Creative Writing: Why Remain Catholic?

He has many issues with the church, starting with indulgences. He found them rather unnecessary. He believed that one can gain salvation through faith alone. That ones works were not as important as a strong faith in Christ. Teaching needs to be from the bible itself and not from a priest's interpretation. He didn't even believe that a priest should share

"God, Our Lord, will be well pleased, if through the command of Your Royal Highnesses, these people should be initiated and instructed into our Very Holy Catholic Faith, and the devotion, faith and hope which they have in their idols, be transferred to the Divine Omnipotence of God, because it is certain that if they served God with the same faith, fervor, diligence, they would surely work miracles."

You used to think the philosophy 'you only live one' is the most ridiculous excuse for justifying everything you've ever heard of - if you're meant to be reckless and live as fast as you can, 'there's a million and one ways to die' sounds much nicer. Explore them. Investigate them. Enjoy them. Cherish everyone of them, especially that split second between when you lean back in your chair and it hangs midway in air so close the the ground that the only thing you can think of is 'that is it.'

"I will believe that you are the son of God, and I will support you, but for tonight, please take charge in my stead, and dismiss the people."

Strutting through the familiar, gate worn by time, I spread my arms, taking in the saccharine aroma of the fresh grass. The remaining glimmers of the sun glisten on every blade that peeks through the moist soil, composing a sea of sparkling beauty, only comparable to a poem. The meadow is breathtaking this evening, as the sun sets behind the trees in the distance, leaving a glow of pinks, peaches, ambers, and crimsons behind as if a bowl of fruit had exploded in the sky.

A blue house, red shutters, and a white picket fence with a border collie. Three kids are running around in the front lawn up on a hilltop. That is what the American dream is right? The American dream is truly in the eye of the beholder. One might think that the American dream is an apartment in downtown Los Angeles, but others might want the smell of fresh cut grass in a small suburb. It’s whatever the person who is working for it wants it to be. As we can see in the play, all of the main characters might be striving for an American dream, but none of them are striving for their same American dream.

One Sunday morning, a man in the congregation said he had a word from God for me. I was skeptical, but agreed to hear it. I do not remember it word for word, but basically he said... “ I see you standing and your feet are in cement buckets. This is not a bad thing, but a good thing. You are fixed in Him. Although the storm has blown, you have stood. You have been in a season of training which is coming to an end. You are entering a new season. There is one area in your heart – painful area – God is moving on your behalf. You will not even recognize your life in six months. I see a piano in your

He quickly skips over the issues that he sees as minor, such as the Eucharist, confession of sins to priests, charity etc… in order to get to his overarching theme of the importance of the Church

I watch my sister go first and now it is finally my turn. I walk up the long wooden stairs and appear in front of the church. I lightly step in the cold water and meet my pastor. He asks me, “Kelsie, do you accept God as your savior?” I reply “Yes” and I am dipped into the water. When I emerge I here claps as I walk to the stairs. As I am walking down the stairs back to the room, I slip and tumble down the stairs butt first. The church could not see me due to the wall covering the stairs, but they could hear me. All I can hear is the church laughing; at that moment I knew this is something I will never

The trash-can was overflowing with tissues because the amount of tears didn’t correlate with the size of the trash-can. If someone were to walk in the room at that time, they would've mistaken what was actually going on, for a funeral. C.I.Y, Christians in Youth, was a conference that took place in July of 2015. C.I.Y was being held at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee. Once we got to Milligan College, I was blown away by the beauty of the entire College. Milligan had an astonishing campus. It seemed like the sun always shined on the like a sunset on the beach. My youth pastor told us we would be in room 202 in the main building on campus. A few of my friends and I went to see where it was and if it was as astonishing as the

In this video, Bishop Barron comments on the seemingly viral video “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” Initially upon watching the video, it appeared to be an engaging way to criticize the flaws with modern religion, but Barron explains how the speaker’s ideas are inconsistent with the Catholic Faith. He seems to take a Lutheran stance on salvation as he implies that only faith is needed to be saved. As Catholics, we know faith and good works are both necessary components to achieve eternal happiness in Heaven. Equally important is the confusion surrounding the speaker’s main message. Barron describes the video as overly simplistic, which can be seen in the many verses of the lyrical poem that resemble soundbites or catchphrases.

The arena was jammed packed; it's occupants attention directed straight towards the stage. They were awaiting a man. A man who would fall in their midst soon, but a man they wanted to see nonetheless. On this stage, there were two red curtains on each side and the floor was lined with redwood. The arena itself had a theater like build to it. In the suburbs of Philadelphia, a venue of this sorts carried a sort of perplex bewilderment to it. It's presence in the city was admired, but at the same time gave a peculiar feel to the residents nearby. It was a like a shining Cathedral in a poverty ridden city; like a single Skyscraper in a agricultural landscape. It didn't quite fit it.

He then speaks out against all corrupt churchmen, calling them idolaters and an affliction on the world. “Justice caused my high architect to move, Divine omnipotence created me, the highest wisdom, and the primal love. Before me there were no created things, but those that last forever—as do I. Abandon all hope you who enter here”

“I have an uncle, who goes to church, but he mistreats my aunt and sometimes he hits her, is he a man based on your definitions because he do say he believes?” Mary asked.

The yelling of Abraham and Rick caught our attention. They were arguing about leaving now and or staying here. We kind of ignored them, because the adults should handle this one. The argument last a good five minute before they come to a conclusion. Abraham will leave in twelve hours after helping us with the surviving Terminus people. "Rosita, Tyrese, Eugene and Gabriel are staying back with you two, Bob and Judith." Rick tells us as we gather some supplies into the back room where Bob is resting. "Daryl is coming back, right?" "Yeah, he will." I nod, setting Judith's carrier down. Carl shuts the door behind him and the rest of the group leaves, as we get comfortable to wait for their return. Carl and I don't know the plan, but whatever it is, I'm hoping everyone