Quote Originally Posted by Lulu
Wow babe, slow down and take a breath

Alot of people have been left with negative feelings on church and religion. So many horrendous atrocities have been commited in the name of God and religion. I was born into a very Roman Catholic family but I can't in good conscience be part of a church that promotes homophobia and has in it's very recent passed shielded and hidden abusers in it's midst. "Suffer little children to come onto me..." Ireland is full of those little children and until this passed year the church refused to hand over records. Where's the love and humanity there?

In my mind religion and the church have very little to do with my God.
Lulu, as a child growing up as a Roman Catholic, I know where you're coming from. As for being a Roman Catholic growing up in Ireland, I can't imagine. My good friend Catherine is from Dublin and I've heard some horror stories about her own family and the atrocities of the church.

I couldn't live by the arcaic rules as far back as childhood. When I was 10, I refused to get on the bus to go to Catholic school on the first day of the 5th grade. That was the end for me. I also have not been to mass or confession since I was 12 or 13.

As far as I'm concerned, I can't believe in a God that doesn't love EVERYONE. Also, in my area, the Roman Catholic churches are more about how much a member puts in the collection box than anything else. And just say the name Sister Patricia Marie to anyone who went to the same school as me, and I'm sure chills will run up their spine! Last, but not least, I also do not understand why women in the Catholic church do not hold the status as the men. I could be a sister and serve God my whole life, but never lead a mass as a priest, bishop, etc.