MoltenThought Logo
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
Sir Winston Churchill

4.05.2006

"Maybe You're Catholic?" Part I

Oooooh! It stinnnngs us!... It burrrrrnnnnsss us!...

Dear Reader, Karen, asked me this almost as a hypothetical aside about a year ago after a particularly acidic post I'd written about the state of the Protestant Church and how we were slowly coming to grips with the fact that we were, in fact, surrounded by well-meaning theological idiots. Of course my automatic reaction was astoundingly negative. And a little terrified. 'Cause much as I hated to cede her any theological ground, I had the sinking suspicion she might be right.

I've always loved the Idea of Catholicism, though I could never quite wrap my brain around the theology and structure of it. But the pulpits of Protestantism were -- and are -- full of Catholic-bashing; with long sermons on Catholicism as the head of "dead worship", "idolatry" and "the perversion of the Gospel". Some even went so far as to proclaim the Catholic Church "The Whore of Babylon" in keeping with their own interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Protestants were taught that Catholics weren't Christians; that they worshipped Mary, the saints and the Pope (the latter as the virtual reincarnation of Jesus); Communion wasn't the actual Presence; birth control was a neutral thing; and it was us alone with God -- no one else entered the equation (like say... some especially holy peeps to cheer us on from heaven's bleachers). Nevermind that Martin Luther and John Calvin themselves didn't hold these views -- much less the Church as a corporate body until well after the Reformation (1500 years after Christ's ascension).

But really, this intense introspection was the Pope's fault. What a wonderful guy! Such a humanitarian. Such an embodiment of the word, "Papa". History will never forget John Paul II... *cluck* History is only now beginning to really know him. Anyway, he had to go and get all mortally ill. And then he just had to make us wait for him to pass, while the news media re-capped his astounding tenure on earth as Papa Supremo (especially the echo of his firm and calm voice on the life and human rights of Terri Schiavo, an issue Tef and I wept over on the meek pages of our little blog).

Of course I was glued to the tee-vee. Of course I soaked in as much about the processes of the Catholic church as I could. Of course I paid attention, fascinated by what I saw. And, thanks to some volatile and even downright evil preaching I'd heard over the years, of course I felt a little sorry for all these "deluded Catholics" who knew no better than to think they had to go through a man, even a man so great, to "get to God".

But the singing, the chanting, the honor, the dignity, the thousands of people who choked the Square! The outpouring of love and godly respect! Enormous. And there were no riots, no protests, just people waiting to say goodbye... And then hello.

That was when I knew I was in mortal danger. When I agreed with every tenant of the Catholic Church on who they might next elect as Pope. The hair helmet hamas pursed their lips and sneered, "Well, maybe the newww Pope will let women be priests, and let priests marry... Maybe the newww Pope will like gays. Maybe the newww Pope will let up on abortion and birth control." They licked their slobbery chops and prayed for someone like them. I prayed and worried and wished for someone like Jesus.

When Benedict was announced and then introduced himself as only a "humble laborer in God's vineyard," my heart was shot through with fear. Because those were the words I had so longed to hear. I had been tortured for too long by primadonna demigods. What I needed was a Father. Who was himself also a servant to The Father. Not some preening, throttled, clot of vanity. Ouch. My heart was torn between rejoicing and mourning. I could be happy for the Catholic Church. Very. But that happiness only afflicted me. Because I could not feel it for myself.

So we bumbled through another year. We were married by a Presbyterian minister. Because we had no church of our own. And because he was the present Pastor at the church I'd grown up in. The church my grandfather helped build. The church my father had always attended. The church I'd sat with my grandmother in for every Sunday of my childhood. The church her uncle had formed when he returned to a tiny, rural town from a long stint as missionary to China.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful... And meaningful. But we had to ask to have communion added. It's not something that's done at most Protestant weddings. And certainly not with wine. Because?... Well I don't know why. But I guess because since it's not seen as the actual Presence, only a symbol, it's no big deal if it's left out. The study I have done since makes me more aware and more thankful that we insisted. Even on the wine.

But our "home church" (the church we'd been attending but refused to join) got worse and worse. The "sermons" consisted of recaps of articles from the newspaper, opinions on politics, fluffy nothings, feel-good mental Prozac, and, in the case of their fundraising push, downright greed. The only vestige of spiritual joy was retained in the oddest place -- the liturgy. I've never been a liturgical person. Mostly because it was drilled in my head that it was "bad". But more because I'd not been exposed to its beauty. I supremely enjoyed Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Advent, and the Christmas Eve "watch" services. It never occurred to me that what I'd loved most had been drawn from the cave-shadows of Catholicism.

