You don’t need to be Catholic or otherwise an expert on Catholicism in order to have an educated opinion on the faith and its followers. All you need to do is be in the loop. Experts can be wrong and technically, anyone who has received the Roman Catholic rite of Baptism is Catholic…but that doesn’t mean they are in the loop.
What defines you as being in the loop?
- Have basic knowledge about the Bible and the Catholic faith.
- Know the names of a few theologians, liberal and conservative, and know a little bit about their scholarship.
- Have a few up-to-date references on news in the Catholic community.
- Know a little Church history.
- Know some of the features of the following councils: The Council of Nicea, the Council of Trent, and the First and Second Vatican Councils.
This might seem daunting to those new to Catholic discussions, but I do do Catholicism 101 and you are encouraged to read it. I also respond personally to any questions you might have. Go to the Comments, Questions, and Suggestions page for my contact info.
Note that I say you need to have the *knowledge.* I DO NOT believe that you have to *share the opinion* of whoever is writing. I don’t subscribe to the view that only ‘authoritative’ views deserve consideration. Back it up, and I’ll be happy to approve it on my blog.
Some posts won’t require ANY knowledge about Catholicism. You can be a lay Jewish person who works with victims of abuse by rabbis and have strong, educated opinions about abuse by Catholic priests. Abuse is abuse and abuse by clergy entails a special kind of psychic injury. You don’t need to be Catholic to get that.
I hope by now you’re getting the impression that I give people wide latitude on my side to share opinions and ask questions.
What WON’T I tolerate?
Basically, I won’t tolerate personal attacks on mine or anyone else’s religion or philosophy. This includes atheists, agnostics, and secular humanists. I won’t put up with people telling me what I really believe and telling me I’m wrong when I try to correct them. I won’t put up with comments from people who have no clue at all what they’re talking about but insist on acting like experts.
For example, a common accusation launched against Christians is that they insist on the literal truth of the Bible. Another is that they try to stymie scientific progress by forbidding the teaching of evolution in schools.
Catholics are NOT Biblical literalists. Catholics have been well-represented in the sciences for centuries and many Catholics do believe in evolution. The Catechism itself acknowledges the possibility and encourages discovery and dialogue on the subject.
Christians sometimes get accused of burning crosses and protesting at the funerals of gay soldiers. This is not accurate and is an attack on an entire faith that includes billions of followers from countless denominations, cultures, and walks of life. The people that engage in those behaviors tend to be fundamentalist Protestants, and fundamentalist Protestants don’t all agree with those behaviors.
I agree that we have both the right and the duty to criticize these behaviors, but accuse the right people. Accuse ALL those guilty, not just those that are popular to bash.
So, feel free to criticize, but be fair. No pot shots.
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Some special considerations:
- Please avoid unsubstantiated claims of sexual abuse, financial mismanagement, or other indiscretions on the part of clergy. I cannot allow my blog to become a place where innocent people’s reputations are ruined by slander of this nature. When discussing claims, make it clear that they are claims only, not proven facts.
- Be charitable. Charity is a core Catholic virtue and Catholic discussions should reflect that virtue. Remember that God dwells within all of us.
- Do not lecture me about all the things the Catholic Church has done wrong in the past or continues to do wrong today. You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know and I feel it is unfair to hold such acts against the whole faith for all time.
- Please feel free to share your faith/philosophy with others when relevant, but no conversion attempts.
To ultra-conservative Catholics who want to leave me angry or taunting comments to the effect of:
-You’re a heretic.
-Why don’t you join some other Church?
-You’re a fake/Cafeteria Catholic.
-You should excuse yourself from the Sacraments.
-You’re not Catholic.
-Read your catechism.
-Leave the Church.
-Any variation on those themes.
Don’t bother. They’re old news, they don’t contribute to the discussion and they won’t see the light of day. End of story.
The above applies to liberals as well, but I have yet to find a liberal that trolls conservative Catholic blogs in order to leave harassing messages.
If you want to point out that my opinions or actions are not in line with Catholic teaching, then I would be happy to approve your comment and discuss the matter in the spirit of free speech and dialogue.
If, on the other hand, you find my blog rife with heresy and want to take it upon yourself to fight your culture war in my space, I recommend you keep your day job and get a life.
