Were you taught negative information about another faith in church?

[rayne89]

I have a serious, serious suspicion that everyone who said “no” was basically lying.

In fact, I’m almost totally sure of it.

I most certainly am not lying.

I was never taught anything negative about another faith by a priest or in any of my cathechism classes. I have never heard in any homily in my life time a priest slam another faith. And in fact Cathechism class was pretty much Kumbya -let’s all get along and be good people. I had no idea that people did such things until I attended my bestfriend’s Pentecostal church as a teen. That was an eye opening experience.

Even in my family I never heard other faiths slammed. My mom actually encouraged me to go to church with my friends who were different faiths. She would say “We will always be Catholic but it’s good to have experience in what others believe.” I actually went to a week long Pentecostal summer camp with my bestfriend. Nothing like hearing the Catholic Church get slammed until they went around asking us if we had been “saved”. I had never even heard the term before so I said “I’m Catholic and we don’t have that.” Didn’t hear anymore negatives about Catholics after that but I did get a discount coupon to come back the next year.

 

[LilyM]

Okay, I’m going to try something else:

Would you all say that this forum, in general, sometimes casts other religions in a negative light?

Sometimes, without a doubt, especially Islam. And I’d say a lot of the people who espouse those views have learned them from priests at some point along the line. But if you think everyone on these boards agrees with what is expressed on those percentage of inflammatory threads, and then that every Catholic agrees with them, then you are mistaken.

I for one, not really having any serious personal disagreement with Islam, usually give a wide berth when I see another ‘look at the horrible things muslims are doing’ thread. Does that mean I agree with them or endorse them? I don’t even read them, but from past experience I can guess I’ll disagree with 90% of what is said against Islam on them - and that’s WHY I avoid 'em! Does that mean I’ve been taught anti-Muslim attitudes by priests? Again no.

And if you look at those threads you will usually find less than a handful of consistent beginners of and contributors to them. They’re not representative of all CAF membership.

 

[rayne89]

Okay, I’m going to try something else:

Would you all say that this forum, in general, sometimes casts other religions in a negative light?

Yes I would say that. But the original question was were you ever taught negative information by a priest, pastor ect or any other person in charge of your religious formation? Not are Catholics ever negative about other faiths? Big difference.

 

[Hellisreal]

No problem, Maybe I can get you a link to a Mass so you can see for yourself, I know I have one and I will try to post it if I can find it, Its been a long time since I even looked at it honestly, since I dont seem to find a reason to look at a link.

I will be happy to mail to you “The Mass Explained” by Father Larry Richards
its from the Mary Foundation and the bottom in bold says
Get the facts. Decide for yourself.

If you would like I will mail it to you ASAP.

You will see, that the Holy Mass is not a platform for this kind of thing.

Let me know via PM or here on the thread and I will send it right away.

No, not Jewish. I was raised Southern Baptist, but then I got tired of all the fundamentalism as I’m sure you could have guessed.

It seems that I’m rather guilty of projecting my own background onto the people in this thread. I’m still not convinced that the poll is accurate, but it’s obvious that you aren’t “all liars.”

 

[SORROWS]

I grew up Catholic and never heard a harsh word about any other religion. We had plenty of others around us too in the neighborhood.

It saddens me to hear what others say about us. Thank God for our wonderful Priests who never resorted to this at Mass.

 

[faelpsanfeel]

Yes I would say that. But the original question was were you ever taught negative information by a priest, pastor ect or any other person in charge of your religious formation? Not are Catholics ever negative about other faiths? Big difference.

I was really asking the question with the hope that somebody would say “no.”

And yes, Hellisreal, I’d be interested in seeing what a Mass is like. I’ve recently learned that I have absolutely no idea

 

[mommyof4]

I have a serious, serious suspicion that everyone who said “no” was basically lying.

In fact, I’m almost totally sure of it.

A charge of lying is a very serious thing. You’d better have some evidence to back up your statement.

 

[mommyof4]

I actually went to a week long Pentecostal summer camp with my bestfriend. Nothing like hearing the Catholic Church get slammed until they went around asking us if we had been “saved”. I had never even heard the term before so I said “I’m Catholic and we don’t have that.” Didn’t hear anymore negatives about Catholics after that but I did get a discount coupon to come back the next year.

