@George,
George wrote:
Foofie wrote:I would think that on this forum there are many people that were brought
up in the Catholic faith; however, due to their not believing in a god, or
the rituals of the Church, they claim to have "left the church." One doesn't
"leave" the Church, unless one is excommunicated, or perhaps, has joined
another religion, but barring that there are many people obsessed about the
belief that they have "left the Catholic Church." They might even get upset
when told that there is no way to "just leave," like when one cancels one's
subscription to a magazine.
Speaking of obsessions, what the hell is it with you and Catholics?
Good observation. Having grown up in NYC, where Catholics are quite the top dog in many political arenas, it was quite eye-opening to learn, when in the military, that this country, in my opinion, is really owned by white Protestants. What a relief to discover that Leave It To Beaver types are really those folks that direct this country, and not the types that make urban America a joke for its poor English, and contempt for higher education.
Well, that was in the 1950's, and things likely changed somewhat; however, I do have the opinion that if the U.S.A. was a "Catholic country," my presence would be little valued. On the other hand, while white Protestants collectively might not want me over for dinner, they do seem to believe collectively that my presence has some value. Perhaps, they are just better at utilizing human resources? And I sort of feel that many Catholics would like to live in a Catholic country, as ancestors often did. Religious diversity is not their strong point, in my opinion. I could be totally wrong, but I never sensed a degree of hubris from Protestants and their beliefs that I believe I felt from Catholics, even when they were not practicing? So, one should, I believe, take responsibility for a less than friendly image in urban America.
Perhaps, part of the problem is that Catholicism in America is shared by mainly ethnic groups that have not overcome their ethnocentricity? However, if Europe is any help at this question, Europe's history is a litany of Catholic hubris, in my opinion.
I think many Catholics also believe that they "have arrived" socially. I do not believe that. They have arrived to live comfortably. But, socially, it is still a WASP society, with Catholics and Jews only tolerated/pandered to, in my opinion.
The above is in context of my obsession with "knowing the score," so one does not spend one's life angry at those that are really out of one's league. Humility has also been an obsession of mine, in the sense that one should "know one's place" in society. I have met so many people of a Catholic background that are oblivious to "their place" in society.