The Great Facade

[PeterPaul]

I would like to start a poll that questions whether or not we as a Church should be a democracy. After all, we make polls all the time that question the very tenets of our faith, or leave them to public appeal. Isn't it a tad outdated to have to believe in anything anymore? Doesn't Christ still love us the same whether we are nonChrist believing Catholics? Does anyone feel less tolerated because they fail in belief on the resurrection? What are your thoughts on a Lutheran rite within the Church? I mean, people should be able to protest and still be a Catholic, don't you think? And inconvenience should be stricken, after all to carry a cross is legalistic. Its utterly harmless to start polls and threads because after all, it is merely discussion.

BTW: Should we consider it an enlightening debate whether cars need motors? I can't think of a more fruitful discussion.

Oh and any Protestant who wishes to vote, can, as always, do so even if they are not invited to opine.

 

[Lifesaver]

The Church is, thank God, a monarchy, and will always be so.

 

[Spence06]

Should the Church be a democracy?

Nope. I mean, we have councils and the laypeople should get more involved but not turn into a democracy or anything.

 

[Mystery5]

I'm totally opposed to the Church being a Democracy. Lay people need guidance from holy and learned leaders who can tell them like it is. They shouldn't have to worry about getting votes. Your average person is going to be too influenced by worldly values.

If you look at what's happened to the Protestant denominations, you can see the results of this, the latest being the openly gay 'Bishop' from New Hampshire. A very sad state of affairs if you ask me.

 

[nyj]

Chesterton saw, at least Church Tradition, as a democracy.

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around. - Orthodoxy, 1908

 

[Wiffey]

I did not vote in the poll, but I'd like to say that the Church should definitely NOT be a democracy. God has given us the Holy Scriptures and sacred Tradition for us to follow, not to vote out the parts that are troublesome & inconvenient for our modern sensibilities. God gives us a sumptuous feast laid out in splendor before us, not a mediocre buffet where we pick and choose.

Peace!

 

[Colabomb]

I did not vote in the poll, but I'd like to say that the Church should definitely NOT be a democracy. God has given us the Holy Scriptures and sacred Tradition for us to follow, not to vote out the parts that are troublesome & inconvenient for our modern sensibilities. God gives us a sumptuous feast laid out in splendor before us, not a mediocre buffet where we pick and choose.

Peace!

The Church is a Monarchy, my Jesus is the Monarch.

 

[Victrixa]

No, the Church should not be a democracy! Thank God it isn't because if it was, it would become totally chaotic and divided.

 

[Paul S]

The Church is a Monarchy, my Jesus is the Monarch.

Amen.

Jesus is the King of the Church, with the pope as His prime minister while He is away (see Isaias 22:22).

If the Church were a democracy, we'd vote to approve all sorts of sins and other craziness. Let's not.

BTW: Should we consider it an enlightening debate whether cars need motors? I can't think of a more fruitful discussion.

Who are you to restrict the definition of "cars" to require motors? All forms of transportation should be equal, not held back by the doctrines of men.

 

[SolomonVII]

The primary authority given to Peter was to feed his sheep.
And the Truth that he feeds to us should never be decided by majority rule.

 

[Carrye]

God help us - No, the Church should not be a democracy.

 

[geocajun]

Yes, and we should transform it right away. I think it should be a representitive democracy, whereas we leave our priests and bishops in office, however they now work for us, as employees. This would help the transition to democracy happen with as little disturbance as possible.
Our first effort should be to form a commitee to write a nicer, more welcoming catechism, which better represents what we all think about things, rather than limiting catholics to those stale old teachings found in the current version.

 

[PeterPaul]

Yes, and we should transform it right away. I think it should be a representitive democracy, whereas we leave our priests and bishops in office, however they now work for us, as employees. This would help the transition to democracy happen with as little disturbance as possible.
Our first effort should be to form a commitee to write a nicer, more welcoming catechism, which better represents what we all think about things, rather than limiting catholics to those stale old teachings found in the current version.

Geo, that moved me. Literally, I feel more liberated than when passing wind. Bravo young progressive bravo!

 

[geocajun]

PP, I've thought about this for some time now, so it is not suprise to me at all that it would move you as it did. I think if Jesus came back today, He would no doubt install us all as popes, with the charism of infallibility when speaking matters of any substance at all.

 

[PeterPaul]

PP, I've thought about this for some time now, so it is not suprise to me at all that it would move you as it did. I think if Jesus came back today, He would no doubt install us all as popes, with the charism of infallibility when speaking matters of any substance at all.

I think you should write a book. "Dare we say that all men are popes?" Sounds nifty.

I agree, and even then, when whatever he says appears to contradict the Bible, then we should ask Christ, "Where is that in the Bible?"

 

[geocajun]

I think you should write a book. "Dare we say that all men are popes?" Sounds nifty.

I agree, and even then, when whatever he says appears to contradict the Bible, then we should ask Christ, "Where is that in the Bible?"

how about "I'm a pope, you're a pope" ?

when confronted with an apparent bible contradiction, why not just ask another pope?

 

[PeterPaul]

how about "I'm a pope, you're a pope" ?

when confronted with an apparent bible contradiction, why not just ask another pope?

Well, why not start a poll on OBOB? Sounds like we solve everything this way nowadays.

 

[geocajun]

Well, why not start a poll on OBOB? Sounds like we solve everything this way nowadays.

hmmm "start a poll"... i'm not sure buddy. We should vote on it.

 

[FullyMT]

In terms of doctrine and Tradition (even traditions!), the Church should in not be a democracy (and I'm assuming when we speak of democracy in this thread, we are saying that the lay people are also actively participating).
However, I do think it is a good idea for individual parishes to have a voting system or a panel that involves the clergy of the parish as well as selected lay persons in order to make decisions for the parish-ie, should where should money be going-into ministry, making a new building, etc.??
I'm voting that I think the Church shouldn't be a democracy, because I'm guessing it's talking about voting on morals/doctrines/etc.

 

[PeterPaul]

hmmm "start a poll"... i'm not sure buddy. We should vote on it.

That would be the democratic thing to do.