July 30, 1968 – Fr. Charles Curran, a Catholic moral theologian then teaching at the Catholic University of America, drafts a statement signed by eighty-seven theologians re-asserting the “common (but not well-known) teaching that Catholics may dissent from authoritative, noninfallible church teachings.” They also conclude “that Catholic spouses could responsibly decide in some circumstances to use artificial contraception.”

1994 – In a poll conducted by the New York Times, 88 percent of US Catholic laity say they believe that someone who practices some form of birth control can still be a good Catholic. A Los Angeles Times poll reveals that opposition to contraception among clergy and women religious is also much lower than the hierarchy would like. Only 49 percent of priests and 37 percent of women religious said it is always or often a sin for a married couple to use a form of artificial contraception.

September 1995 - Statistics show that the Catholic laity are still in disagreement with Rome on the use and morality of contraception. In a poll conduct by Time and CNN, 76 percent of Catholics disagree that using artificial means of birth control is wrong. Seventy-nine percent say it is possible for Catholics to make up their own minds on these issues, and 80 percent believe it is possible to disagree with the pope on official positions on morality and still be a good Catholic.

Let's ask these same Catholics who were polled,
Would you use Artifical Contraception devices?
Would you have or do you approve of abortions?
Do you approve of gay marriage?

You'd get a 90% yea on the first one and a 90% no on the next two.

The sale of rubbers would skyrocket. Virtually everybody uses some form of contraception.

As I said..it doesn't matter what these folks want to believe... and they can come up with all the stats they like..it just makes them feel better if they twist things to ease their conscience.

They can disagree all they like..it is still a sin. period. A strong message has been sent with the selection of this Pope.....it ain't gonna be...let's make a deal. You don't want to be Catholic..you don't have to be...but you ain't gonna have it your way !

Tell yourself whatever it is you need to make yourself feel better....it ain't gonna make it right. You know..like calling abortion a " procedure ".

Yeah..and I am going to believe polls taken by CNN and The New York Times...ha ha ha ha ha..not to much liberal bias there. ha ha ha ha ha..

Most of the Catholics on this Board are sinners. Except maybe for going to Church, they do not follow the teachings of God, Jesus and the Pope.

Herb your last statement can be said for all people on this board or not. No matter what religion.

For all haved sinned and fall short the Glory of God ( Book of Romans )

Liberal American Catholics overall wanted a more liberal pope on some issues. But at the same time, I don't think they should be surprised that a conservative institution picked a conservative leader. It doesn't really bother me-there's nothing they can really do about it-except maybe leave the church-which they have been doing in droves for many years now.

quote:

Originally posted by Mikolaj:
Liberal American Catholics overall wanted a more liberal pope on some issues. But at the same time, I don't think they should be surprised that a conservative institution picked a conservative leader. It doesn't really bother me-there's nothing they can really do about it-except maybe leave the church-which they have been doing in droves for many years now.

OH, ISN'T THAT SPECIAL? THEY ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH IN DROVES, HOW PROGRESSIVE....I'M IMPRESSED....AND HERB, WHO CHOSE YOU TO DECIDE THAT WE ARE SINNERS. BARRY SAID IT BEST, WHAT? ONLY CATHOLICS ARE SINNERS? AND THE CATHOLICS ON THIS BOARD CAN IN GOOD CONSCIENCE KNOW IN THEIR HEARTS WHAT THEY DO, WRONG OR RIGHT, NOBODY CAN JUDGE ANYONE ELSE.

"LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE".

More bullshit from herb. My own pastor once told me that going to Mass every Sunday's fine and dandy IF you are going to be a good Christian when you leave the Mass.

I hate to say this, but my deceased father in law was an ogre. He'd get my husband and his brothers and sisters up to go to Mass, said everyone HAD to attend Mass, and he drank a lot and treated everyone like shit.

As far as polls are concerned, they're all bullshit too, depending upon who is doing the polling....NY Times and CNN??? Holy shit, they are so left they're turning around!

I never went for polls or statistics. When I was dx'd. with breast cancer, if I believed every statistic, I'd be dead by now.

Screw that.

The point is that it is not all or nothing. You can have a differing viewpoint and still be a good Catholic.

quote:

OH, ISN'T THAT SPECIAL? THEY ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH IN DROVES, HOW PROGRESSIVE....I'M IMPRESSED

I knew you would be.

quote:

Originally posted by Nucky:
The point is that it is not all or nothing. You can have a differing viewpoint and still be a good Catholic.

Or...you may think that and burn in hell !!

Nucky, According to the Pope and the Vatican, a Catholic must follow all the aspects of the religion. There is no room for departure. All Catholic churches are under the control of the Vatican and cannot teach anything which departs from their rules.

U.S. Catholics are are operating under the rules of a foreign government.

I know, I am going to hell.

Herb, as the post starting this thread states, you may be wrong. There are pillars of the Roman Catholic faith which all Catholics must adhere to. These are relayed when the pope speaks ex cathedra. I can't remember the last time that happened, but it wasn't about birth control. Because one differs, for instance, on if St. Christopher ever lived does not mean one is destined for hell.

The pope said today that he is not to be feared and will reach out to folks. Long live the pope.

Perhaps the Ameircan catholics can start their own church..Bye bye...I will still be Roman Catholic and you are rght Herb..I have it on good authority that you are going to hell. !! Me too !!!

quote:

Perhaps the Ameircan catholics can start their own church..Bye bye...

That's what I've been SAYING!

Mike, I plan to visit hell to see how some of the Board members are doing. It will be a short stay since I have a reservation elsewhere.

I have never met Herb. The only contact we have had is on several boards for a few years now. I have never met anyone from any of the boards with the exception of one two folks from the Bronx Board. One I worked with in the PD the other I grew up with. There are two or three folks on another board I am just dying to meet......ha ha ha ha ha.....someday I will !! Hey 81..hello freddie boy ..give my best to that Bronx Visitor bitch !!

Look, I don't know why some of the liberal Catholics are so upset with the choice of Pope. People are going to do whatever they want to do, no matter what religion they are.

Does it really matter who's Pope, anyway? It doesn't affect me or the way I live.

That is not true because they won't get female preists, they won't get birth control and abortion condoned by the church, these are their three biggest issues.... that and gay marriage...the church ain't going for that either.