DonasaurusRex
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now theres a twist
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Anyone else surprised to learn that Stephen Colbert is a devout Catholic?
- Thread starter MrOogieBoogie
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now theres a twist
I thought this was common knowledge about him?
This, too.
ZombiePlatypus
Member
Yeah, in the same exact boat.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
At this point Catholics do not reliably vote for any party. Except for the guy that ends up winning.
Seems like Scientology ego-strokes the hell out of anyone with wealth or fame. It's what attracts celebrities to it.
One long winded fantasy story is as good as the next. I always thought it was crazy how knowledgeable of Middle-Earth he was, but when I found out he taught Sunday School I just thought, "oh, he has a great capacity for stories, lore, and mythology."
entremet
Member
I think the community aspect of religion is underrated as to why people become involved.
We tend to look at it purely from a rational lens, but people are not purely rational in their motives.
I'd imagine if you're a celebrity, becoming a Scientologist would be more appealing due to their Hollywood influence, networking, and built in community ("people just like me!")
John Dunbar
correct about everything
if he was a religious jew it actually would be kind of surprising.
CornBurrito
Member
One of the most bigoted people I know is Catholic, so Catholics very much can be like those "average American Christians" that you think they are so superior to.
Suikoguy
I whinny my fervor lowly, for his length is not as great as those of the Hylian war stallions
There are many core tenants of Catholicism and Christianity that are good and scientifically moral.
He very much rails against those that pick and choose segments to fit their agenda, but the core idea that he is devoutly Catholic, is not contradictory to either him or the character he played on Comedy Central.
He very much rails against those that pick and choose segments to fit their agenda, but the core idea that he is devoutly Catholic, is not contradictory to either him or the character he played on Comedy Central.
CornBurrito
Member
Personally I find it funny how the "we need to respect religious opinions, otherwise you're a militant fedora-wearing shithead" sentiment commonly found on the internet never seems to apply to Scientology. Usually with some half-assed justification that Scientology is all about money, or that the Church of Scientology has done some shady shit. As if other religions have never done that.
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
lol, pretty much.
I don't even know how one could be surprised. Either you watch the Colbert Report, and therefore you know because it's frequently brought up, or you don't, and therefore probably aren't familiar with Colbert much, so why would it be a surprise? I don't get it.
I noticed that too. Seems like some religions are fair game, for some reason.
I don't think that's the case.
CornBurrito
Member
Of course not all Catholics. I just took issue with that poster implying that Catholics are, on average, better than other types of Christian.
Having gone to a Catholic school for a decade, it most certainly isn't. Just as many bigots, if not more, than in any other religious institution.
CrunchyFrog
Member
I've known for a while, and without sounding too fawning it is comforting to know someone like him exists and can still give well-practiced Catholics a good name. And like the article in the OP says, he really does know his Catechism.
Middle Earth mythology lines up with very well with Catholicism (JRR Tolkien was pretty devout) so it's not surprising in the least that he's very interested and knowledge about both.
TheKaeptain
Banned
Catholics are pretty liberal around my parent's neighborhood. The local Priest is a stand up dude and protested against anti-gay Evangelicals.
Oh, then i guess the problem is the "american" part rather than the "Religious/Christian/Catholic" part, unless you're from somewhere else?
I mean, i know tons of catholics (biggest religion on my country) and they usually aren't bigoted about their religious beliefs.
That post certainly painted a broad stroke. I can't speak to the poster's intentions. I would say that a better way of saying it is that modern Catholicism (and let's stress the word "modern") does invite more interpretation and even questioning. I no longer associate as Catholic, but grew up Catholic. Even as a kid in Catholic classes, we were encouraged to question our religion. They want you to decide for yourself that you want to be Catholic. That is the point of the sacrament of Confirmation when you get old enough to decide for yourself. They also stressed acceptance of others, even if they're not Catholic.
This was a...reach. But yeah, it's not surprising he's Catholic. Religion is attractive to people of all walks of life.
entremet
Member
Newer religions have always crapped on, though. So it fits a pattern of history, strangely enough.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
This is my issue with Catholicism: there is so much room for interpretation that I wonder why even follow it at all? Why not just come up with your own version of God if you're going to do so much self-serving modifications anyway?
