Fr. Robert Barron's Word On Fire - Fr. Barron comments on "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"

John

Nicely said.

1/18/2012 2:35:49 PM

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colleen

Amen - great job

1/18/2012 2:55:04 PM

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Rosemary

Thank you. The entire time I was watching this video a few weeks ago I was thinking, I wish Fr. Barron would respond to these comments. Now I know some facts to defend the Church when others bring this video up.

1/18/2012 2:59:26 PM

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Chesire11

I’ve always found the idea of spirituality minus religion, or in this case, Jesus minus religion to be an especially shallow if not outright vapid modern conceit. Man was created a social being and even the most introverted among us expresses the most important aspects of our humanity in social contexts. Our highest calling is to love and so, in our families, we imitate a Creator who, in the Holy Trinity expresses unity through the interplay of three persons. Artists create for audiences; people band together into tribes and nations – communities that allow us to amplify ourselves in communion with others to reach beyond the limits of our own individuality, and in so doing, we realize greater accomplishment and greater humility. We educate ourselves in schools and universities, exploring creation through dialogue with peers. In a million, million ways, every worthwhile endeavor in which we invest ourselves is pursued socially. So what possible sense does it make to take the single MOST vital aspect of our humanity, namely our relationship with God (which was restored in the context of a society of Apostles and disciples) and insist that it alone is best pursued within the limits of the self?

Fixation upon the individual represents a fetishization of the self and a rejection of the other, which is inimical to love. Insisting upon purely individual, personal expression of an ill defined “spirituality” confesses a deep mistrust of others and prideful assertion of superiority over our fellow believers. It fractures Christian unity and in making “every man a church” tempts us, through sloth or pride to allow ego to gradually supplant an ever more abstracted notion of God in our own private liturgies.

1/18/2012 3:03:56 PM

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Adrian

Father Barron has noted before how "modern" Protestantism is. How the emphasis on self fits right in with the path the world, especially the rich countries, is on. I remember various news outlets adoringly replaying Steve Jobs commencement address at Stanford after Mr Jobs death.I listened for myself and heard a bland attack on "dogma" and an aggrandizement of the new dogma, worship of self. Most people i know who rely on the old saw "spiritual but not religious"cant help but utter the phrase with a sneer.

1/18/2012 4:03:27 PM

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Patric

This was very well said. Thank you!

1/18/2012 4:16:08 PM

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SAA

Thank you, Fr. Barron. I can see why people were hoping you'd respond. HOWEVER! to all of you whose wish came true, we'd better learn how to explain for ourselves!

I actually got in a tiff with my sister over this video. I'm learning a bit of Church history for the first time and the video made my skin crawl. She saw it from her own experience of people calling themselves religious that acted far less than Christ-like toward her when she was in need (and they weren't Catholic). She does NOT have that background and has been out of the Catholic Church for decades.

I pray we can all continue a patient, peaceful dialogue motivated by charity lest we all be a bunch of noisy gongs all over the country.

Thanks again.

1/18/2012 4:21:38 PM

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Annie

Thank you, Father. I have been waiting for your response about this video.

1/18/2012 4:51:40 PM

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JohnE

How does one receive truth when they have "spirituality" divorced from religion? Essentially, truth becomes whatever the individual decides it to be. Religion (and I would even go so far to say wrong religion) is at least an attempt to receive objective truth rather than manufacture one's own subjective "truth". Without proper discernment and the confirmation of the authority of the Church, we are only speaking to ourselves and arrogantly calling it the voice of the Holy Spirit.

1/18/2012 5:13:07 PM

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Sister Margaret Obrovac, FSP

Right on, Fr. Barron--as usual! If anyone would like a slightly different (though not contrary) take on this, go to the Daughters of St. Paul blog post, "Spiritual, But Not Religious" at http://paulinefaithways.blogspot.com/2012/01/spiritual-but-not-religious.html.

1/18/2012 5:48:19 PM

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Peter

Once again, Father Barron, you hit the nail squarely on the head. Essentially, you gave voice and YOUTUBE presence to my experience with Evangelicals.

My family have nearly all abandoned the Faith for "Big Box Evangelical Mega-World" (years ago) but if I say today: "Your religion proposes "X"". they are very quick and adamant to tell me they have NO RELIGION but a RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

Which is dandy if it's based on His ENTIRE revelation of Jesus, which it is not. Their Church becomes a fellowship, not a Church, of like minded persons.

