Body and Blood
Sep. 29th, 2010 08:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
4thofelevenSo, I’m sure everyone’s seen this article about atheists outdoing religious people on a survey about religious knowledge? Doesn't surprise me, but that's not what I find interesting about the results. What fascinates me is this bit:
“Forty-five percent of Catholics did not know that their church teaches that the consecrated bread and wine in holy communion are not merely symbols, but actually become the body and blood of Christ.”
I’d be really curious to see what the actual question asked there was – I assume it was a simple yes/no question, which makes an incorrect result that high really surprising. It’s fascinating, considering how significant the doctrine of Transubstantiation was throughout the last thousand years of Christian history and how much of a symbolic issue it became in dividing the Catholic and Protestant churches during the Reformation. I’m wondering how much of this is ignorance of the doctrine, and how much of it is modern Catholics actually consciously rejecting it.
I’d also love to know if there are similar patterns among Catholics outside the US…
no subject
on 2010-09-29 01:22 pm (UTC)Anyway, I just wanted to satisfy your curiosity about the actual question. An acquaintance of mine posted what he says are the actual questions, which included:
What is Catholic teaching about bread and wine in Communion? They become body and blood, or are symbols?
On a personal note, I'm a practicing Roman Catholic from the Philippines and I had no idea about transsubstantiation until two or three years ago. I've been making a conscious effort since then to internalize the concept; it was rather rough going at first!
I've never heard the issue of "guys, you are supposed to believe that this is literal, not symbolic" addressed in any homily/sermon, and my basic catechism classes didn't cover it either. I'm not too suprised, though--apparently, Hispanic Catholics scored the lowest of all religious groups, and in terms of religion we effectively are Hispanic Catholics.
Anyway, here are the rest of the actual questions:
Bible
What is the first book of the Bible? (Open-ended)
What are the names of the first four books of the New Testament, that is, the four Gospels? (Open-ended)
Where, according to the Bible, was Jesus born? Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth or Jericho?
Which of these is NOT in the Ten Commandments? Do unto others…, no adultery, no stealing, keep Sabbath?
Which figure is associated with remaining obedient to God despite suffering? Job, Elijah, Moses or Abraham?
Which figure is associated with leading the exodus from Egypt? Moses, Job, Elijah or Abraham?
Which figure is associated with willingness to sacrifice his son for God? Abraham, Job, Moses or Elijah?
Elements of Christianity
What is Catholic teaching about bread and wine in Communion? They become body and blood, or are symbols?
Which group traditionally teaches that salvation is through faith alone? Protestants, Catholics, both or neither?
Was Mother Teresa Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or Mormon?
What is the name of the person whose writings and actions inspired the Reformation? Luther, Aquinas or Wesley?
Who was a preacher during the First Great Awakening? Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney or Billy Graham?
Elements of Judaism
When does the Jewish Sabbath begin? Friday, Saturday or Sunday?
Was Maimonides Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu or Mormon?
Elements of Mormonism
When was the Mormon religion founded? After 1800, between 1200 and 1800, or before 1200 A.D.?
The Book of Mormon tells of Jesus appearing to people in what area? The Americas, Middle East or Asia?
Was Joseph Smith Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu?
World Religions
Is Ramadan the Islamic holy month, the Hindu festival of lights or a Jewish day of atonement?
Do you happen to know the name of the holy book of Islam? (Open-ended)
Which religion aims at nirvana, the state of being free from suffering? Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam?
Is the Dalai Lama Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Catholic or Mormon?
In which religion are Vishnu and Shiva central figures? Hinduism, Islam or Taoism?
What is the religion of most people in India? Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or Christian?
What is the religion of most people in Pakistan? Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian?
What is the religion of most people in Indonesia? Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian?
Who is the king of Gods in Greek mythology? Zeus, Mars or Apollo?
Atheism and Agnosticism
Is an atheist someone who does NOT believe in God, believes in God, or is unsure whether God exists?
Is an agnostic someone who is unsure whether God exists, does NOT believe in God, or believes in God?
Religion in Public Life
What does Constitution say about religion? Separation of church and state, emphasize Christianity, or nothing?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher lead a class in prayer?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher read from the Bible as an example of literature?
According to the Supreme Court, can a public school teacher offer a class comparing the world’s religions?
...aaand I'll go away now. Hope you liked the info at least. XD
no subject
on 2010-09-29 01:35 pm (UTC)I'm not religious, but I study a lot of medieval European history, and I find it really interesting how these doctrinal issues that were so central to Church politics have ended up completly de-emphasised today...
no subject
on 2010-09-30 09:57 am (UTC)(which probably means that I am technically a heretic right now and just don't know it. SHHH DON'T TELL ANYONE. >_> )
Possibly it's because these debates have already occurred so long ago that the religious leaders don't take as much care to teach about them any more? Maybe they generally feel that it's old news and so they don't have to lecture their parishioners about it?
no subject
on 2010-09-29 08:15 pm (UTC)My guess is that it's probably not a conscious rejection. I'm sure some people may have answered incorrectly (from the viewpoint of the survey) because they consider themselves part of the Catholic Church (even though the Church led by the Pope in Rome doesn't) and their church doesn't teach transubstantiation, but I think that's probably a minority of people who identified as Catholic on the survey! I imagine any Roman Catholic who consciously rejects the doctrine would answer correctly, simply because if they're consciously saying "no, I disagree with the Church" that means they know what the Church says to begin with.
I grew up in Montana, and for the 24 years I lived there, plus everywhere else I visited, I never once heard a sermon about transubstantiation, the Real Presence, or even anything related to the Eucharist. (In fact, the only time I heard anyone else mention that their pastor had given a sermon about the Real Presence was when one of my mom's friends was furious that her pastor had done so.) So if it weren't for the fact that a) I went to Catholic school and b) I was engaged enough with my faith that I retained what I learned in religion class, I could totally see myself just not remembering/knowing about it.
(Now that I've moved to Texas, all three of the parishes I attend on occasion (one has the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, one has a Sunday evening Mass, and one's closest to my house) mention it on a fairly regular basis, but that still doesn't reach people who just don't go to church but who would still identify as Catholic.)