Just be honest with yourself. You're not a Catholic. That's ok.

Zamboni

The purpose of this thread is explore the significant difference between the number of people who identified as catholic in the 2011 census and the stats for weekly church going from Iona.
There are also statistics showing that over 30% of couples did not get married in a church in Ireland last year. Life will be difficult for them when they have children as the majority of state funded schools are allowed to refuse children without baptism certs.

I would speculate that the difference is there are a lot of people who don't have any active role or interest in the catholic church and they simply haven't critically evaluated their religious identification.
These are the people I am addressing in this thread.

So let's be honest for a second...

• The last time you were in a church was a baptism, a wedding or a funeral (or to keep the folks happy)
  
• You have had sex before marriage.
  
• You disagree with the churches teaching on homosexuality.
  
• You live in "sin".
  
• You ticked the catholic box in the census "by default" without any critical self evaluation.
  
• You wouldn't be mad about the idea of baptising your child but you want a school place and/or keep the parents/in laws happy.
  
• You have had a child out of marriage and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
  
• You call yourself a "cultural" catholic.

If some of these ring through, then you probably aren't a Catholic.
But that's ok. Nobody has died.

All you have to do in the future is;
Don't bother ticking catholic in the census anymore.
Don't use a church for any life events.
Don't baptise you child for a school place. Instead call on your local TDs and demand equal access schooling for child from the state.

No big deal!
So whadd'ya think?

If some of these ring through but you do believe in transubstantiation, the resurrection of Christ and the Bible, then this thread is simply not directed at you. Rock on and have a good day.

Religion bashing is completely unwelcome in this thread.

corner of hells

In After Hours ? Are you fcukin' joking ?

kneemos

Not even slightly condescending.

Mint Aero

I'm a Catholic to the God maaaaan. Not the crummy church with all it's rules maaaaan.

kingtut

Large bag of popcorn please!

ChunkyLover54

I'm quite comfortable referring to myself as a lapsed Catholic thank you very much.

anncoates

Zamboni wrote: »

If some of these ring through, then you probably aren't a Catholic.
But that's ok.

Phew.

Cheers.

AudreyHepburn

I think how you identify yourself your own personal choice and you shouldn't have to justify yourself to anyone.

The OP's thread is exactly why I dislike atheism. Not all atheists mind you, but it's hard not to feel some resentment to attitudes like the OP's.

Cr4pSnip3r

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

The OP's thread is exactly why I dislike atheism. Not all atheists mind you, but it's hard not to feel some resentment to attitudes like the OP's.

MonkeyTennis

Im a prolapsed Catholic

Polo_Mint

Scrap Baptism for babies

People should not have a forced religion until they actually have an understanding of religion and choose themselves.

NS77

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I think how you identify yourself your own personal choice and you shouldn't have to justify yourself to anyone.

Absolutely. But you shouldn't let those personal choices deny others their rights

kneemos

Polo_Mint wrote: »

Scrap Baptism

People should not have a forced religion until they actually have an understanding of religion and choose themselves.

You think babtism is a deciding factor.

eamonnq

I was on my way to confession, to confess I am not a Catholic, but now I don't have to go, because the OP says it is ok.

Valetta

Zamboni wrote: »

So let's be honest for a second...

• The last time you were in a church was a baptism, a wedding or a funeral (or to keep the folks happy)
• You have had sex before marriage.
• You disagree with the churches teaching on homosexuality.
• You live in "sin".
• You ticked the catholic box in the census "by default" without any critical self evaluation.
• You wouldn't be mad about the idea of baptising your child but you want a school place and/or keep the parents/in laws happy.
• You have had a child out of marriage and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
• You call yourself a "cultural" catholic.

If some of these ring through, then you probably aren't a Catholic.
.

All of the above could ring "through" (sic), but one can still be catholic.

What was your point again?

wretcheddomain

Zamboni wrote: »

If some of these ring through, then you probably aren't a Catholic. But that's ok. Nobody has died.

