Is it bad for Christians to be educated?

Question

The Rt Rev Patrick O'Donoghue, the Bishop of Lancaster, has claimed that graduates are spreading scepticism and sowing dissent. Instead of following the Church's teaching they are "hedonistic", "selfish" and "egocentric", he said. 

In particular, the bishop complained that influential Catholics in politics and the media were undermining the Church.

Bishop O'Donoghue, who has recently published a report on how to renew Catholicism in Britain, argued that mass education has led to "sickness in the Church and wider society". 

"...every human endeavor has a dark side, due to original sin and concupiscence. In the case of education, we can see its distortion through the widespread dissemination of radical scepticism, positivism, utilitarianism and relativism. 

"Taken together, these intellectual trends have resulted in a fragmented society that marginalizes God, with many people mistakenly thinking they can live happy and productive lives without him."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/3464073/Educated-Catholics-have-sown-dissent-and-confusion-in-the-Church-claims-bishop.html

And no comments please that catholics are not Christian - the argument applies to any kind of religion.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I know too many practicing Christian doctors and holders of doctorates to consider their statements nothing more than alarmist. People will always arrive at their own conclusion regarding faith, educated or not.

If Francisco Ayala and Kenneth Miller can be 2 prominent evolutionary biologists and proud Roman Catholics, I fail to see where these clergy should write such drivel.

OnTheRock · Answer

I think his point was not that education is a bad thing, it's the things they're being "taught", but I don't know exactly what he was thinking and don't necessarily agree with his view of things anyway.  I do agree that there is way to much hedonism, selfishness, and moral relativism in the world, but I don't know that it's a result of being educated, especially not properly educated (meaning being taught to think for yourself and not be brainwashed one way or the other).

Tomo · Answer

"What we have witnessed in Western societies since the end of the Second World War is the development of mass education on a scale unprecedented in human history - resulting in economic growth, scientific and technological advances, and the cultural and social enrichment of billions of people's lives," he said. 

And that's a bad thing?

Misty · Answer

It's not wrong to be educated, in fact many are highly educated. But  when you assume that your intellect is the highest level of understanding there is, you find yourself rejecting God. Intellectual pride is a problem. Many highly educated people have trouble with humility, with the idea that as smart and knowledgeable as they are there are things they cannot understand. When faced with this, they reject what they do not understand as non-existent, silly, or for the uneducated world. 

People like St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Peter Kreeft, Scott Hahn, Pope Benedict XVI...and many more, all highly educated, intellectuals who never allowed their intellect to become their god.

Avondrow · Answer

When I announced my intention to go to University, I was visited by a succession of elders on 'Shepherding' visits, desperately trying to bully me out of it - they saw it as a real threat!

God should not be marginalised - he should be rejected altogether! There is no place in a developed society for such a counter factual concept. It angers me that theists, despite the long track record of atrocity and evil done in the name of god, imply that morality is impossible without a superstitious belief in a god-being for which there is no evidence.

Give Blood; Play Hockey · Answer

It's not bad for Christians to be educated, the bishop is just saying that the education in America these days leads one away from faith in God. For example Evolution Theory being taught in schools, this would definitely cause many to stray from faith.

I personally believe in God and the bible and I'm not afraid of what I'm taught in school, my faith is strong. A Christian can be extremely educated in science and other subjects and still be Christian. The problem is that most Christians don't bother to question or examine what they're being taught, but will instead question the bible. If you ask me, the problem is not with what's being taught, the problem is that Christians aren't strong enough to stand up for what they believe in and instead back down at the slightest resistance against their faith.

? · Answer

Bah, who comes up with these questions? That's rather controversial if you ask me. I became religious because I *am* educated, because evolution and science do *not* hold all the answers (even though they would like to think and make others believe they do).

Anonymous · Answer

I suppose it depends who you ask.

The guys who say things like "I didn't come from no damn monkey!" probably see education as a threat.

The priests over at Notre Dame in Indiana are a different story.

? · Answer

I think what he is saying is that since we have removed God from our educational system, that our children are now being indoctrinated to believe He does not exist. That the humanist way of thinking with it's relative morality and any goes attitude is going to take our society onto places it really should not go.

.357 · Answer

Well, it might have been. Before Charlemagne's time. But then again, thats when the Roman Empire fell. 

No, I think we should stay educated. :D

Is it bad for Christians to be educated?

13 Answers