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Majority of American Catholics Have Left the Church, Pew Survey Reveals
Christian Post ^ | 09/17/2015 | Vincent Funaro

Posted on 09/17/2015 12:42:53 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

Over 50 percent of Americans raised in the Catholic Church say they've left the faith at some point in their lives, according to a Pew Research survey on religion and public life.

The data further revealed that among the 52 percent who left the Church, about six out of 10 have returned at some point.

Two-thirds of the group that left the Church now consider themselves ex-Catholics and no-longer identify with the faith.

Around 13 percent, however, still identify as Catholic, but no longer practice the religion.

For those who are still practicing, around 73 percent said they've been in the Church their entire life, and seven out of 10 said they could never imagine leaving it.

Aside from membership, Pew Research also uncovered surprising beliefs held by Catholics pertaining to families.

The survey found that a "strong majority" of Catholics said children being raised in unconventional families with unmarried parents living together, same-sex couples or single parents, is acceptable. Around 90 percent, though, preferred that children be raised with a married mother and father. Forty-three percent said it's acceptable for a gay couple to raise a child.

"Nine-in-10 U.S. Catholics say a household headed by a married mother and father is an ideal situation for bringing up children. But the survey shows that large majorities think other kinds of families — those headed by parents who are single, divorced, unmarried or gay — are OK for raising children, too," noted Pew in the analysis released just days before Pope Francis' first U.S. visit in which he'll encounter a national Catholic population largely supportive of family units not advanced or encouraged by Church teaching.

The survey also found that: "A sizable majority (85 percent) think it's acceptable for a man and a woman to live together as a couple outside of marriage, including more than half (55 percent) who say cohabitation is as good as any other living arrangement for adults. And [seven]-in-10 Catholics say married couples who opt not to have children have chosen a lifestyle that is as good as any other."

And while many Catholics hold progressive beliefs when it comes to issues involving families, the Church seems to be maintaining its traditional views, despite the change in tone from Pope Francis when it comes to divorce and homosexuality.

The Pope did, however, make changes to the Church's annulment process, loosening restrictions on Catholics who wish to remarry. The Vatican is also expected to host a meeting in October with Catholic leaders worldwide where they will analyze recommendations on family issues, including divorce and marriage.


TOPICS: Catholic; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: catholics; church; pewpoll
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To: metmom
You bury yourself deeper with every post you make.

True; but doesn't being rabidly fervent count for ANYTHING these days??

141 posted on 09/19/2015 4:23:39 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines
With Pope Che at the helm, I would not be surprised if this trend becomes even more pronounced.

This sounds; shall we say; a wee bit judgmental...

142 posted on 09/19/2015 4:24:26 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God

You truncated my quote (and added a period) and, thus, altered my sentence’s meaning and intent. That’s not entirely an honest thing to do, FReeper.


143 posted on 09/19/2015 4:24:57 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: CrazyIvan

We have pew research in our church each Sunday, by folks looking for a place to sit.


144 posted on 09/19/2015 4:26:23 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God
Wow! Some folks need an extra room in their house to accommodate their ego.

We agree.
145 posted on 09/19/2015 4:26:28 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: piusv
So the NT was not necessary? The OT was sufficient?

Well...

...Jesus is recorded as saying; in the Bible that the Catholics compiled:

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Luke 16:31


146 posted on 09/19/2015 4:30:56 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mark17
Hey, Mark, How ya doin'? 👋😀

Saw the emojis on the way out and thought I'd say Hi...
G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

147 posted on 09/19/2015 4:30:58 AM PDT by Grateful2God (Those who smile like nothing's wrong are fighting a battle you know nothing about. -Thomas More)
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To: Grateful2God
Kind of like Biblical self-interpreters.

And you perform no interpretation as you read the Bible? You take the literal approach to the Bible word for word from Genesis to Revelation? Otherwise, your slur against the Brethren in Christ has no root.
148 posted on 09/19/2015 4:31:29 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: Grateful2God
St. Peter founded the Church in Rome.

He DID?


Was that before or after he was alledgely  crucified upside down?

 

 

Rome[edit]

Irenaeus of Lyons wrote in the 2nd century that Peter and Paul had been the founders of the Church in Rome and had appointed Linus as succeeding bishop.[66]

Clement of Alexandria states that "Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome. (A.D. 190)"[67]

Lactantius, in his book called Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, written around 318, noted that “And while Nero reigned, the Apostle Peter came to Rome, and, through the power of God committed unto him, wrought certain miracles, and, by turning many to the true religion, built up a faithful and stedfast temple unto the Lord.”[68]

The Catholic Church speaks of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter. This is often interpreted to imply that Peter was the first Bishop of Rome. However, it is also said that the institution of the papacy is not dependent on the idea that Peter was Bishop of Rome or even on his ever having been in Rome.[69] While accepting that Peter came to Rome and was martyred there, scholars find no historical evidence that he held episcopal office there.[70][71][72][73][74]

While the church in Rome was already flourishing when Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans about AD 57,[43] he greets some fifty people in Rome by name,[44] but not Peter whom he knew. There is also no mention of Peter in Rome later during Paul's two-year stay there in Acts 28, about AD 60-62.

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter

 

 

 

149 posted on 09/19/2015 4:38:08 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God

...scholars find no historical evidence...


150 posted on 09/19/2015 4:38:22 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God
...Catholics could discuss our issues among ourselves in peace.

We Prots have SO much power here on FR that you Catholics can't even highfive each other in your caucus threads!

151 posted on 09/19/2015 4:39:44 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Coleus
and most of the born again and protestant churches are empty on Sundays.

They ARE???


It’s so bad that the fundamentalists have to send vans into the ghetto to fill their pews.

Luke 14:23

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

152 posted on 09/19/2015 4:42:03 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
Once validly Baptized by anybody, anywhere, you are a Catholic...you cannot be baptized something else....

'Cause we SAY so!!!


153 posted on 09/19/2015 4:44:03 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God
For he who eats the Body of Christ unworthily brings a judgement upon himself.

1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

154 posted on 09/19/2015 4:45:59 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Grateful2God
Or who sit like kids on a sandbox, saying "We're going to Heaven, and you're not"?

Are YOU going to Heaven?

155 posted on 09/19/2015 4:46:40 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
I think that Carter and Obama were HORRID, the worst of the worst presidents, does that make it so???

What's your take on Francis?

156 posted on 09/19/2015 4:47:57 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Roman_War_Criminal
Terycarl—you support Francis also?

I shudda read ahead!

157 posted on 09/19/2015 4:48:42 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Roman_War_Criminal
Can you show me where in the Bible it mentions Marian worship or praying to “Mary”?

Would THESE help any??


 
 
 
Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.

Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.

Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.

Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.

Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.

Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.

Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.

Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.

Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.

Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.

158 posted on 09/19/2015 4:49:39 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl
good grief, Clinton fell to both.

And was re-elected by the people!

159 posted on 09/19/2015 4:50:29 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: verga
When a prot brings up priestly sex abuse they automatically lose the argument. See my tagline.

Conversely...

When a Catholic brings up Luther they automatically lose the argument. See definition of Common Sense.

160 posted on 09/19/2015 4:51:42 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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