[Qwinn]

Hrm. If the people in question didn't even know what "anti-semitism" meant, you really thought they would have an educated grasp of Catholic teachings? I mean, I don't mean to offend or anything, but someone who doesn't know what anti-semitism means can't be all that well read.

That's what the Church is for. It's a framework for men who wish to devote themselves to a lifetime of study on all the complexities of trying to understand what is by definition not understandable, and to pass that on to their congregations.

I see nothing wrong with that. Consider the Catholic Church as a group of specialists devoted to the study of the divine. Jesus did not expect every person in existence to become priests or to devote their lives to theological inquiry in order to answer these questions for themselves. That's why there's a Church. One man farms, another man fishes, another man studies and preaches. I don't think society could function otherwise.

That doesn't mean that any individual -couldn't- relate directly to God, but most individuals don't have the time or means or desire to devote themselves exclusively to the study and contemplation thereof, and if they all tried to, we'd all starve. They have to provide means for themselves, take care of their families, etc. That doesn't make those who act as intermediaries for -those- people wrong or unnecessary or unhealthy.

It's a shame that you don't seem to be willing to discuss some of these issues further, though.

Me, personally? I have no problem with Catholic teachings, I actually think from a logical and ethical perspective they hold together quite well and consistently. My issue is simply a lack of Faith. Hey, I wish I had it! I believe Faith has been a positive influence on most people I know who have it, and the lack of faith a negative influence on those who don't. I just can't make the necessary leap. Oh well.

I do intend to go see the Passion, though. Have a ticket for a week from Saturday. Looking forward to it.

Qwinn

[Just mythoughts]

"If the people in question didn't even know what "anti-semitism" meant, you really thought they would have an educated grasp of Catholic teachings? I mean, I don't mean to offend or anything, but someone who doesn't know what anti-semitism means can't be all that well read."

Well maybe you can understand my surprise.

We are talking about people who attend church.

There should be teachers, that is the whole point, people are not being taught.

[ninenot]

Descartes wrote a cute little mathematical treatise on Catholicism, and wound up becoming one. After all the math and logic was done, it came down to something like this: "if you have any sense of 'odds,' JOIN THE CHURCH."

Or something like that.