[NoGrayZone]

No, it’s St. Peter The reason I bring up just Catholics is because the thread was about Catholics. However, in one of my previous posts, I don’t really trust any religion.

I must confess.....I am probably just a tad bit bitter regarding organized religion. I was raised Lutheran, then once I was old enough not to be forced going to church, I stopped.

As I grew up, I wanted back in. I went back to the church I grew up in and there were 2 new Pastors....a man and wife.

Perhaps I am old school, but I don’t think women should be Pastors. It bugged me the entire time, even though she was very nice (so I thought, but that’s another story), I just couldn’t get over it.

It ruined my whole church experience, so I stopped going. Some time later, I read one of the Lutheran sects started accepting GAY PASTORS!!!

GAY PASTORS!!!! THAT’S AN ABOMINATION!!!! I think there are what, 4 or 5 different sects of Lutheran, but it puts a black eye on all of them. That’s probably not fair, but sometimes I do that.

Then you have the Priests who molested all those children. We are all human and some of us make grave mistakes. However, it was the way the leaders of the church handled it. How long did it take for them to admit there was a problem? How many of those Priests did they shuffle around, putting more kids in danger!

I have lost faith in the whole organized church, especially the older ones. I’m still trying to find my way.

On that note, I will continue to read my Bible and learn on my own. If I am wrong about some things, it’s all on me; however, God knows my heart. I don’t think He will be too angry with me.

I forget what verse it is, but it’s something like there is forgiveness if you do wrong not knowing any better than doing wrong when you know better. I’ll have to look that one up...now I need to know!

[Quix]

The way I read the Gospels, Jesus wasn’t real fond of structured, organized, !!!!TRADITION!!!! BOUND, ARROGANT, !!!!CONTROLLING!!!! !RELIGION! either.

Lots of congregations, groups do pretty well for about a year and a half before the rot begins to set in.

[Cronos]

Some time later, I read one of the Lutheran sects started accepting GAY PASTORS!!!

GAY PASTORS!!!! THAT’S AN ABOMINATION!!!! I think there are what, 4 or 5 different sects of Lutheran, but it puts a black eye on all of them. That’s probably not fair, but sometimes I do that

I agree that that is an abomination, but I do think you are being unfair to many conservative, Christian Lutherans -- there are a few I know on FR that belong to the LCMS and they reject all these innovations of the ELCA. If you wish, I can direct you to them -- they are good, Christian people.

Since you aim to find your own way, may I suggest that you also read the Early Church Fathers? Like +Ignatius of Antioch, +Irenaeus of Lyons, +Clement of Alexandria, +John Chrysostom. Since Christianity is a community of believers, learning together with believers past and present can help us in our growth.