Catholicism and the Supernatural

[cobraboy]

I've become aware recently how some Dominicans believe in the supernatural.

I was suprised to see this. My observations are how devout the floks are about the Catholic church and teachings. Obviously, the belief in the supernatural is in direct conflict with the Church's teachings.

By "supernatural" I mean curses spanning generations, and individuals "ability" to communicate with the dead. I know one case where it is believed some happenings within a large family (suicide, mental illness, depression) were because a family member visited a "shaman/medicine man/witch doctor" (I don't know the exact term) in the deep campo decades ago-and was given bottles of herbs and liquid to bury in specific places to cast out the demons. The "cure" today is to go dig the bottles up and have a new "preacher" (who is Catholic, BTW, and NOT a priest) say a prayer to cast out demons. All far away from the pervue of the Church.



I find this very surprising, that devout Catholics have these beliefs outside of the Church. And more surprising is how common I'm told it is, even among the urban middle classes (where I've experienced this).

Can someone more in tune with the religious culture shed some light on this? How common is this? It sounds like Catholicism mixed with voodoo or santeria or something.

[AnnaC]

Here's some threads you might enjoy

Voodoo

Superstitions in the DR

Dominican Supersitions

[Chip00]

Cobraboy - First of all a lot of these people are anything but devout Catholics - just because they go to church and have a statue of the Virgin Mary in their house with tons of candles doesn't mean a thing.

It is quite common in many Latin American countries that the more "ignorant" people are of their Catholic faith the more they try to "interject" jibberish. This is nothing new as this type of stuff has been going on (and documented) since Old Testament times.

In our church at least on one or two occasions the priest publically scolded recent Mexican immigrants to the area who were doing some type of pagan prayer and sign of the cross that was somehow "a new and improved" version. He basically told them that that wasn't from God and he wasn't going to tolerate it.

I have met many Catholics unfortunately that would fit the above description who really don't know squat about the actual beliefs of their faith. The Protestants really take advantage of this and effectively use this ignorance when recruiting.

[fightingirish]

It's an interesting point, Chip. Such preoccupations with magical beliefs seem to do little to help people live fuller and more loving lives. I can only imagine the anxiety that would result from a sincere belief in being "cursed".

The accompanying difficulty that often results, however, is when non-native missionary priests or other cultural outsiders attempt to wipe out such things. It's a tight rope. Many cultures (in so-called underdeveloped countries) around the globe have world views that are far more pregnant with the mystical significance of reality, etc. Such and such water from such and such stream is curative. Particular words have power when chanted, etc.

Coming from a culture that is very much a child of the "Enlightenment", my first reaction is to scoff at this stuff. Miracle waters and magic beans only hold value insofar as their efficaciousness is measurable in laboratories, etc. "Truth" basically means the verifiability of the scientific method.

But I aspire to at least some humility! I hope to recognize that my own particular world view is one among many, and has its own dogma and magic, not to mention its own anxieties and curses.

[bob saunders]

So you think water into wine and 1 loaf in to many isn't magic? In many countries the Catholic church has even encouraged a blend of the original religion with Christianity. Easier to make converts that way.

[LatinoRican]

Isn't believing in any religion a belief in the supernatural by its very definition? I was raised in the Catholic church which is chock full of "supernatural" occurences: virgin births, angels appearing out of nowhere and talking to humans, dead people that return from the dead, blind people recovering their vision, lepers regaining their health, fishes and bread multipliying to feed hundreds of people, demons being cast out of 'possessed' people, and the list goes on and on and on....

[Chip00]

Originally Posted by fightingirish

The accompanying difficulty that often results, however, is when non-native missionary priests or other cultural outsiders attempt to wipe out such things.

I agree that this used to be a problem but in my understanding the Catholic Church has long since "adapted" to allow "different" ways of giving praise to God. For example, if one went to a Eastern Rite/Marionite mass and then to a contemporary Hispanic Catholic Mass with Salsa and Merengue induced music in south Florida an unknown observer might not realize that they are part of the same church!

[windeguy]

I have studied religions as a more than casual observer for most of my life with the intent to discover why people were motivated into believing things that have no proof. Superstition would be the best word I could use. As pointed out by several posters, all religions I have looked into have a supernatural basis.

Supernatural means something beyond natural and beyond our understanding. Something in which you must simply believe without any basis in reality. Such belief systems are a good method used by religions to obtain mind control. I too was a bit surprised at how this carried into the voodoo side of things here in the DR with regard to the Catholic religion. When you realize that voodoo is practiced in Haiti, this connection isn't really so surprising.

I will personally never understand how people can be so deceived into believing that life is more than the here and now. When it is over, that is it. End of story. Please make the best of it for you and yours instead of arguing over who has the best imaginary friend in the heavens.

[A.Hidalgo]

Originally Posted by LatinoRican

Isn't believing in any religion a belief in the supernatural by its very definition? I was raised in the Catholic church which is chock full of "supernatural" occurences: virgin births, angels appearing out of nowhere and talking to humans, dead people that return from the dead, blind people recovering their vision, lepers regaining their health, fishes and bread multipliying to feed hundreds of people, demons being cast out of 'possessed' people, and the list goes on and on and on....

You are missing that magic word that makes all this religion business possible... ."FAITH"

[laurapasinifan]

could it be the "large" amount of supernatural "beliefs" come about via the large amount of Haitans in the population?

I was born and raised a roman catholic, and I just spent my second easter in the DR....if the Dominicans show their catholic roots, it certainly is during Seman Santa, and ESPECIALLY ...GOOD FRIDAY

you know i a only down for 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!! taking one whole day out of the equation is a lot of pressure on a poor sinful soul as mine.. ha ha ha

bob