There is no doubt that today's Catholics are much more Bible-literate than their ancestors. However, they are also much more liberal. Catholic Biblicism is thoroughly liberal and higher critical, having swallowed every lie of liberal Protestantism (ironically, in an attempt to distinguish themselves from Fundamentalist Protestants as well as to discredit the Bible as a religious guide).
What good does exposure to scripture do if one doesn't believe it? There are atheist higher critics who could run circles around almost any religious person (I should know; I was in a class taught by one), but what good does it do them? One could have a photographic memory and have the entire Bible imprinted on one's mind and still believe it's primitive nonsense (which is essentially what Catholics believe).
It's better to not read the Bible but to implicitly believe it than to read it and not believe it. The old, Biblically illiterate Catholics were infinitely preferable to today's "Biblically literate" ones.
here is no doubt that today’s Catholics are much more Bible-literate than their ancestors. However, they are also much more liberal.
As a Catholic I would change your sentence a little to say the Catholics who are more bible literate are more conservative, although some of the other Catholic population may be trending liberal.
gotta go
AMDG
“It’s better to not read the Bible but to implicitly believe it than to read it and not believe it”
Interesting statement. I’ve seen over the years, new babes in Christ having the experience of coming to personally astounding conclusions about their new born faith but being unsure about whether these inborn truths should be heeded...until they were shown in the scripture that yes they were on solid ground all the while, and that they should continue in their scriptures to grow in faith. It is a living testament to the work of the Holy Spirit, already having begun writing God’s word on their hearts. The Bible merely shows them where they are already on track, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Satan can quote scripture. He uses bits and pieces also. See where that gets him.
And the evidence, and even sanctioned notes , support much the latter.
Hey, it's a public forum and anyone who wishes to comment is welcome to do so.
Your points are very good and valid.
Thanks for the (as usual) excellent input.