Is it ok for a priest to be an athiest?

[mattjtayl]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

 

[ribozyme]

My first question to you is why did you ask this question in the Moral Theology forum? You do not abide by Catholic morality (presumably because you are an atheist), so it is irrelevant to you.

Well, let’s say that it is a mortal sin for an atheist to be a priest. Well, does it affect you in anyway if it were discovered? No, at worst you will be excommunicated, and since you are an atheist, it means, well, nothing, as you never had any fellowship with the Church.

But regarding the validity of the sacraments that you will dispense. I think the Catholic Church deems them valid; a related heresy concerning this is called “Donatism”.

But honestly, as an agnostic, do you honestly think that you could pray to God with a group of people every Sunday? Everytime you give someone the Eucharist and say “the Body of Christ” you know you are deluding yourself and deliberately lying to yourself as you do not honestly believe that. Could you handle that? I can’t. To be honest, I can’t knell on my bedside and pray to God for comfort and guidance, as I believe it is futile.

As an agnostic, I do not think you are doing anything that is morally wrong. The Church will disagree with me, but I think you should not do this. There are better things an atheist can do to help people in the world.

 

[Tonks40]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

The priesthood isn’t something that someone just “takes on” because it’s “something to do.” To take a quote from a very famous movie, “Search your feelings…” Seriously, why are you obsessed, so-you-say, on becoming a priest?

The term “religion” translates to “relationship” - in the Catholic Church, that relationship is with God, thru his Son, Jesus Christ. Are you thinking about becoming a priest to just puff-up your ego, or are your intentions for the priesthood are a result of the relationship you have with the Lord? As an atheist, I would have to assume it’s the former of the two…you don’t believe in God, you don’t have a relationship with Him…so why do you even consider it?

Many men who have a strong faith in our Lord have taken years to discern (figure-out) if the calling of the vocation of the priesthood is the path that they are called to take. If I were you, I’d would just first get firm with your belief in God…then after a very loooong while, maybe think about looking into that call of the priesthood (you didn’t even indicate if you were Catholic or not.)

Peace.

 

[Jeffrey]

Uhhh… no. It would not be ok for a Priest to be an athiest.

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

 

[mommyof4]

Um, this is the easiest post I’ve ever answered: NO.

 

[Rye-Guy]

To answer your question simply, NO. But to elaborate, I would have a really hard time understanding how someone could “be” a priest and an atheist. In order to be a priest you would need to have a personal relationship with God and being an atheist I would think that would be very difficult. Additionally, if you simply want to help people there are plenty of avenues to do so, habitat for humanity, teachers without borders…ect.

 

[EBSSTF4]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

An atheist does not question God existence; he knows there is no God. A lot of people have occasional doubts. An atheist Priest would be a con-man, Praying on peoples beliefs for his own personal gain.

 

[DonProfondo]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people.

Do you have any idea what you’re even talking about? You think that’s all a priest does? You think he does it on his own? Priests are called by Christ. Have you heard Him calling you?

The most important thing a priest does is to offer the Eucharistic sacrifice. In order to do that, he has to have the intention of doing it. Are you aware of that? Do you even know what that means?

Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

Clearly.

I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

Here’s an idea. Go find a Rosary-praying, daily Mass-attending Italian-American great grandmother. Ask her the question quoted above. After you wake up from your coma – the coma you’ll be in after she smacks you upside the head, possibly with her walker – this “obsession” probably will have left your brain.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

Try this.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

Oh? How do you know this?

 

[ChristIsTheWay]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

I once saw the very same question asked on the Q&A section of the Orthodox Church in America. Perhaps this not uncommon among atheists? Anyways, I don’t think you can, honestly, at least. You have to consider that you could not simply do this honestly. You’d be lying every step of the way. Can you do that? Here’s what I suggest: a) you could become a secular social worker, or b) you could consider UUA ministry, where belief in God is not required.

 

[TheGarg]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

My question is why are you an atheist??

it is far easier to believe in God, scientifically or otherwise, than it is to believe in the great Randomness of it all, which had such odds, that the catholic forums servers dont have enough bits on al thier hard drives to type the number out. something to ponder on

 

[Liberalsaved]

I’m just going to get some popcorn and sit back and watch for this one.

 

[Liberalsaved]

My question is why are you an atheist??

it is far easier to believe in God, scientifically or otherwise, than it is to believe in the great Randomness of it all, which had such odds, that the catholic forums servers dont have enough bits on al thier hard drives to type the number out. something to ponder on

I disagree. All spirituality has much more in common with chance and chaos than it does with science. Just because Item A happens to work well with Items B and C to create a working ecosystem, doesn’t mean it was planned that way. That’s not logic, it’s a leap of faith. And both are healthy when handled well, but that doesn’t mean we should try to force the two to overlap in areas where they manifestly do not.

