Quiz: What kind of Catholic are you? - Share your results

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

I have found it interesting that, at least around here, the mainline Protestant churches, theologically quite liberal, have very traditional services.

The best organists in town are in these churches, and the attendees love their stained glass windows and their SATB choirs and the solemn way their priests, both male and female, hold worship services. I have been to a number of funerals at these churches as well as some ecumenical services.

On the other hand, the fundamentalist churches have their big screen slide shows and praise and worship bands, electronically enhanced, and their TV services.

I'm trying to figure it out, because it's not what most people expect--that traditional worship and theological liberalism often go hand in hand. Or that praise and worship big-screen services go along with fundamentalism.

Those are evangelical rather than fundamentalist...it seems like an unimportant distinction, until you consider that by Protestant standards, conservative Catholics are relatively moderate.

Evangelicals are usually more ecumenical, more open to dialogue with society, and whatnot. Fundamentalists are hyper-right wing, and they're separatist. They might believe that other Protestant fundamentalists are heretics (which, in Protestantism, means that they aren't Christian), that Catholicism is a cult, that evangelicals are "2nd degree heretics" for practicing ecumenism, that everyone outside of their denomination is going to Hell, etc.

Fundamentalist worship is...well, frankly, it's nothing like Catholic or evangelical worship. Picture Catholic worship, with everything but the homily removed, and I mean everything. No crucifix. No priest. No statues, no stained glass, no tabernacle, no holy water. Sometimes no artwork and no instruments in the music. Depending on the degree of congregationalism, there might not even be a preacher. Just a homily, and that is more often about Hell than anything else, unless you're a Calvinist (in which case it will be about predestination and possibly Hell) or a Restorationist (in which case, adult baptism, and possibly Hell). If they have screens and a megachurch, it's just because of the size of the congregation or because they're on TV, and other fundamentalists will probably think of them negatively.

Mainline Protestants are less iconoclastic and more historically rooted, so they keep up a liturgy.

The liturgical service is something that I would have missed as a Protestant, if I had known what I was missing out on. I wouldn't mind seeing a resurgence of the idea of the liturgy in more conservative denominations, if only because it would point out a better understanding of the difference between the profane (ie., the everyday, not the obscene) and the sacred.

 

[AMDG]

Just a homily.

But they call it a sermon--and it can be looong--very long, picture "the- same-sentence-being-told-ten-or-more-different-ways-long". (In fact, they often call our short homilies "sermonettes for Christianettes".) And often this long sermon (yes about hellfire and brimstone and the unworthiness of us--as a little girl I was upset that the preacher had my grandmother in Texas crying) is in the middle of hymns, oreo style. They are not liturgical like Catholics and some evangelicals are.

And the judgementalism of the preacher extended to the town streets. (He used to loudly yell--so everyone on the street could hear--at my aunts "Jezebels--women with painted faces!" if they wore makeup. BTW, dancing, doing anything on Sunday except stay in church, going to the movies, playing cards, drinking was a sin. (A good remembrance when I think the Catholic Church is just a tad strict.)

 

[Fantine]

I think we're mixing our metaphors.

The theologically liberal churches in my town with traditional liturgies and services are primarily Episcopal and Presbyterian. And they are very ecumenical. One nearby Episcopal Church has even started a 7 a.m. Mass where "pets" are welcome to accommodate the early a.m. dog walkers.

The theologically conservative churches in my town that have praise and worship bands, big tv screens, multimedia presentations, huge high tech youth centers are Baptist, non-denominational, and Assembly of God. Those are the ones that I would call 'evangelical.'

The Presbyterians and Episcopals are anything BUT fundamentalist (one of them has invited Buddhist monks to build a mandala on their labyrinth on St. Patrick's Day).

 

[MKJ]

I think we're mixing our metaphors.

The theologically liberal churches in my town with traditional liturgies and services are primarily Episcopal and Presbyterian. And they are very ecumenical. One nearby Episcopal Church has even started a 7 a.m. Mass where "pets" are welcome to accommodate the early a.m. dog walkers.

The theologically conservative churches in my town that have praise and worship bands, big tv screens, multimedia presentations, huge high tech youth centers are Baptist, non-denominational, and Assembly of God. Those are the ones that I would call 'evangelical.'

