Question to Cultural Catholics

[Óttar]

I know, but you yourself are not a Catholic either, I thought I might participate in the discussion too.

Again, I think you make too much of dogma, and get the priorities wrong. Whilst dogma is important, you completely miss the point.

A Catholic priest theoretically shouldn't say this, which is why I'm asking Catholics.

[JosephK]

A Catholic priest theoretically shouldn't say this, which is why I'm asking Catholics.

Again, as someone raised in a Catholic school and (historically) a very traditional Slovak and Polish Catholic family, we were taught Church Dogma through morals which are presented as a sort of civic, or social purpose. We learn why to be good people, and to feel guilt. That's the opposite of dogma. It's necessary that the Dogma is there to provide a grounding, and a purpose, but being Catholic is about living in a civil society.

Protestantism is about not offending God and impressing Him with your feats of devotion.

[Loki]

Protestantism is about not offending God and impressing Him with your feats of devotion.

You clearly don't know what you're talking about. I've noticed this problem quite a bit, though, that many Catholics are under a totally wrong impression when it comes to Protestants. You are wrong, and not just a little.

[JosephK]

You clearly don't know what you're talking about. I've noticed this problem quite a bit, though, that many Catholics are under a totally wrong impression when it comes to Protestants. You are wrong, and not just a little.

Well, I've had lots of discussions with Southerners regarding this stuff, and it's theoretical as well: Protestantism is based on a personal relationship with God, whereas the Catholic Church and other religions tend tend to emphasize interpretation (via an earthly authority).

My comment was a generalization, for sure, but my point has more to do with people who feel that the way to Heaven is praising Jesus and "saving" others.

[Óttar]

I've noticed several Catholics who have seen this thread have remained silent. Perhaps they fear excommunication for their public statements.

[arkas]

As a "cultural Catholic" I don't give a hoot about canon law.

[renaissance12]

According to Catholic Church canon law, anyone who dies while disbelieving in any of the dogmas of the Church dies in a state of mortal sin. Furthermore, according to that same law, anyone who proclaims public disbelief in any of the dogmas e.g. 'I don't believe the wafer and wine are the literal body and blood of Christ.' is under threat of excommunication. "Extra Ecclesiam non est salus" (Outside the Church there is no salvation). Yet, how many 'Cultural Catholics', indeed, confirmed Catholics, attend Mass for cultural or tradition reasons and yet they are lukewarm in their belief in dogmas or even maintain their own subjective "heretical" beliefs? As the Roman Church is the Church of the West, and did a thorough job extirpating all alternatives (excepting Protestantism, but this is not directed at Protestants), it's not like cultural Catholics have much of a choice. 'Independent' Catholic churches lack the social resources of the institutional Church, so they aren't exactly an option either.

Thoughts?

Saint Thomas D'aquinas Explains almost Everything.

[Loki]

Well, I've had lots of discussions with Southerners regarding this stuff, and it's theoretical as well: Protestantism is based on a personal relationship with God, whereas the Catholic Church and other religions tend tend to emphasize interpretation (via an earthly authority).

My comment was a generalization, for sure, but my point has more to do with people who feel that the way to Heaven is praising Jesus and "saving" others.

Yes, that sounds more like it. It is reality, basically. God is real. And you can know and experience him. It is a world apart from dead dogma and human institutions (that they claim are of God, but in fact God left them looong ago due to their disobedience... ).

[Loki]

I've noticed several Catholics who have seen this thread have remained silent. Perhaps they fear excommunication for their public statements.

Your ideas about religion are completely warped. I don't know who told you all those things, but you definitely were "trained" incorrectly. That's why you don't see many responding.

[Óttar]

Your ideas about religion are completely warped. I don't know who told you all those things, but you definitely were "trained" incorrectly. That's why you don't see many responding.

They aren't warped at all. As I am not Catholic, I am playing Advocatus Diaboli (or perhaps in this instance, Advocatus Dei). These should be pressing matters for Catholics. Why shouldn't matters of Canon Law be important to Catholics? Canon law is, after all, their legal system. I have done nothing but repeated verbatim the traditional Catholic teaching on matters of dogma. Officially, the Catholic Church does not teach that these things are merely optional, although it is clear that many Catholics regard them as such. My inquiry is not polemical. It is based on genuine curiosity. And as I have stated many times, my question is directed toward Catholics.

JosephK is the only one who has given me an answer (however imperfect) that even begins to satisfactorily answer my question.