The only reason the church does not 'allow' its members to to operate outside the guidelines is because it would have less members if it did - keeping the membership numbers up is very important (more money for the coffers in Rome). But surely there is punishment coming on the day of reckoning for those who operate outside the guidelines? For example, is it not a sin to use contraception? To be homosexual? To have sex outside of marriage? If followers are just picking and choosing the bits the want to live by then is it not hypocritical?
Keeping the numbers up doesn't automatically increase the coffers as people not going to mass will not be contributing to the collection, as regarding picking and choosing what you see as right or wrong I don't see a problem with that. The catholic church does have its rules but alot of followers would feel that the overall message is to have faith in a greater good and a belief that we should live our lives as best we can. The bible was written by men and is open to interpretation so I believe in God but I don't agree with all elements of the catholic church. My view isn't hypocritical its typical if anything.
I dont understand what is offensive in comparing a god to any other imaginary entity. As much scientific evidence exists to support the existence of the tooth fairy as does to support the existence of a god. I am sorry if you find that offensive. Unfortunately it is the truth. If the truth offends it is because the mind examining it is not open to fact.
If I am having a conversation with an overweight person and I say 'you are incredibly fat, if your not careful your excessive gorging on food will kill you soon' I will be telling the truth and I would imagine the other person and any other person that heard me say it would find it offensive. Its not just being open minded its called having common courtesy, being tactful or even simply being respectful.
If science could prove the existence of a god, in a manner that could be repeated, experiment after experiment then Id be the first to jump on the god bandwagon. But it cannot.
Plus there is the common sense notion that there are a large number of different religions around the world. They cant all be right can they? The only reason a large number of people are Catholic is that they were born of Catholic parents. They were indoctrinated before they had any understanding of the world around them or knew what they were signing up for by being baptised/make communion/confirmed. Its a matter of chance what religion you are.
I fundamentally disagree with a number of different 'rules and regulations' of the Catholic church (like being against homosexuality, contraception, abortion, divorce, sex outside of marriage, sex only for procreation etc).
But that is a totally seperate issue to belief in the existance of a god. And it is intended to be an unquestioning belief. Its very easy to stand by the argument for a god if no one is allowed to question it.
Questioning it and making valid comparisions is classed as 'offensive' - so this prevents open discussion because the religious member can always use the 'you are causing offence' as a fall back position.
The Angelus reminds me of George Orwells 1984, it is a Big Brother type propaganda machine - IMO
You are right about how people start out in a religion, but things have moved on. Your views against religion in general don't quite suit todays mindset. Most western religions do allow questioning of faith, you often hear of priests questioning their faith and its not a closed shop, its not a case of them and us. I understand the scientific misgivings and why people such as yourself cant get your head around why seemingly sane people belief that there is a God when there is no proof but everyone takes out of it what they need so wheres the harm in todays world?