What about...?
The difference between Religion and the Church.
Today a person can read or hear many different statements about spirituality, religion, and Church. It is useful to distinguish them by asking another, "What do you mean by...?"
- Traditionally, spirituality has been described as "A desire for something more that what can be fournd in this world of ours."
- A person's religion is described as the "The way a person puts their life together so that they can find meaning and purpose in life."
- The word Church means the community one belongs to. The members embraces a similar understanding of spirituality and religion.
Summary:
- It is helpful to distinguish between Spirituality, Religion, and Church.
- One's spirituality becomes specific as one clarifies the ultimate questions about life, for example, "Who am I?", "Why am I here?", "Where am I going?" "How shall I get there?"
- Belonging to a Church focuses ones religion in creed ( what one believes), cult (how one worships) and code (how one lives life).
RELIGION AND SCIENCE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE.
Some think that Science and Religion are incompatible. That they are in conflict with one another. The idea that Relgion and Science are at odds gets raised most often because of the issues which developed around Galileo and Darwin.
It is true that the interaction of the Catholic Church with these scientists was not handled in the best way possible. But it would be equally true to say that there was a good deal of misunderstanding of what was being said at that time. That is not the case today.
It is true that the interaction of the Catholic Church with these scientists was not handled in the best way possible. But it would be equally true to say that there was a good deal of misunderstanding of what was being said at that time. That is not the case today.
It is clear today that the Church has no issue with the core findings of science. In many ways the Church has and continues to promote science. A study of history would show that many members of the Catholic Church were and still are esteemed Catholics and excellent scientists.
One of the world's premier obversatories is located in Arizona and run by the Vatican. Fr. Georges Lamaitre, a Catholic Priest, astronomer and Professor of Physics is credited with being the first to use the term BIG BANG to describe how the universe began.
Many may not know the name Pierre Teilhard deChardin. He was a Jesuit Priest, a philosopher and a trained paleontologist and geologist. He proposded a much more radical theory of evolution than Charles Darwin. It is one which complements modern physics.
One of the world's premier obversatories is located in Arizona and run by the Vatican. Fr. Georges Lamaitre, a Catholic Priest, astronomer and Professor of Physics is credited with being the first to use the term BIG BANG to describe how the universe began.
Many may not know the name Pierre Teilhard deChardin. He was a Jesuit Priest, a philosopher and a trained paleontologist and geologist. He proposded a much more radical theory of evolution than Charles Darwin. It is one which complements modern physics.
Summary:
- There is no doubt that in the past there have been sharp differences between some scientists and members of the Church. It is also true that there have been sharp differences between scientists themselves over a particular theory or data. Such was the case with Harlen Bretz who proposed that it was a great flood which shaped much of Easten Washington and not erosion. It took many years for other geologists to recognize that Bretz was correct in his analysis.
- Scientists themselves often disagree with one or another over competing theories as we have recently witnessed with regard to "climate change".
- And theologians, church members and Bishops have often disagreed over one point or another. As one wise person commented, "When Catholics have a difference of opinion over what it means to follow Christ, they form a new Religious Order. When Protestants have such differences they form a new denomination."
- We all need to learn that when there are different opinions about important issues, steps need to be taken to gain the proper perspective and this needs to be done in a respectful and charitable way. What exactly is the issue? What is the basis for the differing opinions? What more needs to be understood? Is there still a different approach which might best explain all the issues involved?
- Religion and Science focus on different arenas of human knowledge and understanding and are not really in competition with one another
there is no scientific evidence for god's existence.
In order to discuss this issue well, two steps need to occur. First one needs to define what one means when using the word God. Second, one needs to clarify what constitutes evidence.
- What does one mean by God?
- Is God simply the greatest force in the Universe? or is God outside and beyond the universe?
- By God, does one mean the source of all that exists?
- There are many different images of God. Here are four basic ones:
- God is distant and not caring what happens on earth.
- God is distant but caring about what happens on earth.