But the last straw didn't come until the Sunday after Ash Wednesday. I was having a glorious morning. I'd already proclaimed my fast for Lent on Tuesday, taken my "mark" (along with Tef) on Wednesday, and had been sticking to my commitments. I'd gotten up, eaten my breakfast, read my Bible, gotten to church and smiled gratefully through the opening prayers. *la-dee-dah... dee-dee-deeee* The Senior Pastor stepped into the pulpit. I waited to hear about the Lenten Season, how we were supposed to model ourselves after Christ. How we were to take His sacrifice and reflect on it, gaining our comfort for the next 36 days from Him alone...

Uh-huh...

Know what I got? *drumming fingertips* A lecture on recycling. A screed on how "clean and green" and "alternative fuel sources" were to be our new watchwords as citizens of God's Country. No Bible. No Jesus. No Lenten reflection.

"Repeat after me everyone," his voice smiled in its plastic smile, "Cleeeean and greeeeen."

And all the robots praised him, "Cleeeean and greeeeen," they intoned.

*humph* Clean and green...

Well, Communion was about to start and, wha'ddaya'know! By gum, I just had to get home and check on the drapes! I'd left the iron on the stove! And the roast in the oven was gonna' catch fire 'cuz the microwave had forks in it and, well, just look at the time! I've gotta' feed the llamas! SEE YA.

I marched home and gave Tef (who had been ailing from allergies) an earful. He agreed with my sentiments. But we were at a loss. We didn't know what to do. We couldn't go back to my former church -- the local outpost of the "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". We didn't believe in predestination, gay ordination, socialism, the power of positive words to create material wealth, abortion, teetotaling, euthanasia or women clergy. Nor were we suited to flip-flops and twee guitars. We wanted reverence and discipline and a gorgeous dose of Biblical liturgy. We soon realized, to loosely quote Chesterton, that all roads led -- inevitably -- to Rome. And that, dear reader, scared the *blank* outta' me.

So I did the only thing I know how to do in situations like these. Research. I got on the internet, found the local headquarters of the Catholic church and perused their bulletin. Among other sensible programs (like courses that teach people how to care for elderly family who have memory problems and self-care concerns) there was an annual Mass held by *wow, I hope I can write this without tearing up* mentally handicapped parishioners. THAT, is respect and reverence for life. RIGHT THERE. I forwarded it to Tef.

You don't understand. The churches we'd been going to had programs for every hour of every day. Most of them aerobics, bread-baking and square-dancing classes disguised as "discipleship". Not much enrichment going on -- unless you want to invest in underwater basket weaving as a vocation. Then they'd come to their congregation asking -- no, guilting and threatening -- for more money to fund their "enrichment programs". It never occurred to them that the Church is not a YMCA. Nor is it a cottage industry in arts and crafts. A counseling workshop that equipped people to care for their aged loved ones? Yeah, that never occurred to them either.

But I can still remember Tef's response, "We can check it out. If you want." I was so relieved. And terrified. And then we freaked out a little. I freaked out a lot. Mary? The Saints? The infallibility of the Pope? Oh, no... Too much... Too soon. And what will people say? Oh, God... we're risking everything. We're risking it all. What does Christ think about all this? Am I committing an idolatrous sin if I say a Hail Mary? What about when I talk to my grandmother? Oh, God... Help...

23 Comments:

Blogger Cullen said...

I was raised Baptist. And I was, for a time, an atheist because of it. Not that the basic tenants of the Baptist's beliefs bug me, but a great number of practicing Baptists bothered me.

Over time, I have again recognized my spiritual needs and have reaffirmed a belief in God, but it is hard to step over that line and call myself "Christian" again.

I married a Mormon, though she wasn't active at the time. She is strong and devout now. My children are being raised as such. Honestly, I find more love and honesty there than I have ever felt in any other religion.

But that's me. You mileage may vary.

5:09 PM  
Blogger Cullen said...

Your mileage may vary, darn it.

5:10 PM  
Blogger WordGirl said...

