they all start as cause with no effect

Eg: I am going to leave the catholic church (Cause) becuase I want to be an athiest!(Effect) This to me is someone who never really had a faith becuase they tried I hope to discover it and there was nothing in it for them!

It's usually someone whose faith was decided for them imo.

Why doesn't the Catholic church leave Baptism until people are of an age to make their own minds up?

I will tell you why, a baby can't object.

Sam Vimes

the_dark_side wrote: »

The real final-nail-in-the-coffin for me was when I watched 'Zeitgeist - The Movie'.... I recommend you do if you havent seen it... you can watch it online here (its 'Zeitgeist -The Movie'... not the other one)

http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

There never really was a church to begin with, its based on folklore from ancient Egypt and beyond.

Sorry mate, zeitgeist has been totally debunked. That's not to say god actually exists though, so don't do anything silly like start believing again

Joey the lips

Sharpshooter wrote: »

It's usually someone whose faith was decided for them imo.

Why doesn't the Catholic church leave Baptism until people are of an age to make their own minds up?

I will tell you why, a baby can't object.

I understand that point! Its fair! Like I think what christanity does! but then again why not be baptised. You can always reject the faith. I understand the arguement that your being brainwashed, maybe you are. I dont know I am not a scollar, I just know from 18 onwards I made my own choices and discovered my own faith. The funny thing is if you met me I dont apear this way. Although I am not bad. Just "Normal"

Mena

Seriously... what's "normal" about believing any of this religious stuff? It's all waaaay out there...

Sam Vimes

Joey the lips wrote: »

What I honestly love about all these discussions is they all start as cause with no effect

Eg: I am going to leave the catholic church (Cause) becuase I want to be an athiest!(Effect) This to me is someone who never really had a faith becuase they tried I hope to discover it and there was nothing in it for them!

No I believe that if even half of those that say they want to leave the catholic faith but are still believers this would be the result

I am going to leave the catholic faith(Cause), I believe in god but am very annoyed in it so I am going to be a christian(Effect)

Your still a believer in god! Unless of course you have decided god done all this!

Where as to become an Athiest! Fine but dont blame the church you just never had faith in the first place!

Right, so don't blame the people that claimed me at a few weeks old and spent my whole life telling me something was true and that I'd go to hell if I didn't believe and there was something wrong with me if I didn't believe, when it was all a load of tosh

Someone can both hate the practices of the church and not believe in its teachings

Also, no one says they're leaving the church because they "want to" be an atheist. It's not something that takes practice or belief. If someone's leaving the church because of it then they're already an atheist

Sharpshooter

It actually should be implemented for want of a better word that 18 be an age that you decide if you choose to follow the Catholic Church's teachings.
Most are humanly and morally aware at this age.

I detest Heaven and Hell as a guide to good and bad tbh.
That fcuks with children's minds in a way no religion should be allowed to.

Guy:Incognito

Mr.Lizard wrote: »

It doesn't seem like hardly any bother at all. Reason being I don't want anyone to be able to call me something I am not.

I'll cal you something you are though. C... :P



My view on this is pretty much, meh. I dont bother them, they dont bother me.

Joey the lips

Sam Vimes wrote: »

Right, so don't blame the people that claimed me at a few weeks old and spent my whole life telling me something was true and that I'd go to hell if I didn't believe and there was something wrong with me if I didn't believe, when it was all a load of tosh

Someone can both hate the practices of the church and not believe in its teachings

Also, no one says they're leaving the church because they "want to" be an atheist. It's not something that takes practice or belief. If someone's leaving the church because of it then they're already an atheist

Your missing my point! But thats fine I am not here to teach you. If you have a problem with being a catholic then why arent you a christian! because you never believed in the first place thats why! So your not leaving the church because of whats its done your leaving the church cause you dont believe in it.

Fine aswell!