Poll - Too many rules in the Catholic Church

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alexaustralia

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Hi all,

I just thought that in light of another thread “Too many rules in the Catholic Church”, how many people think the CC has too many rules.
 
I did not vote. I do not think that things are simple and straightforward, yet the rules that are in place are there because people needed clarification and are there in order to improve our relationship with Christ.

The too many rules implies that there should be less. What should we get rid of? The rules of Lent that are meant for us to imitate Christ and His 40 days in the wilderness (in other words, no, dont’ be more Christlike)? No confession even though Christ told us to do so? It is okay to divorce even though clearly Christ called those who divorced and remarried adulterers?

:twocents:
 
I didn’t vote, because while I believe the rules are there for a reason, and as a guide, I have to admit there are alot of them!

Someone in the other thread mentioned the six (I think its six?) things that you must follow (if you are able). But besides that, there are just alot of things, like fasting before Communion, that you should do. I have to admit, its intimidating!

I have a Catholic church literally in my backyard that I attend when I ‘get brave’. I’ve read something about why things are done the way they are in Mass, unless I have that with me, I’m usually lost.

I sit in the back, (although I’m sure people know I’m not Catholic because I don’t participate in Communion), I’m sure some of them are watching me stumble through the Mass, wondering ‘who let her in?’ 🙂 I’m sure the clueless look on my face says it all- sit, stand, kneel, say this, sing that, huh what? 🙂

I’m learning quickly why things are done the way they are, but from the outside, it looks like an incredible amount of rules! :rolleyes:

Becka
 
MariaG said:
I did not vote. I do not think that things are simple and straightforward, yet the rules that are in place are there because people needed clarification and are there in order to improve our relationship with Christ.
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Ditto
 
I think it was Dr Laura who said, “If you find religion easy your either in the wrong religion or you aren’t practicing it right.” The point is, God didn’t promise us easy. He promised that people would hate us because of him, he promised trials and hardships. We have to make ourselves worthy of salvation, which is after all, the ultimate goal. I don’t think there are too many rules, in fact at times I wish there were more to make it easier to know what is right, but I have to believe it is “just right” since our church was founded by Christ himself…and as he is perfect, so must be his plan.
 
I did not vote. I do not think that things are simple and straightforward
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The thing I wanted people to think about was in the lines of … are the rules so complex that I spend a lot of effort trying to figure out what is required of me by the Church, so much so that it affects my relationship with God and others? For me the answer is NO … but I respect if any think otherwise.
I think it was Dr Laura who said, “If you find religion easy your either in the wrong religion or you aren’t practicing it right.”
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Although I agree with the above, I am discussing the simpilcity of the faith, not its difficulty. There is a difference between simplicity and difficulty. I can say love is a simple term which is hard to act upon. Or equally I can say that love is a simple term which is easy to follow. “Simple” is not the same as “easy”. Yes following the message of Christ is difficult but the message is still simple.

So do people find the rules simple and straightforward means that one has no problem understanding what is required of them.(i.e. the rules are not complex in themselves)? As a Catholic (or observer) do you feel that the congregation is burdened by rules at the expense of their relationship with God? Or do you feel the rules assist you or push you towards a relationship with God?

Alex
 
If we live our lives “in the spirit” of Catholicism it is remarkably simple.

It is because MANY people in the past have not done this that the Church has been forced to implement so many clarifications on what should be an overwhelmingly simple concept.
 
Rules? To me it’s much like gravity…a natural thing that one is wise to make a part of one’s life.
 
I didn’t vote either; I think there should be more rules!

Becka, I’m sure no one thinks, “Who let her in?” If anything the are thinking, “Wow! How brave of her to do this by herself!” I remember one night at mass I over heard a couple of girls behind me wispering to each other at different points in the mass. They weren’t being rude or anything, I could tell they were just trying to get through it. After mass I introduced myself and asked them if they had been there before. They explained they had to do a paper for their religion class on a church that was different from their denomination. I invited them to ask any questions and asked them if they wanted me to show them around. I have to admitt I was a little disappointed that they were just there for a class assignment though. Well, I digress… I am sure there are people at the parish who really admire you for even considering the Catholic Church.
 
I voted that I believe the Church is simple and straightforward. At least, I think it is much more simple and straightforward than the protestantism I came from. It is the most simple and straightforward to can get while answering all questions in a complete and logical way. 🙂
 
alexaustralia said:
The thing I wanted people to think about was in the lines of … are the rules so complex that I spend a lot of effort trying to figure out what is required of me by the Church, so much so that it affects my relationship with God and others? For me the answer is NO … but I respect if any think otherwise.

Although I agree with the above, I am discussing the simpilcity of the faith, not its difficulty. There is a difference between simplicity and difficulty. I can say love is a simple term which is hard to act upon. Or equally I can say that love is a simple term which is easy to follow. “Simple” is not the same as “easy”. Yes following the message of Christ is difficult but the message is still simple.