Oh, Cullen. Typos and all, "you" still so squishy. *heh*
Everyone must wrestle. *Everyone's* mileage varies, I think. That's the beauty of a Creator that lets us have free will. It's all about Him and us.
Even Tef and I still don't agree on every theological point. Nor do my friends and I. Nor do Catholics to Catholics, Baptists to Baptists, Pentecostals to Pentecostals, et al. It's about the individual struggle for Truth.
St. Paul's epistles even say for some meat is right, for some wrong. For some wine is good, for others bad.
I know my own years in the Pentecostal church were wilder and woolier than much of anything you could possibly imagine from your Baptist roots. But their hypocrisy didn't change my mind about God, just the human institution of His church and the state of the "Christian" soul in action.
(Incidentally, know the *real* difference between a Baptist and Presbyterian? Presbyterian'll speak to you in the liquor store.)
Like I said in a previous post, there's people who can tell you what they think and what to read and what to believe, but in the end it has to come down to you and God. The first time I realized that for myself, I was a bit more than just a little hacked off. I don't particularly like being told what to believe just because someone "said so", but I found I was even less a fan of having to make my own faith authentic. Pah! Too much work.
But in the end, it's been the best digging I've ever don.
I mean, "done".
;-)

WG

7:37 PM  
Blogger Lady Jane said...

Wow, that was a very interesting and great post.

I'm a Catholic, born and raised, and, honestly, if you have any questions about the Catholic Church and what we believe, please, please, please feel free to e-mail me. No pressure or anything. :) I just thought I would offer.

Oh, my e-mail is TheLadyJane@gmail.com.

Cheers!

9:12 PM  
Blogger WordGirl said...

Thanks so much! I truly appreciate that! Part II is coming up around Friday or so. I'm filing your email even now.

WG

7:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

:0)!!

I really have a full heart and don't know what to say to you and Teflon- except I'm so happy that you have the courage and will to explore deeper your Faith. Even if it does lead you to the Catholic Church (which does not worship Mary-no,no,no. We honour her. We revere her- we hold her as the Mother of God :0)- geesh).

I don't understand the aversion to Catholicism, but do realize that not all Christians are representing Christ in the best light. I know how Cullen feels- but, have learned to not throw stones because -who am I, after all? Maybe the fella sitting up front, all pious- really does need to be up front- the better to hear w/his God-given ears, that we all need to repent. He isn't being Holier that thou at all... really.

I can't wait to hear Part II- I'm on the edge of my seat, here. Praying for you.

To think i was afraid to ask you to write a post on Catholicism last July. I believe the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask. I thought you would be very offended. i'm glad you didn't take it as a pushy farmer gettin'in your business.

8:21 AM  
Blogger WordGirl said...

Oh, please! No way were you offending me! I was more than happy to write it. And yes, I do think it was the Holy Spirit prompting you.

Catholicism has been portrayed as this big, bad boogie-monster for so long and rather than ask questions and do some intelligent digging, most people just accept the lies and pass on. I know I did... Until I had a true crisis of Faith and was pulled Romeward. We're still exploring the terrain (as you'll see in part II) but are getting a bit surer of our footing now.

Anyway... Yeah. Thank you, Karen. Don't ever be afraid to ask us anything. That's why we're here -- to talk and discuss and find things out about each other.

We're honored that you're praying for us!

WG

8:37 AM  
Blogger Banshee said...

Penitent and purple! :)

7:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was horrified to find myself facing the same issues--Mary, idol worship, papal infallibility, confession, transubstantiation, The Whore of Babylon, and all the rest.

Eventhough the Pope's funeral and a few Catholic bloggers had taken the edge off, I still thought the Catholic Church was at best a lifeless pile of Medieval traditions, relics, and superstitions and at worst a vehicle for the Anti-Christ.

I was looking for a new church, one with more spiritual depth than the Baptist churches I was familiar with. Theologically they hadn't been a good fit for quite some time, but I was thinking of something with traditional Reformation theology.

The Lutheran church got me to the real presense in the eurcharist, a church heirarchy, and a liturgy. One Sunday I amused myself on the way home thinking that I was half way to being a Catholic. What a riot!

That's when it hit me; in my lifelong Christian journey I had never once considered the propostion that the Roman Catholic Church was what she claimed to be, THE church that Jesus Christ founded.

That was three weeks ago. Palm Sunday will be my third Catholic mass. I've spent nearly all my free time reading about the church. Much to my suprise, the traditional Catholic stumbling blocks were all pretty easy to overcome.

So many things in the Bible that never meant much have taken on new significance. A whole new world has opened up. I feel like I've been stuck in Plato's cave all my life and have stumbled into the daylight for the first time.

Last night I asked my mother how she'd feel about having a Catholic in the family. If all goes well, I'll be one in about a year.

Anyway, congratulations to you for making it into the church this year, and thanks to The Anchoress for pointing me to your story.

9:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was baptized a Catholic and went to Catholic Schools. However, like to many Catholics, I really never learned the truth of our faith and so I drifted. I was fortunate that our Lord never gave up on me and that a good friend planted a seed that brought me in search of our Lord. With the searching came a time noise where my internal voice overcame all that Jesus was trying to tell me. I was by myself in a hotel room when I finally was able to hear His voice in my heart and in my soul. It was a journey of several years in which many wonderful and also painful things happened in my life. On that journey, I was led first to a powerful love of Jesus and then to a return to His Church. Today, in the midst of all my weakness and all the turmoil, I gain great comfort in the fact that I have that rock to cling to in my life. Many of my Christian friends have asked me about the Catholic Church and what I point to most often is the books by Scott Hahn and his wife. I try to tell them the true teachings of the Church and many are amazed because they are hearing things for the first time. Some have challenged what I have said and it is always interesting to see them when proof of these teachings are given. But what made a huge difference for all my friends was JPII and the gift last year of the final part of his journey in this world. They looked around to see where they could find in their faith leadership that is directly connected to the apostles of our Lord. What they found was tens of thousands of churches fractured over and over because there was no core truth or belief or place to turn to for answers that have stood the test of time. I have the rock of Peter just as was envisioned by our Lord because He knew human beings need to have this rock to survive in a world where the devil runs free.

9:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your story is beautiful. I love to hear from others how the Lord works in their lives. Isn't HE wonderful? I am a cradle Catholic. I love the Church. I love to hear the many stories of how people have stumbled on the road to Rome. The treasure of faith is found in His church and the beauty of that treasure is that it is there for everyone to take! I know so many beautiful people who are not Catholic but they sure act like one! I do wish I had God's patience. I wish you and Tef many blessings and GRACE on your journey to JESUS.

10:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi!

The other day I heard on the radio someone pointing out the need to pray for others. So I will pray that the Lord will guide your steps and help you find your way closer to Him.

11:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been a Baptist all my life and I have never heard a sermon putting down the Catholic Church or any other for that matter.

When I was a child it seemed it was the wrath of God I heard more than the love of God, but I moved and my new church emphasized the love of God.

We belong to a large church with a large congregation and I feel a sweet spirit there when I'm worshipping. We don't discuss politics in the preaching or in our discussions in Sunday School. We are there to talk about Jesus and that's what we do.

We have classes for grieving people and for elder care also.

I think it just depends on what church you attend. My daughter attends a very liberal Baptist church I could never join because every time I go there the minister preaches about money and never seems excited about Jesus.

While I love to socialize with my fellow members after church I don't want my church services to be a social club. We have a great pastor and ministerial staff and I am happy God led us to the church we now attend.

God bless you.

11:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was born and raised Irish Catholic, drifted from the Church, then spent over twenty years "seeking knowledge of God's will and the power to carry it out." It was a very long understanding - and finally I had a exchange with my God that went something like this.

"Look, I am totally uninterested in being a part of any religion or church, so if it is Your will that I be part of one, I leave it to you to change my heart, and fix it so that happens. For my part, I will read what is recommended to me, and will attend services when I am invited. In short, I will do the legwork, but you, God, have the conversion in Your hands, should that be your Will."

And apparently it was.


A year ago I became a member of the Orthodox church of America (OCA). I grew up thinking that Greek Orthodox was one religion, and Russian Orthodox was another, when I bothered to think of it at all. Not so. The Orthodox Church is one church and once upon a time, the Roman Catholic Church was part of it. The very first schism was when the RC church broke away.

In any event, while you are researching, you might pick up a book called Facing East by Fredricka Matthewes Green (I may have butchered the spelling here.) I have found in Orthodoxy those things missing from my Catholic beginnings. (And I was educated in Catholic schools.) And the Liturgy, though admittedly long,is so beautiful.

Orthodox dogma has not undergone the changes (like Papal infallibility) that have occurred in Roman Catholicism.

Bottom line, your comment (8:37PM) is right on the money. I spent a year learning about this faith, and moaning "this is just too hard" - and I am more convinced than ever today that my moans were true. It is impossible to be a Christian, or even take a stab at it, whatever flavor, without the abundant grace of Christ.

I pray you may find the path that God has for you. And that you find the joyful grace there.

12:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

By gum, I just had to get home and check on the drapes! I'd left the iron on the stove! And the roast in the oven was gonna' catch fire 'cuz the microwave had forks in it and, well, just look at the time! I've gotta' feed the llamas! SEE YA.

Ha, ha, ha, ha. I love it. We can always use more women of good humor, Wordgirl. Welcome, and with open arms.

Be forwarned, however, we Catholics also have some of the squishy types -- some priests are capable only of giving homilies that are "fluffy nothings, feel-good mental Prozac," but thankfully, I think they are becoming fewer and fewer. Alas, it is largely a generational thing. Too much of the feel-good 70s rubbed off on them, and while most of us grew beyond that, seeing it for the pointless and insubstantial nothingness that it is, some have remained anchored in it.

