Ron Bennington is right.

[alabamatrucker]

I just got caught up on the shows over the weekend. I heard the show in which eastside dave (whom i love alot) took the eucharist at the wedding. Most of what Ron said in response to dave was correct. I converted to Roman Catholicism 2 years ago. I had to take a weekly class for a year. The class is R.C.I.A. It explains the history of the church, there policies and everything else. I have to say that in order to be in good standing with the church you must

1- Attend mass at least once per week.
2- Goto confession once a year . Thats the minimum. I try to go once a month.
3- You absolutely CANNOT take communion, with a "dirty soul". You have to have attended mass regularly. Confessed at least once that year, and you must not be aware of any "mortal" sins. Venial sins are okay, but you CANNOT take the eucharist with a mortal sin on your soul without a prior confession. Example. Mortal sin= Rape,abortion,marriage outside the church etc. Venial sin= cursing, white lies, etc.

As a roman catholic we take communion very serious because it is considered one of our most holy sacraments. Most roman catholic churches will tell you before the eucharist is distributed that non catholics and people who are not in good standing shouldnt consume the eucharist.

Also i love dave to death but as a roman catholic, if you get married outside the church and it isnt performed by a catholic priest , the roman catholic church considers the marriage invalid. In other words you would automatically not be eligible to recieve the eucharist until you have a reconcilliation and have your marriage blessed by a priest and explain why you decided to get married outside the church. I know all of this stuff might seem silly to some people but this is the official stance on the church's policies. I have verified all of this with my recent conversion and also asked my priest. That being said i truly hope dave will talk to a priest and get his marriage blessed and validated and reconcile with the church. I realize david's wife isnt catholic and that is okay. You dont have to marry a catholic. A catholic can marry a non-catholic but the main marriage ceremony must be performed in a catholic church or a place approved by a priest and the wedding must be performed by a priest. Thats all i got. Love the show and i love ron and dave and fezzie bug.


AT

[GreatAmericanZero]

i agreed with Dave in the conversation. He can say hes catholic all he wants. if he wants to believe hes catholic and he wants to say hes catholic than hes catholic. in my opinion thats all that matters. He can start calling him a buddhist tomorrow and i'll consider him a buddhist. its not like any of this stuff is real anyway

[oh_kee_pa]

i agreed with Dave in the conversation. He can say hes catholic all he wants. if he wants to believe hes catholic and he wants to say hes catholic than hes catholic. in my opinion thats all that matters. He can start calling him a buddhist tomorrow and i'll consider him a buddhist. its not like any of this stuff is real anyway

your point is hypocritical in itself...
if he believes himself to be a Catholic then it is in fact real... especially if you believe him to be because he says so...
you cant consider someone a buddhist because they say it, then say "it's not like this is real anyway"

[alabamatrucker]

i agreed with Dave in the conversation. He can say hes catholic all he wants. if he wants to believe hes catholic and he wants to say hes catholic than hes catholic. in my opinion thats all that matters. He can start calling him a buddhist tomorrow and i'll consider him a buddhist. its not like any of this stuff is real anyway




Right on GAZ. I understand what your sayin. On the other hand alot of people who dont attend mass and do whatever the fuck they want call themselves Catholic. In daves case its not that bad but i have seen in many situations new catholics, ask people who call themselves catholic (yet dont attend mass or follow policy) questions and get tons of bad information. There is alot that goes into the religion and i didnt want any new catholics or people who might be considering catholicism to get bad info. I love david to death and i still consider him catholic he just might need to reconcile. Im not an official spokesman for the church but i have a little knowledge about it. I just wanted to validate most of what ron said is correct. I also agree that some policies in place by the church are confusing and sometimes questionable. Anyway thats it


AT

[OGC]

Sounds like you are disagreeing with Mr B. I believe he said that you needed to go to confession every week before you took communion.

[brettmojo]

All this stuff is fine as long as you all remember we are all just on the back of a giant turtle as it swims endlessly through the ocean of the universe.

[Foster]

i agreed with Dave in the conversation. He can say hes catholic all he wants. if he wants to believe hes catholic and he wants to say hes catholic than hes catholic. in my opinion thats all that matters. He can start calling him a buddhist tomorrow and i'll consider him a buddhist. its not like any of this stuff is real anyway

the point Ron and Alabamatrucker are making, is that Dave may consider himself Catholic, but the Catholic Church does not.

[alabamatrucker]

Sounds like you are disagreeing with Mr B. I believe he said that you needed to go to confession every week before you took communion.


