I recently began experimenting with a Catholic church and became curious how many of them are atheists or may become atheists. I have read statistics suggesting that as many as 4 in 5 "abandon traditional theology" while 2 in 5 will leave the Catholic church. To me, these statistics seem unrealistically high but when I was in inside an actual Catholic church recently (Palm Sunday) and their clergy style seemed extremely unenthusiastic to the point that I became convinced that there are many of them who are irreligious. Their service almost sounded sarcastic, like it was some SNL skit to mock how the Catholic church is all tradition and no religion (as some Protestants retort). I might just be too unfamiliar with the Catholic church's traditions, but I don't understand their worship style and each service is kinda repetitive. I almost feel like I'm watching the exact same movie over and over when I go to this particular Catholic church.
To me, this simple fact seems extremely discouraging toward experimenting more with the Catholic faith. I agree with the Catholic principle that all who espouse belief that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and are saved through baptism, faith, and works will enter heaven regardless of denomination (as I don't believe any denomination that denies these things is truly "Christian"). But I'd rather be protestant my whole life than enter a denomination with a poor track history of having religious leaders who are actually religious. The fact that as many as 81% are pretending is a statistic that hurts. Some statistics claim it is lower however, but never a number lower than 1 in 3 being irreligious. I want to believe that it's rare but when common people in most Christian nations are (statistically speaking) more religious than your religious leaders, that's a huge problem.
Forgive me if you're Catholic and this post offends you. I'm curious about those two things primarily: why do Catholics worship in such a lackluster manner that it seems as if they don't actually believe a word they are saying, and what is the data on those who lose their faith? And what could actually be the reason they lose their faith? I was on Quora and some users claimed it's because of the rules on Catholic priests, who are required to abstain from marriage or any form of romance. News of sex abuse scandals between the clergy and parishioners have also been cited as motivating factors for them to lose their faith and become apostates of Christianity, either openly or secretly.
Regardless, I'd love to be educated by either Catholics or others who may know the answer or part of the answer. Thank you and God bless you all this Easter Sunday evening (from the east USA).
I recently began experimenting with a Catholic church and became curious how many of them are atheists or may become atheists. I have read statistics suggesting that as many as 4 in 5 "abandon traditional theology" while 2 in 5 will leave the Catholic church. To me, these statistics seem unrealistically high but when I was in inside an actual Catholic church recently (Palm Sunday) and their clergy style seemed extremely unenthusiastic to the point that I became convinced that there are many of them who are irreligious. Their service almost sounded sarcastic, like it was some SNL skit to mock how the Catholic church is all tradition and no religion (as some Protestants retort). I might just be too unfamiliar with the Catholic church's traditions, but I don't understand their worship style and each service is kinda repetitive. I almost feel like I'm watching the exact same movie over and over when I go to this particular Catholic church.
To me, this simple fact seems extremely discouraging toward experimenting more with the Catholic faith. I agree with the Catholic principle that all who espouse belief that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and are saved through baptism, faith, and works will enter heaven regardless of denomination (as I don't believe any denomination that denies these things is truly "Christian"). But I'd rather be protestant my whole life than enter a denomination with a poor track history of having religious leaders who are actually religious. The fact that as many as 81% are pretending is a statistic that hurts. Some statistics claim it is lower however, but never a number lower than 1 in 3 being irreligious. I want to believe that it's rare but when common people in most Christian nations are (statistically speaking) more religious than your religious leaders, that's a huge problem.
Forgive me if you're Catholic and this post offends you. I'm curious about those two things primarily: why do Catholics worship in such a lackluster manner that it seems as if they don't actually believe a word they are saying, and what is the data on those who lose their faith? And what could actually be the reason they lose their faith? I was on Quora and some users claimed it's because of the rules on Catholic priests, who are required to abstain from marriage or any form of romance. News of sex abuse scandals between the clergy and parishioners have also been cited as motivating factors for them to lose their faith and become apostates of Christianity, either openly or secretly.
Regardless, I'd love to be educated by either Catholics or others who may know the answer or part of the answer. Thank you and God bless you all this Easter Sunday evening (from the east USA).
Are you familiar with the phrase
Ex Opere Operato ?
"Affirming the
ex opere operato efficacy means being sure of God's sovereign and gratuitous intervention in the sacraments."
The Church is not made by men, but by Christ Himself. As He told Peter, you are are rock and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH
From the parable of the wheat and the tares, it is inevitable that you would find stale unbelieving people in the Church, but they do not have the power to take away God from His Church.
The Holy Spirit works through the sacraments as they are instruments of grace. It is not dependent on the holiness of the minister or the recipient for their efficacy; however we must all take care not to perform sacrilege.
The sacraments are divided into the sacraments of the dead and the sacraments of the living.
The sacraments of the dead are so named because they can be received if a soul is in a state of mortal sin. These sacraments are Baptism, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick(if it includes sacramental Penance)
These sacraments are given to those in mortal sin, so that they may be restored to life in Christ, as He desires no soul to be lost but all come to repentance.
The other four sacraments are sacraments of the living, and it is a sacrilege to receive them while in a state of mortal sin. If the priest that ministers them is in mortal sin, it is a sacrilege between him and God, but the efficacy of the sacrament remains for their recipient, Ex Opere Operato, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
These four sacraments are The Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
The Eucharist is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot approach Him if we have an attachment to mortal sin. As Paul says, if we eat and drink in an unworthy manner, we eat and drink condemnation upon ourselves. Regular reception of the Eucharist cleanses us from venial sin and decreases our desire for sin, aka concupicence.
Confirmation is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. It should be self evident of the sacrilege to receive the Holy Spirit while in mortal sin. Matrimony is a solemn bond between a man and a woman that can never be broken, save by death. Holy Orders is a solemn bond between a man and God to be completely in God’s service. We cannot serve two masters, so if there is an attachment to mortal sin, these sacraments become sacrilege.
Mortal sin can be cleansed by Baptism and Penance. Baptism can be received only once.
Since after one believes there remains no longer any sacrifice for sin, the soul is then required to consciously ask God for forgiveness and the grace to forsake the mortal sin.
Unfortunately, it is not custom to be spoon fed the faith when entering the Church. We must have an earnest desire to seek God, as He says you will seek me and you will find me when you search with all of your heart.
There is 2000 years of history to review that includes the writings of many saints.
The Christian life is not a passive one, but of continual seeking. God tells us to ask, seek, knock. He does not say ok you believe in me, your saved, see you in heaven, no.
When we join the Church, we enter the spiritual battle, and many will try to distract you and shipwreck your faith, but fear not, God has promised to be with you and has provided the sacraments for your assistance, if you avail yourself of their grace.
There are those that scoff at the Church and will tell you that they have a better way, but God’s Church is not built by men, we seek God, not the comfort of others that think well of us.
I am glad you asked the question and would be happy to talk with you if you like
