Carlo Acutis

[Norman70]

As a person, very interested in the tenets of Christian Anarchism, I was extremely moved by learning about Carlo Acutis, and annoyed with myself for not knowing about him earlier. However it has brought me closer to think about some of the tenets of Roman Catholicism and I feel I need to listen to members of the Faith concerning their views on the following issues. I will list them, and perhaps anyone who wishes to respond can just take them one-at-a-time, or respond to more if they are so inclined. As I have indicated already, I am here to learn, not to debate or disagree, which would be inadmissible in this forum anyway.
The issues which have been brought to my mind as I learned about Carlo are Eucharistic miracles, transubstantiation, and the incorruptible bodies of saints after death. I do expect a range of beliefs, from ultimate belief to perhaps a passing acceptance of these issues as part of their commitment to their Church. May I add that Dorothy Day in the 1930's acknowledged her interest in Christian Anarchism but never relinquished her commitment to Roman Catholicism. If Carlo Acutis had survived into adulthood, he too may have trod a similar path, I think.

 

[chevyontheriver]

As a person, very interested in the tenets of Christian Anarchism, I was extremely moved by learning about Carlo Acutis, and annoyed with myself for not knowing about him earlier. However it has brought me closer to think about some of the tenets of Roman Catholicism and I feel I need to listen to members of the Faith concerning their views on the following issues. I will list them, and perhaps anyone who wishes to respond can just take them one-at-a-time, or respond to more if they are so inclined. As I have indicated already, I am here to learn, not to debate or disagree, which would be inadmissible in this forum anyway.
The issues which have been brought to my mind as I learned about Carlo are Eucharistic miracles, transubstantiation, and the incorruptible bodies of saints after death. I do expect a range of beliefs, from ultimate belief to perhaps a passing acceptance of these issues as part of their commitment to their Church. May I add that Dorothy Day in the 1930's acknowledged her interest in Christian Anarchism but never relinquished her commitment to Roman Catholicism. If Carlo Acutis had survived into adulthood, he too may have trod a similar path, I think.

Can you describe Christian Anarchism? Not familiar.

 

[Michie]

Can you describe Christian Anarchism? Not familiar.

It’s just more politicizing of the Faith. I completely disagree with the op.
Christian anarchism - Wikipedia

 

[Norman70]

I have been an anarchist, non-violent of the Paul Feyerabend variety described in his book "Against Method", for the whole of my adult life. My teenage agnosticism lasted until I met my present wife, a highly spiritual and Christian woman and we got married in our middle age, I am now 78 years old. I developed an interest in Christian Anarchism after reading Leo Tolstoy's book "The Kingdom of God is Within You".
For me my interest is the result of lifelong thinking and I cannot simply describe it. Sufficient to say God is the only authority to which I am ultimately committed. All human structures are hierarchical and authoritarian, operating through the threat of punishment. I do not believe God is a punishing God. However, I do not want to pursue this aspect of my post here. There are threads on Christian Anarchism here in CF. Please help me to understand your position on the issues I have asked about.

 

[Norman70]

I am sorry I mentioned my interest in Christian Anarchism, I am certainly not out to proselytize. Could posters please ignore my reference to it, and help me understand their thoughts on the issues I have listed.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I have been an anarchist, non-violent of the Paul Feyerabend variety described in his book "Against Method", for the whole of my adult life. My teenage agnosticism lasted until I met my present wife, a highly spiritual and Christian woman and we got married in our middle age, I am now 78 years old. I developed an interest in Christian Anarchism after reading Leo Tolstoy's book "The Kingdom of God is Within You".
For me my interest is the result of lifelong thinking and I cannot simply describe it. Sufficient to say God is the only authority to which I am ultimately committed. All human structures are hierarchical and authoritarian, operating through the threat of punishment. I do not believe God is a punishing God. However, I do not want to pursue this aspect of my post here. There are threads on Christian Anarchism here in CF. Please help me to understand your position on the issues I have asked about.

Well, incorruptable bodies happen. Strange but true. Seems related to sanctity of the person.

Eucharistic miracles happen. Strange but true. Even pope Francis attests to one he saw.

Transubstantiation is an Aristotelian explanation of the presence of the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine. As such it is a philosophical explanation for something which is a theological reality. If you use an Aristotelian philosophical framework it makes sense. If you are not an Aristotelian using Aristotelian language will not make much sense to you. But the underlying theological truth is there, and has been Catholic and Orthodox teaching for nearly 2000 years.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I am sorry I mentioned my interest in Christian Anarchism, I am certainly not out to proselytize. Could posters please ignore my reference to it, and help me understand their thoughts on the issues I have listed.

OK. I won't go there.