- God is close and involved in what happens on earth but is a stern judge.
- God is close and involved in what happens on earth, is with all of creation, but allows the forces of nature to play out according to its own rules and people to exercise their fee will.
- If one accepts a God who is beyond and outside this universe rather than "something, e.g., a force or a personal being in the universe, then by definition there is no scientific evidence of God because we have no experience of dealing with anything outside this universe nor can we have such an experience.
- The God of the Bible, Jesus and the Church is a God who is beyond and outside this universe. At the same time this God is a God who is always with us, cares for us and acts in a way that give us life, if not in this world, then in God's new world to come.
- Is there proof for such a God? Not in the scientific sense. But are there reasons to confidently accept the existence of a God who is the source of all that exists.
- All that comes into existence is caused. The Universe came into existence about 13.8 billion years ago. The universe was caused. That which caused the Universe to come into existence is God.
- The argument from contingency or dependence.
Response: Think for a moment of the room or building that one is in. Clearly an architect designed it and one can determine the architect’s style. The architect, however, is not in the building. In a similar way, the Creator, by definition, not a “something” in the world that he created, but is outside the world. The big bang is itself the clearest indication that the entire universe - including matter and energy –are radically contingent and in need of a cause extrinsic to itself.
Summary:
- It is important to define or describe what is meant by God and Evidence.
- There is no scientific evidence for a God who is beyond and outside the Universe.
- There are good reasons and it is reasonable, however, to accept the existence of a God who is the ultimate source of the universe.
Religion has no place in politics.
Why does the Church try to interfere with politics?
Rather than interfering in the political process, the Church does everything possible to promote active citizenship and political engagement. It does this by promoting the best for people in every country. The framework for the Church's message is twofold: (1) the sacredness and dignity of each person's life and (2) the common good.
The Church speaks out on all the related issues and encourages not just its own members but all people to promote these causes.
Obviously it is much easier to do this in a democracy than in a dictatorship.
The Church speaks out on all the related issues and encourages not just its own members but all people to promote these causes.
Obviously it is much easier to do this in a democracy than in a dictatorship.
It is because the Church, a community of people, tries to promote the values underlying and flowing from the two basic principles above that people mistake the Church's efforts for interference.
Religion fosters violence.
Why does the Bible have so many passages about God and violence? Why has the Church supported violence as in the Crusades of the Inquisition? Why do so many "religious people" seem to be involved in acts of violence?
of Author, Gil Bailey in his book entitled Violence Unveiled, discusses violence as a plague that has been part of human history from the very beginning of time. He uses the Bible as a “record” of violence beginning with Cain killing his brother Abel until the crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross.
Today, we too are plagued by violence. Hopefully as a people, especially as followers of Jesus Christ, we know better today than we have in the past that violence is not the answer to and should never be used to solve our problems. This does not preclude the use of appropriate force to resist and counteract those who wish to inflict violence on us. Bailey addresses both civil and religious violence. An example of civil violence would be what happened in the “wild west”. When a horse thief was caught, he was publicly hanged with the town’s people watching. Such public hanging served as a deterrent, but only for a time. We know too that such civil or state approved violence is not a permanent deterrance to crime.
In our own time we have seen the terrible effects of violence done in the name of religion, e.g., 9/11/2001, and more recent acts of terrorism, etc.
Violence has been and is still used by both civil and religious leaders because of the illusion that it will solve certain problems or issues. But such violence only works for a short time and is in reality an illusion. That's why the title of the book is Violence Unveiled.
Jesus was the victim of both civil and religious violence since both the religious leaders at that time and Pilate, acting in the name of the Roman Emperor, condemned him to death. In dying as the victim of violence and then rising from the dead as he did, Jesus broke the cycle of violence. He did not create other victims. Thus his followers could learn to turn away from violence, especially the violence that comes from a sense of revenge and retribution.
