Why is it that catholics take their faith so seriously?

Question

It's just that I am a person that believes in humor through divine irony and I can't understand why the catholic version of the christian god is so freakin serious all the time. It's as though God is some fictional father figure that hangs his head in disappointment at humanity and says that all they have to do to repent for their sins is 20 hail marys and all is forgiven.On top of all that they assume that through their supreme powers of interpretation,they have complete say so over how all other denominatios of the same faith should interpret the scriptures. i don't know about you but that sounds a little arrogant for people who by the very definition of their faith should be nothing more than humble servants to their god. As always I mean no disrespect to the faith itself, i merely see a need to question the reason of the people who practice it.

Answer 1

What Catholics have you been talking to? The one's I know aren't like that.

Answer 2

I'm just curious. What Catholics are you hanging out with?

Catholic here. TOTAL Total Church junkie. I LOVE my faith. Sadly, most of the folks I see at the church right across the street from me do not understand their faith. They are simply going through the motions.

I don't know of a single Catholic, even the poorly formed ones I just mentioned who sees redemption in the color you painted it. Everyone has the most basic understanding that without complete contrition there is no grace.

As for serious - yes. I take my faith very serious. As St. Paul says, fight as to win. Don't shadow box. Which means it's no cake walk getting into heaven. Jesus himself says many are called but few are chosen.

As for God being the Big Meanie in the Sky - well, this self proclaimed Church Junkie doesn't see him that way. He is the Universal Daddy. Jesus called him Abba. Which is the equivalent of Daddy.

God loves to play jokes on me. I'm convinced when I get to heaven he's going to laugh and say "Wasn't that FUN?" You know, St. Francis of Assisi came along in the very early 1200s. They called him God's Troubadour. Always laughing and singing. But also serious prayer time.

So stop generalizing and actually go out and MEET some Catholics.

Answer 3

In this day when no one takes faith seriously, it is odd to hear someone complain about a people who do. Though you are careful to add a disclaimer at the end of your question, you are nonetheless being disrespectful. No one is asking you to convert or agree with the practice of the Catholic faith. And it is a church in turmoil right now. No doubt about it. Deep conviction is often lacking in most people who profess to believe in God, including those who profess to be devout. Most Catholics, unless they are fools, know that saying a prayer and living one are two different things. You cannot make sin disappear with the simple recitation of a few prayers, God is smarter than that and frankly so are we. You make some excellent points and your frustrations are echoed by many within the faith. But do not be so quick to pass out judgment and generalize the behaviors of all Catholics based on the poor behavior of a few.

Answer 4

Being the Church was established by Jesus Christ Himself and placed it in the hands of Peter,they do have alot more to say then all the other denominations that are branched off of the Catholic Church.
If it were not for the Catholic Church you would not have the Gospels or the rest of the New Testament. Yes we take our faith and our salvation very seriously, as I would think all Christians should or would.Its not the Church that gives the power of interpretation, but that of the Holy Spirit that was breathed upon the Apostles, and also gave them the right to forgive sins and this has passed on to every Pope there has been. The Church does not tell other denominations how to interpret the Word, thats why you have so many Protestant religions, they decided to try and interpret the Bible themselves.

Answer 5

"As always I mean no disrespect to the faith itself. . ."

You spend this entire post dissing the Catholic church, and yet you claim that you mean no disrespect? Your stated intent and your actual comments contradict each other.

As for the rest of the things you say, have you ever studied the Catholic faith for yourself? Or are you simply parroting what someone else has told you that we believe? Try taking the anti-Catholic blinders off and studying the faith with a Catholic who is knowledgible in the doctrines of the church.

And finally, to answer your question, we do take our faith very seriously. In a world where God is routinely mocked everywhere you look -- on television, in movies, and in novels -- being serious about not offending Him with any more sins is increasingly rare.

We should all be serious about loving and honoring Him, but so few people are. No father as loving and compassionate as our Father in Heaven deserves that kind of treatment.

Answer 6

well ........ because faith is a serious matter. Most people interpret scripture in a way that pleases them and are completely off the mark of what precept that scripture is really conveying. That is why god has put teachers on this world. Your job is to find and evaluate so you can choose one. Compared to some one who really knows the scriptures i know very little. I just know the basics.

Answer 7

I'm Catholic and I have a sense of humor. I even laugh at Catholic jokes and I'm not easily offended. The Christian God is not serious, he is nice and divine. Don't lump us all together.

Answer 8

To the best of my knowledge all Christians take their faith seriously.

It was Martin Luther's first thesis that was a bit of a downer:

"When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said 'Repent', He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."

The Catholic Church calls for repentance at certain times of our lives but we are also called to live in happiness and joy.

It was a Catholic, Dante Alighieri, who wrote the Christian classic "The Divine Comedy."

Catholics see humor all over God's creation. Many comedians are Catholic to name a few:
Fred Allen
Gracie Allen
Desi Arnaz
Dan Aykroyd
George Burns
Bing Crosby
Bob Hope
Bob Newhart
Conan O'Brien

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

I cannot agree with you more. I'm all for open discussion and acceptance of other's beliefs, but catholics for some reason want to push their opinions down your throat.

In fact I just came away from a frustrating discussion with a catholic who didn't want to even hear other opinions. He just kept saying how everyone is wrong and that is his reality.

It's very arrogant to the extreme, especially when you're trying to point out that a lot of influence comes from the people who do the interpretations, and that there might be problems with that. I'm not trying to sway opinions on anything.....all I wanted was an acknowledgement that a lot of rules and ideas come from humans in power rather than God.

Answer 10

I'm Catholic and people are always telling me I have a great sense of humor. You on the other hand sound as if you never laugh, never enjoy life, complain, complain, complain....

Answer 11

I do not think they take it seriously becasue they continue to so things that God say's is bad and then repent and do it again how serious is that.I want to know where they get the hail mary stuff from. And the rosary no where in the bible is that found so i would like to know where they base some of their beliefs from? Why would anyone want to follow man made beliefs because they are not from God Not intending to insult or bash i am just curious..