[Natural Law]

"Why keep worshipping where you don’t believe they are practicing what they teach?"

You misjudge both me and the Church. First, there is a significant difference between declaring oneself a Catholic and actually being a Catholic. It is a bit like declaring oneself to be a marathon runner and actually being one. Secondly, I am well versed in the Catechism of the Church and know when and who deviates from it. I do not jump to superficial conclusions about the Church like so many nonpracticing Catholics and anti-Catholic Protestants. But then, I can't expect you to know the difference.

[marajade]

“First, there is a significant difference between declaring oneself a Catholic and actually being a Catholic.”

Huh?

what about Hebrews 13:17?

[Clemenza]

Yes, but Catholics on this site like to have it both ways. On the one hand, they like to say that only the devoutly Church going and orthodox are truly Catholic. On the other, they are always quoting stats about their being "a billion Catholics" and one third of the US being "Catholic."

In truth, "true hard core believing Catholics" are a MINORITY of those who call themselves Catholic worldwide. My future country-in-law of Brazil is supposedly the most Catholic nation on earth by population. I can tell you first hand, however, that the number of "true, orthodox practitioners and believers" is, at best 10-15% of the population, most Brazucas being cafeteria Catholics (just like most "Catholics" here in the northeast).

[ansel12]

First, there is a significant difference between declaring oneself a Catholic and actually being a Catholic.

When does the Catholic church stop counting them as a part of the total number of Catholics?