You Can't Ask That

[Paidiske]

So there's a TV show in Australia called You Can't Ask That. The idea is that they get together a group of people who are in some way marginalised or misunderstood (so I've seen episodes on refugees, on gambling addicts, on people with Downs' Syndrome), and ask them questions posed by the public, with a view to breaking down stigma and stereotypes. (You can see episodes here: You Can't Ask That - Series 2 Gambling : ABC iview )

Now, they're planning an episode focusing on priests, and for some reason I can't guess at, I've been approached about whether I'd be interested in participating. So I'm curious...

if you could pose the questions for such a show, what would you ask?

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

I actually have no filter. I am that guy who isn't afraid to ask those questions. One of which would probably be concerning the effect of sin on people, and how almost the entire world is addicted to medicine prescribed by doctors. How medicine only alleviates symptoms, and offers no cure for the underlying conditions. People get sick of common ailments which are only seen to be cured with medicine. When in scriptures we are told that if we had faith, we could move a mountain. We see a blind man able to see. We see the lame walk. And they are not just made up, they are corroborated by the multiple gospels, verifying the authenticity of the event, yet we trust in medicines that take away one illness, just to replace it with another. Personally, I have epilepsy, a condition shown in scriptures to only be able to be cured with prayer and fasting. Fasting is not something a lot of people do. Jesus went 40 days without water and food, yet doctors have said we couldn't survive that long and that is false. So, all in all, I guess not really a question, just a rant. Does the world really have the faith it thinks it has? Is the Catholic Church, really the wormwood spoken of in Revelation, concerning the 1/3 of the world (which makes up 1/3 of religions btw)? (Spiritual) and physically is wormwood nuclear power; as in chornobyl is Ukranian for wormwood)? Is the nation of Israel the Babylon spoken of in Revelation, noting that Judaism as a whole rejects Christ currently? Is the Statue of Liberty and all renditions of Lady Justice, another particularly on the Capitol building, and the American flag, all images that are worshipped before God contrary to belief?

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

was that too blunt? or what are your insights on these topics?

 

[Paidiske]

I'm puzzled by them, to be honest. Does the world have the faith it thinks it has? I'm not sure what that's asking me. What faith does the world think it has? To me, the world seems to claim very little faith at all.

I certainly can't answer questions about America. Perhaps I could speculate about idolatry in Australia, and I think that would be less about things like flags and buildings and more about things like money, power and ego.

I don't know if that's the sort of thing you're really asking, though.

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

I'm puzzled by them, to be honest. Does the world have the faith it thinks it has? I'm not sure what that's asking me. What faith does the world think it has? To me, the world seems to claim very little faith at all.

I certainly can't answer questions about America. Perhaps I could speculate about idolatry in Australia, and I think that would be less about things like flags and buildings and more about things like money, power and ego.

I don't know if that's the sort of thing you're really asking, though.

what sort of idolatry is there in Australia? I'm not familiar with it so much as I've never been traveling too much

 

[Paidiske]

what sort of idolatry is there in Australia? I'm not familiar with it so much as I've never been traveling too much

Here's what I observe. People - even "good" people - worship financial security to an extraordinary degree. We are allergic to rest, to reflection, to simplicity. We talk about valuing community but then fail to create community by our actions. We worship the idea of "family" and people will bend themselves totally out of shape if there is a family-related justification for it. We have a cultural obsession with our illusions of control and will do almost anything to maintain them.

How's that for a start?

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

Here's what I observe. People - even "good" people - worship financial security to an extraordinary degree. We are allergic to rest, to reflection, to simplicity. We talk about valuing community but then fail to create community by our actions. We worship the idea of "family" and people will bend themselves totally out of shape if there is a family-related justification for it. We have a cultural obsession with our illusions of control and will do almost anything to maintain them.

How's that for a start?

Doesn't sound unlike here in America.

 

[Dave-W]

Now, they're planning an episode focusing on priests, and for some reason I can't guess at, I've been approached about whether I'd be interested in participating. So I'm curious...

Wow. Congrats! I would see that as quite an honor.

I guess my question would be on how you see the role of the Church in general, and clergy in particular, in speaking to the host of social ills; and what can you do specifically to help in those situations?

