Eventually you give up trying so in Catholic High School, I learned how to work the system. Party Friday night and go to confession on Saturday. In confession tell the little sins and then say to the priest; forgive me father for these sins and ALL the sins of my past. I was covered.
Then someone told me that God loved me and and that Jesus would have died for me, if I was the only one who needed it. They shared scripture and it came alive. I am an Evangelical Christian and KNOW thought I am right with God. No I am not perfect, but my savior who I trust for my salvation, is. God is alive in my life and I want to live for Him. I know my purpose and am not afraid to die; not that I want to suffer, but after death I know I'm ok.
There are lots of reasons I left the church, besides the priest who did not want me to read the bible. I watched the church partnering with pro-abortion and pro-gay democrats. The parishioners, many who were hurting decent people, they judged harshly, while they let people who were legislating sin, call themselves Catholic, and receive the sacraments. I wondered why the church never talked about abortion, homosexuality, purity......when I saw the church allow pro-abortion politicians speak at there churches, I realized they did not walk the walk. There were other reasons I left, but the church made it seem like, you must follow the rule exactly, but we can have our liberal, pro-abortion friends and help them.
I think the Catholic Church has changed in recent years for the better. You have priest and lay, out there fighting the pro-life and pro-family battles. Churches I use to attend are having bible studies and prayer for our country. I had never seen the church do this before and it surprised me. I see so many Catholic here on FR quoting scripture and making God's word come alive in their lives. I am so happy for them, that they are getting fed the word of God. I pray for my old church. If the church leaders actually started taking action, not just speaking out, against those politicians who are LEGISLATING sin in our country, what a different country we would have and my prayers for the church would be answered; Then they would be walking the walk.
That is true thanks largely to the converts and reverts and those who believed in the Church in spite of those who infiltrated and corrupted it.