My "issues" with some of the Catholic/Christian beliefs.

OK, maybe "issue" is a harsh word. Perhaps it is more, things I don't understand or perhaps that I question. Some of it is Christianity as a whole some is strictly Catholicism. Here it goes...

If God is good and loving then why is there a hell? It seems a bit contradictory that God who loves us all so much would send us to hell for being sinners? I was taught growing up to love the sinner but hate the sin. I do not have to love how you live your life to still love you. God is good and awesome and loves us so much, so it seems that the existence of hell for those who try to be good but fall short doesn't quite fit with that..

I have heard that many people consider much of the church to be full of hypocrisy. While I do not think this is true all the way around, I can see, to a point, where people are coming from in some respects. For one thing, paying money to the church for any kind of ceremony should be optional. It makes no sense to me that in order to get my child baptized I have to pay $50. It should be, "A donation to the church would be greatly appreciated. Any amount up to X amount. However, we understand that not everyone is in a position to do so and no one will be refused in any way do to financial restraints" Just sayin....

Now this topic is a bit risque but here it goes....masturbation. I have three little kids. When my eldest was three I caught him sitting on the couch poking his boy thing because, as he said, it felt good. At that age, he has no concept of sexuality. So I have to wonder, is it a sin, or is it natural?

I'm not technically allowed to take communion and I completely disagree with why. My marriage is not blessed by the church. We eloped. I can't get my marriage blessed because he's not Catholic. So because he's not Catholic I can't get it blessed and because I can't get it blessed I can't be in good standing. Somehow, that seems wrong to me.

Is it possible there is a little truth in all religions? I'm not saying I don't believe Catholicism isn't #1, because I do. But I can't help but wonder if maybe there is a grain of truth in other places. Many religions have the same basic message, "Love others and do to them what you would want them to do to you." Just a thought.

If God works through us, through our very hands, quite literally, than why is it hard to believe that perhaps birth control is him working through us to prevent pregnancy. Not only is birth control able to be used for the purpose of prevention, but it is also useful in the treatment of some gender specific illnesses such as PCOS, endometoriosis, and amenorreah,

So that's what I've got for now. =)

-God Bless

**A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR**
The intent in this piece is to ask questions, encourage conversation, and discuss in a spiritually healthy manor. The Catholic Church and The Bible are the final authority on all subjects. I do acknowledge that this particular piece reads in a manor which may suggest disapproval or argument against certain teachings, however, that is not the intention or goal of this piece.

Dare to learn

I had a little disagreement with my husband this morning. Now, I don't normally post about such things, as it's private between he and I! But I felt this was important and the moral of my side of the spat is something I feel strongly about that needs to be said to EVERYONE. So, I was reading an article about #GOSNELL when I muttered something under my breath about how could it possibly make any kind of sense for anyone to blame Gosnell on PRO-LIFERS! My husband asked what I was reading and I said "Oh, you wouldn't be interested, it's abortion related." I know how he feels about it and he would really prefer it not be discussed. So, instead of saying 'OK' and dropping it he proceeded to rant a bit about how he doesn't understand my obsession with abortion and needing to know everything I can about it, especially while being pregnant. I see where he's coming from, and he's not the first person to say this to me. However, what he, and others, view as my "obsession" is really a thirst. I thirst for knowledge and quest for understanding and for justice. I crave an end to this 'war against babies' as Mother Theresa so wisely put it.

My reply to him was almost a challenge. "I'm sorry that I seek out knowledge and choose to live in a world of truth rather then live in a bubble of ignorance and un-education." I understand that the subject matter is sad. It's horrible, and it's hard to understand. I mean, 2+2 is not 6. How is abortion even a question? The baby grows, it learns, it poops and pees and eats. It has hair and nails and a beating heart. How is abortion ANYTHING but murder!? To me, it is mind boggling. Like someone trying to tell me the sky is purple or, as I said above, that 2+2=6.  It's not arguing semantics or opinion, it's facts against facts and your facts make no sense. The point I was trying to make to my husband and now to you, as well as the challenge to anyone who reads this is...

EDUCATE YOURSELVES! You must learn history, to learn from others mistakes. You must learn math, to survive in life. You must learn science, because God is great and it is evident in how he created everything. So beautiful. So intricate. You must learn English (or whatever your first language is) so that you can speak and write and therefor express yourself clearly and intelligently. So to must you learn the issues around you. The injustices so that you can do everything in your power to fix them, even if it's "only prayer." Learn everything you can about the government and what's going on there, so that you can protect yourselves from the war that seems to be brewing and maybe even raging against Christianity and our liberties. Learn The Lords teachings so that you may better live the way He hopes for you.

I will never understand people who CHOOSE to live in ignorance and lack of knowledge simply because the truth is too much for their precious sensitivities or because it's too much for them. Learn about stuff, about every thing, even if it's scary, or sad,or bothersome. Learn it. Read about it. Understand it, or at least try. Research it. SOAK up all the knowledge you can about everything you can. Knowledge is truth, and the truth, as they say, shall set you free.


Note: I came across this today and figured I would share it. It's very long. But worth a skim. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05295b.htm

-God Bless