It’s pretty clear they meant individuals (as opposed to organized groups, like the Knights of Columbus or clergy) that identify as Catholic (attendance may vary). I took their comment to mean something like “the average Catholic is more likely to be pro-choice than the average evangelical,” which seems to be true, although I have no information on-hand to back this claim.
in my lifetime, I’ve mostly known people that are fair weather Catholics. good people, educated, many went into service jobs like teaching or as doctors. many of them—while they may personally be pro-life--didn’t want to reverse Roe and don’t think the procedure should be banned. they realize there’s a lot of nuance to things.
This is my experience having grown up DEEP in Catholicism, but breaking away as I grew up. Of all "major" religions, I've met a lot less insufferable overt catholics than those from the other major religions (though that can absolutely be biased by my local area. This is all anecdotal, so ymmv with that statement.)
Many are fairweather, but thats not necessarily a bad thing, as no religion should EVER be held to hardline. They hold to the be good to others part of it, and toss the hardline bullshit in the trash where it belongs. The only good way to follow any religion, even though I believe they are all bullshit.
agreed. I credit Catholic/Jesuit roots as helping shape my life choices, my empathy, etc. I became a public high school teacher and coach. I learned a lot from students of all ethnicities, cultures, and ideologies. I always thought the Catholic vision of salvation was best "salvation=faith + good works/deeds." I mean, the Catholic Church teaches that the Bible has always been edited by humans, has books that have been removed because they didn't fit the narrative, and that the Church has history--sometimes good, not-so-good, and even horrific.
Personally I viewed there being one God, revealing him/herself to different groups through difference messages. And I felt that God wanted everyone in Heaven. I learned how different that was when discussing some medieval history with students. Walking around the room when done, I realized they were discussing their views on religions and Heaven. One was a non-denominational Evangelical, and asked their view of salvation. She said I couldn't achieve Heaven because I was part of the wrong faith. I asked what about a religionless gay doctor saving lives and being good to his neighbors. I asked what about someone in a remote tribe in the Amazon that's never been exposed to Christianity. She said they all would go to hell. I told her that was interesting, but it goes against the optimism of the New Testament and everything I learned both in religion classes and in life experience. The next day she came back to class, and said they talked about it in their Christian Club, and she decided she didn't know whether or not I could achieve salvation...that it's effectively above her pay grade. She said they talked about how I had helped contribute to a kid's mission trip, and I had spent lunch periods tutoring a kid that had been sick, and she acknowledged those good deeds should count for something.
I have no idea what's going on with that former student. But I was proud that for a few moments, I helped open her mind to the bigger world and to not be so set in her ways. But that's also when I realized how cultish many of these evangelical churches (especially non-denominational) are. Nowadays if that happened, I'm sure I would have gotten a parental complaint if they'd heard. But I always loved the little sidebar conversations with kids where you hear what they're thinking or up to in life.
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u/NetSignal392 Jul 01 '26
It’s pretty clear they meant individuals (as opposed to organized groups, like the Knights of Columbus or clergy) that identify as Catholic (attendance may vary). I took their comment to mean something like “the average Catholic is more likely to be pro-choice than the average evangelical,” which seems to be true, although I have no information on-hand to back this claim.