I was reading on another site that there is some kind of official way to leave the Catholic Church (really any church, but I was raised Catholic) called being apostate.\n\nI've read about it on Wikipedia, but I guess what I'm looking for now is instructions of how to do it, not just what it is.  \n\nI never got confirmed when I was supposed to (about 8 years ago) and I've been openly neo-pagan for 4 years now.  I know I don't believe in Catholicism, so it would be appropriate.  I'm not sure I want to do it, but I want more information on what it entails.  \n\nSo anyone ever done it?  Anyone have an instructional website for me?  Help?
207593
dani-- I too want to do the samething. I thik I posted a very similar question a few weeks ago. And I've seen someone else post one just the same. One person said something to the effect of the catholic church takes number by who is actually a parishioner. But I think I know where you are coming from, I 've received all my sacraments and I want the catholic church to know so that they can see that there are people out there that have turned their back on the catholic church.  Usually the catholic church does not take into account the number pf people that have left and it should be time that anyone who no longer follows catholism should send a letter to their local catholic church declaring that they have walked away.\n\nOn a side note not only did I turn away from catholism but religion as a whole. I do not see the need for religion nor do I want to be part of any religion.  but that part is just me, not sure about you.\nin anycase here is an idea which I am planning on doing, just send a letter in a resignation format declaring that you have turned away from catholism and whatever else you want to say and conclude with I want my name removed from being a catholic.
87418
Okay, first there are multiple sets of rule depending on whose jurisdiction you are under.\n\nAssuming that you are a Catholic unmarried male under the Patriarchate of Rome, then you must remain celebate for the rest of your life, dedicating your life only to serving God.\n\nOn the other hand, if you are a married or unmarried male of one of the Byzantine Metropolia or Patriarchates, then you can become a priest, but not remarry if your spouse would die.\n\nThe other 20 odd self governing segments of the Catholic Church have their own rules.  I don't know what they do.  I believe some require celebacy and some do not.\n\nThe rules are an issue of discipline not an issue of belief.  No one has a right to be selected to serve a bishop in the presbyterate.  If you believe you are called then you could serve, but you have no "right," to serve unless you are ordained to do so.  Local rules determine who can and cannot be a priest.\n\nAdditionally, rules in Catholicism are generally thought of best as norms rather than laws.  The Roman Catholic Church certainly has married men serving as priests, primarily former Anglican priests who switched.  Likewise, Byzantine priests who are widowed with children really need a wife pragmatically.  Consequently, there are rules to permit marriage as well.\n\nNonetheless, all Christians are obliged to practice chastity.  Of course if you are married that means you need to have sex with your spouse and if you are unmarried you must not have sex with anyone.  Priests actually promise never to marry, as such, they must be celebate.
74296
Kewtasabutton, \nGod Bless you for asking this. So many people are afraid to and then when they do, there are more people afraid to answer.\n\nGod loves you and me just as we are, you remember that. Now that does NOT excuse your sin or mine. But it helps you to understand how much He loves you. \n\nI have been a Christian since 1993. Have I been perfect? NOT ONE SINGLE DAY. I do try not to sin, and I always ask forgiveness for my sins. All sin is the same in God's eyes whether you kill or tell a lie. Sin is judged completely different in man's eye. You can tell a lie and not go to jail, but if you kill you will. \n\nGod says that all men are short of the glory of God. All means all. It means you, me, any preacher, pastor, and the Catholic Pope (I want go into my opinions of that). \n\nThe things that you are struggling with are no match for God. He can conquer all of your sins. The devil is getting you to do all of these things and then running back to God and tattling on you, trying to convince Him that you don't deserve to go to Heaven. But God has already stated that fact about all of us. Sweetheart, as long as you accepted Jesus into your heart, and you are truly asking forgiveness, you will overcome all of these faults. Satan is attacking your morality and your sexuality. He may win several times, but God will let you use this as a testimony one day. \n\nDon't go out and sin all you can, now. You still must do your very best to resist so that God can help you. \n\nGod doesn't expect you to change all at once, He just expects you to have the desire to. And, based on what you are saying, the desire is there, and it WILL happen. It may take a while.\n\nYou are absolutely precious!
