Religous Question

[wiffleball 4,789]

Growing up Catholic, I'd always heard Nuns refer to themselves as Brides of Christ or, Married to Christ.

 

And, growing up Catholic, I learned that Catholics believe very strongly in transubstantiation. That when we munch the wafer and the wine, we are actually eating the incarnate flesh and blood of Christ.

 

 

So, really a couple of questions:

 

 

 

1) Doesn't that make Geebus the biggest polygamist in the history of time?

 

2) Does that make all faithful Catholics canibals? And if so, when we go to Good Friday mass, aren't we breaking the whole "no meat on Fridays" rule?

 

 

tia.

[akaoni 0]

Yes on all counts.

[wiffleball 4,789]

I had a Catholic uncle growing up (now he's a Monsignor - and no, he didn't touch me).

 

I used to have a ball with this kind of stuff at the holiday meals.

 

 

Mom and Dad were NOT happy.

[Big Blue 06 195]

:swims up:

 

:sniffs bait:

 

:oldrolleyes:

 

:swimsaway:

[jets24 6]

RedTodd has no competition.

[redtodd 7]

RedTodd has no competition.

 

[Fun Bags 0]

Growing up Catholic, I'd always heard Nuns refer to themselves as Brides of Christ or, Married to Christ.

 

And, growing up Catholic, I learned that Catholics believe very strongly in transubstantiation. That when we munch the wafer and the wine, we are actually eating the incarnate flesh and blood of Christ.

So, really a couple of questions:

1) Doesn't that make Geebus the biggest polygamist in the history of time?

 

2) Does that make all faithful Catholics canibals? And if so, when we go to Good Friday mass, aren't we breaking the whole "no meat on Fridays" rule?

tia.

 

If you truly grew up Catholic, you should know that the sacrament of the eucharist is not celebrated on Good Friday.

[MicktheGreat 1]

So, really a couple of questions:

1) Doesn't that make Geebus the biggest polygamist in the history of time?

 

2) Does that make all faithful Catholics canibals? And if so, when we go to Good Friday mass, aren't we breaking the whole "no meat on Fridays" rule?

tia.

 

1. I always figured the whole "Bride-Bridegroom" passage was more metaphorical than anything else (representing the level of relationship, commitment, etc.).

 

2. Actually, if I remember correctly, the whole "cannibal" thing (as far as eating "flesh" & drinking "blood" during the eucharist) has been around for a LONG time. I think I remember reading an article once that noted how Native Americans were very confused/concerned about the cannibalistic undertones suggested by the eucharist. Honestly, I don't know all that much about the historical development of the belief of transubstantiation. Again, though, it seems to be an issue of just how literal/metaphorical you understand particular Biblical passages.

[crocodilecj 0]

According to the Bible, which most Catholics never read, the whole "Bride of Christ" thing is indeed a metaphor. But the metaphor is that ALL believers together in one group are "The Bride of Christ" so all the Nuns together equal One bride total.

 

 

As for the meat thing, if what the Catholics said about the wafer and the wine were true, then, yes, the whole thing would be contradictory. Another metaphor taken too far.

 

All one has to do is actual READ the Bible and you'll find these things out. But Catholics are taught to "Take the Word " of the Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals etc.. These guys do the work for them. But they just follow the Church traditions rather than what's ACTUALLY in the Bible.

 

The bread and wine thing that Jesus did was part of a larger Celebration meal that the Jews had that included 5 different Toasts, or "takings of the cup." Each part was symbollic of something about God. That notion that you take a pices of Jesus' actual corpse when you take the sacrements came about in about the 7th Century. It wasn' part of Christianity at all for the first 500 years or so. And yes, I was baptised Catholic.

 

hth

[akaoni 0]

mmmmm...sacrilicious...

[Sho Nuff 720]

According to the Bible, which most Catholics never read, the whole "Bride of Christ" thing is indeed a metaphor. But the metaphor is that ALL believers together in one group are "The Bride of Christ" so all the Nuns together equal One bride total.

As for the meat thing, if what the Catholics said about the wafer and the wine were true, then, yes, the whole thing would be contradictory. Another metaphor taken too far.

 

All one has to do is actual READ the Bible and you'll find these things out. But Catholics are taught to "Take the Word " of the Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals etc.. These guys do the work for them. But they just follow the Church traditions rather than what's ACTUALLY in the Bible.

 

The bread and wine thing that Jesus did was part of a larger Celebration meal that the Jews had that included 5 different Toasts, or "takings of the cup." Each part was symbollic of something about God. That notion that you take a pices of Jesus' actual corpse when you take the sacrements came about in about the 7th Century. It wasn' part of Christianity at all for the first 500 years or so. And yes, I was baptised Catholic.

