How do react to the claim that Catholics don't care to read the Bible?

[Lady_Bug]

Any suggestions?

I’ve heard way too much about this, and even if there is any truth to it, I’d like to have more feedback on this.

One of MY answers would be, that just because other non-Catholics or non-Christians may read their holy books more (assuming that they do), does not mean that they are making the right interpretations out of them. They can read them more, yes, but are they reading them correctly?

Any other ideas?

 

[puzzleannie]

for a start you could visit this thread, on this Catholic urban legend

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=208265&highlight=bible

you could also react: how many Catholics do you actually know and what qualifies you to judge if, when or how often individual Catholics read the bible?

 

[DebChris]

The world has not always been literate. St. John of the Cross made the point that the clergy read the scriptures and the faithful read the clergy when the Word is read at Mass.
The stained glass windows of the Catholic Church were also a way for non-literate Catholics to learn about our faith. Jesus required faith, not literacy, for salvation.
That said, Catholics do read the Bible. The brevary, or Liturgy of the Hours is comprised of the Psalms. They also include short scripture passages for each day. The Liturgy of the readings include not only a selection from Scripture to be read each day, but also a selection from a spiritual book. These have always been prayed by those in religious life and the practice is growing among laypersons as well.
The main source of Scripture comes from the Mass. As now presented, the Mass includes one O.T. reading plus one gospel reading with a psalm between for daily Mass. On Sunday, a reading from the epistles is added after the psalm. Other denominations are starting to follow the same liturgical calendar when it comes to the readings for Sunday services.
Many of the prayers, such as the rosary, and those used during Mass are derived at least in part from Scripture. In other words, Catholics even if they are unaware, “read” the Bible at Mass and other times throughout the day and week.

 

[Lady_Bug]

Well, I have this one friend who insists that she knows that this is true based on the Catholics she has encountered it bothers me because I never have anything to defend myself with. Not only that she insists that Catholics have been forbidden to read the Bible for a very long time, etc. No offense to her but I hate her anti-Catholicism and it often makes me not want to hang out with her anymore, even though she never really says any of these things in an indignant way or anything. It’s just that she’ll claim she knows more than me because she’s been exposed to more things than me

 

[Newbie2]

Overall, it’s probably a true claim that not as high a percentage of Catholics read their bible when compared to Protestants, but that may be slightly different from the OP’s question.

And I think it’s OK to acknowledge that this may be true. And if so, so what? What’s the point of that claim? That Catholics don’t know scripture as well as we should? (Guilty as charged. ) That Catholics don’t know Scripture as well as Protestants?

Think about it; we Catholics are perhaps the most sacramental Christians and don’t depend solely on Scripture and Prayer. So I think it would follow that we as a whole don’t read Scripture as much as we should or as much as our Protestant bretheren, as they depend on it more than we do.

Not to mention that historically, the RCC has not emphasized the importance of the laity engaging in Scriptural reading and study until somewhat recently.

So…I think a good response would be a combination of what’s been posted:

1. That it’s not necessarily true.
2. That if it is true, so what?
3. That while it may have more true in the past, it’s not so much so in the present.
4. That yes, Catholics as a whole could spend a whole lot more time studying the Scriptures, leaving out that Protestants could use more time studying them as well.

The matter of interpretation, methinks, is an entirely different matter.

 

[DebChris]

St. Jerome, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God.”

 

[InLight247]

Well, I have this one friend who insists that she knows that this is true based on the Catholics she has encountered it bothers me because I never have anything to defend myself with.

If you read your Bible often, that fact will be your best defend.

Not only that she insists that Catholics have been forbidden to read the Bible for a very long time, etc. No offense to her but I hate her anti-Catholicism and it often makes me not want to hang out with her anymore, even though she never really says any of these things in an indignant way or anything.

The word “hate” is a little bit strong, though I know you did not really mean to hate. I understand the offensive feeling. I too, always want to defend my faith and my church. I find the best way to communicate with anti-Catholicism is to show not just to tell.

I have participated in a Protestant’s Bible Study for several years.
The way I presented my Catholic faith during their weekly discussions have made a difference on their view on Catholics. I know this as a fact by the way they responded to me and how they said they missed me since I stopped going. When I was with those Sola Scriptura people, none of them would say that I, the Catholic, know less than them about Bible. I did my homework before sessions.

