Episode 2788: The Church is not an Organized Religion - It's a Church created by Christ - Part 1

"The Church Organized by Christ: One True Church"
Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore a pressing question in the modern Church: Why do so many former Catholics reject “organized religion” and see the Catholic Church as just another option, disconnected from Christ?
This is an important topic, not only because it touches on the salvation of souls but also because it challenges us to reflect on how we, as faithful Catholics, can better articulate and live out the truths of our faith.
Today, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon and offer a traditional Catholic response, grounded in Church teaching, scripture, and the wisdom of the saints.
During this Advent season we have to look beyond our own personal renewal, we must reach out to others and help them join us to form a most needed movement of returning to the faith through proper education and catechesis.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, You established Your Church as the beacon of truth and the ark of salvation for all who seek Your Son. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and St. Augustine, patron of those who seek understanding, we ask for clarity of mind and openness of heart. May this discussion draw us closer to You, affirming the Church's divine foundation and inspiring all who have strayed to return to the fullness of truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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1. Poor Catechesis and Formation
One major reason many Catholics leave the Church is a lack of proper catechesis. Many were never taught that the Catholic Church is not just a community of believers but the one true Church founded by Christ Himself.
The words of St. John Henry Newman resonate deeply here: “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.” This profound insight underscores a crucial reality the Catholic Church is woven into the fabric of salvation history. From the moment Christ declared to Peter, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18), the Church has stood as the foundation of truth and the custodian of the faith.
How many cradle Catholics today understand the richness of this truth? How many can articulate the Church’s divine mandate or defend her claim as the ark of salvation? For many, the Church has been reduced to an institution no different from other religious organizations, with no special claim to authority or truth. This erosion of understanding has left countless souls vulnerable to the allure of relativism, Protestantism, or secular ideologies that deny objective truth altogether.
The Decline After Vatican II
A key factor contributing to this crisis of catechesis was the decline in doctrinal instruction following the Second Vatican Council. While the Council’s documents themselves upheld the Church’s sacred teachings, their implementation in many dioceses and parishes led to a shift in focus. The emphasis moved from teaching doctrine and truth to prioritizing “community,” “inclusivity,” and “feel-good” experiences. In this climate, objective truths of the faith such as the necessity of the sacraments, the Church’s moral teachings, and the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist were often minimized or abandoned altogether.
As a result, many Catholics grew up attending poorly structured religious education programs that reduced the faith to vague platitudes about “loving one another” while ignoring the harder teachings of Christ and His Church. These teachings, which include the reality of sin, the need for repentance, and the eternal consequences of rejecting God, were replaced with a watered-down spirituality that left souls malnourished.
The Loss of Belief in the Eucharist
Perhaps the most devastating fruit of poor catechesis is the widespread disbelief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith (Lumen Gentium, 11), and yet, studies show that a majority of Catholics today view the Eucharist as a mere symbol rather than the actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This crisis points directly to a failure to teach Catholics the truths of the faith with clarity and conviction.
Saints and theologians throughout history have proclaimed the Eucharist as the heart of the Church. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us:
“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; it signifies Love, it produces Love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.”
Yet, without proper instruction, how can Catholics come to treasure this great mystery? A generation ignorant of the Eucharist is a generation that does not understand the Mass, the priesthood, or the necessity of remaining in communion with the Church.
Relativism and the Modern World
Poor catechesis has also left Catholics defenseless against the cultural tide of relativism. Without a firm foundation in the truths of the faith, many Catholics have adopted the dangerous belief that “all religions are equal,” or that one’s faith is merely a personal preference. Such ideas contradict the very words of Christ, who proclaimed:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Relativism denies objective truth and erodes the conviction necessary to remain faithful to the Church’s teachings in a hostile world. It is no surprise, then, that poorly formed Catholics fall away, drawn by the siren call of secularism, which promises comfort and autonomy at the expense of truth.
A Return to Tradition and Truth
The solution to this crisis lies in a return to solid, traditional catechesis rooted in Scripture, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the wisdom of the saints. Parishes must prioritize teaching the faith clearly, unapologetically, and in its entirety. Programs such as the Baltimore Catechism, which once formed generations of Catholics with precision and clarity, must be revived to combat the confusion of modern catechetical materials.
Additionally, parents must take seriously their role as the primary educators of their children in the faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1653). Fathers and mothers must not outsource this sacred duty but instead form their homes as domestic churches where prayer, instruction, and the sacraments are central.
