Can I take this exam?

[JohnCatholic25]

I’m thinking of taking the DELF exam, a qualification showing proficiency in the french language. The exam is run by the french government , I think connected to the education ministry and one has to pay a quite large amount of money to take the exam. I’m concerned that by paying this fee I am financing the actions of the french government , including providing free abortions to its citizens and teaching secularism and republicanism. Can I do the exam or would I be supporting these actions?

 

[jcrichton]

I’m thinking of taking the DELF exam, a qualification showing proficiency in the french language. The exam is run by the french government , I think connected to the education ministry and one has to pay a quite large amount of money to take the exam. I’m concerned that by paying this fee I am financing the actions of the french government , including providing free abortions to its citizens and teaching secularism and republicanism. Can I do the exam or would I be supporting these actions?

Hi, John!

What is the purpose of the exam?

Are you in a field that requires the DELF certification?

Are there other means/sources where you can take the exam?

If this is necessary for you financially (not just as a hobby) and there’s no other means other than the ministry of ed which is run/sponsored by the French government, you’ve hit the rock - hard place; yet, (check with your local parish’s Priest) I don’t think that you are aiding and abetting the death culture mentality of that government.

…now what you do once you gain the certification (further the death culture by translating or writing for the various agencies that promote it) will make or break your Stand.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I looked at the fee for the DELF exam and to me, as government fees go, it appears to be rather small and likely to mostly cover the administrative costs of you taking the exam, having it graded, and having you added to the database of certified people if you pass. I doubt very much the French government would have any left to use for any purpose of its own.

Considering the size of the fee, I would not worry about it. If you’re still concerned, talk to a priest.

 

[jcrichton]

Also, why do you assume secularism is a bad thing. I’m a secularist. Theocracy has never worked. Secularism ensures freedom of religion (or none at all) for all people.

Hi!

…are you sure?

Secularism?

I heard that millions of Believers were put to death for the sake of secularism (‘remove God from society and make the world a better place’) by many states, including zi frenzh.

…freedom of religion?

…did the Obama state not orchestrated a “law” to force Nun’s to subscribe to the culture of death or pay over two million dollars per year in penalties (The government is looking at penalties of up to $2.5 million per year for the nuns.–wnd.com/2015/07/judges-nuns-must-obey-obama/)?

Secularism is not the champion of the people–just check the defense block of the aclu–the only civil liberties they defend is that which makes them money and gives them the notoriety of bashing God.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Irishmom2]

I looked at the fee for the DELF exam and to me, as government fees go, it appears to be rather small and likely to mostly cover the administrative costs of you taking the exam, having it graded, and having you added to the database of certified people if you pass. I doubt very much the French government would have any left to use for any purpose of its own.

Considering the size of the fee, I would not worry about it. If you’re still concerned, talk to a priest.

I agree, I don’t think you really need to worry about any money going to purposes you cannot support.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

You can also look at the fee as funding French Social Welfare programs.

 

[jcrichton]

Secularism is merely the belief that politically it makes no difference whether any god or gods exist. That is the realm of Church, not state.

Hi!

I concur that that’s the definition; yet, it cannot be promoted as the champion of freedom, specially religious freedom.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[venite_adoremus]

Many years ago, Archbishop Hunthausen refused to pay the portion of his taxes that was “slated” to build American atomic weapons. His wages were levied by the IRS. Pope John Paul II sent an apostolic administrator to take over the archdiocese in response, declaring that the obligation to pay taxes was greater than the political scrupulosity over what those taxes were used for.

Same thing here, or at least it is to my humble reasoning. Are you directly willing the French “evil” from a bureaucrat’s desk? No. Are you responsible for it? No. Is the US a secular government too? Darn right. So don’t worry about it. Consider it a user fee.

 

[porthos11]

Many years ago, Archbishop Hunthausen refused to pay the portion of his taxes that was “slated” to build American atomic weapons. His wages were levied by the IRS. Pope John Paul II sent an apostolic administrator to take over the archdiocese in response, declaring that the obligation to pay taxes was greater than the political scrupulosity over what those taxes were used for.