657937
That is your decision. I'm sorry to hear you felt brainwashed at your church - I've been to some of those. I'm Catholic, and for a time I wandered to other churches, 'bible-believing' churches with charismatic ministers who, after a service, would order me to leave "the romish lies" or some bigoted thoughts like that. I like Catholic Mass, there's the connection to Christ, there's the connection to the community, there's the worship and the Word. \n\nGo wherever you are fed. If you find yourself hungry, come to the table.
568017
Christ did leave a Church to teach, govern and sanctify in His name until the end of time and it is the Catholic Church. I love informed posts!
383701
I was raised Catholic, although I do not practice this religion anymore.  I hope that doesn't disqualify me to answer.  The things I will talk about are among the most compelling reasons that I do not practice this religion anymore.\n\nI have major issues with the Church (capital C, I guess that means the Pope) opposing birth control in this time and age.  To me, that is criminal.\n\nGuilt and unworthiness as a basic premise for living.  I am not perfect, but I achieve my highest good when I stay focused on the good in myself, not on the evil, sinful parts.\n\nMale dominance model, God the father, God the son.  Hello, any women up there in the upper ranks?\n\nOh and how could I forget, the church's backward, hateful postion on homosexuality.  Give me a break.  How the heck can you claim to be a religion when you judge and exclude others?  The presumption of that makes my blood boil.\n\nWhat I miss: \n\n1.  The feeling of community with others (didn't have it at the time, but when I occasionally go to church now, I feel like others have it).\n\n2. The poetry of the services.  Those readings are literature, and I miss them.  I miss the beauty of churches, the sense of connection with the medieval past.  I miss chanting with others.  I miss the music and beauty of hymn.\n\n3.  I miss praying.  I don't do it really now, but then I would.\n\nUnfortunately, I feel that the Catholic Church is a political body that claims it is not political, and this is where my greatest opposition lies.  By telling people how to vote on issues, the massive Church deigns to act as if it has all the answers, all the CORRECT answers.  I have a real problem with that.\n\nNow I am much more a spiritual person who finds greatest and inspiration in nature, connection between people, acts of kindness, dance and music, etc.  I do think that Catholicsm gave me a foundation of love for good, which is something I do not regret.
245263
I don't speak for the Catholic Church by any means, but you are not going to get a REAL priest to answer this unless you talk to him in person.  They would not answer because they are told not to answer on forums like this.  The Catholic Church is very political and protective of its doctrine, its priests, and its assets.  They would never open themselves up to the criticism that you would get from answering those questions in a forum like this.  \n\nSo, if you really want to know the answers, you need to go ask a priest in person.  You can find one at your nearest Catholic Church.
618778
Why are you in this mode? Your a Christian? Have you talked with your Pastor? How have you been going to church faithfully and get rebellious?\n\nI wouldn't seek advise on the Internet about this. There is nobody on this forum going to lift you up, as much as others to tear you down and keep you down.\n\nGood Luck.  When you go to church wednesday night, share this problem.
132665
I did have a similar situation and I left that religion. If you truely believe in something you will not have issues with it, like you said here that you have issues you can't resolve. If you truely believe in something you can't take part and leave another part.\n\nYou said everytime you hear them speak of the church you know it is true. You need to know it is true though it beliefs and teachings not what other people say about a church. What people say and do, don't make something true. Thats one of the reasons I left Christianty.\n\nLook inside your heart. Does it really all make sence, does it really seem like the truth. If you do this and it does then you should not have any issues. If you still have issues maybe it is not as true as you feel it is.\n\nPray to God, any only God. Ask him to guide you to the truth. God willing he will lead you to the one true faith.
