General Discussion

47of74

(18,470 posts)

183. I left the Catholic church several months ago...

Sun Sep 16, 2012, 06:14 PM

Sep 2012

Ten years, five years, or even a year ago I thought I would live out my life as a Catholic. Despite all the wrong the church leadership had done I was still committed to the church. Sure, I thought of leaving from time to time, but the good in the parish I was part of outweighed the wrong that was being done in the church by the leadership.

But last February it all came crashing down for me. I had my fill of the Bishops and their self serving arrogance when they started complaining about how their poor precious religious liberty was being taken away from them. I had my fill when they put their own political power ahead of serving humanity. I had my fill when Bishops started comparing our President to Hitler and Stalin. I had my fill when I saw the nuns being attacked by the leadership for doing what Christ actually wanted them to do - take care of the poor and the sick. I had my fill when I saw the nastiness that conservatives in the church had for their neighbor who didn't look, think, act, or believe as they did.

Since then I've been going to Episcopal services. I feel comfortable in them, enough so that I hope to be received in November when the Bishop makes a visit to the parish. I feel more at home there then I did in the Catholic church. And it's liberating to be able to be more open in my own personal beliefs.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

255 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Just came home from church and we are furious! [View all] spartan61 Sep 2012 OP

Thank you for taking positive action Frances Sep 2012 #1

gen.disc. kardonb Sep 2012 #73

It seems a little odd that... Ned_Devine Sep 2012 #175

It makes me wonder if the priest even knows about it. TexasBushwhacker Sep 2012 #195

The priest knows it now. pittipat Sep 2012 #255

I would wonder about the identity of the author. xmas74 Sep 2012 #219

Save the bulletin, and send it to the IRS. progressivebydesign Sep 2012 #2

Bingo! Send that thing in. That Church should pay taxes ProfessionalLeftist Sep 2012 #22

Bingo & Propaganda $$$=Taxes Astazia Sep 2012 #225

I second that emotion! nt raccoon Sep 2012 #29

ProPublica "IRS Whistle Blower" saidsimplesimon Sep 2012 #52

Welcome to the DU! icymist Sep 2012 #228

Yes indeed. Report, report, report. xxqqqzme Sep 2012 #69

I haven't attended church for about 6 years. dotymed Sep 2012 #240

That was exactly what I was going to say. avebury Sep 2012 #123

Yes! they can also mzteris Sep 2012 #140

Report the to the IRS and send them a copy of the letter. nt nanabugg Sep 2012 #161

OK, this is a bad thing but... ryan_cats Sep 2012 #200

I don't think this is the place to discuss theology. KitSileya Sep 2012 #226

I second that one tavalon Sep 2012 #211

Remember the Episcopal Church in Pasadena? SleeplessinSoCal Sep 2012 #224

Send that bulletin to the IRS. They're not allowed MineralMan Sep 2012 #3

Very good idea riverbendviewgal Sep 2012 #5

And let the church know that you're doing it! arcane1 Sep 2012 #104

Beat me to it. And I hope they follow your advise. 20score Sep 2012 #115

That's exactly what I would do!! B Calm Sep 2012 #199

Seems over the line to me. earthside Sep 2012 #4

yes a copy 2pooped2pop Sep 2012 #71

Or pick up another copy JHB Sep 2012 #101

You are right to take action. Thank you! nt Tennessee Gal Sep 2012 #6

Yes they are. ForgoTheConsequence Sep 2012 #7

I think it should be turned in anyway. They are immune if we don't sop them. The Wielding Truth Sep 2012 #72

Good For You. gholtron Sep 2012 #8

Fuck writing to the priest (pardon my french); write to the IRS instead. MADem Sep 2012 #9

Write the IRS, cc the priest Mponti Sep 2012 #93

And a letter to the editor PatSeg Sep 2012 #97

Agreed Sherman A1 Sep 2012 #107

Yes....and picture the priest pooping his pants when he opens the letter! nt MADem Sep 2012 #178

I read this thread, mailed it to a friend... piddled a bit and when I recced it a few minutes 2on2u Sep 2012 #10

