Catholic church admits Bible historically untrue

[AuroraSilvermist]

This article floored me!

Catholic Church no Longer Swears by Truth of the Bible (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1811332,00.html)

This part especially:

As examples of passages not to be taken literally, the bishops cite the early chapters of Genesis, comparing them with early creation legends from other cultures, especially from the ancient East. The bishops say it is clear that the primary purpose of these chapters was to provide religious teaching and that they could not be described as historical writing.

Can I get an "Amen?" :lol:

[Amina]

Oh wow!
Amen!!

~JF~

[Leander]

In my experience the Catholic Church has always taught along those lines, but perhaps never admitted it. I remember sitting as a chorister in Westminster Cathedral and listening to the homilies about the OT, most of which stated that they were primarily metaphorical/allegorical, especially Genesis.

[Moonlite Faery]

WoW! Finally! Been waiting for them to just come out and say it!

[AuroraSilvermist]

Yeah, I always felt that my own pastor, back when I was still Catholic (the religion I was born into), viewed creation as a metaphor and not something to be literally translated. But...he wasn't particularly vocal about it.

I bet I could randomly grab a dozen Catholic Sunday school teachers and a huge percentage of them would say something along the lines of, "We believe what the Bible teaches us, and therefore the creation story is true and really happened." With the number of fundementalist Christians running around, being a progressive, free-thinking Christian, especially clergy, can be daunting. I honestly hope this published information helps change that, if even to a small degree.

[TaysatWesir]

The bishops say: “Such symbolic language must be respected for what it is, and is not to be interpreted literally. We should not expect to discover in this book details about the end of the world, about how many will be saved and about when the end will come.”

I’m sick of the end of the world scenario esp. in movies c’mon already.

[Verthandi]

Like the others have said, Catholics usually take a more metaphorical approach to the Bible, even if they don't come out and say it. I'll save my shock and surprise for when the footwashers and other such fundies say that the Bible isn't historical truth.

[Chibi-Fallon]

Yeah, the Catholics have always been on the "metaphorical" side haven't they? Well at least after that whole divine right of kings thing went away. :D
But at least they're coming out and saying it in a time when more and more poeple are trying to take it word for word.

[Phoenix Blue]

This'll only push the Southern Baptists to take it more literally while they bite their thumbs at the "Godless heathen" Catholics ...

[merlo]

Like the others have said, Catholics usually take a more metaphorical approach to the Bible, even if they don't come out and say it. I'll save my shock and surprise for when the footwashers and other such fundies say that the Bible isn't historical truth.

Ok, here's some useless personal facts facts for y'all. I was raised catholic, was an alterboy till I was caught drinking the wine (just kidding, we did, towards the end, 13-14 years old, drink the wine every chance we got, I wasn't molested either) when it came time for my confirmation, I said the priest's lines instead of mine, and he just laughed, so I got outta that one...I actually went to this church in Hollywood, Prysbeterian I think (however you spell that) and had MY FEET WASHED by this member of the church. I kid you not...I heard they were doing that, and I just HAD to see if they would really do it-AND THEY DID!!!!!! I'm so bad!

I WANTED a bible when I was in the 4th grade, read it cover to cover a few times, it was one of those illustrated kids versions. I was really interested in the snake, and what he said to eve to get her to bite the apple, I sometimes now think it was prolly similar to what the molester/priests said to the little boys.

Oh, if I seem to be down on Xians, Catholics, Yup. I also dislike (with a passion) scientologists, most cults, those people on the bikes that come to my door and won't stay and argue with me, the republicans, David Spade and the fact that there is no STARBUCKS ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST. so sue me

I do love to poke fun at most people, _wedgie_ and welcome it back :boing:
And in defense of Xians, they have done more for the Gulf Coast to get us back on our feet than any other group of people. They Rock. But that doesn't mean they're above me saying what I think about them. Good or Bad.

So what's the point of this post? Nothing, I'm just bored :halohead:

[NightPoet00]

First, as others have mentioned, this is nothing new. I went to Catholic high school, and was taught the same thing in my religion classes.

Secondly, I'm a little appalled at how people are coming down big time on Christians. Yes, there are bad Christians who try to shove their faith down your throat -- I don't like them either. But there are tons of Christians who are faithful and passionate about their faith, just as you are about yours. I always hear about how the pagan paths are characterized by a high level of tolerance, but I'm just not seeing it here and it's saddening.

[Lorelei of the Mists]

.

[AuroraSilvermist]

First, as others have mentioned, this is nothing new. I went to Catholic high school, and was taught the same thing in my religion classes.

Things must have been different for me. 30 years ago, when I was still in Sunday school, we were pretty much handed the Bible as something to be interpreted literally in most respects. Honestly, I'm very glad that the Catholic church has come out and publicly said, "Listen, we realize that much of the Bible was never meant to be taken literally." I do think there are a good many Catholics who have never considered this, even though it may have always been implied. I've never heard of children attending religious education classes being taught that the creation story is a myth. :whatgives

But then, maybe that's just my experience. I admit I've led a bit of a sheltered youth, and when it came to the Catholic catechism, I wasn't exactly the most dedicated student because I was a pagan at heart from the get-go. ;)


Secondly, I'm a little appalled at how people are coming down big time on Christians. Yes, there are bad Christians who try to shove their faith down your throat -- I don't like them either. But there are tons of Christians who are faithful and passionate about their faith, just as you are about yours. I always hear about how the pagan paths are characterized by a high level of tolerance, but I'm just not seeing it here and it's saddening.