No i said i agree with most of what he said. Alot of catholics do goto confession once a week. Im telling you the official church policy is a minimum of once per year with no knowledge of mortal sins. I go once a month because i dont like taking communion with even a chance of having mortal sin on my soul. FACE

[alabamatrucker]

the point Ron and Alabamatrucker are making, is that Dave may consider himself Catholic, but the Catholic Church does not.



Well im not an official spokesman. Dave needs to discuss everything with a roman catholic priest and also needs to make the priest aware of his marriage outside the church. Im not God or a priest so all of this is in Daves hands.

[KnoxHarrington]

your point is hypocritical in itself...
if he believes himself to be a Catholic then it is in fact real... especially if you believe him to be because he says so...
you cant consider someone a buddhist because they say it, then say "it's not like this is real anyway"

And Dave was very strenuously insisting that he is, indeed, a Catholic, even as he appears to be ignoring most of the tenets of the Catholic Church and not taking part in most of its rituals.

You can't have it both ways. You can't say "I'm a Catholic" and then do very little that the Catholic Church asks its members to do. And that's the objection here -- Dave seemed to want to do hardly anything a Catholic is supposed to do, yet claim full membership.

I just wish more people would admit that they only attend church or religious services for social appearance and give up. It's far better for you spiritually to just stop following a religion you don't believe in anymore than it is to keep dragging yourself there because you're worried what your family/friends/neighbors etc. will think if you don't. But my guess is that the big majority of the people going to church right now are there for that reason.

[Bay Ridge Tim]

You have to do all that just to eat an unflavored cracker?!?

[Foster]

Well im not an official spokesman. Dave needs to discuss everything with a roman catholic priest and also needs to make the priest aware of his marriage outside the church. Im not God or a priest so all of this is in Daves hands.

I sorry sir, but you are now the offical spokes person of the Roman Catholic Church for this message board.

[alabamatrucker]

And Dave was very strenuously insisting that he is, indeed, a Catholic, even as he appears to be ignoring most of the tenets of the Catholic Church and not taking part in most of its rituals.

You can't have it both ways. You can't say "I'm a Catholic" and then do very little that the Catholic Church asks its members to do. And that's the objection here -- Dave seemed to want to do hardly anything a Catholic is supposed to do, yet claim full membership.

I just wish more people would admit that they only attend church or religious services for social appearance and give up. It's far better for you spiritually to just stop following a religion you don't believe in anymore than it is to keep dragging yourself there because you're worried what your family/friends/neighbors etc. will think if you don't. But my guess is that the big majority of the people going to church right now are there for that reason.


Well your right in some cases. In my case i was almost kicked out of the state for converting to catholicism. Not alot of catholics in alabama. I also didnt do it for any social reasons except i mostly agree with their stances and policies.

[OGC]

No i said i agree with most of what he said. Alot of catholics do goto confession once a week. Im telling you the official church policy is a minimum of once per year with no knowledge of mortal sins. I go once a month because i dont like taking communion with even a chance of having mortal sin on my soul. FACE

I understand what you are saying, but if the official church policy is a minimum of once per year and Ron said that it was once per week or no little wafer for you, you are not agreeing with him.

[alabamatrucker]

You have to do all that just to eat an unflavored cracker?!?



Ya pretty much. :lol:

[donnie_darko]

i use to hope deep down that dave was a bit, like a character actor, but when he drank piss at an event after everything he's been told i realized that it is all sadly true.

the way he "ooh's and ahhh's" things that ron says as if he's a sparkler, his dumb ass comments about his daughter, everything is sadly real.

so just let dave be, him calling himself a catholic is similar to a little get putting his bed sheet around his neck and calling himself superman.

please casey make sure he doesn't try to "fly" off the roof.

[alabamatrucker]

I understand what you are saying, but if the official church policy is a minimum of once per year and Ron said that it was once per week or no little wafer for you, you are not agreeing with him.


Im saying you retard, that he is right . Most people do confess once per week. Alot do it once per month. Im telling you the minimum is once per year. Im also telling you Mr B is correct about not takin communion unless your soul is right. Sheshhh

[alabamatrucker]

I sorry sir, but you are now the offical spokes person of the Roman Catholic Church for this message board.



Absolutely not. I wouldnt even consider it. I already get enough shit for living in alabama and being catholic. I dont need message board persecution as well.

