I think I now understand why it's not advisable to let the laymen get hold of the Bible, because look at the division and chaos within Christianity that they've caused. they're very much divided. and to top it all, so many cults have emerged because of those people who think they understand the Bible perfectly well.
2007-09-11 04:28:39 · 17 answers · asked by The Asker 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not Catholic, but I have been wondering about this.
2007-09-11 04:34:43 · update #1
also, aren't the Bible-fundies the ones responsible why the Christian God has been subjected to mockery?
2007-09-11 04:36:46 · update #2
No, the problem is not people having and reading the Bible. The Catholic Church encourages such activity. It is called Lectio Divina
The problem arises when people decide that they will interpret the bible on their own. This leads to improper interpretation which leads to heresy.
2007-09-11 04:34:46 · answer #1 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not that is the reason why within Catholicism during the early ages and not until Vatican II the Bible or scripture was only read during the Mass and not by lay persons. Because when left to free interpretation the people started to form their own misguided ideas. Not to say that it was right, the Bible is to be read and interpreted by each as a personal message from God.
To me and the era I live in now, I love the fact that I am able to read and interpret the Bible as I see it. As a Catholic I see it in the view of a Catholic, and I am sure that each has his/her own interpretation. It is important though to take not limit people though of their ability to read the scripture for themselves because it is written for all and all should see the love God has for each of us in the words of the Bible.
God bless and have a great day.
2007-09-11 05:04:08 · answer #2 · answered by Perhaps I love you more 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Catholics are the least problematic Christians of all. The fundies are generally protestants so the Catholic church would have a hard time taking their Bibles away.
2007-09-11 04:37:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't comprehend what fundies are... in no way heard of the term. Oh, i think you mean fundamentalists. properly, I do savor the reality that the unique Gospel continues to be study in Catholic church homes... that's a solid element. besides the reality that i'm afraid that each and every person Christians have a bent to prefer the Pauline Gospel over the unique Kingdom Gospel. there's a distinction you comprehend.
2016-11-14 22:52:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that people can and do misunderstand the bible doesn't arise from the fact that they have bibles. It arises from the fact that we are fallible human beings with our own prejudices, agendas, life experiences, etc... and it colors our understanding. The ante dote is not bible confiscation, but more careful serious study of the bible, performing proper interpretation through sound exegesis in order to let the Lord speak to us through the bible, rather than speaking our own ideas back into the text.
2007-09-11 08:21:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it works that way...
Which is a pity, 'cause compared to US Christian Right fundies, Papa Ratzinger comes across a liberal, open minded new age kind of pope - and that's just the moments he actually puts his foot down and draws a line in the sand on topics like abortion or gay marriage.
2007-09-11 04:36:29 · answer #6 · answered by The Arkady 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why would the Catholic Church want to confiscate Bibles? You do realize that the Catholic Church allows people to read the Bible nowadays, right? You're thinking of something from hundreds of years ago.
2007-09-11 04:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by Cap'n Zeemboo 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
As I recall, the Catholic church's practice of restricting Bible dispersal was remedied in the 1500's by a man named Martin Luther (among others). Now, as then, any attempt to restrict the spread of Bibles would be met with public outcry.
Your point about division and chaos within Christianity stemming from the dissemination of Bibles strikes me as unfounded. There was strife and division within the organization of Christianity ever since its founding (see also, Acts 15:1-29). Of course, this in no way points to any flaw on God's part, but to the imperfection of Man.
I'd like to question your definition of a 'cult'. Normally, organizations such as the Children of God would come to mind, but I get the impression that you're referring to so-called 'fundie' denominations such as the Pentecostals, or my own church of choice, the Baptists. These denominations - despite the rabid image given them by the media - aren't evil, and I certainly wouldn't call them a 'problem'.
As for actual, dangerous cults, they're unavoidable in any religion, and were even prophesied (Matthew 7:15-20, among others). You don't have to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
To put your question on a secular level, look at all the hooplah caused when the media is allowed to view government documents through the Freedom of Information Act. If all the goings-on of the American government weren't disseminated, there would be a lot of very bored bloggers.
The crucial similarity between these two scenarios (no Bibles, no Freedom of Information) is that without the ability to educate oneself, one is placed in danger. Sixteenth-century Christians were told that they could buy time out of Hell by kissing this statue or that holy relic. This is idolatry, a sin. In the same way, not being aware of an upcoming, unconstitutional law can place a person in danger of losing their basic rights.
If your question wasn't meant snidely, then I'm sorry for interpreting it so. But it seems to me that you're not out to find a thoughtful answer, but only to troll. Therefore, I've given as detailed (and hopefully, factual) an answer as I can. God bless you.
Edit: You accuse fundamentalists of being the reason why the Christian God is mocked. I'm sorry, but do you have blinders on? People have been mocking God since He first said 'don't eat that apple'. It's part of the nature of sin: to reject Him.
I'll agree that fundamentalists form a target for ridicule, but so do Catholics (if I had a nickel for every ignorant person who brought up the Crusades...) and Mormons, among others.
2007-09-11 05:01:11 · answer #8 · answered by FekketCantenel 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
To all Fundies,
It is our book, written by us and approved by us. If you keep abusing our book and teaching falsely from it we WILL take it away from you and leave you with "Chick Tracts", and the writings of Loraine Boettner and Alexander Hislop only.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-09-11 04:44:05 · answer #9 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
thats ridiculous. The bible didnt cause a damn thing.....humans have caused all the chaos with this.
Weve created everything we live with the choices we have made.
2007-09-11 04:41:22 · answer #10 · answered by divers_godeeper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