NationStates Jolt Archive

I met a lady from Guatemala who was a 'teacher of catechisms'. I know it's something religious, but when she gave me examples, it sounded like strange riddles! "How many angels could dance on the head of a pin" and so on.

So what the heck are catechisms? I know my aunties who went to Residential school had to learn them, but are they just these riddle-answers?

Every religion must have its odd riddles. :)
I thought they were statements of Catholic doctrine…

So is this just a Catholic thing? I found a whole bunch more...this is one of the 'greater catechisms' (what does that mean?):

Question. Whence is all truth concerning God and ourselves to be
learned?
Answer. From the holy Scripture, the Word of God. - Chapter 1 of the
Greater Catechism.

Who writes them? It seems from my brief googlage, that there are many catechisms, written by various people. All my aunties have told me is that they had to memorize them. How many would you have to memorize? Are these taught anymore (like in Sunday school or something)?

I think it's basically like a quiz. I remember reading one about Britain in the early 1900s.

http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve03/1149catch.html


found it!


Hope this helps any.

Look in a dictionary. That may help

Look in a dictionary. That may help
I don't just want the definition. I want to know the purpose of it...and if it is still being used as a teaching tool...and perhaps a bit of history on them.

Main Entry: cat·e·chism

Function: noun
1 : oral instruction
2 : a manual for catechizing; specifically : a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers
3 a : a set of formal questions put as a test b : something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement

I assumed they were always religious...but this defintion, and the link that was provided earlier seem to say that this is not always so...

I think it's basically like a quiz. I remember reading one about Britain in the early 1900s.

http://www.cpa.org.au/garchve03/1149catch.html


found it!


Hope this helps any.
Weird:

Q. What proportion of the inhabitants of the earth are the subjects
of King Edward?

A. About one-fifth, or about 22 per cent.

I can't say I understand what's weird about it...

I'm not too up on my late 1800s/early 1900s history, however... What am I missing?

I can't say I understand what's weird about it...

I'm not too up on my late 1800s/early 1900s history, however... What am I missing?
No, the only weird thing is until I looked at your link, I just assumed they would all be religious in nature. I wasn't sure everyone would check out the link, so I just posted an example of a non-religious catechism. So, actually, no weirdness...but you can't just have quotes in your post, so I put in a filler word:)

I don't just want the definition. I want to know the purpose of it...and if it is still being used as a teaching tool...and perhaps a bit of history on them.In the Lutheran denomination, there are TWO catechisms, one primarily for the Laity (Luther's Small Catechism) and the other for Ministers (Luther's Large...)

The Small is used to instruct children in Doctrine and prepare them for a little oral "exam" before taking first communion.

For most of the world, catechisims went out of vogue along with scholasticisim... but it's still the best way to teach doctrine because the scholastic approach brooks no questioning of The Books...

No, the only weird thing is until I looked at your link, I just assumed they would all be religious in nature. I wasn't sure everyone would check out the link, so I just posted an example of a non-religious catechism. So, actually, no weirdness...but you can't just have quotes in your post, so I put in a filler word:)


oh..... that makes sense.
(You could have at least picked the "Regardless of class, creed or colour" quote!)

Catechisms are the Catholic version of a memorization game.

I met a lady from Guatemala who was a 'teacher of catechisms'. I know it's something religious, but when she gave me examples, it sounded like strange riddles! "How many angels could dance on the head of a pin" and so on.

So what the heck are catechisms? I know my aunties who went to Residential school had to learn them, but are they just these riddle-answers?

I'm pretty sure it's crazy pointless questions invented by people who've been isolated from the world in a monastary for far too long.

I'm pretty sure it's crazy pointless questions invented by people who've been isolated from the world in a monastary for far too long.
Otherwise known as the Pre-Enlightenment Era educational style known as Scholasticisim.

Otherwise known as the Pre-Enlightenment Era educational style known as Scholasticisim.

Not just pre - enlightenment. The Catholic church never realy got the hang of this enlightenment business and they have carried on as they were.

