silentbob583

Hi Father, I apologize for the length of my post. I attended Catholic school from fourth grade through college so I feel that I have a pretty solid understanding of the Church's teachings. However, the more I learned, the more I found myself thinking that a number of teachings, particularly on homosexuality, birth control and abortion, are simply unrealistic given the modern times we live in.

Every couple of years, I find a desire to start going to Church again, but after a couple of months, there's the inevitable homily or intentions about praying for particular election outcomes, protecting the "sanctity of marriage," or protesting the murder of babies, that just enrages me and drives me away again.

My question is two-fold: 1) What advice would you give in regards to reconciling my personal beliefs with the teachings of the Church that I firmly do not agree with, and 2) How do you see the Church adapting to modern progressive social issues in the next 10-20 years in a way that keeps younger people like myself more consistently engaged in supporting the Church's mission in the world? I feel that the Catholic Church in general does the best of the Christian denominations to stay true to Jesus' teachings regarding helping the poor and loving your neighbor. However, most of the Catholics I grew up with are no longer practicing because of similar disagreements with particular Church positions.

Did you drink before you got the job? If so, has your experience affected how you view drinking? I enjoy a good pint, but if I was exposed to drunkards day in and day out, it might sour my opinion of the whole thing.

I wish more places did stuff like this particularly in places where public transportation is inadequate or non-existent. Tip of the hat to you, sir.

I've been stereo blind for all of my 29 years. Same exact symptoms that you mentioned related to eye dominance, although they thought I was initially cross-eyed, not lazy-eyed. I had 3 surgeries as a child and extensive vision therapy, but none of that worked. Eventually they labeled my condition as horror fusionis strabismus and said that it was incurable. Can you say what exact procedure you had done? I'd be interested in comparing it to mine and seeing if there might be other options the docs hadn't considered. Cheers!

EDIT: I found this information further down. Thanks! I've seen a few specialists at the UCSD eye center. Not sure travel to Utah is feasible for treatment, but it sounds like it's worth it from your experience.