Why don't people believe Catholics are intelligent enough to understand our beliefs? - Page 2

Philthy · #16 Aug 31, '04, 5:54 pm

The reason that Catholics are viewed as not knowing their faith is because many of them know very little of it. Plain and simple. What do you expect to happen when all catechesis occurs between the ages of 8 (first communion) and 14 (confirmation)? Why does everything shut down after age 14? That needs to change, and pretending that everyone is on top of their theological game because they attend Mass once a week is ridiculous. I am Catholic, attended a Catholic high school and University and am proud of it - dont get me wrong. I learned almost nothing in 8 years of "Catholic" education regarding our faith. My greatest education, which is still underway, occured as a result of exposure to a Protestant church which challenged Catholic doctrine. It made me crack open some books and dig into the issues. I learned a lot about Catholicism and about Catholics in general.

I remember one time when a jewish friend asked me about the Immaculate Conception. I assumed (is this a pun?) it referred to Jesus' birth. I think you would be appalled how few Catholics appreciate transubstantiation of the Eucharist. I could go on and on..

And do you realize how skewed the people participating in this forum are? Trust me, we are at the 90th percentile and above in terms of knowing our faith. I remember a poll about 3 weeks ago that asked how many people had and regularly used the Catechism of the Catholic Church - it was like 94%!!! I'll bet 10 to 1 that if you were able to randomly poll a thousand 'regular' Catholics that less than 15% would even know what the heck it is let alone own it and use it regularly. Please, lets not pretend that this is the best that the RCC can do - we all need to recognize the facts as they are and get serious about helping voluteer/teach in our parishes...

Philthy · #17 Aug 31, '04, 6:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariaG

By the way, I am not looking for a slam session against people, I am truly looking for understanding of a mindset that thinks regular Catholics like me as well as Catholic apologists are just too ignorant to really understand what their church teaches and Catholics need enlightenment from those who "understand" what the Catholic Church "really" teaches.

Maria - to date you have 454 posts on the Forum. You are not a regular Catholic! Regular catholics go to Church on Sunday, Easter, Christmas, and on Ash Wednesday! they dont want to get invoved with discussing their religion. I applaud you - lets try to get others invigorated as well

mlchance · #18 Aug 31, '04, 6:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by La Chiara

It was only when the printing press was invented in the 16th century that the Bible was available to the literate classes.

Not to be a complete pain, but the printing press was invented in the mid-15th century.

-- Mark L. Chance.

La Chiara · #19 Aug 31, '04, 8:05 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlchance

Not to be a complete pain, but the printing press was invented in the mid-15th century.

-- Mark L. Chance.

Sorry, I majored in Political Science, not History, and I tend to be within 100 years of most major events. Thanks for the correction!

Dreamer · #20 Aug 31, '04, 8:19 pm

Alot of Catholics know they are Catholic but do not read or study it religiously. You average Catholic attends Church every Sunday and tries to adhere to the Word of God to the best of their ability. This is why when they are questioned, they have a dumbfounded look on their face. Some of us are here to spread the word and others help us keep our church full. We all do spread the word in our daily actions, the other groups need to listen better for what we know in body language makes up for in our words. People are afraid to discuss Religion openly for the fear of being wrong and who knows maybe other people will look at you differently. My opinion. Great Day

mayra hart · #21 Aug 31, '04, 9:10 pm

to carol marie : hi iam a catholic an iam glad you fill this way an that you are nice to catholics when you ask them questions. but my experience was so a bad one this person use to be my friend, she is my neighbor an because a bible study i was question by her in concern with my faith, she was very directed an in somepoints she even laugh. at the time this happen i didn't have the right answers so i went an refresh myself in a lots of topics the next time i was the one given the mortal wound an finally i stopped going to the bible studies an our friendship is not the same. that make me sad but i have to defend myself as a catholic an things that she said about the virgin an the eucharistic really got into me. i think this just depend on the person. well god bless

RobedWithLight · #22 Aug 31, '04, 10:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat

I hope this doesn't sound rude.

I meet Catholics all the time who don't know where any of the books of the Bible are.

I agree.

While I don't intend to sound judgmental, here in the Philippines(83% Catholic), in one afternoon television program I saw, one contestant was asked what is the first book in the Bible. to my disappointment, she didn't know the answer. Two other contestants were likewise asked and none knew what the answer was, which was Genesis. We can reasonably assume they were Catholics, since Protestants to their credit, seriously study their bibles.

To be blunt, this isn't the first time I saw Catholics who didn't know what they supposedly believe. Perhaps these embarrassing instances are the result of poor catechesis.

