Church teaching vs. Church behavior

[Quatsch]

Hi all,

I’m engaged in a dialogue with an officemate and I need some help.
He is not Christian but has a good knowledge of some Church history
and a great sense of logic. Basically our discussion has boiled down to
whether the Church we have today is the same that gave us the Bible.

He believes (and rightly so, I think) that the Church should be held to a
higher standard of behavior than normal society. For this reason, he does
not think that a Church which did the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition
could truly be the Church that Christ founded and which gave us the Bible.

I have told him that what the Church teaches and how men within the
Church act should be viewed separately. His response to that is asking me
why I would put my faith in an institution where men who have done such
horrible things are allowed to lead.

I’m not really sure how to respond…but if you guys have some ideas, I’d
appreciate it.

Blessings,

Q

 

[corvidae]

I would ask him if you would hold Gerorge Bush responsible for the actions of the soldiers at Abu Gharib (sp?). That would be similar to comparing the Church to what the soldiers in the Crusades did. The Church called for a war, but did not lead it, nor did it supervise.

I would also point out that the Spanish Inquisition was called by the government of Spain, and not by the Church. The Spanish Inquisition was a hunt for treason in the form of not adhering to the state religion.

It seems that his two big historical arguments against the Church are not that historical.

A lone Raven

 

[Milliardo]

His question qould be better answered if you ask him why he still has faith in government inspite of its lapses and contradictions; if he replies that he still believes in it, then that should end your discussion as he made your point. If he doesn’t, then ask him why he is still living there and not move to another country that he thinks has a better form of government.

 

[Quatsch]

I would ask him if you would hold Gerorge Bush responsible for the actions of the soldiers at Abu Gharib (sp?). That would be similar to comparing the Church to what the soldiers in the Crusades did. The Church called for a war, but did not lead it, nor did it supervise.

I would also point out that the Spanish Inquisition was called by the government of Spain, and not by the Church. The Spanish Inquisition was a hunt for treason in the form of not adhering to the state religion.

It seems that his two big historical arguments against the Church are not that historical.

A lone Raven

hmm

I like the response to the Inquisition (something I should learn more about
myself), but I’m not so sure the Bush analogy works well. I think it would be
more likened to holding Bush responsible for the war in Iraq and what
soldiers there are doing. If there was one Crusade that was an isolated
incident, that would be different. But there were multiple crusades and it
seems the Church was fully aware not only of what they were trying to do
(win back the Sepulchre) but also how it was being accomplished.

I guess another question I have is whether the Church was right to perform
the Crusades or not. Surely there motive was pure, but the way they did it
was not. It seems to me similar to how Cain seeked to please God with his
offering but it was not what God wanted, so it was ultimately displeasing
even if the intention was good.

-Q

 

[Quatsch]

His question qould be better answered if you ask him why he still has faith in government inspite of its lapses and contradictions; if he replies that he still believes in it, then that should end your discussion as he made your point. If he doesn’t, then ask him why he is still living there and not move to another country that he thinks has a better form of government.

He’s from India, is not a US citizen, and I’m sure he does not approve of our
government although we have not discussed it in any depth. He believes that
God exists. His background is Hindu but he does not associate himself with
any religion.

 

[Milliardo]

He’s from India, is not a US citizen, and I’m sure he does not approve of our
government although we have not discussed it in any depth.

The point is they still have a government, so ask him if he believes about his government and if he still wants to go back to India then.

 

[Quatsch]

The point is they still have a government, so ask him if he believes about his government and if he still wants to go back to India then.

I’m not really sure what that will accomplish. He would recognize that he
ultimately does not have a choice and wherever he goes, will live according
to some government (barring the choice of becoming an outcast and
excaping society, which is not a reasonable situation). However, he does
have a choice whether or not to live according to the Church because the
Church does not have any power today, at least not politically like it did
before the Reformation.

He argues that during those times, people in Europe did not really have a
choice about believing because the Church was so powerful. I say that the
Church had power because the people believed, but he says the Church and
monarchies fed off of each other to control everything, that they both had
vested interests and were more concerned with power. He says that what
the people believed had nothing to do with it (I don’t know enough about
history to really refute his points…so if anyone could shed some light on the
matter, that’d be great).

 

[quasimodo]

I would suggest that you study some good Catholic history books. Your corespondent is simply mouthing the received wisdom from the enemies of the church.

