[Intolerant in NJ]

Why is it that Catholics have a Pope and a Magisterium -- a clear teaching authority -- as well as a complex, coherent and profoundly intellectual moral theology ... and yet these things, which ought to give it a tremendous advantage in maintaining the obedience of its flock, avail the Catholic Church little? It shouldn't be that way, logically, but it is in practice...an issue which has bothered me since my college days, when I would watch my Catholic fraternity brothers routinely head out to get drunk and literally vandalize a bunch of autos and campus buildings - including especially the Christian Association - most Thursday nights (blowing off steam at the end of the week), go to confession and church over the weekend, and the next week repeat the same ritual. In practice it always seemed to me to have something to do with the act of confession, which conveniently allowed the believer to put his/her past behind them and move on to other "sins" - they didn't really have to carry the import of the morality they learned with them because they didn't have to endure the discomfort of violating the moral code for very long, confession and absolution being relatively conveniently available. Those whose sense of morality does not involve potentially clear and near-term relief from any moral transgressions seem more likely to take possible transgressions more seriously since they are likely to carry guilt for an indefinite period. I'm just saying......

[Twink]

I bet you are a ton of fun to hang out with.

So, about those Catholic Frat brothers you speak about...

Got some issues there don’t you? Tell us more, lol.