Good Friday Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 If one has trouble with some element of Church teaching -- I'm not going to say which, I think you all know -- then... Can that person quietly accept the teaching of the Church, without making any kind of public statement of acceptance? And can one refuse to ever speak or write on that topic again, either in the positive or the negative, as long as he accepts the Church's teaching? I guess what I'm asking is -- once one has accepted the teaching, is public defense of that teaching [b]required[/b], or is it enough to simply accept the teaching if publicly defending it would be too difficult, or if it would cause extreme distress within a person's family? And I'm also asking if one can just refuse to ever address the topic again, so as to avoid the same problems which generally lead him to doubt or reject the Church's teaching. I asked a similar question before, regarding orthopraxy vs. orthodoxy -- can one do but not believe? The reaction to that question was mixed, and I think the consensus was that eventually one must believe, even if it just starts with doing. So now this question is related... if one believes, does it have to be a very public belief? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 It may not have to be a very public belief Nathan, but it should probably be an honest one. I mean to say, do you really believe if, upon being asked, you could state nothing? As long as you can honestly say yes, I believe but dont feel the need to yelling it at the top of your lungs, and practice what you quietly profess I for one would deem that necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I know I'm probably not your favorite person, Nathan, as you and I have some very strong disagreements, but please hear me out. I don't think you have to publicly run around loudly proclaiming the teaching you have trouble with, but you must never publicly deny this teaching or fight for it to be changed. This would also apply to private conversations. If someone asked you what the truth of this matter is, you would be required, as a good Catholic, to give the Church's teaching. Privately following a moral teaching while publicly fighting against it does not constitute orthopraxy. At the very least, you should try to quietly follow the Church's teaching, and make no public protest against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 (edited) You follow the teaching and refer anyone with questions to someone else. Everybody has triggers and sticky points somewhere in their life. We are not required to air our entire lives for public review. We answer to the priest in the confessional and God at the end. Edited February 15, 2005 by cmotherofpirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary's Knight, La Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 i pretty much agree with CMom though if someone were to say Nathan what is correct with regards to ____ you would be required at that point to state church teaching though for explanation you're certainly allowed to refer them to someone else... the only time a public statement of acceptance is preferable in my opinion is to stop debate over what is now a moot point. look at it sorta like sin, there's sins of commission where you do something wrong then there's sins of omission where you don't do what you ought to have, it is similar for following and explaining church teachings. you don't always have the obligation to teach and explain but sometimes you do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aluigi Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I think Cmom said it best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasJis Posted February 15, 2005 Share Posted February 15, 2005 (edited) In my opinion, if you are being obedient, then you are being open to Grace to strengthen your belief. It is as faithful as the disciples whom Jesus asked if they were going to leave him too, when Jesus taught about eating his flesh. They asked 'where else are we to go?' and stayed with Jesus. It's easy to obey something you agree with and is easy to do. It's incredibly courageous to obey something you doubt and is difficult. 1 week of your obedience is worth more to God than a lifetime of obedience from someone who doesn't have to sacrifice or struggle with obeying the same thing. Please don't sell your efforts short. I also don't think you are expected to voice your opinion or teach about it or outwardly promote it. This is something that is truely between you and God. Be humble enough to know it isn't your job and thank God for not giving you the task right now. Sometimes God works intimately with you for YOUR benefit, and it doesn't have to be for other's consumption. Your private physical obedience of something that is a sacrifice and struggle is surely enough for God, as is your respect for the love and caring for the mother God himself has provided for you. You can be a good man and a good son at the same time, concerning this. Edited February 15, 2005 by jasJis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Nathan, I hope you take in what jas and Cmom said...over and over. jas, that was so beautiful and a sublime nightcap. Pax tecum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good Friday Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 Thank you, Cheryl and Greg -- that was very helpful. (Everyone else's comments were helpful too, though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dUSt Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I can tell you that I personally struggle with accepting and/or understanding some church teaching. Nobody will know what it is because I don't make it public, and at times, defend the teachings I personally struggle with. It may come from working for a giant corporation. Even though you may not agree with what your boss tells you to do, you do it anyway. Eventually, you get promoted and move on up--and then at some point you "get it" and it becomes clear why you were told what you were told. Most times, understanding and acceptance comes before obedience, but sometimes it doesn't come until later. I think that's where the words "faith" and "trust" play a big role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azriel Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 [quote name='dUSt' date='Feb 16 2005, 09:18 AM'] I can tell you that I personally struggle with accepting and/or understanding some church teaching. Nobody will know what it is because I don't mak public and, at times, even defend it. It may come from working for a giant corporation. Even though you may not agree with what your boss tells you to do, you do it anyway. Eventually, you get promoted and move on up--and then at some point you "get it" and it becomes clear why you were told what you were told. Most times, understanding and acceptance comes before obedience, but sometimes it doesn't come until later. I think that's where the words "faith" and "trust" play a big role. [/quote] :tiphat: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 I agree too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 If you ask an old priest this, they would sort of look at you in wonder and say "Just do it" Faith preceeds understanding or agreement. God really doesn't ask us if we will like the rules, we are simply expected to obey anyway. Somewhere along the way you get a eureeka moment and you get it. Sometimes you don't. As long as you are plodding along trying you ARE headed in the right direction. When I get ornery about rules I go and reread the [i]Chronicles of Narnia[/i], especially the one with Puddleglum. Always puts me back on track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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