Neither of my parents are big on religion. That doesn't mean they aren't religious; they just don't like organized religion. Part of me sees why.
Although I consider myself a Catholic, I've been told many a time that I'm not. Mostly because of my political beliefs. Do I believe that the death penalty is a sin? Well, kind of, but thats just because I'm not an eye for an eye type of girl. Do I believe in the death penalty, period? Part of me sees the practical part of the death penalty. Some people go beyond evil and despictable. Although most of them won't get the death penalty, there is a part that does. Now, most people don't understand what I just said and I'm not going to take the time to explain it again. The best way to get to the point is to just say that I think religion and politics should be keep as far apart as humanly possible.
Another example of why people say I'm not a Catholic, the Bible doesn't run my life. I believe in Evolution, which the Bible contradicts, I believe in the right to die, which the Bible also contradicts and I don't understand the big hoo-hah about gay marriage, which the Bible, you guest it, contradicts. But when reading the Bible, I take things with a grain of salt. You see, the Bible was written thousands of years ago. The US Constitution was only written a little more then 200 years ago, and there have been, excluding the Bill of Rights, 17 amendments. Like I said, the Bible was writtan thousands of years ago. Plus, the Bible was written in a time with less technology then the Constitution.
I personally believe that some Catholics overlook one major idea of the Bible; God loves and forgives everyone. And it certainately is not mine or anybodies job to say, well he loves everyone except...No God loves everybody, which means that Catholics should try a little hard to love everyone too.
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Having been raised Catholic, I can definitly relate. There are many Catholics who fully beleive in all the church's teaching in a theological sense, but have difficulty accepting their stance on certain issues.
I thought the Catholics were one of those Christian denominations that actually deny creationism. Anyway, labels are unimportant. It's not what you call yourself; it's what you do.
**Save English as a first language, yo.
I think you should consider not what religion you claim to be, but what your relationship status with Christ is. God is forgiving and loves the world (John 3:16) but because of our sinfulness, we need a Savior. This is why He came to die for us. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Take a look at the book of Romans for a while and let it sink in. Take care and may God give you the wisdom to seek a relationship with Him. It changed my life; Let it change yours! =)
Bekka Joy