Christian Liberals & Progressive People of Faith

My theology would not be in conflict if the Church hadn't changed/abandoned "God is love" as it's core belief.

I grew up Catholic after Vatican II and in California no less, so my initial spiritual life was very progressive and clear to me.

God is Love and even when He disciplines us it is for love of us, to see us become better people, live closer to the truth, learn the deep mysteries of life, gain compassion, learn humility and such. Basically the worst is when God just let's us experience the natural consequences of our own or other's stupidity.

I've always thought of micro-management of the spiritual life as the path the Pharisees took and failed miserably. Then the Church seemed to veer back that way and I left it for my own sake and because I didn't want to be identified with the Catholic Church as it had been pre-Vatican II. I could not honestly say, that only "Catholics" would go to heaven.

Our parish had been involved in ecumenical movements that filled the 40,000 seat Melody Center (I think that's what they called it, out by Knox Berry Farm in Anaheim.) HOW could I go back regressive thinking I'd never known in the first place just because the Church flip flopped?