Indeed as he was being crucified, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them they know not what they do.” These words of Jesus Christ directed toward those who crucified him and his first words to his disciples after his resurrection. “Peace be with you!” provides a framework for a new way of life, the way of true peace. Peace is not simply the absence of violence but rather the building up of right relationships, relationships that bring goodness, order and life.
The major challenge for each generation and each person is to turn away from the allure of violence and the illusion that it is the answer to whatever issues one may be concerned about. It is not religion, itself, that causes a person to become violent but rather a failure to fully live up to one’s religious teachings.
Saint Pope John Paul II stated very clearly that there can be no future without peace, no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness. There can be no peace without justice. Justice means that people are able to share equitably in the goods of the earth and work of human hands. Everyone has a right to be safe, to have some measure of shelter, food, clothing, etc. Justice also demands that wrongs be acknowledged and that there be some reparation for those wrongs. In this world, however, nothing is 100%. This simply means that nothing is either 100% good, or 100% evil or bad.
That’s why the Pope said, there can be no justice without forgiveness. Forgiveness is a personal choice, a decision of the heart, to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil for evil. Thus as followers of Christ we do not believe in “an eye for an eye” which is simply a way of saying, “ I want 100% payback for a wrong done.”
Forgiveness is, in the final analysis, an act of love which opens the door to the rebuilding of relationships. Ultimately the person who has been wronged will never be fully justified in this world. That’s why a person needs to let go of or forgive the hurt.
Forgiveness, however, does not mean simply forgetting. One cannot and should not be naïve and continue to place one’s self in harm’s way again whether it be from verbal harm, physical or some other type of harm. Forgiveness lies between remembering enough so that one does not naively place one’s self in harm’s way and forgetting enough to move forward in developing right relationships.
It is by remembering Jesus' teachings about forgiveness, love and most of all how he himself lived, died and rose to new life, that we can learn to follow his example and find true peace in our own heart and in our relationships with others.
When we read the Bible in this way it becomes a story of gradually turning away from violence and embracing the way of Christ’s peace.
Today, we too are plagued by violence. Hopefully as a people, especially as followers of Jesus Christ, we know better today than we have in the past that violence is not the answer to and should never be used to solve our problems. This does not preclude the use of appropriate force to resist and counteract those who wish to inflict violence on us. Bailey addresses both civil and religious violence. An example of civil violence would be what happened in the “wild west”. When a horse thief was caught, he was publicly hanged with the town’s people watching. Such public hanging served as a deterrent, but only for a time. We know too that such civil or state approved violence is not a permanent deterrance to crime.
In our own time we have seen the terrible effects of violence done in the name of religion, e.g., 9/11/2001, and more recent acts of terrorism, etc.
Violence has been and is still used by both civil and religious leaders because of the illusion that it will solve certain problems or issues. But such violence only works for a short time and is in reality an illusion. That's why the title of the book is Violence Unveiled.
Jesus was the victim of both civil and religious violence since both the religious leaders at that time and Pilate, acting in the name of the Roman Emperor, condemned him to death. In dying as the victim of violence and then rising from the dead as he did, Jesus broke the cycle of violence. He did not create other victims. Thus his followers could learn to turn away from violence, especially the violence that comes from a sense of revenge and retribution.
Indeed as he was being crucified, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them they know not what they do.” These words of Jesus Christ directed toward those who crucified him and his first words to his disciples after his resurrection. “Peace be with you!” provides a framework for a new way of life, the way of true peace. Peace is not simply the absence of violence but rather the building up of right relationships, relationships that bring goodness, order and life.
The major challenge for each generation and each person is to turn away from the allure of violence and the illusion that it is the answer to whatever issues one may be concerned about. It is not religion, itself, that causes a person to become violent but rather a failure to fully live up to one’s religious teachings.
Saint Pope John Paul II stated very clearly that there can be no future without peace, no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness. There can be no peace without justice. Justice means that people are able to share equitably in the goods of the earth and work of human hands. Everyone has a right to be safe, to have some measure of shelter, food, clothing, etc. Justice also demands that wrongs be acknowledged and that there be some reparation for those wrongs. In this world, however, nothing is 100%. This simply means that nothing is either 100% good, or 100% evil or bad.