 

hth

 

Ummm...nothing else to say but....

[supermike80 1,893]

I had a Catholic uncle growing up (now he's a Monsignor - and no, he didn't touch me).

 

I used to have a ball with this kind of stuff at the holiday meals.

Mom and Dad were NOT happy.

Really? Because these seem kinda weak and childish challenges to Catholicism......I would just kind of laugh you off.

 

There are far better questions that challenge the absurdity of religion, yours are easily explained and are actually kinda simple. Sorry.

[Franknbeans 46]

you should see what they do with the candlesticks

[wiffleball 4,789]

According to the Bible, which most Catholics never read, the whole "Bride of Christ" thing is indeed a metaphor. But the metaphor is that ALL believers together in one group are "The Bride of Christ" so all the Nuns together equal One bride total.

As for the meat thing, if what the Catholics said about the wafer and the wine were true, then, yes, the whole thing would be contradictory. Another metaphor taken too far.

 

All one has to do is actual READ the Bible and you'll find these things out. But Catholics are taught to "Take the Word " of the Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals etc.. These guys do the work for them. But they just follow the Church traditions rather than what's ACTUALLY in the Bible.

 

The bread and wine thing that Jesus did was part of a larger Celebration meal that the Jews had that included 5 different Toasts, or "takings of the cup." Each part was symbollic of something about God. That notion that you take a pices of Jesus' actual corpse when you take the sacrements came about in about the 7th Century. It wasn' part of Christianity at all for the first 500 years or so. And yes, I was baptised Catholic.

 

hth

 

 

Huh, that's funny. Because you normally hear from so called 'Christians' that the Bible is the Word Of God to be taken totally literally - and they bash the Catholics for getting that some of the stories are a metaphor for greater truths...

[Sho Nuff 720]

Huh, that's funny. Because you normally hear from so called 'Christians' that the Bible is the Word Of God to be taken totally literally - and they bash the Catholics for getting that some of the stories are a metaphor for greater truths...

 

Thats because we (Catholics) don't actually read the Bible.

[wiffleball 4,789]

Thats because we (Catholics) don't actually read the Bible.

 

 

There's really not much point. I saw the movie.

[Riddlen 1]

I had a Catholic uncle growing up (now he's a Monsignor - and no, he didn't touch me).

 

I used to have a ball with this kind of stuff at the holiday meals.

Mom and Dad were NOT happy.

Maybe they were unhappy that their son was an unfunny doosh. Really, I ahve no affiliation or love for Catholics, but these questions are nether funny, insightful, nor remotely intelligent. honestly.

[Riddlen 1]

Huh, that's funny. Because you normally hear from so called 'Christians' that the Bible is the Word Of God to be taken totally literally - and they bash the Catholics for getting that some of the stories are a metaphor for greater truths...

jeebus, you are an assclown. again, no particular ties here but a literal document can contain a metaphor. They are not mutually exclusive.

[Voltaire 5,288]

I don't beat up the Catholic church, I respect them.

 

The Catholic church is at least is trying to do some good providing schools, health care, sanitation and other things all over the world. Also they've learned their lesson from the inquisition and getting burnt on that flat earth stuff and don't challenge evolution. They do a lof of good in the world. It's the head up their ass Evangelicals who hate education, hate science, love complaining and telling everybody elsewhat to do but don't really give a damn about anybody else are the problem.

 

Oh and Islam sucks ass too, that goes without mention, but I thought it was way cool the Pope called them out on it and didn't play safe, politically correct games.

[jets24 6]

I'm Catholic and proud of it. I read The Bible quite often. Not sure why people here think Catholics do not read The Bible but I assure you that we do. Perhaps people are lacking in their commitment to attend Sunday mass each week but one will always find three different readings of scripture during each service.

There is much to joke about the Catholic faith and I assure you...I have made many myself. However, as I stated earlier, I believe Christ was the Son of God and I will believe it until I am with him in Heaven.

Thanks for listening.

[Frank M 181]

I worked with a guy that went to a Catholic mass on a whim and took communion because he wanted to feel what it was like to eat a god.

 

I think I read somewhere that that's a straight trip to hell.

[peenie 1,915]

catholics do not read the bible in the same manner or as much as protestants.

in my opinion (having gone to catholic school in my early years, part of high school and 2 years at a catholic college) the bible is interpreted through the church and the bible isn't just some book that you carry with you everywhere and write all in refer to during service. where the opposite is true for protestants (my father is a united methodist pastor). well, not that it's some book but i think there is a freedom to just open the bible at any moment where i think the bible is more revered in the catholic home. some may not even touch it.

