Hello Rambi,
Actually your assumptions are incorrect. I was raised a Catholic. Even went to a Catholic grade school for a few years.
Contrary to your experience, I felt the church enriched my life and broadened my understanding of the world. Maybe your church was run by a strict Monsenieur or something. Our fathers were wonderful caring people who gave greatly of themselves and to the children in the parish. And the sisters were some of the most dedicated caring teachers I've ever had.
The only thing I regret is my parents couldn't afford the school, and had to take send me back to the public school system which completely stunk. Catholic churches do a wonderful job educating children. In most places the waiting list is huge and they have to turn away children due to lack of sisters, brothers and priests.
Ask practically any parent, and they will say the Catholic schools are terrific in providing a well rounded education. Most of the "indocrination" is centered around concepts such as, don't lie, cheat, steal, respect your parents, follow the rules, work hard, you're responsible and accountable, have high standards, marriage matters, care about others, care about your church and love your neighbor.
Educating poor children was practically unheard of until the church took on the task and challenged others to do more. Due largely to the early work of the church "educating your child" is considered a birthright in most countries of the world today. We owe a lot to the Catholic church in regards to education. And we shouldn't forget it.
It's interesting to see so many people living under the assumption the Catholic church brainwashes children. (not you of course) Yet, look around the boards here and notice how many raised Catholics there are. Have we all been brainwashed to the point where we couldn't make decisions on our own regarding what faith we choose, or choose to not to follow?
Most people try and follow the teachings and somewhere in their teens decide (on their own) whether to continue the practices. We all have free will. And although the church creates an environment around which certain practices are followed. Many people decide not to follow the practices.
I believe abortion and divorce are just as common among Catholics, as the population at large. If they're brainwashing, they're doing a pretty lousy job of it.
I better stop here before I say something I may regret. The last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings. But I simply flat out disagree with the whole notion that the Church is responsible for so much wrong and little right. All one needs to do is scan a list of charities and examine the roots of how those charities began. Many, many wonderful charities were begun by a person with a calling, who selflessly gave of themselves for the betterment of others. To dismiss all that I've said, and so much more churches around the world have done for others, and focus only on the relatively few wrongs, is to miss the rich tapestry of what religion and churches have brought to people the world over.
Michael |