The Presbyterians and Episcopals are anything BUT fundamentalist (one of them has invited Buddhist monks to build a mandala on their labyrinth on St. Patrick's Day).

It is actually quite common all over for liberal mainline congregations to have fairly fancy traditional liturgies, what we Anglicans call High Church. Smells and bells. Often much higher than the Catholics.

Those groups come from a tradition of such liturgy that existed before what we would call liberal theology became part of the mix.

But it will probably make more sense if you think about the people that attend those parishes. Well-educated progressives who do things like listen to classical music, visit the art gallery, maybe like good wine.

They want a church that wont offend their religious or political sensibilities too much, and also wont offend their aesthetic sensibilities: they do not want praise bands and big screens or On Eagles Wings and cheezy statues.

My parish isnt theologically liberal, but we have a traditional high church liturgy and a good music program, and we still attract some of those people. (Though they dont always manage to maintain their theological views.)

 

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

But they call it a sermon--and it can be looong--very long, picture "the- same-sentence-being-told-ten-or-more-different-ways-long". (In fact, they often call our short homilies "sermonettes for Christianettes".) And often this long sermon (yes about hellfire and brimstone and the unworthiness of us--as a little girl I was upset that the preacher had my grandmother in Texas crying) is in the middle of hymns, oreo style. They are not liturgical like Catholics and some evangelicals are.

I've been there, trust me

In all fairness, though, it's nothing compared to some Eastern homilies as far as length is concerned (although it's also nothing compared to them as far as actual content is concerned...Catholics and Orthodox have a lot more depth than "YOU ARE GOING TO SO MUCH HELL!!1!!1").

And the judgementalism of the preacher extended to the town streets. (He used to loudly yell--so everyone on the street could hear--at my aunts "Jezebels--women with painted faces!" if they wore makeup. BTW, dancing, doing anything on Sunday except stay in church, going to the movies, playing cards, drinking was a sin. (A good remembrance when I think the Catholic Church is just a tad strict.)

Yep. That's far right even for a fundamentalist group, but you do see it sometimes. In a really roundabout way, one of the fundamentalist street preachers at my college managed to lead me to Catholicism...I wonder how he would feel about that?

Probably not good.

I think we're mixing our metaphors.

The theologically liberal churches in my town with traditional liturgies and services are primarily Episcopal and Presbyterian. And they are very ecumenical. One nearby Episcopal Church has even started a 7 a.m. Mass where "pets" are welcome to accommodate the early a.m. dog walkers.

The theologically conservative churches in my town that have praise and worship bands, big tv screens, multimedia presentations, huge high tech youth centers are Baptist, non-denominational, and Assembly of God. Those are the ones that I would call 'evangelical.'

I think we actually agree on this. I'm just pointing out that evangelicals and fundamentalists are different, because it's an important distinction. The left-to-right spectrum with Protestants goes something like this "Mainline Protestants - Left-Leaning Evangelicals (C.S. Lewis) - Right-Leaning Evangelicals (Southern Baptist Convention) - Left-Leaning Fundamentalists (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) - Right-Leaning Fundamentalists (Primitive Baptists) - Extreme Right Margin (Dove World Outreach Center, Westboro Baptist Church, etc.)".

The Catholic Church is somewhere around the left-leaning evangelicals on that. SSPX is close to right-leaning evangelicals. You have to get into sedevacantists and conclavists to get the equivalent of fundamentalists and the more marginal.

After becoming Catholic from a more left-leaning fundamentalist background, I felt like I had become an absolute liberal. It's like moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania (weird metaphor, I know, but bear with me here). I still identify as conservative, but in perspective? I'm only conservative for a Catholic. As a Protestant, I would be very moderate (agreeing with modern evolutionary biology alone would knock me off of the conservative wagon).

 

[Yoder777]

I have found it interesting that, at least around here, the mainline Protestant churches, theologically quite liberal, have very traditional services.

The best organists in town are in these churches, and the attendees love their stained glass windows and their SATB choirs and the solemn way their priests, both male and female, hold worship services. I have been to a number of funerals at these churches as well as some ecumenical services.

On the other hand, the fundamentalist churches have their big screen slide shows and praise and worship bands, electronically enhanced, and their TV services.