[Foster]

Absolutely not. I wouldnt even consider it. I already get enough shit for living in alabama and being catholic. I dont need message board persecution as well.

yeah, its not like you started a thread about it or anything

[Bay Ridge Tim]

Absolutely not. I wouldnt even consider it. I already get enough shit for living in alabama and being catholic. I dont need message board persecution as well.

Too late! Why don't you go worship your Pope-god and have a dozen babies!

[alabamatrucker]

Well i just wanted to clear up a few things i have a little knowledge about. I dont know everything but im pretty fresh on catholic policy.

[alabamatrucker]

Too late! Why don't you go worship your Pope-god and have a dozen babies!



Sir we do not worship the pope and for the record i dont have any children. Thank you sir

[GreatAmericanZero]

your point is hypocritical in itself...
if he believes himself to be a Catholic then it is in fact real... especially if you believe him to be because he says so...
you cant consider someone a buddhist because they say it, then say "it's not like this is real anyway"

i've worked with a guy who said he was a "Buddhist". This guy was the most un-Buddhist person ever and knew nothing about the religion. He just heard something he liked about it and decided to say he was one.

No one ever called him out on it. No one said to his face "you're not a real buddhist!"

thats because religious beliefs are a state-of-mind. As long as you believe you are part of that religion you are. Because your mind believes it

[alabamatrucker]

i've worked with a guy who said he was a "Buddhist". This guy was the most un-Buddhist person ever and knew nothing about the religion. He just heard something he liked about it and decided to say he was one.

No one ever called him out on it. No one said to his face "you're not a real buddhist!"

thats because religious beliefs are a state-of-mind. As long as you believe you are part of that religion you are. Because your mind believes it



GAZ if thats what you think , thats fine. I dont give a shit. Believe what you want. I personally dont care what religion anyone is. I try to look at a persons character rather than religion.

[GreatAmericanZero]

GAZ if thats what you think , thats fine. I dont give a shit. Believe what you want. I personally dont care what religion anyone is. I try to look at a persons character rather than religion.

exactly - people that are saying "Dave isn't catholic enough to be catholic" are judging him. To me, religion means so very little that someone can consider themselves whatever religion in the world they want to and i wouldn't care or question them about it

[Foster]

i've worked with a guy who said he was a "Buddhist". This guy was the most un-Buddhist person ever and knew nothing about the religion. He just heard something he liked about it and decided to say he was one.

No one ever called him out on it. No one said to his face "you're not a real buddhist!"

thats because religious beliefs are a state-of-mind. As long as you believe you are part of that religion you are. Because your mind believes it

in his mind and to others like yourself yes,
but you may get a different answer from the church itself

[OGC]

Im saying you retard, that he is right . Most people do confess once per week. Alot do it once per month. Im telling you the minimum is once per year. Im also telling you Mr B is correct about not takin communion unless your soul is right. Sheshhh

Some good catholic you are, someone disagrees with you and you start calling them retarded. :glurps:

Ron was quite insistent that to be a good catholic, one needed to go to confession once per week before you ate the wafer. According to what you have told us, he was wrong, it only needs to be once per year. Dave was the one saying that there was no need to confess so often.

Why is that so difficult to understand.

[EddieMoscone]

I was raised Catholic, and our church also taught us that going to a confessional was not 100% necessary in order to confess your sins. You could pray for forgiveness directly.

Just sayin', maybe Dave isn't as crazy as people think. We are about the same age, so maybe things changed over the years. There was also a time that the priest would only place the communion in your mouth, not in your hand. When I did my first communion, we were taught to take it in our hand. It's not like the Catholic Church NEVER changes the rules.

[alabamatrucker]

Some good catholic you are, someone disagrees with you and you start calling them retarded. :glurps:

Ron was quite insistent that to be a good catholic, one needed to go to confession once per week before you ate the wafer. According to what you have told us, he was wrong, it only needs to be once per year. Dave was the one saying that there was no need to confess so often.

Why is that so difficult to understand.



Just because im a catholic i cant bust someones balls and call them a retard. Im sorry but catholicism isnt that strict. I think your thinkin of another religion. I also never claimed to be the number one catholic in the world. I also dont judge people and what dave does is between him and God and a priest. I was just tryin to clear some things up. Geez this is why i dont even like to discuss religion.

[alabamatrucker]

I was raised Catholic, and our church also taught us that going to a confessional was not 100% necessary in order to confess your sins. You could pray for forgiveness directly.

Just sayin', maybe Dave isn't as crazy as people think. We are about the same age, so maybe things changed over the years. There was also a time that the priest would only place the communion in your mouth, not in your hand. When I did my first communion, we were taught to take it in our hand. It's not like the Catholic Church NEVER changes the rules.



