Experience/truth/the Church

[Fides_et_Ratio]

One of my college classes has a message board for only the class to post on, and a few days ago a young woman in the class posted a very long bit about just loving God and experiencing Him herself and not being so concerned with all the "rules and regulations" (of any denominations). A Catholic lady who is an adult student in several of my classes responded recently with a post that I want to contradict, but some of what she said was aimed at me (not specifically, but moreso things she somewhat knew I would reply with if I responded to the thread) and so I know I need to tread carefully in my reply.

This is what the Catholic poster responded with:
[quote]I believe there are those who will not consider your questions because they understand the teaching of the Roman Catholic church from an intellectual standpoint and maybe haven't experienced God out side of that box. There are those who believe the church teachings to be infallible, so their way is the only way. I don't think this is wrong and I am not putting them down but unless they are very lucky in life, there will come a time when one of those teachings will not line up with what they are experiencing as truth. I hope this will cause them growth rather than degression in their faith. I think we need to respect everyone's experience at this time. (I am in no any way saying that you are not). As for me I believe the Roman Catholic Church holds many truths. I begin to waver thow on a few issues not relating to Scripture, that seem contrary to God's love. I believe the Catholic Church does possess the truth but yet, until we meet God we can not know for sure. To me it seems presumptuous of man to declare for sure the truth of God.[/quote]

But I need to exercise a LOT of caution and charity in responding to this...

[Laudate_Dominum]

Not sure if I my advice is worth much, but I would try to strike up a discussion on specific topics, namely those issues that this person believes are erroneous teachings of the Church. This would seem to be the best avenue in which to demonstrate the beauty and wisdom of Catholic teaching. I would secondarily approach these specific discussions as opportunities to deal with some of the more foundational problems.

[Era Might]

I think it just boils down to being all or nothing. Either you accept what the Catholic Church teaches, and you call yourself "Catholic", or you don't. It's one thing to say that the Catholic Church is wrong, and that's fine. It just means you're not Catholic. But there are people who believe the Church is what she says she is, and define their very existence by that belief. It has nothing to do with not experiencing God, but has to do what you have come to believe as truth. There can be a discussion about whether or not what you believe is in fact true, but just because you believe it doesn't mean you haven't "experienced" God. You just reject what someone else believes it means to "experience" God.

Basically, although this woman is not willing to stick her neck out and make an act of certain faith, many people are. The truth compels us to believe. What the Church teaches, and what the Church claims to be, makes sense to me in a way that I could never explain. It goes beyond "intellect", as she suggests. It is a conviction that arises from conscience.

That's what I would say anyway.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

Being faithful to the magestirum is not about being intellectually well versed in Catholicism, it is about having faith in Christ. Christ gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, started a Church and said it would not fall. Only two Churches claim this history (because no other can, and they know it) The Catholic and the Orthodox Churches were founded by the Apostles. To be faithful unwaivering to Church teaching is to accept Christ. if Church teaching does not line up with OUR truth then it is a good indicator that OUR TRUTH is not truth at all. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines what it means to be Catholic and the Truth of the Church, if you disagree with even one paragraph it is no longer the catechism of the catholic Church you follow, but rather your own Catechism.

The Cafeteria is CLOSED

Edited October 1, 2006 by PadrePioOfPietrelcino