How many non-Catholics here at CAF, have actually read what is written in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jimmy_B
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I read it more as a reference book. I’ve tried to read it from the beginning a few times, but I find it so hopelessly boring that I never make it through. I find myself asking myself why I am bothering with it and give up.

That isn’t a slam against Catholicism. I’m just saying that reading a rather dry treatise, on a god you don’t believe in, isn’t exactly riveting.

I don’t have any particular problem understanding it, but then often (not always) when I reference it in conversations, Catholics tell me I’ve completely misunderstood it. It’s their interpretations of it I find baffling and confusing. It’s when people say that the intention of it was very nearly the opposite of what it says that I find it confusing.

Let’s see, what I disagree with…

That there is a god.
That Jesus is God.
That people have an innate desire for God.
That you can no God through natural reason…
etc.

Pretty much everything that doesn’t say “the Church tells us…”.
I do believe that the Catechism correctly reflects the teaching of the Church.
 
Well I have a couple of copies one being the Baltimore cathechism and the one new and improved.

I look to it many times but by no means have it memorized.

It is a gift that I can go to when I have questions concerning areas not defined in scripture or tradition. 👍
 
Sideline said:
I read it more as a reference book. I’ve tried to read it from the beginning a few times, but I find it so hopelessly boring that I never make it through. I find myself asking myself why I am bothering with it and give up.

That isn’t a slam against Catholicism. I’m just saying that reading a rather dry treatise, on a god you don’t believe in, isn’t exactly riveting.

I don’t have any particular problem understanding it, but then often (not always) when I reference it in conversations, Catholics tell me I’ve completely misunderstood it. It’s their interpretations of it I find baffling and confusing. It’s when people say that the intention of it was very nearly the opposite of what it says that I find it confusing.

Let’s see, what I disagree with…

That there is a god.
That Jesus is God.
That people have an innate desire for God.
That you can no God through natural reason…
etc.

Pretty much everything that doesn’t say “the Church tells us…”.
I do believe that the Catechism correctly reflects the teaching of the Church.
Click to expand...
Do you know something what I noticed on your thread is that you capitalized God when it was referenced to the Judeo /Christian God or Jesus. Where you did not capitalize when generally speaking.

An atheist or agnostic would not do that. I think the Holy Spirit is still trying to get through to you.
 
I have had a copy of the Catechism for several years, but just recently, I found mp3 versions of the Catechism Here> thecatholiccatechism.com/

I took some time to convert it to my iPod, and I can listen to a good chunk of it on the iPod, but only the first 1400 verses are converted over to voice at that site above.

I even listen to the Bible on the iPod, and the big reason for my having the iPod, is due to chronic fatigue that keeps me from reading more than a couple pages at a time. I tend to get very sluggish, if I sit down to read too long, and I have to get up and run around.
 
c659smith said:
Do you know something what I noticed on your thread is that you capitalized God when it was referenced to the Judeo /Christian God or Jesus. Where you did not capitalize when generally speaking.

An atheist or agnostic would not do that. I think the Holy Spirit is still trying to get through to you.
Click to expand...
You’re very observant. I can’t comment on what the Holy Spirit is, or is not trying to do, but I can explain why I capitalize the way I do.
  1. I don’t wish to be disrespectful of others. I tend to be hot tempered, so I often fail miserably at this, but I’m always striving to be respectful and charitable toward others. It seems petty to attack a faith through improper spelling and grammar. I loathe it when people don’t capitalize the names of religions they don’t agree with.
  2. It is grammatically correct. I capitalize President Bush even though I am not an American and dislike the man intensely. I write for a living, and I have a tremendous respect for language. (Again, I often fail miserably, but I’m always trying to be grammatically correct.) So, I only use the lower case when I am referring to a class “a god or gods”. The one rule I break on a regular basis is using “He” when referring to God.
 
Jimmy_B said:
How many non-Catholics here at CAF, have actually read what is written in the Catechism of the Catholic Church? If you have, are there things in there that you disagree with or do not understand? If so, post it here. How many non-Catholics here at CAF, have read what CAF Apologist’s here have written?
Click to expand...
When I was 10 or 11, I started to avidly read Encyclopedia Brown. For those who aren’t familiar, this is a children’s series of books where a child solves mysteries. The character is named Encyclopedia because he read all of them straight through. I was so enamored by this character that I pledged to read the Thesaurus and Dictionary. Then I read the Bible. Then I moved onto the CCC. I can’t say that I came even close to the brilliant sleuthing of Encyclopedia Brown, but I suppose my mom was happy about the situation. 😃

That being said, I take after my generation, in that I don’t read the actual book-form very often and I don’t have every page committed to memory. Why bother memorizing when you can google? 👍
 
i commend those non-Catholics who are looking to the actual facts in order to present questions and compare ideas, just as one would when earnestly evaluating anything else.

as for me, i didn’t go that route because i was still exploring the existence of God and who this “Jesus” guy was. the CCC came into the picture when i needed specific clarification on what i believed already. it could have helped me early on, but i know God planned it this way for a reason…
 
I think if you want to examine the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you should also read the recitations which the Catechism uses from the Church Councils, Scriptures, ECF, etc.
 
