Why are Catholics so intollerant?

[Salonika]

Aboveallbereal:

The concept of “Tolerance” is misunderstood.

Toleration properly understood implies a standard of behaviour that the tolerated behaviour fails to meet. Tolerance implies a liberal ( in the best sense) compassion and understanding but does not imply that the standard is done away with.

In some situations this in true but not all.

Also it often assumes that any deviation from the standard of behaviour expected/demanded by the Catholic Church is morally reprehensible. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t.

Sometimes what comes across is that however moral a non-Catholic is this is cancelled out by their disobedience in not being/becoming Catholic.

Aboveallbereal:

One will understand the non catholic view of Catholicism on this issue better if one repleces toleration with “licence” as their preferred response to moral issues

Are you implying that all non-Catholics have a “license” response to moral issues. There are a range of views and some religions/religious groups that have no tolerance at all for any deviation from their beliefs.

 

[Salonika]

PJM:

It seems to me my friend in Christ, that your over looking one very obvious fact. On any single issue, there can only be ONE TRUTH.

Teflon93:

Christ has a monopoly on truth, and he founded the Catholic Church so that people would know where it was to be found.

Think on many issues there are degrees of truth.

Also often the corollary of believing that any one person or group (religious political or other) has the monopoly on truth leads to the connotation that everyone/everything else is wrong. For some this gives them the justification to bash (figuratively or actually) anyone who disagrees with them. I understand that this is often with the best of motives but it is still unacceptable to me.

Think too there are personality differences at work here - I am by nature a heretic when this is used in its original sense of thinking for yourself. That is difficult, to say the least, in situations where the truth has already been defined for all time.

 

[Teflon93]

Think on many issues there are degrees of truth.

No, merely degrees of falseness. Truth is absolute.

Also often the corollary of believing that any one person or group (religious political or other) has the monopoly on truth leads to the connotation that everyone/everything else is wrong. For some this gives them the justification to bash (figuratively or actually) anyone who disagrees with them. I understand that this is often with the best of motives but it is still unacceptable to me.

Yes, they are wrong to varying degrees. The Orthodox are far more correct than Protestants who are far more correct than Muslims who are far more correct than Hindus.

What is unacceptable to you is not comparable to what is unacceptable to God.

Think too there are personality differences at work here - I am by nature a heretic when this is used in its original sense of thinking for yourself. That is difficult, to say the least, in situations where the truth has already been defined for all time.

You would not say such a thing if you understood heresy or truth.

 

[PJM]

Think on many issues there are degrees of truth.

Also often the corollary of believing that any one person or group (religious political or other) has the monopoly on truth leads to the connotation that everyone/everything else is wrong. For some this gives them the justification to bash (figuratively or actually) anyone who disagrees with them. I understand that this is often with the best of motives but it is still unacceptable to me.

Think too there are personality differences at work here - I am by nature a heretic when this is used in its original sense of thinking for yourself. That is difficult, to say the least, in situations where the truth has already been defined for all time.

My dear friend in Christ,

I am fasinated by your view of “degrees of truth.” Could you please elaborate for me.

Thank you!

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Are we “intollerant?”

If we are why are we?

If we are not, why is there a preception that we are?

Do folks pick on Catholics because were are the bully on the block?

God bless you and your’s

PJM m.c.

I don’t think Catholics, in general, are intolerant. It purely depends on the person and how they view their personal beliefs; or how seriously they take it, that is.

There are, however, people who are intolerant of Catholicism while some Catholics, in turn, are intolerant of them.

I’m sure it’s more complicated than that.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[Soutane]

Some of us are very, very wary of ANY organisation or person who considers that they have the monopoly on truth especially when they consider that their task is to bring everyone to that truth.

We seen from history what can happen when such organisations have power, especially absolute power.

And yes, we consider and find such organisations intolerant however tolerant some of its members may be.

If the Catholic Church had absolute power we would not be in such a mess today.The Catholic Church has absolute moral power on the spiritual plane but that counts for squat in the secular world.The Church is viewed as an anachronism and that’s why within one generation other “powers” insult It with impunity.Typical western resentment of authority and entirely childish.Rather intolerant,no?

 

[Teflon93]

If the Catholic Church had absolute power we would not be in such a mess today.The Catholic Church has absolute moral power on the spiritual plane but that counts for squat in the secular world.The Church is viewed as an anachronism and that’s why within one generation other “powers” insult It with impunity.Typical western resentment of authority and entirely childish.Rather intolerant,no?

Indeed, what organization is less tolerant than government, insisting as it does upon a monopoly of force?

 

[Pier]

Some of us are very, very wary of ANY organisation or person who considers that they have the monopoly on truth especially when they consider that their task is to bring everyone to that truth.

