tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85290954871079851642024-03-18T21:51:27.804-05:00St. Walburga's BlogA Catholic Homeschooling mom of 5 who would like to be a witness to the world. I am passionate about my Faith, family, and homeschooling. I'm not perfect but I try to be the best person I can be.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-79060945661476521792024-03-11T21:40:00.005-05:002024-03-11T21:40:34.131-05:00Rebuttal of a Hateful Article: The False Christ of The ChosenDear Readers, If there are any readers out there...I came back because I am so
passionate about the Gospel. I don't understand why there are so many who call
themselves Catholic who wish to divide us. Some Catholics are not Catholic enough for them. Some Catholics are too Catholic for them. We can't watch or use anything not made or produced by Catholic sources approved by them. Case in point, a woman who calls herself Catholic, a
blogger who, because she got an article printed in an extremist "Catholic" magazine, is now the arbiter of what we
can and cannot show in our parish. I will not dignify her article by giving it
more of an audience. I just have to say that I am disappointed and shocked at
her hubris. Let me start with speaking about art and religion. There has been a
great push in the Catholic Church and Catholic religious education to teach about the great
art in the Catholic Church; to bring art back into the consciousness of the masses (no pun intended). I have seen several Cathedrals in Europe: Notre
Dame, Cologne, Aachen, St. Peter's, just to name a few. Beautiful, beautiful art
created by man to honor God. Have you really taken a good look at some of the
art work? Did you notice Michaelango's David is not circumcised and looks very
much like a Greek God? Have you noticed that Jesus and disciples are neither
dressed correctly nor is the furnishing correctly depicted in Leonardo Da
Vinci's painting of the Last Supper? (yet, it is the scene most people "imagine" the Last Supper to look like). I could bring up many art pieces that are
not historically accurate, including many depictions of Mary Magdalene as a
prostitute. This tradition developed over time and is nowhere found in the Gospel accounts. My point is that traditional art
is not always historically or gospelly accurate. Film after all is art. I would
like to ask, did the woman who so scathingly wrote about The Chosen watch The
Passion of the Christ? Because, although it was written and directed by a
Catholic (a very publicly adulterous and abusive Catholic) it did not depend on
the Gospel accounts of Jesus. Mel Gibson used the visions of Anne Catherine
Emmerich and exaggerated many scenes, including the scourging at the pillar for dramatic
purposes. I guess that's okay because it was a Catholic. Because Dallas Jenkins
is not Catholic, The Chosen is automatically suspect to many, many so-called Catholic critics. I say that all movies and
shows about the Gospels or any Bible stories for that matter are suspect. Unless you watch some that are just narrations of the Gospels
right off the pages (the ones I have seen available on YouTube are NOT from the
Catholic Bible) then someone like her could not possibly give it a chance. She admitted in the article that SHE DID NOT VIEW The Chosen--so what makes her an authority on whether the show is in line with Catholic teaching. I am more inclined to believe the priests who have reviewed it (Upon Frior Review) after watching it than a raving extremist who has not even seen it. Here are a few answers to some of her half-truths and accusations. Accusation: "Wildly popular soap
opera created by Mormons and Protestants who admit that it is a fictionalized
Gospel with fictionalized characters. Answer: 1) I don't think she has ever
watched soap operas if she thinks this is soap. 2) Two Mormon brothers founded
Angel studios which crowd funded the production of The Chosen. It was not
financed by the Mormon Church. And? 3) Dallas Jenkins is a protestant. He has
however met the pope and, seems to me anyway, very close to Catholicism, just as
C.S. Lewis was. 4) They did not admit to a fictionalized Gospel. What they have
stated is that certain conversations and people are fictionalized. An example
would be Quintus, the Praeter of Galilee--we know very little of the Roman
government of Galilee. And? Adding a character to the dramatization of the
Gospel isn't a "fictionalized Gospel." 5) As stated in point 4, there are some
fictionalized characters. And? If they they used only the named characters in
the Bible, they could not dramatize the Gospel and make it real. Accusation:
"The show has infiltrated the imaginations of countless Catholics, many of whom
should know better." Answer: You're right. How dare we use our imaginations? God
gave us imaginations but we should not ever use it while contemplating the
Gospel. God gave us senses and talent. We should never use it to make art and to
see Christ as a real human being with a personality, nor acting in compassion,
patience, and mercy. Never. (To be clear as Nathaniel is in The Chosen, I am
being sarcastic). Accusation: "the buzz among Catholic influencers, friends,
families, parishes, and schools is growing." Answer: I would agree with that
until now. This vitriolic article has single-handedly hurt a very sincere,
loving Catholic volunteer in my parish. This hateful article has swept through
our parish and is dividing it. It reminds me so much of the trauma of the
Protestant Church in which I grew up which actually, literally did divide because of something
just as TRIVIAL. They fought over, of all things, whether the pastor's wife
should work outside the home. She was a kindergarten teacher! She worked so they
could send their children to the Christian school she worked for. But the young
20-something youth group director, fresh out of school, had to make it known that the pastor's wife should stay
home and take care of the family from there. When she refused to quit and her husband
supported her (mostly because he was barely paid enough for them to live on),
the youth director and many of his followers left our church. It was horrible
and traumatic. I am now getting flashbacks because of this horrible, horrible
article circulating through our parish. Accusation: "From this massive
commercial enterprise emerges copious merch to be bought" Answer: 1) The "merch"
is funding the next episodes of The Chosen. 2) Has she ever gone to a Catholic
Women's Conference or a diocesan discipleship Conference? If you have bought
"merch" there--you are DOING THE SAME EXACT THING. Merch is merch. If it is
spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ IT IS A GOOD THING!!! Accusation: "...get
the specifics of heresy and blasphemy, an overview of Catholic principles and
Christology violated, and the general modernism and anti-Catholicism that
pervades the show and the set." Answer: 1) I did not go to her blog nor her
conversations about heresy and blasphemy, just as she DID NOT WATCH THE CHOSEN!
2) Does my degree in Catholic Theology count? Does my opinion matter? I have
seen no heresy in this series. Liberties taken? yes. Heresy, no. 4) I have seen
no anti-Catholicism. I am not blind. I am a convert and have studied the Faith
for over 25 years. I do believe I can detect anti-Catholicism when it is present. I have yet to see
any in The Chosen. Dallas Jenkins, the producer and director works with a team which includes people of different Christian denominations,
to write the scripts. They do their best to follow the Gospels to the best of
their ability. No one claims to be infallible on this project, nor have they claimed that this is THE Gospel. 5) Again, it is a
work of art. Accurate or inaccurate in this one woman's eyes though it may be.
If I disagree with her misinformation, does that make me a heretic, or my
opinion of The Chosen less valuable than her
<i
>opinion<i
>?
Accusation: "creator Dallas Jenkins promises a “very, very emotional”
upcoming season" Answer: IF you are NOT emotional about the Gospel--and I am
very passionate about it and defend it almost daily--what are you doing even
calling yourself a Christian, let alone a Catholic? The Gospels are
emotional!! The Gospels are hard!!! The Gospel is Jesus and is passionate
and emotional!!!! If you do not feel any emotion reading the Gospel, I
believe there is something wrong with your heart and your soul! And, yes, I look forward to the very, very emotional show. I cry every episode, every time I watch it. It is emotional because the Gospel is emotional-at least it is for me and I am not ashamed to say so. Accusation:
“Sure, the show is not perfect! But despite the problems, The Chosen is
bringing countless souls closer to Christ!” The question then becomes: Which
Christ?" Answer: The Gospel IS being seen by
prisoners who have never been exposed to it, by people in countries who have never heard the Gospel--ever. It
is bringing souls to Christ--THE Christ. There is only one Christ. It is HOGWASH that the Christ of The Chosen is a False Christ. I don't believe the Christ of the King James Bible is any less or any different than the Christ in the NAB. They are the same--one and only--Christ. The
Chosen is art and in this art is a portrait of Jesus Christ. If you have a
problem with this Christ, you must have a problem with all art dipicting
Christ in any way! Because all depictions of Him, by default are
problematic. We see Jesus depicted in medieaval and renaissance garb,
without a beard, portrayed in marble, oils, stained glass. Art is art. If
you accept Christ in any art form, you are accepting Him with problems. Yes, I
am in the "the chosen is bringing countless souls to Christ" camp! Admittedly.
I do believe that anything like this that brings Jesus Christ to the world
is a GOOD THING. This hateful, strident pharisaic Catholic will not convince
me otherwise. Unfortunately, because her words are in print, she has
convinced loving, beautiful Christians that they are heretical and sinful.
SHAME ON YOU!!! I won't even dignify her ridiculous iconic grandma story example to the level
of an actual argument. It is fallacious to say the least. Her story about other people talking about her grandma nonsense has nothing
whatsoever to do with art, which is what film (television) is. And, I
certainly don't put stories about my grandmother on the same level as the
Gospel. If The Chosen, which she has not even watched, is somehow shaking her stiff, unyielding, stained glass version of the Gospel, I think
there is something wrong with her Gospel, it does not affect THE Gospel. Accusation: "Still, good
Catholics who love The Chosen believe that they can safely guide their loved
ones through the “bad” parts and undo the faulty images seared into their
imaginations; however, there are not enough well-catechized Catholics to
astutely handle [it]" Answer: However, there are many, many, many, many,
many good, well-catechized Catholics that can and have used The Chosen as a
starting point for discussions. In fact the lady that your article caused gossip about in my parish, would turn the discussion of each and every episode into a
discussion about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. We did not
talk about "bad parts" vs. "good parts" but discussed the Gospel and pointedly steered
every discussion to Christ. I don't want to go further because it would make this blog entry very much longer, except to make one
more point. There is no "this Jesus" and the "Catholic Jesus". There is one
Jesus. The portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen is a human, kind but strong,
patient yet demanding, and it is, as I have said a form of art. It is art on the same level as paintings, statues, and the like, all of which have their faults. It is the
Jesus of the artist who took his art from the Gospel. I do not see anything
wrong with watching it, discussing it, or using it as a catechetical tool
(not by itself, of course!) It has helped make the pages of the Gospel real
to millions upon millions who have never cracked open a Bible. I have no
problem with it and I don't believe that woman's opinion is any more
significant than mine--she just had hers printed in a reactionary, strident
"Catholic" magazine. Shame on her for making people feel bad about loving the Gospel in this form of art!cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-54293497797886795522017-06-22T21:37:00.002-05:002017-06-22T21:37:38.623-05:00Oh My, How Hilarious--More Anti-Catholic Nonsense<i>Wow, I thought Mr. Stewart's other posting was humorous but "Rev" Testa's <a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/catholic_heresies-a_list.htm">list of Catholic "Heresies"</a> is laugh out loud hilarious. Testa put these so-called heresies in a chart with a date. I will not use up space but put each statement and the date and my refutation of each.</i><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Notice: </b>These dates are in many cases
approximate. Many of these heresies had been current in the Church years
before, but only when they were officially adopted by a Church council and
proclaimed by the pope as dogma of faith, did they become binding on
Catholics.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">And doctrine to be true must conform to the
Word of God. <b>“To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not
according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”</b>
(Isaiah 8:20)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">At the Reformation in the 16th Century these
heresies were repudiated as having no part in the Religion of Jesus as
taught in the New Testament.</span></blockquote>
Some of the dates are approximate and some seem to be pulled out of thin air. His "And doctrine to be true" statement doesn't even apply to the vast majority of entries on his list. Also, his sweeping statement about the Reformation doesn't fit the facts of history either. This leads me to believe that he has not studied the actual history of the Church but has read and repeated what anti-Catholic Protestants have read and repeated for about two centuries or more.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">OF ALL THE HUMAN TRADITIONS taught and
practiced by the Roman Catholic Church, which are contrary to the
Bible, the most ancient are the <b>prayers for the dead</b> and the
<b>sign of the Cross</b>. Both began 300 years after Christ.</span></blockquote>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
very beginning tells me a lot about Rev. Testa's lack of education in
Church history. The most ancient prayers for the dead are not only
Biblical but the tradition came from our Jewish roots. This particular
practice was present from the beginning of the Church--from Jesus
Christ, Himself a practicing Jew. He <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">did not <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">believe those who are dead to us are dead in Heaven. Those who have died are actually <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">alive. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus said:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span> "</span></span><span style="color: red;">They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise
even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called
‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.</span>" (Luke 20:36-38)</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Z4QLeg4WZbSgNU6BIVOsVXvd5znjnnz-kd61t37fz-jvdpVqITMsGNo6VASIs4c1lHvr0rq3a2FkMO77vCuGwJEMNzbZ7zVvVrh6SbOre2RPiDjBnzpocxThX5FlEp_0mUOW0JGKGvM/s1600/cross+ihs.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Z4QLeg4WZbSgNU6BIVOsVXvd5znjnnz-kd61t37fz-jvdpVqITMsGNo6VASIs4c1lHvr0rq3a2FkMO77vCuGwJEMNzbZ7zVvVrh6SbOre2RPiDjBnzpocxThX5FlEp_0mUOW0JGKGvM/s1600/cross+ihs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catacomb etching with cross and Jesus' name</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, t</span>he
sign of the cross is in honor of Christ who was hung on a cross for our
salvation. It too was used as a sign by Christians to each other in
written form, in picture form, and in prayer form to identify each other
as a sign of unity during the persecution of the Church for the first
three hundred years of the Church and beyond. It wasn't started or
"invented" in 310<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, but practiced during the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">time of the early Church martyrs</span></span>. This prayer, honoring Jesus Christ in the Trinity, is practiced today as it has been for almost two millenia.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Wax Candles</b> introduced in
church [320 AD]</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarx0TgfMeUUG3ECGreGrEEsaUS6Al3-B7bWEt_m8hO0n7329-prPBxwAuj4t3vJYpH9ldT2g7n4yOYc-rDeSmAjA7HfwwgLDiNh8X0dFpLzqPg8sDQhhh6FuRUDDVcDBRmMsMon5Mxi9k/s1600/Candle.jpe" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarx0TgfMeUUG3ECGreGrEEsaUS6Al3-B7bWEt_m8hO0n7329-prPBxwAuj4t3vJYpH9ldT2g7n4yOYc-rDeSmAjA7HfwwgLDiNh8X0dFpLzqPg8sDQhhh6FuRUDDVcDBRmMsMon5Mxi9k/s1600/Candle.jpe" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">LOL!! <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can he<i> re</i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>ally</i> be serious about this one? Come on, w</span></span>ax
candles were used in homes!! The Church used them as many, many people
used them to light their homes; they lit the House of God. They didn't
have light bulbs or electric<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ity<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">. What were they supposed to use in the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Church? Wax candles were used in home churches, underground churches, and yes, church buildings <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">on<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ce the p<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ersecu<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">tion of Christians <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">was over<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, allowing them to build churches.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> When did using wax candles become a heresy?? I can't even take this entry seriously.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> we use candles most importantly to symbolize<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> the Light of Christ. [J</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">esus spoke to them again, saying, “<span style="color: red;">I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life</span>.”<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (John 8<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">:12)<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="51008012"></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="51008012"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="51008012"></a>The large <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">candle one see<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">s in most Catholic Churches represents C<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">hrist, the Light of the World. Y<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ou will see a cross, the Greek letters Alpha and Om<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ega, and some stubs of incense on the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">candle. The cross<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, of course<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, repre<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sents Christ. The Cross always repre<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">sents C<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">hr<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ist wherever it appe<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ars in the Church. The Alpha <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and Om<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ega represents Christ<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, called the alpha and omega <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(the first and the last le<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">tters of the Greek alphabet)<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">beginnin<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">g and the end it Revelation.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> [“<span style="color: red;">I am the Alpha and the Omega</span>,” says the Lord God, “<span style="color: red;">the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty</span>.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (Rev. 1:8)]</span> A<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd, the stubs of in<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">cen<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">se represent Christ's wounds on the cross<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">--The top one for the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">crow<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">n of tho<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rns, the one in the center for the wound in <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His side, and the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">three others for the nails in his hands and feet. It <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">is all about Christ.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Veneration of angels and dead
saints [375 AD]</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41_EIetZi3JuKHZbqMjwsWKl44eWU0S97rjlNn8zMdz768ed3Ep5ttV8yuSnNmbBYk8ZHZ1khvimf7sHKHh0xkE8FQLToohYWyicYLG-uIUGBKcNQo7EoZ5njYe0XGJjlmsCWj8d6qyHk/s1600/graffiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41_EIetZi3JuKHZbqMjwsWKl44eWU0S97rjlNn8zMdz768ed3Ep5ttV8yuSnNmbBYk8ZHZ1khvimf7sHKHh0xkE8FQLToohYWyicYLG-uIUGBKcNQo7EoZ5njYe0XGJjlmsCWj8d6qyHk/s320/graffiti.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient Christian prayers for the dead from the catacombs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seriously, as has been pointed out already many, many times to other P<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rotestants</span> in my posts, this practice came directly from our Jewish roots and has been practiced since day one of the Church.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"...</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="50020037"></a></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="bcv"></span>and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive</span>." (Luke 20:38)</blockquote>
We venerate live saints who are with Jesus in Heaven because they pray for us. [Hebrews 12:1 says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud
of witnesses,...] Not only do they pray for us but the angels bring their prayers to them for us: "Another angel came and stood at the altar,
holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to
offer, along with <i>the prayers of all the holy ones</i>, on the gold altar
that was before the throne. <span class="bcv"></span>The smoke of the incense <i>along with the prayers of the holy ones </i>went up before God <i>from the hand of the angel</i>."(Revelation 8:3,4; italics added for emphasis) Why would we <i>not </i>honor and respect those living with God and praying for us? Why would we <i>not </i>honor God's messengers, and our protectors? <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>The Mass</b>, as a daily
celebration, adopted [394 AD]</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously? How is wanting to pray and celebrate Jesus Christ daily a heresy? At first the Christians gathered <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">on the Jewish Sa<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">bbath<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (Friday night or Saturday) and stayed for Christian S<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ervices (later the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mass<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">) on Saturday night/Sunday Morning. Yes, daily <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mass was "adopted" but much sooner th<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">an Rev. Testa points out. A</span>s Christians were persecuted <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">y clung closer to each<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> other and daily or days of Mass begin to be s<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">aid.<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We see that this began to happen very, very early on<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATmdDO4F6wVj7ug4iY-Y6VxcS2B3iaGBmK8UwKSkiSpST1yZqJQAsyi7sKEk-TVlN7gdV8ISHCL13jQ_Cm0V4rKk5ZEXJ-28OlJeusHBp9c-FLwXc0Es5-gXyCH2ID85aEjQXsGjZ-vkL/s1600/LastSupperJUAN-DE-FLANDES1560-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATmdDO4F6wVj7ug4iY-Y6VxcS2B3iaGBmK8UwKSkiSpST1yZqJQAsyi7sKEk-TVlN7gdV8ISHCL13jQ_Cm0V4rKk5ZEXJ-28OlJeusHBp9c-FLwXc0Es5-gXyCH2ID85aEjQXsGjZ-vkL/s400/LastSupperJUAN-DE-FLANDES1560-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Supper, Flandes, 1560</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="52002046"><i></i></a></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Every day</i> they devoted themselves to <i>meeting together</i>
in the temple area and to <i>breaking bread in their homes</i>. They ate their
meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46, 47; italics added for emphasis)</blockquote>
Even
in the book of Acts, the chronicle of the early days of the Church, the
Christians began meeting daily and "breaking bread" together. Daily
Mass was not unusual, in fact, it became the norm for quite a while.
