Poll: 67% of Catholics approve of the job Obama’s doing
posted at 8:51 pm on May 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
I know I’ve said this before on the site, and I know many devout Catholics’ experiences are different, but having grown up in the Church, there’s nothing here that surprises me. Most Catholics I know treat the Church’s commands as essentially hortatory, to be politely ignored when need be — as in the case of torture — which is why I can’t quite fathom the outrage over a pro-choicer as adamant as The One speaking at Notre Dame. His job approval this month among Catholics is 70 percent, and 65 percent among those who attend church weekly. They’re fighting a losing battle here.
Even Catholics who consider themselves “conservative” politically are more likely to approve than disapprove of Obama’s job performance [49/40]…
In fact, 53% of Catholics voted for Obama for president in November, almost identical to the 52.9% of the popular vote Obama won in the 2008 election. Catholics’ 67% approval of Obama in his first 100 days is slightly higher than his overall 63% average approval rating for the same period. Thus, relative to the population, Catholics have become a bit more supportive of Obama as president than they were in the election.
If the culture wars can’t even deter supermajority approval among Catholics, what’s the point?
Blowback
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The Catholics are smart. They don’t want to be the first religious group to be targeted by Teh One. /sarc
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 8:55 PM
What culture war? Seriously, I think the “culture war” has been muted for a while now.
terryannonline on May 1, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I’m not a Catholic, or even a regular churchgoer, but I’m thinking that the answer is that for some people, matters of religious belief are independent of — and transcending — the politics of the moment.
Karl on May 1, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Well, this Catholic doesn’t approve of him, and I am being targeted. Yes. I confess that I am a DHS listed Right-Wing Extremist.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Good point. I’m a little young, but what exactly are these culture wars I’ve heard people talking about? No, I’m not being facetious.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
IF 67 percent of Catholics approve of him, then what the Hell are they learning in Sunday Mass?
Satan must be laughing at Benedict XVI right now…
newton on May 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
There is a family in Virginia that I am distantly connected with. The are really really involved in their Catholic church and write pro-life articles for the a Catholic publication. But they are huge Pres. Obama supporters. An interesting disconnect.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Musta been rounded up from 66.6%
- The Cat
P.S. It’s sad how you can see the way that people are going to be taken in by the Anti-Christ. Obama is a dry run.
MirCat on May 1, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Lox, don’t worry, you and the devout will go to the camps long before the casual Catholics. BIG /SARC
It is actually sad for me to watch some of what is going on in/out of the Catholic Church. I’m not Catholic, but you guys seem to have a reasonable leader. However, the progressive circles would have us believe he is an out-of-touch Nazi. I do respect him and that which he stands up for.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:02 PM
People claiming to be this or that religion…… it’s nothing, it means NOTHING. It’s just a label, a title, it’s just words. Going to this or that church once a week doesn’t make you a religious person. You have to live the life and practice the values. It would seem roughly 70% of so-called Catholics are either stupid, hypocrites or both.
Yakko77 on May 1, 2009 at 9:02 PM
I grew up Catholic and moved away from it. My family has always understood the evils of abortion, yet from the time I was old enough to remember, they voted a straight democratice ticket and have yet to change their ways.
Many times I carefully explained the democratic party position in general on abortion and …for some strange reason…..they continue to vote Democrat.
Is it something I said…?/
katy on May 1, 2009 at 9:05 PM
But that’s haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard!
Can’t I just eat my waffle?
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:05 PM
It’s called Cultural _______ism.
There are Cultural Jews, and Cultural Catholics, and there will soon be Cultural Evangelicals. What do they have in common? They all vote D.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Bush surprised everyone by beating Kerry with Catholics, even by a small amount. Theres no reason to expect them to support Republicans regularly. Plus Kerry was just a horrible example for a human being.
Speedwagon82 on May 1, 2009 at 9:07 PM
they aren’t Cultural they are immoral and should leave the Church.
shomegirl on May 1, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Well, Obama’s first hundred days have felt like a Spanish Inquisition.