Mannyfit75 said:
I think if you want to examine the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you should also read the recitations which the Catechism uses from the Church Councils, Scriptures, ECF, etc.
Click to expand...
Hello Mannyfit,
**I agree and here are some other helpful Catholic Links…
**
Vatican website

Catholic Answers Home

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catholic Online

Catholic City (Free CD’s)

On-line Bible

The Catholic Liturgical Library

The Coming Home Network

Dave Armstrong – Catholic Apologetic Books

EWTN (Catholic TV- Radio)

Catholic Radio

Ave Maria Radio

Scripture in the Order of the Mass

Catholic.net

Vivificat

Catholic Links

A Catholic Response

Father John Corapi

Apologetic Articles

The Catholic Calendar Page

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (YouTube)

G.K. Chesterton

John Henry Cardinal Newman

St. Josemaria Escriva here (videos)
 
I have a copy I purchased at the Goodwill…a very thick volume.

I’ve read portions of it…I disagree with many points I’ve read…but I began at a different place and a different understanding of the nature of the church, God, forgiveness, sacraments…etc…I understand the arguments for those points on which I disagree…I just do not find the "arguements’ compelling…they are points of religious belief which I simply do not subscribe to…it’s interesting, but nothing I get real “worked up” about.

An interesting read…daunting in places, enlightening in others…and it’s been a year or so since I’ve dug it out.
 
Publisher said:
I have a copy I purchased at the Goodwill…a very thick volume.

I’ve read portions of it…I disagree with many points I’ve read…but I began at a different place and a different understanding of the nature of the church, God, forgiveness, sacraments…etc…I understand the arguments for those points on which I disagree…I just do not find the "arguements’ compelling…they are points of religious belief which I simply do not subscribe to…it’s interesting, but nothing I get real “worked up” about.

An interesting read…daunting in places, enlightening in others…and it’s been a year or so since I’ve dug it out.
Click to expand...
Hello Publisher,

Here is the link to the on-line Catechism of the Catholic Church. Everything in the Catechism of the Catholic Church is preceded or followed by a Bible verse. If you can get “work-up” by the Catechism, then how do you get “worked-up” by the Bible when the Catechism is based on the Bible, it is not a “Catholic”, “stand-alone” book, it is a Biblically based “book”. I am glad that you liked some of it. I suggest that you take another look, you might be surprised how much of it that you agree with. There is much more written in the Catechism about those things that we have in common, then there is about those things that we don’t.

The Catechism helps to put Christianity in context. 👍

God Bless You
 
Jimmy_B said:
Hello Publisher,

Here is the link to the on-line Catechism of the Catholic Church. Everything in the Catechism of the Catholic Church is preceded or followed by a Bible verse. If you can get “work-up” by the Catechism, **then how do you ****get “worked-up” by the Bible **when the Catechism is based on the Bible, it is not a “Catholic”, “stand-alone” book, it is a Biblically based “book”. I am glad that you liked some of it. I suggest that you take another look, you might be surprised how much of it that you agree with. There is much more written in the Catechism about those things that we have in common, then there is about those things that we don’t.

The Catechism helps to put Christianity in context. 👍

God Bless You
Click to expand...
I don’t get “worked up” over the Bible either. 🙂

While I find the Bible invaluable, I do not subscribe to “sola scriptura”. The understanding of Friends is a bit unique among Christians. The Scriptures are inspired testimony of what those first people called Christians believed and the insights and relationships they developed in and through Jesus of Nazareth.

Friends believe we “live in that virtue and power of life which the apostles lived”…but as I said, as a Friend I begin at a different place and while I find many if not most religious writings “enlightening”, I do not believe any contain the absolute Truth…there is One who claims to be Truth. Truth is something to be lived in, not argued about…as I’ve said before, I might get my “theology” wrong…I might be ‘invincibly ignorant’ of many deep religious dogmas, but that’s where grace comes in…I might not be able to explain adequately to my Catholic friends why I don’t participate in the “outward form” of the eucharist…or the ‘outward form of baptism’ or any of the things many Christians hold dear, I do not begrudge them that in the least. I will crack open the CCC again, and gleen the truths that are “opened to me”, thanks for the suggestion.

The things I consider most important are more tangible…if I receive the “body and blood of Christ” and my neighbor goes hungry or the child around the corner is cold at night…I am sadly lacking as a member of Christ’s Body. The “cup of salvation” for me isn’t found in a gold or silver chalice…it’s in a plain paper cup or simple plastic bottle of water given to someone who is thirsty. The “bread of life” for me isn’t found on a silver or gold patten, but the bread in a celophane or plastic wrapper with some lunch meat offered in his name to the homeless or hungry person who asks me for food. For me the “stations of the cross” is taking my box of groceries to the local food bank every week…I have such abundance in my life, how can I not share?

There is much I do not pretend to understand about the Holy Mysteries…I have enough trouble acting on those not so mysterious things that have more immediate need and lasting impact. Eternity will take care of itself…it is not too much of a concern.

I seek to follow the Light Within, and do so impefectly, but on that Day I stand before my Creator, I will bow my head in Silence and accept what ever comes from His hand…with Job I echo…“Though He slay me, still will I trust in Him.”

