A question for non-Catholics: Let’s assume that the non-Catholic position is correct regarding the notion that the Catholic Church cannot teach infallibly (in a non erroneous manner) - regarding the teachings of Jesus Christ, and cannot infallibly (in a non erroneous manner) - interpret sacred scripture. Where could one go to find a church that does claim to teach error free doctrine regarding the teachings of Jesus, and does claim to interpret sacred scripture in a non erroneous manner - in other words - infallibly?
Really like your Quote from St. Teresa of Avila. She is one of my favorite poets!
Near Los Gatos, California, there used to be a church called Holy City. It’s walls proclaimed, among other similar messages, HOLY CITY IS THE ONLY GATE TO HEAVEN. THERE IS NO OTHER. There were many other similar churches, media programs, and publications that I have seen, all proclaiming one sort or another of infallibility, even if only implied. Many, over the five+ decades of my life. The Roman Church is a champion at it by comparison.
I can’t speak to your conviction about the Catholic Church, even though I was an extremely devoted, well catechized, and proselytizing member for some time. But I know this about humans: up to a certain stage of spirituality maturity we will do absolutely anything to convince ourselves of their rightness, especially when there is little proof. As Burtrand Russell said “The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in mathematics because in mathematics there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion.” But this is stage of feeling one’s own, or one’s group, is the only possible right is normal. Some lucky folks work hard and outgrow that and move on to genuine devotion.
But Russell has an excellent point. We are so invested in making God in our own image and likeness that we will invoke God’s authority to bolster wars, crimes, inquisitions, intolerance, bigotry, and whatever is our personal wish, ultimately going back to some sense of infallibility, our own, or by association, the Church’s. But of course we pat ourselves on the back for being good and pure and conforming to Divine Will while we perpetrate those things. In a war, God is always on our side, as God is in politics and even for some in science.
Of course, there are sincere religionists of many stripes. They often believe that
their reading of the Bible or interpretation of Jesus is THE only correct one, even if they don’t say it. But what, really, does it matter? Well, once you “know” you are right, you can stop looking and can become impermeable to uncomfortable considerations. You also tend to fall asleep. Few are as asleep as those busy being right.
But, even in the Church there is a safety net. It is called The Great Commandment. And there is its ally, the four forms of the Golden Rule. so, you can really really go for being right and infallible by having the Church “behind” you, or you can do some good for yourself and others and live as Love. That way you won’t have to worry about being right or not. Such a thing will never enter your mind. You will only see yourself in others, and how could you do harm to yourself? And if you are arguing with someone about this, you are interested in being right, not about what is good. And being Good has nothing to do with religion, as God has nothing to do with religion. Only religions think they are about God. Actually, they are about belief and faith. And those are only the first steps. But you will do well. Just Love and learn.