Spirit of 1776 on May 1, 2009 at 9:08 PM
I don’t see how anybody who considers themselves Catholic can approve of anything about obama. Are there any Catholics on this blog that can explain this to me? Catholics are supposed to be pro-life, correct? Catholics are supposed to be against murdering babies, whether it’s first, second, third, OR FOURTH trimester, correct?
My husband’s family is all Roman Catholic from the Boston area. They all defend the kennedys, obamas and clintons to the death. They all despise pro-life Bush.
I don’t see how Catholics can be liberal. Can anybody here explain?
ErinF on May 1, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Poor allah – still starstruck by MSM polls.
HondaV65 on May 1, 2009 at 9:10 PM
What are the party samples for these polls?
blue13326 on May 1, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Listen to Catholic friends go on about how certain behaviors of the Church and it’s clergy have turned them off etc etc. Well, OK, but I thought the thing was about God. Silly me!
jeanie on May 1, 2009 at 9:12 PM
When they take me to the re-education camp, I get the bottom bunk, near the bathroom.
Where will you be?
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I call top.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Either Gallup is crazy or he only polls crazy Catholics.
Either way, appeasement is the door to slavery.
platypus on May 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Not this Roman Catholic……….
……… and I don’t believe in these polls. The media is too easy to manipulate:
Seven Percent Solution on May 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM
“Catholics’ 67% approval of Obama in his first 100 days ”
yeh.
that’s the problem
notagool on May 1, 2009 at 9:16 PM
1) Gallup doesn’t exactly hold credibility with me. Especially in their religious polls. Seems to me they’ve been at it since before Easter trying to discredit Christians while they hold up Obama.
2) Interesting that given #1, the most supportive group of Obama in the U.S. is MUSLIMS! Hmmmm…..
3) If it weren’t for the MSM, the sheep’s clothing would have been pulled off Obama weeks nay, months, nay, years ago!
Christian Conservative on May 1, 2009 at 9:16 PM
A granddaughter is married to a Catholic Bostonian of Italian descent. He and his family are staunch Republicans and more conservative than not.
jeanie on May 1, 2009 at 9:17 PM
my daughter graduates from private catholic school this year (we are not catholic, don’t ask) – she is one of the ONLY students in her class that is pro life & conservative. again, back to parenting and values.
Ris4victory on May 1, 2009 at 9:18 PM
*steals Obama’s waffle*
*nom nom nom*
Yakko77 on May 1, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Would be interesting to see the difference between Catholics living in cities and Catholics living in rural areas.
Speedwagon82 on May 1, 2009 at 9:18 PM
There’s an argument, potentially legitimate, that “good” Catholics should be attracted to the Left’s social justice agenda.
I can buy the argument, but not while the Left continues to support abortion and, in Obama’s case, outright infanticide.
I fully understand what AP’s saying in the first sentence. I think the Catholic Church and modern American culture have a hard time meshing. I struggle to be a good Catholic even though I want to stay devoted to my religion, sometimes I find myself drifting on my own accord. I can see how people raised in the religion and not as interested in devotion could abandon it completely – identifying as Catholics but not really caring about upholding its values.
Many of my own political stances still derive from Catholicism – my opposition to the death penalty and abortion primary among them. I also buy the social justice argument, but I’m not willing to support a welfare system on crack. I also can’t willfully stand by and allow enemies of personal freedom – such as KSH and his ilk – get away with murder and continuing to plot murder. Does that all make me a bad Catholic?
Red Cloud on May 1, 2009 at 9:18 PM
No. I don’t see how either. Nor can I explain it for other Christian denominations or Jews. I can give you bits of their explanations if you really want, as best as I can recall and explain. But it often seems to be doublethink or fan worship or both.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:19 PM
OK, I am not Catholic; however, I think something we need to take into consideration first is that some of the mainstream Protestants are far more liberal – their own churches encourage them to be. Evangelicals have taken the blunt of the Progressive’s beating stick for quite some time, but I’m noticing a disturbing trend among non-denominationalist/evangelicals. Some of them are embracing this whole Social Justice platform. They truly believe the only way to bring “G-d’s” justice is to have the government implement it. What about Huckabee? He seems to be willing to use the government as a tool. So, to be fair to the Catholics, I think this is something beyond the Catholic Church’s borders.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:19 PM
Yeah, that should have been KSM and his ilk. The Preview button is my friend.