I have cultivated relationships with their friends (my children are adults) foreign and domestic through FACEBOOK, etc. Universally the Evangelical posts on the FACEBOOK Info section: "Religion: Follower of Jesus" or just "Jesus", no credal identification.

That's the take of this young guy in the video. When the moral life of a person evolves from his own opinion of Jesus teachings, generally selectively, modern Evangelicalism results.

And is it wrong to divorce and remarry? No, not if you feel bad about it.

Is it wrong to have premarital sex? Well, it's not the best thing in the world but we're saved so it's OK, Jesus understands.

Does Jesus really mean: "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you?" Well, those are just exhortations to belive he's the Messiah.

Oy vey!

1/18/2012 5:54:40 PM

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Fred

thank you, Fr. Well said.

1/18/2012 7:31:35 PM

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Jeff

Thank you so much Father! Jesus came to save us each individually. But only together, through our love of each other and in unity with the Holy Spirit can we transform this world to be in communion with Heaven. We do not individually re-create Easter, and we cannot. But the Church can, and does at every Mass. Jesus chose to be Baptized. Why? To show us the way of love and sacraments. His first miracle set the stage for his continuing sacrament to us, which he completed on the Cross. And the Last Supper --- was a clear guide to us to be together, with and in Him. How can we love Jesus and not the Church he built. One cannot take a sacrament alone. And when we die, the Church, our Religion, will carry on the life of Christ for our children and grandchildren. This is a gift, which should never die through the sins of individual men.

1/18/2012 7:57:35 PM

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Marty

Fr. Thank you for a well reasoned criticism of this video. Very true the young man has a shallow understanding about what religion is and it function in building and carrying a community of faithful to the right worship of God and his Son as well as teaching the faith how one is to live that faith through ones work. In the end he advocates a very selfish lonely Christianity.

What hasn't yet been answered is what is to be done in the face of this sentiment. I teach high school religion at a well grounded Catholic school and I hear this poem recited in as many different words as there are students. many adults and young adults would use these words to say why they have left the Catholic Church to go to a mega-church where they feel fed in faith and actually boast of how much more charitable/mission work they do now compared to what happened in their former parish. Who they would almost immediately say that the pastor too often was asking for money and pledges to prop up and old and often corrupt hierarchy. Please know I am not making this claim, it is the one I hear though much to often.

I am sorry to say your words and in different ways they have been my words will not change their minds, will not touch their hearts, will not lead them back to the Sacraments and Liturgy.

Some will say they need to be educated more,. tell me what teaching have they not heard? Some will say we need to return to the days before vatican II when catholics knew who they were, were obedient, and remained within the immigrant world of the city churches. Those days have long passed. More hierarchy, more Latinesque language, more so called "rules" only convince them they should be more spiritual. On the other hand more loose, touchy feely, pop/hippie 70's experimental Catholicism appears just as shallow to them and void of good work and direction in life. The is the face of much of American Catholicism.

What is the solution? Everyone knows the problem, this young man just articulates it.

Fr. you make a strong case that jesus came to fulfill religion, but he came to fulfill the law. Are you saying they are the same? The Kingdom is here now Just not yet. Will our Church help build the Kingdom or be a stumbling block. We need to listen and bring them back. How?

1/18/2012 8:06:10 PM

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Aaron H

This is a great poem that responds at those claims. It was created by a Catholic priest.

http://on-this-rock.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-video-response-to-anti-catholic.html

1/18/2012 10:13:35 PM

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learysdad

By Grace I am saved...by good works I am rewarded...there are no hovels in heaven...no empty cups...no tarnished crowns. My good work on Earth begins after belief in and acceptance of Jesus as my Savior...only then do I want to do the will of the Father rather than my own will...Humbleness replaces Pride...Obedience replaces Rebellion...and so forth...I believe the will of God is that I should work to bring souls to Him (Love God... Love Neighbor)... I can only do this by first being saved by Grace.

1/19/2012 5:29:35 AM

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proscientia

Hi Father Barron,
it seems that Mr. Jefferson is just against the abuses. See this exchange with a Christian Reformed Minister.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/14/following-up-on-the-jesusreligion-video/

1/19/2012 6:51:20 AM

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Rick

Fr Baron,

You have a very interesting take on this. I enjoyed Kevin DeYoung's response, as he spoke to the young man and presented a very balanced response. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/13/does-jesus-hate-religion-kinda-sorta-not-really/

1/19/2012 9:18:17 AM

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Marisa Casagrande

Dear Fr. Baron,

I love to hear your thoughts and could not agree with you more on this one. But I would add that if the Catholic church wants to evangelize, than it must find a way to engage with this "simplistic," yet pervasive, argument. Growing in faith often emerges from a daily set of practices. All faith traditions depend on a set of practices which may vary in terms of how they relate to institutions. The Catholic church offers a rich history of practices designed to deepen one's faith, but it must do a much better job of articulating the deeper spiritual value of these practices, so that the emphasis (in people's minds) shifts from institutions to spirituality. A yoga studio, a hindu temple, an ashram....these are all forms of institutions, but they do not carry the same weight of association. I think there may be some deeper lessons to be learned from this utube video.