You're not alone. rug Sep 2012 #11

edited comment Duppers Sep 2012 #146

Political pulpiteering drives me up the wall. Radio fundies run propaganda from ministers, IRS won't UTUSN Sep 2012 #12

hell heaven05 Sep 2012 #26

The IRS probably won't do anything about it, but Kalidurga Sep 2012 #13

I agree! Send the bulletin to the IRS! citizen blues Sep 2012 #30

Sometimes you just gotta get mad! lunatica Sep 2012 #14

The Catholic Church operates as a socialist institution on the clerical level. Cleita Sep 2012 #15

Thank you for posting... SoapBox Sep 2012 #16

The church is the best example of "socialism". Grey Sep 2012 #17

second that motion to send it to IRS and the state dept of Revenue pasto76 Sep 2012 #18

And tell them you won't be donating to them because CJCRANE Sep 2012 #19

One time I was sitting way too up front near the altar and the priest went on and on about birth monmouth Sep 2012 #20

I left the church in 1969 because of birth control. A priest told me to take valium to virgogal Sep 2012 #143

If action was taken on regular basis, this would stop. Thinkingabout Sep 2012 #21

Supposed to be separation of church and state in this country, so PLEASE LibGranny Sep 2012 #23

Some Catholics told me similar stories around here in 2004. patrice Sep 2012 #24

The Church was none to happy with Kerry's stance on birth control and pro choice. unapatriciated Sep 2012 #133

Sigh . . . the politically naive get so USED!! & FAIL on so much else besides their own narrow patrice Sep 2012 #152

Oddly enough, the Church never seemed to care that Giuliani and eridani Sep 2012 #157

When they decided to go political, they went straight, without a blink, into the gutter. Disgusting. freshwest Sep 2012 #25

Great post. Thank you! classof56 Sep 2012 #66

I would send the bulletin to the media... CoffeeCat Sep 2012 #27

Beware.. That one can backfire. defacto7 Sep 2012 #53

Could you give us the name of the church and the city? MineralMan Sep 2012 #28

If you Google spartan61 Sep 2012 #57

Thank you! MineralMan Sep 2012 #61

Good it's a pdf so that it can be saved on various computers for posterity. n/t progressivebydesign Sep 2012 #68

OK. Got it. This is a Email that is being circulated by an MineralMan Sep 2012 #76

Including it into the bulletin, though, may be an issue. progressivebydesign Sep 2012 #86

It might, but probably not. MineralMan Sep 2012 #96

Maybe the church can be asked if they knew what they were publishing CitizenPatriot Sep 2012 #151

I suspect the church member will have to take it up with the MineralMan Sep 2012 #154

Other sightings m.a.h. Sep 2012 #149

Gray-Haired Brigade- Provided as a free service by Tom Hoefling - tomhoefling@gmail.com SelfGover crunch60 Sep 2012 #172

You can even save it as a pdf file which might be handy if avebury Sep 2012 #130

Thanks for the info.....this is disgusting.... fadedrose Sep 2012 #190

Ah, we are practically neighbors. I am just north of Ocala. KathieG Sep 2012 #192

Rick Santorum catholicism rsweets Sep 2012 #31

People should raise their hand and ask questions in church. pwb Sep 2012 #32

Contact Americans United For Separation Of Church and State Turk 182 Sep 2012 #33

Thank you for this suggestion. spartan61 Sep 2012 #60

you're welcome nt Turk 182 Sep 2012 #80

Socialism redwhiteblue Sep 2012 #34

They Don't Care About What Jesus Taught StevePaulson Sep 2012 #35

Republican = Opposite of Christian paulwarnerwarrior Sep 2012 #83

naw, not glenn beck newspeak Sep 2012 #218

Write to the IRS and provide the proof that they need their tax exempt status revoked. nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2012 #36

Scan the bulliten and post it on the net itsrobert Sep 2012 #37

+1 Vinnie From Indy Sep 2012 #40

Most churches publish their bulletin in PDF format MineralMan Sep 2012 #54

Is this some kind of RW meme? antiquie Sep 2012 #38

That is the same article!! spartan61 Sep 2012 #51

This must be sent to the IRS and copy riverbendviewgal Sep 2012 #70

Plagiarism. That needs to be pointed out to his parishioners. alfredo Sep 2012 #79