Red Cloud on May 1, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Yes, I agree.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:20 PM
What is it? Don’t these Catholics like Benedict? What has happened to what I have always been given to understand is their acceptance of the Pope’s edicts? This should worry true Catholics as I think as it shows a distinct weakening of an old, revered and valued faith. These should be very concerned about this I suspect. I am, and I’m not Catholic. I see it as a terrible, irreplacable loss.
jeanie on May 1, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Anyone claiming to be Catholic and approves of the usurper Obama’s doing, is not Catholic.
To be Catholic is to live and believe in the Catholic teachings, Obama goes against them all.
To these false “Catholics” that claim to be Catholic and approve of this snake in the office I say get educated and learn to think!
http://www.Catholic.com
http://www.ScriptureCatholic.com
http://www.CatholicSwag.com
http://www.Phatmass.com
http://www.USCCB.org
http://www.PriestsForLife.com
ironmonk on May 1, 2009 at 9:26 PM
I don’t trust Gallop Polls either. But Republicans have taken a real beating in the last two Congressional elections, and we are at one of our lowest points. So, there is at least some truth to these poll results.
The thing is, even though I get depressed at times about this, i still have faith that people of good will can work together and advance our core values.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:26 PM
But Benny is so old, white, and male… /s
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Yeah………. Catholics approve of Obama.
I will say it again, not this Roman Catholic………
Seven Percent Solution on May 1, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I wonder if the poll included people that were raised Catholic such as AP.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Kerry, Kennedy, Biden…
These are some of the Catholics that may poll this way…
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Of course. The Catholic church is about redistribution of wealth since the beginning.
maynila on May 1, 2009 at 9:31 PM
I might go haywire if I see one more Democratic #itch with a snide smile on CNBC. That one justifying stealing the assets pledged to bondholders of Chrysler was too much. We are looking at a Zimbabwe group running the US. I have never seen people show up on TV and give you the go eat $hit smile like these people do. Middle class Americans need to wake up and smell the coffee. These people are looting Americans and we are the enemy. We have met the enemy and it is us. Necessity knows no law. Who deems what is necessary? Obama through executive orders. There is no constitutional government and law is what they make it up to be.
HalJordan on May 1, 2009 at 9:32 PM
And I have no problem if a church wants to redistribute it’s congregants’ wealth… but the government should be, uh… separate from that.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM
As an Episcopalian, I have always felt very much at home with the Catholic Liturgy as they are very much alike. Long ago decided that if I ever left my Church, that was where I would go. Might as well stay where I am now, apparently very little difference any more.
jeanie on May 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Anyone claiming to be Catholic and approves of the usurper Obama’s doing, is not Catholic.
To be Catholic is to live and believe in the Catholic teachings, Obama goes against them all.
To these false “Catholics” that claim to be Catholic and approve of this snake in the office I say get educated and learn to think!
http://www.Catholic.com
http://www.ScriptureCatholic.com
http://www.CatholicSwag.com
http://www.Phatmass.com
http://www.PriestsForLife.com
http://www.USCCB.org
Maynila: You are wrong. The Catholic Church IS NOT about redistribution of wealth. The Catholic Church teaches us to give out of charity… NOT TAXES. We are taught to give alms to the poor, not by way of government.
ironmonk on May 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Anyone claiming to be Catholic and approves of the usurper Obama’s doing, is not Catholic.
To be Catholic is to live and believe in the Catholic teachings, Obama goes against them all.
To these false “Catholics” that claim to be Catholic and approve of this snake in the office I say get educated and learn to think!
Catholic Answers
Scripture Catholic
Maynila: You are wrong. The Catholic Church IS NOT about redistribution of wealth. The Catholic Church teaches us to give out of charity… NOT TAXES. We are taught to give alms to the poor, not by way of government.
ironmonk on May 1, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Jesus Christ did not preach that taking care of the poor meant a huge Roman government nanny-state!