This <i>first century</i> (not fourth) activity has been passed on for almost two millenia. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The <b>worship of Mary</b>, the mother
of Jesus, and the use of the term, "Mother of God", as applied to
her, originated in the Council of Ephesus. [431 AD]</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnKdznd6EkVtOdyV_8c0B_Hly46GAxZuNYDhsOiA6sx8hBTFwQy3cCGc-rrEuHBmnckzFtRECJx2yReHIbT-giCf81z9ltXpk75rPLcprYwiUkSPxzXNaiVO1kbrWVY8yiJVYotZ-8P0w/s1600/Mary+mother+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnKdznd6EkVtOdyV_8c0B_Hly46GAxZuNYDhsOiA6sx8hBTFwQy3cCGc-rrEuHBmnckzFtRECJx2yReHIbT-giCf81z9ltXpk75rPLcprYwiUkSPxzXNaiVO1kbrWVY8yiJVYotZ-8P0w/s320/Mary+mother+of+God.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. We don't worship Mary. No matter how many times Catholics or the Catholic Church repeats this, we are still (sigh) accused of it.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.
The use of the term, "Mother of God" was put down as a doctrine at the
Council of Ephesus. The reason for this was that the Church wanted to <b><i>
emphasize the divinity of Jesus Christ.</i></b> It is simple--Jesus is God. Mary
is His mother. Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
Church <i>does not claim and never has claimed that Mary was progenitor of
God the Father or God the Holy Spirit,</i> or even the divinity of Jesus.
But just as you do not introduce your female progenitor as the mother of
your body, so we do not refer to Mary as the Mother of the Body of
Jesus. That would be nonsense. In the back of the mind of most Protestants, I believe they know what nonsense this is. If you believe that Jesus is God, then
<i>denying that Mary is the Mother of God is heresy<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="poi">
Jesus is God: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="poil">
"In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and
without him nothing came to be. What came to be <span class="bcv"></span>through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness,<sup> </sup>and
the darkness has not overcome it....And the Word became flesh and made
his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the
Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5,14)</div>
</blockquote>
Mary is His mother:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="50001031"><span class="bcv"></span></a>Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="50001032"><span class="bcv"></span></a> He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, <span class="bcv"></span>and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Priest began to dress differently from the laity</b>. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">AD 500</span></span></blockquote>
And that is heresy because.....?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkIj3QNDfDil9ywGTGKFZmZ1qTbfXkEdMVh9rsILY4B6Lby-8rafIBhfLrHyaIx0lGxVD4WBruJ3zuzDBKdEbGcUwJB8jywgCmMrErmRNbbqBgKZ4RxIpJcL-_23eE8Xqzwu_lMBPpYEm/s1600/Medieval_Priest%252C_Friar%252C_or_Monk_%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkIj3QNDfDil9ywGTGKFZmZ1qTbfXkEdMVh9rsILY4B6Lby-8rafIBhfLrHyaIx0lGxVD4WBruJ3zuzDBKdEbGcUwJB8jywgCmMrErmRNbbqBgKZ4RxIpJcL-_23eE8Xqzwu_lMBPpYEm/s200/Medieval_Priest%252C_Friar%252C_or_Monk_%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I
don't even know where to go with this one. I cannot understand how this
man thinks that dressing differently is a heresy. The dress the priest
wears now is actually from the middle ages not AD 500. It is a custom
not a doctrine, so, by definition, "dress[ing] differently" is not a heresy.
Many offices dress differently to distinguish themselves from others.
For instance, judges wear black robes, an old custom which shows their
office and authority. Are they being heretical? Nurses used to wear uniforms and special hats to
distinguish them from other hospital staff, a customary uniform to show
the special education and training they had. Are they being heretical? Officers in the military
wear distinctive uniforms to separate them from the general
population. How is a uniform a heresy? I can't even fathom why Mr.
Stewart went there. Wearing distinctive clothing is not a heresy.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Extreme Unction</b> AD 526</span></span></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrtDbmYRukaZDUF-5Hy9fqe2XuPWcQUqM0oi68HOvAmfw_bu8CduwiPHHA_MVPeCy3VM7gezVq4KhPCWla4UcG6UfDUpB6V1fsX-pT1Ke2V693uBZTdVMfT8FgJUO4Ol0gOSFGz-N4xC8/s1600/anoint-325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrtDbmYRukaZDUF-5Hy9fqe2XuPWcQUqM0oi68HOvAmfw_bu8CduwiPHHA_MVPeCy3VM7gezVq4KhPCWla4UcG6UfDUpB6V1fsX-pT1Ke2V693uBZTdVMfT8FgJUO4Ol0gOSFGz-N4xC8/s320/anoint-325.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction of the Past)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Does
Mr. Stewart even know what this is? How is extreme unction a heresy?
Praying with and for someone who is dying gives them comfort and
strength for the journey Home. In fact<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, the early Church practiced this:</span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick?<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span> He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord,<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>and the prayer of faith
will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has
committed any sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:13-15)</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
This
Scripture outlines the Annointing of the Sick (which is what the
sacrament is called now) in a nutshell. It wasn't "invented" in 526 AD,
but was practiced in the first century Church. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The doctrine of Purgatory was first established by Gregory the Great</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.AD 593</span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Actually,
it was a doctrine long before Gregory the Great's time as pope and is
based on Scripture and Jewish tradition. Another indication that Mr.
Stewart knows little about Church history.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The C<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">atechism of the Catholic Church says: </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">All who die in God’s grace, but still
imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but
after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness
necessary to enter the joy of heaven (1030).</span><br />
<br />
We believe this because it says in the Scriptures:<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">"But nothing unclean shall enter
[heaven]" (Rev. 21:27). </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">Hab. 1:13 says, "You [God]... are of purer eyes
than to behold evil and cannot look on wrong..."</span><br />
<br />
Simply
put, we believe there is a purification before entering Heaven. We
don't know if it is a place or a state of being. We don't know if it
takes any "time", as there is no "time" as we know it in the afterlife.
What we do know is that purification must take place before we can enter
heaven--like taking a shower after working hard, then going to Church.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
Latin language, as the language of prayer and worship in churches, was
also imposed by Pope Gregory I. 600 years after Christ. AD 600</span></b></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Word of God forbids praying and teaching in an unknown tongue. (1st Corinthians 14:9)</span></b></span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. Latin became the international language long before the Catholic Church made it the official Church language. That w<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ay <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">every Chur<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ch document was put in the same language and <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">interpreted or taught <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">by the bish<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ops in the language of their diocese.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2.
Language unifies. When you believe that Christ meant there to be ONE
Christian Church (which is what Catholic means--Universal), you want
everyone to have a common language. It was not an unknow<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">n tongue. Even up to the 20th century, the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">scientific community printed major papers, and <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">documentation</span> of discoveries and theories in Latin. Latin doesn't change, therefore, sta<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">rting with <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Latin, on<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">e can translate into many languages more accurately. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3.
The Church chose Latin because it was the 'vulgar' or <i>common</i> language
of the time. The Vulgate, translated by St. Jerome from the original
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek sources, became the official Bible of the
Church. In that way, the entire Christian world had the same
Scriptures. The Vulgate was even used by the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">translators</span> of the <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">so-called King James Version of the Bible. Just an FYI, there was an English version, that was actually an English translation not a paraphrase like the KJV, produced before the King James Bible; it's called the Douay-Rheims Bible.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4.
The Church did have Scriptures each geographic locations languages, the homily (sermon)
was in the people's language, and spoke to each other about God and
theology in their own language. </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
Bible teaches that we pray to God alone. In the primitive church never
were prayers directed to Mary, or to dead saints. This practice began in
the Roman Church. AD 600 (Matthew 11:28; Luke 1:46; Acts 10: 25-26;
14:14-18) </span></b> </span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqqqf2_t2uVNB2zqq5XEvQcNf1FVNl_b_leKeBXh7e2z3YwXx0gAMaPUojdvbwupeA3mFcULiiDEmVV7ZvQK8PAK7GNrHuImFsGxP4iK3Hja5j5H0wS8SjTwAB3qFe9D27Zqi1tWbQKnU/s1600/The+Story+of+Hanukkah+by+Ori+Sherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqqqf2_t2uVNB2zqq5XEvQcNf1FVNl_b_leKeBXh7e2z3YwXx0gAMaPUojdvbwupeA3mFcULiiDEmVV7ZvQK8PAK7GNrHuImFsGxP4iK3Hja5j5H0wS8SjTwAB3qFe9D27Zqi1tWbQKnU/s320/The+Story+of+Hanukkah+by+Ori+Sherman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Story of Hanakkah by Ori Sherman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again,
the author shows his ignorance of Christian church history. The early
church certainly DID pray to Mary and the saints. This tradition came
from our Jewish roots. It was a regular practice in Judaism to pray to
their dead ancestors to pray for them to God; just as protestants ask
other people in their church or congregation or family for prayers.<br />
<br />
2 Maccabees 12 (a book removed from the Holy Scriptures after the KJV came out--it was not added by the Catholic Church, it was a book of the Holy Scriptures since the canon of Scripture was officially finalized about AD325) talks about how Judas Maccabbeus prayed for the righteous dead, that they might receive their reward.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
papacy is of pagan origin. The title of pope or universal bishop, was
first given to the bishop of Rome by the wicked emperor Phocas. AD 610</span></b></blockquote>
The
papacy is of Christian origin. Christ appointed St. Peter the Rock on
which He would build His Church. The title of pope (papa) was given
later but Mr. Stewart needs to expand his reading material. Pope is a Christian title. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This
he did to spite Bishop Ciriacus of Constantinople, who had justly
excommunicated him for his having caused the assasination of his
predecessor emperor Mauritius. Gregory I, then bishop of Rome, refused
the title, but his successor, Boniface III, first assumed the title
"pope."</span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jesus
did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and forbade any
such notion. (Luke 22:24-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1st
Corinthians 3:11).</span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Note:
Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that Peter ever
was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25 years; Clement, 3rd
bishop of Rome, remarks that "there is no real 1st century evidence
that Peter ever was in Rome."</span></b></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Actually, there <i>is</i> historical evidence that St. Peter was in Rome:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Tertullian, <em>in The Demurrer Against the Heretics</em> (A.D.
200), noted of Rome, “How happy is that church . . . where Peter
endured a passion like that of the Lord, where Paul was crowned in a
death like John’s [referring to John the Baptist, both he and Paul being
beheaded].” </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">In
the same book, Tertullian wrote that “this is the way in which the
apostolic churches transmit their lists: like the church of the
Smyrnaeans, which records that Polycarp was placed there by John; like
the church of the Romans, where Clement was ordained by Peter.” </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">And historical evidence that St. Peter was in charge of the Church:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">In his <em>Letter to the Romans</em> (A.D.
110), Ignatius of Antioch remarked that he could not command the Roman
Christians the way Peter and Paul once did, such a comment making sense
only if Peter had been a leader, if not the leader, of the church in
Rome. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Irenaeus, in <em>Against Heresies</em> (A.D.
