Is curiosity a vice for women only and how is that different from reading and studying about the Faith?

[mary15]

@0Scarlett_nidiyilii Thanks for posting, I agree with you, but that was not the context here.

 

[Sarcelle]

@Irishmom2 a fellow Catholic man told me recently that curiosity is a vice.

Yikes, my head is spinning.

This is all new to me.

Usually people up to no good, such as scammers, will benefit from people not thinking for themselves.

Just because someone told you not to think for yourself doesn’t mean you should follow his advice.

There is nothing virtuous in being ignorant and ignorance is not a particularly feminine trait.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I think that’s what your male friend was referring to, however.

Curiosity is found on lists of vices in the olden days.
So he was sort of right.
But words change meanings over time.

 

[Funvod]

My life would be a lot less stressful if I could just let go and trust that the men will do all the thinking for me, and why risk having a curious mind if it will lead me into sin?

That’s not a healthy mentality to have. Whoever told you that being curious is a vice is totally wrong lol.

 

[Sarcelle]

A lot of nuns and sisters are highly educated theologians.

Not to mention there are doctors of the church who are women.

 

[Sarcelle]

mary15:

I got frightened when he told me that curiosity is a vice, I suppose because he is a man, and in a high position, so I thought that it was possibly a rebuke to me for trying to learn.

Be wary of any man (or any person) who tries to prohibit or discourage you from learning about your Catholic Faith or gaining an education.

People who demand unthinking obedience are setting the stage for abuse.

If I were you, I would avoid people like this and take everything they say with a lot of salt.

 

[TK421]

This might help. Although it addresses curiosity in general not just for women.

Yes, thank you.

The use of the word ‘curiosity’ as a vice is very different from how it is often used in contemporary culture.

Wanting to know what is rightfully somebody else’s business, or trying to appear more knowledgeable than what one is are both examples of curiosity as a vice.

 

[Mrchatsworth]

Sounds like someone I wouldn’t engage in conversation ever again.

 

[mary15]

@TK421 I’m not more knowledgeable that is for sure. I’m seriously wanting to know more about my Lord, that is all. I do not know much.
but my heart’s desire is for more of Him.

It’s simple really.

And I was just trying to respect the men because I thought only men can teach.

I’m sorry. I am really hurting and confused.

@Nik thank you for the video by Father Mike. It’s really a good one. He says its good to be studious.

Right?

 

[mary15]

@LumineDiei thank you for those links, you are most generous indeed.

I tried to ask around last year about starting a women’s study at my parish, and I was told that no one could lead it except a man.

Was that incorrect?

 

[TK421]

@mary15

Don’t care too deeply about a strange person with a strange opinion. His view has no authority.

Peace.

 

[Funvod]

And I was just trying to respect the men because I thought only men can teach.

No no no that is definitely not true.

He says its good to be studious.

Right?

Being studious is always a good thing. A good student can learn to think critically and decide what they believe, don’t believe, stuff like that, which I would think would be pretty important for something as big as religious beliefs.

 

[mary15]

Women arent allowed to teach…but is that ok for women to teach other women and not the men?

 

[Funvod]

Women arent allowed to teach

Whoever told you this is dead wrong, and they don’t sound like a very nice person.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

No, not a troll at all, just very confused as to why a very highly esteemed and learned man in the church recently told to me that I should remember that curiosity is a vice.

I am totally confused.

I showed to him my new book The Imitation of Christ and he did not seem happy for me, but I cannot really tell. He didnt smile or say that is a great book either, so I am somewhat glum in my spirit today.

I think “curiosity” is an old timey way of referring to people who snoop around looking for information they have no business having. Basically, being overly nosy.

I think the larger point is you need to understand that this guy is just some guy: he’s not your spiritual director or pastor. Who cares what he thinks?

 

[mary15]

@RolandThompsonGunner I sincerely think he was trying to help me…as the Father Mike youtube video shares, curiosity is indeed a vice, but studiousness isn’t.

@TK421, no he’s not a stranger

I want to read books and to learn but I am afraid I will get into trouble for not learning all my prayers first, nevermind doing them every day.

 

[kapp19]

Curiosity, the vice opposed to studiousness, is not “being interested in learning new things,” it is “being interested in learning new things which one has no business learning, or which is being learned for immoral purposes, especially vanity.”

I heard of a girl once who was arguing with someone about theology… Her interlocutor appealed to the words of Christ, to which she unironically responded, “Well, Jesus didn’t get a Masters in theology at CUA, like me.” That’s curiosity. And we should pity such people and pray for them (and they do exist).

Women like that, it is true, should not teach. But nor should men like that teach.

Women cannot participate in the official teaching function of the Church (the Magisterium) - which is reserved for clergy alone (and that in varying degrees). God help us if women stop teaching in other capacities!

 

[mary15]

“being interested in learning new things which one has no business learning,

That is an excellent post. Outstanding! Thank you so much. This is helpful. I suppose he meant that I have no buisness knowing what is happening to myself sometimes, because seeking answers would lead me into more troubles.

I really want to trust him as having my best interests in mind.

 

[kapp19]

You should read the lives (and basic writings) of Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Hildegard von Bingen.

That’s my serious advice… if you want to do some reading - which will help your spiritual life, and maybe aid your understanding of women vis-a-vis men in the Church. (Granted - not everything should be imitated - but the lessons are there.)

 

[Irishmom2]

I suppose he meant that I have no buisness knowing what is happening to myself sometimes, because seeking answers would lead me into more troubles.

That’s a ridiculous way to think if that is in fact what he was thinking. But since you are here asking what we think, he obviously has not made his point very clear. Whatever it is.