Eddie you are correct about the communion and accepting it in your mouth . The church does change policies. As catholics we are taught to pray often and even pray alone. We are also taught to ask for forgiveness everyday and if something major is bothering us and we think its serious to make a confession. Right on

[Foster]

Eddie you are correct about the communion and accepting it in your mouth . The church does change policies. As catholics we are taught to pray often and even pray alone. We are also taught to ask for forgiveness everyday and if something major is bothering us and we think its serious to make a confession. Right on

and you say you don't represent the Catholic Church

alabamatrucker for sainthood

[alabamatrucker]

Im finished with this thread. You guys have fun. Lots of love

AT

[OGC]

Just because im a catholic i cant bust someones balls and call them a retard. Im sorry but catholicism isnt that strict. I think your thinkin of another religion. I also never claimed to be the number one catholic in the world. I also dont judge people and what dave does is between him and God and a priest. I was just tryin to clear some things up. Geez this is why i dont even like to discuss religion.

I was just busting balls too. Some one with a mod quote like yours must have an open mind.

I wasn't disagreeing with what you are saying about catholicism . I assume you are correct. I am not catholic so between the two of us, you are the expert.

I'm just pointing out that if what you say is right, then Ron was wrong

[alabamatrucker]

I was just busting balls too. Some one with a mod quote like yours must have an open mind.

I wasn't disagreeing with what you are saying about catholicism . I assume you are correct. I am not catholic so between the two of us, you are the expert.

I'm just pointing out that if what you say is right, then Ron was wrong


Rich i appreciate the kind words. Like i said im no perfect person. Part of human nature is making mistakes and learning from them. I had a problem for many years where i felt very alienated from any type of organized religion. I felt people were to judgemental and did it all for the wrong reasons. I found out alot of people are doing things for the wrong reason but you also will meet who are sincere and goto mass and confession and volunteer for the right reasons. These are the people i like to surround my self with at church and i have gained alot of spiritual growth by being around these type of people and bonding really close with my local priest. Organized religion isnt for everyone and i understand and respect that. I lived my life for many years with that exact same mantra. I just know over the past two years i have grown alot spiritually with the help of other people and catholicism and volunteer work for elderly and sick and charitable works. Anyway its not for everyone and i understand. Alot of my close friends here in alabama are not into organized religion or they are a different religion. I have no qualms with them and im not the kind of person who constantly goes around and talks about my faith alot. If someone asks i might answer but i respect everyones right to choose or not to participate at all. It all comes down to loving other people despite their political,religious or racial differences. Any "christian" who passes judgement and preaches to other people and cant tolerate their own beliefs are totally ignorant and living in some kind of messed up world. In my opinion God,spirituality is all about love and understanding. I love all you guys and i appreciate the feedback. Thanks to everyone who participated in the thread. I consider all of you my friends. Thanks

AT -Alabamatrucker

www.myspace.com/itsjeradhinkle :thumbup:

[robot artist]

Just sayin', maybe Dave isn't as crazy as people think. We are about the same age, so maybe things changed over the years. There was also a time that the priest would only place the communion in your mouth, not in your hand. When I did my first communion, we were taught to take it in our hand. It's not like the Catholic Church NEVER changes the rules.

Melts in your mouth, not in your hand!

http://www.uploadgeek.com/uploads456/0/Jeepus.jpg (http://www.uploadgeek.com)

[Foster]

Melts in your mouth, not in your hand!

http://www.uploadgeek.com/uploads456/0/Jeepus.jpg (http://www.uploadgeek.com)

you know, if the communion wafers were made of chocolate I would become a Catholic

[Contra]

That whole conversation was strange to me because all my life I had no idea that you had to be in good standing with the church to hold your catholic "membership". I thought if you were raised catholic then you were just catholic, no matter if you kept going to church or not.

[Gvac]

The catechism of the Catholic Church states that one cannot receive communion if they haven't been to confession since their last mortal sin. What the church considers a "mortal" sin differs from Dave's interpretation, however. This is a convenient escape clause.

My point is that if you bend and interpret the rules to fit yourself, you're calling yourself a Catholic when you really aren't. Rules are rules, and every company has them. Dave has been told by Sirius/XM, for example, that there are certain behaviors he can't exhibit or his job will be in jeopardy. They're not open to discussion; they're set in stone. Same with the various religions.