That’s why the Pope said, there can be no justice without forgiveness. Forgiveness is a personal choice, a decision of the heart, to go against the natural instinct to pay back evil for evil. Thus as followers of Christ we do not believe in “an eye for an eye” which is simply a way of saying, “ I want 100% payback for a wrong done.”
Forgiveness is, in the final analysis, an act of love which opens the door to the rebuilding of relationships. Ultimately the person who has been wronged will never be fully justified in this world. That’s why a person needs to let go of or forgive the hurt.
Forgiveness, however, does not mean simply forgetting. One cannot and should not be naïve and continue to place one’s self in harm’s way again whether it be from verbal harm, physical or some other type of harm. Forgiveness lies between remembering enough so that one does not naively place one’s self in harm’s way and forgetting enough to move forward in developing right relationships.
It is by remembering Jesus' teachings about forgiveness, love and most of all how he himself lived, died and rose to new life, that we can learn to follow his example and find true peace in our own heart and in our relationships with others.
When we read the Bible in this way it becomes a story of gradually turning away from violence and embracing the way of Christ’s peace.
- The major challenge for each generation and each person is to turn away from the allure of violence and the illusion that it is the answer to whatever issues one may be concerned about.
- It is not religion, itself, that causes a person to become violent but rather a failure to fully live up to one’s religious teachings.
How can God allow so much suffering?
The mystery of suffering invites us to develop a deeper understanding of who we are, how we believe how God acts and our final home.
It will be helpful to define three terms
Pain is a physiological (bodily) stimulus singling that something is wrong or injurious.
(A person can do something by accident (slip) or “stupidity” – like riding on the roof of a car and fall off. In either case they will be in some pain. On the other hand a person can play in a game and be sore (a type of pain) or experience some genetic or other issue which causes a person to be ill – think of those who have allergies, They too would be in discomfort also a type of pain.
Suffering could be pain (physical, emotional or spiritual without any good or apparent reason. Suffering refers to an affective state of anxiety and anguish that arises as a response to pain either in one’s own body or that in others.
We usually don’t call the pain that results from a strenuous game suffering but we often refer to pain caused by accident or stupidity or some unknown reason suffering.
Just as pain can alert us to take some action to enhance one’s life so suffering, if dealt with in a particular way, can lead to new life and then we say, “In retrospect it was a blessing.”
Mystery, in the religious sense, means that we can keep on understanding something by asking questions, reflecting on them and coming to some answers but knowing that there will still be more questions.
It will be helpful to define three terms
Pain is a physiological (bodily) stimulus singling that something is wrong or injurious.
(A person can do something by accident (slip) or “stupidity” – like riding on the roof of a car and fall off. In either case they will be in some pain. On the other hand a person can play in a game and be sore (a type of pain) or experience some genetic or other issue which causes a person to be ill – think of those who have allergies, They too would be in discomfort also a type of pain.
Suffering could be pain (physical, emotional or spiritual without any good or apparent reason. Suffering refers to an affective state of anxiety and anguish that arises as a response to pain either in one’s own body or that in others.
We usually don’t call the pain that results from a strenuous game suffering but we often refer to pain caused by accident or stupidity or some unknown reason suffering.
Just as pain can alert us to take some action to enhance one’s life so suffering, if dealt with in a particular way, can lead to new life and then we say, “In retrospect it was a blessing.”
Mystery, in the religious sense, means that we can keep on understanding something by asking questions, reflecting on them and coming to some answers but knowing that there will still be more questions.
Who are we?
We are not the ultimate reality. We did not make ourselves. We are creatures. We know we are creatures because ultimately we die. Breakdowns in our relationship within our own body, or with those around us or with world – with life - is a sign of the disintegration that will ultimately end in death. When these breakdowns occur either unexpectedly, without any seeming cause or without any meaning, we suffer. Almost always part of the suffering consists of physical, emotional and / or spiritual pain and an “ache” in the body or heart.
