[...]just below, are some totally unrelated sites to ours, however, they are definitely worth checking out[...]…

Sorry, I couldn't come on anymore yesterday. I had a 5 year anniversary to celebrate

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one. For those looking for more info, I would suggest reading lots of different books on the subject. Dawkins approaches it from a very scientific point of view, while Hitchens does more from a philosophical point of view. If you you want, I would suggest looking up Freuerbach. He's a pretty cool guy. He basically said that belief in "God" isn't necessary to have community.

Also to Jenny O. Not trying to destroy your worldview or anything, but Jesus wasn't as good of a guy as a lot of people think. He was better than the Old testament, but he was actually ok with only Jewish men going to heaven. No women. While he though that det. and lev. were bad books, he still didn't extend his love to Gays.

Jesus was a step up (if he even existed which is highly debatable right now), but we have evolved, ethically, beyond Jesus.

Again, I'm glad I'm not the only one. For any more "Closet Atheists" out there, it's ok to come out. We all support each other.

The hideous punishments of the 1960's and 1970's church we attended, toward the school students and parishioners alike, was enough to turn us ALL against the church. St Joan of Arc in West LA was one of the LAST churches to adopts the requirements of the Vatican II conference, and continued Masses in Latin, facing AWAY from the congregation well past the deadline set by Rome. All Churches do NOT abide by Rome. St Joan of Arc finally closed their school in June of 2008, because of lack of attendance. I guess they never go the message. You can't interfere in peoples lives and treat them like subjects, and expect their undying support.

Fast Forward 20 + years. Christmas Eve at St Monica's Church in Santa Monica California. My best friend Jim (Who attended Catholic Seminary for several years,) confronted the Monseigneur after Mass, where he'd stood at the pulpit and said "EVERYONE is welcome in our parish. Go out and invite your friends and neighbors to join you here at St Monica's.”

Jim said to the Monseigneur …. "There is still a group that ALWAYS responds internally to THAT Statement: with the words, "HE MEANS EVERYONE, EXCEPT ME!!" The Monseigneur was mortified and said "WHO could possibly think that? We welcome EVERYONE, Catholic or not!"

Jim Said "EVERY GAY PERSON" in your Parish, including ME… There was a LENGTHY Discussion. After Several Meetings, they together, began the Gay and Lesbian Outreach Program at St Monica's Catholic Church.

Shortly after, that outreach program was one of the most wildly successful and contributory organizations within the Parish.

After several years Jim invited me to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I thought sure lighting would Strike, as I hadn't set foot in a church since I left High School there in 1978. I couldn't have been more uncomfortable, but I knew Jim well, and he promised me I would be surprised. AND I WAS.

During his sermon, Monseigneur stood at the Pulpit and said again: “EVERYONE IS WELCOME IN OUR PARISH. GO OUT AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS CATHOLIC OR NOT. Share with them how proud you are to belong to St Monica's.”

And with that he said he wanted to acknowledge ONE SPECIFIC GROUP, who had done more to bring new parishioners to the church, than any group in the churches history. Right from the high point on the Alter, he openly acknowledged the GAY AND LESBIAN OUTREACH PROGRAM, AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THEY HAD. I ducked Immediately to avoid the gigantic lightning bolts I was SURE would shoot thru the windows. I actually had to sit down to be sure I'd heard what I THOUGHT I'd heard. There was a STUNNED SILENCE, and the an eruption of applause. (Completely unheard of in a church!)

For the FIRST time in my entire life, I was PROUD to be Catholic. I NEVER THOUGHT I'd have that feeling.

The Future "Govenator", Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Wife Maria Shriver, were sitting front row, left side, closest to the Pulpit. Yes, They are regular Parishioners at St Monica's.

NOT all churches are the same, and this is ONE PARISH that flies directly in the face of ROME, regardless of the consequences. They hold true to what Christ preached, and don’t succumb to the agenda’s of the Modern Day Pharisee’s running the majority of Catholic and other churches around the world.
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While I would agree that 99% of the Roman Catholic Organization should be TAXED, penalized, disbanded, discredited, and prosecuted for crimes against humanity… St. Monica's remains a shining example of what Catholicism COULD be, if the tired old hateful FARTS in Rome, would pull their heads out of their asses, and wake up to the realities of the REAL WORLD.

Now the Mormon/LDS??? That's a "Whole 'nother EVIL Story!"