Why? I believe it is because they knew that more and more people would become Christians if they read the Bible for themselves, and see the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. And that is exactly what happened.
I wonder if the Homeschool Blog Awards People are proud of their award winner now? Anyone with an iota historical training behind them will find that paragraph remarkably deficient in anything resembling English history! It's embarrassing enough that Candy calls herself a homeschooler (although since her oldest is only 7 I suppose some allowances can be made) but as she also calls herself a homeschool graduate, I guarantee that this statement has got to be making some faces red with shame and embarrassment.
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him Arab proverb
20 comments:
I just deleted my comment because I meant to edit, not submit.
Help me, please, to understand how one could put so much stock or faith in the "translation" of the men of "genius intellect" and accept what they write as THE definitive understanding or correct interpretation of the Bible while at the same time ridiculing and dismissing "Sacred Tradition."
If one refuses to accept that Sacred Tradition is every bit as inerrent as Sacred Scripture, why is it permissible then to believe that any of the explanations or commentary on Sacred Scripture are to be taken as factual?
If Sacred Tradition is nothing more than the "teachings of men" then at the very most it can be no more subject to error than the commentary of men, no? So, wouldn't it follow that following the commentary or explanation of Bibilical texts by these men would be just as anti-Christian as following Sacred Tradition?
Why are some so willing to buy into the "revelation" that the scarlet and purple in Revelation 17:4 refers to the vestments of the Catholic clergy? Isn't it easy enough to find out what the colors of the priests' vestments represent? Don't they know that scarlet represents the blood of Christian martyrs and that purple represents repentance during the penitential seasons? What about green and gold? I didn't see anything about the woman wearing green and/or gold. Don't they recognize that white is the predominant color of the vestments at Mass? What does it say about a person who would so willingly accept these scandalous statements as fact?
I'm still wondering though, which is it? Do we need a Bible with commentary? Do we need a Bible with no commentary? Are we smart enough to "interpret" Scripture on our own or aren't we? Should we shop around and compare all commentaries until we find one that conforms with our own beliefs? Should we trust the "genius intellect" scholars of old? Or, should we, perhaps, trust the word of the Lord when He tells us through Paul in 2Thessalonians 2:15 to hold fast to our traditions?
Don't get me wrong. I am not opposed to commentary. I have several translations of the Bible, with and without commentary. I also have a preference but, this I know, the translations I read and the commentary I read have been approved by someone in whom the proper authority has been entrusted. The way I see it, if one is not fluent in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic and does not have access to all of the original texts, one must necessarily rely on the "translation" of another as far as Sacred Scripture is concerned. From there it makes sense that those I trust to "comment" on Sacred Scripture will refrain from interjecting their opinion as to the identity of the "whore of Babylon" when that opinion is clearly based on a complete lack of understanding of Catholic practices with regard to the colors of vestments, or any other beliefs or practices, for that matter. To me, there is something gravely wrong with searching Scripture to identify those among us who we feel are somehow wrong or less worthy or unholy or aligned with the devil.
If I were so inclined, I'm sure I could devote my life to commenting on scripture to twist it's meaning to malign any other denomination in order to make that group out to look like the devil's henchmen. What would be the point? I'm certain that if I were among the group that necessarily needed to justify their protestations, I would do just that.
December 28, 2007 2:51 PM
Faithful Catholic - I wish I could put my thoughts into words as well as you. You said exactly what I think. I am so grateful to have found this blog site.
very well said faithful!!
If she is a home school graduate, she doesn't speak well for home schoolers; and that is a very sad thing. Her historical education obviously lacked elements of reality.
But, if I remember correctly, she schooled herself and wasn't technically homes schooled by a knowledgeable adult who knows how to balance education. Something to do with the psychologists at her school harassing her.
Faithful catholic? I loved your comment. I love your questions.
Candy writes:
After that, we explained to the kids about what the Christmas tree is to remind us of - green - eternal life; lights - to be lights for Christ in this dark work; decorations - to earn our rewards in heaven by doing good for others while on this earth, and the star on top to remind us of the star of Bethlehem and Jesus' birth.
***********
I'm having trouble with the "to earn our rewards in heaven by doing good for others while on this earth".
Could she.. .does she.. possibly could it be....
WORKS??????????????
I just get an icky feeling about doing works (good deads) for rewards? Maybe it's another one of those play on words? Maybe it means by doing good works on earth you are pleasing God???
I read her latest post. Amazing the people who flock to her site for religious instruction...yet refuse to go to knowledgeable people like priests, pasters, etc. Mind boggling!
Faithful, nice explanation, and good questions!
Elena and group,
something that's worrying me a little: Candy is not going to agree with us theologically on lots of things. Most things, actually.
