Here we go again, Why do some Protestants still believe that we Catholics do not read our Bibles?

Question

PLEASE understand I am NOT fighting. I am attempting to explain that we do read them and that we share much.

ALL the Catholics I know have and read Bibles. My sons study the Bible in CCD. I myself own 3 and read daily.

Answer 1

It is a holdover from the days when the Bible was only written in Latin, reinforced by the ceremonies that are still conducted in Latin.

And Mel Gibson's faith has not helped to ease this misconception.

Protestants are certainly not people who should be making this claim. It is much more obvious amongst (at least some of) them that their grasp of scripture is less than perfect. I've lost track of the number of times they've invented scripture to support their misconceptions of what the Bible says.

Answer 2

Dear Debra,

I grew up in the 1960s and I don't think any of my Protestant or Catholic class mates were reading the Bible. I don't know whether or not the adults were, although my mom (a JW) was reading lots of Watchtower books.

In 10th grade I wrote in my diary that someday I wanted to read the whole Bible (KJV) but I didn't think I would understand it until I was an adult.

I finally read The Daily Walk Bible (LB, a paraphrase) in 1992. It was the best thing I've ever done. It was so good I couldn't put it down and I finished it in 90 days. Catholic friends just started thinking of me as the expert and would come to tell me that their children were now reading the Bible in their CCD classes. I really don't think it's a Protestant versus Catholic thing so much as it is a different stage in life. In 1992 I was going through an unwanted divorce after 25 years of marriage and I got laid off from work during the banking crisis so I had plenty of time and few friends.

A member of my family who really does't know what the Bible says teaches CCD classes and it really horrifies me. She was teaching her class that God led the Israelites out of Egypt and a student said "I thought Moses led the Israelites". The teacher told me she wasn't aware of that so I bought her a copy of The Life Application Bible which has very good footnotes, charts and extra information. Since I have my own copy I told her what pages to look at to find info on Moses. I told her that any times she had a question she could call me and I would find the page where she could find answers. She really thought Moses came AFTER Jesus.

A good friend also has been teaching CCD classes for several years and they do use the Bible but it seems like the focus is on knowing the saints and living a good life, but not on reading the Bible.

Answer 3

Well, I don't really make that assumption, but since you ask...do Catholics read their Bibles?

Why so much devotion to Mary?

Why repetitive prayers, when Jesus specifically taught otherwise?

Why the idolatry, when the Bible forbids it?

Why are the Catholic Ten Commandments different? (2nd commandment missing, 10th commandment split)

Why so many rituals? Do they still have meaning in terms of bringing the individual closer to God?

Which is more important, an individual's relationship with God, or an individual's relationship to the Church?

Why so much dogma? Can't things be explained in simple words without the Latin lexicon?

Anyone is free to send me an email. I'd be happy to get some answers.

[e-mail]

Answer 4

Hmmm...I've only heard about that, but don't actually know about what Catholics do or don't read. My mother-in-law is staunch Catholic and she uses her Bible for a pillow so she won't get nightmares....not sure if she actually reads it, though. It's probably up to the individual person, not every Catholic's the same. In my faith, not all are the same, either...we don't all read our Bibles. FYI, I do. ^^

Answer 5

Unfortunately your bible contains books that were not inspired by God (still worthy books, however) and indicate things that are contrary to the actual teachings of Jesus - purgatory for instance, so that the Catholics are still believing man (pope) instead of God. Does it mean Catholics are less Christian? Not all - but some are seriously mislead by many of the Catholic (i.e. papal) teachings. There will also be many protestants in hell who think they're going to heaven... Sad. God bless.

Answer 6

They prefer to believe that they alone understand the Bible, that their God grants them some special insight into Truth because of the purity of their belief, instead of simply acknowledging that different branches and denominations have different interpretations. It's something related to what Dr. King called "the Drum Major Instinct."

Answer 7

Good for you keep reading !! Protestants are a spin off the Catholics !! God Bless.

Answer 8

I've met many Catholics who have never read their Bibles for themselves. Then again, I've met many Protestants who haven't either.

Answer 9

NO! Stop the fighting! Protestants and Catholics both follow Christ, we don't need to fight, we are brothers, and sisters through Christ! Why can't we get along, like Jesus taught us to?

Answer 10

You and ur catholic sect need to take Eazy and Red advice instead of stirring up strife. Satan and his tools are loving every minute of this question and laughing at you! This is the reason why I don't answer ur questions! Get a grip.