Holier than thou

[jeanannemarie]

After reading the phrase “holier than thou” on more than one occasion in the various discussions, I would like someone to enlighten me as to just what behaviour, looks, or attitudes constitute being described as “holier than thou.”

 

[At_Trent]

It’s just a term used in a derogatory fashion. Usually the one laying the label on someone is the one with the “problem”. But not always.

For example, if I were to walk around telling people they were going to burn in Hell, they may call me “holier than thou”.

 

[GloriousOrder]

The phrase “holier than thou” can be epitomised by a man who dramatically raises his eyebrow and his nose at a comment. This simultaneously tells you that he thinks himself very correct, and that he thinks his companion gravely wrong. Put in other words: “holier than thou” adjectivally describes a person who thinks he is without sin and everyone else is swimming in it.

 

[MarkThompson]

The phrase “holier than thou” can be epitomised by a man who dramatically raises his eyebrow and his nose at a comment. This simultaneously tells you that he thinks himself very correct, and that he thinks his companion gravely wrong. Put in other words: “holier than thou” adjectivally describes a person who thinks he is without sin and everyone else is swimming in it.

Right – and it also conveys the sense of self-satisfied smugness about it that a “holier-than-thou” person evinces.

 

[JohnDamian]

It is generally used to imply that someone admonishes without humility.

 

[malphono]

One might also say that “holier than thou” applies to people who are guilty of the same fault they accuse another of having.

Let’s say that person “A” was accused of stealing. Now, person “B” considers person “A” to be a low-life because of that and rants against him/her. However, person “B” has been embezzling from his/her employer for years. Since person “B” is guilty of exactly what person “A” is accused of, person “B” is “holier than thou” in his/her condemnation of person “A”.

For another example, one might look at some of the has-been (or in some cases, not so “has been”) Bible-belt preachers/tele-evangelists and their “escapades” (for lack of a nicer word).

 

[kamaan]

“Holier than thou” is a common phrase used to insult traditional Catholics.

 

[jeanannemarie]

Thank you for your responses, but I’m thinking more along the lines of things like praying piously before Mass, women veiling, and perhaps even dressing up a little more than usual for Mass. I have noticed on other threads these things have elicited responses of “holier than thou” but I am not sure why? Also, some have expressed fears of seeming holier than thou, when their intention is obviously one of reverance to God.

 

[kamaan]

Thank you for your responses, but I’m thinking more along the lines of things like praying piously before Mass, women veiling, and perhaps even dressing up a little more than usual for Mass. I have noticed on other threads these things have elicited responses of “holier than thou” but I am not sure why? Also, some have expressed fears of seeming holier than thou, when their intention is obviously one of reverance to God.

When people who do not dress up for Mass or do not pray before Mass see people that do, it is sometimes easier to attack the other person and think they are being “holier than thou” (i.e. showing off) than to deal with the fact that they might be able to improve themselves.

 

[malphono]

Thank you for your responses, but I’m thinking more along the lines of things like praying piously before Mass, women veiling, and perhaps even dressing up a little more than usual for Mass. I have noticed on other threads these things have elicited responses of “holier than thou” but I am not sure why? Also, some have expressed fears of seeming holier than thou, when their intention is obviously one of reverance to God.

There, the expression is used as an insult by people who are ignorant. Although they know little or nothing about the disposition of the other person, they insist on saying that someone who prays quietly, e.g., is not being genuine and is flaunting his/her “holiness” in a pharasaical manner.

 

[GloriousOrder]

Thank you for your responses, but I’m thinking more along the lines of things like praying piously before Mass, women veiling, and perhaps even dressing up a little more than usual for Mass. I have noticed on other threads these things have elicited responses of “holier than thou” but I am not sure why? Also, some have expressed fears of seeming holier than thou, when their intention is obviously one of reverance to God.

The party who calls the Tridentites () ‘holier than thou’ shall be known as A, and the Tridentites shall be called B. More than anything, the use of the phrase ‘holier than thou’ by A in that context is usually a form of logical projection. A will cover up his lack of simple piety by accusing B of overemphasising his own piety due to a lack thereof. When it comes to insults, it is almost always the case that the insulting party is doing so out of fear. Perhaps the accusers of “holier than thou” are feeling uncomfortable with the Latin Mass, or they really think it is “more solemn” than the Vernacular Mass, but they cannot accept this, and thus project their sense of guilt on to Traditionalists. It is a real scandal in the original sense of the word.