 

[jack_hawkins]

The crux here of course is how you define negative. Unless you’re a univsersalist, I don’t see how you won’t at some stage say something that could be perceived as negative about another religion.

 

[KarenNC]

I am very glad to hear that polytheism is not mentioned negatively in the Catholic Church.

 

[Hellisreal]

And yes, Hellisreal, I’d be interested in seeing what a Mass is like. I’ve recently learned that I have absolutely no idea

I just noticed the site www.catholiccity.com is on the tape to get free copies of the tape.

I know I have more stuff too.

 

[cecilia97]

I’m standing by my assertion on the basis that I think you all have a very self-serving definition of the word “negative.”

If you can, in good faith, dispute this, then I’m perfectly willing to eat my words, but I’m pretty sure that if other religions get mentioned in church (and they do-- I’ve been in plenty of churches) then it certainly isn’t to enumerate their positive qualities.

In the Catholic churches I’ve attended in the last 30 years, I’ve maybe ONCE heard mention of another religion during a sermon…Judaism, and that was to explain that they had the first covenant with God.

During certain times of the year, we will include “our brothers the Jewish people” or “Christians throughout the world” in our general intercession prayers.

That’s it…those are the only times I can remember hearing mention of other religions as a Catholic. We have too much to learn, pray, and think about to spend time shooting darts at other religions, quite frankly.

In my 8 years of CCD, no religion was EVER mentioned except Judaism and Catholicism.

I’m not lying. There’s always the possibility I’ve forgotten something, but I’m NOT lying.

 

[BlestOne]

I may be completely wrong but my theory is that certain non Catholic religions define their doctrine by what they feel is wrong with the Catholic faith, therefore they do teach negatively about it. The Catholic faith has no need to do this since their faith is based on the teachings and church that Christ founded…

I am 43 yo and a cradle Catholic. I have never heard anything taught during mass or 12 years of CCD about any Protestant or non-Catholic religion. It never occurred to me that people hated us or thought we were wrong until I was 21 and waitressing my way through college. We had the Sunday night crowds that came in and tried to save everybody… when they asked if I was saved I said I was and that I was Catholic… you should have seen how fast these people surrounded me and tried to save me!!!

 

[6YRSHOME]

I was raised in the Adventist church and although I don’t remember anything really specific, I was taught that the Catholic Church was bad. They were not really Christians, they worshiped Mary, they were superstious, they were going to chase us down and kill us if we didn’t worship on Sunday. Pretty intense stuff.

 

[Kevin42]

I am very glad to hear that polytheism is not mentioned negatively in the Catholic Church.

I’ve never even heard it mentioned to begin with. Of course, I don’t think I have ever heard a priest even talk about other religions during the mass, and I really don’t see the need to.

That being said, sure, polytheism is false and goes against the first commandment…it doesn’t take many people that long to realize that. Is saying polytheism is false negative? I don’t really think so, it’s the truth. Of course, I guess it all depends on how the person I am saying this to perceives it.

 

[Fate]

From what I’ve seen of Catholic education - there is a strong focus on what a Catholic should believe instead of “why the other churches are wrong”. In fact, if I think about it, when I have attended a Mass, I have not heard a word referenced about other faiths. I would not be suprised if generalizations where made or other though.

Now, if I move from the leaders - the priest, and those in charge of teaching - to the members… Well, there is not a single service (Catholic or non) I have ever been to where I don’t get to hear some form of smug self-righteous bile from someone - generally of the “all others are going to Hell” variety. It’s not from everyone there, but there is always that group of individuals. Sometimes one, sometimes everyone.

Frankly, it’s turned me off going to any church. And is, in my estimation, almost identical to the Pharisees that Jesus himself railed against.

 

[Kevin42]

Now, if I move from the leaders - the priest, and those in charge of teaching - to the members… Well, there is not a single service (Catholic or non) I have ever been to where I don’t get to hear some form of smug self-righteous bile from someone - generally of the “all others are going to Hell” variety.