On Monday - be sure to mention plagiarism ThoughtCriminal Sep 2012 #87

This tells me they are getting some of their bulletin reports from a central source. Cleita Sep 2012 #99

More likely, this was sent to this parish church MineralMan Sep 2012 #111

Yup. It's circulating, and will peak right around election time. MineralMan Sep 2012 #100

When I google a line from that article, I get 73,000 results. drm604 Sep 2012 #103

Yup. It's circulating widely. It's a planned viral distribution MineralMan Sep 2012 #112

Is that the same Eugene Bernascone who wrote this? JohnnyRingo Sep 2012 #216

That is just so sick antiquie Sep 2012 #237

I believe it's just hilariously clumsy sentence structure. JohnnyRingo Sep 2012 #242

Of course. Discriminatory patriarchal monarchies always speak out against equality and fairness. geckosfeet Sep 2012 #39

Yeah and I'd add that if people are pro-life they need to be even more against treestar Sep 2012 #41

Europe Planning to Tax the Vatican dynasaw Sep 2012 #42

Good. I would love to see a separate thread about this if you have some smirkymonkey Sep 2012 #56

For historical fun, make your complaint in the form of 95 theses... backscatter712 Sep 2012 #43

Good for you for taking action mountain grammy Sep 2012 #44

Does the Catholic Church still fund the Catholic Charities program? justiceischeap Sep 2012 #45

That I don't know; but the Catholic church does get faith-based gov. funds, like socialism. freshwest Sep 2012 #198

Demand the hypocrites collar. nt Snotcicles Sep 2012 #46

Whatever happened to "The Catholic Worker" and Dorothy Day? Chorophyll Sep 2012 #47

Turn them into the IRS. Baitball Blogger Sep 2012 #48

Make lots of copies of that bulletin! PearliePoo2 Sep 2012 #49

Send the writer of that bulletin some fact checking of Lyan's speeches and ask him why those do not Overseas Sep 2012 #50

We're joining a Franciscan Church that is attacking the R/R budget mmonk Sep 2012 #55

Thanks for posting this. indivisibleman Sep 2012 #58

remember the Bishop Sheridan who wanted to excommunicate Obama voters in 08'.. that's my guy... trailmonkee Sep 2012 #59

Was he the same one that refused to let Kerry have communion in 2004?? progressivebydesign Sep 2012 #84

i think so trailmonkee Sep 2012 #138

sorry you had to lose your church marions ghost Sep 2012 #166

I am right with you clydefrand Sep 2012 #62

I haven't been back to Church or sent in a donation Roselma Sep 2012 #63

Save the bulletin. Proof that their church should lose their tax exemption.. Auntie Bush Sep 2012 #64

Everyone tithes and pays together for the parish's expenses so why isn't he against that? Lex Sep 2012 #65

This is why I'm 150% against religion and politics mixing. Initech Sep 2012 #67

You need to send this to the IRS-The only way we have to combat the political messaging in Churches jillan Sep 2012 #74

The Catholic bishops need to read this thread jsr Sep 2012 #75

Excellent action. Religious people in other countries can't do that without becoming a target of jody Sep 2012 #77

Just read it on their site and saved the pdf. "the LIKES of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi" progressivebydesign Sep 2012 #78

How about that socialist, Jesus, eh? What a season! MrMickeysMom Sep 2012 #81

Another parish did that and I think their diocese made them issue a retraction. Tigress DEM Sep 2012 #82

Last time I went to a Catholic Church the priest called me a heretic. classof56 Sep 2012 #85

I would consider that a compliment Major Nikon Sep 2012 #177

Now that you put it that way, yeah...I'll take it as a compliment, given the church's history. classof56 Sep 2012 #193

This message was self-deleted by its author bupkus Sep 2012 #88

Here's what else you can do... begin_within Sep 2012 #89

If the Church wants to intervene in the The Wizard Sep 2012 #90

I know what you mean. It's the same reason I cannot go to the Baptist congregation at the end davidwparker Sep 2012 #91

My great-grandfather was Catholic, and also a huge supporter of FDR. NYC Liberal Sep 2012 #92

How does it work Mariana Sep 2012 #169

An extra Benjamin directly in the priest's pocket, maybe? NYC Liberal Sep 2012 #174