1/19/2012 10:18:18 AM

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Kris van Hansening

Fr. Barron

Surely your comments on Luther and justification contradict the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" by the Lutheran World Federation
and the Catholic Church?

1/19/2012 10:38:02 AM

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Francis DeSales

Thanks Father.

Your analysis, in a way, is too kind. But you are always kind so I don't fault you!

The video, and the thinking behind it, is representative of an intellectual weakness, even a dumbness, that is sweeping America. It says we can have faith with no institution in which to practice it. A one-hour Antropology course will inform the student that no human effort survives without organization, structure, and rules.

If someone said he liked baseball, but just not when it is played by teams, people would laugh. If he said he liked political philosophy but did not like organized political parties, we would laugh. But he says he loves Jesus but hates religion, and 13 million people in their pajamas say, "Yeah, Dude, right on...No Rules!"

Saturated with trivia, modern men and women are actually getting dimmer.

1/19/2012 11:02:22 AM

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Bennett

Someone already noted that Kevin DeYoung has replied to Mr. Bethke here, and the young man showed himself to be very teachable and humble. Like a lot of kids, he put his YouTube mouth in motion before his brain was fully in gear, and he's acknowledged that. So there's already a major victory for maturity on this one.

Saying that you "love Jesus" but "hate religion" just seems so much like saying that I "love my wife" but "hate being married to her." On the surface it just seems contradictory and silly, but dig down a layer and you realize it can be a sincere way of saying "I'd like to have the rewards without the obligations and inconveniences." And people who say it, like Bethke, don't even realize it. Thankfully, I think he's come to realize that, and the truth has moved in his heart.

Maybe he'll come home to the True Church one day, while miracles are happening, and we'll get to see a "Why I love the inerrant Bible, but hate Protestantism" video.

1/19/2012 1:32:39 PM

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Sebastian

Ah youth. I needed to watch that video before commenting, I needed to feel good about growing old. The innocents, the naiveté, the flexing of one’s beliefs, lest I forget the audience. The energy, the invincible youth, I haven't been mugged by someone’s beliefs in so long, LOL. Just when I was feeling bad about growing old, this video happened by. It’s not nice to turn the adults on their heads, but we all did it to some degree way back when, I remember. But there will be time please God, for this young man and others to grow in their faith. It’s not a one shot deal, faith is to grow, it is to mature, we are to work out our salvation… he’ll come to know this in time please God. His love for Jesus will see him through. Jesus was a law abiding Jew, from being dedicated to The Lord as an infant, to His last Passover meal spent with His apostles. The video didn’t disturb me at all, in fact I needed that mini jolt to appreciate both my faith and my Catholic religion more. Thank you Jesus.

1/20/2012 12:40:34 AM

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Rick Landry

Fr. Baron,

Thank you for your response to this video, and your agreement that you dislike compromise, corruption, hypocrisy etc.. I would encourage you to read Keven DeYoung's blog post on this as well, he posted his response, talked to the fellow and posted parts of their email exchange, really interesting.

In your response you mentioned a couple things that caused me to stop and reflect. You mentioned the reference to works and cited St James espistle but I think you cited it in wrong context. St. James was writing to a church that was suffering from a heresy that separated the spiritual from the physical and was struggling greatly with sin. They felt because they had been reborn spiritually they could do anything they wanted in the flesh. St. James rightly corrects them and indicates in his writing that a believer will exhibit works as a result of their faith. This was a correction of error not a statement that we are saved by works. St. James is clearly pointing to works as evidence of being saved by Grace through faith in Jesus the Christ.

Keep on calling the faithful back to the Cross.

1/20/2012 9:24:50 AM

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Jeff

Thank you Father, I really enjoy your comments keep it up!

