Nat Geo to Host Series on God

The National Geographic Channel featured the season premiere of “The Story of God” this past Sunday night. This religious series is hosted by actor, Morgan Freeman, and a new episode will be played this Sunday night, April 10th at 9pm E.S.T. Check your cable network or local listings for the channel number.
Caution: So far some of the content brought forth in the show is contrary to the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church (i.e. reincarnation). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “…When ‘the single course of our earthly life’ is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: ‘It is appointed for men to die once.’ There is no ‘reincarnation’ after death” (CCC 1013).

Also, we are instructed to believe in one God (monotheism) not many gods (polytheism) as the first commandment instructs us (Exodus 20:2-3, Dt. 5:6, Ps. 81:10). The Catechism states: “The first commandment condemns polytheism. It requires man neither to believe in, nor to venerate, other divinities than the one true God. Scripture constantly recalls this rejection of ‘idols, [of] silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.’ These empty idols make their worshippers empty: ‘Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.’ God, however, is the ‘living God’ who gives life and intervenes in history” (CCC 2112). Our one God is the Most Holy Trinity – three Persons yet one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a mystery yet a reality. In the Nicene Creed at Mass we recite, “I believe in one God,” and in the next stanza we recite, “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ…” These statements of belief have been professed formally by the Church since the fourth century (Council of Nicea in the year 325 A.D.).

From the very beginning, mankind was made very good (Gen. 1:31) in God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-27). But through temptation and an act of free will, man and woman sinned, an act of rebellion, an act of disobedience against God through pride. As a result of this original sin (Gen. 3:6), man’s nature was wounded, though a process of redemption had already begun that was to be fulfilled in the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. There were four effects from this original sin: death, ignorance, suffering, and concupiscence, which is an attraction or inclination to sin. The evil in all of this is the tempter, the devil, as well as the sin itself, but mankind and his nature is not evil. Rather his nature is fallen but redeemed through God’s very life of grace by the sacraments rooted in the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

In addition, one thing Catholics don’t do is worship nature or creation, a term some refer to as a belief called pantheism. Rather, we worship the Creator, God, the Father, who though outside space and time, sent his only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ into space in time in an event called the Incarnation, when God became man, when the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. This event of the Incarnation could either refer to the Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38) when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, the Mother of God, in which Jesus was conceived, or at the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas (Mt. 1:18-25, 2:1-12; Lk. 2:1-20).

What does the Catholic Church believe about astrology, charting, like through a birth chart calculator, as it relates to Taoism/Daoism and the New Age Movement? The Catholic Church condemns these practices. While there is more information provided in the “Sources” section below for further research, here is what the Catechism says. It states: “All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (CCC 2116). So what should we do instead. The previous point in the Catechism gives the answer. “God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility” (CCC 2115).

In this diverse, modern world we are called to be discerning listeners. Despite the different religions and numerous belief systems around us, further dialogue and discussion is encouraged. Tune in. Learn something, and talk about it. Enjoy the show!

-Fr. Jeff

Sources:
1. Astrology
a. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/astrology
b. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02018e.htm
c. “Is it OK to Read Horoscopes Just for Fun?”
http://catholicexchange.com/is-it-okay-to-read-horoscopes-just-for-fun
2. National Geographic – http://channel.nationalgeographic.com
3. New Age Movement:
a. “Beware! the New Age Movement Is More Than Self-Indulgent Silliness,” by Lee Penn
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=3223
b. “JESUS CHRIST THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE: A Christian reflection on the “New Age” – http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html
c. “Understanding the New Age Movement,” by Stratford Caldecott
http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/catholic-truth-society/download/understanding-the-new-age-movement.pdf
4. Taoism in the Catholic Encyclopedia – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14446b.htm