Being Catholic today and the modern western world

[LivingForJesus]

How can we reconcile being Catholic with enjoying things such as modern music, movies, tv shows, technology that emerged after the west became more secular? Some people have made this argument, saying that all the great things that we love (tv shows, movies, books, music, technology, health, economy) all became better after the west no longer became really Christian. (PS. Im dating the “time that the west lost its cultural Christianity” to be around the early to mid 20th century)

 

[Bon_Croix]

It’s tough. But, society is a blockade against becoming holy.

Sunday work, sex, violence, gay marriage, drugs, selfishness, etc…

 

[joyfulandactive]

We can enjoy new technology and media as long it is in harmony with our faith and doesn’t prevent us from spending time with our family, friends or work responsibilities or interfere with a meaningful prayer life. If we find it becoming addictive then we need to fast from it.

 

[Rob2]

If they are serious Catholics in the West will be counter cultural .

" Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Denial of self

Daily taking up the cross of discipleship .

Following Jesus.

These are hardly the goals set by the modern Western world .

Catholic Teaching: Counter-Cultural and Necessary « Catholic Insight

(by John Baldino) Many of the teachings, traditions and practices of the Catholic Church are in contrast to the beliefs, habits and norms of modern American society. The Church’s teachings are rooted in sacred scripture, philosophy, and theology developed over the past 2000 years. While these...

catholicinsight.com

 

[anon98328916]

We can still enjoy listening to music, tv and movies etc but to an extent. I find if a song is really sinful like the lyrics to it or the video I won’t listen to it. I actually don’t really listen to modern music anymore I prefer songs that where out years ago.
I personally think the internet (especially social media) was one of the worst inventions ever. My reasons for this, it has caused many to no longer engage in face to face conversations instead through Facebook etc another thing is many are more vain nowadays taking selfies and seeing how many likes we can get.

Everybody know everyone’s business (instagram, snapchat, facebook) where before social media came about, people were more private about their personal lives.

I miss the days when people actually sat down to have a conversation, the pressures of looking your best in this vain modern world, I must have been the only person I know who didn’t go to see fifty shades of grey! Or the other two movies after either. I think my soul is more important.

 

[HOMM]

How can we reconcile being Catholic with enjoying things such as modern music, movies, tv shows, technology that emerged after the west became more secular?

By rejoicing in, with due caution and temperance, the gifts God has given us…modern music, movies, TV shows and technology are not inherently bad things, unless we form an attachment to them, and place them in importance in our lives ahead of God.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

How can we reconcile being Catholic with enjoying things such as modern music, movies, tv shows, technology that emerged after the west became more secular?

We reconcile it in the same way people have always reconciled it, by prioritizing God as first.

Some people have made this argument, saying that all the great things that we love (tv shows, movies, books, music, technology, health, economy) all became better after the west no longer became really Christian.

This is nonsense. It just isn’t true.

 

[halogirl]

Just use your conscience. I had a show on my Netflix list and when I read something about it I got a red flag in my conscience and took it off. I have other shows that some Christians probably wouldn’t watch. It’s about what is gonna cause you to fall and knowing your limits

 

[Tis_Bearself]

How can we reconcile being Catholic with enjoying things such as modern music, movies, tv shows, technology that emerged after the west became more secular?

Easy. This morning I used my technology to post here, read some prayers, watch part of a movie about St Francis, and last night I read Scripture from it. I also used Masstimes app to check Mass time and distance to churches. Having just been to Mass, I will now use my mobile phone to buy some breakfast and probably do some secular things like watch a true crime documentary, do some work for my job, and I might turn on the radio in the car to hear some tunes while I do errands.

Just make God part of your life and you can have fun within reason the rest of the time.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

How can we reconcile being Catholic with enjoying things such as modern music, movies, tv shows, technology that emerged after the west became more secular?

What’s the conflict I need to reconcile? If I listen to a non-religious song or watch a secular tv show, why is that a problem for me as a Catholic?

 

[GospelOfMatthew]

I only listen to concert band songs or Catholic Church songs, with the occasional Michael Jackson

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Some people have made this argument, saying that all the great things that we love (tv shows, movies, books, music, technology, health, economy) all became better after the west no longer became really Christian.

Some people say all kinds of dumb stuff. It’s debatable whether “cultural Christianity” was actually “more Christian “; we had all those sexually abusive priests running rampant in the mid-20th century, and a whole lot of other issues like race prejudice worse than today. TV was just invented so it didn’t have much time to get better or worse. And some forms of art like literature have actually declined in my view (because fewer people read, not because of the Church).

You’d do better to ignore this sort of claptrap and focus on how you yourself personally are relating to God and your fellow man on this very day.

 

[Dan_Defender]

all the great things that we love (tv shows, movies, books, music, technology, health, economy

I would not say ‘love’. I use them sparingly. There is a lot of garbage out there but some of it is useful. Moderation is key.