Theology

Dear newhope,
To even attempt to answer the bulk of your questions, would take more space than alotted here. But since you mentioned Canon Law and freedom of conscience, I though that I would pass this along to you. I hope that just by reading this, you might have some of your questions addressed.

From Catholic New Times, Jan. 29, 2006

1. All Catholics have the right to follow their informed consciences in all matters (Canon 748.1)

2. Officers of the church have the right to teach on all matters both of private and public morality only after wide consultation with the faithful prior to the formulation (Canon 212. C 747, C 749, C 752, C 774.1)

3. All Catholics have the right of access to all information possessed by Church authorities concerning the former's spiritual and temporal welfare, provided such access does not infringe on the rights of others (C 218, C 221, C 223, C 537)

4. All Catholics have the right to engage in any activity that does not infringe on the rights of others: e.g. they have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association (C 212, C 215, C 223)

5. All Catholics have the right to a voice in all decisions that affect them including the choosing of their leaders. (C 218 et al)

6. All Catholics have the right to have their leaders accountable to them.
(C 492, C 1287)

7. All Catholics have the right to form voluntary associations to pursue Catholic aims, including the right to worship together: such associations have the right to decide on their own rules of governance. (C 215, C 299, C 300, C 305, C 309)

8. All Catholics have the right to express publicly their dissent in regard to decisions made by church authorities (C 212, C 218, C 753)

9. All Catholics have the right while being mindful of Gospel norms to follow whatever paths will enhance their life in Christ; that is their self-realization as unique human beings created by God. They also have the right to guidance that will foster authentic human living both on a personal level and in relation to their communities and the world. ( C 213)

10. All Catholics regardless of race, age, nationality or sex and sexual orientation, state of life or social position have the right to receive all the sacraments for which they are adequately prepared. (C 213, C 843)

11. All Catholics have the right to have church office-holders foster a sense of community (C 369)

Copyright 2006 Catholic New Times, Inc.
Copyright 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

Does this help at all? It's from Gaudium et Spes, the pastoral constitution of the church in the modern world, a document of Vatican II:

16. In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself, but which holds him to obedience. Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that. For man has in his heart a law written by God; to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged.(9) Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths.

Newhope, there is an old thread on the cafe you might find helpful

http://ncrcafe.org/node/1057

"I was talking with a Chinese Zen master once and he said one of the difficulties of dealing with Catholics is that they love their spiritualities ... as if it was a parallel life," Kennedy tells Tom Fox. Buddhists root us in this moment, he said. "Buddhists would say, 'If God isn't present in this moment, where is he? You meet God in doing the deed of this moment in front of you. Never withdraw from it.' "

When Kennedy went to study with a Japanese Zen master, the Buddhist told him: " 'I do not want to make you a Buddhist. I want to empty you in imitation of your Lord Jesus Christ who emptied himself and poured himself out.' This is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic. To follow Christ is to empty ourselves." He continues: "I remember thinking then, 'This Buddhist might make a Christian of me yet.' It was so profoundly Christian and beautiful."

from Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit and Zen Gifts to Christians.
Fr. Robert E. Kennedy

Newhope:

I cannot answer the questions you ask. They are valid questions, sadly thought, you will probably not get any cradle catholics to assist you. Most of them have been so thoroughly indoctrinated that they can no longer think for themselves, can no longer see the disparities between what the scriptures say, and what the church is teaching. Most. Of those who have sought and found the real answers to these and other questions, laity and clergy alike, most of those have left. The few that have stayed, stay because buried underneath all the deception, all of the pomp and hype, there is something precious.

It is precious, and it is something that indoctrinated cradle catholics who spout obedience to the canon and catechisms as authority and law will never have and will never find. If they ever did, they would become so disillusioned, that they would leave the church in the bitterness of betrayal.

It definitely is NOT the "one true church" doctrine.
It definitely is NOT the catechism
It definitely is NOT the canon
It definitely is NOT the magisterial authority

I cannot tell you what "it" is, you have to find it for yourself, within yourself. I will suggest you study Merton and mysticism. If you dont find it there, you will find the next step toward what you seek.

Newhope:

I cannot answer the questions you ask. They are valid questions, sadly thought, you will probably not get any cradle catholics to assist you. Most of them have been so thoroughly indoctrinated that they can no longer think for themselves, can no longer see the disparities between what the scriptures say, and what the church is teaching. Most. Of those who have sought and found the real answers to these and other questions, laity and clergy alike, most of those have left. The few that have stayed, stay because buried underneath all the deception, all of the pomp and hype, there is something precious.

It is precious, and it is something that indoctrinated cradle catholics who spout obedience to the canon and catechisms as authority and law will never have and will never find. If they ever did, they would become so disillusioned, that they would leave the church in the bitterness of betrayal.

It definitely is NOT the "one true church" doctrine.
It definitely is NOT the catechism
It definitely is NOT the canon
It definitely is NOT the magisterial authority

I cannot tell you what "it" is, you have to find it for yourself, within yourself. I will suggest you study Merton and mysticism. If you dont find it there, you will find the next step toward what you seek.