The Inquisition was actually originally set up to save lives and on balance it probably did save a lot of lives by holding the state to a higher level of mercy and evidence than previously existed. Did the process go out of control? Yes, at times, grievously. Did it save lives. yes, on balance. The states were putting people to death at an alarming rate for the capital crime of heresy. The church slowed it way down, in most cases.

The crusades were primarily a defensive war. All the land held by Islam was conquered territory that had been Christian. The church did not respond to the advances of Islam -which spread at the point of the sword - for almost 500 years. When the Byzantine Empire asked for help, the Pope responded. Did the crusaders act like good Christians at all times - no. Where Moslem rulers all sweetness and light (as they are often portrayed) - no. The crusaders that sacked Constantinople (the biggest grievance in some quarters) were excommunicated, the harshest punishment the church had at its disposal.

He is arguing from a comic book version of history. This little snap shot may not be much better but its all I have time and space for. Study up.

 

[corvidae]

I think the thing is this.

Remember that the Church did not actually lead the Crusade. The Church said, we need to stop this muslim agression and aid our orthodox brothers. Who will help?

It was nobles, professional soldiers, and even peasents that went on the Crusade. Sure there were some Church members who actually accompanied the Crusaders, but not a whole lot. I think you need to study the Crusades more in depth as well. It was not a single very long string of attrocities, nor was it one long war. The Crusades were several wars, each with different perspectives.

The Crusades were truly a war that’s purpose was to protect and rewin the Holy Land from those who would not allow pilgrims to enter. The Crusades were not even begun until the Byzantine emporer asked for aid from the West.

I would study more into the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition and see if they are what our perceptions of them are.

A lone Raven

 

[Quatsch]

I would suggest that you study some good Catholic history books. Your corespondent is simply mouthing the received wisdom from the enemies of the church.

The Inquisition was actually originally set up to save lives and on balance it probably did save a lot of lives by holding the state to a higher level of mercy and evidence than previously existed. Did the process go out of control? Yes, at times, grievously. Did it save lives. yes, on balance. The states were putting people to death at an alarming rate for the capital crime of heresy. The church slowed it way down, in most cases.

The crusades were primarily a defensive war. All the land held by Islam was conquered territory that had been Christian. The church did not respond to the advances of Islam -which spread at the point of the sword - for almost 500 years. When the Byzantine Empire asked for help, the Pope responded. Did the crusaders act like good Christians at all times - no. Where Moslem rulers all sweetness and light (as they are often portrayed) - no. The crusaders that sacked Constantinople (the biggest grievance in some quarters) were excommunicated, the harshest punishment the church had at its disposal.

He is arguing from a comic book version of history. This little snap shot may not be much better but its all I have time and space for. Study up.

Thanks for your response and also for the inspiration to learn about this part
of history.

Does anyone have any references they’re particularly fond of? I saw a
reference in an article in EWTN’s library to the “History of Christendom”
series by Warren H. Carroll. Any other ideas?

-Q

 

[Quatsch]

I think the thing is this.

Remember that the Church did not actually lead the Crusade. The Church said, we need to stop this muslim agression and aid our orthodox brothers. Who will help?

It was nobles, professional soldiers, and even peasents that went on the Crusade. Sure there were some Church members who actually accompanied the Crusaders, but not a whole lot. I think you need to study the Crusades more in depth as well. It was not a single very long string of attrocities, nor was it one long war. The Crusades were several wars, each with different perspectives.

The Crusades were truly a war that’s purpose was to protect and rewin the Holy Land from those who would not allow pilgrims to enter. The Crusades were not even begun until the Byzantine emporer asked for aid from the West.

I would study more into the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition and see if they are what our perceptions of them are.

A lone Raven

Thanks for the advice. quasimodo suggested the same thing, so I think you guys have a valid point. Please check my response to him below

Blessings,

Q

 

[Maranatha]

While the historical facts around the crusades and inquisitions are frequently slanted against the CC, there are unfortunate incidents around those events and others where officials of the CC including the Popes were wrong.

Why does your friend thing the Church should be made up of all saints? The saints themselves would be the first to tell you they were sinners. The Catholic Church is a hospital for sinners and not a hotel for saints.

 

[Quatsch]

While the historical facts around the crusades and inquisitions are frequently slanted against the CC, there are unfortunate incidents around those events and others where officials of the CC including the Popes were wrong.

