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St. Ann
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Does anyone know of any educated Catholics, who take the Bible literally and / or calls themselves "fundamentalist"? Would a fundamentalist really attend a Catholic Mass? I, personally, have never read any catholic literature taking a literal approach to Bible understanding. I am probably just ignorant of a lot of things american, and am still trying to fathom this fundamentalism???? that is often spoken of in my parish.
I touched briefly on this subject before, and am still struggling as how to deal with this issue I face.
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Stephanie
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MarilynW
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David Currie has written an excellent book called Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic
I just listened to a cd by him - where he says Catholics cannot be Fundamentalist - because we are "inclusive"
I have tons to write about the Bible - just no time right now (school plus a 5 year old birthday boy!) - but there is an excellent John Martignoni cd Catholics and the Bible - I think it would really help you.
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mimmyof5
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Actually I do know some Catholics that take the Bible literally. I do not know them well so I've never had any in depth conversations with them, but they did state to me that take the Bible absolutely literally. This came up in a Bible class at our parish; the instructor gave them some material on 'Scripture reading from a Catholic pov', and I understand there were several heated discussions between the couple and instructor. I wasn't there for those classes. Both the husband and wife are cradle Catholics so it's not due to the fact that they converted from Fundamentalist Protestantism. It was the first time I'd ever met a Catholic with this approach to Scripture.
Janet
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St. Ann
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Marilyn, thanks for the links.
Janet, thanks for sharing. That is exactly what I wanted to know.
Now, to add on to my original post. Is this fundamentalist view of the Bible "allowed" within the Catholic Church? (as clarification, I do not have this approach to scripture.) I am asking these questions just to get a better idea how I can deal with a situation where lately our parish priest has been preaching more on the wrongness of fundamentalism and avoiding altogether an indepth teaching of what the RCC does teach. I am afraid that he is doing this for my benefit  ! Is it the skirts? My mentioning Orthodoxy? My challenging the altar servers' formation program to take a more reverential approach?
I am very respectful and open. ... and hurting.
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Stephanie
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Willa
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St. Ann wrote:
| I am asking these questions just to get a better idea how I can deal with a situation where lately our parish priest has been preaching more on the wrongness of fundamentalism and avoiding altogether an indepth teaching of what the RCC does teach. I am afraid that he is doing this for my benefit ! |
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Sometimes "fundamentalist" is a word used as code for a more traditional style. But maybe you could ask your priest how he means it.
Perhaps not quite on topic, but I found this post at the Jimmy Akin site on Catholic Fundamentalists
It's about a poll where a Catholic came off as a Fundamentalist and the blogger (an orthodox Catholic) commented:
Quote:
| I'm a Fundamentalist! Who'da thunk it? Actually, given the nature of the questions, I'm not surprised. The creators of the quiz seem to consider a belief in absolute, objective truths to be the definition of Fundamentalism. |
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If you look at Wikipedia, you'll see that there has been a shift away from the strict meaning of Fundamentalism as a Protestant set of five core beliefs, to a wider definition. Fundamentalism
Quote:
| Fundamentalism refers to a belief in, and strict adherence to a set of basic principles (often religious in nature), a reaction to perceived doctrinal compromises with modern social and political life |
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In that very limited sense I could probably call myself a fundamentalist, though I don't like the word and I don't think it sums up the richness and breadth of a historical, intellectual, comprehensive faith like ours. Catholic, meaning universal, sums it up better for me 
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Marcia
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could there be some confusion with fundamentalism and legalism? I personally think the cross over can be very close....almost begining to be scrupulosity....
I come from a fundamentalist and legalist upbringing. I really enjoyed David Currie's book and saw him in person. I think a fundamentalist can get more hung up on the rules or the more precieved rules and loose the love that comes from behind why God gives the rules through his Church. We can begin to nit-pick about things that perhaps look like the Levitical law that the Pharisees had. We become the Pharisee looking down on the Publican from the Gospel. We see all the "things" we do for God and forget that it is out of love from our heart that we adhear to some guidelines the Church has set for us. There are many rules that we make ourselves that Christ probably didn't stick to himself.
So I ask myself today....Do I pray the Rosary out of love? Or just so that I can get an indulgence?
Do I go to Mass to "work" for the Liturgy? or do I grudgingly go to make sure that my fellow Homeschoolers see me there? (I just might be percieved as more Holy if I went to church more than they do....) Do I wear clothes that flatter without loosing modesty? Or do I try to wear something that says I cover myself better than others? And lastly can I not judge those who may seem to have a little different perspective than I with regards to the limits the Church has offered to us. For it is only God that sees the heart....(off to take the beam out of my own eye)
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D. Marie
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Dear Stephanie,
Could I be so bold as to say that I think the problem here goes deeper then your question? I get the feeling you have been hurt, offended, and feeling bitter. If you think there is any possibility of an issue between you and your priest, I would say to find him immediately and resolve it in peace. To sit and ponder all the possibilities of what may or may not be going on, can only lead to bitterness and deep seated anger that is poisonous to your soul. If there is no way to have peace with this priest, it may be time to find a new parish and let the past be the past. Hoping the best for you!
In JMJ...
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St. Ann
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Thank you all for the thoughtful comments. I have a lot to think about now. Your posts were all very helpful.
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Stephanie
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: fundamentalism