Jeff

1/20/2012 12:45:08 PM

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Robert LeBlanc

Fr. Barron,

Once again, thank you for your insightful views on such a presently hot topic. By using Christ's own words to defend what this young man is attacking is in itself poetry. In my experience, youth who are self-professed atheists (or anti-establishmentarians) are often the ones seeking hardes for the comfort the Catholic Church provides. We just need to know how to express it to them. Your work helps provide the answers they need.

1/20/2012 1:10:46 PM

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Gabriel

Here you go.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2012/01/i-was-waiting-for-the-perfect-video.html

1/20/2012 1:24:46 PM

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Nancy

You were pretty easy on him, Father. I know you are rich in knowledge and could have taken his rant apart piece by piece. I think it shows confidence, faith and courtesy not to do that. You clung to the main theme of his argument and acknowledged the wrongs of institutional religion over the ages. Those of us who engage in these kinds of conversations on a day to day basis with our non-catholic, and sadly, sometimes Catholic, friends can look to this as a way to win over others for Christ; or at inspire them to take a serious look at these age old criticisms and maybe discover for themselves the truth and beauty of the Catholic Church. I think it is not just arguing the point, but the method we use that is engaging. I have a strong suspicion that this is not the last we will hear from this young man. All of this attention and refuting of his arguments may cause him to look anew as well.

1/20/2012 4:44:32 PM

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claudio Nelli

fantactic reply to a young generation whom do no know the deepest truths. God Bless you Father.

1/21/2012 11:15:04 AM

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MLA

@Rick Landry: thank you for pointing out that clarification (on the context of the scripture in James) for Fr. Barron. Beyond this and in lieu of all of this intellectual posturing, the only truth carried out by Christ is that - yes, religion is not to be abolished, but to be followed AFTER the recognition of sin, turning away from sin and embracing / professing Christ by faith (salvation - Romans 10:9). Pursuant to this, then religion, works, and the law is carried out as a show of gratitude for the substitutionary death Jesus suffered on the cross for our sin, so that we have a way to be reconciled to a Holy God. The gentleman in the video was focusing on that fact...that this order of 'salvation followed by gratitude' has been unfortunately flipped-flopped in many religions (i.e., works, or the law alone, or 'just being a good person's will get you to Heaven). The clear problem with this claim is that it's a "relative standard" (i.e., relative to what man thinks is good), as opposed to God's perfect standard - which ALL fall short of, including yours truly (Romans 3:23). Refocusing on the perfect law of God, just test yourselves through the 10 commandments. There is not one in the flesh who will pass all 10...which separates us from God (separation from God = sin). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a), but God provided the only gift by which we can be saved from eternity in hell and instead have eternal courtship in Heaven...and that is Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23b, John 3:16). If we were able to be saved by works alone or the law alone, that would mean Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21), so how we can set aside the grace of God - through Jesus Christ - is beyond me...it's all right there in His Word!

So, the focus of this video and abolishment of religion is speaking to the very heart of what Fr. Barron agrees with - the abolishment of corruption in religion. If the focus is on that undeniable fact of what the focus of religion has become in our world today (unaccountable, 'kid-gloves', make it what ever you want it to be religion), then tge purpose of tge video will be clear and without argument. People - keep your eyes on Jesus as the only means of salvation (John 14:6)...not my words...but rather His truth in His Word. Have a *personal* relationship with Christ (Revelation 3:20), and in gratitude of His gift, honor and worship Him through a Bible teaching church and fellowship with other believers.

Seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) in all things! You are loved!

1/21/2012 2:23:23 PM

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Kathy

When the young man refers to the Church as a hospital for the broken, he fell. He fell into his own words. And where will he go with his brokeness, his talent, his love for Jesus?
He will go to utube, and proclaim his pain to strangers, and become well known, maybe famous; but never-the-less, broken.
And here we are making more comments on his video, than we make on sermons. God Speed!

1/21/2012 2:36:06 PM

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Bosco Peters

Thanks for this. What I'm wondering - is this really a very high quality, viral watch advertisement? Check: www.liturgy.co.nz/wanna-serve-jesus-buy-this-watch/8428 What do you think?

Blessings

Bosco+

1/21/2012 7:47:40 PM

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John Thomas

@Chesire11 I would like to borrow your comments to post as a response to others. Your response is accurate, mature and worth repeating.

