The Church said knowledge was a sin?

[samiam1611]

I have read numerous books (novels) and TV shows (dramas) that take place in medieval times. In other words when the Church was deeply involved with politics and war and power. Shows such as The Pillars of the Earth and The Tudors, and books such as The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile and The Constant Princess about Catherine of Aragon.

In several instances, it was stated that the Church (meaning the Roman Catholic Church) said knowledge was a sin and medicine was witchcraft. I find this odd since the Church is known for its scholarly endeavors and the fact that the most learned and literate people of the time were monks, nuns, etc. But as I said I have come across this several times. For instance in the first episode of The Pillars of the Earth, a family is given shelter by a woman in their cave in the woods. But the boy is uneasy, and then he sees a table set up with herbs and a book. He shouts “witchcraft!” and the family runs out of there as fast as they can. The lady says “it is not witchcraft, it’s medicine” but the mom crosses herself and says “seeking knowledge is a sin! Witch!” or something to that effect.

In The Constant Princess, Catherine mentions how the best doctors are the Moors (Muslims) bc the Church forbids medical knowledge so Christian doctors were no good. (paraphrasing.)

So I was wondering if anyone knows, is there any truth to this? Why would I have read/heard this in numerous, albeit fictional, sources if it is just made up by the writers? Although I don’t have the exact quotes in front of me, I specifically remember them saying “knowledge is a sin,” or maybe it was “gaining knowledge.” Whatever. In all of these instances it had to do with medical knowledge. Did the Church ever forbid (even unofficially) learning medicine? Was the practice of medicine ever considered witchcraft? Did any popes condemn having or seeking knowledge? As a way to hold on to its power over the masses perhaps?

 

[1ke]

In several instances, it was stated that the Church (meaning the Roman Catholic Church) said knowledge was a sin and medicine was witchcraft.

That you seem to believe this nonsense tells me you should stop watching these shows that are filling your brain with junk and causing you to doubt.

One word: FICTION

So I was wondering if anyone knows, is there any truth to this? ’

Of course it’s true, you saw it on a TV show.

Why would I have read/heard this in numerous, albeit fictional, sources if it is just made up by the writers?

Because that’s what fiction writers do: make stuff up. Hence-- fiction.

Did the Church ever forbid (even unofficially) learning medicine? Was the practice of medicine ever considered witchcraft? Did any popes condemn having or seeking knowledge? As a way to hold on to its power over the masses perhaps?

I find it really sad that you are even asking this question.

The answer is no.

Please stop watching this junk.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

But everyone under 16 knows that everything on TV is the truth!

 

[Linusthe2nd]

I have read numerous books (novels) and TV shows (dramas) that take place in medieval times. In other words when the Church was deeply involved with politics and war and power. Shows such as The Pillars of the Earth and The Tudors, and books such as The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile and The Constant Princess about Catherine of Aragon.

In several instances, it was stated that the Church (meaning the Roman Catholic Church) said knowledge was a sin and medicine was witchcraft. I find this odd since the Church is known for its scholarly endeavors and the fact that the most learned and literate people of the time were monks, nuns, etc. But as I said I have come across this several times. For instance in the first episode of The Pillars of the Earth, a family is given shelter by a woman in their cave in the woods. But the boy is uneasy, and then he sees a table set up with herbs and a book. He shouts “witchcraft!” and the family runs out of there as fast as they can. The lady says “it is not witchcraft, it’s medicine” but the mom crosses herself and says “seeking knowledge is a sin! Witch!” or something to that effect.

In The Constant Princess, Catherine mentions how the best doctors are the Moors (Muslims) bc the Church forbids medical knowledge so Christian doctors were no good. (paraphrasing.)

So I was wondering if anyone knows, is there any truth to this? Why would I have read/heard this in numerous, albeit fictional, sources if it is just made up by the writers? Although I don’t have the exact quotes in front of me, I specifically remember them saying “knowledge is a sin,” or maybe it was “gaining knowledge.” Whatever. In all of these instances it had to do with medical knowledge. Did the Church ever forbid (even unofficially) learning medicine? Was the practice of medicine ever considered witchcraft? Did any popes condemn having or seeking knowledge? As a way to hold on to its power over the masses perhaps?

Most novels, movies, plays ever written that mention the Catholic Church or Catholic beliefs and practices give a distorted view of the facts. Even many " Catholic " authors often distort the truth. The reason is obvious, nothing sells like scandal, nothing sells like Catholic bating because most of the world has an anti-Catholic prejudice.

You would do better to give all that up, novels don’t teach you much about life anyway and there has never been one written that didn’t have a " view point. " Better to stick to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and your studies, sports, hobbies, etc.

Linus2nd

 

[Remember_Me]

I think none of this is true, or highly exaggerated. I would suggest doing your own research because you can’t always trust fiction novels.

 

[nodito]

I think none of this is true, or highly exaggerated. I would suggest doing your own research because you can’t always trust fiction novels.

