Author Topic: Am I Being Idolatrous When I . . . ? (Read 1480 times)

Jimbo9889 · « **on:** December 28, 2012, 03:41:13 PM »

Okay so I am in need of a peoples input again . . . :/

I like to read, I consider myself an Autodidactic Bibliophile and I take pride in being that since I find it inherently counter-cultural in todays world at least. I have a growing list of books I want to read and either have or still have to get, I also have books I have and that I am currently reading and yet to read. As you can imagine in the confusion of life I feel anxious my focus is always in fragmented, with the amount of books I still want to read and the books I am reading.

It maybe redundant to ask, and I am a slow learner, but am I being idolatrous toward God with these Books even if these books are geared toward Devout Living and the Spiritual Life, Theology, Philosophy, and Psychology?

There are other things in my life that I want to do and yet I walk this thin line: If I read too little I don't feel edified for the week and if I read too much I feel like I am a slave at the expense of other things I could be doing.

Is there someone who can help me find balance? Certainly I will pray to God for a sense of Harmony in my life with regards to this issue but I feel really torn apart as to which direction I should head in.

Sede Catholic · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2012, 03:59:50 PM »

Dear Jimbo,

Good advice is to NOT read the psychology books. They are going to be filled with anti-Catholic errors.

Also, avoid reading philosophy – except sound pre-twentieth century Thomistic philosophy.

Finally, with religious books, make sure that they are good Catholic books.
A simple rule for that could be: anything written prior A.D. 1914 and which has the Imprimatur, is probably sound.

Anything written after A.D. 1914 – be very careful.

Anthony Benedict · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:06:39 PM »

Okay, welcome to the club. Trads are voracious readers.

The best two guides are Fr. Adolph Tanqueray's "The Spiritual Life" and pertinent sections from the" Imitation " by Thos. a Kempis.

Your first goal must be the spiritual growth of your soul and, yes, some folks can become over-absored, over the course of their lives, in books, even pious ones, to the expense of their spiritual growth.

However, as long as you are fulfilling your duties to your state in life, including your prayer life, whatever "leisure" time is left over can certainly profit from wide, wise reading.

Cheryl · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2012, 04:28:18 PM »

Quote from: Jimbo9889

Okay so I am in need of a peoples input again . . . :/

I like to read, I consider myself an Autodidactic Bibliophile and I take pride in being that since I find it inherently counter-cultural in todays world at least. I have a growing list of books I want to read and either have or still have to get, I also have books I have and that I am currently reading and yet to read. As you can imagine in the confusion of life I feel anxious my focus is always in fragmented, with the amount of books I still want to read and the books I am reading.

It maybe redundant to ask, and I am a slow learner, but am I being idolatrous toward God with these Books even if these books are geared toward Devout Living and the Spiritual Life, Theology, Philosophy, and Psychology?

There are other things in my life that I want to do and yet I walk this thin line: If I read too little I don't feel edified for the week and if I read too much I feel like I am a slave at the expense of other things I could be doing.

Is there someone who can help me find balance? Certainly I will pray to God for a sense of Harmony in my life with regards to this issue but I feel really torn apart as to which direction I should head in.

I understand your dilemma. I too am a bibliophile. My reading list is similar to yours. I've done two things to prevent myself from going totally insane. If you're reading things spiritual, then let the Holy Ghost guide you. I know, it sounds odd. I found when I spent time deciding and fretting over which book should be next, I ended up with books I never finished. So, I put the decision in the hands of the Holy Ghost and the next thing I knew I would pick a few books from my to read pile and instinctively know which one to read. And most importantly, I finished the book. I also learned from the book.

The second thing, give yourself a break, read something light, a little fiction perhaps.

Keep in mind, so many books and so little time. Put the choice in God's hands and you'll find yourself gaining the wisdom the Good Lord desires you to know.

From one bibliophile to another,

Merry and Holy Christmastide!

Jimbo9889 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2012, 09:45:08 PM »

One of my concerns is that I am reading to the detriment of my body, I mean I get the 3-Square Meals a day and practice hygiene, but I am not really active in my body and its always been something of mine that I should aim for the Health of Spirit, Mind, and Body, understanding the Body not as the Flesh of course.

Also, briefly speaking one of my problems prior to my reversion back to the Faith was that I was always stuck in my mind, and I know that Catholicism is a very embodied religion designed to take us outside of our minds, even free us [not in the Buddhist conception however]. So I feel in part that I have fallen back into this same habit but now with the rationale [which I do see as legitimate] that I need to "re-catechize" myself back into the Faith having reverted back to it, since my previous Catechist experience was that of "milk" and at that "bad milk."

shin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2013, 01:59:45 PM »

Yes, it's to be remembered that the virtuous life lived in deeds is so key and fundamental, when one learns about it and loves it in books.

The virtue of 'temperance' is an especially beautiful and necessary virtue in these times.

So 'temperance' even in books, so that one can spend more time in virtuous actions that are more physical and so beneficial to the overall health. :)

If one appreciates the good in 'temperance' then this counters the displeasure of giving up the good of 'books', because one is still doing a good act that is pleasing to God in Heaven, and so of lasting good and good memory.

Vladimir · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2013, 10:39:44 PM »

Some signs that buying books (or anything else) is an obsessive problem are:

1) If you are getting yourself irresponsibly into debt that you can't pay back

2) You don't read most or any of the books that you buy, but are always buying more

3) You are cheap with other people because you want to buy books

Other than that, skipping a few meals, etc to buy books isn't much of a problem. Just don't let it turn into an obsession.

Marlelar · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2013, 08:04:13 PM »

Regarding balance, perhaps you could plan to spend the same amount of time you spend reading in doing something more active. So if you spend 10 hrs a week reading spend 10 hrs a week gardening, walking, weeding at your church or volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, or something like that anyway. Of course if you read 30 hrs a week you probably don't have another 30 for
out-of-the-house activities so you'd have to split your time.

Marsha

songbird · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2013, 05:37:22 PM »

I too like to read, non-fiction and preferably catholic. I am in an area, where I can buy books for half price, and estate sales and thrift stores. When I find good books, I buy them. Over 15 years I have been working on my library of catholic books. They are for children to adult. WE home schooled. I had the thought that I should make my own library, that one day we may not have these books. With the crisis in the church, I just felt it fine to begin my own library. We have 6 book shelves full. That may seem like a lot. I keep a inventory so as not to buy the same. If I do find the same, I know a good home for them. We have family in Scotland and they just go nuts for the books, they are so hungry for good catholic books. I had noticed that NO churches cleaned out their libraries and I took advantage of their rummage sales. I try to have no more than 2 books being read. One at my bedside and one in the living room. It is important to give yourself breaks, like walks saying the rosary. Works are important along with prayer. So, diversity is where it is and enjoy! For 10 years my family was on me for my books and now they are asking me if I have a particular book to borrow. The city libraries are liberal. Even my husband is a different man, re-born and he got excited for the books. It was like his eyes opened. He could decide where to begin. Sometimes you want to read about the history of the church, or maybe a saint. So, have at it!

drivocek · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2013, 12:38:31 PM »

As a side note, acquire the books by AB Marcel Lefebvre and Michael Davies and the trilogy by Frere Michel de La Sainte Trinite` (www.fatima.org).

Q P, T A

P. S. Sometimes for a break, I re-read The Hardy Boys :)

drivocek · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2013, 12:40:27 PM »

No, you are not being idolatrous. . .