What is it about Catholicism that makes so many who don't practice continue to say they are Catholic?

Catholicism is probably one of the most wide-spread religions in the world. And where I live (Suburbia) to fit into the "perfect" mold, you should be a member of the Catholic church, even if you don't practice it. By simply saying you are a Catholic it somehow magically absolves you of being weird.

I also am one of those infamous lapsed Catholics. I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school for 12 years, attended church for even more years. I believe in the basic teachings of the faith but not in the laws handed down by man. For example, I don't think God cares about such mundane things as birth control, married priests or female priests. I don't believe it's the only "true" religion as I find many religions have something to offer.

I think it's tradition, like most of the Christians who do not attend church, read the bible or pray regularly.

THE RULES: no sex before maariage, no birthcontrol (even condoms), no divorce. . .In this day and age practicing these rules are very hard, trust me. . I'm catholic (non-practising!)

When I was born my parents had me baptised Catholic though I did not go to the church or was raised Catholic. I am member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Mormon)

I was working one day and one of my clients a nun knows that I am Mormon but insist I return to the Catholic church and repent. It's not gonna happen, I am LDS but she still insist I am Catholic. May that is one reason that others in or about the church can't accept that someone went elsewhere to praise and worship God.

It's the same with all age-old religion, i think. Protestantism is a fairly recent offshoot of Catholicism, almost like a political allegiance.
Islam, Judaism, Catholicism have been passed on from generation to generation. People might feel that root is too thick to be severed, it's probably more romantic than intellectual. It's a legacy from your elders, not a choice you made yourself.

Hello my beloved friend. It's me. Yikes, I am one of those lapsed Catholics who claims to be Catholic. I believe that the religion is a loving one, and I still support what it stands for. Even though I don't live up to the standards. I think that Catholics tend to have a more "elastic" (=accepting) view of faith. Their own, and that of others. I would say that we are very aware that a lot of our religion is a bit nebulous... we actually call them "articles of faith" (eg. the Eucharist, priesthood, the role of the Pope, the prayers etc). My copy of the catechism -- published in the 90s -- does a really good job of explaining the meaning of "infallibility", which many non-Catholics (and even Catholics) are confused about. I fear that I shall offend some Protestants with this sweeping general statement, but I would say that Catholics (today, and also, fundamentally) are much better at separating the Church from the State or Science. Faith is a personal matter, something between you and G*d. Much of the religion is coloured by the spiritual implications of the doctrine of "free will", something which I feel that many evangelicals don't consider to be important. Hope that helps... Love, Andrew

the same thing as what makes people that don't practice Christianity say they are christian i imagine the thought of being sent to hell no doubt!!!

simple answer: good indoctrination

At least in my case. I was raised Catholic, in the schools by the nuns. I will be Catholic until I die. I have gone to other denomination churches and enjoyed the services, but I'm just more familiar with the version I was raised with - stand, kneel, sit, etc.

You don't hav e to go to cgirch to be a good catholic as long as you have a good heart I think this counts more.

LOL...God only knows. I always thought a person born to Catholic parents was considered Catholic until they renounced their faith in favor of another or were excommunicated. I haven't been a practicing Catholic since my late teens. I'll still say my prayers, mostly out of habit, but don't go to church, confession, take communion, etc. And as for birth control, homosexuality, women priests, and all those other things it teaches as wrong, I couldn't give a rat's *** about.

If you say that Protestantism is about the 'faith' thing, I would say that this is not entirely untrue about Catholicism, but more so, Catholicism is about the sacraments. Once you have participated in Catholic sacraments, you cannot 'undo' them. Even if you leave, even if they don't allow you to participate in the sacraments, no one can undo what is done. That is why even a lapsed Catholic, I would say even an excommunicated Catholic, is still a Catholic. Why people do not practice is another matter, largely about the rigidity of some of its teachings, as others have described. A further reason I left is because I simply do not believe in believing. I can't repeat the 'Credo' without choking a little. I had twelve years of Catholic education, and feel I got an excellent intellectual, moral and spiritual education. I just don't buy the superstition, although I enjoy the myths and rituals. But I am no longer in 'full communion' with the Church because I did not have a Church wedding. (They would have forced my wife, who was previously married in the Episcopal Church to get an annulment - which she would have no part in. This is due to Ecumenism, ironically, as the Catholic Church recognizes other Christian marriages, but not divorce.)

I don't claim to be Catholic, I was born and raised in a Catholic family so when the topic of religion is brought up I always mention that my background is Catholic but now I'm agnostic because I learned a long time ago that religion is mostly a bunch of smoke and mirrors designed to control and brainwash people...

They sign you up when you are born and "confirm" you well before the age of consent.

You'd have to be a Catholic to understand, lol. Guess it's due to being indoctrinated into it all from the age of three, taught to believe and taught that non-belief = hell. Then there's purgatory...if you're lucky. And 'Jesus is dead and it's all your fault' types of sermons.
I'm not a big-time believer, being in possession of a rational mind, but i do go to mass....just in case, lol!
it's a Catholic thing - like whenever you hear 'may the force be with you' on Star Wars, being tempted to reply 'and also with you' hahaha.
My dad once was asked if he believed in God and he said 'im not sure' to which came the reply 'the mark of a true catholic' It is a strange phenomena though, i must admit.

Its not just catholics or Christians. These days religion is becoming more like a private social club, you're there for other reasons than just to serve god & your fellow men, some just want to be part of the community, its a social gathering & bonding in the name of god so to speak.