To attend first communion you have to pass an exam on the catechisms for your church. Of course if you do not attend communion than you are a sinner, and will go to hell. SO to be saved you have to learn, by rote, some set of religious and at times patriotic dogma.

Teaching catechisms was what was counted as converting pagans or heathens and was a speciality of the Jesuits. Even today many Catholic denominations will only accept a convert if they have learnt the catechisms.

I think I found a link to an online copy of the "Baltimore Catechism (http://www.catholic.net/baltimore_catechism/template_channel.phtml?channel_id=14)".

My religious education was a while ago, so I don't remember clearly how I was taught the Catholic faith; it might not have been with the Baltimore Catechism. Nowadays, I just listen to the priest celebrating Sunday Mass every week. On occassion, I also ask one of the priests after Mass if I have a specific question on my mind.

--The Democratic States of Cogitation

I think I found a link to an online copy of the "Baltimore Catechism (http://www.catholic.net/baltimore_catechism/template_channel.phtml?channel_id=14)".

My religious education was a while ago, so I don't remember clearly how I was taught the Catholic faith; it might not have been with the Baltimore Catechism. Nowadays, I just listen to the priest celebrating Sunday Mass every week. On occassion, I also ask one of the priests after Mass if I have a specific question on my mind.

--The Democratic States of Cogitation

Wow. I could see someone getting into a lot of trouble over these...and causing their priest or teacher a lot of headaches if they want to know WHY...

"How many angels could dance on the head of a pin"
17.
But little angel #6 sees under little angel #17's dress. And little angel #16 just fell down in the haystack.

The stupid things that President Catech said.

Catechisms are the Catholic version of a memorization game.
If only it was that easy.

Not just pre - enlightenment. The Catholic church never realy got the hang of this enlightenment business and they have carried on as they were.

To attend first communion you have to pass an exam on the catechisms for your church. Of course if you do not attend communion than you are a sinner, and will go to hell. SO to be saved you have to learn, by rote, some set of religious and at times patriotic dogma.

Teaching catechisms was what was counted as converting pagans or heathens and was a speciality of the Jesuits. Even today many Catholic denominations will only accept a convert if they have learnt the catechisms.Yah. My point was that Bacon pretty much destroyed non-religious Scholasticisim/Catechisims...

"How many angels could dance on the head of a pin"

None. All but two are far too big and many don't even have feet. (Source: Eva)

...aren't those the crunchy little things you find in salads?


No, wait those are croutons.


My bad.

yeah, Catholics (especially in Mexico) actually still use these even today to teach catholicism to youngsters. It works well, it is a good memory device, especially since they drill it in pretty hard.

I met a lady from Guatemala who was a 'teacher of catechisms'. I know it's something religious, but when she gave me examples, it sounded like strange riddles! "How many angels could dance on the head of a pin" and so on.

So what the heck are catechisms? I know my aunties who went to Residential school had to learn them, but are they just these riddle-answers?

A catechism is a "body of fundamental principles of belief". Most Orthodox, Catholic or Reformed churches have "Catechisms": they are usually layed our in Q&A format. And are used for basic instruction in the faith.

For example: from the Westminster Larger Catechism (used by most Presbyterian Churches)


Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer 1: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.


Q44: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A44: Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.

I don't just want the definition. I want to know the purpose of it...and if it is still being used as a teaching tool...and perhaps a bit of history on them.

Catechisms were developed as basic instructional tools for indoctrinating new believers and children.

Catechisms were developed as basic instructional tools for indoctrinating new believers and children.

So my guess is they don't stay crunchy in milk, then.

Dang, back to eating multigrain Bible flakes, then...

17.
But little angel #6 sees under little angel #17's dress. And little angel #16 just fell down in the haystack.

lol

Hi Sinuhue, wikipedia.org is usually a good source for question like this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism

They have background, historical and purpose questions answered as well :)

So is this just a Catholic thing? I found a whole bunch more...this is one of the 'greater catechisms' (what does that mean?):

Question. Whence is all truth concerning God and ourselves to be
learned?
Answer. From the holy Scripture, the Word of God. - Chapter 1 of the
Greater Catechism.

Who writes them?
old people, in pointy hats