Catholicism Is Old Fashioned?

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Dempsey1919

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I have been labelled “old fashioned” by people because of my Catholic moral postitions. Many people say that my morals are more suited to the 50’s than the modern era. As I have tried to conform my beliefs with Catholic teaching, does this mean that these people are calling the Catholic faith old fashioned?

Have you been called old fashioned because of your Catholic moral positions? And how did you react to this?
 
I would also like to clarify that I am not nostalgic, nor do I dress differently, or anything like that. The only differences between me and my friends are my moral and religious beliefs. They call me old fashioned because of my beliefs concerning abortion and homosexuality etc.
 
I would just point out that new does not equal better, and positions should be evaluated on their merits.
 
I’d just say that there is no such thing as ‘fashion’ when it comes to what is good and what is right - what is moral. 🤷
 
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Genesis315:
I would just point out that new does not equal better, and positions should be evaluated on their merits.
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I totally agree. However, it is irritating that people call me old fashioned because of my beliefs. It almost feels as if they are ridiculing me because of them. I’m sure they don’t mean to do this, but this is how their comments make me feel.
I’d just say that there is no such thing as ‘fashion’ when it comes to what is good and what is right - what is moral
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👍 Well said.

The problem is that my Catholic positions make me feel disconnected with most of my peers. I feel that my views make me different, and it almost feels like we Catholics belong to a different era, or even a different world. Our morals are so different to those of the average population. I truly believe in the Catholic faith, but it makes me feel like an outsider at times.

The Catholic faith is very counter-cultural, and I really struggle with this.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
I have been labelled “old fashioned” by people because of my Catholic moral postitions. Many people say that my morals are more suited to the 50’s than the modern era. As I have tried to conform my beliefs with Catholic teaching, does this mean that these people are calling the Catholic faith old fashioned?

Have you been called old fashioned because of your Catholic moral positions? And how did you react to this?
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“Old fashioned” is something a secular progressive would label those that stand by their faith. I would label someone who conforms to beliefs as traditional or better “Christian”. Don’t let it bother you.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Have you been called old fashioned because of your Catholic moral positions? And how did you react to this?
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To be honest I’ve never been called anything by my friends, but there have been some awkward silences after I’ve tried to explain my point of view on this or that topic, in which I can imagine they would like to call me something. Probably along the lines of “anti-progress”.

I suggest you respond by quoting Chesterton to them: “Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.”
 
“Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.”
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That’s a great quote! Where did you get it? Every Catholic should remember this when their Catholic faith puts them at odds with the current viewpoint of society.
 
“Old fashioned” is something a secular progressive would label those that stand by their faith. I would label someone who conforms to beliefs as traditional or better “Christian”. Don’t let it bother you.
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Thanks. You’re right. The more devout I become, the more I will be reviled by society. Look what they did to Jesus. If that is what they did to him, I can expect to be called all kinds of names under the sun for standing by him and his teachings.
 
I agree with your friends: practising the Catholic faith is like stepping back in time. It requires old fashioned skills like discipline, self-restraint, commitment, following the rules, delayed gratification, recognizing a hierarchy of authority, consequences for misdeeds. Many people today expect to have instant results, pleasure & entertainment without having to wait or submit their will to anything or anyone else. They also tend to reject outcomes or results which are not apparent or immediate.
 
G. K. Chesterton is well worth quoting on this subject. From chapter 5 of Orthodoxy:
An imbecile habit has arisen in modern controversy of saying that such and such a creed can be held in one age but cannot be held in another. Some dogma, we are told, was credible in the twelfth century, but is not credible in the twentieth. You might as well say that a certain philosophy can be believed on Mondays, but cannot be believed on Tuesdays. You might as well say of a view of the cosmos that it was suitable to half-past three, but not suitable to half-past four. What a man can believe depends upon his philosophy, not upon the clock or the century.
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The “fallacies” quote is from the Illustrated London News 04/19/30.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
I totally agree. However, it is irritating that people call me old fashioned because of my beliefs. It almost feels as if they are ridiculing me because of them. I’m sure they don’t mean to do this, but this is how their comments make me feel.

***I am sorry that it make you feel ridiculed and irritated… But Christ did promise that those who hate him will also hate us… while being called “old-fashioned” isn’t really a form of hate (I would like to say it is more ignorance than anything else) it is only a milder fulfillment of Christ’s promise to us. You and I are both very blessed we don’t live where Christianity is against the law and each time we go to Mass, we’re risking our freedoms and lives.

I used to also become offended and hurt when I was called old fashioned, but now I see it as a compliment, because of the above mentioned promise. I tend to thank the other person for their compliment, which has angered a few folks, but it might have opened a door to plant some seeds, because I’ll get the question, “What do you mean by that?” I get a chance to explain why I am so “old fashioned”, and though I haven’t had any “instant conversions”, I do see where maybe a small light has come on.

