I have friends across the cosmological spectrum, & I'm thankful when they feel comfortable telling me how they're managing in these rough times.
I have a deeply devout Catholic friend who truly treats everyone in a love-thy-neighbour way, & he told me he's been praying more for souls in purgatory these last few difficult years.
In his faith, that's a pretty logical way to cope with so many folks dying in hard ways without being "saved".
We grieve in different ways.
But, oh, we do all grieve.
Interesting. Raised Catholic but never heard the term “saved” until I joined Evangelical church. Is this a new Catholic designation as well?
I had to compress for letter count. He's not Evangelical - I'm just summarizing the concept of being made right with the lord through proper last rites as an extension of a life involving one's induction into the Catholic Church.
...That's a little longer, though. And more or less the same in the end. He's certainly not among the camp that automatically believes he's going to heaven, but he sees the number of people dying outside his sense of the correct path to it, & it grieves him.
Thanks. Thought there was a new level of judgment since I left the Catholic Church decades ago.
Well, he's certainly conservative, so through him I get to see how US Evangelical Catholic messaging is filtering into the Canadian Catholic contingent - but he has never been anything but welcoming to people of all walks of life.
Sorry to give you a worry there!
There are many recovering Catholics who have taken your path.
I honor your choice.
My feeling on religion in general (and philosophy, as @MindfulWilliam reminds us) is pretty simple
If it comforts them, brings them joy, inspires them to be good to themselves and others, that's fantastic. I respect that fully
But if it frightens them, brings them anger and meanness and judgmentalism, inspires them to demand others toe their line, I'd like them to please keep it to themselves
@BrazenlyLiberal @MLClark @MindfulWilliam
Couldn’t agree more. I am an ordained minister with a Masters in Comparative Religion.
@LnzyHou @BrazenlyLiberal @MLClark @MindfulWilliam Jumping in late. For me, I studied in several different religions over the years, trying to find one that where I fit. I did not find that. I found common themes: A set of rules by which one must agree to be included. A line to identify who was included and who was excluded. I found personal faith to be far more meaningful.
@TheresaVermont @BrazenlyLiberal @MLClark @MindfulWilliam
Our Path to Peace is a circuitous route. There is no wrong destination. Only what’s right for us.
Allow your inner counsel to guide you.
He is extremely devout. Blessings for all new material additions to the home, a commitment to praying the hours, lots of spiritual reading as a daily staple of life around family and work.
The structure is clarifying and fortifying for him - even if it most certainly extends to a belief in afterlife tier groups and entrance requirements.
I hope you found a safe landing outside your religious upbringing, and feel terrifically supported by the communities you participate in now. 🤗
Thank you. I am a practicing Buddhist. It is not a religion but a philosophy that we are all One.
Judgment does not exist in the practice.
Absolutely. There is a thriving range of Buddhists here on CoSo - and that doesn't surprise me in the slightest. :) The vibes align pretty well.
@MLClark
Thought it confirmed that extreme judgment is still a part of the Catholic dogma. The very notion of I’m going to heaven and you’re not because you didn't conform to ludicrous rules are what drove me from that religion.
Thanks for clarifying.