Holier than thou

[JKirkLVNV]

Maybe they are:shrug: I’m not going to judge whether they are or not. Especially not based off the fact that I don’t. We don’t know their heart. I myself have not yet come across anyone who was veiled at daily Mass that was holier then thou.

Regarding “holier than thou” attitudes, I don’t think anyone who posts in these fora (these fora, mind you) have a problem with a woman called to veil, or Catholics who prefers the EF, or one who prefers Latin, or Catholics who receive on the tongue, or Catholics who receive kneeling, or Catholics who refrain from the Chalice. I think they have a problem with people who insist that a woman MUST veil, or that there is something wrong or lacking in Catholics who prefer the OF, the vernacular, reception in the hand, in procession, from the chalice, etc. That’s where phrases like “holier than thou” and “more Catholic than the Pope” start to crop up.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Regarding “holier than thou” attitudes, I don’t think anyone who posts in these fora (these fora, mind you) have a problem with a woman called to veil, or Catholics who prefers the EF, or one who prefers Latin, or Catholics who receive on the tongue, or Catholics who receive kneeling, or Catholics who refrain from the Chalice. I think they have a problem with people who insist that a woman MUST veil, or that there is something wrong or lacking in Catholics who prefer the OF, the vernacular, reception in the hand, in procession, from the chalice, etc. That’s where phrases like “holier than thou” and “more Catholic than the Pope” start to crop up.

VERY TRUE! Just because a woman wears a veil…I won’t call her holier then thou. That is where I thought the OP was going. And maybe other people have called them that. It’s when they insist that I am not reverent to God myself by not wearing a veil.

 

[jeanannemarie]

Often time it’s not so obvious.

And it’s not the head covering (which is almost NEVER a hat but almost always a veil) or the upgraded clothing. It’s the way some comport themselves when they are dressed-up or have their heads covered in church.

Please give me examples of how one ‘comports’ oneself in a ‘holier than thou manner’. Is this person kneeling, head bowed, hands folded in prayer? Does this person tilt one’s head in an offensive manner? I am really curious, because the few times I have assumed I’ve known what someone was thinking or feeling by their body language, I’ve been wrong.

 

[jeanannemarie]

VERY TRUE! Just because a woman wears a veil…I won’t call her holier then thou. That is where I thought the OP was going. And maybe other people have called them that. It’s when they insist that I am not reverent to God myself by not wearing a veil.

I am curious, can you honestly say that someone has **personally insisted **you wear a veil?

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I am curious, can you honestly say that someone has **personally insisted **you wear a veil?

No–but in all honesty I haven’t been back to the Church long enough. I think if you read up above you will see that I said I haven’t gotten any personal holier then thou looks from women with veils.

But there are a few threads where the gist was if you are not veiling, COTT, etc…then you are just doing the bare minimum…

I would not say just because someone wears a veil that they are holier then thou. But I do not think it’s equated with a bra. So…does that put me in the middle ground?

 

[thistle]

In Dark Night Of The Soul St John of the Cross describes a person with a holier than thou attitude.

QUOTE

Some souls suffer from another kind of spiritual anger. They watch over others with a kind of restless fervor, perpetually annoyed by the transgressions they perceive. The impulse arises to reprove the other souls in an angry way. Sometimes they even indulge this nasty urge, elevating themselves as masters of virtue. This is all quite contrary to spiritual meekness.

UNQUOTE

 

[mangy_dog]

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.”

Hello my Sister,

This phrase rubs me the wrong way also.

I think its what people say when you are reverent and devout and have a life of prayer and a life of the spirit.

If you do the basic catholic things really, really well…that’s when the [by name only] catholics look at you and say “oh, she’s got that hollier than thou attitude”.

 

[ConstantineTG]

In Dark Night Of The Soul St John of the Cross describes a person with a holier than thou attitude.

QUOTE

Some souls suffer from another kind of spiritual anger. They watch over others with a kind of restless fervor, perpetually annoyed by the transgressions they perceive. The impulse arises to reprove the other souls in an angry way. Sometimes they even indulge this nasty urge, elevating themselves as masters of virtue. This is all quite contrary to spiritual meekness.

UNQUOTE

I sadly experience this when I see people posting their happy-clappy protestant worship services on Facebook. Yes, I’m guilty of being “Holier than thou”. I should treat these people with love and charity, not with contempt.