Should I read this stuff?

[Lizbert]

Just got back from San Francisco where I attended Mass at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral. I also visited their bookstore. They had a lot of good things in the bookstore but I was surprised to find a whole table of things regarding “the sacred feminine”, the Lost Gospels, books on whether Jesus was married or not, etc. etc. etc. Now my question is: Should Catholics read these books as a matter informing ourselves on these subjects?

 

[Madia]

Should Catholics read these books as a matter informing ourselves on these subjects?

Stick with the Truth. There are plenty of good Catholic books out there so why waste your time with heretical books?

 

[Scout]

My grandmother was a banker. She didn’t study conterfeit money to learn what it looked like. She studied real money until she got it into her head to such a degree that when a counterfeit bill came by her she automatically knew there was something wrong with it.

My point is that if we study “truth”, we’ll know “fiction” when we see it. We don’t need to study fiction to be able to point it out.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[Lizbert]

I guess another question I have is why would a Catholic Bookstore present this stuff as exceptable reading material for Catholics? I felt a little odd and uncomfortable looking at this stuff in the same room with Rosarys and Bibles.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

Scout:

My grandmother was a banker. She didn’t study conterfeit money to learn what it looked like. She studied real money until she got it into her head to such a degree that when a counterfeit bill came by her she automatically knew there was something wrong with it.

My point is that if we study “truth”, we’ll know “fiction” when we see it. We don’t need to study fiction to be able to point it out.

Scout :tiphat:

I like that analogy, mind if I borrow it some time?

 

[Scout]

lifeisbeautiful:

I like that analogy, mind if I borrow it some time?

Feel free to use it anytime. I’m glad you liked it.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[Eileen_T]

Lizbert:

I guess another question I have is why would a Catholic Bookstore present this stuff as exceptable reading material for Catholics? I felt a little odd and uncomfortable looking at this stuff in the same room with Rosarys and Bibles.

If they are selling books etc that are heretical then although they call it a ‘Catholic’ bookshop, whoever’s in charge is really only in it for the money. Unless they have an agenda to subvert the Faith.

 

[Lizbert]

The “whoever’s in charge” would be The Paulist Center at Old Saint Mary’s. A little disapointing to say the least. I’m just depressed. Front Page news in our town this morning was “Suit Claims priest raped women” “DNA tests show Jesuit fathered two sons in villages” Its things like this that make you afraid to tell anyone you are Catholic.

 

[Strider]

Never be afraid to tell ayone you’re Catholic! Look 'em in the eye and say proudly that you’re Catholic. If people react negatively, ( repression, pedophilia, male priesthood, etc., etc., ect.) then you have an opportunity to inform them of the truth and beauty of the Church.
Don’t let it, or them, bother you. Let them know that you know Jesus.
As far as the OP, when you see material like that in a “Catholic” store or even chapel or church, at least you know who you’re dealing with.

 

[Madia]

The “whoever’s in charge” would be The Paulist Center at Old Saint Mary’s.

Did you consider contacting them and voicing your concern?

 

[DreadVandal]

Lizbert:

Just got back from San Francisco where I attended Mass at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral. I also visited their bookstore. They had a lot of good things in the bookstore but I was surprised to find a whole table of things regarding “the sacred feminine”, the Lost Gospels, books on whether Jesus was married or not, etc. etc. etc. Now my question is: Should Catholics read these books as a matter informing ourselves on these subjects?

I think it depends on their vocation and their purpose. If their vocation involves apologetics and dealing with people who are into those forms of heretical theology, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to read a book or two to get the gist of their arguments and point of view. But for the average layperson, I don’t see any reason to read them. In fact, it might be dangerous since it could make one confused.

 

[TheBlackGhost]

The day your religious beliefs stop you from reading literature (assuming it is well written) is the day society collapses upon itself.

 

[Scout]

TheBlackGhost:

The day your religious beliefs stop you from reading literature (assuming it is well written) is the day society collapses upon itself.

“well-written” according to whom? I’m sure there’s some “well-written” pornography out there, but that doesn’t mean I need to read it.

Just because something is “well-written”, does not mean that it’s readable.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[miguel]

Lizbert:

…I guess another question I have is why would a Catholic Bookstore present this stuff as acceptable reading material for Catholics?

…a very good question. Maybe they’re not really Catholic. A real Catholic would have a conscience, would care about ruining the faith of fellow Catholics, might even be a little afraid of hell.

 

[dafalax]

If you pay money for this garbage you are creating demand for it. If someone who doesn’t know you sees you reading it or carrying it around, you give the impression that it’s an acceptable thing to do same. Furthermore, many of these books are filled with straight up lies and subtle half-truths that can shake your faith. I would agree with the above poster that if you are doing specific apologetics works, you may leaf through one at your local library to take notes, but by all means, i think it would be scandalous to read them under any other circumstances. Furthermore, there are so many wonderful Catholic books and authors. Why not read them and resist the allure of the glamour of evil?

 

[Shoshana]

“well-written” according to whom? I’m sure there’s some “well-written” pornography out there, but that doesn’t mean I need to read it.

Just because something is “well-written”, does not mean that it’s readable.

Scout :tiphat:

Yes, there is. Playboy used to write a very good periodical. Back in the day when my husband used to read them before the kids came…

 

[Shoshana]

Scout:

My grandmother was a banker. She didn’t study conterfeit money to learn what it looked like. She studied real money until she got it into her head to such a degree that when a counterfeit bill came by her she automatically knew there was something wrong with it.

My point is that if we study “truth”, we’ll know “fiction” when we see it. We don’t need to study fiction to be able to point it out.

Scout :tiphat:

Not only that, your spiritual discernement hones itself…a fruit of sincere Catholic reading. You also ‘smell’ something rotten just by looking at the cover of the book!

 

[Trick]

TheBlackGhost:

The day your religious beliefs stop you from reading literature (assuming it is well written) is the day society collapses upon itself.

?

Trick

 

[koda]

TheBlackGhost:

The day your religious beliefs stop you from reading literature (assuming it is well written) is the day society collapses upon itself.

I think that what he’s saying here is that you should feel free to read anything that interests you. Intellectual curiosity is not a sin. I study a lot of history. Knowing the other side’s point of view is often valuable in understanding why and how things happen.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

koda:

I think that what he’s saying here is that you should feel free to read anything that interests you. Intellectual curiosity is not a sin. I study a lot of history. Knowing the other side’s point of view is often valuable in understanding why and how things happen.

What do you mean by this? One shouldn’t read things that could cause you to question your Faith, even if you are doing it out of intellectual curiosity. We are not perfect and can be negatively affected by reading garbage.