www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall religion survey: 2007

Professor? Oh no . . . I'm just the pollster . . .

-- John

bump.

Take the survey if you haven't yet !

Not really. That was one of the problems I had with it as a Western Christian. Catholics would accept both the authority of the pope AND �cumenical councils. These either or choices were a bit misleading and I had trouble answering them. There was one question in which the answer choice regarding the pope was worded oddly, and I actually selected what appeared to be the more Eastern Orthodox-leaning answer because it was more in line with Catholic thinking.

I hope you don't mind, but here are my thoughts for improvement:

1.) The question regarding what "religion is" I did not answer since none of the answer choices were in line with what I believe religion to be--the subjection of our will to that of God's.

2.) The question of "confession being necessary" was a bit hard for me since Latin Catholics do not see Confession as ABSOLUTELY necessary for forgiveness i.e. there are instances where people are truly sorry for their sins and are forgiven by God and have not made a sacramental confession e.g. a death bed conversion. HOWEVER, we believe it is the MOST SURE method of receiving forgiveness and the faithful are exhorted to do so.

3.) The question on "when and how we fast" was a bit hard since in the Western Church we distinguish fasting from abstinence. Since the demise of the Black Fast in the West, fasting for us means abstaining from food (or a certain quantity and quality of it); abstinence is avoiding flesh meat and all products made with it or its juices. I tried to answer it as best as I could.

4.) Finally, the "Born Again Experience" question I answered in the affirmative since, as a Latin Catholic, I believe in baptismal regeneration.

Overall, it was a fascinating survey and I was surprised at some of the response results. Good job!

One thing that confuses me is that 15% state that they receive the Sacrament more than once a week, but 0% state that they receive the Sacrament of Confession more than once a week. How can one receive in a state of sin?


Alexandr

Dear Alexandr,

I always heard that one must confess one's grave (mortal) sins when or if they have been committed, and then atleast a few times a year, and/or when something is weighing on your conscience and soul.

To even obtain ONE confession from some of the popular monastic elders in Father Ephraim's monasteries, one must make an appointment two months in advance! So the most confession that person can have with their monastic spiritual father, whether they like it or not, is only once every two months!

While confession is an absolute, every jurisdiction, monastic elder, spiritual father, etc., prescribes different rules of confession and Holy Communion to their children--no?

I think that it is commendable that the posters here all attend confession at all. This is one of the biggest challenges (getting people to confession) in the parishes of my jurisdiction--even overseas! On the other hand, the monasteries get busloads coming from hundreds of miles away. I think that it has something to do with the type of people who can humble themselves enough to go. Those who are worldly have the hardest time accepting that it is necessary at all, yet others have no problem.

In all honesty, I personally do not think that it is ever an easy thing to face or to make an appointment for, (I still shake a little bit when I call the office for an appointment--much like going to the doctor--this doctor being one of the soul!) so I bow to those who discipline themselves to do this. As a child, when no Orthodox (I will specify it as Greek Orthodox, because I know that the Russians are much more devout) I knew ever went to confession, I used to admire my RC friends because they went, and they went every week back then! Never mind that they were fast confessions, they were still disciplined to look into their selves and were taught to recognize their sins and that is a good thing.

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. By the way, I think that something is wrong with your pm mailbox.

Alexandr,

St. Pius X, who was Pope during the turn of the 20th Century, advised frequent Holy Communion, even daily if possible. As Catholics we are allowed to receive Holy Communion as long as we do not have sins we consider Mortal on our souls. Venial sins such as cussing etc... are not deemed serious enough to prevent a person from receiving the Sacrament. In fact we are taught that receiving Holy Communion "wipes out" those sins and is a remedy against recidivism.

Most daily Communicants are also weekly confessants. At least I was when I was single.

This is fascinating. As a child, we were always taught to take literally the words that the priest spoke at communion: " IN THE FEAR OF GOD", with faith and love, draw near. And "Holy things for the holy." meaning that the Holy Gifts may be given only to the "holy," that is, the faithful who have sanctified themselves with prayer, fasting, and the Mystery of Repentance. I still approach the Gifts with fear and a knowledge of my unworthiness. One learns something new every day!

Alexandr

I think the idea is that no one is ever holy enough to stand in the presence of God. I'll have to look it up, but I think that it also was a way to combat Jansenism as well.

Subdeacon Alexander,

I sent you a PM as well, I don't know if you have received it.

Michael

More info:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06278a.htm

We also need to be careful about feeling that we 'are not worthy'. Only our spiritual father can tell us when and if we shouldn't receive Holy Communion.

Alice

One should keep in mind that Holy Communion is given "for the remission of sins and unto life everlasting". Nobody can be "worthy" of this Holiest of Gifts.

Fr. Serge

Amen. One of the Eastern concepts of the Eucharist is Medicine for the soul.

-- John

Thank you, Byzantophile, for the good suggestions !

-- John

So far, there are three surprises for me.

1) WOW: fully HALF of the respondents are considering a religious vocation. Less then 10% reported a religious vocation now, but 51% report a religious vocation might be in their future. God be praised.

2) Most respondents have very orthodox/traditional views on Christian beliefs and morals. I expected more diversity.

3) A third (9 out of 37) of the people who start the survey don't finish it.

-- John