But unless she's identifying us by name, as in this post, I think we should cut her some slack. If we pounce on her for every difference, we will look like paranoid cranks.
If she wants to end Christmas on Dec 26, that's her right. Using her as a springboard for explaining our liturgical season by pointing out what we think she's doing wrong can look like picking on her. She is not, after all, a Catholic :)
So, egregious nonsense like the above? Counter it absolutely and thoroughly.
Candy just being a Baptist? Let's let that go.
Posts about 'some people'? A disclaimer that she might not mean us, but just in case she does, here's our side...
Am I out of line? Thoughts?
No comments open on Candy's site?
I'm wondering if she's ever read the preface to the KJV? Quite the eye-opener, the foregoing Bible scholars they mention, like St. Jerome...
Actually Sal, my intention in 2008 is to take in some of the slack I gave her in 2007! Candy presents herself as an authority. She speaks authoritatively and judging from the types of people and bloggers who seem to read and comment on her blog, that's how she comes across to others. Her HSB award probably sealed that impression in a lot of minds as well. I will continue to question and challenge that authority.
Sal, I don't think we are saying that Candy and other protestants don't have the right to end their Christmas whenever they wish to, on the contrary, that is fine with me, we are simply explaining why we don't end ours and how we feel so happy to be Catholic and we are so excited that for us.. Christmas has just begun really... I think Elena was using it as a sounding board to explain to non Catholics why for us Christmas is just beginning. I don't think any of us are out to attack Candy or anyone who isn't Catholic, just trying to explain what we believe, Candy certainly does plenty to explain what she believes, why she believes it etc. but the big difference is, while Elena explains why we do such and such in the Catholic faith.. that is all Elena does.. Candy explains why she does such and such but then she takes it one step further and feels the need to explain why her way is the "only" way or you are simply wrong and this awful sinful being. But, I for one, certainly have no desire to attack some one's faith and don't plan on doing such here or anywhere else, I simply want the truth to be out there for people who have an open mind and are not scared to hear the truth.
Blessings!
and I think one of the points to be made is that as much as she points to "us Catholics"..claiming we don't celebrate Jesus and that Jesus is absent from our lives and our faith..and that we aren't really 'christians".....that isn't it ironic that "Us Catholics" actually continue to Celebrate Jesus and that the "Christ"mas season is not packed up and put away on the 26th
Maggi, it most certainly does seem ironic doesn't it!I find myself just scratching my head sometimes when I see so much utter ignorance over the Catholic faith..
"Why? I believe it is because they knew that more and more people would become Christians if they read the Bible for themselves, and see the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. And that is exactly what happened."
Wait! Am I an idiot for just now realizing that I have been called an idiot for reading the Bible for myself and not seeing all the "false teachings" of the Roman Catholic Church? Well, okay nobody used the word "idiot" but me. But, isn't that what's being said here; that anyone who reads the Bible could see that? Sure, I don't make a habit of reading protestant translations of the Bible but, I think it's safe to say, with the exception of the location of the deuterocanonical books, our Bible translations are not all that different. Well, what does that say about me or us Catholics? Here's what I know: if you think you know the Catholic doctrine but what you really know is what has been misrepresented to you as "Catholic doctrine" and you compare THAT to the Bible, sure you're going to think we're a bunch of wackos. Shouldn't that make you wonder why there are so many, many, many of us in the world? Shouldn't that make you stop and think that maybe, just maybe your understanding is what is "false" in this scenario? Over one billion Catholics in the world are apparently reading their Bibles and not finding our doctrine to be "false." How can that be??? I guess that makes half the Christians in the world dumber than a box of rocks. Well, at least I'm in good company.
Please forgive my sarcasm.
faithful, then I must be an idiot too... for I read my bible daily and I understand it very well and I am even more convinced from reading my bible that the Catholic church is without any doubt the church for me!
I want to ask a question.
Do Catholic's find it "wrong" to say "Happy Holidays"?
That is MY biggest problem. I have friends who are atheist, agnostic, Muslim, Jewish and Wiccan. I also have African American (black) friends who celebrate Kwanzaa.
Here's an interesting note; spell check corrected my "Muslim" and "Kwanza" spelling, but it seems to have no clue what "Wiccan" is.
At any rate, as a seriously interested person, what does the Catholic religion say about others and their holidays and beliefs?
I know that others are not always condemned; especially not as much as they are by fundamentals and evangelists. But, as a whole?
Are Catholics more accepting and tolerant of others - thinking all deserve love and respect - or are there specifications?
