The argument is:
“Pope supports Charimatic movement, therefore your criticism of its emotionalism, it’s interpretation of Biblical ‘gifts’ and its mystical aspects are invalid.”
It doesn’t follow.
I don’t see the Pope giving unqualified support to Charismatic Renewal. My personal opinion is that the Catholic Church lacks an authoritiative mystic to write a critique of their practices.
You can easily create mystical effects and feelings in people. I, personally, am just not interested in that kind of shiney-eyed emotionalism. Read the Philokalia. It’s all been encountered before.
I’m not a Traditional Catholic but i dont agree with the Charismatic movement.
In general,im not strict and am easy going & dance to Britney Spears or whatever and drink a beer or two occasionally etc,and even to me-someone who some Catholics would claim is “worldy”-the Charismatic Movement doesn’t seem right.
As mentioned,it seems emotionally led.
In general, emotions are normal,natural,necessary,beautiful and fine,but thats different from emotionally led.
Many charismatics i bet are sincere,humble,well meaning and really nice.
But does this necessarily stop someone from being deceived?
As I’ve also previously known psychics and reiki healers,Homeopaths etc who were humble,nice,friendly,well meaning etc.
Regarding Protestant Charismatic stuff,-i think it is mass delusion.
Regarding Catholic Charismatics,i can’t comment because i don’t know enough about it/them.
If its exactly the same as Protestant stuff i’ve witnessed, but simply has the additional Catholic elements such as the Eucharist etc,then i’d have to have the same opinion regarding it-mass delusion.
On the internet,the photos i’ve seen of the Catholic ones look exactly the same as the protestant stuff.
If there’s a different Catholic Charismatic type,which i’m not aware of and someone can inform about(?) then maybe i’d form a different opinion.Can anyone link any photos please?
But for now,the only things i’ve seen regarding Catholic Charismatic look like the below:
ccr.org.uk/archive/gn0905/praise.jpg
nytimes.com/2007/05/09/world/americas/09pope.html
youtube.com/fmitv
That said though,If the Popes agree with the movement,then maybe they are happy with any method just to get the people “in” to the Catholic religion?
I dont understand still though…are they allowing this as a Evangelical method to get people into Catholicism and away from protestantism/pentacostal stuff?
If yes,then that seems strange to me because is it right to make people Catholics at any cost,even if it could possibly endanger them?
It still seems potentially dangerous to me…
LIke,if people were into witchcraft for eg,I’m pretty sure that the Church wouldnt allow/endorse a new form of witchcraft called “Catholic witchcraft” just to boost the Catholic numbers,so why allow this emotionalism stuff which can be dangerous too?
Due to Pope John Paul II and the current Pope promoting it/being happy with it,does that mean that this is infallibly done so,that it comes under the infallible magisterum,that the Holy Spirit led them to this decision?
Or can it mean that it is just their current opinion,in the same way that Reiki was once taught in Catholic seminars but now the American Bishops have decided to stop it?