190), said that Matthew wrote his Gospel “while Peter and Paul were
evangelizing in Rome and laying the foundation of the Church.” A few
lines later he notes that Linus was named as Peter’s successor, that is,
the second pope, and that next in line were Anacletus (also known as
Cletus), and then Clement of Rome.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">Clement of Alexandria wrote at the turn of the third century. A fragment of his work <em>Sketches</em> is preserved in Eusebius of Caesarea’s <em>Ecclesiastical History</em>,
the first history of the Church. Clement wrote, “When Peter preached
the word publicly at Rome, and declared the gospel by the Spirit, many
who were present requested that Mark, who had been for a long time his
follower and who remembered his sayings, should write down what had been
proclaimed.” </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, geneva, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">*These quotes and more can be read here: <a href="https://www.catholic.com/tract/was-peter-in-rome">Was Peter in Rome?</a></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The kissing of the Pope's feet. AD 709.</span></b></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Again, this is a custom, not a doctrine. Therefore, doing so is not, by definition, heresy.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. From what I read this custom may have originated about the eighth century. It was unseemly for a woman to kiss the hand of the pope, so it became customary to kiss his foot instead. Today, if done, it is customary to kiss the cross on his right shoe. The kissing part is a sign of respect to the papal office. Kissing the cross is to honor Christ whom the pope represents.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh, is the custom of kissing the foot of others by the pope, after he washes them, also a heresy? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe46kZ2idhnE15Vc_vyJaf6wHw-wBmT4f9TzotO8LxHwdulHaVKFWp8Rzz2aOxRXSnlliXBqQrgVJ0XgtI5HaVYlSN3MJXJvD9jo9Jc2EnXBjGvnoS7osg68C-XJfe6zgUcZVIlKOCoiZ/s1600/Pope+kissing+foot+of+refugee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe46kZ2idhnE15Vc_vyJaf6wHw-wBmT4f9TzotO8LxHwdulHaVKFWp8Rzz2aOxRXSnlliXBqQrgVJ0XgtI5HaVYlSN3MJXJvD9jo9Jc2EnXBjGvnoS7osg68C-XJfe6zgUcZVIlKOCoiZ/s320/Pope+kissing+foot+of+refugee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pope kissing foot of refugee after washing it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just wondering?</span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It
had been a pagan custom to kiss the feet of emperors. The Word of God
forbids such practices. (Read Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 19:10; 22:9)</span></b></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While it is true that there was a pagan custom of kissing the feet of emperors, this was no longer the custom in the West for centuries. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ironically, he points to Acts 10 where St. Peter tells the man who fell at his feet to rise. Today the custom is for the pope to tell the reverent person to rise. Also, the pope acknowledges and is acknowledged as "only a man." The Emperor was only a man. Peter told the man to rise because of his humbleness--not because showing reverence is forbidden.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Revelation 19:10 & 22:9, the man speaking tells the man at his feet not to worship him. 1) It is not "the word of God forbid[ding]" this act except as an act of worship. 2) No one who kissing the pope's foot is worshipping the pope. It is simply a sign of respect. In fact, they are reverencing him for the One whom he represents, Christ. </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Temporal power of the Popes. AD 750.</span></b></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When
Pepin, the usurper of the throne of France, descended into Italy,
called by Pope Stephen II, to war against the Italian Lombards, he
defeated them and gave the city of Rome and surrounding territory to the
pope. Jesus expressly forbade such a thing, and He himself refused
worldly kingship. (Read Matthew 4:8-9; 20:25-26; John 18:38)</span></b></span></span></blockquote>
The temporal power is an historical reality; it is not doctrine. Therefore, by definition, not heresy. And, since then, almost all temporal power of the pope has been taken away. Ironically, Protestants try to blame all kinds of WWII atrocities on the pope because he <i>didn't </i>use what temporal power they thought he should wield. The vast majority of what he is blamed for is fiction, however, anyway.<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Worship of the cross, images and relics was authorized. AD 788</b></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Such practice is called simply IDOLATRY in the Bible, and is severely condemned. ( </b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Read Exodus 20:4; 3:17; Deuteronomy 27:15; Psalm 115).</span></blockquote>
Yet again...we do NOT worship the cross, images, or relics. But no matter how many times Catholic Christians repeat this, Protestants say we do so.<br />
<br />
CATHOLICS DO NOT WORSHIP THE CROSS, IMAGES, OR RELICS.<br />
<br />
We honor certain objects in order to honor those they represent. We honor the cross because it is a symbol of what Christ did for us. If He had not died on the cross for our sins, we would be lost. When we honor the cross, we are showing honor to Christ and His sacrifice for us.<br />
<br />
Images of Saints and angels are honored because we remember their service for Christ. We honor their heroic deeds and their example of Christian virtue. We honor them as dearly departed family members.<br />
<br />
I find it really interesting when a radical like this points to the Scriptures to condemn the Catholic use of images in the Church. Did he read the whole bible? If so, he skipped over the whole description of how God demanded the temple to be built. The temple had images of angels, bulls, plants, and other objects by specific size and use in the Temple. 1 King 6 ff gives a full description and says, "The word of the Lord came to Solomon." He built the Temple at God's command and direct word. They did not worship the cherubim on the ark or the doors or in the sanctuary of the Temple. They did not worship the bulls holding up the brazier (even though bulls were worshipped by pagans, btw). They did not worship the palm trees, dates, pomegranates, or flowers that adorned the temple either.<br />
<br />
This accusation is just tired and old. Why can't they let it go????<br />
<br />
BTW, not by definition heresy, either.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Holy Water</b>, mixed with a pinch
of salt and blessed by the priest, was authorized [AD 850]</span></blockquote>
Holy water is not a doctrine, therefore, by definition not a heresy.<br />
<br />
Holy water is what we call a sacramental. It is simply a symbol of something sacred. In this case, a symbol of our baptism which is a Sacrament. We remember our baptism and therefore our salvation in Christ.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am going to stop there for now. that is more than half way through this ridiculous list. I will try to get through the rest at a later time.<br />
<br />
My main point: This man does not know what he is talking about.<br />
<br />
<span>Heresy definition: belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine. So far very few of his "heresies" are in fact actually heresies. Traditions like how a priest dresses is not heresy. The use of items in the church such as candles or even holy water is not heresy. And, since we don't worship Mary, the Saints, the Cross, images, etc, our display and honoring of such is not heresy. </span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>Catholics are the original Christians and worship God alone. We believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life. We are Christians.</span>cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-63954399691038068172016-07-07T20:58:00.000-05:002017-06-22T18:59:14.484-05:00When May a Catholic Disagree with Pope Francis?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHPR0FRS1dq4ZRlt54VzpwOXPyquNIvjnB-HpTasYIpq5GKZFjBW3bqxSiMzfFHpMWppP48XpR-ypKxNUXs0tfmJ61qusRWcjaAbyFHGEzUjl0LlZLvOYgZ4dfoveh3kD__yUcgc_/s1600/Pope+Francis.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHPR0FRS1dq4ZRlt54VzpwOXPyquNIvjnB-HpTasYIpq5GKZFjBW3bqxSiMzfFHpMWppP48XpR-ypKxNUXs0tfmJ61qusRWcjaAbyFHGEzUjl0LlZLvOYgZ4dfoveh3kD__yUcgc_/s320/Pope+Francis.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cathmom5's
introduction: The following post was used in the Catholic Debate Forum
discussion on whether or not Catholics are allowed to disagree with the
opinions or non-infallible writings of Catholic magisterium. <a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/">Mr. Conte’s post </a>on <i>When May a Catholic Disagree with Pope Francis? </i>was
used to dispute an atheist's argument that if a Catholic work has an
imprimatur by a member of the Papal Biblical Commission, a Catholic had
no right to disagree with it. As many members tried to point out, an
imprimatur simply means "it may be printed." It basically means the
bishop gave permission to the author to go ahead and print the project.
A Nihil Obstat says that there is nothing offensive or nothing to
offend a Catholic in the book. Neither is a stamp proclaiming the work
as official Catholic teaching, but nothing seems to convince the
atheist of the error of his interpretation of Catholic phrases,
documents, and doctrine. He believes he knows everything there is to
know about what Catholics believe, and no one can tell him otherwise.
The point several people have tried to make is that Catholics are free
to disagree with a commentary; a commentary is not compulsory belief.
All that aside, even if were "official" Catholic Teaching, I would not
agree with his interpretation of what it said in the JBC or how he tried
to apply it to an issue that had nothing to do with the commentary
entry. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway,
I thought this article by Mr. Ron Conte was an excellent explanation of
how and when a Catholic may disagree with the Catholic Magisterium
(Pope Francis specifically, but it can and does apply to the magisterium
in general). I will make some comments to Mr. Conte's post just for
purposes of pointing out some anti-Catholic people (Protestant, atheist,
what have you) who like to claim that Catholics are mindless drones, or
at the very least not allowed to think for themselves. </span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When May a Catholic Disagree with Pope Francis?</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Posted
on </span><a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/" target="_blank" title="1:57 pm"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11 November 2014</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by </span><a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/author/ronconte/" target="_blank" title="View all posts by Ron Conte"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ron Conte</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pope Francis is a valid Pope.
He is currently the only Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict
XVI validly resigned, and so he is no longer the Pope; that is why he is called
“Pope emeritus”. Any Catholic who rejects Pope Francis as the valid and sole
current Pope of the one true Church is in a state of formal schism, is
automatically excommunicated, and may not receive any of the Sacraments (except
Confession, once he is repentant). If you reject the Pope, you have separated
yourself from formal communion with the Catholic Church.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
One thing that Catholics are not allowed to disagree on is the Pope. The
pope is elected by the College of Cardinals through the guidance of the
Holy Spirit. The process has been formalized and streamlined over the
centuries but the ceremony does not take away the work of the Holy
Spirit. In other words, Catholics are not allowed to disagree with the
Holy Spirit. As Mr. Conte said, the Catholic who does not recognize the
current, validly elected pope is in schism (no longer a Catholic).
Unfortunately, there are many of them out there now--claiming to be
Catholic but claim there is no valid pope. They are wrong and no longer
Catholic.<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Catholics who accept Pope
Francis as the valid Roman Pontiff, some disagreement is possible without
heresy, schism, or other grave sin.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
So here Mr. Conte wants to make it clear that not all of what the pope
says is binding on all Catholics. Not everything he says is <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.HTMhttps://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V1.HTM">infallible</a>. In other words, we are allowed to use our own brain. The following are conditions under which we may disagree. <br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Personal Opinion</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Pope Francis expresses
his personal opinion on a matter of faith or morals (or any other topic), and
given that the Magisterium has no definitive teaching on the subject, the
faithful Catholic is free to disagree.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMMLtSePtt47Laafri1PfNblBDkfFLVeKToLgszKdzzpMnbM1SWLDwre6_ZBxS7J0Pt0hsPdX2y2QlmLacjNYRA6JZEM1A9PIdyIINQIT_5QDyv5Uwkj1PonQFKUtfKGKUTPADoKw/s1600/jesus.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMMLtSePtt47Laafri1PfNblBDkfFLVeKToLgszKdzzpMnbM1SWLDwre6_ZBxS7J0Pt0hsPdX2y2QlmLacjNYRA6JZEM1A9PIdyIINQIT_5QDyv5Uwkj1PonQFKUtfKGKUTPADoKw/s200/jesus.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pope Benedict XVI wrote and
published a book entitled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus of
Nazareth: from the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration</i>. In the
preface of that book, he writes:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It goes without saying that
this book is in no way an exercise of the magisterium, but is solely an
expression of my personal search ‘for the face of the Lord’ (cf. <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Ps 27.8" data-version="douayrheims" href="http://biblia.com/bible/douayrheims/Ps%2027.8" target="_blank">Ps 27:8</a>).
Everyone is free, then, to contradict me. I would only ask my readers for that
initial goodwill without which there can be no understanding.” [1]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here Pope Benedict XVI gives
us a good example to follow concerning the expression of theological opinions
by the Bishops and the Pope. Such expressions, no matter how emphatically they
may be phrased, are not an exercise of the Magisterium, and so are not binding
on the faithful. All are free to disagree with the Pope in any personal opinion
that he expresses: about Jesus, about matters of faith and morals, and
certainly on other matters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caveat: In all likelihood,
the opinion of the Pope on any matter pertaining to faith or morals is better
than your opinion. The mere opinion of the Pope is fallible, but so are all
your opinions.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
The pope's personal opinions, personal devotions, prayers, etc. are his
own. Of course, I'd think that his opinion pulls much more weight than
mine. Pope St. John Paul II's <a href="https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/travels/1999/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_27011999_stlouis.html">opinion on the death penalty</a> [*added 22 Jun 17--See #5, third paragraph from his St. Louis Homily] made me look at it differently, and I eventually changed my opinions in
line with his. Eventually, he included his teaching on the subject in
his encyclical <i><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html">Evangeliu<span id="goog_567885437"></span><span id="goog_567885438"></span>m Vitae</a> </i>(the Gospel of Life) in 1995. This encyclical lends even more weight to his teaching. See below under prudential judgment.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Prudential Judgment</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Pope Francis issues a
judgment of the prudential order, under his authority as Pope, but as a
judgment not a teaching, the faithful Catholic is free to disagree.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:
“Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia.
For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the
application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not
for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy
Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war,
and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it
may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have
recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion
even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not
however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.” [2]</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #073763;">Caveat: An official decision
of the Pope under his temporal authority (the type of Church authority that
exercises prudential judgment) may still be binding on you as a Catholic. So,
for example, if the Pope changes the form of the Mass, you are free to think
that the changes are imprudent, but you are not free to reject the Mass on that
basis. Or if the Pope changes the rules for reception of Communion, you are
free to argue that the changes are imprudent, but you are not free to reject
the Mass or the Pope on that basis</span>.</span></div>
</blockquote>
The changes in the Mass since Vatican II have been the basis of much
disgruntlement among "radical traditionalists" sometimes called
"rad-trads". These people refuse to go to Mass when the novus ordo (new
order) Mass is said. They seek out traditional Latin Mass for the most
part. The Latin Mass, per se is certainly not a bad thing, but neither
is the Novus ordo. Since the radical changes to the new Mass in the
70's, the American Bishops have been working on tweaking the Mass,
making it closer to the Latin Mass. The updates have been good. The
point is that no practicing Catholic is allowed to forego Mass because
there is not a Mass nearby that they believe is the right one. Even if
you believe that everyone should attend a Latin Mass, you cannot skip
Mass while on vacation just because you can't find a Latin Mass.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Non-infallible Teachings</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each and every teaching of
the Magisterium falls into one of two categories: infallible or non-infallible.
It is a common misunderstanding to think that all teachings of the Magisterium
are entirely without error.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pope John Paul II: “With
respect to the non-infallible expressions of the authentic magisterium of the
Church, these should be received with religious submission of mind and will.”
[3]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The non-infallible teachings
are reliable and have only a limited possibility of error, but they are NOT infallible.
The errors possible in non-infallible teachings never reach to the extent of
leading the faithful away from the path of salvation. But non-infallible
teachings are non-irreformable. They are subject to a limited possibility of
correction, improvement, and change.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There exist in the Church a
lawful freedom of inquiry and of thought and also general norms of licit
dissent.” [4]</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
Here we see a very specific statement on when we have freedom of
thought! from Pope St. John Paul II. "There exist in the Church a lawful
freedom of inquiry and thought and also general noms of licit dissent."
There is no doubt we are allowed to think for ourselves. <br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Non-infallible teachings are
subject to a limited possibility of error and reform; therefore, they do not
require the full assent of faith, but a lesser type of assent called the
“religious submission of mind and will” [5]. What this means is that you are
generally required to believe the non-infallible teachings of the Church. But
there is some room for faithful dissent, called “licit theological dissent”
[4]. To whatever extent a teaching might err, the faithful are free to
disagree. God who is Truth never requires assent to false or erroneous ideas.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The non-infallible teachings
of the Magisterium are full of truth. The number, type, and extent of the
possible errors is quite limited.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An example of an error in a
non-infallible teaching is found in the first edition of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, in the definition of lying, which erroneously stated that an
assertion is only a lie if the person (to whom you are speaking) has a right to
the truth. That claim was removed from the second edition.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caveat: The basis for the
disagreement must be Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, or teachings of the
Magisterium of greater authority. Most Catholics who reject a non-infallible
teaching of the Magisterium have no legitimate basis for that rejection.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
Pay attention to this caveat. Well stated Mr. Conte. <br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4<span style="color: #073763;">. Infallible Teachings</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The infallible teachings are
free from all possibility of error due to the work of the Holy Spirit. The infallible
teachings require your full assent with the virtue of faith; obstinate
disagreement is the grave sin of heresy.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The infallible Magisterium is
exercised in any of three ways:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a. Papal Infallibility</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
b. Conciliar Infallibility</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
c. the ordinary and universal Magisterium</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To reject an infallible
teaching of the Magisterium is material heresy. To do so knowingly and
deliberately is the grave sin of formal heresy, which includes the penalty of
automatic excommunication. If Pope Francis or any other valid Pope teaches
something under any type of infallibility, you are required to give that
teaching the full assent of faith. Otherwise, you commit heresy and formally
separate yourself from the one true Church.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caveat: Do not be fooled by
those blind guides who claim that the Pope can commit heresy himself, and
thereby lose his authority. Doctor of the Church Saint Robert Bellarmine held
it to be “probable” that the Pope could never commit heresy personally, nor
teach heresy in any way. He also held it to be “certain” that the Pope could
never define a heresy as a teaching to be believed by the whole Church.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The foolish today claim that
IF a Pope teaches heresy in a way that would seem to fall under infallibility,
the teaching is nullified because the Pope fell into heresy. To the contrary,
Saint Bellarmine believed that a Pope could NEVER teach heresy in a way that
would seem to fall under infallibility.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
If all of this is true of the pope, so much more so does it apply to
priests, bishops, archbishops, and Cardinals. We are free to disagree on
opinion. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="color: #073763;"><a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/what-saint-bellarmine-really-said-about-popes-and-heresy/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Saint Bellarmine really said about Popes and Heresy</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Ronald L. Conte Jr.</span><a href="http://www.catholicplanet.com/books.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Roman Catholic
theologian</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and<br />
translator of the </span><a href="http://www.sacredbible.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catholic Public
Domain Version</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
of the Bible.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: #073763;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Endnotes:</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
[1] Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, p. xxiv.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
[2] Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General
Principles (sent by Cardinal Ratzinger to Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of
Washington, D.C., and made public in July, 2004), n. 3;</span><a href="http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
[3] Address of Pope John Paul II to the Bishops from the United States on their
‘Ad Limina’ visit, 15 October 1988, n. 5.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
[4] National Conference of Catholic Bishops (predecessor to the USCCB), Human
Life in Our Day, “Norms of Licit Theological Dissent” n. 49 to 54; </span><a href="http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/68-11-15humanlifeinourdaynccb.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/68-11-15humanlifeinourdaynccb.htm</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
[5] Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, n. 25.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
received permission by email on 6/26/2016 to reprint <a href="https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/when-may-a-catholic-disagree-with-pope-francis/">Mr. Conte’s post. </a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uLFyB-DxzmQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uLFyB-DxzmQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recently
the pope made comments about marriage and co-habitation. Some of his
comments were misunderstood, but some of them were outright wrong. Here
is a discussion about the pope's comments on The World Over, a news
program on EWTN:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLFyB-DxzmQ</span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just
in case it resets, the discussion starts about 27:51. Both guests
Robert Royal, and Fr. Gerald Murray, disagree strongly with the pope's
words. Guess what, they are free to do so, and under the category of
"non-infallible teachings we see that they do have legitimate reasons to
disagree with him. The pope was not making an official proclamation nor
was he teaching on faith and morals from the chair of Peter. We are
allowed to disagree with the pope when his teaching seems to conflict
tradition Catholic teaching. We have had unorthodox popes in the past,
and the magesterium has disagreed with a pope or two in the past, but
the Church's dogmas and doctrines have never been changed in any
material way by any reigning pope. </span></div>
</div>
cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-41293248479706568752016-06-03T17:00:00.002-05:002016-06-03T17:00:38.216-05:00Catholic vs. Protestant -- why is there so much animosity? (Also published on Cathapol)I found an article on gotquestions?.org. I thought this site was a
neutral site on religion, but boy was I ever wrong. It is a Protestant
site that holds nothing back. In the article "Catholic vs. Protestant --
why is there so much animosity?", I detected a lot of animosity toward
Catholics.<br />
<br />
That was the question. The author's answer and some of my comments.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This
is a simple question with a complicated answer, because there are
varying degrees of, and reasons for, animosity between the two religious
groups.</blockquote>
Let's start there. What two religious
groups? Technically speaking, both Protestants and Catholics are
Christians, so we are actually the same religion. We just have doctrinal
differences. And yes, some are doozies. Can we at least agree that we
are all Christians? <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This particular
battle is rooted in history. Degrees of reaction have ranged from
friendly disagreement (as reflected in numerous ecumenical dialogues
produced between the two groups), to outright persecution and murder of
Protestants at the hands of Rome.</blockquote>
Yes, much of the
animosity between the two groups of Christians in rooted in history.
