Is signing this statement of faith wrong?

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antihippy79

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My wife and I are attempting to volunteer at an organization called “A Woman’s Friend.” It is a counseling and support organization for woman who are pregnant. Its primary role is to educate women so that they choose life. It is 100% pro-life (in EVERY instance) and seems like a great group of people.

One potential problem: It is a Protestant type organization and they have asked my wife and I to sign a statement of faith. There are about 10 statements that are on the form and they are all basic Christian principles…no problem there. However, the first statement says:

“I believe the Bible is the only infallible Word of God.”

It seems to smell like “Sola Scriptura” to me. I am uncertain if this statement contradicts Catholic teaching and if it would be immoral for my wife and I to sign this document. Does the statement exclude our belief in Sacred Tradition? I spoke with a priest about it…he seemed dismissive of the problem and just said “follow your conscience.” Easier said than done!
 
Yes, it is a sola scriptura statement to which they will expect you to adhere. Besides this, they may try to proselytize you while you are endeavoring to be a part of their ministry. If they invite people of all denominations and faiths to help, they shouldn’t be demanding you sign a paper that favors only their way of thinking. That is asking you to violate your conscience, IMO. Are there any Catholic pro-life counseling centers where you could volunteer? Call your diocese to find out where else you might serve the pro-life cause if you do not want to restrict yourselves to these Protestants’ expectations/demands.
 
Della said:
Yes, it is a sola scriptura statement to which they will expect you to adhere. Besides this, they may try to proselytize you while you are endeavoring to be a part of their ministry. If they invite people of all denominations and faiths to help, they shouldn’t be demanding you sign a paper that favors only their way of thinking. That is asking you to violate your conscience, IMO. Are there any Catholic pro-life counseling centers where you could volunteer? Call your diocese to find out where else you might serve the pro-life cause if you do not want to restrict yourselves to these Protestants’ expectations/demands.
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Thank you for your response. I live in a very small and isolated town and there are almost no Catholic charity type organizations here (the nearest would be 2 hours away or so). I am not concerned about being proselytized as my faith is strong and I would be more than happy to win converts for Christ. 🙂

I do agree that it is unfortunate that they push sola scriptura as my wife and I would be hard working volunteers. It’s sort of sad really…
 
If you really like this organization and want to work with them, then give them a chance to revise the statement of faith that you sign. If you explain your concerns, and possibly offer them an alternative statement of faith that you could sign, then you will see whether they are interested in accommodating you or only in forcing you into their way of thinking.
 
LeafByNiggle said:
If you really like this organization and want to work with them, then give them a chance to revise the statement of faith that you sign. If you explain your concerns, and possibly offer them an alternative statement of faith that you could sign, then you will see whether they are interested in accommodating you or only in forcing you into their way of thinking.
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I was thinking of handing them the Apostle’s Creed…and saying…“here is what I believe. take it or leave it.”
 
You could tell them that except for that one statement you agree with their statement of faith or ask that they clarify what the mean by it. If nothing else, it would, as you say be an opportunity to share the truths of the faith with them. It’s unfortunate they’re making volunteers pass their totally subjective “test” in order to help with a cause that all people of good conscience can agree on–the need for pro-life aid to needy mothers/families. You might want to point that out to them, as well, and the fact they’d get more helpers if they weren’t trying to make others conform to their particular ideas about the Bible, which really has no bearing on why you’re there. Just some thoughts. It is, as you say, too bad.
 
LeafByNiggle said:
A little careful editing of their original statement might elicit more cooperation.
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I do not wish to be confrontational with them, nor do I wish to dishonor God by signing something I do not believe. Of course, God wins.
 
The first time I met with the people who run the organization they were very clear that they are a Christian organization. I don’t have a problem with them having a statements of faith…but it might not be exactly my faith. They were not dishonest about it at all.
 
I think that it would be appropriate to make an amendment, as in you will not encourage those you serve to believe that there there is anything but bibilical infalability.

Sometimes this is a good deal. It would mean keeping your mouth shut alot, but if you can handle that then I’d do it.
 
antihippy79 said:
My wife and I are attempting to volunteer at an organization called “A Woman’s Friend.” It is a counseling and support organization for woman who are pregnant. Its primary role is to educate women so that they choose life. It is 100% pro-life (in EVERY instance) and seems like a great group of people.

One potential problem: It is a Protestant type organization and they have asked my wife and I to sign a statement of faith. There are about 10 statements that are on the form and they are all basic Christian principles…no problem there. However, the first statement says:

“I believe the Bible is the only infallible Word of God.”

