As a committed Catholic Christian, I often get asked how the Church feels about other religions. From my personal experience, the people I get along with best at work are the Hindus. Firstly, they don't think I'm crazy for being religious. And the woman who sits next to me likes the chance to share her faith with an American who doesn't think she is crazy either. She invites me to the temple and tells me about how God is One, and the other demi-gods, and I love to talk about it. I did major in Religious Studies after all.
But the most profound thing she said to me is that her Hindu faith teaches that all those who study and follow
their own scriptures are equally following God. She emphasizes that you really have to follow it as it is written. She doesn't mean the pick-and-choose style of faith. Interesting.
That's how she feels about other religions: so how does the Catholic Church as a whole feel about other religions? Let me quote the Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium (Light of the Nations). Though these are a tad out of order...
1. "This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him."
2. "Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines."
3. "Nor is God remote from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, since he gives to all men life and breath and all things (cf. Acts 17:2528), and since the Savior wills all men to be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4)."
4. "[Of others]
Whatever good or truth is
found amongst them is considered by the Church to be a preparation for
the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may
at length have life."
5. "Throughout history even to the present day, there is found among different peoples a certain awareness of a hidden power, which lies behind the course of nature and the events of human life....This awareness and recognition results in a way of life that is imbued with a deep religious sense."
6. "Thus in Hinduism men explore the divine mystery and express it both in the limitless riches of myth and the accurately defined insights of philosophy. They seek release from the trials of the present life by ascetical practices, profound meditation and recourse to God in confidence and love."
7. "Buddhism in its various forms testifies to the essential inadequacy of this changing world. It proposes a way of life by which men can with confidence and trust, attain a state of perfect liberation and reach supreme illumination either through their own efforts or by the aid of divine help."
9. "So. too, other religions which are found throughout the world attempt in their own ways to calm the hearts of men by outlining a program of life covering doctrine, moral precepts and sacred rites."
10. "
The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men."
11. "Yet she proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 1:6). In him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself (2 Cor. 5:18-19), men find the fullness of their religious life."
12. "The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the bidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they worship Jesus as a prophet, his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of
judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.
Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values."
13.
"The Church therefore, urges her sons to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, also their social life and culture."
What's the take away message? The Church respects the truth and good that comes from many religions, but affirms that the most correct way is through Christ.
Obviously, we wouldn't practice our religion if we didn't think it was best. So that aside, I think this is pretty fair-handed. There are lots of opportunities for engaging in substantive dialogue with those of other faiths.
What do you think of Catholic Church's take on world religions? What is your take on other religions? Is anyone in your life willing to engage in real conversation about it?
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Comments (27)
I like this,
I think it's a good and solid stance to take.
There is some truth in other religions. Even Paul quoted from a pagan poet when speaking to the men of Athens. But the fullness of truth is found in Christ and none other.
I like how CS Lewis put it, that other religions have pieces of the truth even if it's not the whole truth
I agree with what everyone else has put so far...I'm not Catholic, but I agree that most of the world's religions have some truth (or truths). I wish Christians would be much more accepting of people from other religions. Christianity is about peace, love and acceptance. It's a shame that more Christians don't follow this example.
I tend to enjoy speaking with folks of different belief systems. Since I've studied all the world's major belief systems and most of the minor ones, those discussions tend to be pretty respectful on both sides because I can relate to their beliefs.
I think we should recognize differences as well as similarities. Glossing over obvious contradictions can give the impression that we haven't seriously listened to the other person's position. If I think mine is the only true religion, and someone else thinks theirs is the only true religion, then it makes no sense for someone to say that we are all correct (though it's possible we are all wrong). I admire people who have the courage to come to my front door (or Xanga page) to share their faith. I don't feel obligated to invite them in, but I'll take whatever literature they have to offer and then politely tell them that I currently disagree with their position. I see no need to be rude or demeaning. I hope they would feel the same if I ever ended up at their front door. (Don't worry: I probably won't.) I enjoy reading about other people's beliefs, even when I think they are totally wrong. I see great value in trying to understand where each of us is coming from.
I think this Catholic Church's take on other religions is a very good thing. I will add a bit to that in a moment but first a couple other thoughts.
I'm happy that you have had the experience working with Hindus that you have had. Many people don't have the opportunities to work with people of different cultures or religious backgrounds. How many times I still hear people dismissing Hinduism as polytheistic when it is actually monotheistic. People too often base their opinions on heresay and a lack of knowledge about what they are speaking.