However, spreading the fictional propaganda that Catholics persecuted
and murdered Protestants is not going to help ease such animosity.
Neither Catholics, nor the Catholic Church persecuted or murdered
Protestants wholesale. Did the Catholic Church believe Protestants did
not receive salvation at one time in its history?--yes. Has there been a
battle between Protestant rulers and Catholic ones?--yes. Has the
Catholic Church ever advocated a war against Protestants in
general?--no. Obviously, this author did not study actual history but a
revisionist version with propaganda mixed in. He's probably heard this
balderdash so many times, he really believes it to be true.<br />
<br />
From
the history I learned (I went to a public high school and a Baptist
College), Catholics were not the aggressors in Protestant (Calvinist)
Switzerland, nor in Henry VIII's, Edward VI's, or Elizabeth I's England,
nor Northern France. Calvin was a lawyer turned "theologian" who left
France during the Protestant uprising there. He went to Switzerland
where he was instrumental in helping Protestants take over the
government and the church there. It was a very restrictive society under
the Protestants.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Voltaire wrote: "If they condemned celibacy in the priests, and opened the gates of the
convents, it was only to turn all society into a convent. Shows and
entertainments were expressly forbidden by their religion; and for more
than two hundred years there was not a single musical instrument allowed
in the city of Geneva. They condemned auricular confession, but they
enjoined a public one; and in Switzerland, Scotland, and Geneva it was
performed the same as penance." [This was my addition, not included in the gotquestions?.org article]</blockquote>
<br />
Neither
society, nor Christianity was improved by Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and
their ilk. There was no "reformation" only a deformation of <i>the</i> Church.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Reformation
teachings that identify the Pope as the Beast of Revelation and / or
Roman Catholicism as Mystery Babylon are still common among Protestants.
Clearly, anyone with this view is not going to "warm up" to Rome any
time soon.</blockquote>
It is the other way around, sir. Catholics
are not going to warm up to Protestants who say such nonsense. The
Catholic Church, though its leader is in Rome, is not Rome. The pope is
chosen by the Holy Spirit. Have there been terrible popes? Of course,
they're human. Was the Catholic Church founded in the 16th century or
later? No, but all modern Protestant churches have been. What does that
tell you? The the Catholic Church has its foundation in Christ's
teaching from 33AD to the present. The 16th + century churches were made
from hole cloth by their founders (who were certainly not Jesus
Christ). No, Catholics are not going to "warm up" to people who call
them the beast or accuse them of murder.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For
the most part, today at least, the animosity comes from basic human
nature when dealing with fundamental disagreement over eternal truths.</blockquote>
I
whole-heartedly agree. The problem that Protestants don't seem to see
is that there can only be one truth. You can't have hundreds of
different truths--as there are in Protestantism. Every preacher is his
own pope, his own authority on "truth"; he is the one who interprets the
Scriptures and preaches his own gospel in a church he figuratively or
actually built. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Passions are sure
to ignite in the more weighty matters of life, and one's faith is (or at
least should be) at the top of the heap. Many Protestants think Roman
Catholics teach a works-gospel that cannot save, while Roman Catholics
think Protestants teach easy-believism that requires nothing more than
an emotional outburst brought on by manipulative preaching. </blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidciHP9J3AoVaS6mHO0NFR7bbk8L2o3erVRd94FDznQv0lUeuPOsEXL-OLp-zZhBQ-bemm5HDWUI0a7vi9Nc-k9COTDEkiI6oOeXWLkmohcIMzwt4XjxVM4UPr-Y88ZzbSA3T8IfMr/s1600/Luther+meme.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidciHP9J3AoVaS6mHO0NFR7bbk8L2o3erVRd94FDznQv0lUeuPOsEXL-OLp-zZhBQ-bemm5HDWUI0a7vi9Nc-k9COTDEkiI6oOeXWLkmohcIMzwt4XjxVM4UPr-Y88ZzbSA3T8IfMr/s200/Luther+meme.jpg" width="156" /></a>1) Paul, the Protestant's favorite writer, says that he is working out his salvation, trembling. There are certain things we<i> do</i> need to <i>do</i> to be saved. The first work of salvation is FAITH. "Jesus answered and said unto them, <span style="color: red;">This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.</span><span class="p">" (Jn 6:29 KJV) </span>We must believe, not as the demons do ("Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: <i>the devils also believe, and tremble</i>." (James 2:19 KJV)), but as the saints in Heaven ("The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne,
and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns
before the throne (Rev. 4:10 KJV).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPG9bVMkLcZqUXMQUK5idhU-eGYvRhMPfRuFInnqD0_WAtZN3fNcmBephGrvE6ECB7VevZTUajyTeSz6jcNdoD_I37AuofXBU1Yk4M9hU-VETRnbNHqXCy6KVFyRCyIQUIvr5_SyD/s1600/What+Catholic+Do+Meme.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPG9bVMkLcZqUXMQUK5idhU-eGYvRhMPfRuFInnqD0_WAtZN3fNcmBephGrvE6ECB7VevZTUajyTeSz6jcNdoD_I37AuofXBU1Yk4M9hU-VETRnbNHqXCy6KVFyRCyIQUIvr5_SyD/s320/What+Catholic+Do+Meme.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
2)
We do not believe that good works ALONE save us. This is what
Protestants believe that we believe. No, Catholics do not believe that;
do not preach that; do not advocate that. However, Catholics <i>do</i>
believe that you must work out your salvation in the sense that Paul
meant ("...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phil.
2:12 KJV)<span class="p"></span> -by the Sacraments (especially the
Eucharist) and much prayer. If Protestants don't believe that prayer is
important in the plan of salvation (it is a "work" after all), why
would they be doing it in the first place?<br />
<br />
3) Many, many
Protestant churches and individuals do believe in "easy-believism." When
a church advocates the "sinners prayer" is all you need to be
saved--what do you call that? Many Protestant churches don't believe
there is any salvific merit in the "Lord's Supper" or baptism. Things
that Jesus commanded us to do. "Do this in memory of Me." "Go into all
nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit." (Both from memory) I, as a Catholic, don't understand why
Jesus Christ's commands are <i>not</i> important to Protestants.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Protestants blame Catholics for worshipping Mary,...</blockquote>
Blaming
Catholics for what? Accusing them you mean? This accusation started
after the "Reformation", as all the leading "reformers" did respect and
honor Mary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkRFF7yhcfC3z731EeDJg1EzsL7hZC43vxNXpCQ6Lte2E7mm_IhhsDOfmrBE4SMxu73qpEQuDdOnbg8vRiLpSzDo0Yqzs8x_BRzlDNlQmkF8nmmM3Xhbg8m33DG8IydM2yfrIOUP0/s1600/joker+catholic+meme.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkRFF7yhcfC3z731EeDJg1EzsL7hZC43vxNXpCQ6Lte2E7mm_IhhsDOfmrBE4SMxu73qpEQuDdOnbg8vRiLpSzDo0Yqzs8x_BRzlDNlQmkF8nmmM3Xhbg8m33DG8IydM2yfrIOUP0/s320/joker+catholic+meme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Luther said, "The veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart."<br />
<em>(Sermon, September 1, 1522)</em><br />
<br />
<em>And, "</em>One should honor Mary as she herself wished and as she expressed it in
the Magnificat. She praised God for his deeds. How then can we praise her?
The true honor of Mary is the honor of God, the praise of God's grace .
. . Mary is nothing for the sake of herself, but for the sake of Christ
. . . Mary does not wish that we come to her, but through her to God. <em>(Explanation
of the Magnificat, 1521)</em><br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT86-H1QilFRy12MX1BIC1ryA8Vd5SgO1ug6rf-EJ3lQIgCRg_je-6Xs0rv3nLfyW2ON7GccRM4M479Z8d7mcB2f99RMnaP5mDIQiGEuwQE5T2xKW3aRlfebNTe2qAd9y2WlshmLNq/s1600/Mary+and+Jeus.PNG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT86-H1QilFRy12MX1BIC1ryA8Vd5SgO1ug6rf-EJ3lQIgCRg_je-6Xs0rv3nLfyW2ON7GccRM4M479Z8d7mcB2f99RMnaP5mDIQiGEuwQE5T2xKW3aRlfebNTe2qAd9y2WlshmLNq/s200/Mary+and+Jeus.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
We
honor Mary, ironically as Luther said, not for her sake, "but for the
sake of Christ." We do not "worship" Mary. We worship God, in Holy
Trinity, alone.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...and Catholics think Protestants are apparently too dull to understand the distinctions Rome has made in this regard.</blockquote>
I
don't believe that to be true. Catholics, in my opinion, get tired of
explaining the difference between honoring someone and worshipping them.
Protestants aren't too dull, just too stubborn to see another side to
the honoring of Mary but the erroneous opinion they believe it to be.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
These caricatures are often difficult to overcome. </blockquote>
An "answer" like yours to this question, certainly will not help in overcoming the difficulties of this question, either.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Behind
the particular disagreements over the role of faith and works, the
sacraments (sic), the canon of Scripture, the role of the priesthood,
prayer to saints, and all the issues surrounding Mary and the Pope,
etc., lies the biggest rift between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism:
the issue of authority. <span itemprop="articleBody">How one answers the authority question will
generally inform all the other issues. </span><span itemprop="articleBody"><br /></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY4V0HT5WnS_ifFI_6c7-fecjtpBgAQsVm9XUL5kGdA6Rxj-my0lxtpgQr_YlueVzPyYChCOztBEzoooNp6pxY1HsFgIFHyJtkwjy7po6fBH657FGKj6SC4J61I9fEy7lxZ41vodw/s1600/Holy+Communion+meme.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY4V0HT5WnS_ifFI_6c7-fecjtpBgAQsVm9XUL5kGdA6Rxj-my0lxtpgQr_YlueVzPyYChCOztBEzoooNp6pxY1HsFgIFHyJtkwjy7po6fBH657FGKj6SC4J61I9fEy7lxZ41vodw/s320/Holy+Communion+meme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Again,
I would whole-heartedly agree. The issue is authority, not any of those
petty things Protestants gripe about. Our authority is Jesus Christ and
His Apostles. Every point of dogma and doctrine is based in those two
authorities. All the councils, all the popes, every Father and Doctor of
the Church, every theologian, down to the priests today studied, prayed
over, discussed debated, and argued over doctrine. Jesus promised His
apostles that He would send someone (the Holy Spirit) Who would guide
them into "all truth." He kept His promise--the result is the Body of
Christ present in the Catholic Church today. <br />
<br />
The fact
that Protestants think that they know better than 2,000 years of Holy
Spirit-guided Catholic theologians seems more like arrogance than
truth. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When it comes down to
deciding a theological issue about defined Catholic dogma, there isn't
really much to discuss on the Catholic's side because once Rome speaks
it is settled. This is a problem when trying to debate a Roman Catholic
-- reason and Scripture are not the Catholic's final authority; they can
always retreat into the "safe zone" of Roman Catholic authority.</blockquote>
This
statement is a little insulting. In my opinion, he is calling us too
dull to debate--what he accuses us of thinking of Protestants. Catholics
are too stupid to debate Protestants because they can always "retreat"
to Catholic authority and not reason. Really? You really believe that
all Protestants who debate Catholics debate more reasonably? All, and I
do mean each and every, Catholic dogma has its basis in Scripture, and,
yes, all "defined" Catholic dogma must be believed by Catholics.
Otherwise, we would be Protestants believing any old opinion we happen
to agree with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2oMl5_1T985a_vF2YnRApOgONUew_dIlBOkNBNerQ0l703bH7PBH7yiilvbk_0OocPyNcTDHfJlmnN7m2vPpZZ-pzC0ITf4PIZDVSCLJJkoOWcrm0poCqkUYSk-LCqjw0F4LshEr/s1600/Laughing+priest.PNG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2oMl5_1T985a_vF2YnRApOgONUew_dIlBOkNBNerQ0l703bH7PBH7yiilvbk_0OocPyNcTDHfJlmnN7m2vPpZZ-pzC0ITf4PIZDVSCLJJkoOWcrm0poCqkUYSk-LCqjw0F4LshEr/s200/Laughing+priest.PNG" width="195" /></a></div>
All
dogma, if not found explicitly in Scripture, it is found implicitly and
became a dogma after much prayer, interpretation and study by
theologians (many dogmas for centuries). All of Catholic dogma is
reasoned and is Scriptural. All Catholic dogma has been debated for
almost two millenia. The reason Catholics "fall back" on Catholic
authority is because it is inspired, proven Truth.<br />
<br />
Seriously, how can Protestants have <i>the</i>
Truth when they all disagree on so, so many things. How can there be
many truths? ie, on what one must do to be saved, on baptism, on
versions of the Bible, on communion, on what day of the week to worship
on, on when or whether or not to celebrate Easter, etc, etc, etc. How
can there be <i>a truth</i> to any of these things, if Protestants, all
claiming the guidance of the Holy Spirit? I'm sorry but I don't see that
as "reason"ed.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thus, many of the
arguments between a Protestant and a Catholic will revolve around one's
"private interpretation" of Scripture as against "official teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church."</blockquote>
Protestants have and do,
continually, rely on their "private interpretation" of Scripture, many
times with Scriptures either taken out of context or proof-texted in
such a way as to be a veritable quilt of theology--patched together but
not necessarily going together. They piece their theology together and
step back and think, that is perfect. When, in reality, nothing goes
together.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">Catholics claim
to successfully avoid the legitimate problems of private interpretation
by their reliance on their tradition. But this merely pushes the
question back a step.</span></blockquote>
Actually, what Catholics
claim, again my opinion, that the issues that they argue with
Protestants has been argued and argued for a millenia and a half. They
get tired of the same old Protestant interpretations and prejudices.
Catholic theologians much smarter than the author of that article or me
argued the very same theological points long before any Protestant came
along. It certainly does not take a step back, in point of fact, it is
skipping an unnecessary step--reinterpreting for the thousandth times
thousandth time any theological issue has been argued.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">The truth is that both Roman Catholics and
Protestants must, in the end, rely upon their reasoning abilities (to
choose their authority) and their interpretive skills (to understand
what that authority teaches) in order to determine what they will
believe. </span></blockquote>
Ok. At least here the author,
accidentally, admits that Catholics do reason and have some skill in
arguing. All Catholic converts I know (I am a convert to Catholicism)
have reasoned and interpreted "to determine what they will believe." I
know that I, personally, challenged the Holy Spirit to convince me, if
the Catholic Church were true. He, personally, answered my every
challenge, including issues about the Blessed Virgin Mary. That is why I
became a member of the True Body of Christ. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">Protestants are simply more willing to admit that this is the
case.</span><span itemprop="articleBody"></span></blockquote>
Not true. If this is your idea of dissipating hostilities, you run short sir. Catholics <i>do</i>
reason, and learn to do so in religious education, Catholic schools,
and Catholic universities and seminaries. The picture you attempt to
paint of unreasoning, ignorant, or mindless Catholics is defamatory. I
don't know any Catholic that thinks Protestants are dull (your word).