We cannot fully answer “why we suffer” but we have come to learn how to “live with suffering” so that even it can become life-giving. In fact, as followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that suffering, like death, leads us to new life if we embrace it as he did.
We should make no mistake. As Christians we do not seek or look for pain and suffering. We do everything possible to limit it. But when it occurs and we cannot escape it we do our best to transform it.
This world:
This world is not our final home. It is passing away. At the same time, we are called to be men and women to bring life to this world. Like, God, the Ultimate we are called to be co-creators in bringing goodness, order and life (GOaL) into this world. This is our goal and purpose of existence. In doing so, we become more fully ourselves. And there are unlimited possibilities for bringing LIFE into the world.
God:
The word God is another word for the Ultimate. As Bishop Robert Barron is fond of saying, God is not in the world but rather outside of and beyond the world, the universe or cosmos, and yet at the same time deeply present in giving life –way to the world.
A person’s understanding or image of God makes all the difference in how one deals with the reality of suffering.
Certainly this later viewpoint would be most consistent with the overall Biblical message. Listen to these words of God to Moses, “ I know well what my people are suffering. Therefore I have come down to rescue them … and lead them up from that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:8)
Jesus’ own cry on the cross “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me”, might seem as if he thought God had abandoned him and certainly it might seem so, but this Psalm 21 and Jesus’ cry ends with a statement of confidence that God is with and near him. “Father into your hands I commend my Spirit.” And of course to show that this is the case God raised him to the fullness of life on the third day.
We are not the ultimate reality. We did not make ourselves. We are creatures. We know we are creatures because ultimately we die. Breakdowns in our relationship within our own body, or with those around us or with world – with life - is a sign of the disintegration that will ultimately end in death. When these breakdowns occur either unexpectedly, without any seeming cause or without any meaning, we suffer. Almost always part of the suffering consists of physical, emotional and / or spiritual pain and an “ache” in the body or heart.
We cannot fully answer “why we suffer” but we have come to learn how to “live with suffering” so that even it can become life-giving. In fact, as followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that suffering, like death, leads us to new life if we embrace it as he did.
We should make no mistake. As Christians we do not seek or look for pain and suffering. We do everything possible to limit it. But when it occurs and we cannot escape it we do our best to transform it.
This world:
This world is not our final home. It is passing away. At the same time, we are called to be men and women to bring life to this world. Like, God, the Ultimate we are called to be co-creators in bringing goodness, order and life (GOaL) into this world. This is our goal and purpose of existence. In doing so, we become more fully ourselves. And there are unlimited possibilities for bringing LIFE into the world.
God:
The word God is another word for the Ultimate. As Bishop Robert Barron is fond of saying, God is not in the world but rather outside of and beyond the world, the universe or cosmos, and yet at the same time deeply present in giving life –way to the world.
A person’s understanding or image of God makes all the difference in how one deals with the reality of suffering.
- Some might say “God really doesn’t care for what happens in this world”.
- Others might claim that “suffering is a punishment for sin”.
- Still others might feel that God is testing us.
- And still others might say that God deeply cares about those who suffer, is with them in their sufferings and is guiding them so that they may find a way through whatever suffering they are confronted with.
Certainly this later viewpoint would be most consistent with the overall Biblical message. Listen to these words of God to Moses, “ I know well what my people are suffering. Therefore I have come down to rescue them … and lead them up from that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:8)
Jesus’ own cry on the cross “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me”, might seem as if he thought God had abandoned him and certainly it might seem so, but this Psalm 21 and Jesus’ cry ends with a statement of confidence that God is with and near him. “Father into your hands I commend my Spirit.” And of course to show that this is the case God raised him to the fullness of life on the third day.
Summary:
- We do not full understand why there is suffering in this world.