Practitioners of every religion believe theirs to be the right way to God. Christians are not alone in that but there are many people found in every religion who nonetheless respect and honor the religions of others, understanding the integrity of each in much the same way as we understand that every spoken language has its integrity even though the words are foreign.
Here is where I would add value to the stance of the Vatican without diminishing any part of that stance. I have studied many religions over many years. I also have many close and wonderful friends from all over the world and from numerous religious backgrounds. I have found so much goodness and saintliness amongst all backgrounds of people. It's been eye-opening. Coming from a Christian background myself I found the study of other religions to be as eye-opening. I found clarification of many of the teachings in the Bible through the explanations offered by other religions. In every religious scripture there are concepts that are steeped in mystery or not clearly explained, sometimes due simply to translation. One doesn't have to click on but 2 or 3 discussions here at Revelife or any other religious website to find even people of the same faith are in disagreement. On many occasions I have clearly realized the meaning of something in the Bible only after having read something in another scripture pertaining to the same issue. This has served to more than just clarify specific concepts for me with those "oooooh that's what you mean" moments but more importantly it has shown me that various religions teach the same thing. This in turn serves as affirmation in much the same way as a scientific discovery is more strongly affirmed the more that other scientists come to the same conclusion. It has been awe-inspiring. On the other side of the coin, to demonize other religions simply because they are "other" is a great loss for all who do so.
People argue the fact that because Christ is The Way all other religious faiths are negated. Jesus spoke to the ills of society in his day and shone a light on the path to the Truth of life. To say or acknowledge that other great Sages have done the same in other places and at different times in no way belittles the teachings of Jesus. If anything others substantiates those very teachings. All of the fighting and bickering, the verbal holy wars between people who haven't seen that fundamental truths are the same everywhere is disheartening.
"What's the take away message? The Church respects the truth and good that comes from many religions, but affirms that the most correct way is through Christ."
You said it perfectly. But I'm not sure you recognized the irony and hypocrisy in that idea.
The Church puts on a facade of acceptance and respect although it arrogantly believes its own religion to be the "most correct" one. Why don't they just admit it outright? Why can't they just say, "We think we're right and you're wrong"? Sidestepping it and commenting on other religions' cute little "riches of myth," "attempt[s]... to calm the hearts of men," "preparations for the Gospel" and their possesion of a (singular) "ray of truth" is condescending and arrogant at best. Just look at their word usage (especially the emboldened terms)!
They're not speaking to equals. They're patronizing those they see as inferior.
If the Church REALLY believes that their religion is the only way "men find the fullness of their religious life," they need to admit it -- without the frilly patronizing of other religions -- and face the inevitable criticism they'll receive (and deserve).
@Starry_eyed_gypsy@xanga -
That is actually NOT what Christianity is about. It is about recognizing that we are sinful, as a group we turned on God, the one who created us, and Christ died to atone for that. Everything else is peripheral to those facts. Peace, love, and acceptance is our cooperation with what Christ gave to us.@Venca@xanga - "If the Church REALLY believes that their
religion is the only way "men find the fullness of their religious
life," they need to admit it -- without the frilly patronizing of other
religions -- and face the inevitable criticism they'll receive (and
deserve)."
Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it. - Paragraph 846, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, quoting from Lumen Gentium.
That clear enough for you?
@Megan - Their message is perfectly clear to begin with. I'm just saying they ought to lose the condescending fluff located specifically in the Vatican's "Lumen Gentium," and instead be blunt about how they think they're the only true religion.
@Venca@xanga - Why do people deserve to be criticized for thinking their faith is true and is the only true faith? Does everyone have to believe that there is no such thing as objective truth? Meaning your "truth" takes precedence over the truth that others believe.
@Venca@xanga - Do you not think your beliefs are the true ones? Otherwise, we wouldn't hold them.
This is not to say that truth is incommensurable, but a statement about ourselves. Truth does not change.
Anyway, I'm not sure why you'd say it was contradictory to believe that one way is right, but that there is still good in other ways. For instance, if you are Democrat, typically you believe that the Democrats are right, otherwise you wouldn't be one. At the same time, there might be some aspects of Republican political philosophy that you think are good.
Or maybe, we should not respect those who disagree with us at all?
