Majority of American Catholics Have Left the Church, Pew Survey Reveals

Christian Post ^ | 09/17/2015 | Vincent Funaro

[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.

[Elsie]

Dang!

I shudda read ahead!

[verga]

Stop.....no proof of this.

Encyclopedia Britannica, New World Encyclopedia, etc....

Who do you offer as an alternative and where is your historical proof?

[verga]

Got it you can't answer the questions so you go off on an irrelevant tangent. How protty of you.

BTW here is the tag so you don't have to hunt for it: I might as well be playing chess with pigeons.

[Elsie]

Bombasticism is another.

The Blessed Virgin Mary promised to Saint Dominic, and to all who follow, that "Whatever you ask in the Rosary will be granted."

She left, for all Christians, Fifteen Promises to those who recite the Holy Rosary.

 

 

Imparted to Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. The Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not  perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenititude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of my only Son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

 

---

http://www.themostholyrosary.com/15promises.htm

[Elsie]

One becomes bitter afterward, as demonstrated so often here.

Like onions; once a bitter person is boiled in oil; their flavor turns oh so sweet.

[Elsie]

You say this ALL the time; and then never seem to do it.

[metmom]

The prideful reveling in others', especially NON-Catholic's, potential damnation: we see a lot of that here.

[Mark17]

Saw the emojis on the way out and thought I'd say Hi...

G-d ♡ bless you!

God bless you too. 😇😂 All these little thingies, and my new IPhone 6, just my latest toy. 😱😃

[verga]

As opposed to constant prideful actual damnation we see here from the non-Catholics to the Catholics on a daily basis.

[ealgeone]

I find nothing saying Peter established the church in Rome.

[verga]

I find nothing saying Peter established the church in Rome.

Great. But you ignored the second part of post #162: Who do you offer as an alternative and where is your historical proof?

[ealgeone]

There is, however, no evidence to show that he was the founder of the Roman church, though (along with Paul) he had some connections with it from an early stage.....

Introducing the New Testament, John Drane, Fortress Press Edition 2011, p403.

[ealgeone]

read ahead one post

[MamaB]

Hey, had my 3rd surgery on my eyes Thursday. Everything went great except I was awake. I just sent my granddaughter a picture of my eyes to use Halloween. They look like I was the loser in a fight. Glad this is over. My grandniece’s husband was on a charity trip with some other bikers to NW AR. He had a wreck and is still in a hospital in Little Rock. He broke a leg in 2 places, it got infected. Please pray for Kerry and Desiree. They are from a small MS town. Thanks.

[MamaB]

We have had a bus ministry for decades. There were so many in another part of town that we bought an empty church and they are much closer to their families/friends. It sounds like that poster does not want anyone else to hear God’s Word. It’s a shame. Your verse was perfect. Thanks.

[MamaB]

You have it backwards. The Catholics do that all the time.

[MamaB]

I have never found that either. When you do, let us know. Thanks.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

That’s not in the Bible and you know it.

NEXT....

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Seeing the light changes things, it’s called Spiritual Discernment.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Mark you and I have chatted many times. You’ve given me your testimony also Brother.

Amen!