I hope that that does not discourage you, however. Thankfully, we have also had "the Rock" to keep the Church on a firm foundation. Both JP2 and now B16 realize that it is not their place to reinvent the Faith and make it hip and cool and relevent, and thereby make it pointless and boring. So the Catholic Church has largely weathered the storm from the 60s and 70s.

Rejoice in your journey, as do I and millions upon millions of the Catholic faithful, here and in heaven, a communion of believers throughout the world and across time. A home, a family.

1:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, my question is? what denomination are you curently attending? I understand your former church is decidedly Fundamentalist, but sadly, Fundamentalist churches are critical of other, even Evangelical, Christians. Your second church is Protestant to be sure, but as you mentioned that they don't preach Jesus, I highly doubt it is Evangelical or most importantly, Christ-centered. :)

I'm just curious that's all. I was actually raised Catholic -- yet I left because I felt the RC church espoused a lot of theological inconsistencies. However to go from that to making vitriolic attacks on Catholics I think would be quite ignorant and un-Christian of me. I do believe that Catholics who trust on Christ for their salvation are saved, just like any other believer. I've studied quite a bit on the history of Christianity -- I attended a Christian seminary for a year, and pland to go back -- and so I am very interested in tracking the history of individual denominations in order to better understand its origins and thus its theological influences.

Thank you, God bless :)

8:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My wife is Catholic, but drifted away years ago on account of her feminist convictions. Lately, she's been attending Sunday Mass, which is good to see. Although I was raised Episcopalian myself, (didn't so much leave that church as it left me), I tag along. Naturally I can't have the full treatment, but a little praying is better than nothing.

Now, I'm afraid you'll all find me shallow and frivelous, but your services are so flat! Where's the mystery, the cool ceremonies? Above all, the spooky old music, so not of this world? Heck, you guys invented all that, and here you've gone and thrown it all away! Please, I don't mean any disrespect, but I just don't get it...

9:01 AM  
Blogger WordGirl said...

Thanks everyone! I hope to tackle most of this in Part II, though I'm afraid it would take 1,000 theologians and writers a 1,000 years to even begin to touch it. But as always, your views and prayers are always, always welcome!

WG

9:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Word Girl,
The Anchoress sent me. One Easter, my buddy Miss T. attended an early Mass, then went to her musician's job at a Unitatian church. By the time I saw her that afternoon, smoke was issuing from her ears. "Flowers!" said she. "Flowers! Easter Sunday, and the minister talked about FLOWERS!" I believe it. The minister probably needed a safe topic.

11:51 AM  
Blogger Teflon said...

That's the thing about Christ---he's never a safe topic. He's not intended to be.

And so we get sermons about self-help, about stress relief, about recycling, and yes, about flowers.

The Pharisees didn't follow Dr. Phil's advice.

Pilate didn't give a damn about how much stress Christ endured.

He wasn't nailed to a cross consisting of 100% recycled wood content from an Oregon commune.

It wasn't flowers the Romans showered Jesus with, but whips.

Yet to note these simple facts, even during Lent, might be offensive.

Too dark. Too grim.

And yet without Jesus' suffering, what does his redemption mean?

Without his death, what would the resurrection be?

If congregants dwell too long on these questions, they might start asking other ones, quite disturbing for the nouveau clergy, such as, "Who will be called upon to pay for the millions of babies we've butchered since 1973?"

Better to talk about flowers than to wake up and smell the roses.

2:15 PM  
Blogger Hatless in Hattiesburg said...

The more I look, the less I see any direct correlation between any denomination and biblical Christianity. I suspect there are examples of good churches in most denominations, which are sadly outnumbered by the over- or under-strict churches, such as the examples cited by your commentors.

I was raised Southern Baptist, and have attended several Baptist congregations. Their styles ran the gamut from fire-n-brimstone-KJV-only to fuzzy-feel-good to holy-honky-tonk to get-rich-by-praying, but there were more than a few of those churches whose members were doing their best to "love God and love their neighbor".

6:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,

Thanks for a your thoughts, Its brilliant to hear other peoples tales on the road to Fathers house. If you want to know what the Catholic Church teaches then read the "Catechism of the Cathoic Church" which is free on line at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM.

By the way I dont think you will get into trouble by repeating the words Gabriel spoke to Mary.

3:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

By the way again, (pressed the "go" button to soon) these words of John Paul II are at the root of what the CCC is about " Guarding the deposit of faith is the mission the Lord entrusted to His Church, and which she fulfills in every age". This explains why the faith is unchanging, but understanding grows through the action of the Holy Spirit.

God bless, with prayers and anticipation.

3:59 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home