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Citygirlsmom, no one is qualified to judge the faith of another. But your many negative statements about the Catholic faith lead me to believe that you have a great deal of animosity to the faith. That’s also no one’s business. But when you post comments about the tenets of the faith that are just incorrect – as has been pointed out by several posters – others will correct you. No religion is perfect, but then no one in this country is forced to follow any religion in particular. Being Catholic is not easy, but it IS a choice.</p>
<p>I think it is easier to be born as a Catholic, in some ways. I agree with your friend, dke, that there is a Catholic culture, which is somewhat contradictory to American culture. It is not a democracy and we do not pick and choose which teachings we will follow. As an Irish Catholic, I could never follow any other religion – it’s too ingrained in me. That doesn’t mean that the Church is perfect – but as a member of the faithful, I accept that the Church was founded by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. One difference I see between my Catholic friends and Protestant friends is that Protestants sometimes feel free to create their own interpretation of scripture and the teachings of their religion. Catholicism really has a very well defined system of beliefs and practices that are not negotiable. <a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-U-S/dp/0385479670[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-U-S/dp/0385479670</a> That’s why I have trouble with Catholics who say they are pro-abortion. That is just not an option for Catholics – if they really believe that ending a life is not a mortal sin, then they are not practicing the faith, and are really choosing to leave the Church, whether they do so formally or not. </p>
<p>It’s like saying you are a feminist, but believe that women should not work outside the home, have credit, or vote. That person can still call himself or herself a feminist, but his/her beliefs negate that claim.</p>