Posts Tagged ‘church’

I thought this was reserved for big bloggers

Monday, November 17th, 2008

I have a confession to make, I’ve been publishing some of my musings in the UR, as Op/Ed pieces, because that’s kind of what they are. As a result, I’ve gotten some email in response to my post on the symbolism in the Catholic Church.

Names have been withheld, so as not to infuriate people

The next time you write an Op/Ed about something, it would be nice if you had just an inkling about what you are writing. If you are going to write about the Knights of Columbus, please, take just a moment to at least get acquainted with them. Truly, your ignorance was quite evident. If nothing else, read their boiler plate on any one of their press releases. That will give you an idea of the good they do in the world. You’d have to search far and wide to find an organization that does more in the name of charity than the Knights of Columbus. Here, I’ll give you a hand: http://www.kofc.org

Your liturgical knowledge is lacking as well, but that takes a bit more to understand than looking into an organization. Try going to Mass a bit more, you may come to understand it, and in-turn appreciate it.

You really do owe us knights an apology.

And another….

To think a supposed educated man could make such uninformed comments about the Knights of Columbus is amazing. The Knights give millions to charities and give many millions of volunteer hours to help the less fortunate. You see the patriotic degree with the capes and swards this is the ceremonial garb to honor our priests. Our 4 aspects Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism we love our God and country and believe with out God you see the decline of our country not from the President but from political correctness leaving God out of your lives. We Knights have HIM in our lives and hearts and we are successful all 1.7 million of us. Your views are your right and as a retired military man I put my life on the line to give it to you. As a Knight of Columbus your right to be wrong is also your right.
When you go to your reward your judge will be GOD not a politician. Bless you and you will be in my prayers for conversion.

It seems as though I have angered some people by suggesting that the Knights of Columbus be disbanded.

Prior to the first response by one of the Knights, I acknowledge that I knew very little about the Knights of Columbus, despite being raised in a Catholic family. I was unaware as to the amount of charitable acts and donations the Knights of Columbus participate in. Having been raised Catholic, and this may have been specific to the parish I was raised in, I was never made aware as to what the Knights of Columbus did, or what purpose of the organization had, only that the organization existed. I was led to believe that the Knights of Columbus was a way for laymen to get more involved in the Catholic Church without taking on the commitment of vocation.

Upon being directed to some resources as to what the Knights of Columbus do, I was surprised by the amount of charity work the Knights of Columbus, as a worldwide organization, does. In hindsight, it does seem as though dissolution of the Knights of Columbus would be a step backwards if the end goal is to further charity and social justice work through the Catholic Church, which was the intended premise of my article.

I did not mean to offend anyone, merely point out that some of the symbolism of one specific church, although I’m sure it applies to others, seems to stand in opposition to some of the core tenets of Catholicism. I acknowledge, in hindsight, that I should not have purported the dissolution of an organization I wasn’t entirely aware of what the purpose was. Instead, I should have looked into the organization more thoroughly, before entirely passing judgement as to the superfluity of the organization.

I will say that I still do not agree with many of the practices of the Catholic church, and I still do think that the decoration of the Knights of Columbus does still seem to stand in contrast with the Catholic teaching of peace. However, I did not intend my article as an affront to the Catholic Church, or as a slap in the face to the Knights of Columbus.

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Catholic musings

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

I don’t normally attend church, but this weekend my grandparents were in town, and I felt like I should go to Mass with them, if only because they wanted to. So, I went to the Saturday evening Mass, at the Catholic church near my uncle’s house. I haven’t attended a Catholic Mass since Christmas last year, and I don’t consider myself Catholic, despite being raised Catholic when I was living with my parents.

There are a number of things that bug me about the Catholic church, and a variety of policies that I entirely don’t agree with, but that’s not really the premise of this writing. Instead, I’d like to comment on the things that I noticed only at this one Mass. I’ll make connections to past experiences, shouldy be deemed necessary.

The first thing that I noticed as soon as I walked in was the ornatity of the church. This is a brand new building, as two parishes were merged together. Now, I understand wanting your place of worship/security/calmness/what-have-you to be aesthetically appealing, but I think there are levels of excess. This wa a very large church, and relatively plain, compared to some of the churches I’ve seen. However, while most of the church was plain, the entire altar area was incredibly ornate. There were four pillars surrounding the altar, made out of what appeared to be marble. That’s expensive stuff! I don’t entirely care if people are speding money in what I consider disgusting ways, but one of the core tenets of the Catholic Church (or, at least this is what I was taught) is helping those who are not as well off as you. I can understand needing a new church, that part makes sense to me. However, There is absolutely nothing stopping the Catholics from building a church, leaving out all the pillars, leaving out the enormous crucifix (I think is what they call it) hanging above the altar, leaving out the cushioned kneelers, and just using a bare-bones building. This would free up a lot of fund-raised money, thereby allowing more social justice stuff to be done.

The secod thing that bugged me was the Knights of Columbus. Specifically, the fact that they were dressed up in these costumes, with fluffy hats, capes, and ornamental swords. Swords! Now, maybe my pacifist parents sheltered me from the innate violence that the Knights of Columbus seem to have, but it seems as though this goes against traditional Catholic/christian teaching of “turning the other cheek” when someone attacks you. These men looked as though they were dressed to go battle (albeit a battle against the three musketeers, but a battle nonetheless).

Even the term suggests violence ‘Knights of Columbus’. That is, Columbus’ Knights. Knights for Columbus, etc. etc. Are these ‘Knights’ the kind that walk on the outside of the sidewalk so all the fecal matter on the streets doesn’t get on the ladie their walking with? Or are these the ones that jump onto horses at the first sign of trouble, and go and ‘take care’ of the trouble maker?

Overall, it seems as though the symbolism of things in the Catholic church seemed to go against the teachings of the Catholic Church. Maybe it’s not a big deal, because when you go to church you’re supposed to be in a spiritual place, and your surroundings don’t matter. If that’s the case, why are the surroundings so ornate? Ultimately the Catholic Church can do what they want, but it seems to me that the teachings and the practice are at odds with each other.

If I had any sway, I would advocate getting rid of the Knights of Columbus, and using the money from collections and fund raising to do some good in the world, instead of allowing a suburban church to spend money on things that seem to go against their belief system. Just my thoughts.

-JTS

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