1/22/2012 1:54:57 PM

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Rich

The catholic response: watch it and support this young man....!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwylCJM16BA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

1/22/2012 10:09:44 PM

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Rick Landry

Just an aside in what I am seeing in the tenor of this thread. We need to stop "Catholic" posts and "Protestant/Evangelical" posts. Either we are part of the Body of Christ or we are not. Together, I think that this vlog post has been identified as missing the boat on many things but the posters also miss something. Jesus did not come to start a religion, that was our response to Him. He came for His Bride, that is us in our many forms. Believers in Him are collectively the Body of Christ. We express our worship in many different traditions. In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things Charity. Move on.

1/22/2012 10:32:50 PM

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Lisa

Father, might you be able to provide the names of the beautiful paintings flashed during this commentary? I especially love the one of Mary and Baby Jesus. Thank you!

1/22/2012 11:04:58 PM

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Word On Fire

Hi Lisa. Here is a list of the paintings we used in this commentary: Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach, Saint Paul writing his Epistles by Valetin de Boulogne, The Conversion of St. Paul by Caravaggio, Feast of Simon the Pharisee by Peter Paul Rubens, The Purification of the Temple by El Greco, The Adoration, with the Infant Baptist and St. Bernard by Fra Filippo Lippi, and Temptation of Christ by Titian.

1/23/2012 11:21:40 AM

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Carol N

I think that one of the most important things we can do, particularly with young people, is recognize where they are at on their faith journey/development and start with that point to guide. Marty brought up some good points a few comments up. This is a reality that religious educators and ministers are facing every day. It is that "telling them what to do" mentality that so turns them off, so how do we tell them what to do? We are charged with the task of understanding that position and guiding to a truer understanding of Christianity from that point. I am glad that several people mentioned DeYoung's correspondence between himself and Bethke, as it shows that this video is one stop on Bethke's journey. Where he goes next is up to him, up to the people who influence him, and up to God's activity in his life. I also recommend reading this article, a short interview with Bethke:
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/158162-jefferson-bethke-ray-hollenbach-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-guy-answers-5-questions.html
You (Fr. Barron) bring up some great points about American culture influencing the idea of spirituality without religion. A better understanding of that place will help us to guide those in it. A good place to start might be with using this video to open a dialogue. There have been some great response videos made, and these three are all also using the medium of spoken word:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SejuPK4M330
These two are very similar in content, but they have slightly different tones which I like. The first is by a young person and the second a priest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dqnfz4y8uA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE
I hope these links are helpful to anyone with similar questions. Thanks and God bless.

1/23/2012 5:54:35 PM

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Dan

Father mentions Luther's
"theology of justification by grace alone"--isn't that what the Catholic Church says?

1/24/2012 8:36:41 AM

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Lisa

Thank you for naming the gorgeous paintings. Pleased to find the one I loved includes St. Bernard (my middle name is Bernardina.) :) And always a fan of anything by Caravaggio. Graze tanto!

1/25/2012 12:19:31 AM

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jennifer

Father, you are awesome.....I would love to see you , Father Larry Richards and Ravi Zaccharias do a panel discussion with Steven Hawking, Oprah, Deepok Chopra, William Dyer.....It would make my day discussing Jesus and his ultimate gift which no one else has even bluffed they can give. Could you pull that event together?

1/29/2012 7:02:27 AM

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Melissa

Fr. Barron,

You are amazing. You are God's gift to us all. :)

1/31/2012 12:00:46 PM

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Jack

See David Brooks' OpEd column in today's New York Times.

2/3/2012 8:40:55 AM

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Michael Coakley

I would say to this young man that he is not against religion, but the emptiness of ritual minus spirtuality that IS prevelant in our Ctholic church and indeed in most major religions. Too many people treat our sacraments as magic tricks. They sit in church and think that God is somehow pleased by their mere presence!We roboticaly recite the Our Father and the Hail Mary without feeling or most of the time even paying attention to what they really say or mean.We wear crosses and medals and think by their very hanging around our necks that we are protected.THIS is what this young man is against, and TRULY so is Jesus. God wants our hearts- not empty rituals! The ritual REPRESENTS the spiritual reality. But FAR TOO MANY Catholics don't even have an idea what the ritual or sacrament really means. They just know they are SUPPOSED to do it. I put this squarely on our church's extreme focus on teaching children first ritual and memorization...THEN Jesus.It is backwards. Jesus indeed came to fulfill religion, but in our cathecism text books, he is relagated to a highlighted footnote to a three page story about Saint Francis.We need to teach Jesus and THEN how the Holy Catholic Church celebrates and lives with Him. God himself, in the book of Isaiah, says "What do I want with your burned sacrifices?""But first learn to do good, then your prayers will be acceptable." We must LIVE our Catholic faith in CHRIST JESUS FIRST- THEN, in church.