That's what Jesus said - you sure you aren't a closet Catholic? :pac:

Sunnyisland

Don't know what I am, for years I was hungover but I have changed that .... Next

Nollog

I'm tempted to answer catholic next time because of this.

kneemos

realies wrote: »

Don't know what I am, for years I was hungover but I have changed that .... Next

Forced Catholic,go to mass or I'll bate your head.

Grays Sports Almanac

I'm definitely a Catholic regardless of all that.

I might even keep ticking the 'I'm a Cathloic' box on consensus forms. I'll just put 'a la carte' in brackets before it.

if a man can identify as being a woman, then I think despite the above I can identify as being Cathloic, ya know, given my Irish upbringing and all.

I'm not religious now, but please don't let that bother you so much.

WeHaveToGoBack

Agree with almost everything OP said.

Its amazing to see how many "Catholics" there are in this country, holding it back from being progressive, modern country. But the thing is, these "Catholics" aren't Catholics at all; they don't go to Church, they don't take Communion, they take the lord's name in vein(sic?), nevermind the basic tenets of religion, such as believing God created the world in a few days, The Great Flood and how a 599 year old man built an ark to house every kind of creature, the fact their God is an immoral, jealous, murderer.

Next time you're asked your religion, think about it. The more you hold on to your supposed religious identity, the more you're holding others back.

wendell borton

The catholic church does put on a good show in fairness, they are the Christian equivalent of the rocky horror show and for that reason alone I will continue to use their services for social events.

NS77

Interesting blog post on this here:

[url=]http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/half-arsed-catholics-are-holding-ireland-back-395?utm_source=vicefbuk[/url]

kneemos

wendell borton wrote: »

The catholic church does put on a good show in fairness, they are the Christian equivalent of the rocky horror show and for that reason allow I will continue to use their services for social events.

Must remember this if I'm ever inside a Church again.

kylith

Thurmansee wrote: »

I'd say there a significant percentage of People who ticked Catholic who don'the even believe in God.

10% of people who go to mass don't believe in god!

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

The OP's thread is exactly why I dislike atheism. Not all atheists mind you, but it's hard not to feel some resentment to attitudes like the OP's.

Why so? He's just encouraging people to think about why they would call themselves Catholic if they don't believe in the teachings of the Catholic church. I think it's a fair point; most people I know who baptised etc. their kids did it to keep the family happy, or so the kid wouldn't be 'left out' by not getting to wear a white dress in 1st class. That's not a reason to sign your child up for a religion, believing in the religion is.

The majority of kids baptised these days will participate in church services 5 times in their life: their baptism, communion, confirmation, wedding, and funeral.

I find it strange that atheists 1) take religion more seriously than 'religious' people and 2) generally know more about religion than religious people.

The Backwards Man

I think I'll go chat to the dog. She doesn't give a damn what you put down on a census form, as long as she gets fed

gimmick

"I have great faith, but I don't go to mass".

Overheard recently. Pretty sure the same person never prays either and lives in a convenient manner but still likes to be called "Catholic". That is the very definition of convenient Catholicism. Church married, but lived with the fiance before hand. Will definitely baptise the child, but wont bring the child to mass.

There are thousands of the above beliefs. Its just a pure "I dont want to be different" mentality.

Thread should be retitled "It's not okay to call yourself Catholic when you're not. BECOME AN ATHEIST NOW YOU HYPOCRITE S**MBAG!!!!"

ChunkyLover54

WeHaveToGoBack wrote: »

Next time you're asked your religion, think about it. The more you hold on to your supposed religious identity, the more you're holding others back.

Our Lord Jesus wept.

The Backwards Man

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thread should be retitled "It's not okay to call yourself Catholic when you're not. BECOME AN ATHEIST NOW YOU HYPOCRITE S**MBAG!!!!"

No one expects the Atheist Inquisition

Cr4pSnip3r

Deleted User wrote: »

Thread should be retitled "It's not okay to call yourself Catholic when you're not. BECOME AN ATHEIST NOW YOU HYPOCRITE S**MBAG!!!!"