I'm sorry you feel that way. I can't speak for anyone else, but I hope you don't feel that my post was a swipe at Christianity. I have respect for all religions. What I do have disdain for is religious fundamentalism; the sort of all-or-nothing thinking that doesn't allow for an open mind or a reasonable degree of tolerance. And fundamentalists, of course, come in all religious flavors.

I like to think that pagans can be a tolerant and open-minded bunch, but I admit that I do run across many with an open intolerance toward Christianity. But just like fundamentalism, intolerance also comes in all religious flavors. I even know a Buddhist who lacks tolerance for Christians. It saddens me, too. :goodgrief

[Elderbush]

If it is any consolation, I've run across Pagans who "come down" on other Pagans, Wiccans who nastily call Wiccans in other traditions names, and Recons who denigrate everyone. Unfortunately Paganism contains its share of bigots and intolerance and arrogance - and even more unfortunately the ones I am talking about won't think that I am talking about them! So don't ever think Christians are singled out. The target changes like the weather.

[Aidron]

This'll only push the Southern Baptists to take it more literally while they bite their thumbs at the "Godless heathen" Catholics ...

I cannot fathom how much more literally they could interpret it. When I attended church off and on long ago, they were very adamant that anything that was in the bible actually happened, it was mankind's true history. [shrugs]

[David19]

First, as others have mentioned, this is nothing new. I went to Catholic high school, and was taught the same thing in my religion classes.

Secondly, I'm a little appalled at how people are coming down big time on Christians. Yes, there are bad Christians who try to shove their faith down your throat -- I don't like them either. But there are tons of Christians who are faithful and passionate about their faith, just as you are about yours. I always hear about how the pagan paths are characterized by a high level of tolerance, but I'm just not seeing it here and it's saddening.

I agree with you because on a lot of sites, there is a lot of pagan bigotry towards christians, jews and muslims. All of the christians i've met have just been normal, not fundmentalist at all. On the internet i've seen far more pagan bigots than christian, it's just that christian fundamentalists (and muslim, to an extent) are given more media coverage.

i've also seen a lot of anti-semiticism in pagan groups, mostly in certain odinist groupd or the neo-nazi parts of Asatru and the neo-nazi Joy of Satan group and you always get one pagan that'll make some kind of remark about the evils of Christianity or even judaism.

Although i'm not saying that there weren't crimes commited but people should start respecting others beliefs, christian, pagan, jew, muslim - it doesn't actually matter what you call yourself.

[omar]

:halohead: L of the Mist described God well. Cosmic Force or Great Spirit or Great Mystery. "HE" is not a being but a Universal Force. So he can't be black or white or any other color. He created the Universal Laws that the Universe operates on. I think the Hindu's call him Super Mind?

[Danustouch]

Having the church publically ADMIT that it's metaphorical, and not historical truth, will, as PB said, do little to help the situation. The fundamentalist christian branches, such as Southern Baptists, put little to no credence into what the Catholic Church says. Furthermore, I've noticed, that what the catholic church says, and what the average catholic PERSON still thinks is true, are very different. For instance, the Catholic Church has absolved Mary Magdalene of the accusation that she was a prostitute, and came out and publically stated that that is untrue. Yet, most catholics still refer to her as "oh..the one who was the prostitute...". It can take CENTURIES for "statements" to override popular tradition. I don't think people are quite willing to give up their theory of creation, any time soon.

[Malcolm]

Christians, they should have their own show on Comedy Central...j/k

[Verthandi]

Doesn't it figure. When the pope is called, Father.
What? Who are you addressing here? Your grammar makes it appear like you are addressing your father.


People are becoming wise to the church and it's rhetoric.
That's been going on for some time. The misinformation some Protestants spew about Catholics is alarming.


Worshipping graven idols, huummmm? How about those large statues in Rome. Passing the collection tray. A direct violation of Jesus Christs teachings. No money in the temples.
The Church doesn't worship the statues in Rome. The Church has them there to honour the saints, Christ and whomever. Catholics don't prostrate themselves before statues and they don't worship them or the saints. Passing the collection tray is part of the tithe. They are not buying anything in the church; they are not buying forgiveness, they are not buying a way into heaven; they are making a charitable contribution. The Bible also says that one must give to charity.


Not, our Holy Father. But just human beings searching for the answers in prayers (for me spells). And that God may not be a white man. Ooops! Just a Cosmic Force that exists in all of us. No matter what or how we believe and practice our religions. I can hardly wait!!
What do you mean by "our Holy Father?" That could be a pope, God, Zeus, a canonized priest, etc. I don't understand what you mean after those three words either.

[paganpilgrim]

If it is any consolation, I've run across Pagans who "come down" on other Pagans, Wiccans who nastily call Wiccans in other traditions names...

Yeah, I hate this too. It doesn't make any sense. Why should we tear each other down? We're just doing the theo-fascists a favor. Much of it is the old "only a witch can make a witch". We don't need this kind of elitism.

We need each other.


Rich

[Merewyn]

Now what I'M really curious about is when are they going to talk about all those other books that didn't make the final cut into the bible? THAT would be fun to learn about.

My mom made a great point one time. She said that she would love to know all the ancient languages just so she could go into the vaulted library of the vatican - just think of what documents and writings could be found there... :weirdsmil