This is not to say that everyone who calls Tridentine-goers “holier than thou” is a hypocrite, for I’m sure there are arrogant Traditionalists!

 

[faithfully]

From Webster:

marked by an air of superior piety or morality

I tend to think of it in this fashion. We are all sinners. And we all have SOMETHING to work on. Other things we’re good at. It’s when the Good-at-its start reprimanding and are disgusted, and horrified with other’s who are not Good-at-it… rather than share their knowledge in a way that might actually be appreciated. I find usually, this person is just socially inept. Lacking a filter that prevents them from delivering their message, even if it’s a good one, in a positive light… It just sounds rude.

 

[colmcille1]

After reading the phrase “holier than thou” on more than one occasion in the various discussions, I would like someone to enlighten me as to just what behaviour, looks, or attitudes constitute being described as “holier than thou.”

Hi jeanannemarie,
May I ask if your question involves your own use of this phrase?
I have used phrases in the past and reflected later if they were used correctly.
A good topic because I believe that we should be conscientious in our use of language.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

 

[Student09]

“Holier than thou” is a common phrase used to insult traditional Catholics.

Or Catholics in general. The Newsweek cover article (I think it was Newsweek) that smeared the Holy Father several months ago, used the term “holier-than-thou” to describe the whole Catholic Church. Why? Because it says that some things are sins. I don’t think it’s a term Catholics should be throwing around.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Thank you for your responses, but I’m thinking more along the lines of things like praying piously before Mass, women veiling, and perhaps even dressing up a little more than usual for Mass. I have noticed on other threads these things have elicited responses of “holier than thou” but I am not sure why? Also, some have expressed fears of seeming holier than thou, when their intention is obviously one of reverance to God.

Now to me it means something different…

Example #1. I see a woman in daily Mass veiled…they are just praying and into their own…not worried about someone else. To me…that is fine…and beautiful if that is what they feel called to do.

Example 2# I see a woman in daily Mass veiled…and she turns and looks at my unveiled head…and turns up her nose or gives a look of superiority and turns and then ignores me…that is holier then thou.

The problem I have with traditionalists…is not with all traditionalists…many of them are just fine and not at all holier then thou…but there are those on CAF that think that if you are not like that then you don’t believe in the real presence and are not reverent, liberal, etc. They have judged my heart by externals…that they are holier then me. Big difference.

By the way…I never get those looks from any veiled women I see at daily Mass.

 

[ProVobis]

When I’m not properly disposed to receive communion, I look at those who do receive “holier than thou.” It’s not necessarily derogatory from my perspective. Just trying to answer the OP.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Well Holier then thou is totally different then Holier then me…I’m sure that there are plenty of people holier then me…although those are the people that would never say or think that they are.

 

[FirstCalled]

If someone refers to you or implies you being “Holier than thou” than you KNOW you are doing something right, in both your principles and guiding others to the proper path. Never be discouraged by those people, I’ll bet people considered Jesus “Holier than thou” for constantly teaching them something new and berating them when needed.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

If someone refers to you or implies you being “Holier than thou” than you KNOW you are doing something right, in both your principles and guiding others to the proper path. Never be discouraged by those people, I’ll bet people considered Jesus “Holier than thou” for constantly teaching them something new and berating them when needed.

Great idea…never examine your motives and heart…

 

[jeanannemarie]

Hi jeanannemarie,
May I ask if your question involves your own use of this phrase?
I have used phrases in the past and reflected later if they were used correctly.
A good topic because I believe that we should be conscientious in our use of language.
God Bless,
Colmcille.

I personally do not use the phrase. I have seen it several times in the different threads, most generally when a lady is fearing that she will be perceived as “holier than thou” if she adopts the custom of wearing a veil; that is the most recent situation that I remember. I always find the idea of someone calling a person by that description so offensive. It is uncharitable. Is it now politically incorrect to be reverent inside our own churches with our fellow Catholics?