# A question for my fellow Catholics **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 28, 2001, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-my-fellow-catholics/78615 "2001-08-28T22:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-my-fellow-catholics/78615/21 "2001-08-30T21:56:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sghoul \* > \*\*The Catholic church can tell you whatever it wants. And, should you go against it, that would make you a bad CATHOLIC…but not nessessarly a bad CHRISTIAN. > > The Cathlolic church…or any Christian denomination, come up with all kinds of tennants and beliefs, sometimes directly contradicting the bible. Or something that has little to no biblical basis. > > So, if you are worried about being a good Catholic, best go to mass son! But if you are worried about what God says and not the church (very different) Read the Bible, use your mind, and you heart and you will come to the answer 🙂 \*\* Actually, I have done a lot of studying and what the Catholic church says and what the bible says usually go hand in hand. I don’t believe 100% of what the church says, but then I doubt most people believe everything about their faith, whatever it is. Anyway, you obviously sound like a Protestant and so I understand where you’re coming from. I don’t agree with you, but I understand you. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-my-fellow-catholics/78615/22 "2001-08-30T21:58:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gigi \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by MsWhatsit \*\*\*They presumably felt that it was so important that to do otherwise would be to commit a massive (or mortal) sin. \*\* > > Yes. As with many requirements, the requirement to attend Mass is not about avoiding hell. It’s about a set of practices that is pleasing to God and enriching (essentially so) to our lives. It’s about the love of Christ, not the threat of hell, impelling us. We may praise God by ourselves but is essential to the community that we witness in each other’s company. I once heard a Christian preacher say that the congregation should not be chaste because he tells them it is correct, but because their love for Christ would drive them to do the right thing. > > It is repetitious from week to week, but if you concentrate on what you are saying, the prayers are beautiful. And the Eucharist is a miracle taking place every time–that’s great stuff. \*\* Wow, that’s beautiful. I hope to be that devout one day. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-my-fellow-catholics/78615/23 "2001-08-31T15:32:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joel \*\*\* > Wow, that’s beautiful. I hope to be that devout one day. \*\* That’s my cue to do some shameless witnessing about how it’s not me, it’s the grace of God, but suffice it to say that if you have the hope, and it sounds like you do want to get something out of Mass, you will be inspired through your perseverance in trying. I know I went through a lot of ups and downs before getting to where I am now and am grateful for all of it. [/shameless witnessing] 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-my-fellow-catholics/78615.md?page=1)