2/5/2012 12:21:24 PM

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Wayne

Fr Barron,

Enjoy your video series and learn much from it.

With that said I have to take issue with your understanding of Luther and Lutheranism as the origin of the position taken by the young man in the video. Martin Luther did not do away with the Mass, the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, or Holy Absolution. He was also very concerned with the Church and the Liturgy. Having watched you for a long time now I had to admit I was quite taken aback by your ignorance with regard to Martin Luther. I'd expect more from a Seminary Professor and Scholar like yourself and I must say by misrepresenting Luther you do a disservice in seeking to win Lutherans back to the historic Catholic Church. I pray you will do more research and issue a correction in the near future.

2/5/2012 8:55:53 PM

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Gary

To Wayne and Fr. Barron

Wayne, give Fr. Barron more than an 8 min. video clip and I think you will issue a correction. Martin Luther made a mistake which millions of Catholics have sadly repeated: jumping ship when it wasn't going to sink. Now, Jesus started only one church and he promised that hell would not prevail against it. I ask myself, how could I ever walk away when I have His word on it?
Fr. Barron could you give a few words on this; I keep running into Protestant friends who always bring up Pope-sanctioned selling of indulgences as one of the main reasons why the split was unavoidable.?.? I'm no scholar...Where did that come from...how best to answer?

Thanks in advance,Fr.
Your brother in Christ, Gary

2/7/2012 3:35:32 AM

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Ekiniba

Just asking, but what did you say Jesus would do when he returned to Earth? He said he would be back to build the temple of God, not the Temple of Man, or such as a church of the Earth.

2/7/2012 5:26:38 PM

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Mark

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said - "There are not a hundred people in the US who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church - which is of course, quite a different thing."

I would urge catholics & non-cathlics to read a book that I picked that quote from - Journeys Home by Marcus Grodi - personal accounts of people that have with prayer, inspiration, research and intelligence discovered what Catholicism is all about.
Thanks again Fr Barron for your inspiration.

2/8/2012 7:44:37 PM

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Steve Abril

Fr.Fernando Ventura, OFMCap, said it well at a meeting of the XIII Gen. Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order : "It's time to recognize that we don't have the right to say we have a religion, because this is the time to understand that we have a religion that possesses us."

2/10/2012 12:05:33 PM

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albert murfree

if you believe in him, you will be saved

2/10/2012 3:05:12 PM

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Sam

Great job using an opinion to argue an opinion.

2/10/2012 3:12:03 PM

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helen

Amen!

2/11/2012 2:05:06 PM

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Carla

My son, who was in Jr. high had a history teacher said something similar. He said to his class of 12 year olds "I don't believe in religion. I believe that religion exists so that one man can control another man, so religion is for the rest of you, because I don't buy into it." Since any teacher would be hard pressed to find the time to justify that statement, through explaining the history of oppression by religious institutions, it struck me as a manipulative ploy to scare children away from their faith. I promptly reported the teacher's statement and pulled my son out of the school without a lot of argument. I think people need to be careful in how they express themselves, so they they don't steer people away from a possible route towards their audience members' salvation. I also believe that Christ did come to fulfill the law, and our religious faith and practices are Christ's presence, along with our spiritual guide, to help us on the road toward salvation.

2/11/2012 10:16:23 PM

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christine

Great Sermon Fr. Barron! As someone who is studying at an Evangelical college, I think what Evangelicals mean when they say they hate religion is that they hate tradition and they opt more for a free style of worship. That's why they look and consider any form of traditional liturgy as "Religion" rather than "Spirituality."

The truth is our life is composed of rituals, routine, and tradition. Denying them would be denying the essence of our life and existence.

Ironically, we accept tradition in every area of our life, religious marriage, baptism, even in our style of living on a daily basis such as: time to exercise, take a nap, relax, afternoon tea, relaxing bath before bedtime etc. Yet when it comes to our Christian faith, we do not show it its due respect and conform and fashion it in a way that suits our style, thinking, principles and comfort.

May times I tried to invite an Evangelical friend to attend Catholic Mass, I get a "NO." I know that people like that fail to see the beauty behind the rite, tradition, ceremony of Celebrating Jesus' Resurrection which is the summit of our Christian faith!

The truth is that we need to conform almost every thing BUT mess with God's tradition and way of doing things. Whether we call it rituals, ceremony, rite whatever, we really need to Reverence God and do things His way not ours!

2/13/2012 1:56:11 PM

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