If you choose not to follow the rules, don't identify yourself as a member. I think the majority of people who designate themselves as a member of a particular church do what Dave does, and I don't understand why. I guess it's just that people have a need to belong.

I was born and raised Catholic, attended Catholic school through high school, but I don't believe in all the dogma and tenets of the faith. Therefore, I don't identify myself as a Catholic anymore.

[GreatAmericanZero]

my whole problem with the "Rules are Rules" argument is that you physically get the same.

if you believe that in order to be a true catholic you have to carefully follow the rules, you get the exact same thing from the religion as someone who follows the catholic rules as they see fit...because their is no physical benefit to doing one or the other

If ESD said he was a NY Giant, people can point and say "you don't have a superbowl ring, you don't get a paycheck from the NFL and you've never been on the football field". But as far as religion goes..it doesn't matter. Its peace-of-mind. So to say that ESD isn't a true catholic is just adding judgment upon him because in his mind hes catholic just like the person who is doing everything right and going to church every sunday. they both "win"

[Foster]

my whole problem with the "Rules are Rules" argument is that you physically get the same.

if you believe that in order to be a true catholic you have to carefully follow the rules, you get the exact same thing from the religion as someone who follows the catholic rules as they see fit...because their is no physical benefit to doing one or the other

If ESD said he was a NY Giant, people can point and say "you don't have a superbowl ring, you don't get a paycheck from the NFL and you've never been on the football field". But as far as religion goes..it doesn't matter. Its peace-of-mind. So to say that ESD isn't a true catholic is just adding judgment upon him because in his mind hes catholic just like the person who is doing everything right and going to church every sunday. they both "win"

except one passes through the Pearly Gates

and the other other burns in Hell for eternity

[BlackSpider]

The catechism of the Catholic Church states that one cannot receive communion if they haven't been to confession since their last mortal sin. What the church considers a "mortal" sin differs from Dave's interpretation, however. This is a convenient escape clause.

My point is that if you bend and interpret the rules to fit yourself, you're calling yourself a Catholic when you really aren't. Rules are rules, and every company has them. Dave has been told by Sirius/XM, for example, that there are certain behaviors he can't exhibit or his job will be in jeopardy. They're not open to discussion; they're set in stone. Same with the various religions.

If you choose not to follow the rules, don't identify yourself as a member. I think the majority of people who designate themselves as a member of a particular church do what Dave does, and I don't understand why. I guess it's just that people have a need to belong.

I was born and raised Catholic, attended Catholic school through high school, but I don't believe in all the dogma and tenets of the faith. Therefore, I don't identify myself as a Catholic anymore.


<------Same here.
You scare me...

[Gvac]

my whole problem with the "Rules are Rules" argument is that you physically get the same.

if you believe that in order to be a true catholic you have to carefully follow the rules, you get the exact same thing from the religion as someone who follows the catholic rules as they see fit...because their is no physical benefit to doing one or the other

If ESD said he was a NY Giant, people can point and say "you don't have a superbowl ring, you don't get a paycheck from the NFL and you've never been on the football field". But as far as religion goes..it doesn't matter. Its peace-of-mind. So to say that ESD isn't a true catholic is just adding judgment upon him because in his mind hes catholic just like the person who is doing everything right and going to church every sunday. they both "win"

I've never been a fan of the "if it feels good do it" school of thought. Life requires discipline and being based in reality. If living in a fantasy world makes someone happy they should continue to do so because it makes them happy?

Sounds zany.

Maybe I'll go around telling everyone I'm a warlock from the 13th century.

[Foster]

I've never been a fan of the "if it feels good do it" school of thought. Life requires discipline and being based in reality. If living in a fantasy world makes someone happy they should continue to do so because it makes them happy?

Sounds zany.

Maybe I'll go around telling everyone I'm a warlock from the 13th century.

aren't there enough jokes made about your age

[Gvac]

aren't there enough jokes made about your age

Ha! It's reverse psychology.

Maybe they'll start saying "He looks good for an 800 year old."

[Foster]

Ha! It's reverse psychology.

Maybe they'll start saying "He looks good for an 800 year old."

the Warlock Robe looks thinning and makes your skin look pale though

[GreatAmericanZero]

I've never been a fan of the "if it feels good do it" school of thought. Life requires discipline and being based in reality. If living in a fantasy world makes someone happy they should continue to do so because it makes them happy?

Sounds zany.

