Why is the church generally anti-intellectual nowadays?
464487
This is because we are living in the Post-Modern Era.  This means that we are living in a era where the reader brings the interepretation to the text.  And since we have all had different life experiences we have a different interpretation of the Bible.  This being the case the way that the Bible reads in Greek and Hebrew is not important, the way that the Early Church fathers is not important.  It is completly dependant on the readers interpretation of the text.\n\nThis being the case there is a lack of the intellectual study of the Bible anymore.  Another characteristic of the Post-Modern mindset is almost rebelling against the intellectual history of the church.  Let me give you an example from Nitche.\n\nThe existentialists like Nietzsche brought a new nihilism and atheism which influenced culture. Post-colonialism after WW2 contributed to the idea that one cannot have an objectively superior lifestyle or belief. This idea was taken further by the anti-foundationalist philosophers: Heidegger, then Ludwig Wittgenstein, then Derrida, who re-examined the fundamentals of knowledge. They argue that rationality was neither as sure nor as clear as modernists or rationalists assert. Even logic could be biased -- "logocentrism" - the privileging of a system of logic. Psychologists have since gone further in asserting a cognitive bias, which points at a human bias of truth.\n\nThus since humans are the measure of all things rather than God we are the final authorities on Gods word, and our interpretation supercedes the TRUE BIBLICAL MEANING OF THE TEXT.
972878
Yes, Midge. there is and we have to stop it. Especially us Catholics. We can't just change the whole doctrine of the church just for "Tolerance" and "Appeasement" . We need to keep our church whole and traditional. The Catholic church has been pretty black and white in the past, now some of it is becoming gray. I hardly hear much in my church anymore about pro-life issues. Only the small groups do anything about it, but it is no longer preached. What's happening here? Can't be a liberal Catholic!\nGod Bless and Merry Christmas to you!
873343
Yes but I don't think its consciously done by most who are involved. Its memes - ideas which can hook in to people brains and pass on, do survive and pass on. Most people involved in the church have probably been hooked themselves. Even more insidious if you think about it.\n\nOh and don't forget the big one - the absolute glorification of blind faith in what they are told.
660258
In USA (not anywhere else), Christian right and republicans have brought their dogmatic beliefs into our daily life, whether we want it or not. Example - Intelligent Design being taught in school; Govt. opposition for Condoms/ Birth control/ abortions etc; Faith based initiatives using taxpayer dollars etc.\n\nAs a liberal, and traditionalist, and people believing in the scientific principles, this is something to be opposed. \n\nHowever, this also translates into - opposing religion, or Christian ideals. So, it may seem liberals have become dogmatic. But this is not so. \n\nWhen the intrusion of religion into our daily life stops, then liberals would also begin to appear less dogmatic.
700338
I doubt it. There is a long tradition of Christian intellectualism (just ask the Jesuits). Read contemporary theological commentators like Spong and Borg and try to suggest that they're in possession of low IQs. Personally, I'm religious and hold a doctorate, something not generally awarded to idiots. Of course, I also know some very intelligent atheists...as well as a few prize-winning morons of that persusion. There are both bright and ignorant people from both camps, believing and non-believing.
1152039
I think religious beliefs are very much tied to providing answers for less educated people.  I note less educated people tend to flock to the most fundamentalist of churches, while more educated people tend to flock to the more liberal churches.  I find that fundamentalist churches say they are the only truth there is and other religions are a lie.  They teach people not to question the tenets of beliefs of their own church, but instead to learn to attack other churches.  This is not an exercise in education.  It is an exercise in intellectual prostration.
688556
A little more for you.\n\nDISSECTING CHRISTIANITY'S\nMIND-SNARING SYSTEM\nhttp://www.deism.com/thinksam2.htm\n\nhttp://jamescook.tripod.com/falsewit.html
397672
I think some people seek a higher purpose or reason for living. Others just think religion is stupid.\n\nPeople with more education tend to be less religious. Is there a relationship with intelligence? Who knows?\n\nMy guess is "hard wired", but upbringing is part of it.
