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William777
Guest
I have a question about something people call “escapism”.
To begin with - I’m not really sure of what “escapism” is, so I guess my first question is what distinguishes something as being escapist? I realize it may be a sort of psychological avoidance or denial of reality, but I’m wondering how that might be applied to religion.
I have a Protestant friend who thinks I am escapist about religion because I place faith in the Vatican (instead of making my own interpretations), hope in prayer (actually asking for things directly from God, hope for deliverance, poverty and chastity), belief in Mysticism (e.g. trans-substantiation of the Eucharist and its sacramental power, placing belief in relics and the communion of the Saints), and so on… She doesn’t altogether knock my interest in religion, but she seems to just disregard much of it as “escapist”.
Now - I’m sort of absent minded, yes, and sometimes I do like to (or maybe even need to) retreat the stresses of the world. So I am not exactly the strongest soul. But I’d like to be able to discern this idea of escapism.
I think that if one has a hole in their bucket, then it’s obviously not going to hold water. So too if one is expecting to be spiritual, and is only running away, then it’s probably self defeating.
So how can I tell when I’m being escapist vs when I am doing something positive, like purging worldly cares away?
Does this stuff make sense?
Please note my other post on Catholic Responsibility where I observe faith is man’s response to God’s word. If irresponsibility is escapist, then maybe I lack faith.
I dont know. This problem is confusing. But, if I were really being escapist or irresponsible, then would I be asking?
So how do I correct this, if it is even a problem?
To begin with - I’m not really sure of what “escapism” is, so I guess my first question is what distinguishes something as being escapist? I realize it may be a sort of psychological avoidance or denial of reality, but I’m wondering how that might be applied to religion.
I have a Protestant friend who thinks I am escapist about religion because I place faith in the Vatican (instead of making my own interpretations), hope in prayer (actually asking for things directly from God, hope for deliverance, poverty and chastity), belief in Mysticism (e.g. trans-substantiation of the Eucharist and its sacramental power, placing belief in relics and the communion of the Saints), and so on… She doesn’t altogether knock my interest in religion, but she seems to just disregard much of it as “escapist”.
Now - I’m sort of absent minded, yes, and sometimes I do like to (or maybe even need to) retreat the stresses of the world. So I am not exactly the strongest soul. But I’d like to be able to discern this idea of escapism.
I think that if one has a hole in their bucket, then it’s obviously not going to hold water. So too if one is expecting to be spiritual, and is only running away, then it’s probably self defeating.
So how can I tell when I’m being escapist vs when I am doing something positive, like purging worldly cares away?
Does this stuff make sense?
Please note my other post on Catholic Responsibility where I observe faith is man’s response to God’s word. If irresponsibility is escapist, then maybe I lack faith.
I dont know. This problem is confusing. But, if I were really being escapist or irresponsible, then would I be asking?
So how do I correct this, if it is even a problem?
