Why does everyone have so much trouble coping with the "conservatism" of the church today. Why does everyone want to update the church for the modern context.
Don't you get it. I'm neither for or against but I certainly understand that these people have faith, and this faith that they believe in is over 2000 years old, far older than any of you or your modern morals. Since the beginning of catholicsim these rules that media now calls "conservatism" have been in place. If they break these rules, regardless or not whether you believe in god, these people (in their eyes) are set for hell. Why would they change the rules of a church of salvation in turn for hell just to "keep up with the times"?
The issue should not be about the churches conservatism, their opposition to contraception, abortion etc. People must understand that their views won't change, just like George W. Bush and Iraq. IT iS WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. Everyone who criticises them for their views is fucked. Everyone has their own point of view on things, and how can you know that you're more informed than the other. If the church ever changes on these issues it will be a sad day for the world;not because I am opposed to these issues, because I'm not. I want female priests, I want abortion rights, I want Homosexuals treated equally; but because a millennia old tradition and belief for many people will succumb to the shallow views of media world-wide. Think about this? Will muslims ever allow their women to walk around without their head-scarves ever? Will John Howard ever give normal Australians a fair go? Wll Bob Dylan live till 503? Are these relevant arguments either? No..
If you don't believe in what the Catholics believe in then do the smarter thing. Instead of bantering about it for the rest of time, be the more mature one. Walk away, accept they won't change and don't believe in it. Go to another faith. You don't have to worry about it at all if you don't believe in it anyway. After all, if you don't believe in it then it surely isn't true right? Who's loss is it anyway? Your's (You're going to hell now)? Their's (for putting their faith in a sham all their lives?)
Either way you both lose out.