We seen from history what can happen when such organisations have power, especially absolute power.

And yes, we consider and find such organisations intolerant however tolerant some of its members may be.

Christ has never imposed His will on anyone. His Church, given the authority by the Holy Spirit, is not to be silent on where He stands on anything. Those members who disagree are free to leave - hopefully understanding that they are always welcome to come back home.

 

[byzgirl]

We can’t win for losing, it seems.

I just parused this thread, but it would seem the question of intolerance for Catholics is because of the often misunderstood ‘No Salvation Outside of the Church’ dogma.

I just read, the other day, another type of complaint on a Protestant web site…that Catholics are too liberal (accepting everyone as part of the Body of Christ) using the very same dogma (and using quotes directly from our Catechism).

Either we’re too strong, or too weak. Could it be that these folks are STILL misunderstanding what the Church teaches?

 

[Soutane]

Christ has never imposed His will on anyone. His Church, given the authority by the Holy Spirit, is not to be silent on where He stands on anything. Those members who disagree are free to leave - hopefully understanding that they are always welcome to come back home.

The Catholic Church PROPOSES not IMPOSES.

 

[IrishJoe]

Are we “intollerant?”

My experience of this forum says yes. Or at least that the less tolerant have the loudest voice. My experience is that Catholics are less tolerant of protestants that the other way around.

If we are why are we?

coz they are right. Magesterium, infallibility and all that.

If we are not, why is there a preception that we are?

see above, see some of the nasty comments on this thread for example (nearpage 7)

 

[Pier]

My experience of this forum says yes. Or at least that the less tolerant have the loudest voice. My experience is that Catholics are less tolerant of protestants that the other way around.

coz they are right. Magesterium, infallibility and all that.

see above, see some of the nasty comments on this thread for example (nearpage 7)

Maybe this has been your experience. I have found it to be that while Catholics tend to mind their own business, sometimes Protestants are more in-your-face. Personally, I am trying to turn the other cheek with patience & maybe even humor while teaching about the one true faith - rather than eye-for-an-eye-ing it by being rude right back at 'em, or just reacting with stunned silence at such blatant & obvious disgust - which has been my experience - & which took getting used to.

However, rudeness can run both ways. We should not be haughty about our Faith. Catholicism is spot on - but Catholics can be far from spot*less *(including me!) for sure.

 

[Pier]

The Catholic Church PROPOSES not IMPOSES.

Well said :yup:

She offers the love of Christ by way of authority from the Holy Spirit

& I for one accept :extrahappy:

 

[eelpis]

The Catholic faith is intolerant of error and falsehood, it should be and it is. That’s why it’s Catholic.

Catholics should not only be tolerant of their neigbour but they should LOVE their neighbour. There’s quite a difference. Sometimes you can love someone and yet be intolerant of their lifestyle. Our divine Lord had dinner with both pharisees, publicans and prostitutes.

 

[Teflon93]

And where in Scripture shall we find the notion that tolerance is the supreme virtue?

 

[Soutane]

And where in Scripture shall we find the notion that tolerance is the supreme virtue?

BOOYAH !!!

 

[Soutane]

My experience of this forum says yes. Or at least that the less tolerant have the loudest voice. My experience is that Catholics are less tolerant of protestants that the other way around.

coz they are right. Magesterium, infallibility and all that.

see above, see some of the nasty comments on this thread for example (nearpage 7)

I read the thread and while some of the posts are rather childish and of the nyah,nyah,nyah,variety,I didn’t see a whole lot of INTOLERANCE.Methinks you should develop a thicker skin or press the"ignore button"on some of the more juvenile offenders.If you want to see intolerance go to CARM-if you’re Catholic it’s like a metaphorical punch(s) to the face and if you defend yourself and your faith ESPECIALLY successfully you’ll be banned and have your comments removed tout de suite.

It’s been my experience that MOST Catholics on this board are respectful of others but be prepared for a spirited reaction unto anger if our Faith is libeled or slandered or misrepresented and especially if we are told what we REALLY believe,even after that person has been charitably and repeatedly informed of our True beliefs.
Would you defend your mother,wife,child if they were being attacked verbally.You’re … right you would.

 

[Soutane]

Well said :yup:

She offers the love of Christ by way of authority from the Holy Spirit

& I for one accept :extrahappy:

St Maximilan Kolbe called it Submission to the Truth.

 

[Soutane]

BOOYAH !!!

(and rimshot)

 

[PJM]

"Originally Posted by Teflon93
And where in Scripture shall we find the notion that tolerance is the supreme virtue?

BOOYAH !!!

---

NON SERVIAM?QUIS UT DEUS! "

Hmmmmm, is this about tolerance?

Romans 13: "9* The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10* Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. "

Or this: 1 Cor. 13: "4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5* it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7* Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. "