(January 16, 2016 at 10:25 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 10:16 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Hi Mh, all the stories in the Old Testament may be taken figuratively. So long as a Catholic adheres to Church doctrine on faith and morals, he/she does not need to believe that Eve ate an apple, or that Noah built an ark, or that Moses separated the sea, etc, etc. Personally, I don't believe any of it is literal.   

Obviously, we do need to believe in the New Testament story of Jesus. That he was conceived through the Holy Spirit, that he performed miracles, died for us, and rose again, etc. All that is in official Church doctrine and is a fundamental part of Catholic belief.

CL...another question for you....out of pure ignorance on my part:  can someone be a follower of St Thomas Aquinas but not be considered a Catholic? Or a Christian?  

I would say they could. I mean, obviously that person wouldn't agree with Aquinas on everything, but may still really like and agree with a lot of his more philosophical views.

(January 16, 2016 at 10:29 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 10:25 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: CL...another question for you....out of pure ignorance on my part:  can someone be a follower of St Thomas Aquinas but not be considered a Catholic? Or a Christian?  

I would say they could. I mean, obviously that person wouldn't agree with Aquinas on everything, but may still really like and agree with a lot of his more philosophical views.

Thank you [emoji18]

(January 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 10:29 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: I would say they could. I mean, obviously that person wouldn't agree with Aquinas on everything, but may still really like and agree with a lot of his more philosophical views.

Thank you [emoji18]

No prob! 

Are you a fan of some of his stuff?

(January 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: Thank you [emoji18]

No prob! 

Are you a fan of some of his stuff?

Oh, no. There is a member here who I had asked to disclose his beliefs to me, and he said he considered himself a follower of Aquinas, but not a Catholic. I wasn't sure if that was possible, since from my understanding Aquinas's philosophical theories are integral to the Catholic Faith. Please, correct me if I am wrong!

(January 16, 2016 at 10:35 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 10:30 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: No prob! 

Are you a fan of some of his stuff?

Oh, no.  There is a member here who I had asked to disclose his beliefs to me, and he said he considered himself a follower of Aquinas, but not a Catholic.  I wasn't sure if that was possible, since from my understanding Aquinas's philosophical theories are integral to the Catholic Faith.  Please, correct me if I am wrong!

I think it can be possible for a person to be in agreement with a lot of his philosophical views without believing in the sanctity of the Church. I would think it was a little odd, of course, but people can believe what they'd like. This person would probably be at least a theist, though.

Yes, this person is definitely a theist! He is being vague i think on purpose and I am trying to discern his belief. I'm curious to know what brought you here and why you stay around? Complete sincerely here; no nastiness implied whatsoever! [emoji14]

(January 16, 2016 at 11:12 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: Yes, this person is definitely a theist! He is being vague i think on purpose and I am trying to discern his belief. I'm curious to know what brought you here and why you stay around? Complete sincerity here; no nastiness implied whatsoever! [emoji14]

(January 16, 2016 at 11:12 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: I'm curious to know what brought you here and why you stay around?  Complete sincerely here; no nastiness implied whatsoever!  [emoji14]

Oh, I know. 

Initially I came out of curiosity and because I thought it'd be fun to discuss differing view points. If you look at my earlier threads you'll see that I came in here with a TON of questions. Now a days I stick around because I have made friends and have felt a sense of community that I like. Also, my husband is a pilot so he's gone a lot (like he's gone this whole weekend for example), and so this gives me something else to do while I'm alone.

(January 16, 2016 at 9:26 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 5:12 pm)Mr.wizard Wrote: Why is that an ignorant comment? Again I ask you what is the creation story an allegory for?

Because, you're claiming that Catholics are required to believe in the literal interpretation of the story of Genesis. Which is a 100% completely false statement. Most Catholics believe the story in Genesis is allegory/symbolism for God being behind all of creation, and for human beings to have free will and have the ability/intelligence to choose between good and evil.

Ok, this is ridiculous The creation story is an allegory for God created everything??? So the authors wrote the creation story that's says god created everything this way, to really mean god did create everything but not this way?

(January 17, 2016 at 12:22 am)Mr.wizard Wrote:

(January 16, 2016 at 9:26 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Because, you're claiming that Catholics are required to believe in the literal interpretation of the story of Genesis. Which is a 100% completely false statement. Most Catholics believe the story in Genesis is allegory/symbolism for God being behind all of creation, and for human beings to have free will and have the ability/intelligence to choose between good and evil.

Ok, this is ridiculous The creation story is an allegory for God created everything??? So the authors wrote the creation story that's says god created everything this way, to really mean god did create everything but not this way?

Most of us believe it simply means God is the father of all creation. Whether it was done in 7 days or over the coarse of billions of years, is not important to this one, fundamental belief.