Forbidding Marriage and Meat?

FORBIDDING MARRIAGE AND MEAT?

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils...Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (I Timothy 4:1-5)

This passage simply does not apply to the Catholic Church. St. Paul wrote this against certain Gnostic heretics of his day, who absolutely forbade their members to marry and taught that the eating of any meat ever was sinful. The Catholic Church does not do this.

Catholicism does not forbid marriage to everyone; in fact we celebrate and bless it in the Sacrament of Matrimony. We also recognize the glory of the celibate state, as taught in the Word of God. St. Paul himself was not married during his ministry (1 Corinthians 7:7-8) and says that it is good for some people not to marry in order to dedicate their whole lives to God (vvs 1, 7-8, 32-34). And Jesus spoke of those who make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:12). So the Bible clearly teaches that consecrated celibacy is a blessed state, and the Church teaches this biblical truth.

People who become nuns and priests choose to embrace celibacy of their own volition. The Church does not force anyone to become a priest or a nun. Catholics are free to marry if they choose, and if they choose not to marry they are free to choose to become priests or nuns. No Catholic is coerced into celibacy by the Church.

Nor does the Church absolutely forbid the consumption of meat, but only on certain days. We occasionally abstain from meat in order to deny our flesh; it is a practice akin to fasting, which Jesus commanded us to do (Matt 6:16-18). The Church does not demand total vegetarianism of all her children, as the Gnostics did, which is what St. Paul condemned.

Elsewhere he tells Christians:

"Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:3-4).

According to this Scripture, non-Catholics should not judge Catholics for choosing not to eat meat on certain days. St. Paul says you are wrong to do so!

"He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks". (vs 6)

When we eat not meat, we eat it not unto the Lord! We do it for God.

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