wwyoud - Well then, those people did not listen very well.

I grew up here in the 60s and 70s as well - despite all the church attendenace, not much has really changed in regards to violence and crimes. It just was more clear who the "others" were to do the crimes to - you didn't hurt people you went to church with. Moral compasses come from many places other than religion, and religious people can be just as guilty of bad morals as anyone else.

NotFromHere - You're spot on about the moral compass. When I was growing up here in rural NC in the 60s and 70s, everybody went to church. It's just what decent people did, it was expected. Now so many people don't bother with church at all. It's no wonder our society has lost its bearings and become more violent, disrespectful of others, and so on.

I am glad to see the growth of any mainstream Christian denomination - Catholic or otherwise - as well as Jewish, Muslim, Buddist, and other mainstream religious organizations. I know that some religious groups are extreme, and sometimes wrongs are done in the name of religion. But for the majority of good people, the practice of their religion can have a very positive effect on their life. It is good to have a moral compass to direct your life and show you a path for doing good.

haggis basher - you need to do some homework. Roughly 60% of kids molested are the victims of RELATIVES - followed by teachers, coaches, and clergy and youth workers from nonCatholic denominations. Catholic clergy have the LOWEST incidence of abuse. @Tarheelsdontlikeedwards - I think that's rather a simplistic view. The Church operates the largest charitable institution after the federal government - and owns about 25% of hospitals throughout the U.S. We GIVE a lot to the latino community, documented & otherwise. And we also provide a basis for morality so desperately needed - not only among the illegals (who account for so much of our crime) but also among legals and citizens, who are being swayed by negative influences wherever one turns.

When I moved to Fayetteville NC in the late 1960's, there was a sign on I-95 that read "Join the Klan and fight communism, integration and Catholicism". Looks like at least one of the folks that put up that sign are still around.

lauraleigh - I am happy that you joined the Catholic faith. It has given me much joy throughout my life and continues to do so.

Haggis basher - Not all clergy molest children and it is not just in the Catholic church that this happens. Remember they are human and do wrong as you & I do.

The growth is from the illegal immigration of hispanics. No wonder the Catholic Church is against the deportation of illegal immigrants. It would significantly reduce their income.

I think that folks are getting fed up with the saved---waiting for the rapture southern baptist

"but there are also many people, like me, who convert to Catholicism. Now, THAT would make for an interesting story."

It would be a bizarre story! Why anyone would convert to a religion run by those that would molest children or protect those that do is certainly a question I would like answered! I guess some people just like being told what to do and what to think............

page 1 | 2
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first