Maybe I'll go around telling everyone I'm a warlock from the 13th century.

but if you think about the point of religion, its something to believe in to make you feel comfortable in the world and to live a good fulfilling life. If someone calling themselves a catholic because they follow a few rules here and there..whats wrong with that? Its there own mind and comfort

I personally think any belief in God or Jesus or Bible is as silly as someone saying they are a 13th century warlock. I honestly can not see the difference in that silliness. "I believe in anything in the bible" is as crazy as a statement people can make...but its an accepted thing for people to believe in so why judge it? Life is a complicated thing, I believe whatever way anyone can arrange their thoughts and beliefs in their head so they can be most comfortable on this earth...than good for them.

[underdog]

I've never been a fan of the "if it feels good do it" school of thought. Life requires discipline and being based in reality.

I enjoy that telling some other person the things you've done then eating a cracker in the correct order means you're going to heaven being "based in reality".

[suggums]

im starvin we got any body of christ lying around?

[Gvac]

I enjoy that telling some other person the things you've done then eating a cracker in the correct order means you're going to heaven being "based in reality".

Not what I said at all. I didn't call the Catholic religion "based in reality"; I said making up your own rules and saying you belong to something when your rules don't jibe with theirs isn't based in reality.

[MacVittie]

Ron brought up the example of having to confess having voted for the Obama/Biden ticket, but as far as I know, that order has not come from the Pope, only from a couple of priests and/or bishops.

[scottinnj]

All this stuff is fine as long as you all remember we are all just on the back of a giant turtle as it swims endlessly through the ocean of the universe.

Right on dude!
http://www.family-vacation-getaways-at-los-angeles-theme-parks.com/images/TomorrowlandNemoCrush.gif

[scottinnj]

Sir we do not worship the pope and for the record i dont have any children. Thank you sir

What got me about that was when Pope Benedict came to NYC to bless ground zero. I thought "what a great gesture" because I am a protestant.

Then the Fire Chief and NYPD Commish went up to him, knelt down and kissed his ring. Looked like they were worshipping him to me.

I was taught I kneel to no one but God. Anything else is false idol worship.

[scottinnj]

you know, if the communion wafers were made of chocolate I would become a Catholic

communion wafers represent the body of Christ. If they were chocolate that would make our Lord and Saviour a...

"white people are so scared, of black people"

[scottinnj]

Maybe I'll go around telling everyone I'm a warlock from the 13th century.


I knew it. D & D freak of nature you.

[Osty]

Ron Bennington is always right. Especially about gays. Worst thing in the world is definately to be called gay.

[Big_Joe]

Ron is always right.

[scottinnj]

Ron is always right.

No he isn't.

Ron is never wrong.

Get it right.

[Big_Joe]

No he isn't.

Ron is never wrong.

Get it right.

my bad.

[alabamatrucker]

What got me about that was when Pope Benedict came to NYC to bless ground zero. I thought "what a great gesture" because I am a protestant.

Then the Fire Chief and NYPD Commish went up to him, knelt down and kissed his ring. Looked like they were worshipping him to me.

I was taught I kneel to no one but God. Anything else is false idol worship.



There are several different acceptable ways to greet the Pope. If you wanna know what they are do some research. Most involve kissing his super cool pope ring. Most people bow their heads as a sign of respect and then kiss his ring as a sign of respect. Trust me , any catholic who actually "worships" the pope is not doing the right thing. Sometimes people confuse our genuflections or signs of respect to people as worship. However i can tell you that anytime i see a priest i always adress him as "father" anytime i see a nun i call her "sister". If i ever got the chance to meet the pope i would be respectfull and genuflect and kiss his ring and adress him as the most holy father. That means the holy father of the church , not the "holy father" of the bible.
:smile:

[Edwin]

And Dave was very strenuously insisting that he is, indeed, a Catholic, even as he appears to be ignoring most of the tenets of the Catholic Church and not taking part in most of its rituals.

You can't have it both ways. You can't say "I'm a Catholic" and then do very little that the Catholic Church asks its members to do. And that's the objection here -- Dave seemed to want to do hardly anything a Catholic is supposed to do, yet claim full membership.

I just wish more people would admit that they only attend church or religious services for social appearance and give up. It's far better for you spiritually to just stop following a religion you don't believe in anymore than it is to keep dragging yourself there because you're worried what your family/friends/neighbors etc. will think if you don't. But my guess is that the big majority of the people going to church right now are there for that reason.

I was baptized and confirmed, but am now a total atheist. Since you can't say that to your girlfriend's parents, I get around it by saying "I was raised Catholic". Not a lie, and not hypocritical because it doesn't insinuate I am practicing.