I'm trying to figure it out, because it's not what most people expect--that traditional worship and theological liberalism often go hand in hand. Or that praise and worship big-screen services go along with fundamentalism.

In the Catholic Church, I've found that happy middle ground. The Catholic Church has liturgical tradition while, since Vatican II, being open to the modern world.

A lot of people see Catholicism as following a set of rules and having a load of guilt heaped on you, but I've learned not to see it that way.

 

[Nietzscheiswrong]

You Are a Divine Office (Moderately Traditional) Catholic

The Second Vatican Council was much needed, as far as you're concerned, but you see no reason to push the church further in the direction of change, as many progressives urge. You like the dynamic combination of the traditional approach toward doctrine with the opening of the church to the world that Pope John Paul II (your favorite pope) represented. As far as liturgy is concerned, a reverent Mass in the vernacular is your favorite, as is a vernacular hymn with a feeling for the transcendent such as "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." When Nicole Kidman returned to her childhood Catholicism and regular Mass attendance, you were thrilled.

^^

 

[waterlemona]

You Are a Daily Rosary (Very Traditional) Catholic

Interesting...
I'm kind of surprised. I'd say I probably fit better under their description of Divine Office Catholic... (which I actually do pray daily... unlike the Rosary )
I didn't really like some of the questions in the quiz... often I felt like there was more than one right answer, or I didn't like how any of them were worded.

Personally I prefer to identify as Catholic, without adjectives

But it was still an interesting quiz...

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I tried to take the quiz, then realized I am not Catholic anymore, but rather Orthodox, and I flunked out!

 

[Kotton]

I consider myself to be 'moderately tradititional' yet was labeled 'very trad', something I see in SSPX, etc.
I agree with several people that questions don't always define properly, and some have two correct answers.
example Purgatory.
Both:
form of punishment
period of spiritual purification

A lot of people see Catholicism as following a set of rules and having a load of guilt heaped on you, but I've learned not to see it that way.

I've heard this from a number of Catholics, (and some fallen away ones) and could never understand their point. They always seemed to be lacking understanding of Church (despite years of Catholic school) and WHY doctrine taught as it did. Catholic doctrine came to me as logical.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Could you please name some of them? Hans Kung is often accused of taking the teachings of Vatican II too far, even though he was intimately involved in the proceedings of Vatican II.

IMO - it went too far.

In practical measures, the Pope wanted Bishops in their nations to hold uniformity via council and report to the Pope - so most of the work - is done at their level.

A lot of things went away in the American and note i say American Church - because they didnt find it expedient.
However; the Pope is still checking out some of the broader interpretations they are not going to do.
For instance - the change in the way we say things - based on Universal and Traditional language use. [via scriptures]

The thing is - the Monsignor teaching our classes is giving a lot of insight. However; i beg to differ on some of the ideas he would like 'to see' pass. Fortunately, the Pope doesnt like it either.

I think *when* the general consensus of the American Bishops become more Traditional again - orthodox - we will see rails again, and what not that seems to have slipped on the way side. Since they have to meet on these things...
AND especially if Americans make enough noise to the Pope/Rome - the issues will have to be pounded out in America.

If you want orthodox change - make a lot of noise to Rome. Frequent - and in greater numbers.

That's how things will change - or at least be given to the Bishops in America to look at these things.

I love my classes - and it gives me ideas the Monsignor probably doesnt hope i have gotten.

 

[Miserere]

I am now an ex-Catholic, and I'll tell you why. 1.) The Mass. Yes, the Mass is what's driven me away from the Faith. IF I ever go back to Mass, it will not be a Novus Ordo Mass. 2.) Some people at the Vatican can't keep their noses out of America's business when it comes to the 2nd Amendment. My thought is, let the Pope disarm his Swiss Guard, and then I might re-think the whole gun issue. Until then, I want nothing else to do with Benedict XVI or the Catholic church. I hate hypocrisy.

 

[Imperiuz]

I am now an ex-Catholic, and I'll tell you why.

Oh let me guess, you are angry because the Church doesn't cuddle with gays/heathens/heretics/feminists/liberals/hip-hopers/martians on ufo:s enough. Oh wait... you almost sound... conservative? :o

1.) The Mass. Yes, the Mass is what's driven me away from the Faith. IF I ever go back to Mass, it will not be a Novus Ordo Mass.

