What is for sure is that Roman Catholicism needs to change if it is to survive.
I used to be a devoted Roman Catholic for about 10 years and I know that if it changed I would
be even more likely to return to that religion.
The things that need to change most urgently in my view are :-
COMPULSORY CELIBACY FOR PRIESTS.
OPPOSITION TO BIRTH CONTROL,
OPPOSITION TO FEMALE PRIESTS,
THE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SUFFERING AND DAMNATION
THE TEACHING OF PAPAL INFALLIBILITY,
At the moment there is not necessarily great prospect of these things changing with any urgency.
But they will all probably happen one day. As I have said elsewhere, if they don't occur the Church will probably simply cease to be.
A factor in people abandoning Catholicism must be the lack of change and reform.
In the real world, the Roman Catholic Church is an institution - and a human institution.
Unlike many institutions nowadays it is one that is probably eminently slow to change.
I have no particular insight into how to effect change to this particular institution.
But it is worth remembering that it is undoubtedly a HUMAN institution.
It expresses but does not in itself EMBODY any DIVINE truth.
Islam also needs to change, in my view.
==========================================
Can the Catholic Church be salvaged?
Shuhada says "No."
I say "That was a great speech, Shuhada. But I say absolutely - Yes - it can be saved.
There can be totally free communities of love, compassion and forgiveness."
................................
I used to be a devoted Roman Catholic for about 10 years and I know that if it changed I would
be even more likely to return to that religion.
The things that need to change most urgently in my view are :-
COMPULSORY CELIBACY FOR PRIESTS.
OPPOSITION TO BIRTH CONTROL,
OPPOSITION TO FEMALE PRIESTS,
THE TEACHING OF ETERNAL SUFFERING AND DAMNATION
THE TEACHING OF PAPAL INFALLIBILITY,
At the moment there is not necessarily great prospect of these things changing with any urgency.
But they will all probably happen one day. As I have said elsewhere, if they don't occur the Church will probably simply cease to be.
A factor in people abandoning Catholicism must be the lack of change and reform.
In the real world, the Roman Catholic Church is an institution - and a human institution.
Unlike many institutions nowadays it is one that is probably eminently slow to change.
I have no particular insight into how to effect change to this particular institution.
But it is worth remembering that it is undoubtedly a HUMAN institution.
It expresses but does not in itself EMBODY any DIVINE truth.
Islam also needs to change, in my view.
==========================================
Can the Catholic Church be salvaged?
Shuhada says "No."
I say "That was a great speech, Shuhada. But I say absolutely - Yes - it can be saved.
There can be totally free communities of love, compassion and forgiveness."
................................