John Paul II was an anti-Communist, for crying out loud!
This man Obama votes in favor of tossing accidentally born babies into soiled linen closets to die.
What has happened to my church?
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Typical bullsh!t spin. Take a look at the graph at the link people.
Overwhelming majority of Muslims, Jews an atheists back Obama. Majority of Cathloics and Protestants too. Majority of Mormons disapprove.
How’s that for an accurate headline?
Muslim 85%
Jews 79%
Nonreligious 73%
Catholics 67%
Protestants 58%
Mormons 45%
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I’m Catholic and I believe that poll….if it was done is Massachusetts.
gsherin on May 1, 2009 at 9:37 PM
I bet if they polled the Liberal Church,
before he was elected,
Hopey/Changey’s approval was *150%,
and after his 100 days,
its now at *200%!(Sarc)
*(To get these numbers,canopfor used the Liberal Math
Method!)hehe.
canopfor on May 1, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Well, that’s not exactly non-distribution of wealth. The problem with many Christian denominations is they start seeing the government as the only way to take care of the poor out of “charity.”
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I have to tell you, this thread boarders on being sleazy.
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:38 PM
It was supposed to be voluntary — the kind of thing you’d do by instinct if your faith was strong enough, not something that the government should be imposing at the end of a spear!
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Well, they [Mormons] don’t count. They hate Teh Gays!
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM
I’d like to see the poll:
Catholics approving of President double-naught that use contraception.
I think that poll would reveal who is doing this type of voting.
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I know I’m considered a ‘bigot’ because I point out some stuff. But to me, Catholicism has always seemed more concerned with the pomp and circumstance of Christianity than the actual belief that Christ is Messiah.
This, for example, is an easy way for Catholics to gain headlines and claim ‘moral high ground’. The most prominent Catholic University asks the most powerful man on the planet to speak. The headline writes itself whenever ‘righteous indignation’ is screamed by the Catholic. The Catholic League gets all up in arms about tons of stuff . . . but doesn’t care if the offense in question is about non-Catholic Christians.
Hence comes the rise of the ‘evangelical’ community. Even while the current pope spoke of ‘evangelism’ in the Catholic Church, when the media talks about ‘evangelicals’ typically they mean Christians except Catholics. That spares the media the ire of the Catholic league from claiming anti-Christian bigotry. . . but they can still bash Christians at will.
Lots of people will point to the high Protestant (fortunately they called them the more accurate term ‘Protestants’ here – though I’d prefer the more Biblically correct Catholic inclusive ‘Christians’ but I digress for the sake of this poll and thread.) numbers but will fail to recognize how much of THAT number is the Southern Baptists who are African American and support Obama at a 95% or so clip.
Actually I’ve been fairly surprised throughout my life with how many Catholics claim outrage at a number of issues where it seems like Catholics are leading the charge (or at least those leading the charge happen to be Catholic – Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy, et al.) for things such as abortion. Then guys like Jerry Falwell have fought against it from the beginning are still dismissed as heretics by many pro-life Catholics. All the while, guys like Falwell generally gain the ire of the leaders of the abortion movement such as Pelosi’s et al.)
Anyway, it’s always been a mystery to me. I’ve always found the Catholic Church and its teachings to be fascinating. I am just thankful that they at least preach the Trinity so people have some understanding of what the Bible says even though they might not read it. Thanks be to God.
Again, I appreciate the Catholic Church. But I understand how people like AP can be confused (and run from Christianity) when they say one thing and do another.
ThackerAgency on May 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM
The truth is the Catholic Church in America is very weak. Mass attendance is lower every year. The pews are filled with grey haired people with values from a different time. Most kids at Mass pay no attention and don’t know the prayers. The sexual abuse scandal was devastating. People call themselves Catholic, but it really says nothing about their values. They get their values from the broader culture – T.V. shows like Steinfeld and Will and Grace.