Same thing here, or at least it is to my humble reasoning. Are you directly willing the French “evil” from a bureaucrat’s desk? No. Are you responsible for it? No. Is the US a secular government too? Darn right. So don’t worry about it. Consider it a user fee.

Exactly.

Sometimes, CAF people say too much when the answer is simple and straightforward: there is no sin; take the freqqin exam.

You’re not paying to murder babies. You’re paying what I presume is a fair fee to take a legitimate and, I assume, necessary exam and the credential that comes with passing it.

The things Catholics worry about. Really.

 

[1ke]

I’m thinking of taking the DELF exam, a qualification showing proficiency in the french language. The exam is run by the french government , I think connected to the education ministry and one has to pay a quite large amount of money to take the exam. I’m concerned that by paying this fee I am financing the actions of the french government , including providing free abortions to its citizens and teaching secularism and republicanism. Can I do the exam or would I be supporting these actions?

This concern is coming from a place of scrupulosity. Please seek spiritual direction.

 

[IWantGod]

I’m thinking of taking the DELF exam, a qualification showing proficiency in the french language. The exam is run by the french government , I think connected to the education ministry and one has to pay a quite large amount of money to take the exam. I’m concerned that by paying this fee I am financing the actions of the french government , including providing free abortions to its citizens and teaching secularism and republicanism. Can I do the exam or would I be supporting these actions?

Buy that reasoning living in any country that uses tax payers money to support abortion makes you personally responsible.

 

[IWantGod]

Also, why do you assume secularism is a bad thing. I’m a secularist. Theocracy has never worked. Secularism ensures freedom of religion (or none at all) for all people.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Secularism is merely the belief that politically it makes no difference whether any god or gods exist. That is the realm of Church, not state.

No that’s not what secularism means, especially regarding governments. Not to mention that there is a huge difference in the way something comes across in an ideology as to how it plays out in practice.

Secularism is a rejection or indifference to religious considerations. If that sort of indifference is practiced by governments, it leads to a lack of religious freedom. Freedom to practice religion is an inalienable right granted by God and protected by our federal government. Where do you think our founders got that idea?

Religious considerations are protected in the US. The Three branches of government are not indifferent to religious considerations, and they certainly do not reject religious claims brought before them. The US is not a secular nation.

 

[thistle]

I’m thinking of taking the DELF exam, a qualification showing proficiency in the french language. The exam is run by the french government , I think connected to the education ministry and one has to pay a quite large amount of money to take the exam. I’m concerned that by paying this fee I am financing the actions of the french government , including providing free abortions to its citizens and teaching secularism and republicanism. Can I do the exam or would I be supporting these actions?

Why would this be any different to paying taxes to your government. They can spend the money on anything they want. It is out of your control. You are not supporting whatever they use the money for. What you are proposing to do is not sinful. Go ahead.

 

[jcrichton]

Exactly.

Sometimes, CAF people say too much when the answer is simple and straightforward: there is no sin; take the freqqin exam.

You’re not paying to murder babies. You’re paying what I presume is a fair fee to take a legitimate and, I assume, necessary exam and the credential that comes with passing it.

The things Catholics worry about. Really.

Hi!

…heard the expression to err on the side of caution?

…too many of us take liberties which really only demonstrate what Jesus stated, ‘out of the abundance of the heart…’ wanting to liberate us from this “scrupulous” thread two posters have used terms that dally on the side of unrighteous speech… they are simple terms commonly used in the vernacular… yet, euphemism or not they appeal to the raunchy and unreligious… which continue to forge their way into the Christian mindset… Christians who purposefully or ignorantly forget that Scriptures Warn that we will have to answer for every useless word that we use.

So while today (this thread) may have been an exercise in scrupulosity, those engaged in it may come to understand that, as Catholics, we must examine our allegiances, our behavior, and the “choices” we make… after all, “ignorance” and “popular consensus” may not be the “blanket” absolution dispensers that people may hold them to be.

Maran atha!

Angel