What exactly do people need to do to even BE Catholic anymore? What are the God-given rules that every Catholic MUST follow or support? I almost can't trust Catholics who support gay marriage or abortion or are liberal in ways that oppose the bible because it makes me confused by their subscription to the faith in spite of all that.
Sorry for the rant.
Yeah, this is what i was getting at, perhaps i worded it poorly, but i also was raised catholic and this is what i grew up with, questioning, making my own conclusions and accepting others no matter their creed, and that's what makes me really cranky when i see bigoted christians, they're being blasphemous by spreading hate in the name of god.
Basically? Believing in god, Following the 10 commandments, Following the Jesus example of forgiveness and "loving each others like brothers", not being a dick, and not breaking the law. If you are okay with doing those things, you're in with Catholicism.
teruterubozu
Member
There isn't much room for interpretation according to the Vatican. Many Catholics are just lax when it comes to practice and ritual.
entremet
Member
You don't think Catholics or other religious groups already do this?
People have always picked and chosen. The Catholic Church has been anti contraceptive for a while, but that hasn't stopped devout followers from using them.
TheKaeptain
Banned
OP, I'm pretty sure most Irish-Americans from the east coast are Catholic.
acheron_xl
Member
As an atheist, I'm always pleased when a public Christian doesn't use their creed as a cudgel. It's always good when people get a reminder that "Christian values" used to be synonymous with charity, compassion and love. Stephen just seems like the nicest guy in the world, and I think his faith is a big driving factor there.
Yeah, I couldn't believe that he actually believes some if not all of the teachings of the Catholic church. The again, there's a lot of people out there that are smart in some ways, yet totally illogical in other ways.
Btw, I have somewhat of a related question. Do most Catholics really believe in a literal Hell? Because I really can't understand how you could live with yourself by believing such a terrible and disgusting thing. The idea of God allowing "sinners" to be tortured in the most cruel way...I mean even the most evil people that have ever walked this earth couldn't even come close to being as wicked as the God that does that. I have to imagine that there are some people out there that view the concept of Hell as just being metaphorical and not real place of torment.
Btw, I have somewhat of a related question. Do most Catholics really believe in a literal Hell? Because I really can't understand how you could live with yourself by believing such a terrible and disgusting thing. The idea of God allowing "sinners" to be tortured in the most cruel way...I mean even the most evil people that have ever walked this earth couldn't even come close to being as wicked as the God that does that. I have to imagine that there are some people out there that view the concept of Hell as just being metaphorical and not real place of torment.
Tallshortman
Member
He would mention teaching sunday school several times on his show and joke about being catholic all the time.
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
How can you be a devout follower if you go against ANY part of your doctrine? That's always been the most frustrating thing to me despite how well-meaning the majority of people are. I know it's not realistic to follow EVERY rule to a tee, but that's why I wonder: why even bother then?
Granted, Catholics don't always follow the catechism.
Get a greater imagination.
Well, considering that the Bible was written by men (edit: and in a different time period) , arguably it makes sense to have some level of debate as to what it really means to be religious. Many believe in following the spirit, not the word, and that is a growing trend in Catholicism, especially with the new pope.
That being said, Catholics are very self aware. Jim Gaffigan has a great joke about it: Don't eat meat on Fridays.... unless you forget.... ehh, do what you want.
With the exception of the clergy, Catholics tend to be much more forward-thinking than Protestants. I'm sure most American Catholics are proud Democrats.
Had no idea he went through such a tragedy, wow
Here's how Colbert explained 'hell' to his kid, for what it's worth:
No way, maybe if his name was Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz I could see it.
~Devil Trigger~
In favor of setting Muslim women on fire
Conan is Catholic too, is the OP's mind blown? And iirc Jon Stewart's wife is also Catholic.
Depends on where you grew up. In NC, Catholicism was seen (and somewhat still is) as more liberal than most of the protestant mainlines in here. The Baptists and their ilk have the shame and guilt thing down pat so the Catholics had to try another approach. While I'm not Catholic now, I grew Catholic and never encountered the hang ups and problems that a lot of northern Catholic kids did. It wasn't even the same experience.
It can also vary on the priests in your parish so YMMV as well.
Catholics can be pretty chill. The friar who taught my sunday school was studying biology at a local college and he always talked about the importance of not being an asshole to someone because of their difference of faith or lack there of. Not all religious people are intolerant jerks.
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