What a family Cha Sep 2012 #171

Send a copy of it to the local paper. HopeHoops Sep 2012 #94

Be sure to mention.... AlbertCat Sep 2012 #95

Here is a link. pangaia Sep 2012 #98

I.E.--Violation of Church and State Clause of the U.S. Constitution... LovingA2andMI Sep 2012 #102

Churches are allowed to preach & advocate on the issues. But not for or against a specific candidate progree Sep 2012 #105

Your donation is not as big as the GOP's donation. Festivito Sep 2012 #106

I left the Catholic Church many years ago titaniumsalute Sep 2012 #108

link to irs rules for tax exempt d_r Sep 2012 #109

Understand your anger but in context it�s caused by a portion of the program attributed to the Gray jody Sep 2012 #110

I just emailed that ignorant church pangaia Sep 2012 #113

Remember to include jonthebru Sep 2012 #114

My wife and I sympathize... rwsanders Sep 2012 #116

Whatever happened to Charity and Mercy? Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2012 #117

Religious indignation REK72 Sep 2012 #118

Condolences..... Hulk Sep 2012 #119

Thank you for this beautiful post. spartan61 Sep 2012 #164

Action. I love it. I have done the same thing in the past. Lint Head Sep 2012 #120

I should hope that you also send a copy of the bulletin to the IRS. cstanleytech Sep 2012 #121

Excellent point: They need to lose their tax exemption n/t radhika Sep 2012 #221

Welcome to the world. panzerfaust Sep 2012 #122

Isn't it odd that an agency that is supposed to care about social issues Live and Learn Sep 2012 #124

Scan the sermon, post it here, and we'll all send it to the IRS, so they can't miss it. (nt) Indpndnt Sep 2012 #125

I've had several in-person discussions with a few ministers and priests whom just1voice Sep 2012 #126

What Florida Parish. We had same experience in Florida. pittipat Sep 2012 #127

That was my mom's parish and we had her funeral there.... WCGreen Sep 2012 #144

Good show. Action needs to be taken against that church....................nft plethoro Sep 2012 #128

It would be interesting sulphurdunn Sep 2012 #129

If you could get a list of every church involved, you could take a huge GOP network down MessiahRp Sep 2012 #217

Turn them in to the government. Alduin Sep 2012 #131

I agree with the above, send it to the IRS Warpy Sep 2012 #132

You should also forward a copy to Americans United for Separation of Church & State.... lastlib Sep 2012 #134

no disrespect intended blueknight Sep 2012 #135

This does not surprise me at all. eom tawadi Sep 2012 #136

They think they are empowered because of "relgious tolerance" HockeyMom Sep 2012 #137

Don't forget to let your bishop know vlyons Sep 2012 #139

I Fully Agree! AnnieBW Sep 2012 #141

When Roberts sided for the health care recently go west young man Sep 2012 #142

Its simple.... busterbrown Sep 2012 #145

Using govt. tax dollars to subsidize the church penndragon69 Sep 2012 #147

I'd also copy the piece and send it to the local Newspaper! FirstLight Sep 2012 #148

+1google! - Any and all of them & post it everywhere on the internet with appropriate cites. patrice Sep 2012 #153

Not only are they playing politics, but they're LYING to their parishioners. SunSeeker Sep 2012 #150

You need to write first to the media and then your elected respresentatives and THEN VPStoltz Sep 2012 #155

K&R and kudos to you!!! Rhiannon12866 Sep 2012 #156

Don't let them chase you out! Christ was the original bleeding heart liberal! BarackTheVote Sep 2012 #158

Ask your priest if the war with Iran that Romney Cynicus Emeritus Sep 2012 #159

Good for you!! The Catholic Church has long ago forgotten about separation of crunch60 Sep 2012 #160

Not only should you resign... 99Forever Sep 2012 #162

That's what you get for going to church. naaman fletcher Sep 2012 #163

Amen The Old Creak Sep 2012 #191

!!! femrap Sep 2012 #165

Sorry you had to leave your church marions ghost Sep 2012 #167

Will you be telling your church you will no longer be attending or giving them moeny? Marrah_G Sep 2012 #168

Why do you need some institution to tell you how to think? BlueStreak Sep 2012 #170

