It seems that in culture and society through history people do and say things based upon what they deem right or wrong based only on feelings. “If something feels good and makes me happy, I do it and when it no longer feels good or makes me happy, I quit.”
In looking at this notion in terms of following the teachings and doctrines of the Church, as an example, abortion, artificial birth control, as well as supporting same sex unions blatantly contradict the Church. While there are many so-called Catholics that take a more subtle stance, living their lives outside the teachings of the Church, while still calling themselves Catholic. As a popular phrase that has been used at times, “Cafeteria Catholic” to describe those people that pick and choose the doctrines they choose to accept because it somehow fits their lives and happiness, while rejecting the doctrines that contradict their own manufactured beliefs.
“Dissent,” as defined (www.dictionary.com)
3.) To disagree with or reject the doctrines or authority of an established church
2.) Christianity - to refuse to conform to the doctrines, beliefs, or practices of an established church, and to adhere to a different system of beliefs and practices
Based upon the idea that Christ established His One True Church upon this earth, with, through and on, Peter, (Mt 16:18-19) 18 "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven."
It would seem to me that Peter the rock, to which the keys were given, and the first Bishop of Rome (The Pope) has the authority to build His, (Christ’s) Church on this earth. This one act establishes the handing of the keys to Peter, hence the authority from Christ to Peter, to loose and bind, accordingly; as history has deemed and has been written as such. Starting with scripture the Church that was given by Christ to Peter, and according to The Catechism of The Catholic Church (CCC), supports and explains scripture and the authority given to Peter.
I. MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH
2032 The Church, the "pillar and bulwark of the truth," "has received this solemn command of Christ from the apostles to announce the saving truth."[74] "To the Church belongs the right always and everywhere to announce moral principles, including those pertaining to the social order, and to make judgments on any human affairs to the extent that they are required by the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls."
2033 The Magisterium of the Pastors of the Church in moral matters is ordinarily exercised in catechesis and preaching, with the help of the works of theologians and spiritual authors. Thus from generation to generation, under the aegis and vigilance of the pastors, the "deposit" of Christian moral teaching has been handed on, a deposit composed of a characteristic body of rules, commandments, and virtues proceeding from faith in Christ and animated by charity. Alongside the Creed and the Our Father, the basis for this catechesis has traditionally been the Decalogue, which sets out the principles of moral life valid for all men.
2034 The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are "authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice." The ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him teach the faithful the truth to believe, the charity to practice, the beatitude to hope for.
2035 The supreme degree of participation in the authority of Christ is ensured by the charism of infallibility. This infallibility extends as far as does the deposit of divine Revelation; it also extends to all those elements of doctrine, including morals, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, explained, or observed.
2036 The authority of the Magisterium extends also to the specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation. In recalling the prescriptions of the natural law, the Magisterium of the Church exercises an essential part of its prophetic office of proclaiming to men what they truly are and reminding them of what they should be before God.
2037 The law of God entrusted to the Church is taught to the faithful as the way of life and truth. The faithful therefore have the right to be instructed in the divine saving precepts that purify judgment and, with grace, heal wounded human reason. They have the duty of observing the constitutions and decrees conveyed by the legitimate authority of the Church. Even if they concern disciplinary matters, these determinations call for docility in charity.
2038 In the work of teaching and applying Christian morality, the Church needs the dedication of pastors, the knowledge of theologians, and the contribution of all Christians and men of good will. Faith and the practice of the Gospel provide each person with an experience of life "in Christ," who enlightens him and makes him able to evaluate the divine and human realities according to the Spirit of God. Thus, the Holy Spirit can use the humblest to enlighten the learned and those in the highest positions.
2039 Ministries should be exercised in a spirit of fraternal service and dedication to the Church, in the name of the Lord. At the same time, the conscience of each person should avoid confining itself to individualistic considerations in its moral judgments of the person's own acts. As far as possible conscience should take account of the good of all, as expressed in the moral law, natural and revealed, and consequently in the law of the Church and in the authoritative teaching of the Magisterium on moral questions. Personal conscience and reason should not be set in opposition to the moral law or the Magisterium of the Church.
2040 Thus a true filial spirit toward the Church can develop among Christians. It is the normal flowering of the baptismal grace, which has begotten us in the womb of the Church and made us members of the Body of Christ. In her motherly care, the Church grants us the mercy of God, which prevails over all our sins and is especially at work in the sacrament of reconciliation. With a mother's foresight, she also lavishes on us day after day in her liturgy the nourishment of the Word and Eucharist of the Lord.
As is it given by and from Christ to Peter the keys and such authority to build His Church, would it not stand to reason that nothing outside the parameters, doctrines and teachings of His Church, would be of/in Christ? If Christ gave authority to Peter directly and Peter handed down that authority from Christ, through history to his successors, would it not make sense that such authority from the Church is the authority of Christ? As from Christ, to Peter it is the authority given to the Church from Christ for such doctrines to be adhered to, in order to gain eternal salvation.
(Mt 7:22-25) 22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. 24 Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.
Furthermore, would it not stand to reason that if a person picks and chooses what doctrines and teachings of the Church to accept and follow based upon their own self-willed desires, fall outside of the teachings handed down by Christ to Peter? It would not make neither logical nor practical sense, if Christ gave Peter the keys and the authority to bind and loosen, while at the same time, allow individuals, based upon their own feelings and interpretations to determine what is right and wrong.
(2 Ptr 1:20) "Understanding this first that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation."
(Gal 1:8-10) 8 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. 9 As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
The Catechism of The Catholic Church outlines as well, the idea of private revelation. The idea that leads people to think and/or feel that some how when a person experiences what the church refers to as “Mystical Phenomenon” somehow falls outside or above the authority and parameters of the Church that what Christ gave to Peter with and through the keys.
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH - SECTION ONE
67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations".
“We must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind ever ready and prompt to obey in all things the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy Mother, the hierarchical Church.” --Saint Ignatius of Loyola
“Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a way transforms us into Him, so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“He who is his own master is a scholar under a fool.” –-St. Bernard
”He who follows his own ideas in opposition to the direction of his superiors needs no devil to tempt him, for he is a devil to himself.” --Saint John Climacus
