I love my Catholic faith because I believe it is the fullness of all that Christ taught. I also find it intellectualy stimulating because the writings of the great doctors of the Church, saints, popes, theologians, et al throughtout the ages are so prolific and so profound. Much great learning and philosophy have come from these men and women.
I can sympathize with athiests' dislike of evangelicals and "fundies", because their answers are so simplistic, trite and condemning, like a sledgehammer blow. But I can smypethize with the fundies too when they try to tell athiests that there truly is a God. BOTH sides can often annoy me.
Are there any other Catholics (or anyone else) that feel this way?...like you're in the middle of no-man's land?
2007-09-04 05:58:19 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hey, how about a little credit from the Protestants for saving the religion they ascribe to. If it weren't for the Catholics they would have nothing upon which to base their condemnation of the Catholics. What a boring existence for the Protestants, they would have one less group to which they feel superior!
2007-09-04 13:41:22 · answer #1 · answered by Bright Shadow 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
*Is Catholic*
I don't feel like I am caught in a no-man's land. After all, Catholicism is where everyone is supposed to be.
It is good to feel sympathy with both sides, for both have some aspects of the truth, but it is our duty as Catholics to show them how it all fits together.
Taking God out of the equation, atheists tend to be more intellectual while evangelicals/non-denom/fundies tend to be more emotive. For the atheist then work with philosophy science the pursuit of the virtues and the like. Hitting them with arguments about the existence of God really isn't their problem in the first place with religion. There are deeper issues at work. For the evang.... the emotive aspect is a very large hindrance to spiritual growth, especially if what they have is purely based on what they experience. The best way to deal with this is to first be aware of how you speak. Focus on the "experience" of Catholicism and even use a bit more exuberant language. That will gain trust and build bridges. From there you can start bringing in the "experience" of the early Church and then laying down the dogmas and teachings of the Church. From their you can start to work beyond experience to more deeper aspects of religion, worship, God, the Catholic Life, etc.
2007-09-06 01:25:05 · answer #2 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am often discouraged by the lack of intelligent, informed answers coming from the christian perspective. Most especially when debating atheists, many christians on here seem well...uninformed.
Despite the popular assumptions, catholicism has always been a friend of reason. I mean, great thinkers, philosophers and scientists have existed aplenty in the catholic tradition. Even from the very beginning. If anyone brings up the galileo controversy...they need to study history...but that is another question.
I suppose, these ideologies came to a boiling point during the reformation, I remember our philosophy teacher once quoted Calvin as stating: "reason is a whore!" so I think there is a general distrust of reason in the protestant tradition. Hence the strict, strict literaly interpretation of the bible and only relying on the bible (outside of tradition, or interpretation).
I'm not saying protestantism doesn't value thought, but their doctrines of sola scriptura, amongst other things, negate the place that reason has always had in the catholic tradition. They seem very uneasy about any thinking outside of the bible, be it philosophy, science or otherwise, but God being the author of reason, could not but bless the endeavors of it.
2007-09-04 13:33:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, I am Catholic but love my separated brethren and have a profound respect for what they have given to the church and what they have given to me.
Without them the church would still be stuck in the dark ages and would never have reformed itself, we would not be the Church we are today. They have helped refine us and mold us, give us compassion and new hope.
I long to see more of many of the charisms and gifts they have in the church and long to see their desires fulfilled for Jesus in the Eucharist. I long for the bride of Christ to experience a powerful movement of Unity and brotherhood before the Great Day of the Lord.
To be " in the middle" and to offend no one is a very dangerous place to be. If you stand for truth and live it and speak it, you should not be pleasing to all men all the time. As Catholics we should be willing to preach the gospel and live the truth.
2007-09-04 16:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, Catholic, the Glue of Souls.
Or another: Catholic, the Hub of the Wheel.
More than just atheists and fundies. Although, to me, only labels. To see each other as God sees us is my goal. Muslim, Jew, WSIDR. Pagan, Wiccan...these are but labels we try to distinguish ourselves one from another, to make ourselves special, if not in the eyes of those we do not know, at least in the eyes of ourselves.
I have learned from others here. I cannot say I have a heck of a lot of pride. I try to hear as well as listen. I am coming to know many people here. Although it is difficult to stay acquainted because people get deleted and they resume with another identity.
2007-09-04 13:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been a Catholic of 2 years and I love the Mass, I feel closer to God there, Being a Catholic is so rewarding, feeling the love of Jesus is very special
I feel the same way as you, I am in the middle of a feud with my husbands family, who are Baptist, they hate me and my girls because we are Catholics, they have actually said that they hate us and we will go to hell and the girls are only 3 months old.
2007-09-04 13:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by TigerLily 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree! Fundamentalists could show more charity towards the athiests and plant seeds in their mind that may come to fruition. Athiests are only reacting against Christianity because they , like everyone else, are being drawn by the Spirit to God and are trying to justify their disbelief with intellect rather than surrendering to the law on their hearts placed there by God. It is my opinion that we should always be charitable to non-believers and pray for the Holy Spirit to complete their journey to faith.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-09-04 13:09:03 · answer #7 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hey, if it is a consolation to you...most atheists find Catholics much, much less annoying than the fundies. I have never once had an issue with a Catholic.
I can see why you feel like you are in the middle. You sort of are. At least my side doesn't tell you that you are going to hell all the time, or tell you that you aren't a Christian.
2007-09-04 13:08:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
I do concur, though I'm protestant.
Holy hand-grenades Batman, Protestants and Catholics agreeing?! I think that might be in Revelations somewhere...
p.s. I love the use of "et al," by the way. Don't usually see that much outside of scientific journals it seems.
2007-09-04 13:06:55 · answer #9 · answered by Thought 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Catholic, but i pray to Jesus, the BVM and Saint Martin de Porres and other Saints when necessary.
2007-09-04 13:18:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