I say "Happy Holidays" simply because I know there are a lot of celebrations this time of year. I have Jewish relatives, my best friend is married to a man who celebrates Kwanzaa, along with his family. They have two children. She cannot just tear her kids away from something that is so important to their father and grandparents.
I am not asking if it is wrong; in my heart, I know it is not.
I am only asking what the Catholic faith teaches.
That is an excellent question perplexity... you know, I have never given it much thought, but I know that many people said both Merry Christmas to me and Happy Holidays and "this is bad" I was in such a hurry that often I just said it back weather it was the Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas...but, now you have me really thinking, I'm sure I'll be thinking about this for some time, I think I may even as my Priest what he thinks at my next Bible study group... very good question!!
Wow, that was rambly. I'm sorry. I was in a really irritated place yesterday when I posted that because not once, but twice, I was accused of being "politically correct" and a "typical liberal" because I said the words Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas.
I have nothing against either of them, and like I said, because I personally know so many people of so many faiths and lives that celebrate different holidays at this time of year, I try not to make assumptions. You know?
My friend that celebrates Kwanzaa? She is a blue eyed, blond haired, pale skin woman. Making assumptions you would say "Happy Kwanzaa" first thought, right?
I am a liberal (in, what I believe is the true sense of the word, not the recent negative form of reference) but I don't say Happy Holidays for any reason other than, well, there are a heck of a lot of holidays celebrated in December. I'm not PC and I'm not against Christmas. I say Merry Christmas when I KNOW someone is celebrating it. My Jewish relatives get Hanukkah cards, and my Catholic Aunt who is married to a Jewish man gets a Happy Holidays card, since their house celebrates more than one holiday.
And, after reading Candy's post about how she thinks "things are changing" because no one said Happy Holidays to her...I was just getting irritated about how it seems nothing is appropriate anymore for anyone because it may offend someone and, well, you know. And, after my words were taken and used against me when they were truly meant with sincerity, I was quite irritated, even worse, and I was just thinking that everyone here is usually so logical and was wondering what your opinions were.
Perplexity,
I think that, by and large, Catholics are not offended at someone wishing them "Happy Holidays." There are definitely some who are though. I'll refrain from pointing them out by name. I think that stems from the feeling that Christmas is a target of some secular people who seem to have a chip on their shoulders and would like to insist that we not have nativity scenes or any other Christian symbols of Christmas anywhere in the public domain. So, we end up with one extreme reacting to the other extreme.
Besides that, when I hear "holiday" I automatically think "Holy Day" as that is where the term originated. I grew up that way, it's ingrained in me. I know that's not true for all or even most. That's just me, so I'm not offended.
I don't think there is a specific Catholic teaching on what to wish people or how to phrase it but, in Christian charity, I think it is appropriate to respond in kind. I can't imagine making an issue out of it with anyone. I'm sure there are many like you who would say "Happy Holidays" to someone who you didn't know well enough to know which holiday, if any, they celebrate. What could possibly be wrong with that? I think we might all have friends who celebrate different holidays and out of kindness, love and respect, I would wish them a happy whichever holiday they observe when I know which one is accurate for them. I will say that I know nothing about Wiccan holidays and probably would refrain from saying anything to encourage that but, that's based on the very little information I have which may or may not be accurate. I've never studied it and all I've heard about it hasn't been "good." Forgive me for that. I don't believe I know any Wiccans and wouldn't know one if I came in contact with one unless they were wearing a sign so I'd likely not be in a position to say anything at all. If I did though, you can be sure I'd not say anything ugly.
I will admit though that I do get somewhat agitated by retailers who have eliminated the word "Christmas" from their advertising when they know full well that the majority of the sales they rack up during the "holidays" come from Christians who celebrate Christmas by spending lots and lots of money on Christmas presents. I mean who do you know who celebrates a December holiday besides Christians that put up a "holiday" evergreen tree? They don't advertise the menorah as "holiday" candelabra do they? No, they call it what it is! And that does not offend me in the least. Jewish people have every right to celebrate their holiday and to go out in the community and buy a menorah that is called a menorah. See what I mean?
Perplexity, don't feel badly, I didn't think you were rambling at all and your question really made me stop and think. I know that I hear "happy holidays" most from the stores I shop at and I at one time had told myself that I would say Merry Christmas back to see what would happen but then, when I'm in a huge long line and my kids are acting up, the person at the till say's "happy holidays" and I say it right back and I guess, I don't think it wrong... this is a good thing to bring up perplexity, the world we are living in is changing and some things might be better and some not better... it is good to bring this up.. we need to reflect on this and I for one am very glad you got my mind thinking.. don't feel bad!!! This is a place to share and discuss and learn and what you posted was wonderful! Please, don't get down at all. Blessings!!
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