Individual accountability...

[Larry]

A quick observation of some of the threads in this forum, particularly when discussing matters with non-Catholics, is interesting to me. For example, when clarifying a post or message, instead of saying something like, "What I was saying....", or, "What he or she was saying....", or, "My post meant....", I read a lot of, "What we are saying...", and, "What we mean...".

....just an interesting observation....

 

[Polycarp1]

Interesting point, Larry. I've always understood this (which is not exclusive to Catholics, by the way) to mean not "My understanding of the topic of this message is..." but "The Church teaches..." and hence "We members of the Catholic (or Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist) Church believe that...."

 

[Miss Shelby]

A quick observation of some of the threads in this forum, particularly when discussing matters with non-Catholics, is interesting to me. For example, when clarifying a post or message, instead of saying something like, "What I was saying....", or, "What he or she was saying....", or, "My post meant....", I read a lot of, "What we are saying...", and, "What we mean...".

....just an interesting observation....

We read from the same script, Larry.

Michelle

 

[kimber1]

it's that unity thing

 

[Larry]

So, all Catholics are in 100% lock-step agreement on everything? That's hard to swallow, especially in the light of the many threads where Catholic members are in disagreement with each other on some things.

Is it the mind-set of Catholics to speak on a individual basis when it comes to disagreements among other Catholics, but join together in some kind of solidarity force when it comes to talking to non-Catholics?

 

[MattMMMan17]

I know, without SOME sort of authority we have chaos. That's why on matters of faith and morals we ALL defer to the official teaching of the Church and are therefore all united in that. We generally do not disagree with each other on issues the Church has already made its position clear on. However, we, like all humans, disagree on everything else when our own experiences/feelings prompt us to do so.

 

[KennySe]

So, all Catholics are in 100% lock-step agreement on everything? That's hard to swallow, especially in the light of the many threads where Catholic members are in disagreement with each other on some things.

We are not 100% lock-step in agreement on everything, Larry.

When we ARE in agreement, we say so.
Polycarp1 described it well when he said that we Catholic sare saying "The Church teaches" when we say 'We say".

Is it the mind-set of Catholics to speak on a individual basis when it comes to disagreements among other Catholics, but join together in some kind of solidarity force when it comes to talking to non-Catholics?

When we agree, we agree.

When we don't we don't.

So if I say, "We believe such and such". (and if I were to be wrong)
Another Catholic can correct me and say, "No, that is NOT what the Catholic Church teaches and believes, Kenny. What the Church says is..."

 

[Veritas]

In the many years that I've been involved in internet discussion forums, I find that there is very little disagreement by Catholics on the central issues of faith and morals (as defined by the Church). But I have noticed a great deal of disagreement among Protestants with even the so-called essentials (which are listed nowhere in the bible, btw). In fact, I've seen Prots duke it out over simple things like baptism or the Lord's supper not to mention the other things like the end times. It's really amusing. Considering that Protestants practice sola scriptura, there's amazingly little agreement on anything.

 

[Larry]

Thank you for the honest replies. It kind of helps me understand why you do what you do. It helps me understand the mindset of Catholics...to a degree.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

"As Rome goes, go I"

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I could pick just about any person on this board with a Catholic icon (almost anyone) and we probably agree 90-95% of the same things.

Same reason our Creed we say every week at Mass starts with "We believe..."

"One Lord, One faith, One baptism." - Ephesians 4:5

 

[Larry]

I could pick just about any person on this board with a Catholic icon (almost anyone) and we probably agree 90-95% of the same things.

Same reason our Creed we say every week at Mass starts with "We believe..."

"One Lord, One faith, One baptism." - Ephesians 4:5

How about that!! The same can be said of my church.

 

[Col]

I must admit that I get a little frustrated and disappointed at times as I also like to know what people think themselves. I think I know what Larry means, there are times when one does wants the "staff answer" to Catholic questions, which might I add are invariably given cheerfully and willingly, and there are times when one wants to hear someones actual view, opinion or take on things. However unfortunatley OBOB contributors appear more reticent with thier personal opinions and thoughts. Anyway, not to worry, it's not worth losing sleep over it.

Bless Ya
Col <><

 

[MattMMMan17]

One persons view does not a Church teaching create. Dissention with the Church creates disunity. We mold ourselves to the authority of the Church given to it by God, we do not find a Church to conform to us. When one is truly Catholic at heart, the essential Church teachings ARE one's actual personal opinions and thoughts.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

"We are borg...resistance is futile...you WILL be assimilated!"