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Anyone else surprised to learn that Stephen Colbert is a devout Catholic?

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Conan is Catholic too, is the OP's mind blown? And iirc Jon Stewart's wife is also Catholic.

Wow, Stewart's wife being Catholic IS pretty damn surprising, especially because they've got two kids. Isn't he a self-proclaimed atheist, too?
 
I know it must be shocking to the typical far left of center 18-25 YO gaf member, but someone can be both a person of faith and intelligent.
 
why is that? Should I be shocked that Mads Mikkelsen doesn't eat people?

He doesn't?

oGXcCLB.gif


I was surprised to find Mayim Bialik was Jewish and kept near to her faith depite her character on Big Bang Theory stating otherwise.
 
John Stewart is jewish. Not sure how much of a believer he is.

How exactly do Catholic/atheist relationships work sometimes? Wouldn't the Catholic try his/her hardest to convert and "save" the other person if they truly loved them? And if they don't then it's reasonable to doubt their beliefs in the first place?
 
How exactly do Catholic/atheist relationships work sometimes? Wouldn't the Catholic try his/her hardest to convert and "save" the other person if they truly loved them? And if they don't then it's reasonable to doubt their beliefs in the first place?

Protestant here, but I imagine that they would present their faith to the atheist first but if the other person didn't want to believe then what more could the believer do? Faith cannot be forced upon if the other person's worldview is stringent. And to question whether someone truly loved them or really believed in their faith based on simply that is a questionable decision in and of itself.

Is that a...
pw0THCE.jpg

You wish.
 
When I found out that Beck was a Scientologist (yah I know, but I was still suprised) I was really disappointed, but decided it didn't matter and still love his music anyhow.

He just seemed... I don't know... smarter than that.

Pretty sure his parents were Scientologis, and that's where his faith comes from. I can believe that part of him sticking with the organization is to maintain good relations with his family. He certainly doesn't go on about Scientology in interviews or anything, so I also don't take issue with it.

Colbert is a Catholic through and through. It's cool.
 
He's talked about this for years and years. Also, there are a lot of liberal Catholics out there

How exactly do Catholic/atheist relationships work sometimes? Wouldn't the Catholic try his/her hardest to convert and "save" the other person if they truly loved them? And if they don't then it's reasonable to doubt their beliefs in the first place?

A lot of Catholics are "cultural Catholics" in the same way a lot of Jews are "cultural Jews". Also, "saving people" isn't really a part of Catholicism.
 
Catholics dont always have as bad a rep as the crazier born again and fundies, but the stricter Catholics carry some pretty strong sentiments. Them accepting evolution, and science make them so much easier to deal with than bible belt American christians.

Just visit the Catholic forum to see how stern they are on gay marriage, abortion, and so on though. They were hysterical with gay marriage rights, and said some unsurprisingly shitty things.

Im curious about Colbert's opinions on matters like abortion and gay marriage. A number of Catholics wouldn't consider him an actual believer if he okay'd certain tenants, no true Scotsman aside
 
When I found out that Beck was a Scientologist (yah I know, but I was still suprised) I was really disappointed, but decided it didn't matter and still love his music anyhow.

He just seemed... I don't know... smarter than that.

Beck is a Mormon.
 
Catholic Congregations can be liberal but the Catholic Church is one of the more conservatives in issues like sex, they are still opposed to use of contraceptives and practically any method of birth control.

So how does that work?
 
This is my issue with Catholicism:

1. 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?

2. What exactly do people need to do to even BE Catholic anymore?

3. What are the God-given rules that every Catholic MUST follow or support?

4. 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.

I'm saying this all in a very friendly manner, FYI

1. Without getting into the theological differences, Roman Catholicism is just another form of Christianity like any other. At it's core it's really just about having Faith in the teachings of Jesus*. Also, a lot of Catholics do make their own interpretations.

2. As I said in my other post Catholicism is more than a religion, it is also a culture, and it's a culture so old that it directly descends from the political institutions of the Roman Empire. That means a lot to some people. It's a source of community. Also, a lot of people simply like the liturgy and ritual of Catholicism.

