Church in Spain and Fortunetellers
Beirdd

Sat Sep  9 19:20:54 2000
A fellow who likes to keep the Pagan community informed about all sorts of things that he feels are pertinent to it, recently posted an article about a piece that appeared in the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Seville.*p*In the quest for tolerance and understanding, I think this article serves as a good example on how an unconscious "willingness" (if there can be such a thing) to misunderstand becomes a stumbling block before the goal.*p*Following is the EWTN article from the Zenit News Organization about the original, which I will assume has been accurately transcribed and translated. This is followed by my own paraphrase of the editorial comment of the individual who posted this article to the internet; then by my comments on the whole.*p***********************br*Please see: http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=6769 for the original article, which EWTN permits to be "shared with a friend."*p*<<   EWTN*br*    8-Sep-2000 -- ZENIT News Agency*p*     [Roman Catholic} CHURCH IN SEVILLE WARNS*br*ABOUT TV FORTUNETELLERS*p*     Magic and Witchcraft "Are Contrary to Virtue of [Christian]*br*Religion"*p*     MADRID, SEP 6 (ZENIT.org). - The Archdiocese of Seville*br*is warning the faithful about the spread of television programs in*br*which viewers call on the help of fortunetellers, witches and*br*tarot card soothsayers to fathom the future.*br*    Such programs and advertisements are becoming more common*br*on Spanish television.*p*    The archdiocesan weekly newspaper, "Church in Seville,"*br*warned that all magic and witchcraft practices "are gravely*br*contrary to the virtue of [Christian] religion."*br*    It added that "these practices are even more to be condemned*br*when accompanied by the intention to harm another, whether or*br*not they take recourse to the intervention of demons."*p*    Regarding knowledge of the future the paper said, "God can*br*reveal the future to prophets and  other saints,"*br*    It recommended that one "give oneself into the hands of*br*Providence with confidence as regards the future, and to abandon*br*all unhealthy curiosity in this respect."*p*    All these practices, it concluded, "are in contradiction to the*br*honor and respect, mixed with  loving fear that we owe only to*br*God."*br*>>*p*******p*The commentator asks if an apology from the Vatican regarding its behavior toward Pagans and Witches, past and present, will be put on the back burner as a result of these comments.*p*************************p*Now my observations:*p*A newspaper for a diocese is, as its primary function, a teaching vehicle for the Catholics of that diocese. Its readership is assumed to be the local Catholic community. Therefore, its language will always be the language of the Church, meant to guide the faithful in their religious and spiritual practice. The same would hold true, I believe, for publications of any church or faith.*p*How could it be wrong for the Catholic Church, which has never taught fortune telling and "magic" as part of its doctrine, to continue to teach its members that these things are wrong for them? Note that the article quotes the statement that these things are "are in contradiction to the honor and respect, mixed with  loving fear that we owe only to God." The article itself opens by noting that the Church in Seville "is warning the faithful." It says nothing of coercing a change in the beliefs of those who are not Catholics.*p*I watched an 18-year old female entertainer do some things on national television recently that I personally thought were in poor taste and did not speak well of her own human dignity. I will not contact her to tell her to put her clothes on. I *will* let my daughters know why I feel the way I do about the behavior of this person whom they admire. And I *will* tell them that such behavior or couture is not for them. Should the entertainer, perchance finding out about the way I teach my children, contact me to criticize my parenting? I think not.*p*Is this a nuance? Perhaps. But it is an important one. If a Pagan publication reminded good Pagans that they should think twice about reading the Bible for their edification or going to confession to a priest, no one would question that. Of course, a good Pagan should not do those things! Then why can't another church make a similar statement without being criticized for "intolerance?" It does not seem logical to me to react to today with the fears of yesterday unless yesterday actually rears its ugly head. That would be horror enough. We need to avoid imagining monsters where none exist. Only then can we appreciate the humanity of our neighbor and, with it, his or her religious beliefs.*p*As for the commentary about the effect of the Seville Archdiocese's statement affecting the timing of potential "apologies from the Vatican," I believe that it speaks more about the imagination of the commentator. Imagination is not always a positive thing. But looking at others and their circumstances in the hope of truly seeing them *is* always a positive thing worthy of he who seeks and she who grows.*p*What do *you* think? We'd all like to know!*p*--Beirdd*p*