550540
That's a tough one. The priest that will conduct the ceremony, will have to cheat (in essence), because it is against the rules of the doctrine (as far as I know) so that is why one of the two in the couple usually submits him/herself to the demands of the other's doctrine (he will have to be baptized orthodox Christian, in your case). There are exceptions but always in a personal level, and with the fear to get everybody in trouble. I live in an officially greek orthodox country and I grew up as one too (but I don't consider myself as one anymore) so I've heard many occasions like this. I can recall few marriages like the one you're seeking to have, but they are very rare and the couples said afterwards how kind the priest was (so, you see it gets personalized) that he did not demand anything like being baptized. Good luck
162636
I've technically been Catholic all my life -- but I only "got serious" about it four years ago.  Prior to that, if someone asked me to explain some of the major teachings of Catholicism, there's no way I could have done it.\n\nBut I looked deeply into it on my own a few years ago, and decided that the path for me was to become a "serious Catholic" and not just one in name only.  \n\nSo, in that sense, I feel very much like a convert.\n\nI lived in Japan for six years, and most of the adult Catholics who I met there were converts.  \n\nAs a group, they tended to be more "into" being Catholic than most "cradle Catholics" I've known.\n\nThat's because they actually took the time, as adults, to make this choice.  They also took the time to attend all the classes, prepare for baptism, etc.   They don't take their faith for granted.
99450
"FIND YOURSELF" it took a while but I did it and I recommend it to anyone.  Forget what the church says, organized religion in the modern day is little more than corrupt brainwashing.  For once, follow your hearts.  Form your own oppinions because your mind and heart say it is right, not because a man of God tell you to think that way.  If you find that with no persuassion you still seek out God or whoever, than that is your way, but if you find you stray from their teachings, than perhaps you need something more than they could offer you.  None are right, none are wrong, you cannot prove otherwise and arguing is pointless.  Let God make the arguments and choose the rightcheous.
180034
i ve been asking this for so long. thank god i am not alone. i am so sick of this anti-catholic bs that has no validity whatsoever.\n\nyou would expect this kind of garbage from the secular world, but i have no idea what these protestants are thinking sometimes.\n\nhere's an idea protestants...why don't you actually learn about the catholic church first. as opposed to just blurting out a bunch of nonsense like we worship mary, and the pope ,etc.  give me a break already. still goin with those arguments?? don't even waste my time then.
623046
My entire family is Catholic and I was baptized Catholic.  I attended church every Sunday until I was almost 17.  \n\nReasons why I stopped going:\n1. I finally realized it just didn't mean anything to me\n2. I sat there and thought about everything but what was going on (many times about things that probably shouldn't be thought about during mass - ex. "Wow that guy in the third pew is so attractive!!"). I spaced off for the entire hour.\n3. I don't want to disrespect the people who actually care about the religion. I felt like I was making a mockery of them and their faith by being at mass and spacing off the whole time.\n\nI honestly don't think I'd consider going back unless I had a huge life-changing experience that made my faith much, much stronger. I believe in God, but I don't really like the idea of organized religion. Maybe I would if the church became a lot more liberal toward many social issues, but it's not likely.\n\nHope this helps!
33925
And people wonder why Catholics leave the church.  Sheesh.\n\nOn baptism, your priest should have allowed it.  According to the catechism of the church, anyone who has not recieved baptism may do so.  Plus, from a practical standpoint, why would the church or some dufus priest disallow a child born out of wedlock NOT to enter the church, be "born-again" (as that what baptism is about), or to have original and personal sins forgiven by baptism.  Your child did not have a choice in his birth circumstances so why should he be punished.  \n\nBut none of this answers your question.\n\nMy suggestion is since you're not tied to any one denomination yet, try a few different services/churches and see what "fits".   That is, what denomination and service is conducive to YOUR spiritual connection with God.  \nLutheran, to me seems much closer to Catholic than Baptist. Nothing against Baptists.  But I would go with either Lutheran or Catholic since you're both connected to those and since one child was baptised lutheran and the other has not religious affiliation.\n\nAgain, try a few services and see what suits your family.\n\nGod bless and good luck.\nMy opinion is to try different churches (denominations)
180272
I quit being catholic because of these things.. Like I have always wondered why they taught us to pray to the saints and Mary when it is made clear in the bible that our prayers are to be to God only..If you ask a priest you will most likely get a 30 minute answer that answers NOTHING...I am still looking for those answers so good luck...Just read your Bible and go by that . It won't lie to you.
177324
here is a good website explaining it.\nI am not Catholic.