107108
This question has been asked many times. Most Orthodox, in attempting to distinguish between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, usually mention the Pope or Purgatory, sometimes the filioque. Historically, the differences, however, are far more numerous and quite profound. \n\nAlso, in modern times, since Vatican II of thirty years ago, that major, if not tragic attempt, to "update" Roman Catholicism (e.g., the revision of canon law), the differences between Orthodoxy and the followers of the Pope have widened. \n\nIn our present discussion, however, the concern will be those differences which have grown since Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism separated almost a thousand years ago. \n\n1. Faith and Reason \n\nFollowing the Holy Fathers, Orthodoxy uses science and philosophy to defend and explain her Faith. Unlike Roman Catholicism, she does not build on the results of philosophy and science. The Church does not seek to reconcile faith and reason. She makes no effort to prove by logic or science what Christ gave His followers to believe. If physics or biology or chemistry or philosophy lends support to the teachings of the Church, she does not refuse them. However, Orthodoxy is not intimidated by man's intellectual accomplishments. She does not bow to them and change the Christian Faith to make it consistent with the results of human thought and science. \n\nSt. Basil the Great advised young monks to use Greek philosophy as a bee uses the flower. Take only the "honey," ---- the truth --- which God has planted in the world to prepare men for the Coming of the Lord. \n\nFor example, the Greeks had a doctrine of the Logos. The Gospel of John opens, "In the beginning was the Word (Logos, in Greek). For the pagans, the Logos was not God, as He is for Christians; rather he is a principle, a power or force by which "God: formed and governs the world. The Fathers pointed to the similarity between the Logos or Word of the Bible and the Logos of Greek philosophy as a sign of Providence. The difference between them, they attributed to the sinfulness of men and the weakness of the human intellect. They remembered the words of the Apostle Paul, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col. 2: 8). \n\nRoman Catholicism, on the other hand, places a high value on human reason. Its history shows the consequence of that trust. For example, in the Latin Middle Ages, the 13th century, the theologian-philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, joined "Christianity" with the philosophy of Aristotle. From that period til now, the Latins have never wavered in their respect for human wisdom; and it has radically altered the theology, mysteries and institutions of the Christian religion. \n\n2. The Development of Doctrine \n\nThe Orthodox Church does not endorse the view that the teachings of Christ have changed from time to time; rather that Christianity has remained unaltered from the moment that the Lord delivered the Faith to the Apostles (Matt. 28: 18-20). She affirms that "the faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 3) is now what it was in the beginning. Orthodox of the twentieth century believe precisely what was believed by Orthodox of the first, the fifth, the tenth, the fifteenth centuries. \n\nTo be sure, Orthodoxy recognizes external changes (e.g., vestments of clergy, monastic habits, new feasts, canons of ecumenical and regional councils, etc.), but nothing has been added or subtracted from her Faith. The external changes have a single purpose: To express that Faith under new circumstances. For example, the Bible and divine Services were translated from Hebrew and Greek into the language of new lands; or new religious customs arose to express the ethnic sensibilities of the converted peoples, etc.; nevertheless, their has always been "one faith, one Lord, one baptism" (Eph.
628037
You nailed it!\n\nThe fact that there is more opposition to the Catholic Church, and less opposition towards the other Christian denominations, proves the Divine Origin of the Catholic Church.\n\n"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. \n"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. \nRejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1061340
You are very correct and I agree with you.  The splintering away is a result of people who did not accept the teachings of the Catholic church.  Some did not believe Jesus was truly the Son of God, only a prophet because He didn't meet their hopes and ideas for the promised Messiah.  Some do not accept that the Blessed Trinity is God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and actually came to understand that the Catholic church was worshipping a false God in their understanding of the Triune God.  Many had problems with Catholics "worshipping Mary" and putting her above Jesus Christ which is not true but there are many things that factor into this splitting off from the Catholic church, and then due to some really bad abuses by the Church during the time of the reformation, Martin Luther tried to correct and change things and so splintered off.  There have been many wonderful Saints who fought against heresy and schism and Thank God, the Church pulled through these trying times.  I wouldn't worry about this because it is God who is in charge and He fills His Church with the Holy Spirit and God can and does make so many good things happen through even the worst of situations and people and times.  I even might mention that there are many "so called" Catholics today who are not truly Catholic because they pick and choose just what they will believe and what they will not, not accepting of all the teachings of the Magesterium.  Some do not accept the teachings of the "Real Presence" in the Most Holy Eucharist, some do not follow the teachings of the Church in regard to many of the modern day social issues, are pro abortion, pro gay rights, etc so there is still today much needing to be done within the Church to bring it (and everyone) back to the one true Church.  What I believe is not good is for people to give up and go elsewhere due to all these things, rather than stay within the Church and pray and do all they can to change things from within.  God has His Holy Spirit guiding our Holy Mother Church and all will be well.  God Bless You in the name of The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit and may our Blessed Mother keep you always in her prayers that you may be brought ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen
865944
Fanatics of any faith does not like liberal logical thinking.\nThey just want blinkered faith to fulfill their vested interest.
150822
It's a historical thing. Ever since the advent of the Christianity, there has been lots of anti-Semitism. Popes encouraged the poor treatment of Jews, and in other countries whenever anything went wrong Jews were blamed. \n\nIn medieval times, the Church forbade Christians from charging interest of anything. This meant that no Christians wanted to be moneylenders, so Jews took up the role. This has led to the idea that all Jews are rich and stingy, although this was one of the few jobs Jews were allowed to do.\n\nMany Christians also think that Jews are "Christ-killers" and hate Jews for killing their God. They also think Jews are stubborn for not believing in the Messiah that they believe already came, and will come again. Jews believe that   a messiah has not come.\n\nUnfortunately, it hasn't changed much. People still have a perception that Jews are rich and stingy (much like the stereotype that all Asians are smart) and this shows in TV and high schools. "Jew" is a common insult for a frugal person. If you pick up a quarter on the ground in the average high school, you are likely to hear an anti Semitic joke.\n\nWhat's more, Hitler jokes and Nazi music are become increasingly popular. \n\nIn Europe, there has always been even more anti Semitism. The birthplace of Hitler is a holy place for Neo Nazis, and in France Jewish graves are commonly "decorated" with swastikas.
1039247
Its easy, they've been indoctrinated to believe these things from birth, and almost nothing, including logic, will tear them from the oppression of their ideas of how the world works.\n\nThe older a christian, the harder it will be to change their mind\n\n-Nick
688362
The Church doesn't like free thinkers, because it under minds their "Divine" authority.
507382
It's the way they are brainwashed to think by their church.
207640
What do you mean "the church?"  Even if we assume you mean christianity, every denomination is doing things differently.  There's nothing they're all doing well or badly in.