conservativism in catholicism?

[infinitelord1]

just wonderin what you think

[Brother Adam]

conservitive is a political word and faith isn't political. You certianly don't have to be a republican to be Catholic (though republican moral and social principles are better in line with Catholic thought today than many other party lines).

[Theoketos]

It has always been a mixed bag.

[Extra ecclesiam nulla salus]

it all depends.

[Socrates]

Depends on how you define "conservative."

I would argue that being a good Catholic necessitates being "conservative."

The Church is "conservative" because she holds on to timeless truths, rather than just changing with the fads of the times, as does "liberal religion."

[photosynthesis]

I'd say that Catholicism is all about being radically conservative. We're conservative because we hold onto the traditions God has given us from generation to generation. We're radical because our traditions and beliefs are diametrically opposed to the spirit of the world.

[philothea]

In the classic, non-political meaning of the word, Catholicism is very conservative.

Except for those first few years when it was really revolutionary.

[Era Might]

The Church conserves and progresses. She conserves the Deposit of faith, but she is very liberal with new ideas, new ways of understanding and living that Deposit. An ecclesial entity which only "conserved" would never have incorporated pagan philosophy into Christianity. At the same time, an ecclesial entity which progressed with everything in every age would not have a Deposit of faith to conserve. The Church is where she should be: in Christ.

[journeyman]

I'm inclined to start with Sacrates on this one . . . a "liberal" by the definition prevalent in the 1600-1700s might be a libertarian today

. . . what can be said with certainty now is that, since John XXIII called Catholicism to a richer, more evangelical way of imagining itself and its purposes, an almost obsessive focus on the Catholic Church as institution has preoccupied many Catholics in North America and western Europe.

That obsession with the institutional dimension of the Church helps to explain why so much of the contemporary Catholic debate is framed in terms borrowed from politics: as a debate between "liberals" and "conservatives." Shortly after the Council, virtually everything in Cathloicism began to be desribed this way. . . .

Chapter 3 [i]Liberal Church? Conservative Church? Why Catholicism is Not a "Denomination," and What That Means[/i] . . . George Weigel, [b]The Truth of Catholicisim, Inside the Essential Teachings and Controversies of the Church Today[/b] (Harper Collins/Cliff Street 2001; Harper Collins/Perennia 2002)

[photosynthesis]

[quote name='journeyman' date='Dec 11 2005, 06:10 PM']Chapter 3  [i]Liberal Church?  Conservative Church?  Why Catholicism is Not a "Denomination," and What That Means[/i] . . . George Weigel, [b]The Truth of Catholicisim, Inside the Essential Teachings and Controversies of the Church Today[/b] (Harper Collins/Cliff Street 2001; Harper Collins/Perennia 2002)
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I want to read that.. is that an article from a textbook?

[MC Just]

i'm not even going to get into this.

[philothea]

[quote name='MC Just' date='Dec 11 2005, 04:32 PM']i'm not even going to get into this.
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Just step away from the debate table...

[Nathan]

I think political conservatism is just something that happens sooner or later to Catholics who are serious about their faith -- that is, who are orthodox. There comes a point when you have to ask yourself, "Does the liberal agenda reflect/support my Catholic beliefs, values, and ethics?" The answer, of course, is no.

This usually takes a lot of growing up and maturation to see, though. I became a conservative just this year, at age 24.

[Era Might]

[quote name='Nathan' date='Dec 11 2005, 06:46 PM']I think political conservatism is just something that happens sooner or later to Catholics who are serious about their faith -- that is, who are orthodox. There comes a point when you have to ask yourself, "Does the liberal agenda reflect/support my Catholic beliefs, values, and ethics?" The answer, of course, is no.

This usually takes a lot of growing up and maturation to see, though. I became a conservative just this year, at age 24.
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Just because you believe in the Immaculate Conception doesn't mean you'll be a trooper for George Bush's tax policies, or his war, or his application of capital punishment, or his immigration policies, or his foreign policy, or his mangement of homeland security.

Political conservatives may woo Christians in the culture wars. But the Church existed long before the culture wars, and will exist long after them. Her lot is cast not only with the unborn and and the nuclear family, but with the poor, the immigrant, the condemned, the working man, with opponents of distorted capitalism and economic greed. Her lot is with Jesus Christ, not with George Bush.

This is why I am a registered independent. I won't let any political system use me for their agenda, whether Democrat or Republican. My agenda is defined by the Church.

Edited December 12, 2005 by Era Might

[Socrates]

[quote name='Era Might' date='Dec 11 2005, 05:09 PM']Just because you believe in the Immaculate Conception doesn't mean you'll be a trooper for George Bush's tax policies, or his war, or his application of capital punishment, or his immigration policies, or his foreign policy, or his mangement of homeland security.

Political conservatives may woo Christians in the culture wars. But the Church existed long before the culture wars, and will exist long after them. Her lot is cast not only with the unborn and and the nuclear family, but with the poor, the immigrant, the condemned, the working man, with opponents of distorted capitalism and economic greed. Her lot is with Jesus Christ, not with George Bush.

This is why I am a registered independent. I won't let any political system use me for their agenda, whether Democrat or Republican. My agenda is defined by the Church.
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The policies of President George W. Bush do not define Conservatism. On many things, Bush is not conservative in the true sense. (Particularly in his expansionist foreign policy and support of growth of government).

However, I would very strongly disagree that being a Catholic necessitates taking a liberal Democrat socialist position on most political/economic issues.

In fact, most of the most faithful, orthodox Catholics I know are staunch conservatives politically.