From: mjsmith@cac.washington.edu (Martha Smith )
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Handmaid (was "I feel threatened...")
Date: 28 Jan 93 08:41:25 GMT
Organization: UW Computing

In article <Jan.27.00.25.14.1993.2869@athos.rutgers.edu>, wright@wyoming.scsd (Michael Wright) writes:
 
|> As a former Catholic, I find the above comment very atypical. I can see
|> time and time again, the prideful arrogance that is present in the
|> Catholic folk. I also see it in Baptist churches but, they are usually
|> the moderate to liberal type who do not hold fast to the literal
|> meaning of the WORD. I too would like to see the true Christian
|> churches come together. In a way they do, but only through the headship
|> of the body through Jesus Christ, not through an organization set up by
|> governmental/political agenda. My biggest objection to the whole
|> Catholic thing is the worship though a priest with a view to ritual
|> teaching of idol worship in the name of "Christ"; rather than the very
|> presence of Christ Jesus. Now I know and love some very dear Christian
|> in the Catholic system but they always seem to be lacking in the
|> fundamental truth of the gospel. So let's not talk of uniting the
|> churches your way or my way....but His way... Jesus Christ, the
|> infinite God-man.
|> 
The above was in response to a posting of mine; I feel obligated to respond.
My experience has not shown any particular religious persuasion to be more
prone to "prideful arrogance" than any other - it is a characteristic of
particular people.  People prone to the characteristic tend (tend not always)
to seek out small, non-inclusive groups to give them a sense of vindication
in their pride - small, non-inclusive does not describe the Catholic church

For a ex-Catholic to misstate the Catholic view as "worship through a priest"
is a very sad commentary on religious education.  Nothing could be farther than
the truth - worship (praise, adoration, etc.) is possible only through the
activity participation with the God's gift of grace mediated through Christ and
the Holy Spirit.  One worships through the Holy Spirit and Christ.

For a defense of "ritual" i.e. liturgical (set prayer) see the Quaker Richard
Foster's book Prayer.  Many churches that eschew liturgy use gospel songs and
hymns to serve the same purpose.  Similarly, there are set prayer phrases that
one (linguistically) can use to identify the denominational bias of an oral
prayer - phrases one hears over and over.  Liturgical prayer is a way to allow
one to pray what one does not yet know how to ask for/know that one needs.  It
does not constitute a complete spiritual life - spontaneous prayer and silent
listening are other necessary ingrediates.

As for "idol worship" - since even a tree or a sunset can serve as a reminder
of God's power, love, grace ... if what a Catholic engages in is idol worship, then the whole of creation is one magnificant idol.

[I apologize to the Catholic readers.  A combination of volume of the
group and current work has gotten me to the point where I have about
1 to 2 minutes per article to review and make any comments.  Now and
then something gets through that I wish didn't.  I wouldn't normally
allow comments like "idol worship".  There are a number of things
about Catholic practice that worry me, but this sort of ill-informed
polemic does not help us deal with the real issues.  --clh]