[Sho Nuff 720]

catholics do not read the bible in the same manner or as much as protestants.

in my opinion (having gone to catholic school in my early years, part of high school and 2 years at a catholic college) the bible is interpreted through the church and the bible isn't just some book that you carry with you everywhere and write all in refer to during service. where the opposite is true for protestants (my father is a united methodist pastor). well, not that it's some book but i think there is a freedom to just open the bible at any moment where i think the bible is more revered in the catholic home. some may not even touch it.

 

Don't refer to it in service? There are 3 scripture readings at every mass, and a Homily discussing that morning's Gospel reading.

Don't read it in the same manner? What? Do I read it right to left because I am Catholic?

[Blitzen 0]

I think the Church should get with the times and offer a variety of wafer flavors, like "plasma", "cookie-dough dynamo", and so on.

 

Instead of just using oil to annoint babies, they could go with a mix of olive oil and good quality balsamic vinegar. Annoint the baby then did the wafers in the mix and enjoy with a good chianti instead of the crap they usually serve.

[Toro 1]

Catholicism is a very confusing sect, even to the followers. The answer to almost every question in regards to certain sacraments tend to come from the church's interpretation of the Bible and the refusal to allow for any other interpretations to be valid.

[supermike80 1,893]

I think the Church should get with the times and offer a variety of wafer flavors, like "plasma", "cookie-dough dynamo", and so on.

 

Instead of just using oil to annoint babies, they could go with a mix of olive oil and good quality balsamic vinegar. Annoint the baby then did the wafers in the mix and enjoy with a good chianti instead of the crap they usually serve.

I am POSITIVE I am in the minority here, but I always thought the wafers tasted good.

[Blitzen 0]

I am POSITIVE I am in the minority here, but I always thought the wafers tasted good.

 

If you tell me you like the wine too, then we'll know you're insane.

 

Seriously, let's have a little marketing acumen here: does the blood of a God HAVE to taste like low grade swill? Open the good stuff, serve it with good quality baguettes and foie gras (which could represent God's organs) and the churches will all be full on Sundays.

[Sho Nuff 720]

If you tell me you like the wine too, then we'll know you're insane.

 

Seriously, let's have a little marketing acumen here: does the blood of a God HAVE to taste like low grade swill? Open the good stuff, serve it with good quality baguettes and foie gras (which could represent God's organs) and the churches will all be full on Sundays.

 

Our church has some wafers, but usually you get the little wheat bread-like nuggets.

[peenie 1,915]

Don't refer to it in service? There are 3 scripture readings at every mass, and a Homily discussing that morning's Gospel reading.

Don't read it in the same manner? What? Do I read it right to left because I am Catholic?

 

bible is interpreted through the church and the bible isn't just some book that you carry with you everywhere and write all in refer to during service.

^^reread my quote. i specifically explained what i meant in the next sentence.

 

maybe you are not familiar with the protestant church so you don't understand that protestants take their bible to church and they open it and read it together. they spend a lot of time (depending on the branch as some are closer to the catholic church than others) sifting through the bible, where in the catholic church the service tends to be the same each week and any scripture is provided in the mass book. you do not need to bring the bible or open it although it may be provided there for you. the catholic service is very traditional. note how the priest has a very special ornate bible. that does not exist in the protestant church. everyone has the same simple bible.

 

in my day, reading the bible as a catholic was almost seen as a sin, as the bible was to be interpreted through the authorities of the church. remember, it was martin luther who translated the bible to make it accessible to the masses. the bible was in latin for goodness sakes! the church never wanted it so that the common person would be able to read it. hence the protestant church!

 

don't argue just to be an a$$hole. why would you even write that i thought you read from right to left? i'm almost positive that i've spent more time in and around the catholic church than you so it's an insult that you would even imply such a thing. i was replying in a serious manner you should be respectful enough not to be insulting especially on this topic.

[Sho Nuff 720]

^^reread my quote. i specifically explained what i meant in the next sentence.

 

maybe you are not familiar with the protestant church so you don't understand that protestants take their bible to church and the open it and read it together. they spend a lot of time (depending on the branch as some are closer to the catholic church than others) sifting through the bible, where in the catholic church the service tends to be the same each week and any scripture is provided in the mass book. you do not need to bring the bible or open it although it may be provided there for you. the service is very traditional and tends to be the same every sunday except for the reading of the scriptures. note how the priest has a very special ornate bible. that does not exist in the protestant church. everyone has the same simple bible.

