How come non-Catholics are better Catholics than Catholics are?

This has nothing to do with the specific moral issues I'm about to cite. It has everything to do with self-deception on an Orwellian Doublethink scale. Or an Emperor's New Clothes scale, take your pick.

Imagine attending a vegetarians' convention and discovering that barbecued ribs and brisket are getting the most play at the buffet table. That's what I'm talking about here. Vegetarians lovin' their barbecue. As in ...

Sex Outside Marriage
The Catholic Church says, "No, no, no." Sixty-seven percent of Catholics versus 57 percent of non-Catholics say, "Yes, yes, yes." The better Catholics? Non.

Homosexuality
The Catholic Church says, "No, no, no." Fifty-four percent of Catholics versus 45 percent of non-Catholics say, "Yes, yes, yes." The better Catholics? Non.

Divorce
The Catholic Church says, "No, no, no." Seventy-one percent of Catholics versus 66 percent of non-Catholics say, "Yes, yes, yes." The better Catholics? Non.

Unmarried Motherhood
The Catholic Church says, "No, no, no." Sixty-one percent of Catholics versus 52 percent of non-Catholics say, "Yes, yes, yes." The better Catholics? Non.

Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
The Catholic Church says, "No, no, no." Sixty-three percent of Catholics versus 62 percent of non-Catholics say, "Yes, yes, yes." The better Catholics? Non.

These are Gallup Poll stats, by the way.

So. My question is, How can you be something and not be that thing at the same time? I'm of the opinion you can't, any more than you can shun your meat and eat it too.

In other words, Catholics whose beliefs deviate from their Church's position on any issue are de facto non-Catholics. Furthermore, I think the world would be a better place if they stopped kidding themselves and did the right thing by dropping out.

In too many ways we all, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, cut ourselves too much slack. Pay too much lip service to too many matters of major and minor import. Especially major.

We commit ourselves partially; which amounts to not committing at all.

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