[tiki]

it’s a well-documented fact that only scholars cross the Tiber towards Rome, and only uneducated hicks cross the other way)

It seemed to me that he was implying, with tongue in cheek, that that was the opinion of Catholics. IOW, that Catholics like to think that only brilliant scholars find the Church and only people who are idiot, know-nothings would ever leave and so that also implies that non-scholars would never consider becoming Catholic as a matter of faith.

uneducated hicks that get educated

Well, you have to know and assent to what you believe but you still don't have to be a scholar. You don't have to read the early fathers, you don't have to know the whole history of the church, you just have to know what it believes and assent to that belief.

[GoLightly]

It seemed to me that he was implying, with tongue in cheek, that that was the opinion of Catholics. IOW, that Catholics like to think that only brilliant scholars find the Church and only people who are idiot, know-nothings would ever leave and so that also implies that non-scholars would never consider becoming Catholic as a matter of faith.

I agree.

Well, you have to know and assent to what you believe but you still don't have to be a scholar. You don't have to read the early fathers, you don't have to know the whole history of the church, you just have to know what it believes and assent to that belief.

What happens with those who don't know & can't assent? Think we're supposed to send them away hungry?