However, I do believe that the fact that the vocabulary of the
Protestants differs from that of Catholics and thus the
misunderstandings. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">Both
sides can also be fiercely loyal to their family's faith or the church
they grew up in without much thought to doctrinal arguments.</span></blockquote>
I
would agree with this statement with one caveat: Catholics do not
preach anti-Protestantism in their churches; many a Protestant pulpit,
however, is used to malign Catholics and their faith.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">Obviously, there are a lot of possible reasons for the division between
Catholicism and Protestantism, and while we should not divide over
secondary issues, both sides agree that we must divide when it comes to
primary issues.</span></blockquote>
What are secondary issues?
Mary? Baptism? The Eucharist? What are the primary issues that
Protestants hold dear? The only one I know common to all Protestants is
"Scripture alone" or is it "by faith alone" or "God alone"? I hear so
many versions of so-called "sola scriptura" or Scripture is the sole
rule of faith for Christians, that I can't tell what this "truth" is
either.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">Beyond that, we can agree to disagree and worship where
we find ourselves most in agreement. When it comes to Roman Catholicism
and Protestantism, the differences are just too great to ignore.
</span></blockquote>
But...but, you just said "we should not
divide over secondary issues." Now the differences are "just too great
to ignore." Huh? Why aren't the differences in the many, many sects of
Protestantism "too great to ignore?" In my eyes, it seems that
Protestants think, "We are not Catholic, therefore we are all united in
truth." That is just not a reasoned argument for the unity of the Body
of Christ. The Body of Christ is quite physically visible in the
Catholic Church. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span itemprop="articleBody">However, that does not give license for caricatures or ignorant
judgments – both sides need to be honest in their assessments and try
not to go beyond what God has revealed.</span></blockquote>
Yet, you give several caricatures and ignorant judgments of Catholics in this article.<br />
<br />
"Go
beyond what God has revealed?" Nothing in Catholic doctrine is "beyond
what God has revealed." All of it, in fact, was revealed by God the Holy
Spirit.<br />
<br />
He goes on to recommend a book on
Protestantism compared to Catholicism--of course, from a purely
Protestant perspective, and I believe would include the propaganda and
"caricatures" revealed in this article.<br />
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<br />cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-48994890098163980112016-02-01T19:47:00.001-06:002016-02-01T19:47:23.477-06:00Love This. He Loves Me, but condemns Me to Hell<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I love to read all the nonsense people write about us, Catholics. This one is a doozy and I had to comment. I am putting my comments in italics interspersed in the text so those who don't see color will distinguish my comments from Mr.<b> </b>Stewart's.</span></i></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span> </span></span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: x-large;">Why Catholics Are Going To
Hell</span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: x-small;">By David J. Stewart | August
2006 | Updated October 2015</span></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><i>“And
because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”</i></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;">
—John 8:45 </span></b></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Since we do follow God's Word, this would not apply.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">Following Men's Traditions Instead of
God's Word</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/pope_worships_mary.htm">
<img align="right" border="0" src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/pope-bows2mary.jpg" height="223" width="291" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I do not hate anyone. </span></blockquote>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">I love how he says Catholics are going to hell, but he doesn't hate anyone. </span></i> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I do not hate any
of the Popes. I do not hate any Catholics. They are sinners for whom Jesus Christ died, just as
I am. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>For Mr. Stewart's information and all those who read his erroneous opinions, Catholics acknowledge their sins and say they are sorry for them every single time they go to Mass.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>This is the Penitential Rite said at most Sunday Masses:</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> Penitential Rite</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The priest says: "Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries."</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The people say: "I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do," [here one is to strike one's breast three times as one says:] "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; Therefore, I asked blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The priest then says: "May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>All: "Amen"</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Priest: "Lord, have mercy."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>People: "Lord, have mercy."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Priest: "Christ, have mercy."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>People: "Christ, have mercy."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Priest: "Lord, have mercy."<br />People: "Lord, have mercy."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Need biblical support for the penitential rite in Church? How about these passages just to quote a few:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>James 5:16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful."</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Rev. 3:3: "Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it and repent."</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I John 1:9: "If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us of every wrongdoing." </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Tobit 8:4: "My sister, come, let us pray and beg our Lord to grant us mercy and protection." and in verse seven it says "...Send down your mercy on me and on her."</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>All of Psalm 51: (Verse 3) "Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions."</i></span> </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I love Catholics, just as I love everyone with God's unconditional
love. The love of God is unconditional. Christians who walk with God have
God's love shed abroad in their heart, unconditionally loving others. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>True of Catholics as well, since they, too, are Christians and follow Christ's teachings.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I don't mean to be unkind by saying that
Catholics are going to Hell; but rather, to speak the truth and warn you of
the judgment to come (2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:15). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The thing is, Mr. Stewart, that is not up to you to judge. We, too, believe in the Last Judgement. The difference between Mr. Stewart and Catholics is that we believe Christ, the King and Lawgiver, to be the judge.</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1470">1470</a> In this sacrament [Penance], the sinner, placing himself before the <u>merciful judgment of God</u>, anticipates in a certain way the judgment to
which he will be subjected at the end of his earthly life. For it is
now, in this life, that we are offered the choice between life and
death, and it is only by the road of conversion that we can enter the
Kingdom, from which one is excluded by grave sin.<sup>79</sup> In converting to Christ through penance and faith, the sinner passes from death to life and "does not come into judgment."<sup>80</sup></span></span></i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span class="text"><span class="text1">79 Cf. 1 Cor 5:11; Gal 5:19-21; Rev 22:15.<br />
80 Jn 5:24.</span></span></i></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span class="text"><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c2a7.htm#677"><b>679</b></a>
<u> Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgment
on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world.</u>
He "acquired" this right by his cross. The Father has given "all
judgment to the Son".<sup>587</sup> Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself.<sup>588</sup>
By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives
according to one's works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity
by rejecting the Spirit of love.<sup>589</sup></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span class="text"><span class="text1">587 Jn 5:22; cf. 5:27; Mt 25:31; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Tim 4:1.<br />
588 Cf. Lk 21:12; Jn 15:19-20.<br />
589 Cf. Jn 3:18; 12:48; Mt 12:32; 1 Cor 3:12-15; Heb 6:4-6; 10:26-31.</span></span></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The
modernistic idea that we should all refrain from criticizing anyone else's
religion is a completely evil New World Order philosophy. I'm going to speak
the truth of God's Word, even if it offends you. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>As this will be your opinion of God's Word, we will take a deep breath and read on.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I am going to warn you that
you are on a wrong road, headed for the bottomless pit, even if you hate me
for it. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I don't believe I am headed down the wrong road. I believe the Catholic Church is the one founded by our Savior, Jesus Christ, as all educated Christians did until 1500 years after Christ's Ascension. I was once Baptist but saw how much that denomination was lacking. There, there was Scripture but not a real intimate relationship with Christ. I like to say the Baptist Church gave me a love of Scripture, but the Catholic Church gave me an intimate relationship with Christ.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">I am telling you the truth. Catholicism is a manmade religion that
cannot save you. There is NO salvation in the Catholic Church; </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I will take you at face value that you are well meaning, but you are severely misguided in what you believe you know about the Catholic Church. The center, the heart of the Church is Christ in the Eucharist. Then following the Commandments of Christ. Christ IS our salvation. The Church is the Body of Christ.</i></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span class="text"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">776</a></b>
As sacrament, the Church is Christ's instrument. "She is taken up by
him also as the instrument for the salvation of all," "the universal
sacrament of salvation," by which Christ is "at once manifesting and
actualizing the mystery of God's love for men."<sup>199</sup> The Church
"is the visible plan of God's love for humanity," because God desires
"that the whole human race may become one People of God, form one Body
of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit."<sup>200</sup></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">199<a href="https://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2church.htm"> LG </a>9 § 2,48 § 2; <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html">GS</a> 45 § 1.<br />
200 Paul VI, June 22, 1973;<a href="https://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2miss.htm"> AG</a> 7 § 2; cf. <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2church.htmhttps://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2church.htm">LG</a> 17.</span></span></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>In just as genuine a way, I tell you, Mr. Stewart, that you have no idea what you are talking about.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">only
idolatry, </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Since Catholics worship the one True God and Him only, this accusation of idolatry does not apply. We do not worship statues, pictures, images, or anything else as gods--which is the actual definition of idolatry. I know that this idea of idolatry has been pounded into your imagination over and over, but that does not make it true. The statues and pictures are simply images of our brothers and sisters in God's family. In many ancient Churches, Old and New Testament stories are emblazoned on canvas, tapestries, windows and stone. Literacy is a modern luxury; the Church put these images in places to educate the masses on the Scriptures and the history of the Church.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Mary, being the Queen Mother (her Son is the King of the Universe after all) is honored above all the saints. But, we do not worship her or the saints.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> </i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Idolatry</b></span></i>
<br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">2112</a></b> The first commandment <u>condemns polytheism</u>.
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."<sup>42</sup> God, however, is the "living God"<sup>43</sup> who gives life and intervenes in history.
</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2113"></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">2113</a></b>
Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant
temptation to faith. <u>Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God</u>.
Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place
of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power,
pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You
cannot serve God and mammon."<sup>44</sup> Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast"<sup>45</sup>
refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique
Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.<sup>46</sup></span></i>
<br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2114"></a><b>2114</b> Human life finds its unity in the
adoration of the one God. The commandment to worship the Lord alone
integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is
a perversion of man's innate religious sense. <u>An idolater is someone
who "transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than
God.</u>"<sup>47</sup></span></i>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">42 Ps 115:4-5, 8; cf. Isa 44:9-20; Jer 10:1-16; Dan 14:1-30; Bar 6; Wis 13:1-15:19.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">
43 Josh 3:10; Ps 42:3; etc.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">
44 Mt 6:24.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">
45 Cf. Rev 13-14.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">
46 Cf. Gal 5:20; Eph 5:5.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span class="text1">
47 Origen, Contra Celsum 2,40:PG 11,861.</span></span></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Here I underlined the terms of the definition of idolatry, none of which apply to a true Catholic Christian. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04162.htm">Origen, Contra Celsum, Book 2, Chapter 40</a>:</span></i></span></h2>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></i></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It is, moreover, in a very unphilosophical spirit that Celsus imagines our Lord's pre-eminence among men to consist, not in the preaching of salvation and in a pure morality, but in acting contrary to the character of that personality which He had taken upon Him, and in not dying, although He had assumed mortality; or, if dying, yet at least not such a death as might serve as a pattern to those who were to learn by that very act how to die for the sake of religion, and to comport themselves boldly through its help, <u>before those who hold erroneous views on the subject of religion and irreligion, and who regard religious men as altogether irreligious</u>, but imagine those to be most religious who err regarding God, and who apply to everything rather than to God the ineradicable idea of Him (which is implanted in the human mind), and <u>especially when they eagerly rush to destroy those who have yielded themselves up with their whole soul</u> (even unto death), to the clear evidence of one God who is over all things.</span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>[I underlined the two passages from this early Church Father that would seem to apply to this author. He does have an "erroneous [view] on the subject of religion and irreligion" and regards "religious men as altogether irreligious." And, he eagerly rushes "to destroy those who have yielded themselves up with their whole soul."]</i></span> <br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">worshipping of the dead,</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Again, We do not worship the dead. We honor God's family members who have passed into the next world--Heaven--as examples of how to live good and holy lives. We ask them to pray for us.</i></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm#957http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm#957"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></a><span class="text"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm#957http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm#957"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">958</a></b> Communion with the dead.
"In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of
Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest
days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the
memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to
pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' she offers
her suffrages for them."<sup>500</sup> Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.</i></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="text"><span class="text1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">500 <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2church.htmhttps://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2church.htm">LG 50</a>; cf. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Maccabees+12%3A45-46&version=DRA">2 Macc 12:45</a></span>.</span></span></i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Church has always believed that the apostles and Christ's
martyrs who had given the supreme witness of faith and charity by the shedding of their
blood, are closely joined with us in Christ, and she has always venerated them with
special devotion, together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels. The
Church has piously implored the aid of their intercession. To these were soon added also
those who had more closely imitated Christ's virginity and poverty, and finally others
whom the outstanding practice of the Christian virtues and the divine charisms
recommended to the pious devotion and imitation of the faithful. -Lumen Gentium, 50</i></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> heathendom, </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I'm not even sure what is "heathendom," but if he means we are heathens, that is absolutely not true. We are Christians and members of the Body of Christ. He has neither supported nor proven that Catholic Christians are heathens. Catholics belong to the Kingdom of God and no other (whatever)dom.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">rituals, </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Our worship of God has been ritualized, but that is simply a matter of traditional style. In point of fact, somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% of the Mass can be seen word for word in the Word of God. And, what exactly is wrong with ritual? That is how children learn in school; it is how we live our lives. You have a daily "ritual", ie, you get up at a certain time, wash and dress, perhaps pray or read Scripture, get to work at a certain time. Ritual is how we worship together, pray together, and become God's family together.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">vain repetitions</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>When St. Paul talked about vain repetitions, he was talking about non-Christians, not Christians. Praising God is not "vain repetition." Praying the Psalms is not "vain repetition." Repeating Jesus Christ's words from the Gospels is not "vain repetition." Besides, I can point to so called "vain repetitions" in many churches claiming to be Christian who are not Catholic: the Doxology for one, creeds, or even opening prayers that are repeated; I even saw a "preacher" on TV that holds his Bible up and repeats some kind of silly pledge to the Bible with everyone in his audience.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> and
doctrines of devils (1st Timothy 4:1).</span></blockquote>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Since there are no "doctrines" of the devils in Catholic doctrine teachings, this is a moot accusation.</span></i> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> Salvation is NOT found in any
religion; but rather, in a Person, the precious Lord Jesus Christ! </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Since that is what we, Catholics, count on -- "the precious Lord Jesus Christ" -- I would guess that we are good to go.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Billions of lost sinners are dying in their
sins and plunging into Hell because of the lying Popes and priests who deceive them.
<b></b></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>This blanket statement is overreaching quite a bit. Have there been bad popes or bad priests? Of course there have been. They are human beings! Have their been crappy Protestant preachers? Absolutely!! The weaknesses of men have nothing to do with the Truth of the His Church.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Romans 10:3, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going
about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves
unto the righteousness of God.”</b> Jesus
warned about following the commandments of men (Mark 7:6-13). <a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/catholic_heresies-a_list.htm">Here's a list of Catholicism's manmade
traditions</a> fabricated over the centuries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><b>Matthew 23:13, “But woe unto you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men:
for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to
go in.”</b> Woe until the Catholic Church and their
idolatrous worship of idols and images! Exodus 20:4-5 (the second of the
Ten Commandment) strictly forbids even BOWING to images. The Vatican has
deceitfully <a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/2nd_command.htm">removed the 2nd Commandment</a> in their
Hellish Catechism!</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually that is a completely FALSE statement. The Catholic version of the Ten Commandments existed for nearly a millenia and a half before it was <u>changed by Protestants.</u> Catholics did not remove the 2nd Commandment of the Protestant 10 Commandments; the Jewish 10 Commandments has the commandment "I am the Lord your God, your are my people..." </i></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS3ZQ7LF33iYPE-jfUCytvCMQKSUyHgwzXtzqO5Ql7b0PrHQotjFxesyAQAWU7QUgDMmp5ruRDvoxkivfFNEubWRRD52K6CuPjVcWVE0A5alRnUX0NpMbbQamovIHj8A3HHi9Q5yxj_GI/s1600/10+Commandments.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS3ZQ7LF33iYPE-jfUCytvCMQKSUyHgwzXtzqO5Ql7b0PrHQotjFxesyAQAWU7QUgDMmp5ruRDvoxkivfFNEubWRRD52K6CuPjVcWVE0A5alRnUX0NpMbbQamovIHj8A3HHi9Q5yxj_GI/s640/10+Commandments.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side by side comparison of the three different versions.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> In actuality, The Protestant version split the second Commandment of the Jewish Version to make their 1st and 2nd Commandment in a direct attempt at iconoclasm. The Catholic Version leaves out the Jewish first commandment because it only applies to the Chosen people--Israel. It also distinguishes between a neighbor's wife and a neighbor's goods, elevating women above possessions. Up until the </i>Protestants changed it<i>, the "Catholic" version was the only Christian version. Since, there is NO numbering of the Ten Commandments in Scripture, the Protestant version is not any more or less Scripturally valid than the Catholic one.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">Trusting Upon Works Salvation
(self-righteousness)</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/End%20of%20the%20World/conditioned_for_satan.htm">
<img align="left" border="0" src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/idolatry-mary_worship.jpg" height="300" hspace="10" width="227" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Satan
is a master of deception!!! </span></blockquote>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Agreed. Every Catholic would agree with that!</span></i> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The Word of God states in 2nd Corinthians
11:3-4, "<b>But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.</b>" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholicism preaches ANOTHER GOSPEL and has ANOTHER SPIRIT. The Gospel
(Catechism) of Catholicism </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Gospel preached and taught in the Catholic Church is the one it has always preached and taught--Jesus Christ's Gospel, witnessed and written down in the Books of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">REQUIRES a person to be water baptized into the Catholic
Church to go to Heaven. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Jesus Christ <u>commanded</u>, "Go and preach to all nations, BAPTISING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We unapologetically obey Christ's commands.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholics are also REQUIRED to keep the
Seven Sacraments to go to Heaven.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Jesus Christ instituted each and every one of the Seven Sacraments. We take that very seriously. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Baptism: Matt. 28:19; John 3:22, 4:1-2; Acts 2:38-41</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Confirmation: John 20:22; Acts 8:17, 10:44-48</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Eucharist: Mark 14:22-25; John 6:48-58; Acts 2:42</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Reconciliation: John 20:23; James 5:16</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Anointing of the Sick: Mark 6:7-13; James 5:14-16</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Matrimony: Mark 10:2-12; Ephesians 5:22-23</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Holy Orders: Mark 3:13-19; Acts 6:6; I Timothy 4:14</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>These Scripture references are no where near exhaustive but are adequate to make my point. The reader will note that Mr. Stewart gives no support to say that the Sacraments are not valid. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> These Sacraments include being
confirmed by the <b> <u>priest</u></b>, </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually confirmation is done by the Holy Spirit through a bishop, not a priest.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">regular confession to the <b> <u>priest</u></b>, </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually it is regular confession to Jesus Christ <u>through</u> the priest.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
regular observance of the Holy Eucharist with the <b> <u>priest</u></b>,</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Not sure what the objection here is...Yes we have "regular observance of the Holy Eucharist" at every single Mass. We are celebrating the same, we mean the exact same, supper with Jesus at the Last Supper. In the Mass, the <u>priest</u> stands in Christ's stead as he calls on the Holy Spirit and says "This is My Body...This is My Blood."</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> last rites by
the <b> <u>priest</u></b>, et cetera.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>One, Extreme Unction or "last rites", which was once only given in times of imminent death, has been replaced by the Anointing of the Sick. The sick AND the dying can receive grace in this Sacrament. Two, what is Mr. Stewart's objection to praying with someone who is dying? Does it not comfort or ease a person on his way to death? The priest allows the dying person to clear their conscience, prays with them, and gives them a blessing from God.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> The Catholic means of salvation; therefore,
weighs heavily upon the Catholic <b><u>priest</u></b>.