Wonderful. I wished I had the passionate love for the beauty of mass so that I would move my lazy ass and start regularly visiting tridentine masses as well (Novus Ordo with my current parish is all right, since it's quite conservative, but if they bring in rap-singers or clowns, they won't be seeing me any more).

2.) Some people at the Vatican can't keep their noses out of America's business when it comes to the 2nd Amendment. My thought is, let the Pope disarm his Swiss Guard, and then I might re-think the whole gun issue.

Now, I am not sure if I would want a 2nd Amendment in my own country (though with the armed immigrant gangs terrorizing certain neighbourhoods, that might eventually be have to considered), but I respect that the culture of your culture is based on other norms and values than mine, and that no outlanders should come and tell any of us to change that. Are you sure this wasn't a case of the liberal mafia iside the American church allying with leftists once again? But even if the Pope said that, he isn't authoritative on these things though, you may disagree with him.

Really, I don't find any of your reasons for leaving the Church valid. I've been maddened at times myself, like when certain bishops support illegal immigration or cuddle with muslims, though what reason would I have to mad if I left Christ's one true Church? Without His Truth, I could as well become a decadent atheist, living amorally and only for my own pleasure. The Church has suffered form malign groups inside it before, it will survive again, for not even the gates of hell shall not stand against it.

As for my result, I happily announce that I got:

You Are a Daily Rosary (Very Traditional) Catholic

 

[PoeticCondition]

According to the quiz, I'm a very traditional Catholic. That's a result I'm happy with .

 

[woodpeace]

I got Moderately Traditional Catholic, though I would put myself between there and Moderately Progressive.

 

[Root of Jesse]

You Are a Daily Rosary (Very Traditional) Catholic

You'd like the church to revive the time-honored devotions, liturgical practices, and strong institutional discipline that prevailed before the Second Vatican Council—and you're hoping that Pope Benedict XVI will lead the church in exactly that direction. Your favorite hymn is probably a traditional Latin composition such as the "Panis Angelicus," and your favorite pope is probably a pioneer of the Church's great liturgical tradition such as Gregory the Great.

Me too

 

[Yoder777]

Though I attend mass maybe twice a month, I am more culturally Catholic than anything else. I was raised in the Catholic Church so that's where I feel at home, even if I disagree with the Vatican on certain issues or sometimes think that the man standing at the pulpit is a bozo. I recently had my daughter baptized in the Catholic Church, even though my wife isn't interested in having her raised in the faith.

I am attracted to the mystical side of Catholicism, but that's mostly because of my attraction to mysticism in general. The Catholic Church obviously has a richer mystical tradition than mainstream Protestantism and I appreciate that. I attend mass because I beleve in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist but I don't get involved in a parish for anything else.

Honestly, I get more out of an AA meeting for my spiritual life than I ever have from a church. At AA, people are actually real and aren't afraid to show you their real problems. At church, people often pretend to be something they are not, which actually is hurtful to having a real spiritual life.

 

[Sumwear]

2.) Some people at the Vatican can't keep their noses out of America's business when it comes to the 2nd Amendment. My thought is, let the Pope disarm his Swiss Guard, and then I might re-think the whole gun issue. Until then, I want nothing else to do with Benedict XVI or the Catholic church. I hate hypocrisy.

the swiss guard is armed to the teeth like people here in the u.s.? your reasoning in leaving the church is because you overvalue the second amendment. really?

I'm sorry but this is lol worthy.

 

[Antigone]

2.) Some people at the Vatican can't keep their noses out of America's business when it comes to the 2nd Amendment. My thought is, let the Pope disarm his Swiss Guard, and then I might re-think the whole gun issue. Until then, I want nothing else to do with Benedict XVI or the Catholic church. I hate hypocrisy.

More people are willing to shoot the Pope, or any public figure, than yourself or any average person walking down the street. The Vatican isn't suggesting disarming the body guards of the President either. To me it sounds like you left the Church because it thinks you can't have your toys anymore. Far be it from me to judge your spirituality but are you sure that's a good enough reason to leave?