Why Are Catholics Stuck In The Middle Ages? Is It Because They Despise Progress?

Answer 1

Stuck in the Middle Ages? In what sense? When I was in Catholic school, we were expected to learn science, and in fact, repeatedly scored significantly higher than public school students in that field. So it's not in science. Maybe education in general? No. Catholic education has had a reputation for excellence for centuries. Social progress? Catholics have long fought for workers' rights, and have been at the forefront of feeding the homeless, assisting refugees and operating modern charitable foundations? In theology? Yes, the Church has a very long foundation of tradition; however, a number of very progressive theologians have arisen out of the Catholic tradition. You will find that, just like any group, Catholics have people who wish to do things the old-fashioned way, but also have very forward-thinking and highly educated people, as well.

Answer 2

If you think we are stuck in the middle ages it is a personal problem because you have no idea what you are talking about. Like so many others, you listen to half truths and gossip put out there by people who have no idea how Catholics believe and worship.

Looking at Catholicism from a distance may lead some to believe we are archaic in the way we worship but if you were to take the time to honestly study Catholicism and learn why we do things I think you may come away with a better understanding and opinion of us.

Answer 3

Catholics accept science and evolution.

Sola Scripture Christians frequently deny modern science.

Catholics do not take the stories of creation in the Bible literally. We believe the book of Genesis tells religious truth and not necessarily historical fact.

One of the religious truths is that God created everything and declared all was good.

Catholics can believe in the theories of the big bang or evolution or both or neither.

On August 12, 1950 Pope Pius XII said in his encyclical Humani generis:

The Teaching Authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions, on the part of men experienced in both fields, take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter - for the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God.

Here is the complete encyclical: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html

The Church supports science in the discovery of God's creation. At this time, the theories of the big bang and evolution are the most logical scientific explanations. However tomorrow someone may come up with better ideas.

As long as we believe that God started the whole thing, both the Bible and modern science can live in harmony.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I cannot believe I am actually typing this but, the Catholics are the only branch of Christianity which actually acknowledges science and research. If you knew anything about it you would know about the Jesuits and others, whose primary focus is on scientific study.

Now of course, they are unlikely to go down roads which take them away from their faith, but they are not in any way as close minded as the new breed of fundamentalist wackos who would be happy to turn the clock far back to medieval times.

The Catholics have given up several holy relics for scientific study, the Shroud of Turin comes to mind, I don't see any fundies offering to have their snake venom drinking tested.

Atheist.

Answer 5

You claim Catholicss are "stuck in the Middle Ages" and "despise progress" but don't furnish a single example to substantiate your claim.

Logically speaking, the reason you didn provide evidence is either because you were unwilling to or unable to. It makes no sense for you to have evidence - and not present it, so I have no choice but to presume you have no evidence to substantiate your claims.

Answer 6

All religions spend too much time thinking/worrying about past events, we should all learn from past events to improve the future, many religions are made up of man made myths, praying to something that does not exist, it only exists in there minds ! one day there will be no religions and maybe world peace

Answer 7

They aren't. Catholics aren't the ones trying to get ID taught in science classrooms, honey. If ID isn't dark ages, I don't know what would be. ID is just another name for Creationism.

Answer 8

While the secular world is stuck in the Renaissance. The Bible was right to say "Nothing is new under the sun".

Answer 9

CCC 159 - Faith and science: "Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth." "Consequently, methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are."
Catechism Of The Catholic Church
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt3.htm#art2

Answer 10

You probably mean "Why don't Catholics change their beliefs to reflect the current fad and fashion?"

Jesus Christ, and the Truth, are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.