Gerry

Riley259 · #23 Sep 1, '04, 6:16 am

There are unfortunately alot of "marginal" catholics who are poorly catechised and truly don't understand the nuances of their faith. Obviously, most of the people who respond on this forum know their faith well and have a real love for their faith. So noncatholics with an axe to grind exploit the uninformed masses by trying to point out "errors" or areas of the faith they might not have a good grasp on. This is probably why there are alot of ex-catholics who are now evangelical protestants and jehovah witnesses. Of course, those who truly understand their faith can usually easily counter any of the worn-out charges evangelicals and the like throw at them.

La Chiara · #24 Sep 1, '04, 6:30 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riley259

There are unfortunately alot of "marginal" catholics who are poorly catechised and truly don't understand the nuances of their faith. Obviously, most of the people who respond on this forum know their faith well and have a real love for their faith. So noncatholics with an axe to grind exploit the uninformed masses by trying to point out "errors" or areas of the faith they might not have a good grasp on. This is probably why there are alot of ex-catholics who are now evangelical protestants and jehovah witnesses. Of course, those who truly understand their faith can usually easily counter any of the worn-out charges evangelicals and the like throw at them.

Well, maybe not "easily counter" the worn-out charges. Even those who know their faith well need to also understand how our faith differs from the other faiths to truly be able to counter those charges. It isn't easy and we are up against people who are aggressive proselytizers (often wolfs in sheep's clothing).

Andyman1517 · #25 Sep 1, '04, 1:40 pm

It's not that non-Catholics don't believe that Catholics are intelligent. Most people find some of you beliefs baffling. Typically most Catholics were born into the church and many know little about their beliefs and how they came about. As a result, they have a difficult time articulating and explaining the faith which is where this forum comes in.

In Christ,

Andy

Steve M · #26 Sep 1, '04, 1:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyman1517

It's not that non-Catholics don't believe that Catholics are intelligent. Most people find some of you beliefs baffling. Typically most Catholics were born into the church and many know little about their beliefs and how they came about. As a result, they have a difficult time articulating and explaining the faith which is where this forum comes in.

In Christ,

Andy

The same can be said about Protestants. Until a few months ago, I had spent my entire life in Southern Baptist churches. I was always shocked how many people didn't know what they believed at all. When I began studying Catholicism, I talked to a priest and read on my own. My Catholic friends were not much help at all. The people on this type of fourm are a lot more informed about their beliefs, both Catholic and non-Catholic, than the average person you'll find at any church.

Christy Beth · #27 Sep 1, '04, 6:02 pm

That's one thing that I've noticed about the difference between the protestant churches I know and the catholic church. In protestant churches, you have sunday school AND sunday services. We only have the sunday service (i.e. Mass) in the catholic church. Yes, there is the occasional bible study. But the ones at my church I found to be totally inadequate.

Andyman1517 · #28 Sep 1, '04, 6:05 pm

Interestingly enough, on national polls Catholics do tend to have a better grasp of theology than Protestants. What kind of theology are we talking about? Unfortunately the poll didn't say.

MariaG · #29 Sep 1, '04, 6:25 pm

Quote:

It's not that non-Catholics don't believe that Catholics are intelligent. Most people find some of you beliefs baffling. Typically most Catholics were born into the church and many know little about their beliefs and how they came about. As a result, they have a difficult time articulating and explaining the faith which is where this forum comes in.

And I respect that it can be confusing. What I don't understand is the people who Say Catholics believe.... We respond and say no you have misunderstood, this is what we believe. They say, no you are the one that doesn't understand, Augustine is saying ...the pope said... and procede to give us their interpretation of Catholic teachings. When I have refered them to Catholic apologists who have taken the words of people like Augustine and put it everyday language, they say, Catholic apologists misrepresent the teachings of church scholars. These people choose to believe they have a better understanding than catholics do. They think that they, who are not Catholic, or who have left the Catholic church can interpret and tell Catholics what the Church scholars "really" mean better than a Catholic apologist.
Your sister in Christ,
Maria

Peace-bwu · #30 Sep 1, '04, 7:34 pm

In the case of my Mother in law, she thinks we are all being lied to and, to put it in her words when my husband said he was going to become Catholic... "Once they get their claws in you, they won't let go" She seems to think I am a good Christian because I don't know or follow my religion. Nothing we say can convince her that we dont' worship Mary or consider the pope like God, or worship statues etc. etc. etc. She acts like its all some big conspiracy of the whore of Babylon, to not allow laypeople to know anything about the church dogma.