Ask a Catholic

[Randy Carson]

We're taking this outside then?

Where do I begin?

That we're born broken, sinful and sick and need to be saved. That we're nothing without god. The idea of vicarious redemption. The guilt. The notion of hell. Thought crime. The submission. The idea that some men are better than others. The oppression of women and discrimination of homosexuals. That contraception and abortion are wrong and so is premarital sex. The way it fetishizes suffering. That we should give to the poor, but nevermind the golden cross the pope's holding. That criminals can escape legal persecution and instead be protected by the church. The egocentrism behind the humility. Celibacy. That people can be infallible. That there is a third party involved in every crime that demands an apology.

Enough for you?

Okay, here are the points you have listed broken out individually and numbered for convenience in referencing:

1. That we're born broken, sinful and sick and need to be saved.

2. That we're nothing without god.

3. The idea of vicarious redemption.

4. The guilt.

5. The notion of hell.

6. Thought crime.

7. The submission.

8. The idea that some men are better than others.

9. The oppression of women and discrimination of homosexuals.

10. That contraception and abortion are wrong and so is premarital sex.

11. The way it fetishizes suffering.

11. That we should give to the poor, but nevermind the golden cross the pope's holding.

12. That criminals can escape legal persecution and instead be protected by the church.

13. The egocentrism behind the humility.

14. Celibacy.

15. That people can be infallible.

16. That there is a third party involved in every crime that demands an apology.

Since YOU got to choose these points, I get to choose the order in which we discuss them, okay?

I'm going to create a separate post for each topic with a clear headline so you'll know what I'm addressing.

We both know that lots of folks will jump into this discussion, but I'll try to stay focused on you responding to others only when absolutely necessary or when it advances the discussion you and I are having. We can discuss each point...one at a time...until either of us "taps out" by saying something like, "I guess we'll have to agree to disagree." or "Okay, I see your point." Agreed?

So, without further ado..on to my first response.