 

[TheGarg]

I disagree. All spirituality has much more in common with chance and chaos than it does with science. Just because Item A happens to work well with Items B and C to create a working ecosystem, doesn’t mean it was planned that way. That’s not logic, it’s a leap of faith. And both are healthy when handled well, but that doesn’t mean we should try to force the two to overlap in areas where they manifestly do not.

you are minimalizing it very greatly…there are alot more variables like 26^100000000000000000000000000000000 ] than there are letters in the alphabet…so many, and so intricate, randomess is alot harder to swollow than the possiblity of Intelligent Design , or A creator…

 

[Liberalsaved]

you are minimalizing it very greatly…there are alot more variables like 26^100000000000000000000000000000000 ] than there are letters in the alphabet…so many, and so intricate, randomess is alot harder to swollow than the possiblity of Intelligent Design , or A creator…

It’s harder to wrap your mind around, yes. But that doesn’t mean ID makes more sense. It’s easier for most to wrap their minds around this person is bad, and this person is good, and the good guy has to win, than for them to understand that this person has a way of seeing things and this person has a way of seeing things and those two ways are in conflict. It doesn’t mean the former way makes more sense.

And since I’m sure someone is going to twist this, I am not comparing God or anything else you may individually beleive in to anything said here, I’m just discussing the differences between faith and logic.

 

[I_A]

You may want to visit a monestary or something and live there for a while. Be up front and honest with them and see if they’ll let you live with them for a while. If you’re interested in being a priest there might be a reason. See what sets them apart.

For obvious reasons no bishop would knowingly ordain an atheist, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do those things that attract you.

Many Catholic schools and missions in impoverished areas are in great need of teachers. You don’t have to be Catholic to teach at a Catholic school in South America, Africa or Asia, (or even in the US.)

Some missions in Africa are in great need of people because the AIDS epidimic has so skewed the age of the population. And perhaps some missions may offer you the chance to live with religious so you can see what attracts you to their lives.

 

[Flopfoot]

You know what? I’d say you’re welcome to try if you want (-: You have to go through the seminary, and it is the job of some people at the seminary to work out if they really think that someone is called to the priesthood or not, while they’re in seminary. They have turned away Catholics who have been studying there for 3 years because they didn’t think the person was ready for it. So most likely they would turn away an atheist.

However, if you really do have a calling, they might actually take you in for a year and see if you learn to believe in God while you’re there (and if not then they’d figurte out that no, this isn’t for you and kick you out).

I have heard of stories of people who weren’t Catholic feeling an odd calling and only when they converted to Catholicism did they realise it really was a call to the priesthood… so I reckon it might be possible for God to start calling someone early on in the piece… then again I could be completely wrong.

 

[gardenswithkids]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?..I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

It’s nice that you want to help people. Have you considered the Peace Corps or something of that nature? There are many ways to help others, but priests help primarily in matters of faith. If you don’t have faith, you shouldn’t become a priest because you can’t give away what isn’t yours.

 

[TimOliv]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

So go join the Peace Corps, then. There are countless organizations which would enable you to help the poor in Africa.

 

[estesbob]

I have been seriously thinking about joining the priesthood lately, there is just one problem I don’t believe in god. Is it wrong for a priest to be an athiest?

I enjoy helping people, I enjoy using religon to make them forget about their problems and ease the reality of death. I see religion as a way to teach people morals and kindness. I really enjoy being nice to people. Everyone has a hobby, my hobby is college, I have a bachelors in computer science, an associate in nursing, a certificate in accounting, and I am currently in graduate school to be a teacher, and still I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I thought about law school, however the more I have been thinking about it for some odd reason I am obssesed with the idea of being a priest.

I would love to be a missionary and help some of these poor people in Africa.

I am sure I wouldn’t be the first priest who questioned God’s existance; in reality there are many athiest priests.

Please do not feed the trollsmileys.smileycentral.com/cus/e_1_73.gif

smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb112&pp=ZS

 

[FCEGM]

In another thread you wrote:

I would really like to be a catholic some day, it would be great to be a church leader, but if masons can’t be catholics I have no choice I must be a protestant then.

I think your vocational aspirations need to be put on hold until you are able to sort out various discrepancies in what you say you do or do not believe.