Why does your friend thing the Church should be made up of all saints? The saints themselves would be the first to tell you they were sinners. The Catholic Church is a hospital for sinners and not a hotel for saints.

Very good question…one that I have posed to him myself. He expects, as
we all do I think, that the true Church of God would act in a godly manner.
He doesn’t understand why I recognize that the Church is made up of
sinners and still profess faith in the Church (essentially, why I put my own
salvation in the hands of sinners). I tell him that God guides the Church, but
from what he has observed and what he has heard about the past, he
doesn’t believe that. Granted, I need to learn more about the Church’s
history as others have mentioned so I can make sure his fundamental beliefs
about the Church’s history are in line.

 

[Milliardo]

I’m not really sure what that will accomplish. He would recognize that he
ultimately does not have a choice and wherever he goes, will live according
to some government (barring the choice of becoming an outcast and
excaping society, which is not a reasonable situation).

We’re talking specifically of his country’s government. Has he lost faith in that that he doesn’t consider himself Indian now? if he hasn’t, then he made a point for you, since then he will realize that it isn’t perfect, yet he subscribes to it. If he has lost faith, then it would be up to him to prove there is a government somewhere that doesn’t have lapses. In which then comes in your point again–he considers himself an outcast of society, which isn’t a reasonable choice either as he is still very much part of society.

 

[Quatsch]

We’re talking specifically of his country’s government. Has he lost faith in that that he doesn’t consider himself Indian now? if he hasn’t, then he made a point for you, since then he will realize that it isn’t perfect, yet he subscribes to it. If he has lost faith, then it would be up to him to prove there is a government somewhere that doesn’t have lapses. In which then comes in your point again–he considers himself an outcast of society, which isn’t a reasonable choice either as he is still very much part of society.

Belonging to the Church is extremely different from belonging to society,
though. I am actively a member of the Church in that I have free will to
decide to belong to the Church or not. We do not have that same free will
regarding society.

With that in mind, his point is that why should he submit himself (when he
does not have to) to a Church made up of sinners when he could seek God
on his own without other sinners to bring him down. Again, I cannot give a
good logical explanation to him that God leads the Church even if individuals
in it are sinners. So that is what it really boils down to, he requires a good
logical explanation and I don’t have the tools to give it to him I think to do
that, I need to study up on history of the Church a bit more…

 

[Maranatha]

Belonging to the Church is extremely different from belonging to society,
though. I am actively a member of the Church in that I have free will to
decide to belong to the Church or not. We do not have that same free will
regarding society.

With that in mind, his point is that why should he submit himself (when he
does not have to) to a Church made up of sinners when he could seek God
on his own without other sinners to bring him down. Again, I cannot give a
good logical explanation to him that God leads the Church even if individuals
in it are sinners. So that is what it really boils down to, he requires a good
logical explanation and I don’t have the tools to give it to him I think to do
that, I need to study up on history of the Church a bit more…

The Catholic Church is full of sinners but it is headed but a high priest who does not sin - Jesus Christ.

If he follows his own path is he following the direction of a sinner or a saint?

 

[Quatsch]

The Catholic Church is full of sinners but it is headed but a high priest who does not sin - Jesus Christ.

If he follows his own path is he following the direction of a sinner or a saint?

You hit the nail on the head:thumbsup:…now how do I logically present to him that
Christ leads the Church today??

…

 

[FCEGM]

You hit the nail on the head:thumbsup:…now how do I logically present to him that
Christ leads the Church today??

…

I think it might be helpful to first show him the lives of specific Catholics who have persevered in living out within His Church their faith in Christ. The autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux comes to mind, as does the autobiography of St. Teresa of Jesus (aka “of Avila”); or something on St. Maximillian Kolbe, or St. Gianna Molla, or the writings (particularly “The Living Flame of Love” or "The Spiritual Canticle) of St. John of the Cross, or Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity. (Remember, it was reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Jesus that set St. Edith Stein on the road to Christ and His Church.)

Exposing him to the lives and writings of the Saints and Blesseds (those who lived Catholicism “to the hilt” - often literally!) will show him the heights to which God can draw one who lives wholly immersed in the Trinitarian life that is bestowed on us within the Church.

 

[McKevin]

He’s from India, is not a US citizen, and I’m sure he does not approve of our
government although we have not discussed it in any depth. He believes that
God exists. His background is Hindu but he does not associate himself with
any religion.

Being that he’s from India, what does he have to say about the life and witness of Mother Teressa?