Ted Torgerson on May 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM
As a Catholic, I am very concerned about the state of Catholicism here and all over the world. The Church is not only a molder of culture, it also is molded by culture. So, we Americans have a living Constitution, and we Catholics have a living Bible and Catechism. Everything in the West is being transformed and re-written by liberals. And if you disagree, as I and others do, you are stigmatized, shunned, and harassed. At times, I confess this is very depressing, yet I know:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
So, I shall not submit, and for this I am exceedingly glad.
†
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Jesus died for all those aborted babies, too, my fellow Catholics. Wake up.
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
To single out Catholics when they approve less than three other groups and only marginally ahead of Protestants is just sleazy, sleazy, sleazy. It relies on people not bother to read the report for themselves in order to forward an agenda.
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
New headline. Most people are assholes.
JiangxiDad on May 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
All this poll shows is that the Mormons are the sanest religion.
Speedwagon82 on May 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Yep +1
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Maybe Romney wasn’t such a bad pick after all… /s
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
just more proof we’re living in laodicea…but all the mainline protestant churches are like that too…
all those pro-gay, pro-abortion, pro socialism ‘christians’ are fooling themselves…I don’t get it, why bother with christianity?
most of them have made the government god…
right4life on May 1, 2009 at 9:44 PM
I must be the only one who finds it ironic that the gay marriage movement has focused on Mormons and called them bigots when THEY SPECIFICALLY have a complaint concerning their marriage rights being taken away by the USA.
In order for Utah to become a state, they had to outlaw the common practice of polygamy. And now, here they are having to defend themselves for supporting the marriage relationship they were forced to accept.
ONLY IN AMERICA. Of course, I’m the only one who’s recognized that. I’ve been waiting for something to be written on that somewhere. . . it is quite bizarre, but its America.
ThackerAgency on May 1, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Thanks. You made me laugh.
Now go wash your hands and face, or no internets for you.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Traffic must be down. Time to turn Christian on Christian.
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM
It is not sleazy to comment on the Catholic angle. I’m Catholic, I find this terribly dismaying, and it’s not mitigated in the slightest by the fact that Muslims and Jews are even more abhorrent in their support of this man’s hideous policies.
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 9:48 PM
it WAS america….now its ameriKKKa the USS of A
comrade!
right4life on May 1, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Too many people are unduly harsh about the majority of Catholics. Most Catholics are born Catholics. They never consented to the whole insane package. My religion, Reformed Judaism, is spiritually similar to where most of these born Catholics are. People are born as Jews, don’t wish to lose their Judaism, but never consented to every insanity in the mitzvot (commandments). So they become Reformed Jews and eat their pork with cheese sauce.
Admittedly, it is somewhat puzzling that the bulk of American Catholics don’t join mainline Protestant Churches. People aren’t very rational about religion.
thuja on May 1, 2009 at 9:48 PM
This is why the media created the ‘evangelical’ community. Big Old Dog, I don’t suppose you have a problem when the media bashes ‘evangelicals’ now do you? Sarah Palin anyone?
Most of the black community is Protestant. 95% of them support Obama.
Catholics love to claim victimhood.
ThackerAgency on May 1, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Exactly. Forced charity is no charity at all.
By the by… it’s amazing how many Catholic senators are beyond “pro-choice” and seem fairly gung-ho about abortion. It just seems very odd that there should be such a high percentage of the Senate as a whole that are Catholics who ignore perhaps the most stressed political point in the Church today.
I count Begich, Dodd, Durbin, Gillibrand, Harkin, Kennedy, Kerry, Landrieu, Leahy, Menendez, Mikulski, and Reed at least, and there may be some that I’m missing (I don’t know Ted Kaufman’s position on abortion, he’s Catholic). That’s 12% of the WHOLE BODY, and I might be missing some.
Red Cloud on May 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Thank you for proving my point in spades.
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
The Roman Catholic church is the the primary culprit in State-Church merging throughout history. If anyone has a sense of history, that is always the case. Even in my former country, where we have a purer form of catholicism, Roman Catholism runs rampant in putting their hands in politics.
They cannot do this in the US because this is NOT a catholic nation.
I do not say this lightly being a former catholic and belonging to a family with priests and nuns, myself being a very faithful former catholic myself.
I tell you liberation theology is a baby of the church.
maynila on May 1, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Now do you understand what this is really about?
