Poll - Which group poses the biggest threat to Church unity?

[paddy22]

Hey all. I think the thread title pretty much explains the poll. Please comment charitably - both sides leave the sniping, smug little comments out please. If you don’t feel like you can, don’t post!

 

[paddy22]

Let me explain what I mean by “liberal” Catholic groups. For those of you that disagree with the use of the term in Church matters, I apologize, but I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the groups I’m thinking of. By “liberal” I mean thouse groups that openly defy or question doctrine/teachings of the Church on topics like birth control, ordination of women, abortion, liturgical norms, etc. Thanks!

 

[dailey]

Let me explain what I mean by “liberal” Catholic groups. For those of you that disagree with the use of the term in Church matters, I apologize, but I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the groups I’m thinking of. By “liberal” I mean thouse groups that openly defy or question doctrine/teachings of the Church on topics like birth control, ordination of women, abortion, liturgical norms, etc. Thanks!

Otherwise know as “cafeteria Cathlics”…

 

[LDNCatholic]

Absolutely the ‘‘liberal’’ Catholic groups.

There are far more Catholics out there who disobey the Church because they feel it is too strict, than there are who disobey the Church because they feel it is too lax.

Ultimately though neither are a threat to the Church. Breaking away does not split the Church, it just leaves those who broke away on the outside.

 

[pat_helensburgh]

to question teachings or discuss them openly in my view is no risk at all to the Catholic Church, actually it is what we are enabled to do by the grace of God in being given minds of reason & logic.
Without questioning our faith & it’s foundations how can we endeavour to gain greater understanding of our own relationship with God.
Defiance, rebellion on the other hand are different matters, i just think the question posed associated defiance & questioning as the same.
Sometimes it can be hard to define between them, but when investigating, questioning the teachings of our faith from a point of an open heart we have nothing to fear as all truth comes from God.

 

[Spencerian]

My answer: None of these.

The best answer: Three groups…

---

• The World.
• The Flesh.
• The Devil.***

Distractions and novelties in technology and culture. “No rules” attitudes in sexual and marital behavior. Relativism. Disrespect for, or abuses in authority.

All of these and many more problems in society and individualism are incorporated into the choices in your poll, at one time or another in their histories.

We cannot point fingers at each other as Catholics and play the “Sneeches” game of Dr. Suess fame, or we become our own Pharisees. This poll is a divisive example. Although I appreciate the intent, polls like this can foster disunity.

Pray for them and charitably help whenever one can. These groups are still members in the Body…and no less wayward than any of us.

 

[antonivs]

…Ultimately though neither are a threat to the Church. Breaking away does not split the Church, it just leaves those who broke away on the outside.

Excellent point, though I think Cafeteria Catholics are more likely to just drop out rather than forming a breakaway organization.

 

[cradlecatholic5]

We cannot point fingers at each other as Catholics and play the “Sneeches” game of Dr. Suess fame, or we become our own Pharisees. This poll is a divisive example. Although I appreciate the intent, polls like this can foster disunity.

I agree w/ you, Spencerian. Thanks!

 

[paddy22]

With all due respect, if you don’t want to take part in the poll, you don’t have to post here. Thanks!

 

[Melchior_1]

With all due respect, if you don’t want to take part in the poll, you don’t have to post here. Thanks!

The man’s got a point though. Not to mention your poll won’t exactly be accurate:

• You are likely, in this board, to have people supporting the SSPX due to having similar (but not the same of course) ideologies.
• You don’t have an option for “both”, which is the most “correct” answer.

 

[paddy22]

It’s a pretty straight up question. I didn’t think this would turn into a discussion of my poll creating abilities. I made it this way and put it here - from the sounds of it you would have done something different, which is fine, so when you create a poll feel free to do those things, put it where you’d like, format it how you’d like. I’d just like to hear peoples thoughts on the matter - it is not meant to be divisive.

 

[Garyjohn2]

2 options?

I think polls like this are the biggest threat to the Church’s unity.

What is wrecking the country, republicans or democrats? LOL. None, it’s the fact they can’t work together and turn every disagreement into black/white issues.

I’d say the real answer is a lack of faith (trust) and putting secular values and selfish interests ahead of the interests of God.

I won’t vote without an “other” or 3rd option!

 

[Oneofthewomen]

2 options?

I think polls like this are the biggest threat to the Church’s unity.

What is wrecking the country, republicans or democrats? LOL. None, it’s the fact they can’t work together and turn every disagreement into black/white issues.

I’d say the real answer is a lack of faith (trust) and putting secular values and selfish interests ahead of the interests of God.

I won’t vote without an “other” or 3rd option!

Very well said!!
My hat is off to you, sir!! :tiphat:

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

2 options?

I think polls like this are the biggest threat to the Church’s unity.

What is wrecking the country, republicans or democrats? LOL. None, it’s the fact they can’t work together and turn every disagreement into black/white issues.

I’d say the real answer is a lack of faith (trust) and putting secular values and selfish interests ahead of the interests of God.

I won’t vote without an “other” or 3rd option!

Agreed. In addition to a ‘lack of faith’, consider ‘lack of knowledge’, which comes with spiritual growth. Christ loved even His persecutors, for they knew not what they did. He left no one out of His love. If any are to be judged, it will be by Him. Unity does not come through the labeling, which is in itself ‘separation’. Pray for unity. Pray for all our shortcomings.

 

[Melchior_1]

It’s a pretty straight up question. I didn’t think this would turn into a discussion of my poll creating abilities. I made it this way and put it here - from the sounds of it you would have done something different, which is fine, so when you create a poll feel free to do those things, put it where you’d like, format it how you’d like. I’d just like to hear peoples thoughts on the matter - it is not meant to be divisive.

“It is not meant to be divisive”, but it clearly is. The fact that people like me can’t choose both as equally damaging to the Church indicates as such.

To answer your question, both are dangers. Both can potentially lead to heresy, after all.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I don’t know who said it originally, but I think it’s true: It doesn’t matter whether you fall out of the left side of the boat or the right side of the boat, you’re out of the boat. When that boat is the barque of Peter, that’s a serious situation.

 

[Ginkgo100]

I voted “SSPX” because while both have a schismatic spirit, the SSPX has a lot more substance and therefore has “staying power.” The heretical “liberal” groups, whose members are bound in the chains of “the degrading slavery of being a child of his age,” are built on foundations entirely of sand and will eventually wash away. The SSPX, on the other hand, could end up like the Lutherans: wounding the Body of Christ by unintentionally (but culpably) creating a separate and lasting church community.

Robyn

 

[paddy22]

Thank you for your reply and thougtful explanation Robyn! I like that quote, the ‘degrading slavery of being a child of his age.’ Where is that from?

 

[Spencerian]

With all due respect, if you don’t want to take part in the poll, you don’t have to post here. Thanks!

With all charity, don’t post a topic without expecting a response, whether or not you care to hear it. Truth is truth.

 

[Lormar]

We cannot point fingers at each other as Catholics and play the “Sneeches” game of Dr. Suess fame, or we become our own Pharisees. This poll is a divisive example. Although I appreciate the intent, polls like this can foster disunity.

I agree w/ you, Spencerian. Thanks!

I agree. The poll seems to be set up to pit Catholic against Catholic. We are already divided enough without driving the wedge in deeper.