It’s just that she’ll claim she knows more than me because she’s been exposed to more things than me

If so, let it be. We can always humble ourselves and make more efforts.

God bless!

 

[PBP]

There was a time near the Reformation when the pope advised the church to temporarily not read the bible for themselves as to avoid more misinterpretation that could lead to more people leaving the church. People cannot read the bible and say “well this means to me” like I have heard many say. I grew up with my grandparents believing they were not allowed to read the bible. Funny how the centuries old advice was never cleared up completely. It goes back to education.
Have a great day.

 

[jimcav]

Overall, it’s probably a true claim that not as high a percentage of Catholics read their bible when compared to Protestants, but that may be slightly different from the OP’s question.

And I think it’s OK to acknowledge that this may be true. And if so, so what? What’s the point of that claim? That Catholics don’t know scripture as well as we should? (Guilty as charged. ) That Catholics don’t know Scripture as well as Protestants?

Think about it; we Catholics are perhaps the most sacramental Christians and don’t depend solely on Scripture and Prayer. So I think it would follow that we as a whole don’t read Scripture as much as we should or as much as our Protestant bretheren, as they depend on it more than we do.

Not to mention that historically, the RCC has not emphasized the importance of the laity engaging in Scriptural reading and study until somewhat recently.

So…I think a good response would be a combination of what’s been posted:

1. That it’s not necessarily true.
2. That if it is true, so what?
3. That while it may have more true in the past, it’s not so much so in the present.
4. That yes, Catholics as a whole could spend a whole lot more time studying the Scriptures, leaving out that Protestants could use more time studying them as well.

The matter of interpretation, methinks, is an entirely different matter.

Great post!

As Catholics, we have so much more to our faith than the written word. We are a living faith, and not bound by only the written word, the Bible. We are a faith that has Traditions, passed down by Jesus Christ himself, through the Sacraments, and through oral teachings. Certainly not all of Christs teachings could have been put down in the written word. I think the early Church fathers are crying to see how the Bible has been mis-interpetted and mis-used and how it’s fragmented Christianity. They may never have given us this gift had they known.

Ask your friend how Christianity spread before the Bible was written and put out for wide-spread reading? And when was it able to be mass produced for all people to read, and when did people actually become literate enough to read and undersatnd it? Well, it was probably about a thousand years after Jesus’s death! None of this is to lessen the importance of scripture, and we should all read it and know it, but it explains why many Catholics have not memorized Bible verses verbatum like so many of our Protestant friends have. That is all they have. Sometimes I think they worship the Bible instead of Jesus Christ.

By depending strictly on the Bible, they miss out on so much, such as Apostolic succession, the Popes leadership and guidance, the sacraments, the Communion of Saints, our Blessed Mother, the rosary, devotionals and all of the wonderful writings of our blessed saints and the early Church fathers, and so much more. The Bible is just one part of the mosaic of Christianity…

 

[MarieVeronica]

I’m always surprised when non-Catholic Christians say this… because the entire first half of the Mass… is the Liturgy of the Word. The reading of the Bible is an important part of our most sacred activity (participation in the Mass). In fact, for Catholics who attend Mass daily… they hear the entire Bible… every 3 years. Making it quite possible, that some Catholics have read or heard the entire Bible more times in their lives… than those making this statement.

 

[St_Gabriel]

Tell your friend that she couldn’t possibly know what **1 billion **catholics practice in the privacy of their homes.

 

[Leopard]

How do react to the claim that Catholics don’t care to read the Bible?

If it is someone I don’t want to embarrass, sometimes I go with an incredulous look, then I say “Where did you hear that one? Some people are pretty ignorant about Catholicism, aren’t they?”

I don’t react as if the person who made the claim believes the claim himself (unless he has specifically said he believes this), but that he is just repeating something he heard. It gives the other person a chance to save face while he reconsiders whether what he thinks he knows about Catholicism is true.

 

[Joannm]

I’m always surprised when non-Catholic Christians say this… because the entire first half of the Mass… is the Liturgy of the Word. The reading of the Bible is an important part of our most sacred activity (participation in the Mass). In fact, for Catholics who attend Mass daily… they hear the entire Bible… every 3 years. Making it quite possible, that some Catholics have read or heard the entire Bible more times in their lives… than those making this statement.