 

in my day, reading the bible as a catholic was almost seen as a sin, as the bible was to be interpreted through the authorities of the church. remember, it was martin luther who translated the bible to make it accessible to the masses. the bible was in latin for goodness sakes! the church never wanted it so that the common person would be able to read it. hence the protestant church!

don't argue just to be an a$$hole.

 

Im quite familiar with it as I was married in a Presbyterian church and attend one at least twice per year with my wife (her family's church). In addition, after we were married we tried out several churches of several denominations before chosing the Catholic Church we now attend.

 

And there are plenty of people in the Catholic services I have been to in my life that have their Bible with them and take it out to follow the scripture.

And the mass book still has it printed in there (and yes, its the actual scripture).

The ornate Bible? Its bigger. Helps to read it when its not right in front of his face. Do you think him having that bigger "ornate" bible makes it somehow different than anyone elses bible?

Not sure where you were where people thought it was a sin. I grew up Catholic in Wisconsin and have remained for most of my years in Tennessee. Bible reading was never seen as a bad thing.

The Church I attend now has a group that does chaper a week readings and discussions.

Last time I checked, we are not in Martin Luther's day anymore. THings have changed.

And Im not arguing to be an a$$hole, Im arguing because you posted some ridiculous crap.

[wiffleball 4,789]

I am POSITIVE I am in the minority here, but I always thought the wafers tasted good.

 

My problem is Geebus always got stuck to the roof of my mouth. I spent the reminder of mass using my tongue to try and pry my Lord and Savior out from every nook and cranny of the top of my mouth, my teeth and gums - it was bad. I always felt that I shouldn't leave mass with parts of Christ stuck in my teeth. Really wish the church would've sanctioned some kind of 'Jesus Floss'.

[peenie 1,915]

Last time I checked, we are not in Martin Luther's day anymore. THings have changed.

And Im not arguing to be an a$$hole, Im arguing because you posted some ridiculous crap.

it's not ridiculous what i wrote. you going to a catholic church and you being catholic are two completely different things.

perhaps today it's different but when i was growing up what i said is true.

it may be the region, but as sure as i am here i am telling you that bible reading on your own was not embraced by the catholic church and in some places it remains that way today.

i would like the opinion of someone who is irish, italian or latino from the northeast to chime in on this.

we can agree to disagree, that doesn't give you the right to insult my opinion or to call what i wrote crap.

[wiffleball 4,789]

One of the biggest problems I had with Mass (other than Geebus sticking to the roof of my mouth) was this whole nonsense of reading the scripture to me - three different bible selections. Hell, I had those fockers read before the music even started. After you read the bulletin, check out the chicks - what else are you gonna do? My parents would always get mad that I'm not staring down at the book when the readings start. I'm thinking "WTF? #1) I've already READ the GD thing and #2) The Priest is reading it OUT LOUD right now! Jesus, it's like turning the subtitles on for an English speaking movie!!"

 

It's the same problem I had with many school courses. Why the fock do I have to sit here for an hour while Michael McSlowReader reads out of the same GD book that I have? I'd have teachers do the same thing - just read right out of the focking text. - Just like the Priest and the readers at mass.

 

- Couldn't this be say, assigned AHEAD of time? Let us read and reflect on this chit on our own time the week before? WTF? Are religous people all illiterate? No, it's just a stupid holdover from when the Catholic Priests used to read everything to us in latin with their backs turned to us. Back in the day before microphones, that must've been REALLY hard to project to the back pews.

 

But now, the books have readings RIGHT IN THEM! Give us the damn book, or tell us what to read at home the week before, we show up, you talk about it, we eat Christ and go home. Would've saved at least 20 minutes off the whole damn affair.

 

And the Protestants are no different. - Well they're different, but equally as stupid. Look numbnutz, do you think the Preacher's going to make chit up and PRETEND it's from the bible? Why the fock do you need to 'read along'? Look, either have us read ahead of time, or you read to us while we sit there, but just like High School History, there's absolutely NO focking point to BOTH of us reading the SAME thing at the SAME time!

 

 

 

Now, if you could kindly forward this on to the Pope and I dunno - Eddie Bauer or whomever the Protestants have in charge these days, I'd appreciate it.

[Savage Beast 1]

Growing up Catholic, I'd always heard Nuns refer to themselves as Brides of Christ or, Married to Christ.

 

And, growing up Catholic, I learned that Catholics believe very strongly in transubstantiation. That when we munch the wafer and the wine, we are actually eating the incarnate flesh and blood of Christ.