Some of the before mentioned ignorance may come from them simply not being exposed to the reasonings behind these stances. Especially if their parents and peers don’t hold that marriage is until death, that pre-marital sex is alright (as long as no one get’s hurt [and everyone gets hurt]), etc… and add to that the fact that some of these folks may have never stepped foot in a church (at least willingly), I am not surprised that Catholics are being called old fashioned. In fact, I would be surprised if we weren’t being called that. I would like to encourage (and maybe even challenge) you that the next time you’re called old fashioned, try to let God use you in that situation to plant a seed.
The problem is that my Catholic positions make me feel disconnected with most of my peers. I feel that my views make me different, and it almost feels like we Catholics belong to a different era, or even a different world. Our morals are so different to those of the average population. I truly believe in the Catholic faith, but it makes me feel like an outsider at times.

It is tough to feel disconnected with ones peers, and I know this from personal experience. I have very little to do with most people I went to high school with (a population of over 1500), because I am disconnected from them. I refuse to engage in sexual immorality, refuse to support the murder of millions of unborn, will not support female ordination (in any denomination), and the usage of inclusive language, especially in hymns and other religious music is one of my biggest pet peeves, especially when dealing with God (and refering to HIM).

It’s not that we belong to a different era per say… we don’t belong to any era. We belong to God, who stands outside of time, regardless of that time period. We are to be in the world, but not of it.

As far as a different world… one of the elements of Mass is to recreate (as best as we fallible humans can) the Heavenly Liturgy everytime it is celebrated. The Church has a visible body here on Earth, but part of the Church is the invisible body in heaven, of the souls of the former Church Militant who now are the Church Triumphant. We are to be of that world. This world is only a temporary stop where we “subdue and pummel our bodies” and strive for holiness and heaven until we reach the ultimate destination (with maybe one other layover… :D)

The Catholic faith is very counter-cultural, and I really struggle with this.

***This is a struggle that I still deal with on a daily basis, but one that has become a bit easier through prayer, attending Mass frequently, and spending time with Christ in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I have also started friendships with those who are older than me (sometimes 25 or 30 years). In fact, my closest friend is 15 years older than me, and we have ended up being the answer to each others’ prayers (his for help from someone to come back into communion with the Church after a 5 year absense, and mine for a friend that understands my stances on morality, among other things). ***
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I will be praying for all who struggle with trying to be faithful to Christ and to the plans God has for us. It is certaintly not easy, especially with today’s culture of immorality and death, but there is nothing new under the sun. The Church has been under attack since day one, and it will be under attack until the end of time. We all need to stick with Christ, and follow his will and his example.

Ericka
 
Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far. It’s good to have encouragement from like-minded people.

The thing I really struggle with is that a lot of people I come into contact with insist on discussing their sexual pasts and practices. They are very graphic and very explicit. I can’t help but feel uncomfortable, because, of course, I do not agree with most of these things and I struggle to practice chastity. I have cousins who laugh because I don’t go to stip clubs with them, and I get called prudish because I don’t want to sleep around. All of this causes them to call me old fashioned, and this is really what this thread is all about.

How do you manage to live your faith without being ridiculed? And are there ever times when you feel embarrassed because your views are different to those around you?

It’s not just about sexuality. It’s also about things like abortion. Do you deliberately keep your beliefs to yourself because you know that people will disagree with you? Have you ever denied your Catholic faith because of embarrassment?
 
Ericka, thanks for posting. Your words have really helped me come to terms with this issue. Thanks a lot!
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Thanks to everyone who has posted thus far. It’s good to have encouragement from like-minded people.

The thing I really struggle with is that a lot of people I come into contact with insist on discussing their sexual pasts and practices. They are very graphic and very explicit. I can’t help but feel uncomfortable, because, of course, I do not agree with most of these things and I struggle to practice chastity. I have cousins who laugh because I don’t go to stip clubs with them, and I get called prudish because I don’t want to sleep around. All of this causes them to call me old fashioned, and this is really what this thread is all about.

How do you manage to live your faith without being ridiculed? And are there ever times when you feel embarrassed because your views are different to those around you?

It’s not just about sexuality. It’s also about things like abortion. Do you deliberately keep your beliefs to yourself because you know that people will disagree with you? Have you ever denied your Catholic faith because of embarrassment?
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yes, I do avoid such people and expressing my views to avoid disagreement. And if I ever got past the fear I’d probably end up condemning them to hell myself, which is even worse. 😦 Why can’t I just be like Him?
 
the answer is love love love them for their differences and tell them so.
 
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