Actually we do not read the entire Bible. I recall reading somewhere the percentage of how much we actually do hear at Mass. I’ll have to look for it.

 

[Andruschak]

Based on what survey? Some Catholics (especially those in this Forum) probably read the daily mass readings EVERY day. Others do not. I am sure some Protestants read the Bible daily, and many do not. Same for Jews and Muslims.

At that, if one attends Sunday Mass for three years, one is read most of the Bible anyhow. Some may pay attention, some may not, but it is there.

I do not know what your Church offers, but mine includes, in its weekly Sunday Bulletin, the Bible readings for all days of the week. It also has a Bible study one week per night.

Anyone with internet access can find the daily Bible readings at many Catholic sites.

Oh yes, and they are part of my daily reading of MAGNIFICAT magazine

 

[Leopard]

Actually we do not read the entire Bible. I recall reading somewhere the percentage of how much we actually do hear at Mass. I’ll have to look for it.

To clarify, we do not read the entire Bible at Mass. Many Catholics have read the entire Bible, though. Me, for one. Several times.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Any suggestions?

I’ve heard way too much about this, and even if there is any truth to it, I’d like to have more feedback on this.

One of MY answers would be, that just because other non-Catholics or non-Christians may read their holy books more (assuming that they do), does not mean that they are making the right interpretations out of them. They can read them more, yes, but are they reading them correctly?

Any other ideas?

It is not that Catholics “Don’t care to read the Bible” as much as the fact that they the average Catholic does not study it as much as the average Baptist (for instance). Actually, Catholics do read the bible (OT, Epistle and Gospel) every Sunday. It is also not just Catholics as your average Episcopalian, Lutheran, etc would fall into this category.

It is just that Baptists from the time they are children study and memorize scripture and large numbers attend Bible Study as adults at least once a week and some twice.

They are some Catholic churches where Bible Study is being offered and I would like to see more. In a way, those who dislike the Catholic Church might not like better biblically educated Catholics because there are strong defences for the Catholic Faith. I have seen Fr. Pacwa use scripture to shoot down the “call no man father” argument. Using scripture works in favor of those who have a dislike for the Church when they happen to catch biblically uneducated Catholics. When they come up against a Fr. Pacwa…oops.

Encourage your parish to offer Bible studies for adults (Young adults, senior groups, etc). It is a means of fellowship and education. This is the best way to arm yourself with the Word of God and to be “ready with an answer” to share the faith you have. It also would stop some of the Catholic drift to Protestant Bible studies. I have met Catholics who go to Mass and then attend a Protestant Bible study to be fed by the Word and fellowship. Where do you think they eventually drift to?

So encourage your Priest, get trained yourself (locally or through Catholic Distance University), and attend the study in your parish.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Any suggestions?

The first thing I might say is, “You should join the Church and set an example.”

Otherwise I would like to say that the Catholics are subject to several Scripture passages at every mass.

Nearly the entire Bible can be heard by attending daily mass over a 3-year period.

And finally, I might say, “Maybe some Catholics don’t read it too much and they should read it more, but what is your point?”

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

i just give an older-lady half giggle, half eye-roll and say, “Oh honey, who do you think brought about the Bible?” and leave it at that.

 

[Newbie2]

Actually we do not read the entire Bible. I recall reading somewhere the percentage of how much we actually do hear at Mass. I’ll have to look for it.

To clarify, we do not read the entire Bible at Mass. Many Catholics have read the entire Bible, though. Me, for one. Several times.

Yes, you beat me to it.

A bit off from the OP, but only Catholics use the entire bible (Deuterocanonicals included, of course)

 

[RobNY]

The first thing I might say is, “You should join the Church and set an example.”

Otherwise I would like to say that the Catholics are subject to several Scripture passages at every mass.

Nearly the entire Bible can be heard by attending daily mass over a 3-year period.

And finally, I might say, “Maybe some Catholics don’t read it too much and they should read it more, but what is your point?”

It actually ends up being something like 75% of the NT and about 13% of the OT.

I can’t remember where I found the numbers though.

-Rob