That's not true at all OP took a very reasonable approach.

Zamboni wrote: »

If some of these ring through but you do believe in transubstantiation, the resurrection of Christ and the Bible, then this thread is simply not directed at you. Rock on and have a good day.

Religion bashing is completely unwelcome in this thread.

Grandeeod

I see it hasnt really kicked off yet. I'll be back later.

Fr_Dougal

Zamboni wrote: »

The purpose of this thread is explore the significant difference between the number of people who identified as catholic in the 2011 census and the stats for weekly church going from Iona.
There are also statistics showing that over 30% of couples did not get married in a church in Ireland last year. Life will be difficult for them when they have children as the majority of state funded schools are allowed to refuse children without baptism certs.

I would speculate that the difference is there are a lot of people who don't have any active role or interest in the catholic church and they simply haven't critically evaluated their religious identification.
These are the people I am addressing in this thread.

So let's be honest for a second...

• The last time you were in a church was a baptism, a wedding or a funeral (or to keep the folks happy)
  
• You have had sex before marriage.
  
• You disagree with the churches teaching on homosexuality.
  
• You live in "sin".
  
• You ticked the catholic box in the census "by default" without any critical self evaluation.
  
• You wouldn't be mad about the idea of baptising your child but you want a school place and/or keep the parents/in laws happy.
  
• You have had a child out of marriage and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
  
• You call yourself a "cultural" catholic.

If some of these ring through, then you probably aren't a Catholic.
But that's ok. Nobody has died.

All you have to do in the future is;
Don't bother ticking catholic in the census anymore.
Don't use a church for any life events.
Don't baptise you child for a school place. Instead call on your local TDs and demand equal access schooling for child from the state.

No big deal!
So whadd'ya think?

If some of these ring through but you do believe in transubstantiation, the resurrection of Christ and the Bible, then this thread is simply not directed at you. Rock on and have a good day.

Religion bashing is completely unwelcome in this thread.

:mad:

spacetweek

Thurmansee wrote: »

I'd say there a significant percentage of People who ticked Catholic who don'the even believe in God.

According to a survey quoted by Atheist Ireland last year, around 8% of self-identified Irish Catholics do not believe in God.

Stark

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I think how you identify yourself your own personal choice and you shouldn't have to justify yourself to anyone.

Pretty sure lying on the census form is a crime.

Shenshen

I never really understood that, personally.

Why insist that you are a member of a club you disagree with?

I mean, would you call yourself a vegetarian if you're eating meat every day?
Why cling to the label so much when it doesn't reflect your personal values any more?

I genuinely believe most atheists are much worse than devouts of any religion.

MRnotlob606

Let the annual anti-catholic bashing games begin !

Or should I say the daily ?

catallus

Can one not be a sinner and still be a catholic?

Isn't that what the whole thing is about?

The Backwards Man

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I genuinely believe most atheists are much worse than devouts of any religion.

Definitely more devoted anyway

WeHaveToGoBack

catallus wrote: »

Can one not be a sinner and still be a catholic?

Isn't that what the whole thing is about?

Go to Confession.
But then, most Catholics dont bother with that either.

Shenshen

catallus wrote: »

Can one not be a sinner and still be a catholic?

Isn't that what the whole thing is about?

Isn't the idea though that you repent your sins?

Can't imagine many people on here repent that last time they were in bed with the girlfriend/boyfriend, or missed mass for a good Sunday-morning lie-in.

Nollog

kylith wrote: »

Why so?

I'd say it's the tone.

It's not as "you could like totally think about it, duude", as it is "You need to think about it, you'll realise how very wrong you are and how right I am!".

The Backwards Man

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Definitely more devoted anyway

It's like, I identify myself as Catholic. I don't go to mass. So. The. Hell. What? What does it matter to you?

Stop trying to shove your belief structure, which is what it is, down my throat.

Polo_Mint

kneemos wrote: »

You think babtism is a deciding factor.

