Benedict XVI Says Theology Must Learn From The Experiences Of False Religions

By Bro. Michael Dimond, O.S.B.
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Benedict XVI, Special Address, Sept. 12, 2006: “For philosophy and, albeit in a different way, for theology, listening to the great experiences and insights of the religious traditions of humanity, and those of the Christian faith in particular, is a source of knowledge, and to ignore it would be an unacceptable restriction of our listening and responding.” (L’Osservatore Romano, Sept. 20, 2006, p. 11)

Benedict XVI says that Catholic theology should listen to the “great experiences” and “insights” of false religions, and that to ignore them would be irresponsible. People should think about the significance of such a statement. It clearly indicates that he doesn’t regard these religions (including pagan and idolatrous ones) as false and of the Devil. His statement is simply another expression of the Modernist apostasy that all religions are basically true because one becomes a believer through one’s religious “experiences.”

Pope St. Pius X, Pascendi (# 14), Sept. 8, 1907: “[According to the Modernists] It is this experience which, when a person acquires it, makes him properly and truly a believer. How far off we are here from Catholic teaching we have already seen in the decree of the Vatican Council. We shall see later how, with such theories, added to the other errors already mentioned, the way is opened wide for atheism. Here it is well to note at once that, given this doctrine of experience united with the other doctrine of symbolism, every religion, even that of paganism, must be held to be true. What is to prevent such experiences from being met within every religion? In fact that they are to be found is asserted by not a few. And with what right will Modernists deny the truth of an experience affirmed by a follower of Islam? With what right can they claim true experiences for Catholics alone? Indeed Modernists do not deny but actually admit, some confusedly, others in the most open manner, that all religions are true. That they cannot feel otherwise is clear.”

Benedict XVI’s Recent Heresies

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