Getting rid of the results of years of Catholic Catechism pounded into my brain!

[county worker]

I went to Catholic grade school, high school and college. It was taught to me that we are to suffer for our sins on earth so that we could go to heaven. It seemed to me that the church was all for suffering and that an easy life was a sure path to hell. The road to heaven is narrow and full of rocks and thorns and the road to hell is wide and flat and easy to travel.

That was way back then and now I'm in my sixties. I never excepted the churches teachings even as a kid yet they are stuck in my mind.

I don't believe we were meant to suffer on earth even though many of us do, many of us don't and that is OK.

What I'm saying is that if life is good for you be happy about it and enjoy. I know that there is a lousy economy and many people are suffering now but I don't believe they are building themselves a good place in heaven by their suffering.


Anyone else like me?

[trotsky]

1. Those ideas stem from the dark and middle ages.

When you had to have SOME reason for the peasants to not revolt and execute their wealthy kings and priests. You convince them that oh, their reward will come AFTER this life - and the more they suffer now, the better it will be! Problem solved.

[Mrs. Overall]

2. Yes, the Catholic Church's various doctrines/teachings are for the most part political rather than

spiritual or theological.

One example is the institution of the sacrament of penance (confession) in the 13th century--it was a way to obtain information from both the peasants and the nobility, which was used by the Church for lucrative purposes.

[jody]

3. IMO the problem is separating religious dogma into the few kernels of truth re morality from

mostly supernatural BS.

[lamp_shade]

4. Same here. I can still sing the "Credo" in latin. I'm 62.

[jody]

6. You young people, always flaunting your youth.

:hi:

[Strong Atheist]

5. Enjoy life and the people in it

while you can..

life has the purpose you give it...

I say it is to be enjoyed ...