General Question

SergeantQueen's avatar

Is it okay to bring my Bible to church to read before the service?

Asked by SergeantQueen (12911points) 3 weeks ago

I know the answer would probably be yes, but I am asking anyways for this reason:

It is a Catholic church and I do not have a Catholic Bible. I have heard that it isn’t the best to do that, but I am not committing myself to Catholicism.

Am I over thinking this? Yes. I just do not want to be disrespectful at all.

I will try not to ask too many religious questions on here, it is such a touchy subject. So, I appreciate everyone for listening and responding.

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33 Answers

snowberry's avatar

I would. Or just call ‘em up and ask. Then you’ll know.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Well ya. If you read it to yourself.

What’s up with this again?

Demosthenes's avatar

I grew up in the Catholic church, and I cannot think of any reason why reading the Bible in church would be prohibited or frowned upon. I can recall people in church arriving early, reading either from their own Bible or prayer book, or looking over the readings in the missal (and while the Church prefers certain translations of the Bible, it is not wrong to read another translation). No need to overthink it. I never found church to be a judgmental place, despite the stereotypes. It’s best not to be looking at your phone or be otherwise distracted during Mass, but reading the Bible beforehand is not disrespectful.

SergeantQueen's avatar

I think I explained “whats up with this again” when I said that I have heard people getting super uptight and pissed over reading the wrong Bible (Protestant vs. Catholic)

With all due respect, Dutchess, you are free to not respond to questions you do not like.

I explicitly stated that I was probably over thinking, because I wasn’t sure if something like that was actually, truly, offensive. I have seen people talk about Protestant Bible studies as if it was a bad thing.

My question is valid even if no one notices, I was also just genuinely curious if that was actually a problem. Sorry my questions don’t appeal to you lol have a great night.

filmfann's avatar

I grew up in the Baptist church, but I have attended Catholic services most recently.
There is no issue with reading whichever translation.

JLeslie's avatar

I can’t see a problem with it. Obviously, during mass don’t read it, but you said yourself it would be to read before mass.

Just be careful not to forget it on your way out.

One nice thing about attending a church service is to meet people, so if that interests you, I would just say that reading a book as people are entering for mass will wall you off from people approaching you.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Your question doesn’t bother me in the least. I was simply asking what the situation surrounding it was. (I’ve never heard of people getting pissed over someone reading the “wrong version” of the Bible.)

seawulf575's avatar

Absolutely. Nothing wrong with it at all. If the church gives you grief over it, go to a different church!! I’ve read DURING the service.

SergeantQueen's avatar

Dutchess
I cannot seem to tag you, are those L or I
I misunderstood, I apologize

chyna's avatar

It’s perfectly fine to do so.

canidmajor's avatar

Showing up and being respectful is good. You’ve had a rough go, finding a peaceful community is a good thing. Personally, although not Christian, there have been times in my life when I have found temporary peace in a church community, but Iusually pick the Methodists, I find them to be pretty welcoming of waifs and strays.

Be at peace, @SergeantQueen, I wish the best for you.

Forever_Free's avatar

Of course you can.
I would leave and never come back to any church that said you can’t.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Just wondering…is this a school assignment?

MrGrimm888's avatar

ONE of the countless problems, with organized religion, is that religions groups splinter into more and more radical versions of how they follow their interpretation of documents written by quite normal men, for the sole purpose of controlling men.

Ok or not, some Nuns will look down on you. Be very careful, around zealots of all faiths.

The world, is FULL of false profits.

SnipSnip's avatar

No one will be offended. Maybe you should do your reading at home.

https://www.catholic.org/bible/

Dutchess_III's avatar

That’s why I’m trying to figure out the reason for her attending church at all.

seawulf575's avatar

@chyna She said on a different thread that she started going as part of a school project. The project is done and she is still going. I certainly wouldn’t shame her for going and opening her mind to view other things.

chyna's avatar

^Was that really meant for me? I didn’t shame her in my comment.

seawulf575's avatar

@chyna My bad. No, it was not for you. Sorry ‘bout that! It was for @Dutchess_III.

SergeantQueen's avatar

It is not for a school project anymore

Dutchess_III's avatar

How on earth did I shame her @seawulf575? I don’t have a problem with people going to church!

KNOWITALL's avatar

So I was raised Baptist and converted to Catholicism. It is frowned upon to take a bible rather than read the missive which is basically the Catholic interpretation.
You still can and I doubt anyone would do more than give you side eye.
In a Baptist or AOG or other church, you always take your bible.
Last post you mentioned it being hard to read and understand so The Church does it for you in Catholicism. Another reason bible churches disdain Catholics.

seawulf575's avatar

@Dutchess_III Maybe I read it wrong, but it sounded like you were saying attending church at all was just a stupid thing. It might be just how I read it.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Can you link the post @seawulf575?

seawulf575's avatar

Your comment right above where I first mentioned shaming.

Dutchess_III's avatar

WhereI said “That’s why I’m trying to figure out the reason for her attending church at all.” ?.
Huh. It is my understanding that she’s an atheist. Is she changing her mind? If not….why is she going to church??

KNOWITALL's avatar

@Dutchess_III It started as a school assignment but she was touched by the Spirit or something and became emotional. So apparently she went back. :)

jca2's avatar

@Dutchess_III I took it the way @seawulf575 took it. You said you’re trying to figure out the reason for her attending church at all, meaning it’s baffling, meaning she has to explain herself. It’s like if someone said to me “I’m trying to figure out the reason why you shop at Walmart,” it would be like “ummmm, do I need to explain myself to this person?”

MrGrimm888's avatar

What school, would make students do an assignment on a church or religion?
If it’s a public school, I call for an investigation.

snowberry's avatar

@MrGrimm888 religious practices (festivals, holy days, etc.) are part of any culture. Just because you don’t approve of it doesn’t mean it’s not part of that culture.

Some people study religions just because they have an interest in learning more about different cultures.

When I was teaching English as a second language, I always enjoyed learning about the cultures of my students. This sometimes included festivals, foods, language, and weddings, and religious beliefs among other activities.

SergeantQueen's avatar

Hello!!!!

Clearing some stuff up because yes, I went to church for a school assignment. However, the assignment was not that I had to attend church.

It was an assignment to experience a culture different than ours, which included the option of attending a church outside of your religion. You could do a festival, eat at an authentic restaurant, anything.

To be honest, I chose the church because I could walk there.

Sorry I was not clear!!! please don’t sue my school

MrGrimm888's avatar

^Works for me.
As if that matters…..

Dutchess_III's avatar

When I was raking in the last of my college credits in order to enroll in my major at Kansas Newman one of the requirements was to take a comparative religion course. It was interesting.
Also sorry for the confusion I created by my comment.

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