So, really a couple of questions:

1) Doesn't that make Geebus the biggest polygamist in the history of time?

 

2) Does that make all faithful Catholics canibals? And if so, when we go to Good Friday mass, aren't we breaking the whole "no meat on Fridays" rule?

tia.

 

Catholics don't understand the metaphorical language in the Bible, and take most of it to be literal instead of meatphorical.

 

Christ is not litrallly married to the Church, but he uses a man's deep loving relationship with his wif, as a example of how deeply he loves his Church. It's a relationship description, not a literal wedding with the church and it's people.

 

And the wine and the wafer is to be done to remember Christ and what his sacrifice on the cross meant for our sins, not a literal eating of flesh and blood. People who claim to be Christian need to start reading the Bible for all it's worth, and stop listening to what some crazy priest or preacher tells them it means and says.

[wiffleball 4,789]

Catholics don't understand the metaphorical language in the Bible, and take most of it to be literal instead of meatphorical.

 

Wow. You're pretty ignorant on the subject aren'tcha? Not just being mean, just sayin....

 

 

That's funny, because growing up Catholic, all the Baptists looked down the Catholics because we had the intellect to understand that bible is HUGELY metaphorical. ...Whilst the 'true believers' actually believed Noah packed his boat with 2 of every critter on the planet, God really created the earth in 7 days 2 million years ago, things like that. Catholics are the opposite of what you just said. You're thinking of "Fundamentalists". - Who are violently opposed to Catholics. - But you were close.

 

hth.

[Savage Beast 1]

Wow. You're pretty ignorant on the subject aren'tcha? Not just being mean, just sayin....

 

Nope. I've studied in detail every cult on the planet, and I know all about the Roman Catholic church and it's practices in idolatry, mother Marry, and patron saint worship.

[Rusty Syringes 478]

Wow. You're pretty ignorant on the subject aren'tcha? Not just being mean, just sayin....

That's funny, because growing up Catholic, all the Baptists looked down the Catholics because we had the intellect to understand that bible is HUGELY metaphorical. ...Whilst the 'true believers' actually believed Noah packed his boat with 2 of every critter on the planet, God really created the earth in 7 days 2 million years ago, things like that. Catholics are the opposite of what you just said. You're thinking of "Fundamentalists". - Who are violently opposed to Catholics. - But you were close.

 

hth.

 

Actually, I grew up in the Baptist church, and we looked down on Catholics for having to spend weeks of their lives in church every time the Pope passed gas.

 

[wiffleball 4,789]

Nope. I've studied in detail every cult on the planet, and I know all about the Roman Catholic church and it's practices in idolatry, mother Marry, and patron saint worship.

 

No. You obviously haven't. As you're first post reveals. You clearly confuse Catholics (based on metaphorical theology*) with Christian Fundamentalists (biblical literalists). And the two couldn't be any more fundamentally opposed than the Taleban and Las Vegas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Starting with the "You are the rock upon which I build my church" comment that sparked the whole Pope thing. The way Fundies read the bible, they'd actually be taking liturgical direction from an actual rock right now.

[Savage Beast 1]

No. You obviously haven't. As you're first post reveals. You clearly confuse Catholics (based on metaphorical theology*) with Christian Fundamentalists (biblical literalists). And the two couldn't be any more fundamentally opposed than the Taleban and Las Vegas.

*Starting with the "You are the rock upon which I build my church" comment that sparked the whole Pope thing. The way Fundies read the bible, they'd actually be taking liturgical direction from an actual rock right now.

 

The Rock is Christ, not Peter. HTH

[Sho Nuff 720]

it's not ridiculous what i wrote. you going to a catholic church and you being catholic are two completely different things.

perhaps today it's different but when i was growing up what i said is true.

it may be the region, but as sure as i am here i am telling you that bible reading on your own was not embraced by the catholic church and in some places it remains that way today.

i would like the opinion of someone who is irish, italian or latino from the northeast to chime in on this.

we can agree to disagree, that doesn't give you the right to insult my opinion or to call what i wrote crap.

 

Im 32 years old and grew up in Wisconsin, and we read the Bible then too.

Just as we do here in Tennessee.

Im telling you that you are full of it, that it may have been that way in the past (and by past I mean quite a while ago) but for all of my 32 years I have never been discouraged by anyone (Priest or otherwise) from reading my Bible or discussing it with our Catechists.

 

So, you can say I was just arguing to be an a$$hole but I cannot call your opinion crap? Nice double standard there.