3. This is a question of debate, but from a practical matter all of those "rules" are cultural baggage that many (if not most) Catholics ignore. It's really not an issue except for the deeply conservative.

4. Then you should apply this to all Christians in general and not just Catholics. However, you should note that Jesus actually says nothing whatsoever about marriage, and theologically it's not really an issue. Again, homophobia within Christianity is cultural baggage more than theological baggage. Abortion is a more complicated matter because Catholicism teaches that all life is sacred. Still, on a practical matter this is a personal issue for most people.



*If you're interested the principal difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is the concept of sola fide. Protestants teach that the key to salvation is by Faith alone, but in Catholicism (including Roman, Greek and Middle Eastern churches) the key to salvation is Faith and works.
 
Catholics like to party. You're thinking of Christians op.

/s

Catholics are Christians. They are a denomination just like Presbyterians or Lutherans. Saying they aren't is a weird Americanism.

But your other point is spot on. The celebrated drinking cultures of Europe - Italian, Bavarian and Irish - are all Catholic.
 
Catholics are Christians. They are a denomination just like Presbyterians or Lutherans. Saying they aren't is a weird Americanism.

But your other point is spot on. The celebrated drinking cultures of Europe - Italian, Bavarian and Irish - are all Catholic.

Many of the first monastic orders brewed beer and wine as a vocation.
 
What does devout catholic mean?
Does it mean that he belives in heaven and hell, judgement day, that homosexuality is sin and homosexuals are going to hell, that contraception is sin etc.
Or does he just believe that beeing decent to each is a pretty good idea?
 
Compared to the Protestants and the Southern Baptists and Methodists, etc, Catholics in America were historically socially liberal, believe it or not. They would be first to build schools for minorities. But those minorities would also add to the ranks of the Church. There was always a second reality to the openness of the Church. They would accept anyone, but it used to be that the Church rules and dogma were completely airtight. So you're welcome at the table, but you must still bow your head.

A lot of that changed with Vatican II. You would never see something like that happen with the Southern Christians without guns being drawn, lol.

So how does that work?

We realize how the Church sometimes doesn't know shit. Like our dad, but we still love them over all, we just ignore his phone calls, and only see him when we need to do laundry. But its nice to come by and do laundry and see mom, and yes, even say hello to the old man.
 
Oh dear, I am surprised tbh. But he is a Tolkien fan so I guess that makes believing in magic a bit easier :P

Pretty much, just as I love Hannibal so I really can empathize with the joys of eating people.

What does devout catholic mean?
Does it mean that he belives in heaven and hell, judgement day, that homosexuality is sin and homosexuals are going to hell, that contraception is sin etc.
Or does he just believe that beeing decent to each is a pretty good idea?

To list them off like that is to undermine the thousands of years of theological debates, studies, and philosophies surrounding each and every part of those topics. It's simply not as simple as that. For those interested however, Colbert did post this in support of the legalization of gay marriage throughout the U.S. a couple months ago.

I'm saying this all in a very friendly manner, FYI

1. Without getting into the theological differences, Roman Catholicism is just another form of Christianity like any other. At it's core it's really just about having Faith in the teachings of Jesus*. Also, a lot of Catholics do make their own interpretations.

2. As I said in my other post Catholicism is more than a religion, it is also a culture, and it's a culture so old that it directly descends from the political institutions of the Roman Empire. That means a lot to some people. It's a source of community. Also, a lot of people simply like the liturgy and ritual of Catholicism.

3. This is a question of debate, but from a practical matter all of those "rules" are cultural baggage that many (if not most) Catholics ignore. It's really not an issue except for the deeply conservative.

4. Then you should apply this to all Christians in general and not just Catholics. However, you should note that Jesus actually says nothing whatsoever about marriage, and theologically it's not really an issue. Again, homophobia within Christianity is cultural baggage more than theological baggage. Abortion is a more complicated matter because Catholicism teaches that all life is sacred. Still, on a practical matter this is a personal issue for most people.



