My priest, a monseniour (sp?) taught me that the Catholic religion has faults because it is a man made institution. This I was taught for many years, and is how they explained the priest scandels, the crusades, etc etc
My question is...Isn't this an argument AGAINST organized religion?
I'm not being insultive or anything, i really just want to know your thoughts.
2007-09-20 10:49:01 · 16 answers · asked by pab 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When I say faith and religion...
I think I should be saying the "CATHOLIC CHURCH" is corruptable because it is a man made institution. I just wanted to clear up the wording there.
2007-09-20 10:52:20 · update #1
The priest wasn't wrong...
Peter started the church...otherwise you're saying that God supports the crusades, the spanish inquisition, the priest scandels...
2007-09-20 11:01:03 · update #2
to a degree i can understand his saying this - it does make some sense. the faith and root ot the Ccatholic church IS Christ. any institution that is overseen on earth by humans (so all religions) can be corrupted - this is humanity. i don't believe it's an argument against any organizxed religion but rather an argument for people to study, learn and question. IMHO that wa one of the greatest things about the late Pope John Paul 2 - he taught people to question and learn. he got people to actually understand and not just take all things blindly. when more people are learned, those who are looking to corrupt to organization can not do so for they do not have ignorant subjects to fool.
2007-09-20 12:09:28 · answer #1 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What your monsignor was trying to explain to you is that even when someone attains the level of priest, bishop, pope, etc. -- said person is still HUMAN. They still feel, have temptations, swear occasionally, have bad thoughts, etc. etc. etc. These things don't magically go away just because the person has become a priest or higher in the Catholic faith.
In any religion, you should always be seeking Truth. If there is something you don't understand, ASK. If you can't accept the answer you're given, ASK SOMEONE ELSE. Keep searching until you find what rings true in your heart as Truth. Your path may lead you further into the Catholic Church, it may lead you outside of the Catholic Church. But seeking Truth, no matter where you find it, is the key to finding God and the right path. God = Truth. Ergo, seeking Truth is Seeking God.
Not every religion will have all the answers. In fact, I have yet to find one that does. But one that holds you back from finding Truth is not one to take at face value and blindly follow.
You have intelligence, you have curiosity. These are things the Creator has given you. Don't waste them because some entity says "This is XYZ Doctrine, now stop thinking!" To do so would be an affront to the One who has made you.
Use your intellect, use your questioning nature, and SEEK THAT TRUTH.
You may be surprised what you find. :o)
Blessings,
M.Dragon
2007-09-20 18:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by M.Dragon 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. You were taught that by a priest? I almost can't believe it. Why does he remain a priest? It's obvious he has no faith nor believes in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
The Church, the Faith, is pure and perfect. It is immune from corruption. What ISN'T immune is the men within it. Why? They're sinners. The scandals are the result of sinful men who left the Faith and did things their way. Simple as that. It's also the most damaging because they are "defining" Christianity by their actions and others see that.
We can't rely on the action or inaction of others to strengthen our faith. If we do, we will always be disappointed because sinners will constantly mess it up. We must focus all our mind and heart on what IS pure and IS perfect - the Faith, Jesus Christ. As long as He is our center, we will never be let down.
God bless.
2007-09-22 08:16:50 · answer #3 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your so-called monsignor was not teaching Catholic doctrine.
Catholics believe that the Catholic Church was created by Christ and continually guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Church is peopled completely by fallible recovering sinners who will occasionally fail in their recovery. The weakness of only having sinners as members is what led to the priest scandals and the excesses of the Crusades.
The percentage of sinners in unorganized religions is just as high as in organized religions but in organized religions there are many people to help make things right.
Notes on the Crusades:
Muslim armies had conquered much of northern Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Spain, which had been some of the most heavily Christian areas in the world.
Thousands, and possibly millions, of Christians died during this drive to eventually bring the entire world under Islam.
The First Crusade was launched in 1095 by Pope Urban II to check the advance of the Muslims and regain control of the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
I am sure that some atrocities were committed by both sides during this war but by most people's judgment this was a just war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Crusade
With love in Christ.
2007-09-20 23:29:35 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What sort of monsignor would teach that the Catholic Church is a man-made institution? Either this monsignor is a schismatic heretic or you misunderstood him. I think it is the latter. The men who make up the Church Heirarchy are humans, and are sinful creatures, like every other human being, and go to confession just like any other catholic. However, the Chruch itself, the Bride of Christ, wil be preserved spotless until the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus the Lord. Jesus Himself made that promise, that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church.
2007-09-21 12:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Church is protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching errors in faith or morals- Jesus saind the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church.
BUT- humans screw up. Peter was a screw up. Paul was a screw up.
It goes with being human. The people mess up, but the Church herself is protected.
2007-09-20 19:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic church has always been corrupted, along with other religions. True Christianity became corrupted after the last apostle died. As it is written, "the wolves in sheeps clothing" came in.
During the Middle ages, the Catholic religion was very powerful, mainly in Europe. This led to incredible abuse of power and corruption, to the point that people finally broke away from this teaching (Protestants, Lutherans, Baptists, etc.).
2007-09-20 17:56:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
The Catholic Church is founded by Christ himself. The revelation we recieve is from Scripture and Sacred Tradition. If you look at the books of the NT (Timothy for ex) you will see that there is a structure starting with the Pope then bishops, deacons etc. These people in the Bible lay hands on each other throughout the Bible which is where we get priestly ordiantion.
2007-09-20 17:56:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
I think the easiest way to understand this is that the church itself is not corruptible, but the people that run the church are just people therefore they are as prone to sin and corrutibility as anyone else.
http://www.decorativecrossesforthewall.net
2007-09-21 08:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by ryanpbf 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly your Priest is wrong as the church was instituted by Christ who is God and Man, if Jesus was man only then we are all in big trouble.
Secondly Christ knew full well the nature of humanity and dispite this fact still gave the keys of the kingdom to St.Peter so maybe your Priest knows better than Christ Himself?
2007-09-20 17:55:26 · answer #10 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