I'm thinking of doing some entries on certain points of history that are usually only told from historically anti-Catholic points of view. I'm not going to say the Church was right in what they did, but I want to put the other side of the story out there for people. History is never written objectively because humanity simply can't do that...and any who claim to should be doubly scrutinized. There are many instances in history where the 'villain' is more evil than he actually was simply because of how the history has been told.

For my f-list folks who aren't interested, I'll be putting my entries under a cut to make it easier for you to skip over. I just feel it would be worth my while to at least attempt to tell the other side of the story in such situations as Galileo, the Inquisition, the Crusades, etc.

The Catholic Church (or Christianity as a whole) is not the root of all evil! (Neither is religion for that matter.) You can dislike the belief system and what it teaches, but please refrain from attacking it just because you don't like it. Honestly - you get chastised and smacked down for any other form of prejudice, but attack someone because they believe in Christ? Oh, you are celebrated as a courageous hero!

FYI - when the white towers of government, the media, and higher education are all looking down on something, treating something as inferior, YOU are not being heroic by going along with them. I am sick and tired of being treated like I am ignorant, sick-minded, or an infant because I am Catholic, read the Bible, and believe in God.

Given a lot of the stuff I've been hearing from people around me, seeing on the news, and on the web, I decided to do some posts on the Catholic Church and its beliefs. I've decided it is going to be a Lenten practice for me. Not only can I (hopefully) get some real information out there about the Church and her teachings, but I can renew my own faith. I will start by posting the first entry tomorrow.

This is especially directed towards Catholics who want a refresher, but also anyone who is interested in the Catholic faith.

I will put the posts under a cut so you can skip them. However, should you read them and wish to ask questions, each new post will build upon the previous one - they start with the foundation and build up. While I will try and answer questions as best I can, please read everything leading up to your question so you will have the background for the information you are questioning. It might even answer your question without having to ask it.

I am not a theology major, teacher, expert, etc. I am a lay Catholic - that is, a Catholic in the pews. I did not study Catholicism in school and I am a regular office worker with a forty hour a week job. This does not mean I'm clueless. I am going to use a few main sources and various supporting sources.

Main Sources:

The Bible
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
"Open Wide the Doors to Christ" by Lucas Pollice

Supporting Sources:

Writings by the early Church Fathers
Writings by the Popes
and various other sources