It seems to smell like “Sola Scriptura” to me. I am uncertain if this statement contradicts Catholic teaching and if it would be immoral for my wife and I to sign this document. Does the statement exclude our belief in Sacred Tradition? I spoke with a priest about it…he seemed dismissive of the problem and just said “follow your conscience.” Easier said than done!
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My first question would be why the need for such a statement. Shouldn’t one’s desire to help and serve be the main goal?

You may want to check Project Rachel. hopeafterabortion.com/
 
purplesunshine said:
I think that it would be appropriate to make an amendment, as in you will not encourage those you serve to believe that there there is anything but bibilical infalability.

Sometimes this is a good deal. It would mean keeping your mouth shut alot, but if you can handle that then I’d do it.
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I don’t think there will be any discussions with the women seaking counseling about the merits of sola scrptura and Sacred Tradition! Well, at least I hope not.
 
antihippy79 said:
I don’t think there will be any discussions with the women seaking counseling about the merits of sola scrptura and Sacred Tradition! Well, at least I hope not.
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I wanted to work for a company that was DEEPLY spiritually based. Fortualtly, when you signed their statement of faith you simply had to sign that you believed in God, Jesus, and that God created everything. You also had to sign that you would not let your beliefs enter into conversation unless directly asked, and that you would encourage the conversation to move from that topic quickly. You never know what will come up.
 
antihippy79 said:
My wife and I are attempting to volunteer at an organization called “A Woman’s Friend.” It is a counseling and support organization for woman who are pregnant. Its primary role is to educate women so that they choose life. It is 100% pro-life (in EVERY instance) and seems like a great group of people.

One potential problem: It is a Protestant type organization and they have asked my wife and I to sign a statement of faith. There are about 10 statements that are on the form and they are all basic Christian principles…no problem there. However, the first statement says:

“I believe the Bible is the only infallible Word of God.”

It seems to smell like “Sola Scriptura” to me. I am uncertain if this statement contradicts Catholic teaching and if it would be immoral for my wife and I to sign this document. Does the statement exclude our belief in Sacred Tradition? I spoke with a priest about it…he seemed dismissive of the problem and just said “follow your conscience.” Easier said than done!
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You should never sign a “statement of faith” that has elements which disagree with YOUR faith. This is a practice by protestants to root out catholics whom some of them perceives as non-christian
 
antihippy79 said:
My wife and I are attempting to volunteer at an organization called “A Woman’s Friend.” It is a counseling and support organization for woman who are pregnant. Its primary role is to educate women so that they choose life. It is 100% pro-life (in EVERY instance) and seems like a great group of people.

One potential problem: It is a Protestant type organization and they have asked my wife and I to sign a statement of faith. There are about 10 statements that are on the form and they are all basic Christian principles…no problem there. However, the first statement says:

“I believe the Bible is the only infallible Word of God.”

It seems to smell like “Sola Scriptura” to me. I am uncertain if this statement contradicts Catholic teaching and if it would be immoral for my wife and I to sign this document. Does the statement exclude our belief in Sacred Tradition? I spoke with a priest about it…he seemed dismissive of the problem and just said “follow your conscience.” Easier said than done!
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To me that fact that you are asking is an indication that you are uncomfortable. If you do not believe the statement is true, it would be wrong to sign your name to it. Don’t misrepresent what you believe. I don’t think you have to be confrontational about it. Just tell the person who is working with you that you believe the Bible is the Word of God. leave out only infallible. After all, most Christian would recognize the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed, but it is not “in the Bible.”

If they will only let you volunteer if you promise to sign this then it is their loss.
 
larsenl1 said:
To me that fact that you are asking is an indication that you are uncomfortable. If you do not believe the statement is true, it would be wrong to sign your name to it. Don’t misrepresent what you believe. I don’t think you have to be confrontational about it. Just tell the person who is working with you that you believe the Bible is the Word of God. leave out only infallible. After all, most Christian would recognize the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed, but it is not “in the Bible.”

If they will only let you volunteer if you promise to sign this then it is their loss.
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more to consider…do they find any merit in the writing of Thomas Aquinas or Augustine of Hippo? Does every prayer they say come directly from the bible? They never, ever, ever, say anything that is not in scripture? In other words, make them think about this in their own life.

How do they explain the “Eye of the Needle”? Do they explain it as a narrow gate to Jerusalem circa 30 A.D. or they literally think Jesus was talking about a sewing needle?
 
Any private agency who accpets no money from the government can decide whom they hire and whom the wont. I have seen plenty of statement of faith requirements for employment
 
Draw a simple line through the word “only” and sign it. The ball is then in their court. If they call you on it, you can explain that you believe that God is still speaking through His Church.

It seems that both sides would agree with:

“I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God.”

I wouldn’t sign it “as is” but I wouldn’t give up the opportuntiy without at least trying to reach common ground.
 
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