Why do catholics always refer you to a website rather than the Bible?

Question

Its amazing how many websites these people have, and even the website don't line up with scripture.They have a web for everything you ask.Have these websites taken the place of the Bible for them?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church does not encourage Bible reading. I went to Catholic Church for over 20 years and never once saw anyone with a Bible.

Answer 2

Mercy! How many times have I seen Protestants refer to jesus-is-lord.org et al?!

Both Catholic and Protestants give short answers with scripture references when the question calls for it. For example, if someone asks "Where is the concept of purgatory mentioned in the Bible?" I would answer that with a brief explanation.

However, so many times Catholics are preached at with everything-but-the-kitchen-sink questions. Like...

"Why do you evil Catholic idolators follow the wicked Pope, and sell indulgences, say the rosary, worship statues, believe in the Real Presence, make-up sacraments, call Mary the Mother of God when everyone knows she was just a plain girl, and worship on Sundays? HUH! Just tell me THAT would you? And everyone knows that unless you have a permission slip from the Pope you can't read your Bible! And another thing...."

That kind of "question" cannot be answered in this format and the most appropriate thing to do is to refer the asker to a website where the Catholic faith is explained in some detail. If the questioner is genuine, he/she will go look. If not, I'm wasting my time typing up a huge answer anyway. If you really want an answer, ask the questions one at a time in a respectful way.

1 Timothy 3:15 "But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

Funny how it's the CHURCH that is the pillar and foundation of truth...not the Bible....

Answer 3

I'm sorry that you've had dealings with Catholics who are more comfortable reading websites than the Bible, but rest assured that the official teaching of the Catholic Church is clear that the Bible is the Word of God. If some Catholics are more familiar with what's on the web than what's in the Bible, that's a reflection on them, not on Catholicism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states clearly the official teaching of Catholicism regarding the Bible: "The Sacred Scriptures contain the Word of God and, because they are inspired, they are truly the Word of God." It also notes that "Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ." One other thought: there's nothing wrong with Catholic websites: there are plenty of Protestant websites, also!

Answer 4

I refer people to both the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which explains our beliefs from both Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition.

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

Why not? Catholics have the best websites!

Answer 6

Because to maintain power and control over their congregations, Catholic priests do not encourage their 'flock; to even own a Bible, let alone know what it contains. And people's general laziness accepts this. Its easier for them to believe what their priest teaches than dig the information themselves.
And what they are taught is simply wrong.
And being taught for a long time still does not make it right.

Answer 7

Sorry but I am a Catholic and I use the Bible as well.

Answer 8

Maybe they are not allowed to speak what their Bible says and lets the "High priest" do it for them, just like their worship.
Do they think when they get ot Heaven that the "High Priest" will do their worship and praise for them there also?

Answer 9

Because it is easier to look up something on the internet then it is to look something up in the bible.

Answer 10

I didn't really know that they did that but I do have to say that my Mom is a reformed Catholic, she said she left the church because the Priests told her that the bible is only for Theists, Priests and whatnot, that's why you don't see bibles in the pew in Catholic churches. They don't want you to read it for the most part.