Liars on the internet.
Catholic bloggers are only voices - they are not the Church.
I think some bloggers are not what or who they say they are. I think a few seem to be Catholic, but they are not. Quite a few are protestant Catholics - commonly called ‘dissident Catholics’, or in some cases ‘rad-trads’ - they are both protestant however. I think bloggers who claim to be Catholic generally are Catholic, but many seem to lack experience and don’t really know what they are talking about when it comes to dogma, discipline, liturgy, tradition, prayer and spirituality, and all of that. Not a few bloggers are recent converts or born again Catholics - they go by the title, ‘reverts’. Some are simply misfits spouting off interpretations of things they may have studied in the past few years. (And some lie.) But, like I said, many are in their first fervor and haven’t much more than a clue as to what living from faith is really all about. Some are even self-proclaimed mystics with a private message from God. Promoting oneself is usually a good sign of at least vanity, if not deceit.
There are a lot of strangers out there blogging - be really, really careful. (Maybe I should do a list?)
Art: “Ship of Fools” - Bosch
March 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Well put, my sentiments exactly!
March 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I think you should do a list, and you should ALWAYS be CAREFUL when communicating with someone on-line.
Gosh, I sure hope my name is not on the list of heathens! LOL!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I won’t encourage you to write a list, my name might just be on it….
March 13th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
“Maybe I should do a list?”
A collective shudder reverberates through cyberspace. Why not?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
quivering lip….
you talking about me dude ?
[one fat tear!!!]
March 13th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
So true, but frankly, Ter, if ANYONE is getting their religious instruction from any place other than the Church (meaning the CCC, the Fathers, Scripture, etc.) then they’re putting themselves in a mighty dangerous situation.
Bloggers (be they Catholic, Mormon, Cubs fans, Chicagoans, whatever) DO NOT speak for the organization or the whole. They are just relating their opinions and their experiences. Some are likely intentionally trying to mislead because they are bad people. Some are just ill-informed.
But NONE should be taken seriously (too seriously) with regard to something as important as the Faith.
I think there’s an implied disclaimer on any blog. “I don’t speak with authority on any subject unless I specifically state that I speak with authority on it. And even then, caveat emptor. You don’t know me. If you put weight in what I say, you’re putting your faith in a keyboard, nothing more.”
March 13th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Dear Terry,
I pray I am not leading people astray as I blog.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
If I dared do a list - it would only be my opinion, to make others laugh.
I was rather crabby today - that’s all.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Good idea. Maybe everyone who blogs regarding Catholic teaching should write a Disclaimer - what do you think? I seem to recall even some canonized saints have been wrong at times.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Hhhhm, a list would be interesting …
March 14th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I try to be very, very careful when stating anything the church teaches and reference it to the CCC.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Terry,
I like it when you are crabby. You do your best stuff when in a mood!
Let’s not be too hard on converts and reverts. Many leave because they find cradles dismissive of either them or the teachings of the Church that drew them to her.
I think we just need to engage them in some real conversation.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Ter: You stinker! You are on to me!
March 14th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
The truth or lack thereof is a matter of discernment for everyone no matter what they read or where they read it. Let the reader beware at all times. Poorly catechized folks have a right to blog - it helps to remember what a blog is, a web-log and any person of varying intelligence can spout about anything they wish. A list might be entertaining, but we all have the responsibility to discern what we read - Amen+
March 14th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Do a list! Do a list!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Terry:
Oh, sigh, I’m a convert 2002–am I on your list? Oh, sigh! All the comments make me think of the Last Supper when Jesus said, “one of you will betray Me.” All the Apostles said, it isn’t me Lord is it? Please do a list of those NOT on your list!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Tara - Heavens No! I was just venting about something - I have no list - and anyone on my blogroll would be exempt anyway. LOL!