Poor catechesis has left countless souls adrift, ignorant of the beauty, truth, and necessity of the Catholic Church. It is a crisis that demands a response from clergy, parents, and lay leaders alike. As Catholics, we must rededicate ourselves to learning, living, and sharing the fullness of the faith. Let us remember the words of St. Pius X, the great defender of truth:
“The chief cause of the decline in the Christian spirit is to be found in ignorance of the truths of the faith. When this is lacking, it is impossible to know Christ and to love Him.”
To reverse this decline, we must embrace once again the great commission given by Christ: to teach all nations the truths of the Catholic faith. Only then will the Church shine as the light of the world, drawing souls back to the one true ark of salvation.
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2. Modern Culture and Moral Relativism
Our culture exalts individualism and personal autonomy, both of which conflict with the Church’s call to submission to God’s will and the moral law. The phrase “I don’t believe in organized religion” is often code for “I don’t want to be held accountable to an external authority.”
Modern culture exalts individualism and personal autonomy above all else, both of which directly conflict with the Church’s call to submission to God’s will and the objective moral law. The exaltation of the self has fostered a society where truth is no longer viewed as universal, but as something subjective and malleable bent to the whims of personal preferences and passions. This shift has eroded not only the concept of objective truth but also the necessity of accountability to a higher authority, whether divine or moral.
The popular phrase “I don’t believe in organized religion” has become a convenient mantra for many who reject the Church. It is often code for, “I don’t want to be held accountable to an external authority.” Beneath this statement lies a desire to live according to one’s own dictates rather than conform to God’s law, which calls us to repentance, sacrifice, and self-denial. Modern man, in his pride, rejects the idea that God’s truth is fixed and eternal, preferring instead to shape his own version of reality one that conveniently excuses sin and avoids the uncomfortable demands of holiness.
St. Paul foresaw this rebellion in his second letter to Timothy when he wrote: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). This prophetic warning perfectly describes our present age, where many reject the Church’s unchanging doctrines in favor of subjective spirituality and moral relativism. People seek out voices that affirm their lifestyle choices, avoiding the hard truths that call them to conversion. They create echo chambers that soothe their consciences rather than challenge them.
This rejection of sound teaching has far-reaching consequences, not just for individuals but for society as a whole. When truth is abandoned in favor of personal preference, chaos inevitably follows. We see this manifested in moral confusion, the breakdown of the family, and the rise of ideologies that oppose the natural law. Without submission to God’s truth, society becomes unmoored, drifting further into darkness and away from the light of Christ.
The Church as the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15) remains the one constant voice calling mankind back to God’s eternal law. She does not bend to cultural trends or popular opinion but steadfastly proclaims the same truth taught by Christ and handed down through the Apostles. Her teachings on morality are not arbitrary restrictions but life-giving principles designed to lead us to union with God and eternal happiness.
The saints, those heroic witnesses to truth, remind us that submission to God’s will is the pathway to true freedom. As St. Augustine once said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” The pursuit of personal autonomy apart from God does not bring freedom or fulfillment; it brings restlessness, emptiness, and ultimately despair. Only in submitting to God’s will in aligning our lives with the objective moral order do we discover the peace and joy for which we were created.
In an age that exalts relativism, the faithful must stand firm in proclaiming objective truth. We are called to be lights in the darkness, unafraid to confront the lies of the culture with the timeless wisdom of the Church. This requires courage, humility, and a willingness to suffer for the truth. Let us take to heart the words of St. Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
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3. Scandals and Disillusionment
The sexual abuse scandals within the Church have inflicted deep wounds on the faithful and have profoundly shaken trust in the Church's hierarchy. The pain of the victims cries out for justice and healing, and it is crucial for Catholics to acknowledge the gravity of this betrayal and to ensure that steps are taken to hold perpetrators and enablers accountable. At the same time, we must remember that the Church's holiness does not depend on the sinfulness or even the sanctity of her members, but on her divine Founder, Jesus Christ.
These grave scandals, while shocking and painful, serve as a reminder of the fallen nature of man and the reality of sin. Even among those called to serve Christ in the priesthood, the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil persist. St. Augustine aptly described the Church as “a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints,” emphasizing that while the Church herself is spotless and holy as the Mystical Bride of Christ, her members whether clergy, religious, or laity are fallen and in need of constant conversion. As Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).
However, it would be a grave mistake to allow the sinfulness of individual clergy to overshadow the truth of the Church's divine mission. The scandals have led many to doubt the legitimacy of the Church or to abandon the faith altogether, but such a response reflects a misunderstanding of the Church’s nature. The Church is not a merely human institution subject to the same failings as any organization; she is the Mystical Body of Christ, guided and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Though her members sin and even betray Christ like Judas her teachings remain pure and untainted because they come from God Himself.