I find the exact opposite. It requires a great deal of reason to conclude that we each cannot be our own Popes for that leads to moral relativism and rigidity. The opposite requires little more than emotion and by that I mean little use of intellect and mostly use of feelings to decide what is right or wrong.
Yes, that would be only a feeling, not reason or logic.
No, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t say that women couldn’t be priests either. I’m not trying to start a discussion of that topic *again *so let’s just use it as a generic example. If the magestrium can’t reasonably explain something to reasonably educated people, then the practice of “we’ll just force you to believe it” is a little hard to take.
I think the burden of proving a claim of authority rests on the person or institution that is making the claim. Would you agree to that, at least?
We all have people that we influence in little and bigger ways, directly or indirectly, as part of the mass or person to person. I cannot accept your minimization of active dissent by word of deed. You do yourself and others a disservice to under estimate the impact that you have. Remember, in essence we are in a spiritual battle with invisible battles raging about us, with spiritual beings mightier than us using whatever and whoever means are available to each side.
That is called heresy. That person would be known as a heretic.
Could you provide one doctrine of the Catholic Church that we are “just forced to believe” without sufficient reason?
Most people who consider themselves orthodox conservative catholics - are there any who argue that women should be priests or that priests should be allowed to marry? I haven’t met any.
Actually I put a lot of thought into it - I changed it from doctrines to disciplines just to make it a little less controversial. That’s what the 2 examples above are.Or do you mean doctrine? Doesn’t sound like you put much thought into that statement
I think you are confusing pride with a search for answers and understanding. I’m not questioning because I think I know better, I’m questioning because I don’t understand and I don’t think people should have their lives ruled by something they don’t understand.
Wrong.
Not by the church’s definition.
That would be called “faith”.
I know I never said you must agree with everything the Church teaches, but my point IMHO is that if you don’t agree, you should at least reserve judgement as to whether the teaching is “bad”, and give the Church you love the benefit of knowing what she is talking about.
**2089 ***Incredulity *is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. “*Heresy *is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; *apostasy *is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; *schism *is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.”
Well, of course they wouldn’t. As educated, orthodox Catholics they would understand that there is absolutely no reason for women to be priests. That is doctrine. The married priest question is a bit different as it concerns itself with a discipline, but once again, I have *yet *to hear a good argument for it.
Doctrines and disciplines are two *entirely *different things. By eating meat on Fridays, I haven’t become a heretic. By believing women should be priests I *have *become a heretic. Big difference. Think about it a little more.
“Searching for answers” isn’t disregarding 2000 years of intense meditations, thought, education, and prayer of men who have devoted their entire lives to Christ. Pride is disagreeing with the world’s most brilliant theologicans simply because I don’t “feel” that its right.
Cmon Fix, do really think the vast majority of Catholics are in total agreement with every teaching and doctrine that is out there? If so, IMO, you are dreaming. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
But we can’t possibly think we know all there is to know about the human condition! Or at least I can’t - I’m pretty thick!
If one does know all there is to know, or at least wants to ponder every single thing, I would think that to be exhausting!If you speak to others of your dissent or act publically in a manner that shows your dissent, especially to children, then you do great harm to the Body of Christ. Scandal is a mortal sin in the objective sense. Be very careful of outward dissent that will corrupt others. An example would be teaching a 16 yr old girl that contraception or abortion are okay and up to the individual conscience.
buffalo said: