The thing I have never liked about the Catholic Church is the top down imposition of rigid beliefs. For that reason I attend the United Church in which the power resides at the congregation level, and each individual is allowed the freedom to form their own beliefs.
I know our church has been criticized for having gone too far in this direction, however, the way I see it, we all see the world from different angles, and one should not expect everyone to arrive at the same place as far as beliefs are concerned.
In this respect, I can sit in church with many people who I know full well, may not share my specific beliefs. However, in spite of the various differences, I know in my heart, none of us would wish our beliefs to intentionally harm anyone.
I recall one day, when the subject of homosexuality came up, an elderly member stood up and said, "I think these people can be cured of this". A young doctor then stood up and said (if I recall correctly), "During the last 20 years we have good medical evidence to suggest that homosexuality is inherited, and therefore is not something that can be cured".
I believe we were one of the first churches to change our stance on homosexuality. And since then, many other churches have followed.
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