Comment by Kenneth Montville D.D. on January 14, 2011 at 10:31am

According to the last study the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life did Catholics made up about 24% of the US population, not much different from their standing 20 years ago. While the congregation in Philadelphia may have shrunk overall it hasn't really. Protestants however make up 51% which is a nearly 9% drop from 20 years ago, almost all of that drop was picked up as an 8% increase overall among the irreligious.

Comment by Kenneth Montville D.D. on January 14, 2011 at 12:37pm

Also, this doesn't necessarily speak the fact that there very well could be many closeted atheists/agnostics within the Catholic community who still refer to themselves as Catholics. If there is one thing that Catholicism is good at, it is guilt. Plus even if Catholics are not necessarily in attendance because they disagree with the church or no longer believe they will be counted as adherents by mother church unless they a) are excommunicated or b) file an actus formalis defectionis ab ecclesia catholica (a formal act of defection from the church) with the diocese where they were baptized/confirmed.

Comment by William C. Walker on January 14, 2011 at 12:45pm

Many thanks. I know that the Vatican counts as still Catholic everyone who was baptized Catholic. How many non-taxpaying mega churches do we have now ?  Any polls on this new phenomenon ?   I confess that I simply don't understand their existence. WHY are they here ? Any information on them would be greatly appreciated.  Once when I smilingly invited a priest to excommunicate me, he declined - smilingly, saying I would probably enjoy it & they didn't want that.   :-)

Comment by Kenneth Montville D.D. on January 14, 2011 at 10:23pm

Well, mega churches aren't indicative of new adherents, in reality it is just a religious game of musical chairs. You have the gigantic churches swallowing up smaller ones.

 

Were you Catholic? You can always write up a formal act of defection and file it with the diocese where you were baptized/confirmed so they can't claim you any more. Here's a link with a sample letter. http://blog.vec.com/2010/09/25/i-resign-actus-formalis-defectionis-...

Comment by Mo Trauen on March 13, 2011 at 1:31pm

I agree.  The Christianity that we know was largely created by two people:  Paul (Saul of Tarsus) and Constantine.  Christian history reports that they converted as a result of sudden "visions".  I think what happened was they had those "aha" moments when someone has an insight.  They both suddenly realized that this new monotheism for everyone would be a great way to acquire and consolidate power over others.

Comment by William C. Walker on March 14, 2011 at 2:06am

Constantine felt he needed a new Roman god under which he hoped to 'shore up' / unite his faltering, sprawling Empire. HE convened  the council at Nicaea, early in the fourth century. HE directed it, & directed that they agree on the web of hearsay, folklore, fables & mythology. HE didn't even get baptised until years later, on his deathbed. HE directed that they "Make it to astonish". Although this didn't succeed in saving his Empire, hE did create / establish & fund the Roman Catholic church. All of the many branches & twigs, (cults) of Xianity are derived from HIS felt need of a new god. There's nothing new in Xianity - it's all 'borrowed' from earlier mythology. The bible is composed of all these myths gathered from a vast area & spanning over five centuries. The book is filled with absurdities & contradictions. Every Xian should read every word of it. It's the best cure for Xianity.  ( I'm para-phrasing Mark Twain on the last sentence.)

Comment by Robert Taylor on April 29, 2011 at 12:40pm

At last, someone that knows his history!!! Kudos.

Comment by William C. Walker on April 29, 2011 at 5:12pm

Many thanks.  I love history books & bios.

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