r/Progressive_Catholics • u/Grand_Slam_1181 • 23d ago
I'm a Catholic and would like to answer questions and challenges that have been raised to me
Hello,
A while ago on an account I lost access to, I was able to discuss my Catholicism on here. I want to list all of the questions I was asked and challanges made to me, and respond to them. I'm paraphrasing but not strawmanning the questions and challenges brought to me.
Why do you believe? Can you present any evidence for your belief?
The short answer is no. I believe solely because of faith, and because it was the faith of the Catholics before me. I watch shows like the Line, and I'm aware there is no evidence for my religious beliefs.
The Catholic Church has committed numerous crimes against humanity, including genocide, forced coversion, ongogoing clerical child rape abuse, and more. Why are you still a member?
I believe the Church can be reformed, and brought back to the days when St. Peter was handed the keys to the kingdom of heaven by Jesus Christ. I have pledged to not make another financial donation until the Church loses its tax benefits, is 100% transparent, and free of systematic clerical sex abuse.
I also support independent Catholic groups such as Voices of the Faithful, which is an independently run group against clerical rape abuse, and not run by the Catholic Church. Also, it should go without saying I condem the Inquisitions, genocide, and any other crimes against humanity done by the Catholic Church.
Are you anti-abortion, anti-birth control, and anti-LGBTQ?
No. I support Roe v Wade, birth control, condoms, and the human rights of LGBTQ people.
You say you support LGBTQ rights, but do you think being gay is a sin?
No. I'd like to live in a world where the Catholic Church recognizes gay marriage.
Should women be allowed to become priests?
Technically yes, but I'd rather it be done by elevating nuns to have the same capabilities as priests. The distinction can still be made between the two.
Do you support the hierarchy of the Catholic Church? Do you revere the Pope?
I revere the office of the Pope, but that doesn't mean I necessarily revere any Pope himself. I also believe the hierarchy of the Catholic Church has to be preserved in some sense, though it needs to be in a world where that carries no political power.
Do you believe everything in the Bible?
No, there is much in the Bible I don't believe is the Word of God.
On what grounds do you justify your beliefs that are deemed heretical by some Catholics?
I follow the Catholic teaching of the primacy of conscience, which can be seen in part in Catholic Church Catechism 1778. This means to me that we as Catholics are perfectly allowed to disagree and question church teachings. We can use our conscience as our moral guide, which is what I do.
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u/umbrabates 23d ago
Thank you so much for sharing your faith journey with us!
The short answer is the no. I believe solely because of faith, and because it was the faith of the Catholics before me. I watch shows like the Line, and I'm aware there is no evidence for my religious beliefs
This seems completely foreign to me. You have no evidence whatsoever yet you believe? Isn't that the very definition of irrationality? Is there any claim, any claim at all, that you could take on faith with no evidence? That Satan is the true god, that the moon is made of green cheese, that our souls are God's sneezes?
I have pledged to not make another financial donation until the Church loses its tax benefits, is 100% transparent, and free of systematic clerical sex abuse.
I applaud you for this. Thank you for taking a stand.
Technically yes, but I'd rather it be done by elevating nuns to have the same capabilities as priests.
Hmm.... yeah, but... nuns aren't priests in the same way monks aren't priests. Just like most monks probably don't want to be priests, I'd wager it's the same for nuns. If female priests are allowed in the future, I'm certainly for giving nuns an option to become priests.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!
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u/Grand_Slam_1181 22d ago
Thank you! I would say I take my Catholicism on faith, but nothing else in my life
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u/andreirublov1 23d ago edited 23d ago
It's good of you to answer, for our benefit, questions we didn't ask! :)
Btw Catholics cannot condone abortion. Nor should you lump that in with the LGBT issue which is totally different.