</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The "means of salvation" is not the priest, but it is the one he stands in for at Mass and in the other Sacraments--Jesus Christ. As for weighing heavily on the priest, is not the responsibility for his flock heavy on the shoulders of a Protestant minister? If it is not, what exactly is he/she there for in the first place?</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholics are also REQUIRED to
do good works to go to Heaven.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>We are "REQUIRED" by Jesus Christ to "do good works" that is clear in Matthew Chapter 25. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> Ask the average Catholic about faith
verses works and they'll admit that they're trusting in FAITH AND WORKS to
save them (which Romans 11:6 states is impossible). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually, St. Paul was speaking about the people of Israel (see verse 7) and their attempt to follow the Law without actual love or respect for God but through outward <u>works under the Law</u>. Again, I refer the reader to Matthew 25, but also the book of James. James clearly teaches that what we DO matures out faith and in James 2:18, Jesus's cousin and disciple says, "A man may say, 'Thou hast faith, and I have works.' Show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I will show thee my faith <u>by my works.</u>" (KJ21) The belief of the Apostles and the Church teachings found on Christ and the Apostles' teachings was that faith and works were both necessary. Faith, as in true belief in Jesus Christ and His mission, was shown by good works such as taking care of the poor, praying for each other, etc. Scripture says you must back up your faith with works.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Romans 4:5 states in
no uncertain terms, “<b>But to him that <u>worketh not</u>, but believeth on
him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.</b>”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">When James spoke of being justified by “works,”
he was clearly speaking about being justified in the eyes of MEN ... “I will
<u><b>shew thee</b></u> my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Also, James was
writing to believers; not the unsaved (James 2:1, “<b>My Brethren...</b>”). With God we are justified by faith; but with men by works, because men cannot
see our heart as God can (1st Samuel 16:7). </span></blockquote>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">I addressed this error of Mr. Stewart's opinion above. James is speaking of our inward faith being manifested in works of mercy and spirit.</span></i><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Here is PROOF that James wasn't teaching works
salvation ... “<b>Was not Abraham our father justified
by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?</b>” (James
2:21). Isaac? We read in Genesis 15:6 concerning Abraham, “<b>And he believed in the LORD; and he
counted it to him for righteousness.</b>” Abraham was saved by faith
alone in the Lord. Isaac wasn't even born until
Genesis 21:3. Clearly, James is referring to two different types of
justification here. In Genesis 15, Abraham is justified with God by
faith ALONE; BUT in Genesis 22, Abraham's faith is justified by works in the
eyes of men. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Justification is justification. His faith was tested by God's command to Sacrifice his son. (As a foreshadow of what God Himself would do with His own Son). His inner faith was outwardly manifested in his obedience to God. His faith was justified by his work--period. One should not try to explain away the pure meaning of this Scripture.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
</span><br />
<div align="left">
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">Idol Worship!</span></b></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholicism's spirit is one of
idolatrous adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>One of the biggest prejudices Protestants have against Catholics is honoring of Mary. We do not worship Mary, statues of Mary, or put her on the same level with God. We honor Mary because she is the mother of our Savior. God chose to became man through the womb of a special woman--Mary. You cannot even imagine how awesome it would be to carry God in your womb! Having given birth five times, I can only imagine how special that would be. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Just as in England the ruling king or queen is honored, the queen mother is also honored. Until her death at 101, Queen Mother Elizabeth was honored and treated as a very special person in England. The British people's reverence for her was only surpassed by that of Queen Elizabeth, her daughter. She had a special place in the heart of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth, and the hearts of the people of England. So, too, does the subjects of the King of Heaven, Jesus, honor His mother as the Queen Mother. We hold affection for her and honor her but we do not worship her. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">In fact, it is a spirit
of demonism (1st Timothy 4:1), as is evident by the vain repetition of 53 "Hail Marys" in a
standard Rosary prayer. Jesus condemned vain repetitious prayers
(Matthew 6:7). </span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>1. Jesus was talking about the vain repetitious prayers of heathens who did not worship the True God. Since we do worship the True God and claim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior as all true Christians should, we do not fall under this condemnation.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>2. There are 53 Hail Marys in a standard Rosary devotion. However, you fail to mention the praying of the Apostles' Creed, the five "Our Father"s, the five "Glory Be"s, plus meditations on the life of Jesus and Mary (There are 20 of them--all based on Scripture; five for each standard Rosary devotion). </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>3. It is a devotional tool developed by common people to replace the 150 Psalms traditionally prayed every day by monks. The Hail Mary is much shorter and easier to memorize. While you will be exposed to the Rosary in Church or at other meetings or gatherings of Catholics, the Rosary is not "mandatory". A good Catholic Christian could conceivably live a full Catholic Christian life without praying a single Rosary devotion. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>4. The "Hail Mary" is a prayer from Scripture:</i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> "Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee" (The name of Mary was added later) Luke 1:28</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." (The name of Jesus was added later) Luke 1:42</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"Holy Mary,..." based on Eph. 1:1, Phil. 1:1, and Col. 1:2)</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"...Mother of God." See John chapter One. If one believes that Jesus is God, one cannot object to calling His mother, His mother. Catholics do not believe, never have believed, and do not teach that Mary is the mother of the Godhead. She is, however, the mother of God the Son.</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"...pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen." based on James 5:16 ("The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working"); Eph. 6:18 ("Praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication..."); I Tim. 2:1 ("I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people..."); plus many more. Mary is more alive as we are, as she is in Heaven with God.</i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Yet, they <a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/vain.htm">moan like a cult of
Satan worshippers</a>.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I don't know what Catholic culture you've been exposed to but there is not "moan"ing going on at all. Where did you get such an idea? </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Rosary devotion concentrates on the life of Christ and His mother. The following are the "mysteries" Christians meditate upon when they pray 10 "Hail Mary's".</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Joyful mysteries: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38); The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56); The Nativity (Luke 2:1-21); The Presentation (Luke 2:22-38); and the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52).</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Luminous Mysteries (recently added to the Rosary by St. John Paul II). The Baptism of Our Lord (Matt. 3:13-16); The Miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11); The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15); The Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8); The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper (Matthew 26).</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden (Matt. 26: 36-56); The Scourging at the Pillar (Matt. 27:26); The Crowning with Thorns (Matt. 27:27-31); Carrying the Cross (Matt. 27:32); The Crucifixion (Matt. 27:33-56).</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The Glorious Mysteries: The Resurrection (John 20:1-29), The Ascension (Luke 24:36-53); The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-41); The Assumption of Mary (Song of Songs 2:2, 10-11); The Coronation of Mary (Gen. 3:15a; Rev. 12:1; Cor. 4:17)</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>If one looks at the mysteries or meditations objectively, one will see that the majority of the Rosary is concentrated on Our Lord Jesus Christ. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> Catholics have statues galore. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Yes, Catholics have statues, pictures, icons, paintings, stain glass windows, etc. which are <u>exactly</u> like the photo album and framed pictures scattered around your house! It is the pictures of our family, God's family. They are people we admire and want to emulate, and just like your earthly family members, Catholics find comfort in having our Heavenly families pictures around us. We know they pray for us (cloud of witness in Hebrews, incense is the prayers of the saints in Revelation, etc) and since they are with God, we find that a comforting thought.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Oh, how
rebellious and sinful are the hearts of Catholics! They have religion
without truth, churchianity without Christianity, and crucifixes without
Christ. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Very catchy and clever saying; none of which is true. Our hearts are filled with Christ and His Holy Spirit. We have the Truth--Jesus- in our "religion." Our Christianity is as obvious to those with eyes to see and ears to hear as any other Christian's actions. Our Crucifixes display the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for each and every human being on the planet. The Crucifix helps us remember His ultimate sacrifice for us.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: medium;">
<img src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/catholic_idolaters.jpg" height="285" width="427" /></span></div>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<b>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;">“Thou shalt not bow
down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God...”</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana";"> —Exodus 20:5</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">1) The Catholics here, if they are true Catholics, are not worshiping Mary. They are asking Mary's prayers and intercessions (Scripture that says just that noted above). </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">2) I believe that if Protestants were transported back in time to the Temple built by Solomon as prescribed by God, they would accuse the Jews of idolatry also. </span></i><br /> <br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><br />
</span></b></div>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><img src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/pope4.jpg" height="310" width="440" /></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: medium;">“That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth” —Philippians 2:10</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Every knee does bow in Mass. On the other hand, I have NEVER seen a single Protestant bend his or her knee for God. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Don't tell me that Catholicism doesn't worship
Mary!!! The above photo says it all. Pope John Paul II worshipped
Our Lady of Fatima (Mary) and not the Lord Jesus Christ. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Wow. Do you all make this up as you go along? It sure seems that way. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>St. John Paul II did honor Mary very much and the message she gave at Fatima was personal to him.</i></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Again
below...</span><br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
<a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/praymary.htm">
<img align="middle" border="0" src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/popepray.jpg" height="236" width="165" /></a></span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I know it is a hard, hard concept for Protestants to grasp, but kneeling in front of a statue of Mary does not constitute worshiping Mary, any more than holding a Bible while praying. Here St. John Paul II is asking Mary for prayers for his intentions (prayer requests) to her Son, Jesus Christ. ALL prayers to saints are asking them to pray for us to God just EXACTLY as a Protestant would ask another Protestant to pray for them to God. Yes, we can go directly to God with our prayers. Why ask anyone else to pray for you or your prayer intentions? You MUST, by Mr. Stewart's definition, be worshiping the person you asked to pray for you. You must think that you cannot pray to God on your own behalf if you ask someone else to pray for you. That is what your logic says. We "pray" in the old fashioned English sense of asking. We ask Mary and the Saints to pray for us. It is a totally biblical concept that Protestants, so far removed from the original Church founded by Christ, cannot seem to grasp.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The average Catholic is brainwashed with
Catechism training and knows little about the Bible. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>1. Catholics are not brainwashed any more than any Christian of any denomination are brainwashed.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>2. Every bit of the Catechism is supported by, quotes from, and is footnoted with Scripture.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>3. Catholics hear and learn about Scripture in Mass. Two passages from the rest of Scripture (usually one from the OT and one from the NT), a Psalm, and a reading from one of the Gospels are read at every Sunday Mass. Weekday Masses only have one Scripture passage along with the Psalm and the Gospel. If one attends Sunday Mass, one would hear the majority of Scripture in three years. If one attends weekday Masses, you would hear Scripture in its entirety. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>4. Scripture is an important part of the Mass and its reading at home is highly encouraged by the Church. </i></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The Word of God is clear
that we are to bow at the name of Jesus (and NO other).</span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;">“That at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, <br />
and things in earth, and
things under the earth.” —Philippians 2:10</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">Churchianity without Christianity</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/a_picture_says%20it_all.htm">
<img align="right" border="0" src="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/giant_pope.jpg" height="523" hspace="10" width="357" /></a>We
also read in 2nd Corinthians 11:13-14, “<b>For such are false
apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their
works.</b>”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Let me ask you a question friend. What
religion, or group of ministers, are the above Scriptures warning us about?