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I’m sickened by it, I know that fellow parishioners voted improperly and they are left to deal with it, but were it not for the Catholic vote McCain might have eked it out.
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I would also like to know if Teh Gays and other progs would support polygamy as a legal form of marriage. Doesn’t seem very open minded if you don’t.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Should we thank them then?
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:55 PM
The problem is that not enough of us, of any Christian denomination, do as suggested here:
It is so much easier to let the government do it for us.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I’m torn.
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 9:57 PM
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I, at least, did not intend to single them out. Just terribly surprised that so many Catholics have come to share the liberal views of the mainstream Protestant faiths. Had always thought of Catholicism as a place to run when/if it got too much. Having grown up in the 40′s, I have always seen the Roman Catholic Church in a very different light than is painted here.
jeanie on May 1, 2009 at 9:57 PM
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
–Matthew 7:3-5
TheBigOldDog on May 1, 2009 at 9:58 PM
As am I… It depends if it’s after an O Plastic Press Release.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Many here were born catholics, they never chose for themselves. So when they see something like this in America, they wonder. Go to the catholic countries and see what it is all about.
Having no choice but go with the flow.
maynila on May 1, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Thanks for posting those polling details. Catholics are not alone or even the most drunk on Obama koolaid.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
ErinF on May 1, 2009 at 9:09 PM
ErinF, I am catholic and from the Boston area – although I live in the Heart of Dixie now. Without having read upthread, I understand your frustration at the apparent disconnect between professed catholics and their faith. I was born and grew up outside of Boston until I moved to the south at the age of 27. I did not practice my faith the way I should when I lived in the northeast. Now that I have a different perspective from living in the south the last 20 years I can say that the majority of catholics I know from the northeast (and I know a lot) are cafeteria catholics who rarely go to church. In fact, I don’t think they are even aware of many of the church’s teachings, and if they are they ignore them if they find them inconvenient to practice in their own lives.
Catholics in the northeast have gone the way of catholics in europe – dying off in droves. Churches in europe are vacant most Sundays. The only time people go to church is to get baptised and married. It’s sad, but that is how it is. Frankly, I feel blessed to have found my faith again since I’ve lived in the south. Most people where I live go to church every Sunday – whatever denomination they are. The first thing people ask you when they meet you here is “What church to you go to?” No one I know would EVER ask that question in Massachusetts!
KickandSwimMom on May 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Huh?
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I tell you, gov’t redistribution of wealth, social programs and “equality” is more important than abortion for many.
maynila on May 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
No, no… I come from a predominantly Catholic neighborhood. Many of them are conservative R’s or Conservative D’s – that didn’t vote for O.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 10:04 PM
BUT is that in their faith? Does the Pope teach this?
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Church leaders in the third-world and Latin America may be culpable in the spread of Liberation Theology but they were/are by no means the ideological progenitors. Liberation Theology is radical Marxism (as if there is any other kind) packaged in a superficial Catholic wrapping.
darclon on May 1, 2009 at 10:05 PM
You omitted Easter and Christmas. Can’t find a seat during those services among all those wearing their very best NASCAR t-shirts and Lee Riders. Funny though that the confessional was empty the entire preceding week…
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Name any subject. People can be irrational about it. It’s one of our greatest abilities.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 10:07 PM
I think it’s as ridiculous of you to avoid the issue as it is of Thacker Agency and others to start with mindless ad hominem Catholic bashing.
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Unfortunately, too many of his on-the-ground surrogates have taken the Michael Pfleger approach to their vocation. It’s a disgrace.
Kensington on May 1, 2009 at 10:10 PM
ericdijon on May 1, 2009 at 10:07 PM
LOL! You are so right. Your post reminded me of a funny thing my oldest son (who was 10 at the time) said during a pennance service. He noticed that there weren’t many people in church for that service and said as much to me. I said to him something to the effect that the pennance service was for sinners. At that point, he look me straight in the face and said “then everyone should be here!” He got what it was all about.
KickandSwimMom on May 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Yes it is, but it shouldn’t be confused with the actual teachings of the CC.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM
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