To answer the question above, at least partially, yes, it is a fear that one will be cut off from the heavenly reward after life because criticism of the Church in these kinds of ways is going against the Bishop of Rome, who is utterly infallible when he speaks about doctrinal issues. It's basically asking for excommunication, and in some cases, it's supposedly automatic, without any bishop or priest ever needing to officially say that you're out.
Some of it is also loyalty, as once they've invested in their religious belief for long enough, it's very traumatic to leave. And some part of it is just denial, wanting to say "no, those people doing that aren't Catholics, Catholics only do good works and help people" and deny that it's turtles all the way down (or up, as the case may be).
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chiming
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Date: 2010-10-28 05:01 pm (UTC)From:Some of it is also loyalty, as once they've invested in their religious belief for long enough, it's very traumatic to leave. And some part of it is just denial, wanting to say "no, those people doing that aren't Catholics, Catholics only do good works and help people" and deny that it's turtles all the way down (or up, as the case may be).