For me, Yes

Do I believe in heaven or Hell - No

Am I religious in any way - No

Am I an Catholic - Yes as I was baptised.

Would I tick a box saying im Catholic - Yes, See Above

If people selected their religion later on in life come tomorrow, in the next 20 years I believe you would have 100s of thousands of people with no religious beliefs and not registered to any religion.

For all the people who are baptised Catholic and say they are an Atheist, Have they actually contacted the Church to denounce their Religion?

If they haven't then they are registered Catholics and should tick the box.

In Germany it is very common to de register from the Catholic church.

Why- You have to pay Church tax monthly weather you attend church or not.

kylith

catallus wrote: »

Can one not be a sinner and still be a catholic?

Isn't that what the whole thing is about?

Of course one can be Catholic and a sinner.

One can hardly be Catholic and not believe in any of the teachings of the Catholic Church though. As said already that's like saying you're a vegetarian while eating steak every day.

LDN_Irish

/\/ollog wrote: »

I'd say it's the tone.

It's not as "you could like totally think about it, duude", as it is "You need to think about it, you'll realise how very wrong you are and how right I am!".

He's probably just puzzled that there are millions of people giving the RCC the mandate to speak for them and spread their nonsense throughout the world while knowing it's complete nonsense. It is quite mystifying when you think about how right the OP is and how wrong everyone who doesn't agree is.

ohnonotgmail

Zamboni wrote: »

*SNIP*

All you have to do in the future is;
Don't bother ticking catholic in the census anymore.
Don't use a church for any life events.
Don't baptise you child for a school place. Instead call on your local TDs and demand equal access schooling for child from the state.

No big deal!
So whadd'ya think?

If some of these ring through but you do believe in transubstantiation, the resurrection of Christ and the Bible, then this thread is simply not directed at you. Rock on and have a good day.

Religion bashing is completely unwelcome in this thread.

Now call me cynical but is perhaps the bit in bold the whole purpose of this thread? that the rest of the OP is just a smokescreen?

Shenshen

Polo_Mint wrote: »

For me, Yes

Do I believe in heaven or Hell - No

Am I religious in any way - No

Am I an Catholic - Yes as I was baptised.

Would I tick a box saying im Catholic - Yes, See Above

If people selected their religion later on in life come tomorrow, in the next 20 years I believe you would have 100s of thousands of people with no religious beliefs and not registered to any religion.

For all the people who are baptised Catholic and say they are an Atheist, Have they actually contacted the Church to denounce their Religion?

If they haven't then they are registered Catholics and should tick the box.

In Germany it is very common to de register from the Catholic church.

Why- You have to pay Church tax monthly weather you attend church or not.

I am German, and I have.
However, I'm given to understand that if you were baptised in Ireland, you no longer have the option to opt-out. The church decided to not accept your letter of defection any more a few years back.

kylith

Polo_Mint wrote: »

For me, Yes

Do I believe in heaven or Hell - No

Am I religious in any way - No

Am I an Catholic - Yes as I was baptised.

Would I tick a box saying im Catholic - Yes, See Above

If people selected their religion later on in life come tomorrow, in the next 20 years I believe you would have 100s of thousands of people with no religious beliefs and not registered to any religion.

For all the people who are baptised Catholic and say they are an Atheist, Have they actually contacted the Church to denounce their Religion?

If they haven't then they are registered Catholics and should tick the box.

In Germany it is very common to de register from the Catholic church.

Why- You have to pay Church tax monthly weather you attend church or not.

The church closed the avenue to formally leave.

IMO baptism doesn't make me a Catholic. I had no choice in the matter, it was done before I could make an informed decision or voice an opinion. I was once signed up to Swim Ireland, but I'm sure as hell not a lifeguard any longer.

If there was a church tax here like there is in Germany there'd be a grand total of a couple of hundred people putting Catholic on the census.

Goshen

I don't know what I am!! When last asked for my religion I replied 'none', though she knew by the head of me I was a bad bad catholic lol.