I would hope at a Catholic service they would be focused on the liturgy and not chatting away about other people going to hell. Very sad, and they definitely need our prayers. I would hope you also would reconsider your stance of not going to church. Don’t let other people turn you away from God…especially just one or two. Peace, and God bless.

 

[KarenNC]

I’ve never even heard it mentioned to begin with. Of course, I don’t think I have ever heard a priest even talk about other religions during the mass, and I really don’t see the need to.

That being said, sure, polytheism is false and goes against the first commandment…it doesn’t take many people that long to realize that. Is saying polytheism is false negative? I don’t really think so, it’s the truth. Of course, I guess it all depends on how the person I am saying this to perceives it.

If you have never heard polytheism mentioned, then I have to wonder if your priest is mentioning much Scripture at all . The same is true (at least in terms of New Testament Scripture) if he is never mentioning Judaism.

Very true, though. The label “negative” really depends on one’s perspective and the question of that is very germane to this board. At what point is the line drawn between saying what your religion believes to be true but which is contradictory to another religion, and speaking negatively of that other religion or of its followers? For instance, when I, as a polytheist, say that monotheism is an inadequate description of spiritual reality, do you perceive it as speaking negatively about your religion or as stating something about mine? When I say that Jesus is not God, or is not the only God, or that the teachings of the Bible are not binding to all of humanity, is that considered speaking negatively about your religion? These teachings of Christianity (and of monotheism in general) are simply incompatible with my faith and so, no, I would not consider either monotheism or Christianity to be equally as valid as my faith. To deny that would be disingenuous.

For me, the line is crossed when one begins to speak of those who sincerely hold another religion which has teachings incompatible with one’s own as evil, demonic, idiots, pretenders, posturers, childish, rebellious children, stupid, trying to shock, liars, etc.

Another point, I don’t think that the OP limited the discussion to only what was presented during Mass. To me, the question includes written materials, religious education, media, etc. I may be wrong, but my understanding of the homily is that it is very different than a sermon in a Protestant church, for instance, and has a different role in the structure of the faith.

 

[Kevin42]

If you have never heard polytheism mentioned, then I have to wonder if your priest is mentioning much Scripture at all . The same is true (at least in terms of New Testament Scripture) if he is never mentioning Judaism.

I simply mean that it is never the focus of the sermon, so I surely don’t remember it. I’m sure he has mentioned it in sermons, but seeing as there is really no reason to focus on it, I don’t think he ever really makes a point about it. The same with Judaism. Of course it is mentioned when the Bible is read, and when he explains the culture of the time, but it is only used as a means of helping us understand the context of the Bible, or in order to get to a point.

As for outside of the mass, I have certainly seen stuff that is negative towards other religions…primarily in books or on online discussion forums. In these cases though, I still cannot recall the people participating being priests…usually just apologists, experts, or everyday people. I do my best to avoid these kind of books and programs though. It is extremely distasteful to me when I see followers of other religions treated with malicious sarcasm, mockery, or being put down as stupid. While I certainly do not agree with or accept them, I do not appreciate this apparent lack of charity towards individuals. This is why my favorite priest is Father Benedict Groeschel. He never shies away from proclaiming the truth, yet he treats all people with respect, and although he can be very direct in giving his thoughts, he is never malicious, and he does not mock those who are not Catholic.

I would like to note that I think in some cases, dealing with certain religions or cults, it is not possible to describe followers as sincere. Some beliefs that people hold have absolutely no value whatsoever, and thus can only be described as evil.

I hope I expressed myself well, and that this wasn’t too difficult to read. I kind of feel as if I have been rambling though… .

 

[KarenNC]

I would like to note that I think in some cases, dealing with certain religions or cults, it is not possible to describe followers as sincere. Some beliefs that people hold have absolutely no value whatsoever, and thus can only be described as evil.

I agree with you, that there are certainly groups (usually some subset of a religion rather than a religion as a whole) that I have trouble seeing as sincere, and furthermore that there are individuals in any religion who also fall into that category, regardless of whether the particular group they are in does so.

There are an extremely limited number of beliefs that I can see describing as evil in all contexts.