Christians on CS!

[June Bug]

There is no one, including the Catechism, who can define another person's faith for them. So, once again, no, a Catholic does not have to go to mass. It is suggested and encouraged by the Catechism, but not going to mass is not going to magically null a person's belief system.

Also, the 'Days of Obligation' as mentioned are major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, not 'Sundays'. So even if the Catechism could somehow make null and void a person's faith (which they cannot), those Catholics who do attend on major holidays are still safe, regardless of whether they attend a weekly mass.

[VeritatisSplendor]

You must not have read it right. It said "On Sundays and other days of holy obligation..." (meaning, Assumption, All Saints Day, Ash Wednesday, etc). And there IS Someone who can define your faith and that is God. And He has defined faith as including Sunday Mass obligation. I explicitly did not say that not going to mass means that you don't believe, I did say though that it is a problem.

So wait, the Faith can't define the faith? Each person just kind of decides their own thing despite whatever religion they claim to believe in? That is absolutely wrong. Whatever faith you profess to believe in DOES define what you believe in! Don't you believe in what you believe?

Pax Christi

[June Bug]

I went to a Catholic school and was taught by my Monseigneur that Sundays were not Holy Days of Obligation, so I'm going by what I was taught by a legitimate authority rather than lines on the internet. :P

No, you seem to misunderstand religion. You define your religion based on your personal moral codes and beliefs. If you decide your beliefs match up with Catholicism and wish to call yourself Catholic, you are Catholic and no one can tell you otherwise.
No one and nothing should be telling you what you believe, you decide for yourself and define your own personal guidelines. Otherwise, your faith becomes strained and difficult because you're trying to conform.

[VeritatisSplendor]

It's not lines online, it's the Catechism of the Catholic Church which contains the official doctrine of the Cathlic Church. Just because it's a book online doesn't replace it's legitmacy. If that priest told you that you don't have to go to mass on Sunday, then he was a heretic and leading others astray because if Catholics believe it, its been recorded in the Catholicism. And I am going to believe several hundred Popes, many priests, all of my teachers and my parents when I say that you are obligated to go to mass on Sundays. Just like it says: "On Sundays (and other holy days of obligation] the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." You seemed to have misread me again.

It's not my personal moral codes. It's what my religion says. Either you're Catholic or you're not, either you believe the doctrines or you don't, if you don't believe the doctrines then you aren't Catholic and if you do and profess it to be so then you are. It's not subjective, it's not whatever we decide is good for us, it's concrete truth. I am Catholic because it is true, not because it is appealing or my friends believe.

No, no one can tell you to believe. But belief isn't based on what we want to believe in, it is based on Truth. Your definition of religion as something subjective to the person is wrong, as religion, true religion that is, is a search for Truth. Your definition of a religion amounts to a denial of anything above yourself, "no one and nothing," even God, to tell you what to do amounts to basically a denial of Faith.
I can tell that what you are saying is basically a repeat of popular opinion as of now, and I in no way hold any of what is being said personally. On the contrary, I love talking about this and I am glad you have the feeling enough for what you believe to stand up for it. I hope you don't take it personally either.

[June Bug]

Obviously, I'm not going to get anywhere with this, so I'll just leave it here. But I want you to know I am deeply offended you have the gall to call such a good man and leader of his Perish a Heretic.
Perhaps you should reflect on what your religion tells you about saying things like that. If your religion tells you it's okay to do that, you seriously need to either re-read your scripture, or rethink how much weight you want to put into that religion.

[Arsenic And Ashes]

Hi there! Fancy seeing you! Welcome friend!

Oh hey! didn't see your post lol

[~Raining Fire~]

in 2 years ill be born on easter

[Nimble Awesomeness]

If you guys could just be praying for me, that would be great. I'm just going through some stuff with a friend right now. Thanks guys. Praying for all of you.

[Seahorseshoe]

in 2 years ill be born on easter

... That doesn't make any sense. How can you be born on Easter then, and not now?

[phoebe11850]

add me to the list! I have no idea why i'm not there, i remember seeing one of these on the forum, perhaps, cause there're loads....