+1,000,000,000 Zorra Sep 2012 #238

Been reading the posts.. Cha Sep 2012 #173

Report the church to the IRS liberal N proud Sep 2012 #176

Call the Archbishop and explain that Dyedinthewoolliberal Sep 2012 #179

I also stopped going to church (Methodist) because of all the hate and lies "in the name of Jesus" emsimon33 Sep 2012 #180

Your reaction is a Christian one! Thanks for sharing!! hue Sep 2012 #181

Best yet! pittipat Sep 2012 #182

I left the Catholic church several months ago... 47of74 Sep 2012 #183

Good for you. A change can be just what you need. Ilsa Sep 2012 #184

Good for you for leaving the church. Zoeisright Sep 2012 #185

Don't stop there...... DeSwiss Sep 2012 #186

Exactly why I don't attend church. grr8wine Sep 2012 #187

yup yup.... it's all a mess of politics and greed tomm2thumbs Sep 2012 #253

Do you think the priest would like some mail? fadedrose Sep 2012 #188

I feel your pain but as a Mormon BSUbluNorange Sep 2012 #189

It's time for the catholic church to lose its tax exempt status Doctor_J Sep 2012 #194

Can you scan that and post it on here? eom yawnmaster Sep 2012 #196

Someone else found it and posted it upthread in #38 riderinthestorm Sep 2012 #202

I used to belong to the Catholic church.. cheriemedium59 Sep 2012 #197

Many of us have parted ways with the church, so many churches have become a very negative RKP5637 Sep 2012 #201

Also need to complain to the IRS regarding tax exempt status stature being violated. rasputinkhlyst Sep 2012 #203

Leaving or seeking another parish? demosincebirth Sep 2012 #204

You wouldn't be furious coming home from church...if you didn't go to begin with.... RagAss Sep 2012 #205

Pope John Paul was a socialist Kingofalldems Sep 2012 #206

I left my church over thirty years ago tavernier Sep 2012 #207

And they all said Brainstormy Sep 2012 #208

You should sue him for using your tithings for political partisanship which is clearly Lionessa Sep 2012 #209

I left my parish in 2004 when they told us how to vote on gay marriage. joanbarnes Sep 2012 #210

Welcome to awake. We've missed you. lindysalsagal Sep 2012 #212

Not only that, but Jesus was a socialist dpbrown Sep 2012 #213

It'd be hard to trust anything the local priest says from here on. JohnnyRingo Sep 2012 #214

Take that bulletin STRAIGHT to the IRS RoccoR5955 Sep 2012 #215

Contact the parish priest first and find out if he even knows that this is in the bulletin. xmas74 Sep 2012 #220

If more people react this way, Jack Sprat Sep 2012 #222

"All politics is local" King_Klonopin Sep 2012 #223

I read a good many... GTurck Sep 2012 #227

Leaving the Church... Mapletonian Sep 2012 #229

I just read the bulletin. DippyDem Sep 2012 #230

Don't write the church Hubert Flottz Sep 2012 #231

One of the reasons I left the church. davidthegnome Sep 2012 #232

Tax the churches. TheCowsCameHome Sep 2012 #233

Turn this priest into the Diocese samplegirl Sep 2012 #234

I feel like a good friend has died jrjan1 Sep 2012 #235

I'm sorry that you're hurting. annabanana Sep 2012 #248

Write a letter to your newspaper mgardener Sep 2012 #236

Report it to the archdiocese. I'm serious. Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2012 #239

quite frankly, that church needs a challenge to their tax exemption SemperEadem Sep 2012 #241

Churches in politics articles & press releases from Americans United 4 Separation of Church & State progree Sep 2012 #243

I alerted Americans United For Separation of Church & State to this thread progree Sep 2012 #244

Thank you. spartan61 Sep 2012 #254

Remind your priest that Jesus was a socialist! George II Sep 2012 #245

If I were in your shoes Twofoolsarguing Sep 2012 #246

if the church is against socialism they should stop passing the basket too tk2kewl Sep 2012 #247

Shit in a box and mail it to them. AngryAmish Sep 2012 #249

One parish does not the Catholic Church make BlueInPhilly Sep 2012 #250

I attended a Community Church ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2012 #251

Jesus the Christ; The most famous Socialist in history. Egalitarian Thug Sep 2012 #252