On the other hand, I ran into something at Mass that sounded interesting enough to pass along. I sure hope I got this straight.
Sin, Guilt, and Not being a Bible-Thumper
I grew up in a place and time where much of the stock in trade of 'radio preachers' was sin, guilt, numerology, 'end times prophecy,' and more guilt and sin. That helped me learn to love rock and roll - and that's another topic.Catholicism isn't - as far as I can tell - about making folks feel so awful that they'll go out and buy a book about how the world's going to end in four or five years.
On the other hand, my faith isn't one of those 'feel-good' religions.
I recently heard a priest say that one of the few things that contemporary culture thinks we should feel guilty about is - feeling guilty. He's got a point, although I get the impression that we're supposed to feel guilty about carbon footprints, having children and fur seals - and that's a whole mess of other topics.
Guilt Trip, No; Getting Real, Yes
I think that what we called 'guilt trips' in the sixties isn't a good idea. I also think that it's daft to assume that we shouldn't recognize that "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)Does that mean that I should wallow in anguish and sorrow, beat my head against the wall, and scream like a banshee?
I really don't think so. (Romans 3:24-31, for starters)
On the other hand, I think it might be a good idea to reflect on what I have been, work on what I am now, and hope for joy in what I may become.
Not-entirely-unrelated posts:
- "Demons aren't Dull"
(November 30, 2010) - "Studying the Bible: Carefully"
(November 16, 2010) - "Well, That's Interesting: Benedict XVI and the Bible"
(April 27, 2010) - "Being Counter-Cultural: I am Not Now, Nor Have I Ever Been, a Hippie"
(January 12, 2010) - "Modesty: Living in Balance"
(August 16, 2009)
No comments:
Post a Comment