I am content…with Paul “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to l keep what I have committed unto him against that day.” I’m in Good Hands, come what may.
 
Publisher said:
I don’t get “worked up” over the Bible either. 🙂

While I find the Bible invaluable, I do not subscribe to “sola scriptura”. The understanding of Friends is a bit unique among Christians. The Scriptures are inspired testimony of what those first people called Christians believed and the insights and relationships they developed in and through Jesus of Nazareth.

Friends believe we “live in that virtue and power of life which the apostles lived”…but as I said, as a Friend I begin at a different place and while I find many if not most religious writings “enlightening”, I do not believe any contain the absolute Truth…there is One who claims to be Truth. Truth is something to be lived in, not argued about…as I’ve said before, I might get my “theology” wrong…I might be ‘invincibly ignorant’ of many deep religious dogmas, but that’s where grace comes in…I might not be able to explain adequately to my Catholic friends why I don’t participate in the “outward form” of the eucharist…or the ‘outward form of baptism’ or any of the things many Christians hold dear, I do not begrudge that in the least. I will crack open the CCC again, and gleen the truths that are “opened to me”, thanks for the suggestion.

The things I consider most important are more tangible…if I receive the “body and blood of Christ” and my neighbor goes hungry or the child around the corner is cold at night…I am sadly lacking as a member of Christ’s Body. The “cup of salvation” for me isn’t found in a gold or silver chalice…it’s in a plain paper cup or simple plastic bottle of water given to someone who is thirsty. The “bread of life” for me isn’t found on a silver or gold patten, but in a celophane or plastic wrapper with some lunch meat offered in his name to the homeless or hungry person who asks me for food. For me the “stations of the cross” is taking my box of groceries to the local food bank every week…I have such abundance in my life, how can I not share?

There is much I do not pretend to understand about the Holy Mysteries…I have enough trouble acting on those not so mysterious things that have more immediate need and lasting impact. Eternity will take care of itself…it is not too much of a conern.

I seek to follow the Light Within, and do so impefectly, but on that Day I stand before my Creator, I will bow my head in Silence and accept what ever comes from His hand…with Job I echo…“Though He slay me, still will I trust in Him.”

I am content…with Paul “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to l keep what I have committed unto him against that day.” I’m in Good Hands, come what may.
Click to expand...
Thank you friend! I think we agree on much more than we disagree…🙂
 
Publisher said:
I don’t get “worked up” over the Bible either. 🙂 …While I find the Bible invaluable…
Click to expand...
Hi again Publisher,

Might I suggest the Bible on CD, here (if you don’t have it already)? I found that the Bible is much more interesting when I read it and listened to it. When you listen to an entire book at a time, the Bible is more clearly understood. When prayer, reading the Bible and listening to the Bible on CD is combined with the readings and the Homily at a Catholic Mass…The Bible comes alive and so does Jesus Christ.

I also read a lot of books about the Bible.

God Bless You! 🙂
 
Regarding the passage about Muslims, I really think it depends how you interpret it. It does bother me somewhat only because of how broad it is–many take to mean that Muslims are saved without being in the body of Christ. How I interpret it is along the lines of Muslims are part of the plan of salvation just as everyone else is–God desires to save them. The reason the Catechism specifically calls on them is because they share more in common with Catholics than [say] Hindus or Animists or Sikhs, etc. There is truth in Islam (one God, honor to Jesus, belief in the last judgment, etc.), but it not a faith by which God’s grace is active. IF one receives grace as a Muslim, it is not because of their religion, but only because of God’s mercy. That’s just my perspective…

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius:cool:
 
Jimmy_B said:
Hi again Publisher,

Might I suggest the Bible on CD, here (if you don’t have it already)? I found that the Bible is much more interesting when I read it and listened to it. When you listen to an entire book at a time, the Bible is more clearly understood. When prayer, reading the Bible and listening to the Bible on CD is combined with the readings and the Homily at a Catholic Mass…The Bible comes alive and so does Jesus Christ.

I also read a lot of books about the Bible.

God Bless You! 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info. I read and study scripture most days before I leave for work as well as some evenings at home. I’m an early riser, 5:00-5:30, I leave for work around 7:00 and I’m only 5 mins from the office.

I’m more a a “visual” person, so listening to the Bible being read to me my mind tends to wander toward other things. I do enjoy critical study of scripture and the history of the church. I’m an avid reader.

I usually have two or three books going at a time. This past Tuesday I purchased a new book by Bart Erhman, “God’s Problem”, I also purchased a book I’d been looking for a while, “The Gnostic Paul” by Elaine Pagels.

I am also reading a book by Elton Trueblood, “A Place to Stand”, a Quaker writer I enjoy.

I use the Oxford Study Bible with the Deuterocanonical Books RSV. I have a wide range of Bible translations.

Peace to you.
 
I got the book at home…i was so fond of reading it after coming to this forum…(at least i understand alittle about Catholicism) but then have yet to finish the entire book…But i have to say, catholicism is very “beautiful” - this is the best word i choose to represent it 😉
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top