So do people find the rules simple and straightforward means that one has no problem understanding what is required of them.(i.e. the rules are not complex in themselves)? As a Catholic (or observer) do you feel that the congregation is burdened by rules at the expense of their relationship with God? Or do you feel the rules assist you or push you towards a relationship with God?

Alex
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Ah. I see now.

I believe the rules are intended to assist one and push one towards a deeper relationship with God.

I do however feel that some get so caught up on the rules they forget the reason for the rules. That is they stop focusing on Christ, focus on the rules and get lost.

If one’s focus is on Christ, the rules assist. If one loses their focus and places it ONLY to the rules, the rules can seem to impede their relationship instead of help if one continues to focus on the rules instead of Christ.

God Bless,
Maria
 
What is the point of playing football if there are no rules and anyone can simply do whatever they like? What is the point if someone can simply declare that they have “touched-down” for no particular reason at all? The rules keep the game “pure”.

Once the rules are internalized, the game is much more fun. Charlie Weis (head coach of ND) doesn’t keep a copy of the rules in his back pocket - he has internalized them and that’s why his football is masterful. It’s intuitive for him at this point what can be done and what can’t be done within the limits of football. It would not be good football to play outside of the limits.

It’s the same thing with anything we love - we establish boundaries. You can’t date anyone but me, for example. You can’t commit adultery. These are rules in love, and to reduce the rules would be to reduce the integrity of the act of loving.

Same thing with our relationship with God. The rules are not the point - when we truly love God, the rules will be extraneous (as we’ll be living by them anyway).

Too many rules? Nope. Just right.

God Bless,
RyanL
 
I didn’t vote either. I wanted to say “The right amount of rules, but NOT simple and straightforward.”

'thann
 
I don’t know what your definition of “rules” is but you could say there are a lot of “rules” in the bible also. St. Augustine ** said, " Love God and do what ever you want." Or something like that. Meaning of course that you would be playing by His rules.**
 
There are only 2 “Rules”.

(Mat 22:37) Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.
(Mat 22:38) This is the greatest and the first commandment.
(Mat 22:39) And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

All of the other do’s and don’t given by the Magisterium are explainations of how these two rules are to be applied in our life.
 
alexaustralia said:
Hi all,

I just thought that in light of another thread “Too many rules in the Catholic Church”, how many people think the CC has too many rules.
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Depends on the day of the week you ask me. 🙂 There are times were I feel “overwhelmed” by all the rules and guidelines and think that nothing I can do will ever be good enough. Then there are days where it just makes sense to belong to the Catholic Church, rules included. 😉
 
I’ll second jburgherr’s assessment.

If you hold to the Principle, then the secondary manifestations (the Rules) will follow. They are all landmarks or pointers to the principle, and the proper manifestation of the principle in life. If you take the “legalistic” approach, and veiw the rules as the means and ends, disassociated with their founding Principle, then of course you are going to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of rules.

Put the rules in their perspective, as the CCC, imho, does a great job of doing, then they will be consistent, logical, and comprehensible. The Way of Christ is not a legalistic system of Dos and Don’ts.
 
jburgherr said:
There are only 2 “Rules”.

(Mat 22:37)
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Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.
(Mat 22:38) This is the greatest and the first commandment.
(Mat 22:39) And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

All of the other do’s and don’t given by the Magisterium are explainations of how these two rules are to be applied in our life.I like this and I agree!
 
becka01101 said:
I didn’t vote, because while I believe the rules are there for a reason, and as a guide, I have to admit there are alot of them!

Someone in the other thread mentioned the six (I think its six?) things that you must follow (if you are able). But besides that, there are just alot of things, like fasting before Communion, that you should do. I have to admit, its intimidating!
Click to expand...
Once you make them part of your life, they make so much sense that it’s hard to go back to thinking the other way.
I have a Catholic church literally in my backyard that I attend when I ‘get brave’. I’ve read something about why things are done the way they are in Mass, unless I have that with me, I’m usually lost.
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As long as you’re at Mass, you’re not “lost.” You might be feeling a little confused, but you’re not “lost;” you’re in exactly the right place, where you should be. 😉
I sit in the back, (although I’m sure people know I’m not Catholic because I don’t participate in Communion), I’m sure some of them are watching me stumble through the Mass, wondering ‘who let her in?’ 🙂 I’m sure the clueless look on my face says it all- sit, stand, kneel, say this, sing that, huh what? 🙂
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Anyone who notices you at all is probably thinking how nice it is that you came to Mass.

Most Catholics don’t pay much attention to other people at Mass - they are more concerned with their own participation. Also, there are all kinds of reasons why a Catholic might not receive Holy Communion, and there are many life-long Catholics who don’t speak the responses out loud (including someone I know whose older brother is a priest), so most people wouldn’t automatically assume that you are not Catholic just because you don’t receive Holy Communion or don’t speak the responses.
I’m learning quickly why things are done the way they are, but from the outside, it looks like an incredible amount of rules! :rolleyes:
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Becka
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The day will soon come when all these things are “second nature” to you. Practice makes perfect! 🙂
 
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