Two short exit stories today but each of them, in their own way, deadly. Both of them come from men who have done their three score and ten and who are now reflecting back on it all. One is a layman, the other a priest. As explained in the introduction to this series we will be publishing all the selected stories we have received anonymously. The series has been prepared by Amanda McKenna, co-publisher of Catholica.

Series Navigation: Introduction | I: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
II: Life is now filled with possibility! | III: A couple of male confessions
IV: A couple of submissions remote from our usual readership
V: Ministry OUTSIDE the Box; LIFE Outside the BOX
VI: Two perspectives from different sides of the Pacific
VII: The disillusion of a Catholic lad from Sydney

A couple of male confessions...

Hi Milly,

I'll turn 77 this year and my "exit" was a very prolonged process of ebbing and flowing despite my having a seriously catholic education. Having studied ancient and medieval history much of my life as well as psychology (I have 3 degrees), I perceived a pattern of likely deceit which for a time I ignored. Probably 10 years ago I asked myself the core question: "Can the existence of ANY spiritual being (no matter how humble) be tested?". If there is no testable evidence for the existence of any spiritual being then obviously no one cannot know of the existence of a gods, souls, angels etc. I put this very question to Cardinal Pell by email. His reply (or his minion's) was simply no. I replied and asked how one could then be morally justified in presenting an untestable proposition as the truth. I received no response to that.

Albert Einstein [1879-1955]: "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Since that time, I've read quite widely and concluded that while I am not an atheist (I do not believe there is no god) the only honest position I can establish is that of the agnostic (as I cannot test the god proposition I cannot know if one exists).

There have been many careful tests on the efficacy of prayer and the results do not exceed that of probability). So if there is a god it is not an interventionist, or caring god, as proposed by many religions. The jumble of facts, fiction and nonsense in the bible (OT and NT) and the various interpretations thereof, combined with the absurdity of untestable religious propositions can be summed up by DISHONESTY. Catholica is a commendable effort at clearing the air and I read it weekly, but as Tom Lee wrote "you can have certainty or truth, but not both".

In summary, until religion can face up to the need for testable evidence for all its non-sensical propositions I'm out of it.

P.S.: With reference to Milly's signature line from Albert Einstein: "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." [Albert Einstein 1879-1955] the writer wrote: I agree with Albert Einstein and I would use the word "miracle" in its original sense (which is probably what he intended).

The confession of a priest...

Milly,

I have been a priest for over half a century, a fact that doesn't fill me with great pride!

I sometimes wonder why I haven't left the church. I have told myself that if I did leave, then I would forfeit any right I have to make my voice heard. But I still feel that I am part of the Christian problem. one of the hierarchical elite, part of the power and control and of the cleericalism that is so damaging. I don't like it.

I don't go to Mass anymore, except for an occasional funeral. I just don't believe that the Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life. I don't believe that the eucharist was instituted by Jesus, nor that Jesus died on the cross for our salvation.

I can't say the Creed any longer. I just don't believe in most of the 'teachings of the church' as expressed in the creed.

I have been declared a heretic at times. One priest asked my why I dared to believe the things that were so at variance with his beliefs.

Series Navigation: Introduction | I: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
II: Life is now filled with possibility! | III: A couple of male confessions
IV: A couple of submissions remote from our usual readership
V: Ministry OUTSIDE the Box; LIFE Outside the BOX
VI: Two perspectives from different sides of the Pacific
VII: The disillusion of a Catholic lad from Sydney

These stories have been selected and edited by
Amanda McKenna and Brian Coyne, Linden, NSW. 20Sep2011

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©2011Amanda McKenna

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