General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you know why Catholics put money in the collection plate at Sunday mass? [View all]davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)I never went to Catholic school, by the time I was born they were closing the last one in my area. Still, both of my parents and all four of my grandparents went to Catholic schools and received a pretty decent education from them. I also remember as a boy, my Father would hand me a few dollars on Sunday Morning to put in the collection basket as it came around. It was a silly, childish thing, but one of my earliest memories of my Father's generosity and his encouraging of me to be generous.
When I struggled with depression in my early teen years (a struggle that has never really ended) I remember very kindly a Priest who was kind to me, who encouraged, inspired - and gave me hope. I have for years been in love with the novels written by Andrew Greeley, a very liberal Priest who frequently spoke the truth and pissed off bishops and cardinals alike.
While I'm also a former Catholic... there are things about the church, particularly the laity, that I will always admire. The Vatican, the corrupt clergy, the homophobia and misogyny are not things that generally pertain to all Catholics. They are simply too diverse to be lumped in together as if they were all corrupt, guilty, and/or cruel.
The church has rightfully earned a great deal of criticism and even contempt for it's actions both now and throughout history, but the laity... I mean, every individual Catholic, does not deserve to share in that criticism and contempt. If a man kills my dog, do I hold him accountable and take him to task for it... or do I blame his whole family and call them dog killer enablers? It's a simple concept... I don't know why so many don't get it.