Catholicism and "Strictness"

[followingtheway]

Hey everybody. I was recently remembering a few conversations that I’ve had with other people whether they be friends, peers or teaches, Catholic or Non-Catholic about the strictness of Catholicism and I am recently reflecting on a question. Is Catholicism less strict than other religions or forms of Christianity? The reasons why I’m asking is because of these conversations I’ve had with these people.

1. 
   *]One person said Protestants are stricter than Catholics
   *]One of my English teachers had a brief discussion with me and two other classmates about religion. One was Pentecostal and the other was Seventh-Day Adventist. My teacher and these two other classmates were talking about strict is was to be a Pentecostal or Adventist then she turned to me and asked how I managed the “strict rules” of my religion. But I was sort of stumped because Catholicism isn’t that strict to me
   *]I’ve had discussions with Protestant and Jehovah’s Witness friends of mine and their religions seemed very strict. A lot of my friends from Baptist, Pentecostal or Evangelical churches talked about how growing up they couldn’t celebrate Halloween. My Adventist friend couldn’t eat shellfish. Jehovah’s Witnesses had a lot of strict rules and here was I allowed to do all those things.
   
   So what others views on this?

 

[NoMondays]

I believe It is literally impossible to adhere to every rule in any religion, hence we are all sinners. I know people of every religion who are “loose” and “cafeteria” to use a Catholic phrase.

 

[3DOCTORS]

It just depends on which areas of life you are looking at. Catholics are “strict” about Sunday Mass attendance, fasting during Lent, birth control, and other matters, but “not strict” about, say, moderate and responsible alcohol consumption or gambling.

Those who call me a “strict Catholic” once will get nicely told that I prefer a word such as “dedicated” - something without the stern connotations of the word “strict,” which brings to mind an image of an old ruler-wielding nun or something.

 

[John_Martin]

Something seems “strict” if you are doing it even though you would rather be doing something of your own choosing.

Being asked to do something by your “Beloved”, whom you love more than life itself, is a joy, not a stricture when you do it. It is a way of being united to your beloved.

No, there is no strictness.

 

[phil19034]

Well… I think this depends on what definition of the word “strict” you use.

Dictionary.com defines strict as:

1. characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles:
   “a strict observance of rituals.”

1. stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc.:
   “strict laws; a strict judge.”

1. closely or rigorously enforced or maintained:
   “strict silence.”

1. exact or precise:
   “a strict statement of facts.”

1. extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited:
   “a strict construction of the Constitution.”

1. close, careful, or minute:
   “a strict search.”

1. absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost:
   “told in strict confidence.”

In general, I think the Catholic Church meets the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th definitions. But does not meet the 2nd or 3rd. However, some parishes do not meet the 1st definition.

Meanwhile, a lot of fundamentalist or evangelical Protestants would be meet the 2nd & 3rd definitions. These protestant communities MAY use peer pressure from members of the congregation or the pastor to keep people “in line.”

Finally, sadly, there are other protestant groups that don’t meet the definition at all.

 

[3DOCTORS]

Something seems “strict” if you are doing it even though you would rather be doing something of your own choosing.

Being asked to do something by your “Beloved”, whom you love more than life itself, is a joy, not a stricture when you do it. It is a way of being united to your beloved.

No, there is no strictness.

Well said! :clapping: You got to where I was trying to get to in my post, more succinctly and more eloquently. Bravo!

 

[AtDawn]

One person said Protestants are stricter than Catholics

There are protestant churches that are very strict, and those that are extremely liberal.

Then of course, catholicism also comes in different flavours.

 

[schaeffer]

My understanding of strict is with how much effort and intent one follows the norms/rules.

Strict is following them closely, lax is following them loosely or not at all

A strict Catholic is one who puts effort and intent into following the teachings of the faith.

A strict nutritionist follows a specific diet closely.

Etc etc.

It is not the rules themselves, it is the adherence to the rules.

Faiths have different degrees of expectations and norms. They also have different methods of addressing their members who do not conform to those norms.

On a scale of 1-10 I’d give Catholicism a 6 as far as expectations and norms.

 

[johnnyc176]

The Catholic religion is not for wusses. - Megan Kelly

 

[John_Martin]

Well… I think this depends on what definition of the word “strict” you use.

Dictionary.com defines strict as:

In general, I think the Catholic Church meets the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th definitions. But does not meet the 2nd or 3rd. However, some parishes do not meet the 1st definition.

Meanwhile, a lot of fundamentalist or evangelical Protestants would be meet the 2nd & 3rd definitions. These protestant communities MAY use peer pressure from members of the congregation or the pastor to keep people “in line.”

Finally, sadly, there are other protestant groups that don’t meet the definition at all.

Well put; my first thought was of the “perceived strictness by the Members that is imposed on them” while I did not even think of an individual member’s intention (in love of the Beloved) to obedience under the definition.

Yet it is as you show. In that case, as you say, we are very strict personally and want to be, as Mary, saying, “Let it be unto me according to your word”, or as Jesus our King said, “My will is to do the will of Him who sent me” and only that (strictness).

 

[John_Martin]

Well said! :clapping: You got to where I was trying to get to in my post, more succinctly and more eloquently. Bravo!

Thank you; and I think if we combine it with Phil’s post, I think it says it all.

 

[John_Martin]

Seeing the various results, I see many who understand “strictness” as a person’s personal intention to do the works of the Church without wavering.
With that definition “strictness” is not a negative term, is it, but is evidence of the goodness of the Gospel and how fully we desire to be united to Him.
And if “strictness” were considered an “imposed by force adherence” as if we were slaves, then it is not strict (because grace and love are infused into us to believe, hope, and love).

 

[cat3gs]

I think it kind of relies on free will. Our lovely church lays out the guidelines for us to reach Heaven. All for US not for Her. We are then left with the choice to follow those guidelines or not. She doesnt MAKE us follow. She is there with open arms waiting for us. Some protestant churches say “behave this way” or you are not welcome. In some it seems to be more about the rules than helping us get to Heaven.

 

[DebChris]

The Catholic Church does have “rules,” but there is nobody standing over you to enforce those rules. There is an understanding that each us reaches the age of reason when we are seven. How “strictly” we follow the rules is a matter of self-discipline and conscience.
The Catholic Church also teaches about grace. It is a Church of sinners, or as Pope Francis calls it “a field hospital.” We understand that we cannot reach perfection except through the grace of God, that we are totally dependent on God. “Without me, you can do nothing, but with God all things are possible.” The Catholic Church provides the healing power of the Sacraments, the very presence of God and his efficacious grace.

One rule that the Church has put forth calls for us to fast one hour before receiving the Eucharist. One Sunday, I once declined breakfast with a Baptist, who have no such rule before their service. He was taken aback when I said it was so that I could be “spiritually hungry for God.”