Secularization

[Balthazor]

That was a different time....the question is are we reminiscing about something that was or a figment of our collective memories that we hope was?

Right now we are struggling to just keep religion of the list of four letter words. Do you think that this will come full circle back to original participation levels in Catholic Parishes or will the trend continue as it is? With the general population furthur distancing itself from the community of the Church and furthur developing a culture completely outside of religious life?

[Akalyte]

I believe Pope Benedict XVI has the answer and he's putting it into action.

[jwangkal]

[quote name='Balthazor' post='1118398' date='Nov 13 2006, 02:54 AM']
That was a different time....the question is are we reminiscing about something that was or a figment of our collective memories that we hope was?

Right now we are struggling to just keep religion of the list of four letter words. Do you think that this will come full circle back to original participation levels in Catholic Parishes or will the trend continue as it is? With the general population furthur distancing itself from the community of the Church and furthur developing a culture completely outside of religious life?
[/quote]

I think people are developing a culture outside religious life because life in the secular world is changing faster than the faithful themselves can adapt and put their faith into action in their daily life. Life is a struggle every where. There is just so much information bombarding the human mind. Detatching one's self from the world would be the answer to all this, but on the other hand we still live in the same world and there is a lot that you have to keep in touch with to survive.

Read the signs of the times. The answer to all this is in our Lady's message of Fatima. and jus as Akalyte says, keeping to Orthodoxy and Tradition

Edited November 13, 2006 by JP3

[Balthazor]

It could be this. I also think that secularization is largely do to neglect. that is people do not go to Mass anymore because it is not "normal" to go to mass anymore. Just like a diet that you cheat on once or twice soon you loose it altogether. Perhaps it became acceptable to miss a few times in some peoples eye and gradually it stopped being the norm and started being the exception. Where as in years past missing would have been the exception.

Ironically the remedy for this type of falling away would probably be more family pressure and involvement, something that can be sustained by more than one beleiving member.

[jwangkal]

Secularization is the Mark of the Beast, mensioned in the Book of Revelation. The mark of the forehead means the excessive use of intellect at the expense of simple faith in God. Isn't that what has brought our generation down to believing in outward guestures at the expense of simple faith in the Eucharist.
The mark of the right hand represents the dependency of our generation on material pocessions as a measure of one's success to the extent that there is no respect for the human person. Even the quality of life is now taken to be more important than life it's self. Isn't that why there are so many abortions in the world today and artificial birth control is widely preached.

[Red Knight]

[quote name='JP3' post='1117503' date='Nov 11 2006, 10:21 AM']
I come from East Africa where when there are chaos in villages, people take refuge in the churches. The church is our home and should be a social place. I feel pain when practicing catholics would rather go to a professional councellor whaen they have marital problems instead of seeking advice from the Parish priest or a particular priest whom they would choose.
[/quote]

My wife and I went to a counselor recommended by the Priest. Also happened to be a grief counseling service started by one of the Mortuaries in town. Excellent place.