A Troubling Tale from the Digital Pews: RCIT Catholic Discord and Doctrine

In the evolving landscape of online religious communities, Discord servers have become the new sanctuaries where believers from around the globe gather to discuss faith, share insights, and support one another. However, these digital gathering places are not immune to the challenges and conflicts that any community might face. A recent incident involving a server named The Roman Catholic In-Depth Theological (RCIT Catholic Discord) , managed by an individual known as Bill, highlights the complexities of managing such a community and the repercussions when actions taken do not align with the server owners peculiar reading of Catholic doctrines.

The Incident

Bill –The RCIT server owner had previously made inroads with a number of servers via partnerships– was given a co-admin status of another server created by a 16 year old kid who wanted to share his faith. In this other server a debate among members regarding the complex and sensitive issue of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza occurred . This debate led to Bill mass banning 100+ users from this Catholic server—not because of their behavior in violation of catholic principles, but purely due to their perceived lack of support for war. This action raises significant ethical questions about leadership, community management, and the reflection of faith-based values in decision-making and calls for a primer on Catholic doctrine and end times prophesy .

Catholic Doctrine and the Israel-Gaza Conflict

Emphasis on Peace and Reconciliation

1. Promotion of Dialogue: The Catholic Church has consistently advocated for dialogue between all parties involved as the only viable solution to achieving lasting peace. The Church believes that through conversation and negotiation, a fair and sustainable resolution can be achieved.
2. Human Dignity and Rights: Rooted in its teachings on the sanctity of human life, the Church’s doctrine stresses the importance of respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals involved in the conflict, regardless of their nationality or religion. This includes a special concern for the protection of civilian lives and the right of people to live in safety and peace.
3. Humanitarian Aid: The Church often calls for increased humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. This includes support for refugees and displaced persons, medical aid for the wounded, and food and water for those caught in conflict zones.
4. Support for a Two-State Solution: Historically, the Vatican has supported the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recognizing the right of Israel to exist and to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders and acknowledging the same rights for Palestinians.

Reflecting Catholic Doctrine?

The decision to mass ban members based on their views on war sharply contrasts with the core Christian values of peace, compassion, and understanding. At its heart, Christianity advocates for forgiveness and dialogue to resolve conflicts. However, Bill’s actions, possibly influenced by theological views similar to those of certain Protestant reformers who emphasize the Rapture, significantly diverge from traditional Catholic teachings. Catholic doctrine looks towards eschatological hope centered on Christ’s return, envisioning it as a time of justice and ultimate peace, rather than destruction. The RCIT Catholic Discords approach thus misaligns with both the letter and the spirit of Catholicism.

Bill’s actions misalign with the letter and spirit of Catholicism in two fundamental ways:

1. Contravention of Peace and Forgiveness: Catholic doctrine, deeply embedded in the teachings of Christ, emphasizes the principles of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and numerous papal encyclicals advocate for resolving disputes through dialogue and understanding, not exclusion or coercion. By banning members for their pacifist views, Bill contravenes this doctrinal emphasis, choosing punitive segregation over the recommended path of conversation and communal healing, which are central to the Catholic approach to conflict resolution.
2. Deviation from Eschatological Hope: Catholic eschatology—concerning the last things, such as death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and humankind—focuses on the hope and promise of Christ’s return as a redemptive, not destructive, event. This hope is rooted in the transformation and ultimate salvation that encompasses justice and peace, reflecting God’s love for all creation. Bill’s theological rationale, influenced perhaps by apocalyptic interpretations more common in certain strands of Protestantism, distorts this view, aligning more with ideas of punitive retribution rather than the redemptive and inclusive peace envisioned in Catholic teachings.

Theological Misalignments

Some catholics appear to have been influenced by two significant doctrinal concepts that are not traditionally Catholic: the Rapture and the central role of Israel in end-times prophecy. These ideas have been popularized primarily by Protestant theological movements within the last century, particularly within American Evangelical circles. The concept of the Rapture, which involves believers being taken up into heaven preemptively before a period of tribulation on earth, does not align with Catholic teachings on the general resurrection and final judgment. Similarly, the specific emphasis on Israel’s geopolitical role in prophecy is a perspective heavily shaped by Dispensationalism, a theological framework that emerged from the Protestant tradition in the 19th century. These doctrines contrast starkly with the Catholic view, which interprets Biblical prophecies in the light of Christ’s ultimate return and the universal call to salvation.

Conclusion

The unfortunate events on the RCIT Catholic Discord server serve as a reminder of the profound responsibility held by those who lead manage communities, digital or otherwise. Leaders like Bill must reflect on whether their actions uphold the tenets of the faith they profess to follow and whether they foster a community of open, compassionate dialogue or one of division and exclusion.

As digital platforms continue to host religious discourse and community, it becomes increasingly crucial for moderators and leaders like Bill to align their administrative actions with the core doctrines of their faith traditions. Only through such alignment can online religious communities truly reflect the values of the faiths they represent and become spaces of true fellowship and growth.