TOP FIVE THINGS PEOPLE ASK WHEN THEY FIND OUT I'M CATHOLIC: (and my answers)

1.You must not believe everything your Church teaches. How can you have gay friends if Catholics are homophobic?

The Catholic Church is not homophobic. While we have a difference of beliefs in sexual morality, The Catholic Catechism teaches that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided." (2357) Any Catholic who does otherwise is not following the teaching of the Catholic Church.

2. How can you stand being Catholic when Catholics are anti-woman? I thought you were smarter than that?

 This question is really too vague to answer. I ask anyone who believes the Catholic Church is anti-woman to clarify what they mean by "anti-woman." While I suspect that this question is really asking about women's right to abortion, and women as leaders in the church, here is the short answer concerning the Catholic Churches belief on the dignity of a woman:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Each of the two sexes is an image of the power and tenderness of God, with equal dignity though in a different way."

If you would like a more thorough answer, let me know what you mean by "anti-woman."

3. How are you so compassionate? Don't Catholics like to "lay on the guilt?"

 I really don't know why people think that Catholics "lay on the guilt." We as Catholic's know that everyone is human. The Church teaches mercy, compassion, and understanding. The prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi is an excellent example of this teaching. If I or any Catholic has treated you poorly, I apologize. This is not the teaching of the Catholic Church.

4. Don't you know your religion kills people?

I could write an essay about this, but I'm going to keep this brief. The problem with the Church is that it's made up of people and people often fail miserably to follow their own beliefs, standards, and teachings. There is no excuse for the history of Roman Catholic missionaries killing. We are called to follow the commandment, "Thou Shalt not Kill" and "Love your enemies." Those who killed in the name of Christ were not following the teachings of the Church.

5. Do you worship statues?

 No. We only worship God. Statues in Catholic Churches are reminders of humans who were successful. They are inspiring images of humans who are believed to have made it into the kingdom of Heaven, no more. People pray in front of them to help inspire more honest and holy prayer to God.