Hi, David —

You are quite right that those who profess to belong to a religion should be faithful in following it, and be honest. However, conventionally speaking, for better or for worse, someone is generally considered to be a member of a religion once they join until they leave it, and sometimes not even then. Thus we speak of practicing Catholics as opposed to those of whom you speak.

It is easy to get indignant about those who formally belong to a religion but act intentionally against it. I am quite sympathetic with you on this point, but at least in the case of Catholicism, we are a family, and once you become a member of the family, you really can't leave it, even if you want to.

Eric

David —

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you're asking — you're asking two questions which seem to be in conflict but I must be misunderstanding something. I'll try to respond.

To your first question, people often belong to a religion by an accident of birth or culture.

Unless they have an opportunity as an adult to learn, contemplate, and make an explicit personal choice to embrace that religion, they will often not give much thought to following it carefully in any sort of intentional way. People just live their lives as they see fit, and their religion often just does not show up on their radar screen. This is not right, but it's somewhat understandable. There is also the element of original sin: People are fallen creatures, and will tend to do what is selfish and contrary to virtue. In other words, left to their own devices, people will be unfaithful to their religion.

That's my answer to your first question. It doesn't mesh well with your second question but if you give me some feedback perhaps I can adjust it.

To your second question, I'm not sure if you're struggling with why we don't live out these precepts in Christianity today or if you're struggling with a conflict between Scripture and practice.

• What big time problems do you have in mind?

You brought up two issues: the Sabbath and homosexual behavior. On the first case, Christianity has always held that we must honor the Sabbath, which Christians transferred from Saturday
(the day God rested after creation) to Sunday (the day of the Resurrection). Chiefly, we do so by worshipping God and refraining from any work that would inhibit that worship. In different ages, it has been interpreted to different degrees but has always been honored. The Catechism of the Catholic Church goes on at length about this from paragraphs 2168 through 2195.

In fact, Pope John Paul II wrote a whole document on the subject,

• (On Keeping the Lord's Day Holy) Dies Domini May 31, 1998

With respect to punishing people with death, you have to understand the larger context of what you are quoting. God called Abraham and promised to make him a great nation, and to bless all the peoples of the earth through him. Then God gathered and formed from his descendants the Jewish people under Moses. To Moses he gave a set of specific laws as a framework for their society. While the laws embodied universal moral truths, the specific laws were intended for only the Jews. So, for example, he told the Jews not to eat pork, but that doesn't apply to Christians. Thus, the precepts about the death penalty do not apply to us, although they do underscore the seriousness of the sin.

As for the law on homosexual behavior, a similar argument applies. The act is still sinful, but the death penalty was part of the law of Moses and doesn't apply today. I am not sure if this is what you mean by confusing or not. Now the Church, as you know, steadfastly opposes homosexual behavior and maintains that it is gravely sinful.

Fanatic is a term that generally seems to be rather subjectively used as a cudgel to demonize one's opponents. There are some pathological expressions of religion and zeal but I'd avoid using such charged words in discussing the question.

In general, I certainly agree with you that religion is intended to be followed faithfully.

• Does this make things clear?

If not, let me know.

Eric

Hi, Dave —

You said:

• How can one call (him or herself) a Jew, Catholic, Muslim or any member of a religion, when they do not follow the clear and unequivocal words of their Holy Book?
• Can I honestly say I am a Jew, Catholic, or Muslim while I intentionally ignore, and sometimes act in opposition to, what my Holy Book says I should do in very clear terms?

The underlying assumption in both questions is that those who privately or publicly talk about their faith with no shame, actually know their faith (and/or) have taken the time to confirm what they know about their faith as true.

If they know, in their holy gut and conscience, that their words, actions, and behaviors are contrary to the faith they profess, their hypocrisy with be judged severely by God at their Particular Judgment. That said, we can only warn or encourage our family and friends, once in charity, to keep their words, actions, and behaviors in line with the faith they profess.

They have to choose to take our advice. Each person's individual free will can bring many graces and blessings on us, our family, and our country; or something worst if we choose hypocrisy or duplicity.

Hope this helps,

Mike