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Catholics don't value the Bible.
The relationship of the Church and the Bible is a very important issue. There is a difference in understanding between Catholics and most Protestant Churches on this issue. The question can be stated in this way. Which came first, the Bible or the Church?
Catholics understand that the Church, the People of God, came first and determined, in light of their experiences with God (in the Old Testament) and Jesus (in the New Testament), which stories or accounts were such that they contained the saving truths of God's love for us.
The Church understands that not everything was written down as John's Gospel states. (Jn 21:24-25). Since the Church chose which books would be included in the Bible, She also has the ability and responsibility to correctly interpret what the Bible says. Thus not every statement is to be interpreted literally, for example, Mk 9:43-47). The Bible however is normative. Its principles and values cannot be ignored nor overlooked. They are always applicable and need to be brought to bear on situations and issues which were not even thought of at the time the Bible was written. For Catholics, it is the whole Church, manifested through the Bishops, which teaches authentically.
The Church understands that not everything was written down as John's Gospel states. (Jn 21:24-25). Since the Church chose which books would be included in the Bible, She also has the ability and responsibility to correctly interpret what the Bible says. Thus not every statement is to be interpreted literally, for example, Mk 9:43-47). The Bible however is normative. Its principles and values cannot be ignored nor overlooked. They are always applicable and need to be brought to bear on situations and issues which were not even thought of at the time the Bible was written. For Catholics, it is the whole Church, manifested through the Bishops, which teaches authentically.
Summary
- It would be correct to say that in light of the Protestant Reformation, Catholics were not encouraged to read the Bible on their own lest they misinterpret what they were reading. That is no longer the case.
- There are many excellent Biblical study programs and the Church uses a three year Lectionary cycle for the Sunday Liturgies. In a three year period almost all of the New Testament and a good deal of the Old Testament is proclaimed.
- Modern Biblical scholarship has been very helpful in assisting the Catholic Church in her understanding of and use of the Bible in her teachings and liturgy.
- The Catholic Church would not endorse what is often heard in Protestant Churches when they talk about "Sola Scriptura" meaning "Only in the Bible" or if it is not in the Bible it cannot be accepted.
- A good deal of thanks goes to Protestant scholars who pioneered a good deal of modern Biblical Scholarship.
- For Catholics, it is the whole Church, manifested through the Bishops, which teaches authentically.
I never found a personal relationship with Jesus in the Catholic Church.
For a person to say, "I never found how to develop a personal relatonship with Jesus in the Catholic Church" is a profound disappointment.
Clearly there has been a disconnect somewhere.
It would be worthwhile asking the person involved what now helped them develop that relationship. Then share with them once again what the Church has to offer in prayer, scripture, sacraments and service.
- There may have been too much emphasis on learning the answers to questions which the person was not really asking.
- There may have been too much emphasis on the receiving Christ in the Sacraments and not developing a relationship with Christ in the Scriptures.
It would be worthwhile asking the person involved what now helped them develop that relationship. Then share with them once again what the Church has to offer in prayer, scripture, sacraments and service.
Summary
- Listen to what the person has to say about developing their relationship with Jesus.
- Encourage them to take a second look at what the Church offers to develop and deepen that relationshiop.
I've found a different Religion or Church I like better.
I wasn't being fed in my Church and I found another Church I liked better.
Sometimes a person is not being spiritually fed in the Church they currently attend.
In that case they really should try to identify what is missing.
Then, if necessary, seek out another Church, but perhaps not another denomination, which would better feed them spiritually speaking.
In that case they really should try to identify what is missing.
Then, if necessary, seek out another Church, but perhaps not another denomination, which would better feed them spiritually speaking.
Summary:
- Sometimes a person does need to move from one parish to another. Sometimes a person even needs to change denomination.
- The question is why? It would be important for a person who wants to grow spiritually to identify what is lacking in their spiritual life and why is it missing?
- Then to determine what can be done in order to rectify the situation.