I mean, in the bible, one of the times Jesus got REALLY mad was when there was gambling at the church, he threw their tables over, etc. So why do Catholics do these things? Why do they supply beer for people to get completely drunk at their carnivals? How does this make sense?
2007-05-20 08:40:49 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's why I am a Protestant. It is widespread because they do it all over. I went in a Catholic church in Virginia and they were raffling off a chest full of liquor. They even had a beer truck selling beer.
2007-05-20 08:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 9⤋
Jesus made wine at a wedding. Seems people were drinking and having a good old time... Jesus seemed to encourage that. Oh, I guess you just ripped that part out of your bible...
Catholics do not get drunk at church. The clubs and functions allow for alcohol to be served, but many of the people there don't drink at all.
Gambling... Oh, you must mean the bingo... This is nothing like what was going on at the temple when Jesus threw their tables over. Read your bible! They were money changers who were racking up profits from poor pilgrims who were trying to offer a Passover sacrifice.
The Catholic bingos are a joke... You rarely seem them. You are more likely to see people sell raffle tickets. Someone makes a donation of a raffle prize and others buy tickets. Its just raising money for a charity, and doing it in a way that is a little more fun.
2007-05-23 20:29:15 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to advocate justifiable anger, you best be sure your anger is, indeed, justifiable.
John 2:14 - In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers at their business.
There is no mention of gambling or alcohol consuption. It was a series legitimate business transactions taking place on grounds totally inappropriate for such things.
The Temple was a House of Worship, not a place of business, even legitimate business. By allowing such activities to take place on the hallowed ground of the Temple, the Temple was defiled. That is what infuriated Jesus. To prove my point, if you read the Gospel closely, you will notice that Jesus no longer teaches at the Temple after that incident.
Having said that, neither Jesus nor His Church advocate the complete abstinence from alcohol consuption or gambling. The Church does warn that such activities must be practices in moderation, but there is no total ban against them anywhere in Church Doctrine.
Some individual Catholic parishes do hold "Las Vegas Nights". These events are held and people contribute, not for acquisition of personal gain but to raise money for charity. Like the real Las Vagas, some people will come out a little richer than most, but gains are modest and all the "losses" go towards Church-sponsored charities.
My parish has many social dinner gatherings throughout the year. Beer is sold at these events, and there is nothing wrong with the consumption of alcoholic beverages, again, so long as it is done in moderation. Much of the proceeds from the sale of alcoholic beverages, again, go to Catholic charities.
These events are carefully monitored. People are kept from drinking too much as well as gambling too much. The abuse of alcohol and gambling is a sin. Taken in moderation, such things are not sinful.
If you, out of devotion to God, decide for yourself to abstain from alcohol and gambling, more power to you. But you have to remember that moderated alcohol consumption and moderated gambling are not sinful, so it is wrong for you to vilify people for engaging in such activities.
2007-05-21 14:06:36 · answer #3 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first of all, Jesus didn't drive 'gamblers' away from the temple - he drove away those who were exchanging currencies (so that donations could be made to the temple) and selling animals (for sacrifice) - so in the eyes of the authorities Jesus was interfering terribly with running of the temple. also, recall that Jesus seemed to like socializing so much that he changed water into wine - when they had drank ALL of the other wine.
second, Catholics DONT condone drunkeness, and do not appreciate those who do get 'completely drunk' - most Catholics/visitors DONT get drunk.
2007-05-20 15:51:27 · answer #4 · answered by Daniel F 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
a) Unlike PROTESTANTS, Catholics are better educated and hence capable of interpreting the Bible, not just following it blindly, as they're told to do by money-grubbing evangelists!
b) If we all imitated EVERYTHING Jesus did, we'd be a bunch of revolutionaries, probably interned in Gitmo!
c) If you knew ANYTHING about Jesus, you'd know that he was ONLY protesting the unfair and discriminatory rule of the priests (in league w/the Roman occupiers), when he attacked the Pharisees in the Temple...NOT whining about gambling (CRIPES!!!)
d) If jesus hated wine so much, WHY did he change water into whine (oop!...WINE) at Caana? (if you believe the NT)
GO DO SOME RESEARCH & STUDY...then get back to us before you trash a CHRISTIAN religion, about which you know NOTHING!
As others like linda b wrote: This is nothing but ANOTHER baseless, ignorant attack on Catholics!
2007-05-20 15:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by SieglindeDieNibelunge 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The tables Jesus overturned were NOT gaming tables and nowhere in the Bible does it condemn consumption of alcohol. Goodness knows, you can't have fun at church, though. It would totally go against the protestant puritan ethic. Let me give you some advice. Go out and have a good time. It will do you some good.
2007-05-20 15:53:33 · answer #6 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
In case its not clear to all, I am not and I never have been a Roman Catholic. And I consider this question to be really off the wall.
I don't recall that the tables Jesus turned over in the temple were used for gambling. They were money changers and they were selling "perfect" animals to be used for sacrifices in the temple.
Perhaps you can show me which verse you are talking about?
And tell me which translation you are using too please.
Of course if Roman Catholics were all giving 10 percent of their income to the Lord, they would not have to play Bingo.
Pastor Art
2007-05-20 15:48:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
they officiate over some really wild parties here in Mexico. They are feasts for certain saints or virgins and they go all week long with catholic masses said and lots of beer drinking and all that goes with it.
Holy week (easter week) here is anything but Holy and they sponsor and allow the drinking on the church grounds ..
I am here and see it all the time, so you can't say I am lying..
I guess you can say it (freedom of speech) but it isn't true..
2007-05-20 15:44:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Thats new to me. My church does have a yearly carnival but there is no beer tents.
2007-05-20 15:46:07 · answer #9 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard of that before, and I'm a Catholic! It seems possible, but as you said, sinful, so if what you say is true, don't blame it on all Catholics -- it is not a widespread, common practice as you suggest.
2007-05-20 15:44:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
its all the evil catholics.... funny ive seen a lot more protestant churches do stuff like that than catholic churches.
2007-05-22 21:52:14 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