@Megan - "Why do people deserve to be criticized for thinking their faith is true and is the only true faith?"
Because no one, thus far in human history, has been able to prove that their religion is the ultimate truth. So to assert that one's religion is the ultimate truth, without providing any solid evidence for it, is foolish and deserving of criticism.
"Does everyone have to believe that there is no such thing as objective truth? Meaning your "truth" takes precedence over the truth that others believe."
Your statement makes no sense. I never said that "my truth" should take precedence over what others believe. And when did I ever say that not believing in objective truth is a part of my personal truth? I have no idea where you got this.
@StephanieP - I don't really have "beliefs," especially not in anything remotely spiritual or supernatural. I simply accept reality for what it is. I accept that the sky is blue and that the grass is green. I make no assumptions from there regarding major questions about reality (i.e., "how did we come to exist?" "what controls the universe?" etc.). I accept that we only have so much evidence gleaned from scientific research, and that much remains to be found. But jumping to conclusions without evidence is foolish -- it is void of reason and logic. This is why I dismiss faith.
"I'm not sure why you'd say it was contradictory to believe that one way is right, but that there is still good in other ways."
I was saying that it's hypocritical to claim to "respect" other religions when it's clear the Church is patronizing them and viewing them as inferior. Their actions reflect this. For example -- the Lumen Gentium says, "Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, perserve an encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, also their social life and culture."
This has got to be a joke. It's got to be.
I mean -- Christians?? Preserving the ways of life of non-Christians?? That would explain why the Church continues to send out missionaries to squash out indigenous religions and cultures. It would also explain why the Church consistently shoves its anti-condom-usage and anti-birth-control policies down the throats of various African cultures who might otherwise strive to prevent overpopulation and HIV/AIDS transmission. That would explain why they indoctrinate children into Christianity before they even have a chance to become non-Christian.
And on .. and on ... and on ...
it just sounds like pandering. you can be as compassionate as you want... in the end, you think that someone like me (an agnostic) is going to burn in Hell for eternity. saying it nicely doesn't make me feel more comfortable.
I find other religions fascinating. I consider myself a fairly liberal Catholic. My basis is in what I raised on but as I grew older I started taking ideas from other religions and creating my own beliefs. I think we need to be more open minded these days. The closed mindedness is what keeps people away from taking any religion.
Catholic popes and the Church in general, take an incredible amount of flak for what happened centuries ago. Yet the writings of the popes are generally nothing less than incredible as Lumen Gentium illustrates quite nicely.
I LOVE number 11, though it is a pretty tall order! We are duty bound to do so, but we need so much grace and help to do it charitably.
@TheNewSeminarian - I am SO friending you!!!!!
@SexyGamerGirl@xanga - Hooray! Another Catholic Xangan!!
And yet the Catholic church wants people to
believe that it is the only true representant of
Christianity and protestants are the heretics - for refusing to mix
biblical Christianity with human made traditions!
I agree with all of this.
@Megan -
Yes, you are right; however, one cannot boil the facts down to just that either. Christianity was created and developed over a thousand years (remember the Jews and the entire Old Testament?). I certainly agree with your point, but since Christ did die for us, that was an act of love was it not? So in reality, I think we're both right.
@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own
free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called "hell."
Basically, Hell is an existence entirely separated from God and his followers. Since it seems you have no desire to be in communion with God or his followers, you actually might feel quite at home in a vaguely ethereal state of separation from them. The afterlife could work out really well for you.
@Nous_Apeiron@xanga - how can i claim to be interested in communion with a being when i'm not sure that being exists? that's like a guy i've never met saying i'm not interested in dating him.
and if God wants to punish me for that... well, that certainly does make me less interested in even finding out whether He exists, let alone whether i want to be a follower. Christians seem to work from the assumption that every non-Christian has had a clear encounter with God and knowingly rejected Him. it's ignorance at its finest, in my opinion. why is it so difficult to realize that MANY non-Christians would probably be Christian if they had the right experiences with the religion? if anything, shouldn't it be God's responsibility to make sure He reveals Himself in ways all of us can comprehend, so that we might actually be given a clear choice?
personally, i don't think my own expectations are all that ludicrous. if anything, God has shown that He's not really interested in communing with me, either.
@too_pretty_to_die@xanga - This is exactly what I was thinking...I don't understand the need to sugarcoat it. It's just so superficial to me.