Gallup poll: Catholics more unorthodox than Protestants

BeliefNet ^ | April 3, 2009 | Rod Dreher

[Alex Murphy]

This is a distressing new Gallup poll. It shows that churchgoing Catholics are far more likely to approve of moral behavior (sex between unmarried people, homosexuality, etc.) that their church deems immoral than are churchgoing Protestants.

This is a conundrum to me, one I thought about a lot when I was a Catholic, and troubled over. Why is it that Catholics have a Pope and a Magisterium -- a clear teaching authority -- as well as a complex, coherent and profoundly intellectual moral theology ... and yet these things, which ought to give it a tremendous advantage in maintaining the obedience of its flock, avail the Catholic Church little? It shouldn't be that way, logically, but it is in practice.

Lee Podles, an orthodox Catholic, has some thoughts.

[I wish I didn't have to say this, but I do: this is not an anti-Catholic post, but rather intended to spark discussion on various reasons why this poll found the things it did. As someone who would like to raise my children to believe in what my faith teaches, I'd like to know what works, and what doesn't. Anybody who tries to derail the thread by making specious claims of anti-Catholicism will find their posts unpublished. So don't even start.]

[Petronski]

I’m pointing out the quality of your contributions to the thread.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I’m pointing out the quality of your contributions to the thread.

That's all I was doing and you got your feewings hurt. I need improvement recognizing those with thinner skin. Will you please help me?

[Petronski]

My feelings are not hurt. I'm tagging your childish posts, noting the long-running pattern.

Your ad hominem attacks prove you have nothing better to contribute.

[fr_freak]

You must not continue to attack people on a personal level without seeing the bigger picture....frankly it makes you look like a heartless creep. People do need hand holding...even the Priests.

Eh? When did I attack you personally? Let me rephrase the sentence for you: "If you need one needs that kind of hand-holding, there's always the local clergy."

This is a discussion forum, and many sensitive topics often get discussed, with religion being one of the most sensitive. Text-only communication is imperfect in conveying the exact tone that one intends, and I try to respect to those who are respectful, but we can't walk on eggshells around here, afraid to say the truth for fear someone might take it the wrong way. You should not be so hypersensitive, especially if you are going to be criticizing someone else's church.

As for the rest of your post, I'm not sure what you're trying to get at, but I do get that you used to be a Catholic and now you have some kind of grudge against the Church. That's your choice, but you appear to have some unrealistic expectations of the Church, as if they have the responsibility to take care of you, rather than you taking care of yourself and using them as a spiritual guide.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

My feelings are not hurt. I'm tagging your childish posts, noting the long-running pattern. Your ad hominem attacks prove you have nothing better to contribute.

Wa wa wa. Mommy I'm a victim. lol.

[Petronski]

Your further “contribution” is noted.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Your further “contribution” is noted.

Mommy. He won't quit. :-)

[Petronski]

Your further contribution is noted.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Your further contribution is noted.

Wa wa wa. Mommy, how come he always gets the last word? lol.

[Petronski]

I’m be happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I’m be happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

Mommy, tell him to stop pickin' on me. Wa wa. lol.

[Petronski]

I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

Mommy. I'm being persecuted. Wa wa wa. He's a big bully. :-)

[Petronski]

I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

Petronski: "Wa wa wa",

Me: "Its okay Petro you're just a victim being persecuted by a big bully".

Is this helping your feelings any better Petro?

[Petronski]

I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.

[wmfights]

If it’s not going to follow Catholic teachings, it should no longer be called a Catholic college. It seems like the Bishops or those in charge want to keep that Catholic name on there, but don’t want to enforce adherence to Catholic doctrine.

It's a matter of numbers. If they enforce their doctrine many will leave, probably close to 50% if the election results serve as a dividing line. It's easier to turn a blind eye and keep the membership.

The older Evangelical churches should be an example for the RC's to learn from. In that case the older Evangelical churches turned a blind eye to the radical leftists that creeped in and then began "reinterpreting" Scripture. The end result is these churches are dying and more fundamentalist denominations, or non-denominational churches are growing. IOW, Christians leave a dead body and find fellowship with walking talking real Christians.

[luckystarmom]

“Christians leave a dead body and find fellowship with walking talking real Christians.”

This is worth repeating.

[wmfights]

Thank you.

[reaganaut]

So these non-Catholic people, interpret the Bible correctly and honestly. Pleas expand on that statement.

---

That was not an attack on Catholicism, merely a point. If you see my post #67, you will see I hold no enmity towards Catholics.

I meant exactly what I said. There are Protestant pastors who interpret the bible correctly and honestly. For example, my pastor carefully uses other Bible verses to show how he came to a certain interpretation. He checks the Greek and Hebrew words to make sure he is not misinterpreting something. He explains with historical background if necessary. He has no agenda other than to bring others closer to Jesus. He challenges us to be like the Bereans, searching the scriptures daily to see if what was said is true. And I take him up on it.

FWIW, My BA is in Biblical Studies. My MA is in Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern History, emphasis in Religion. I have several years training in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. I have the knowledge and tools to verify interpretations.

I am careful in my study of what any religious representative says, more so than most perhaps. I was duped once, when I was a teenager, into Mormonism. I have learned to be much more cautious so I am not duped again.