Since it is one I know you are passionate about - take domestic violence as a particular social ill.

 

[Paidiske]

I'd say that transforming injustice is part of the mission of the Church, and that we all should be working on that. But what we can do specifically is very context-specific.

I've been involved in some work on primary prevention of domestic violence (working to change the attitudes which lead to that behaviour). For example, we worked to produce a Bible study series on gender equality (gender hierarchy has been shown to be a causative factor for domestic violence).

At the moment I'm not very involved, but I have done small things, like make sure women's shelters are advertised on our property.

 

[Dave-W]

I'd say that transforming injustice is part of the mission of the Church, and that we all should be working on that. But what we can do specifically is very context-specific.

I've been involved in some work on primary prevention of domestic violence (working to change the attitudes which lead to that behaviour). For example, we worked to produce a Bible study series on gender equality (gender hierarchy has been shown to be a causative factor for domestic violence).

At the moment I'm not very involved, but I have done small things, like make sure women's shelters are advertised on our property.

Not sure about Australia, but I think that answer would go over well here in the US.

 

[Paidiske]

Even the egalitarian bit? I thought most American Christians were very conservative.

 

[Dave-W]

Even the egalitarian bit? I thought most American Christians were very conservative.

Not really. The conservatives that would object to that part are definitely in the minority. They may be loud and vocal, but they are far from mainstream in the overall society.

In fact, even in denominations that are officially opposed to that (like the Catholics) many congregants in the seats would applaud such a stance.

 

[durangodawood]

....if you could pose the questions for such a show, what would you ask?

Do you really really really believe in God?

If so what do you mean by "God"?

(Not asking you now. Just what I would ask you on the show. Please let us know if you get invited, I'd watch. Youre one of the people I have the most respect for here.)

 

[Paidiske]

Thanks, durangodawood, you just made my day!

 

[essentialsaltes]

This might be more relevant for Catholicism, since it's more extreme on gender, celibacy, homosexuality...

What percentage of clergy/ministers do you think got into the 'business' for the wrong reasons? (Avoiding their sexuality, indulging their sexuality, pride/vainglory, financial gain...)

It probably differs by denomination, so to the extent that you know and are willing to comment:

Catholic (priests, nuns)
'High Church' (Anglican/Episcopalian)
Mainstream Protestant
Not-so-Mainstream Protestant
American Evangelicals

What percentage of clergy, over time, lose their inner fire and just go through the motions?

Catholic (priests, nuns)
'High Church' (Anglican/Episcopalian)
Mainstream Protestant
Not-so-Mainstream Protestant
American Evangelicals

(Agree with durangodawood that you are one of the good eggs of CF.)

 

[Paidiske]

I couldn't begin to guess at that, to be honest. I've seen a few people apply for the wrong reasons, but I think mostly the application process weeds them out. But I'm just talking there about Anglicans, I don't know enough about other denominations to comment.

And I couldn't tell you about "going through the motions," either. I certainly don't know many who would fall into that category.

 

[Ana the Ist]

So there's a TV show in Australia called You Can't Ask That. The idea is that they get together a group of people who are in some way marginalised or misunderstood (so I've seen episodes on refugees, on gambling addicts, on people with Downs' Syndrome), and ask them questions posed by the public, with a view to breaking down stigma and stereotypes. (You can see episodes here: You Can't Ask That - Series 2 Gambling : ABC iview )

Now, they're planning an episode focusing on priests, and for some reason I can't guess at, I've been approached about whether I'd be interested in participating. So I'm curious...

if you could pose the questions for such a show, what would you ask?

What do people most commonly want from you?

 

[Paidiske]

What do people most commonly want from you?

Inside the church, or outside?

 

[Ana the Ist]

Inside the church, or outside?

Lol inside the church of course...I thought this was about your role in the church? Not your personal life apart from it...

 

[Paidiske]

To me, the interactions I have with non-churchgoers, even when I'm in my "role" as a priest, can be very different from my interactions with churchgoers.

What do people in church want from me...?

They want me to fix the problems the church is facing. Some of them are better than others at realising that's not something the clergy can do on our own.