Historians assemble here.

Lettuce discuss things this institution has done HISTORICALLY which are at odds with their stated mission.

6/14/2023 12:29:29 AM

There are valid criticisms that have been raised about the Catholic Church. Some of the main criticisms include:

1. Sexual Abuse Scandals: One significant criticism revolves around the handling of sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church. Instances of abuse by clergy members, along with allegations of cover-ups and inadequate responses by the Church hierarchy, have led to widespread criticism and a loss of trust in the institution.

2. Lack of Transparency and Accountability: Critics argue that the Catholic Church has been insufficiently transparent and accountable in addressing allegations of misconduct and abuse. Concerns have been raised about the Church's reluctance to fully cooperate with civil authorities and its internal mechanisms for handling such cases.

3. Gender Inequality and Discrimination: The Church's stance on gender equality has drawn criticism. The exclusion of women from key leadership positions, such as the priesthood, and the Church's opposition to women's reproductive rights have been points of contention. Some also criticize the Church for perpetuating gender stereotypes and discrimination.

4. Dogmatic and Conservative Stances: The Catholic Church's strong adherence to traditional doctrines and moral teachings has faced criticism for being inflexible and out of touch with societal changes. Issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, contraception, divorce, and the role of women within the Church have sparked debates and disagreements.

5. Wealth and Materialism: Critics argue that the Catholic Church's vast wealth and the opulence associated with some church institutions contradict the values of humility, simplicity, and charity that it espouses. Concerns have been raised about the allocation of resources and the Church's role in addressing global poverty and social justice issues.

[Edited on June 14, 2023 at 1:03 AM. Reason : Add another note]

6/14/2023 12:41:23 AM

Indulgences

"buy your ticket to heaven baby"

6/14/2023 2:03:23 AM

^^This guy is so smart! How he just saw the OP and whipped that up in under 11 minutes near 1:00 AM. Almost an inhuman mental effort.

6/14/2023 7:28:13 AM

Well, I'm Greek Orthodox (excommunicated), so this is kind of my bread and butter.

First is Papal supremacy, which virtually guaranteed a major schism - precisely the thing the church didn't want. The case for having a church dictator is pretty weak. "Upon my rock I build this church," sure, but the Epistles don't show Peter ruling the Christians or anything.

Then there's the entire history of the Fourth Crusade, in which a Pope-approved army supposedly destined for the Holy Land instead sacked Constantinople and established the Latin Empire, hastening the decline of the Byzantines and strengthening various Muslim forces in the region.

I will think of others.

6/14/2023 10:23:57 AM

How were you get excommunicated? Like did you get an email or something informing you of such?

6/14/2023 4:00:43 PM

This was posted yesterday:

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/13/1181767635/the-272-catholic-church-rachel-swarns-slavery-georgetown

6/14/2023 4:07:25 PM

^^Orthodox church only recognizes marriages to Christians (specifically ones from denominations that recognize the Trinity). I married a Jew. We have sex and have no intention of stopping having sex. From the Orthodox perspective, this means I'm having sex outside of marriage.

Laid all this out in confession, and the priest was like, "No big deal, I'll be she'll convert!"

I said, "I could not be more certain that she will never, ever convert, nor do I want her to."

Priest said, "OK, it's cool! I mean obviously you can't take communion under these circumstances, but you can still come to church and give us money."

So it's not like I got a certified letter, and the church would argue that I'm not "excommunicated" as such, the effect is identical.

6/16/2023 9:49:56 AM

(like the old Seinfeld episode) Aren't you concerned that your wife won't go to heaven?

6/16/2023 3:29:45 PM

https://www.cwis.org/2022/05/canada-us-church-residential-school-crimes/

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6537203

[Edited on September 22, 2023 at 9:59 PM. Reason : ]

9/22/2023 9:58:02 PM

^^or when Putty(sp?) tells elaine to steal newspaper, and hes like what do I care, you are the one going to hell

9/22/2023 10:12:52 PM

^NTTAWWT!

9/23/2023 4:43:53 AM

I am an expert on the early church and heretics. Yes, you get an email and then banished to Illyricum.

9/25/2023 11:58:34 AM