Most people would agree that Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are false
prophets. BUT, what about Catholicism? How does Catholicism
compare to God's Word? Not very well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Matthew 23:9 forbids addressing any priest as
“Father.” </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>1. He was talking to Pharisees, not Christians. Admonishing the pharisees for their "holier than thou" attitude.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>2. Jesus said not to call anyone Rabbi in Matt. 23:8 because their is only one Teacher; and said in Matthew 23:10 not to address anyone as Master. Do you call anyone teacher? You do if you address anyone as teacher, rabbi, or even "Doctor," this too is a form of "teacher", so by the author's standards, forbidden. Do you call anyone Mister? This is a form of the word master. By the author's standards, this too would be forbidden. Stop calling men mister and women mistress (Mrs). Indeed, Jesus did not forbid the use of the term father for a man. That is very far from the meaning of Christ's admonition of the pharisees.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>3. Father used as a form of address is actually used quite frequently in the New Testament. If Christ was banning the use of "Father" for every man in every situation, one would think the disciples would have banned the use of the term also. They didn't, in fact, they used it routinely.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Acts 7:2: St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, addressed the high priest and others listening to him as "My brothers and fathers" and refers to "Our FATHER Abraham."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Acts 22:1: St. Paul addressed the crowd as brothers and FATHERS. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I Cor. 4:15: St. Paul says "...in Christ Jesus, I became YOUR FATHER in the Gospel."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Phil. 2:22: St. Paul calls St. Timothy his child and he Timothy's father.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I John 2:14: St. John addresses some of his readers..."I write to you, fathers, because you know know him who is from the beginning."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>These many references (there are more) are to spiritual fatherhood, and they refer to their followers as sons (St. Paul calls Timothy his "child" many times). The priest is the spiritual father of the "children" of the parish. It is right to call him "father."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">1st Timothy 4:1-3 warns of false prophets who would teach
"doctrines of devils." What are those devilish doctrines? 1st Timothy 4:3
tells us, “<b>Forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats...</b>” </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Just a tiny bit of research would have shown Mr. Stewart that marriage is not forbidden in the Catholic Church. In fact it is one of the Seven Sacraments instituted by Christ. Priests are not "forbidden" to marry. They voluntarily vow to remain unmarried in order to devote their whole life to Christ. Christ spent His whole life unmarried and devoted His time to His ministry. This is the example most Catholic priests follow. St. Paul said in I Corinthians 7: 8, "Now to the unmarried and to widows, I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, AS I DO,..." He said it was better to remain unmarried like he was. However, it is important to point out that unmarried priests are a custom, not a dogma, and could change someday. I hope not, because I can't count the number of times I've heard about divorces, criminal children of, and scandals of clergy of other so-called Christian churches. A man is under double pressure from the Church and from a family to be all to each. Having said that (and this may come as a surprise to Mr. Stewart and many other Protestants) THERE ARE MARRIED PRIESTS in the Catholic Church. There is an Eastern rite of the Church that does have married priests and there have been exceptions in the Latin rite when married clergy have come back to the True Church. Exceptions to the discipline of unmarried priests have been and are made when necessary.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The Catholic Churches' practice
of celibacy is DEMONIC! </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>How is it demonic? It is demonic to dedicate your whole life to God and His Church? I find that heroic--to give your whole life to God 24/7. I guess St. Paul must have demonic also.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholics are not allowed to eat certain meats
on Fridays. This teaching is DEMONIC!</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>This statement actually made me laugh out loud. A little research, please...Catholics are not forbidden to eat certain meats on Fridays. The DISCIPLINE of giving up red meat on Fridays is now only asked of Catholics ages 14-60 during Lent. This helps us remember those who are too poor to afford meat and hopefully use the money to give to a charity that feeds the poor. It is also a spiritual discipline to be thankful for what we do have. The rest of the year we are asked to give up meat on Fridays if we can or do some other act of charity for those in need on Friday. How giving to and thinking of others as our Savior Jesus Christ asked us to do is demonic is beyond me.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> Matthew 6:7 forbids praying
in <a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/vain_repetitions.htm">vain repetitions</a>; but that is exactly
what Catholics do. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually it says, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, AS THE HEATHEN DO: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking." (King James Version) Since, as I said before, we do not pray as the heathens do, this admonition does not apply to Catholics. </i></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Exodus 20:4-5 prohibits bowing to graven images; </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Here Scripture is referring to graven images as gods. See verse 22: "Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold." None of the "graven images" in a Catholic Church are gods. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>It is also quite clear that God did not forbid all "graven images": </i></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The temple built by Solomon, I Kings 6: "In the sanctuary were two cherubim (vs. 10)...the cherubim too were overlaid with gold (vs. 28)... The walls on all sides of both the inner and the outer rooms had carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. (vs. 29)...The two doors were of olive wood with carved figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. The doors were overlaid with gold, which also molded to the cherubim and the palm trees. (vs.32) ...and had carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, over gold was evenly applied. (vs. 35) </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I Kings 7: "Four hundred pomegranates were also cast [of bronze] (vs. 18)...The capitals on top of the columns were finished wholly in a lotus pattern (vs. 19)...[On "the sea"] Under the brim, gourds encircled it (vs. 24)...This rested on twelve oxen (vs. 25)...its brim resembled that of a cup, being lily-shaped (vs. 26)....On the panels between the frames there were lions and oxen, there were wreaths in relief (vs. 29)..On the surfaces of the supports and on the panels, wherever there was a clear space, cherubim, lions, and palm trees were carved, as well as wreaths all around (vs. 36)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I Kings 9: "The Lord appeared to him [Solomon] (vs. 2)...The Lord said to him, "...I have consecrated this temple which you have built; I confer My Name upon it forever, and my eyes and my heart shall be there always..." (vs. 3)</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">yet,
Catholics defiantly bow anyway, and then have the audacity to blaspheme God by
saying it's not idolatry. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Bowing in respect is not the same as bowing in worship. We do do them differently. Just because Mr. Stewart and his ilk cannot wrap his head around that fact, it does not mean what they believe is true. Catholics do not worship saints or Mary, Mother of God (the Son).</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">There are 1,000 things wrong with the Catholic
religion! </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>And the author has only named a tired few that are only opinion and not proven. In fact, with just a little research one can see just how far Mr. Stewart has gone afoul.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">The Catholic Church is Straight Out
of the Pits of Hell</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually, it is straight out of Scripture.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">If you'd like to learn much more about the evils
of Catholicism, then I plead with you to search the links at the bottom of my
<a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/hail_mary_hail_satan.htm">Hail Mary! Hail Satan!</a> page. I am
being your friend by telling you the truth.</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I understand that you THINK you are doing the right thing, but you are not telling the truth. Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him, not you (see John 14:6). Since we follow Christ's Commandments and practice the Sacraments He instituted, His Church cannot be evil.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"> Catholicism is religion, no
more. Religion won't forgive your sins or take you to Heaven. You
need to be born-again by the Spirit of God. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>All Catholics </i>are <i>"born again" by water and the Spirit, as Jesus commanded. Jesus forgives our sins, not "religion."</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Jesus plainly stated in John
4:24 that you cannot worship God in heresy. You MUST worship God in
Truth! Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>"God is Spirit. His followers must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." Since that is exactly what Catholics do at Mass, we are not worshiping "God in heresy" now are we.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">God's Word is Truth (John
17:17). If you've never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then I plead with you now to trust upon
the Lord to forgive your sins. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Another chuckle out loud...Practicing Catholics do believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Where Protestants get the idea that Catholics don't believe in Jesus or "trust upon" Him? One word: Propaganda.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Catholics are going to Hell because they have
chosen to follow the traditions of men, instead of obeying the gospel of
Jesus Christ. </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>All Traditions of the Church are based in Scripture. Scripture in actuality is the main part of Church Tradition. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was passed down orally by the Church, then written down by the Apostles, gathered together by Church leaders, and copied for all to read. We obey Jesus Christ's commandments much more closely than any Protestant "church" does.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">
</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;">How to Go to Heaven According to
God's Word</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Salvation is without works of self-righteousness (Romans
10:3-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>In Romans 10, Paul is addressing Israel. He is talking about works of the law versus the teachings of Jesus Christ. The "Law" was so stringent and so stiff that it was hard for God's Chosen to give it up for the salvation preached by the Apostles. Since Catholics do not depend on works of the Mosaic Law for Salvation but on Jesus Christ, this admonition does not apply.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Interesting how you ignore Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the <b>GOOD WORKS THAT GOD HAS PREPARED IN ADVANCE, THAT WE SHOULD LIVE IN THEM.</b>" The statement of the earlier versus applies to the Catholic Church also. We live by faith, but we also live in the good works that God prepared for us to live in.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Since we DO acknowledge and pray for God's mercy for our salvation, Titus 3:5 absolutely can be applied to Catholics. We pray for God's mercy at every single Mass. </i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Eternal life is a free gift (Romans
5:15; 6:23), </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>We believe that, too.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">freely offered (Romans 10:13), </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>We believe that.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">and freely received (Revelation
22:17). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Believe that too, but not by that verse.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the
<a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer%27s%20Corner/Doctrines/imputation.htm">imputed
righteousness of Jesus Christ</a> (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 6:33). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Actually, II Cor. 5:21 says we "become the righteousness of God in Him." and Matt. 6:33 says we are to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Neither says what you say it does.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Our
part is simply to believe on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, to forgive
our sins (Acts 10:43; John 20:31; John 1:12). </span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Since Catholics do believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, we do, according to your "proof" we are forgiven of our sins.</i></span> <br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The Holy Bible teaches that is is very easy to
be saved and go to Heaven. First, you <u>must</u> realize that you are a
guilty sinner in God's holy eyes. You need to know what you're being saved
from. God's law was given as a measuring stick, by which when men are
compared, we all fall short and see our desperate need for the Savior, Jesus
Christ. ...</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that what things
soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every
mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his
sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”</b> </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">If you admit that you are a sinner, then simply
BELIEVE the Gospel and you will be immediately and forever saved. Here is
the Gospel (Good News) according to the Holy Bible:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “<u><span style="font-size: medium;">Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel</span></u> which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are
saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also
received, how that <u><span style="font-size: medium;">Christ died for our sins according to
the scriptures</span></u>; And that <u><span style="font-size: medium;">he was buried</span></u>,
and that <u><span style="font-size: medium;">he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures</span></u>.”</b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">If you BELIEVE (rely) upon Jesus' dying on the
cross for your sins, and that He was buried, and bodily resurrected three
days later, you are saved!!! Salvation is a new birth. You cannot ever lose
eternal life. Once you are born-again, it is irreversible and permanent.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Many people view religion as a good therapy, a
necessary part of life; but they deny the saving power of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, just as <b>2nd Timothy 3:5</b> says<b>, “Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” </b>Religion
cannot take you to Heaven. You need to be born-again by the Spirit of God,
by the Seed of God's Word (1st Peter 1:23), by faith in Jesus Christ. <b>
Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus.” </b><a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/gift.htm">Eternal life is a free gift! </a></span><br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium;">“But as
many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana";"> —John
1:12-13</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>The biggest difference between Catholics and Protestants, as I see it, is that Protestants ignore Christ's teaching and just about any other author but Paul. Paul seems to trump Christ. But while belief is "easy" it is still only the first step. "The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29) In answer to the disciples question, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?...You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:25 and 27)", Jesus said, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS and you will live." (vs. 28) He goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of how to love your neighbor. He asked them who was the good neighbor; they replied, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said, "Go and DO LIKEWISE." (vs. 37) Jesus did not say believe and then just sit around until time to go to Heaven. He constantly tells His followers to DO. To treat people with mercy; to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the sick, the old, the imprisoned, etc and you do this for Him; he said to go preach the Gospel baptising in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>What Protestants don't understand is that the Catholic Church does not teach that we get to Heaven by doing works (and certainly not works of the Law as Paul was speaking against) but by doing work along with our faith. These good works are meritorious in helping us to be more Christ-like, in showing mercy to others, in being witnesses to the teachings of Christ and what HE DID on Earth, in giving our lives for the good of others, like Christ. We don't believe belief is enough by itself because "even the devils believe", and I am pretty sure the author is not advocating that devils are saved through faith. Their works show us that they are not saved. </i></span><span class="p"><br /></span> cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-6253555553944295132015-11-09T18:43:00.001-06:002015-11-09T23:05:32.372-06:00My Answer to "Forty Questions for Christians Who Oppose Marriage Equality"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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" style="margin-top: 96px;" width="304" /> </span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><u></u><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><u></u></span> This is my answer to Matthew Vines' <a href="http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2015/07/03/40-questions-for-christians-who-oppose-marriage-equality-guest-commentary/">40 questions for Christians who oppose marriage equality.</a></span></div>
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1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Do you accept that sexual orientation is not a choice?</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, I do not. I believe that many are made the way they are and many have psychological or physical abnormalities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<i> </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you accept that sexual orientation is highly resistant to attempts to
change it? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, as any other psychological
problem does. Up until about 50 years ago, the APA also thought that same sex
attraction was a psychological aberration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<i> </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How many meaningful relationships with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender (LGBT) people do you have? </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately, I have known two of
them personally. They were neither happy nor pleasant people. I’ve known quite a few “defenders” of same sex friends, acquaintances,
etc. There seems to be a vast majority more defenders of same sex couples than
actual same sex couples. Which tells me that many, many people in our society are bending over backwards for people they do not want to offend because of the political or familial backlash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>How many openly LGBT people would say you are one of their closest
friends? </i></span></div>
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None.</div>
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5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>How much time have you spent in one-on-one conversation with LGBT
Christians about their faith and sexuality?</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None. I don’t believe you can be
both anyway.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6. <i>Do you accept that heterosexual marriage is not a realistic option for
most gay people? </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">*edited* I misread the question: Yes, I accept that <i>he<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">terosexual </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">marriage is not realistic for most people who say they are gay</span></span>. If one identifies themselves a<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">s g<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">ay, <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">are they going <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">to keep their vows to a person of the o<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">ppos<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">it<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">e sex? Doubtful. So, they would be <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">going into a covenant without <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">the intention of keeping their promises. That is <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">also gra<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">ve sin<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, and a <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">very good reason for an an<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">nulment. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7. </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you accept that lifelong celibacy is the only valid option for most
gay people if all same-sex relationships are sinful? </span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I have known of, and read autobiographical stories of supposed
gay people who have become heterosexual. One I know of in particular is now
married. He led a gay life style for decades, became a Christian and resigned
himself to celibacy. That was not God’s plan for him. He met a fine Christian
woman, who he thought would be a good friend. They eventually fell in love and
are now married.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>How many gay brothers and sisters in Christ have you walked with on the
path of mandatory celibacy, and for how long?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None. That is neither my place, nor
my ministry.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>What is your answer for gay Christians who struggled for years to live
out a celibacy mandate but were driven to suicidal despair in the process?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would say that they either do not
understand what God asks of them through celibacy (or suffering) or they are
not strong enough in their Christian faith. The Christian faith is not meant to
be an easy road, and the whole LBGT political power trip is not helping any one ease
their pain, their walk in life, or the demands of their faith.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Has mandatory celibacy produced good fruit in the lives of most gay
Christians you know?</i> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I only know of a few cases, and,
yes, they did yield “good fruit”.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>How many married same-sex couples do you know? </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">None.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that same-sex couples’ relationships can show the fruit
of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">I
believe that those relationships can have any or all of those feelings or personality traits, but that they not proven to be fruits of the Holy
Spirit. People can have moments of joy even in a prison camp. They can love a
neighbor even if that neighbor does evil. Their character traits may indicate
patience or kindness, goodness or faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, but
these characteristics, one or many, can be found in non-Christians, and in
non-Christian gay people. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that it is possible to be a Christian and support
same-sex marriage in the church?</i> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that it is possible to be a Christian and support
slavery? </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">No. One has nothing to do with the other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>If not, do you believe that Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Jonathan
Edwards were not actually Christians because they supported slavery?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">I
believe that all were sinners, and all were Protestants, that is they protested
the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I do believe they tried to be
Christians in their way but went very awry of actual Christian teachings. I don't know any of their stances on slavery. I know that Martin Luther and John Calvin were of the 16th century and slavery was not the issue in Europe at that time. So, their support of it would be moot. I know that I have much more theological than political problems with Luther and Calvin. I don't know anything about Jonathan Edwards. I cannot judge their hearts pertaining to their Christianity; only God can judge them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you think supporting same-sex marriage is a more serious problem than
supporting slavery? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No. I never have and don't compare them. I think murder is a more serious
problem, but I don’t equate same-sex "marriage" to murder either (as I don’t
equate same-sex marriage and slavery) Those are “apples and oranges”
comparisons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Did you spend any time studying the Bible’s passages about slavery
before you felt comfortable believing that slavery is wrong? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">No. I
already, intrinsically, knew it was wrong. And, thank God, slavery has not been legal or supported in the United States for over a hundred and fifty years. Why would I support it? That is what is called a strawman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Does it cause you any concern that Christians throughout most of church
history would have disagreed with you?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No. Because I don’t agree with you
that that is true. Small (and small-minded) groups of men tried to justify
their grave sin with Scripture—an even greater sin. Not all Christians, and
certainly not every Christian, “throughout most of church history” believed
that slavery was okay or good. The thing I would ask any gay person—What has
this got to do with you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Did you know that, for most of church history, Christians believed that
the Bible taught the earth stood still at the center of the universe?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Actually, that statement is not totally accurate. A long time ago just about <i>all</i> people in
general thought that the earth was the center of the universe. Some Greek philosopher/scientists
understood that the earth revolved around the sun. But, come on, the sun comes
up on one side and goes down on the other. Why wouldn’t ancient peoples think
that? And the Old Testament was authored by ancient peoples. Those Christians
who believed that Sun revolved around the Earth were ignorant (in the original
sense of the word) of the science behind the universe; it is simple as that.
The Bible also says that Jonah was swallowed by a big fish. Most agree that he
was swallowed by a whale, which is now considered a mammal—a distinction not
made in ancient times. (A man in modern times, 1930's if memory serves, was swallowed by a whale
and recovered within 24 hours, by the way.) When scientists
(most of whom were either Catholics monks or Catholic laymen in the early
Christian era), watched the sky and “discovered” that we were moving around the
sun, the Church adopted this as true—as it was proved to be true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">20.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Does it cause you any concern that you disagree with their
interpretation of the Bible?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, The ancient peoples who wrote
the Old Testament didn’t know any better than their peers about the science of
the universe. They sought to explain the universe in terms they could
understand. The early Christians did not know either—just as science lagged
behind civilization. Who knew eking out a living would take priority over
science, huh?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Did you spend any time studying the Bible’s verses on the topic before
you felt comfortable believing that the earth revolves around the sun? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Really? Do you always address other
adults as children? Or just Christians?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was never, ever in any doubt that
the Earth revolves around the Sun. I live in modern times, went to modern
schools, and learned about the universe from an early age. There is nothing I
needed to get “comfortable” about. I, unlike you, understand that the Bible was
written in ancient times and the ancients saw the universe differently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>D<i>o you know of any Christian writers before the 20<sup>th</sup> century
who acknowledged that gay people must be celibate for life due to the church’s
rejection of same-sex relationships? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;">No,
because it was not an issue before the 20<sup>th</sup> century.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>If not, might it be fair to say that mandating celibacy for gay
Christians is not a traditional position?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would say it is not a “traditional
position” because no such position needed to be taken. Homosexuality was
considered a grave sin, and many Christians still believe it to be so. There
was no celibacy “position” because there is only one “position” on sin--confession, forgiveness, and penance, which includes change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that the Bible explicitly teaches that all gay Christians
must be single and celibate for life?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No. I believe that the Bible explicitly
teaches that being “gay” is a sin. If you need to be celibate in order not to
sin, then, yes, you need to be celibate. That would be the implication of Scripture--to sin no more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">*edit*: I believe th<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">at the Bible explicitly teaches that <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">"gay" sexual acts are sin, not that believing on<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">e is</span> "gay" is a sin. <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This was a definite mistake <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">on my part. The act is a sin, not the feeling.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>If not, do you feel comfortable affirming something that is not
explicitly affirmed in the Bible? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, because it is implicit in the
Bible. If you are not do that sin, you must do something to avoid whatever
leads to that sin. Therefore, celibacy would be a viable option to do
committing the sin of same sex acts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">26.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that the moral distinction between lust and love matters
for LGBT people’s romantic relationships?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I believe that there are LGBT people
who believe that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you think that loving same-sex relationships should be assessed in
the same way as the same-sex behavior Paul explicitly describes as lustful in
Romans 1? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes. Love is not the problem. Love
is good. Feelings are not bad; what you do with them can be very bad. Love does not and should not always lead to sex. So, yes, I agree with St. Paul that women should not be sexually
involved with women and men should not be sexually involved with men.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28. <i>Do you believe that Paul's use of the terms "shameful" and "unnatural" in Romans 1:26-27 means that all same-sex relationships are sinful?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, I do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Would you say the same about Paul’s description of long hair in men as
“shameful” and against “nature” in 1 Corinthians 11:14, or would you say he was
describing cultural norms of his time? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think that you are grasping at
straws with this supposed argument. Here St. Paul is comparing men’s hair with
women’s. Yes, I think a man’s long hair, if he looks like a woman instead of a
man, is “shameful.” Now, what is long hair? Past the ears? Past the collar?
