Comments on: The Dangers of Hobby Catholicism http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/ Politics and Culture from a Catholic perspective. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:06:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Don L http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12077 Don L Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:50:24 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12077 I just stumbled upon this site and as a traditional Roman Catholic (I detest having to define it so pointedly, but these days...) I am impressed with what appears to be lots of wisdom here,(as opposed to expertese) I fully recognize the danger, having too much knowledge of faith, rubs elbows with. The Church has seen plenty of doctrinal and biblical experts who no longer seemed able to locate their knees for bending in humility and prayer. I had the wonderful experience of dealing with the lofty only to finally recognize true faith in my simple Mother-in-law.One day as she was ironing shirts for her poor tenent from Poland, I, concerned she was being used by him, spoke up, only to be told, "If I don't iron his shirts for him, who will?" I hung my head -having been taught a valuable life lesson by a Catholic woman who spent much of her life on her knees praying. This finally taught me how the simple folks have just as much chance for attaining heaven as do the brilliant theologians. I have since learned - maybe even a better chance. Intellegence, like beauty, can be a cross and/or an obstacle. I just stumbled upon this site and as a traditional Roman Catholic (I detest having to define it so pointedly, but these days…) I am impressed with what appears to be lots of wisdom here,(as opposed to expertese)

I fully recognize the danger, having too much knowledge of faith, rubs elbows with. The Church has seen plenty of doctrinal and biblical experts who no longer seemed able to locate their knees for bending in humility and prayer.
I had the wonderful experience of dealing with the lofty only to finally recognize true faith in my simple Mother-in-law.One day as she was ironing shirts for her poor tenent from Poland, I, concerned she was being used by him, spoke up, only to be told, “If I don’t iron his shirts for him, who will?”
I hung my head -having been taught a valuable life lesson by a Catholic woman who spent much of her life on her knees praying.
This finally taught me how the simple folks have just as much chance for attaining heaven as do the brilliant theologians. I have since learned – maybe even a better chance. Intellegence, like beauty, can be a cross and/or an obstacle.

]]> By: Elaine Krewer http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12076 Elaine Krewer Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:52:05 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12076 There's nothing wrong with pursing Catholic doctrine or history as a "hobby" or "special interest" in the same way one might pursue history, literature, art, gardening, fishing, sports, etc. as a hobby or for enjoyment. I do this to some extent myself. I actually enjoy learning about stuff like bishops' coats of arms, the different types of Monsignors, the "call letters" of different religious orders (OSB, CSC, OFM, etc.) But... the thing one has to watch out for is mistaking one's "geeky" interest in all things Catholic for genuine holiness, or assuming that it makes one a "better" or wiser Catholic than others not so inclined. Just because I can name the last 10 or so popes or can identify the 20-some different rites of the Catholic Church doesn't mean I'm any closer to God or any more holy than someone who doesn't know or couldn't care less about these things. There’s nothing wrong with pursing Catholic doctrine or history as a “hobby” or “special interest” in the same way one might pursue history, literature, art, gardening, fishing, sports, etc. as a hobby or for enjoyment. I do this to some extent myself. I actually enjoy learning about stuff like bishops’ coats of arms, the different types of Monsignors, the “call letters” of different religious orders (OSB, CSC, OFM, etc.)

But… the thing one has to watch out for is mistaking one’s “geeky” interest in all things Catholic for genuine holiness, or assuming that it makes one a “better” or wiser Catholic than others not so inclined. Just because I can name the last 10 or so popes or can identify the 20-some different rites of the Catholic Church doesn’t mean I’m any closer to God or any more holy than someone who doesn’t know or couldn’t care less about these things.

]]> By: e. http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12075 e. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:03:49 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12075 DarwinCatholic: Actually, your post seems very apropos to such a circumstance as that. It kinda reminds me of why St. Francis himself was initially opposed to the study of theology for those of his order; he thought that such knowledge would puff them up. It wasn't until the great Anthony of Padua convinced him otherwise that he came to change his mind on the matter. DarwinCatholic:

Actually, your post seems very apropos to such a circumstance as that.

It kinda reminds me of why St. Francis himself was initially opposed to the study of theology for those of his order; he thought that such knowledge would puff them up.

It wasn’t until the great Anthony of Padua convinced him otherwise that he came to change his mind on the matter.

]]> By: DarwinCatholic http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12074 DarwinCatholic Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:59:09 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12074 I meant it as no disrespect to Malta, but as diplomatic posts go, I can't imagine its what one could persuade onself is <i>important</i>. I meant it as no disrespect to Malta, but as diplomatic posts go, I can’t imagine its what one could persuade onself is important.

]]> By: Phillip http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12073 Phillip Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:58:01 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12073 Everyone I know who's been to Malta has liked it. But it certainly ain't Rome. Everyone I know who’s been to Malta has liked it. But it certainly ain’t Rome.

]]> By: DarwinCatholic http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/07/02/the-dangers-of-hobby-catholicism/#comment-12072 DarwinCatholic Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:55:36 +0000 http://the-american-catholic.com/?p=10359#comment-12072 Oh, and Philip, I hadn't heard. That's interesting. I'm trying to think if that's a slap or a prize or both. Oh, and Philip, I hadn’t heard. That’s interesting. I’m trying to think if that’s a slap or a prize or both.

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