I think that’s what the OP is trying to do now.

A lot of times fiction has a kernel of truth hidden somewhere at its core. While I don’t believe the Church has ever taught that seeking knowledge is a sin, I can fully believe that this fiction is stemming from a common source. The first thing that comes to mind is the story of the garden of Eden and how perhaps the authors are distorting our understanding of God’s imperative for Adam and Eve to refrain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Or perhaps there’s a homily out there somewhere written by a misguided (or misinterpreted) priest who advised against trusting in medicine over faith in God.

In any event, I don’t think the OP’s question is so off the wall that we need to belittle him for asking it.

 

[powerofk]

Okay, here’s the thing -

The Greek word “gnosis” is often translated into English as “knowledge”. The gnostics believed in a secret knowledge only available to a select few. Searching for so-called “hidden knowledge” is forbidden, as such “hidden knowledge” is deviant from the Truth. Maybe the fiction books and TV shows are referring to searching for this so-called “hidden knowledge”.

 

[bsroufek]

St. Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church, is known as one of the greatest scientists that ever lived.

Also, Sirach Chapter 38 1 “From God the doctor has his wisdom”

So, anyone in the Church, that is “IN THE CHURCH”, who claimed what you suggest was contrary to Scripture and Church proscriptions.

 

[samiam1611]

That you seem to believe this nonsense tells me you should stop watching these shows that are filling your brain with junk and causing you to doubt.

I find it really sad that you are even asking this question.

The answer is no.

Please stop watching this junk.

I don’t believe it to be true. That is why it is so curious to see it repeated in several different places.
I watch and read fiction/drama for entertainment. If I learn a little along the way, that’s cool. I don’t expect 100% fact when I read fiction. But it is a historical backdrop with real events and real people so when I have a mind to, I seek to discern the fact from the fiction.

I think that’s what the OP is trying to do now.

A lot of times fiction has a kernel of truth hidden somewhere at its core. While I don’t believe the Church has ever taught that seeking knowledge is a sin, I can fully believe that this fiction is stemming from a common source. The first thing that comes to mind is the story of the garden of Eden and how perhaps the authors are distorting our understanding of God’s imperative for Adam and Eve to refrain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Or perhaps there’s a homily out there somewhere written by a misguided (or misinterpreted) priest who advised against trusting in medicine over faith in God.

In any event, I don’t think the OP’s question is so off the wall that we need to belittle -]him/-] her for asking it.

Thank you! And that is a very good theory too.

Okay, here’s the thing -

The Greek word “gnosis” is often translated into English as “knowledge”. The gnostics believed in a secret knowledge only available to a select few. Searching for so-called “hidden knowledge” is forbidden, as such “hidden knowledge” is deviant from the Truth. Maybe the fiction books and TV shows are referring to searching for this so-called “hidden knowledge”.

Yes maybe that’s it! That would fit in with the herbal medicine-witchcraft situations.

Here is an exact quote from one of the books I read, The Constant Princess. By an author known for her historical inaccuracies I might add. Nevertheless I am interested in if you all have heard of something like this before:
I left out some parts for brevity but did not change what’s in quotes.

After Katherine of Aragon meets with an English doctor regarding her pregnancy:

“This is the best doctor they have? I wonder if we can get someone from Spain.” ~Katherine

“Your mother [Isabella I] and father [Ferdinand II] have all but cleared Spain of the learned men.”

"Their learning was heretical. [referring to the Moors].

I know that I will need a better doctor than this shy ignoramus, but I do not want to go against the authority of my mother and the Holy Church. If they say that such knowledge is sin, then surely, I should embrace ignorance. It is my duty. I am no scholar and it is better if I am guided by the ruling of the Holy Church. But can God really want us to deny knowledge?"

Maybe the key word here is such knowledge. Maybe it was just the fact that they learned by heretical ways…or that the holders of the knowledge were Muslims…or maybe this part is completely false as some of you say.

 

[Catholic80]

It could also be referring to “knowledge” in terms of one of the 3 conditions for sin.

One must have knowledge that something is a sin in order to sin.
For example, a two year old taking a candy from a store hardly has the knowledge to sin, but a 7 year old does. The 7 year old knows that it’s wrong and even has the reasoning ability to understand why. His knowledge of the sin makes him culpable, whereas the two year old is still innocent.

In the other sense of “knowledge,” the early CC, before many people could read, it was not recommended that the people read the Bible themselves, but rather listen to a priest or deacon read it and explain it. Why? Because people will uneducated and illiterate! Just look today how many fights there are over the interpretations of things that are in the Bible. The priests/Bishops went to school and studied this intensely. Only in recent history do we have more resources available to us. But this wasn’t the case even 50 years ago.

Quite often, the media likes to take something and twist the meaning to make someone look bad. I didn’t see the program, so I don’t know what they were saying, but, if that is what you got from it, then the program was highly misinformed and full of error, as they quite often are about the Catholic Church.

 

[dronald]

Somebody needs to read Proverbs…