*If you're interested the principal difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is the concept of sola fide. Protestants teach that the key to salvation is by Faith alone, but in Catholicism (including Roman, Greek and Middle Eastern churches) the key to salvation is Faith and works.

I like this post.
 
It's sad this is surprising. Contrary to what places like reddit say, religious faith does not preclude liberal beliefs and openmindedness. In fact, a great many liberal beliefs stem from religions. I'll try to elaborate on that when I'm not on a phone, though I'm sure others can fill in if they'd like to.
 
Catholics like to party. You're thinking of Christians op.

/s

You joke, but I've seen priests out at bars having drinks a good number of times over the years. Even at family weddings, christenings, etc.. the priests and nuns enjoy their beer/wine.

...

And a side note: when I left very Catholic New Orleans to go to college in a very Baptist-heavy area, I got called a "Mary-worshipper" a surprising number of times.
 
How exactly do Catholic/atheist relationships work sometimes? Wouldn't the Catholic try his/her hardest to convert and "save" the other person if they truly loved them? And if they don't then it's reasonable to doubt their beliefs in the first place?

Most Catholic priests will tell you that salvation is at the reach of everyone no matter the creed (or lack of), good people no matter what they believe in are safe. So unless they're married to someone extremely evil, they wouldn't have a doubt in their heart that they'll be saved.
 
Most Catholic priests will tell you that salvation is at the reach of everyone no matter the creed (or lack of), good people no matter what they believe in are safe. So unless they're married to someone extremely evil, they wouldn't have a doubt in their heart that they'll be saved.

Seriously?

That's... a shockingly modest position on the subject. Where does Hell come into play, then?
 
My family is Catholic. I'm not really into it but my parents have gotten more into it as they get older, and they go to mass every week. My sister recently did her confirmation. I know plenty of good religious people, which is what makes me so sad when people here or on reddit just slam anyone and everyone who is religious. Religion really doesn't preclude intelligence, and many of the greatest minds in human civilization were deeply religious.

It's the people that use it as a foundation for hatred that cause concern, but though they are loud they are far from everyone.

Sadly enough, my aunt is Christian and she never stopped letting us know that we were going to hell and that she had a "personal" relationship with God whereas our family had to talk to somebody else to get God's word.

Anyway we don't really hang with her anymore.
 
What does devout catholic mean?
Does it mean that he belives in heaven and hell, judgement day, that homosexuality is sin and homosexuals are going to hell, that contraception is sin etc.
Or does he just believe that beeing decent to each is a pretty good idea?
Only Colbert could answer that.

At the least, we know he believes in God.
 
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.

i understand its not the case everywhere but the Catholics that are in my neck of the woods are pretty laid back.
 
Seriously?

That's... a shockingly modest position on the subject. Where does Hell come into play, then?

That whole indulgences thing kind of gave purgatory a bad rap but that's a pretty chill concept Catholics got that Protestants don't. The Big Guy up above is pretty forgiving.
 
When I found out that Beck was a Scientologist (yah I know, but I was still suprised) I was really disappointed, but decided it didn't matter and still love his music anyhow.

He just seemed... I don't know... smarter than that.

Beck was raised Scientologist, from my memory of it. That lets him have a pass for me (esp considering how . . . intense other Scientologists can be)
 
How exactly do Catholic/atheist relationships work sometimes? Wouldn't the Catholic try his/her hardest to convert and "save" the other person if they truly loved them? And if they don't then it's reasonable to doubt their beliefs in the first place?

Bf is atheist and I don't care if he does. But he knows not to make fun of me and I won't either. Kids will go to church.
 
Bf is atheist and I don't care if he does. But he knows not to make fun of me and I won't either. Kids will go to church.

If he does what? What other compromises did you two work out (out of curiosity)?
 
If he does what? What other compromises did you two work out (out of curiosity)?

Not to make fun of people with different religious views. (like saying we're sheeps or idiots for believing in Jesus)

I've told him that I'd one day bring him to church, but I won't try to convert him. And I don't want to...in a way. I'd like it, but I accept his belief.
 
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