 

[Norman70]

I am disappointed that there have been no further responses to my interest in listening to sincere Catholics and their views on the issues I have listed. In no way am I out to question anyone's faith, certainly not in this forum.
I hope and pray that it is not because Catholics do not like to reveal their beliefs on an open forum, but if so I would like to know where on CF I could take my interests. In my own searches I have already come across one person who became converted to Roman Catholicism by studying the scientific evidence for the Eucharistic miracles.

 

[Tigger45]

You should go straight to the source One Bread, One Body - Catholic keeping in mind inquiries are welcome but debating is not,

 

[Norman70]

You should go straight to the source One Bread, One Body - Catholic keeping in mind inquiries are welcome but debating is not,

Many thanks for your suggestion, but I avoided going there since it seems it is for Catholics only, and I am sure debating amongst Catholics must be perfectly acceptable in that forum. However, I hope I have made it abundantly clear that I have no wish to debate, I am just interested in the sincere responses of Catholics to the issues I have expressed interest in, as a result of learning about the life and activities of Carlo Acutis. As I have already said, one person converted to the RC faith after learning about the Eucharistic miracles. This may not happen to me, but who knows where God will lead me? Perhaps I should begin a thread there with the phrase that I am interested in becoming a Catholic, but to be honest at the moment that is not entirely true. However, I am in God's hands.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I am disappointed that there have been no further responses to my interest in listening to sincere Catholics and their views on the issues I have listed. In no way am I out to question anyone's faith, certainly not in this forum.
I hope and pray that it is not because Catholics do not like to reveal their beliefs on an open forum, but if so I would like to know where on CF I could take my interests. In my own searches I have already come across one person who became converted to Roman Catholicism by studying the scientific evidence for the Eucharistic miracles.

That is because many Catholics are reticent to post in this particular place because it can be a hostile place.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Many thanks for your suggestion, but I avoided going there since it seems it is for Catholics only, and I am sure debating amongst Catholics must be perfectly acceptable in that forum.

If you are not arguing against the Catholic faith there is no problem with anyone asking a real question there.

 

[Michie]

You can’t give a authentic Catholic answer when those outside the faith disparage and argue Catholic answers. It’s turns into a buffet of confusion. If you have sincere questions, you should go to OBOB but be aware people still bulldoze their way in there as well. You just have to be specific you want answers only from practicing Catholics.

 

[Norman70]

That is because many Catholics are reticent to post in this particular place because it can be a hostile place.

How on earth can any forum in CF be a hostile place, but particularly this one, which is a Christians only forum? What is wrong with Roman Catholics? I have said elsewhere that when a Freemason friend refused to discuss his allegiance with his faith with me, I withdrew from his friendship. I have stated that I might even be interested in becoming a Roman Catholic, but I guess readers of my posts and blog think that this is very unlikely. But we do not know, we are all in God's hands.

 

[chevyontheriver]

How on earth can any forum in CF be a hostile place, but particularly this one, which is a Christians only forum?

Just keep reading for a while. Much of CF is simply hostile to Catholics and many Catholics do not have the stomach for it. I think long and hard before I post in a place like this forum. It's just a sad reality about CF.

I have said elsewhere that when a Freemason friend refused to discuss his allegiance with his faith with me, I withdrew from his friendship. I have stated that I might even be interested in becoming a Roman Catholic, but I guess readers of my posts and blog think that this is very unlikely. But we do not know, we are all in God's hands.

We have not refused, even if the response has been more limited than you would like. If you wait long enough there will be plenty of people reply to this thread who will tell you all sorts of 'reasons' why it would be totally wrong for you to seek to become Catholic. If you want to talk with more Catholics, try OBOB.

I'm done here now. I hope to see you at OBOB if that is what you want.

 

[Norman70]

If you are not arguing against the Catholic faith there is no problem with anyone asking a real question there.

I do not understand how I can ask a question on a Catholics only forum when I am not a Catholic. My questions are real, I do not want a debate, all I want is information and views from practicing Catholics.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I do not understand how I can ask a question on a Catholics only forum when I am not a Catholic. My questions are real, I do not want a debate, all I want is information and views from practicing Catholics.

It is allowed. It is not a 'Catholics only' forum, but a place where others can not attack Catholics. You may post there, ask real questions, get to know us.

 

[Norman70]

Just keep reading for a while.

Many thanks for your posts. I do keep reading, and thinking, and sometimes posting, but sometimes I feel I need some sort of response from someone, especially God. I pray for His guidance.

 

[Tigger45]

I've posted in OBOB many times and I'm not Catholic. They actually enjoy friendly inquiries.

 

[Michie]

I do not understand how I can ask a question on a Catholics only forum when I am not a Catholic. My questions are real, I do not want a debate, all I want is information and views from practicing Catholics.

Read the SOP there. You are allowed to ask sincere questions.