Reflections of a Catholic: Dislikes and Criticisms in the Faith

As a lifelong Catholic, I have encountered various elements in the faith that I find disconcerting. The complexity and sometimes contradicting messages have led me to question certain practices and doctrines. This essay aims to highlight some of the aspects of Catholicism that I find particularly challenging and why they might be grounds for disaffection among like-minded individuals.

Experiences and Beliefs

Growing up Catholic, I was often exposed to beliefs that seemed irrational and at odds with the 21st-century understanding of the world. The notion that a god could be so overly prescriptive on every aspect of human life appeared to me as superfluous. Religion, to me, has become a source of personal opinion rather than dogmatic regulation. In the age of advanced knowledge, much of what is preached can seem irrelevant or even absurd.

Clericalism: A System of Inequality

One of the most significant issues I find troubling is the reality of clericalism. This refers to a system where certain individuals in the Catholic hierarchy believe they are better than others, often because of their positions. This attitude fosters an elitism that does not align with the core values of the faith, such as humility and service. Additionally, the leadership’s silence on pressing issues, one-way communication, and paternalistic behaviors can be disheartening. There is a clear lack of servant mentality, which should be at the heart of the faith.

Leadership and Vatican Mentality

The leadership’s stance post-Vatican II and pre-Vatican II has been a point of contention. For many Catholics, Vatican II brought about significant changes and progress, making the faith more approachable and inclusive. However, the current pre-Vatican II mentality seems to be regressing, leading to dissatisfaction among those who value reform and openness. Another significant issue is the infrequent availability of priests, which can exacerbate feelings of disconnection and confusion within the community.

Birth Control Rules: A Major Dispute

A central topic of disagreement is the Catholic Church's birth control rules. The official stance condemns artificial contraception as a mortal sin, which, to my understanding, means that using contraception would lead to eternal damnation. This seems illogical to me, especially given the potential to prevent abortion. It is contradictory to promote the idea that sex should only be for procreation while allowing the practice of Natural Family Planning (NFP), which permits non-procreative sexual acts.

The story behind the promulgation of Humanae Vitae further adds to the frustration. The Church commissioned a group of theologians and priests to discuss the issue, and despite 80% of them supporting the use of contraception, the Pope, influenced by conservative bishops, issued Humanae Vitae to counter this opinion. This uncompromising stance on contraception contributes to the sense that the Church is more concerned with controlling women than with the well-being of the faithful.

This issue may well be the final straw for me. The very belief that the Church's position on contraception guarantees a soul's damnation is mind-boggling and seems like an effort to exert undue influence over personal choices. As such, this has become one of the reasons I might consider leaving the Catholic Church and exploring other denominations, perhaps even the Orthodox tradition which offers a different approach to these issues.