In Donum Veritatis, the Catholic theologian is in most cases supposed to believe in things even if they are not-infallible, which by definition means they could be in error and untrue.
>33. Dissent has different aspects. In its most radical form, it aims at changing the Church following a model of protest which takes its inspiration from political society. More frequently, it is asserted that the theologian is not bound to adhere to any Magisterial teaching unless it is infallible. Thus a Kind of theological positivism is adopted, according to which, doctrines proposed without exercise of the charism of infallibility are said to have no obligatory character about them, leaving the individual completely at liberty to adhere to them or not.
And also:
>When the Magisterium, not intending to act "definitively", teaches a doctrine to aid a better understanding of Revelation and make explicit its contents, or to recall how some teaching is in conformity with the truths of faith, or finally to guard against ideas that are incompatible with these truths, the response called for is that of the religious submission of will and intellect.(23) This kind of response cannot be simply exterior or disciplinary but must be understood within the logic of faith and under the impulse of obedience to the faith.
So you can't just agree externally, but you have to believe internally as well. That sounds like brainwashing.
So now back to when I said "in most cases." It gives a small out, but only names theologians as those who can use it. Since I am not a professional theologian, I might not be able to use this. But let's assume I can, for argument's sake.
>30. If, despite a loyal effort on the theologian's part, the difficulties persist, the theologian has the duty to make known to the Magisterial authorities the problems raised by the teaching in itself, in the arguments proposed to justify it, or even in the manner in which it is presented. He should do this in an evangelical spirit and with a profound desire to resolve the difficulties. His objections could then contribute to real progress and provide a stimulus to the Magisterium to propose the teaching of the Church in greater depth and with a clearer presentation of the arguments.
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>In cases like these, the theologian should avoid turning to the "mass media", b
Suppose someone says something arguably false, for example: "the majority of dogs on Earth has 7 legs". Although most people would say this is not true, on what basis can this information be uttered then? In other words, given the premise that all events in the universe are true (in the sense that their existence cannot be denied), how can a false proposition even be possible? What does it refer to? How can what it refers to, as a false proposition, even exist?
...The Master said, "Everyone come closer. In the eighth month, I expect to leave this world. If any of you have questions, ask them now, and I will answer them for you. Let me put an end to your delusions so that you can know joy. After I leave, there will be no one to teach you."
When Fa-Hai and the other monks heard this, they wept and cried. Only Shen-hi was unmoved and shed no tears. The Sixth Patriarch said, "Shen-hui is a young monk, but he understands that the good and the bad are the same, and he isn't moved by praise or blame. The rest of you don't understand. What exactly have you been practicing all these years in the mountains? And who exactly are you crying for? Are you worried that I don't know where I'm going? If I didn't know where I was going, I would never leave you. You're crying because you don't know where I'm going. If you knew, you wouldn't be crying.
Our nature isn't subject to birth and death or coming and going. All of you sit down. I have a gatha for you: 'The Gatha of Truth and Falsehood and Movement and Stillness.' If all of you recite this gatha, your thoughts will be the same as mine. Put this into practice and don't lose sight of the basic principle."
The monks all bowed and asked the Master to leave them with this gatha, which they received with reverence. The gatha went:
>"Nothing that exists is true
>don't think what you see is true
>if you think you see the true
>what you see is surely false
>if you want to find the true
>the mind free of the false is true
>unless your mind forsakes the false
>nothing is true where true can't be.
>Living things know how to move
>lifeless things stay still
>those who practice staying still
>resemble motionless lifeless things
>to see what truly doesn't move
>in movement find what doesn't move
>what doesn't move is what doesn't move
>lifeless things have no buddha seeds.
>If you can perceive its attributes
>the ultimate truth doesn't move
>if you can realize this
>you will see how reality works
>all you students of the Way
>be relentless and concentrate
>don't stand at the entrance of the Mahayana
>clinging to views about birth and death
>If those before you are ready
>tell them the Buddha's teaching
>and if they aren't truly ready
>bow and tell them to be good
>there's nothing to argue about in this teaching
>those who argue lose sight of the Way
>clinging to
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