Past the shoulders? Who knows? I have seen men with ponytails that still looked
like men. I have seen men with mullets that looked ridiculously feminine. Who
is to judge? I do think it “shameful” if you cannot tell if the person is a
man or a woman (that goes both ways—when you can’t tell if the person is woman because of her short hair, tattoos, and piercings in every possible place on her face.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Do you believe that the capacity for procreation is essential to
marriage? </i></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>If so, what does that mean for infertile heterosexual couples? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That is not the same thing. I find it rich when an LGBT supporter uses this fallacious argument. Most Christian
couples when they marry are open to having children. Infertile couples are
usually not infertile on purpose. If they cannot have children because of a
physical problem of the wife or husband or both, the intention was still there. They married for the right reasons.
Having said that, if the couple makes themselves infertile through artificial contraceptives,
operations, or devices, marriage would be a grave sin on the couple’s part. They did not marry for the right reasons and their marriage would be just as wrong as a same-sex "marriage" because they then <i>would be</i> infertile like a same-sex couple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32.</span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much time have you spent engaging with the writings of
LGBT-affirming Christians like Justin Lee, James Brownson, and Rachel Murr? </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None, and I don’t intend to start. I
do not believe that you can be a Christian and LGBT or a supporter of LGBT. These to things are intrinsically opposed to each other. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">33.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>What relationship recognition rights short of marriage do you support
for same-sex couples? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I support all humans being treated
with dignity and respect. I believe same-sex couples are wrong but I do not
advocate violence, prison, or the nullification of human rights. Other than that, I do not believe same-sex couple should have the same rights as heterosexual married couples. I don't believe heterosexuals who are shacking up should have the same rights as heterosexual married couples, either, for what it is worth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">34.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>What are you doing to advocate for those rights?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am Catholic. The Catholic Church
works for the human dignity and rights of all humans. I support the rights of all humans to live in dignity and respect, no matter their condition in life, their religion, their sexual orientation, or anything else.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">35. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Do you know who Tyler Clementi, Leelah Alcorn, and Blake Brockington
are, and did your church offer any kind of prayer for them when their deaths
made national news?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No. But by the last part of your
sentence the implication is that they were killed because they were gay. I do
not know personally, but I am sure that there were prayers said for them. That’s
what our church does.We pray for those who are killed unjustly, through murder (as a gay-related killing would be).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
36.<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Do you know that LGBT youth whose families reject them are 8.4
times more likely to attempt suicide than LGBT youth whose families support
them? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, but thank you for letting me know this supposed statistic. I have told all five of my children that if they declared that they were "gay", I would still love them. I draw the line at gay relationships. I will not accept my son's boyfriend or "husband" as family, nor will I accept my daughter's girlfriend or "wife" as family. I will never accept a gay relationship as "normal." As far as I can tell, this will not be a problem. Thank God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">37.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Have you vocally objected when church leaders and other Christians have
compared same-sex relationships to things like bestiality, incest, and
pedophilia? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, because I have not heard that.
My Church does not say such things. I would say something if my church leaders
did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">38.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>How certain are you that God’s will for all gay Christians is lifelong
celibacy?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m not. I think that change can
happen. I know that is not the politically correct view but that is what I
believe. If a “gay” person wants to be a Christian, he must change his life,
just as any other sinner must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jesus
said to the woman “caught in sin” (adultery), “No one accuses you. Go and sin
no more.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">39.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>What do you think the result would be if we told all straight teenagers
in the church that if they ever dated someone they liked, held someone’s hand,
kissed someone, or got married, they would be rebelling against God? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since that is a strawman argument, I
cannot answer it. Straight teenagers should be taught celibacy prior to
marriage, but they will never be condemned for something that is not a sin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">40.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>Are you willing to be in fellowship with Christians who disagree with
you on this topic? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, not particularly. I’ve had these
discussions. I have found that most LGBT supporters are stubborn, hard-headed
and not willing to see the other side of this “topic.” For the most part, as
this series of questions indicate, there is a set agenda with an A, B, C “logic”
they believe supports their “point of view.” I do not agree and I will not be
converted to agree that what is evil is good, and that aggravates and angers
too many. I do not wish to cause anger, but I will not be submissive either.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Symbol;"></span></div>
cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-88189775721336617982015-06-23T17:40:00.001-05:002015-06-23T17:41:37.791-05:00Fortnight for Freedom--Day Three<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We are Catholics. We are Americans. We are proud to be
both, grateful for the gift of faith which is ours as Christian disciples, and
grateful for the gift of liberty which is ours as American citizens. To be
Catholic and American should mean not having to choose one over the other. Our
allegiances are distinct, but they need not be contradictory, and should instead
be complementary. That is the teaching of our Catholic faith, which obliges us
to work together with fellow citizens for the common good of all who live in
this land. That is the vision of our founding and our Constitution, which
guarantees citizens of all religious faiths the right to contribute to our
common life together. "
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text-small">
—<i><a class="text-small CP___PAGEID_55118" href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm"><i>Our
First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty</i></a>, United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty,
April 12, 2012</i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s1600/Mary+Immaculate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s320/Mary+Immaculate.png" width="195" /></a></div>
O GOD OUR CREATOR,<br />
from
Your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as Your people and given
us the right and the duty to worship You, the only true God, and your
Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and the working of your Holy
Spirit, You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of
society.<br />
<br />
We ask You to bless us in our vigilance for the
gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to
readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in
making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of Your Church and the
freedom of conscience of all people of faith. <br />
<br />
Grant,
we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons
and daughters gathered in Your Church in this decisive hour in the
history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every
danger overcome--for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and
all who come after us--this great land will always be "one nation, under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."<br />
<br />
We ask this through Christ our Lord.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prayer and image: Copyright 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"We must not be afraid of being Christian and living as Christians!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We must have this courage to go and proclaim the Risen Christ,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">for He is our peace, He made peace with His love, with His forgiveness,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">with His blood and with His mercy." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">--Pope Francis, <i>Regina Caeli</i>, Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2013 </span> </span>cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-61139692229934424142015-06-22T19:02:00.002-05:002015-06-23T17:42:31.824-05:00Fortnight for Freedom Day TwoReligious liberty in many countries of the world is under attack. It continues to be under threat in the United States. Some example of this threat in the United states are:<br />
<br />
--HHS mandates for sterilization, artificial birth control, and abortion-inducing drugs.<br />
<br />
--The government attack on and closing down of Catholic foster care and adoptive services for their refusal to release children to same sex couples.<br />
<br />
--State laws that penalize Catholic charities for giving Christian charity to undocumented immigrants.<br />
<br />
--Discrimination against small church organizations who desire to use public buildings.<br />
<br />
--Discrimination against Christian based groups at certain universities.<br />
<br />
See the USCCB fact sheet on <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/upload/-Current-Threats-to-Religious-Liberty-2015.pdf">Current Threats to Religious Freedom</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
"When, in the name of an ideology, there is an attempt to remove God from society, it ends up adoring idols, and very soon men and women lose their way, their dignity is trampled and their rights are violated." Pope Francis, Address in Albania, <a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-to-albanias-faith-leaders-religion-is-source">September 23, 2014</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s1600/Mary+Immaculate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s320/Mary+Immaculate.png" width="195" /></a></div>
O GOD OUR CREATOR,<br />
from
Your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as Your people and given
us the right and the duty to worship You, the only true God, and your
Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and the working of your Holy
Spirit, You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of
society.<br />
<br />
We ask You to bless us in our vigilance for the
gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to
readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in
making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of Your Church and the
freedom of conscience of all people of faith. <br />
<br />
Grant,
we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons
and daughters gathered in Your Church in this decisive hour in the
history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every
danger overcome--for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and
all who come after us--this great land will always be "one nation, under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."<br />
<br />
We ask this through Christ our Lord.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prayer and image: Copyright 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. </span> <br />
<br />cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-64941304778802647852015-06-21T10:26:00.002-05:002015-06-22T18:06:25.422-05:00Fortnight for Freedom--The Freedom to Bear WitnessToday begins the Fortnight of Freedom in many Archdiocese/diocese in
the United States. This campaign was started four years ago by the
United States Bishops to raise awareness that our religious liberties
are in constant danger in the US and that Christians abroad are still
being persecuted for their faith. This year's theme is the "Freedom to
Bear Witness," focusing on the freedom to bear witness to the truth of
the Gospel. The <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm">USCCB website</a>
has many resources available for the Fortnight of Freedom to help make
US Christian aware of the dangers our modern society poses to religious
freedom.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
From the USCCB website:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The <b><i>Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness </i></b>will
take place from June 21 to July 4, 2015, a time when our liturgical
calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in
the face of persecution by political power—St. Thomas More and St. John
Fisher, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs
of the Church of Rome. The theme of this year's Fortnight will focus on
the "freedom to bear witness" to the truth of the Gospel.</blockquote>
"[A]
healthy pluralism...does not entail privatizing religions in an attempt
to reduce them to the quiet obscurity of the individual's conscience or
to relegate them to the enclosed precincts of churches, synagogues or
mosques." --Pope Francis,<a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html"> <i>Evanelii Gaudium</i></a> (<i>The Joy of the Gospel</i>), para. 255.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s1600/Mary+Immaculate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rTAHt924g9dPCK8OvElJBX29KVNW0M5M1NoxRh_yHkLwgFxN7B2bqvjndnmFpoxj_smTHFVllGk2GzZeaWFAya8OGFbbZvTcc2KWEoBBdOlYnU6NHfo6VijSeGHVXQmA0cM4uZvb/s320/Mary+Immaculate.png" width="195" /></a></div>
O GOD OUR CREATOR,<br />
from
Your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as Your people and given
us the right and the duty to worship You, the only true God, and your
Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and the working of your Holy
Spirit, You call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of
society.<br />
<br />
We ask You to bless us in our vigilance for the
gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to
readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in
making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of Your Church and the
freedom of conscience of all people of faith. <br />
<br />
Grant,
we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons
and daughters gathered in Your Church in this decisive hour in the
history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every
danger overcome--for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and
all who come after us--this great land will always be "one nation, under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."<br />
<br />
We ask this through Christ our Lord.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prayer and image: Copyright 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. </span> <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I
cannot fail to recall the many instances of injustice and persecution
which daily afflict religious minorities, and Christians in particular,
in various parts of our world. Communities and individuals today find
themselves subjected to barbaric acts of violence: they are evicted from
their homes and native lands, sold as slaves, killed, beheaded,
crucified or burned alive, under the shameful and complicit silence of
so many." --Pope Francis, <i>Address to the European Parliament, </i><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2014/november/documents/papa-francesco_20141125_strasburgo-parlamento-europeo.html">Nov. 25, 2014</a> </blockquote>
<br />
<br />cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-13949732810796705652015-06-17T01:23:00.002-05:002015-06-17T01:23:14.870-05:00Answering a Protestant Answer to Why There is Animosity Between Catholics and Protestants<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Came
across this gem the other day. I don’t know why I do this to myself. It just irks
me. The anti-Catholic ignorance and the latent hostility are unnecessary and unneeded.
It certainly did not live up to its seemingly even-handed title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thought I’d give the other side to this decidedly one-sided answer. My answers are in blue, but also labeled SWB (St. Walburga's Blog) in case the colors cannot be seen.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: On a
site called “<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-vs-Protestant.html">gotquestions.org</a>” I found this:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Question:
"Catholic vs. Protestant – why is there so much animosity?"</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Maybe
others can see that this article seems like it would be balanced. <span style="font-size: small;">However, I was mistaken as g</span>otquestions.org claims to be a "</span></b><b><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">volunteer ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire
to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation,
and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, conservative,
evangelical, fundamental, and non-denominational." If I'd read that in the first place, I'd have understand that the article would not be balanced.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
Answer: [1<sup>st</sup> para] </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is a simple question with a complicated answer, because there are varying
degrees of, and reasons for, animosity between any two religious groups. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: True. There is often
animosity between two “religious groups.” However, Catholics and Protestants
are both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christian</i> groups. We should
have much, much less animosity and much more brotherhood and cooperation. Sure
there are doctrinal differences and many prejudices but we are still on the
same side. We are all doing our best to follow our Lord’s teachings to the best
of our ability.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This particular
battle is rooted in history. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Obviously, “This
particular battle” refers to Protestants v. Catholics, but the author does not
state it here.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Degrees of reaction
have ranged from friendly disagreement (as reflected in the numerous ecumenical
dialogues produced between the two groups), to outright persecution and murder
of Protestants at the hands of Rome. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB:First of all, very little
“persecution and murder” happened to Protestants at Catholic hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the author is referring to the approximately
300 years of the Medieval Inquisition, there were in fact less than 300
heretics (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> Protestants) convicted
or executed; the except to that fact was one “inquisitor” who persecuted the
Cathars (a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Catholic</i> order of knights)
for political reasons and had them declared heretics and had dozens of them executed,
leading to the end of the medieval inquisition sanctioned by Rome. And, if this
person or any Protestant researched history they’d learn that most people in
the middle ages preferred to be tried by the inquisition than local courts
because they were guaranteed a much more fair trial. (Just a side note: The
Catholic Church did not try or burn anyone accused of being a witch. That was
the Protestants, who brought about the death of many women in the “new world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catholic inquisitors generally felt <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>such accusations were nonsense.)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Second, if the author is
referring to the Roman Inquisition which only had jurisdiction in Rome and the
papal states and continued into the 18<sup>th</sup> century, it only tried a
few dozen “heretics” executing a handful in its about 200 year existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he is referring to the Spanish Inquisition
of 1492 into the early 1500's only Jewish and a few Moorish converts
to the Church were accused, tried and executed. These trials more of a
political than religious nature, as the king and queen really needed to see
where people’s loyalties lay in the wake of the defeat of the Muslims and their centuries of rule in Spain. Neither of these inquisitions persecuted or “murdered” Protestants.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB:Third, the fact is many,
many more Catholics were persecuted and murdered under tyrants like Calvin,
Elizabeth I, and princes of Luther’s Germany than all the years of the
Inquisition combined. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catholics were
persecuted in Britain and then Ireland (that’s why Ireland is divided today—because
the British monarch tried to force Protestantism on the Catholic population of
Ireland.) Catholics were persecuted and even outlawed in many of the states of
the what would become the United States. One example of the continued prejudice
in the US is a history of my state for use by homeschool families. It claimed
the earliest church established here was a Church of Christ church early in the
20<sup>th</sup> century. There is no mention of the Catholic church and mission
established in the late 18<sup>th</sup> century and the FACT that many of the
Indian tribes here were practicing Catholics when Protestant missionaries
deigned to come here. At least these facts are being stated at the state
history museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, back to the original
“answer.”</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reformation teachings
that identify the Pope as the Beast of Revelation and / or Roman Catholicism as
Mystery Babylon are still common among Protestants. Clearly, anyone with this
view is not going to “warm up” to Rome any time soon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: All I can say is that
this is very true, that is that Catholics will not “warm up” to Protestants who
claim to believe this. There is absolutely no evidence that the Beast of
Revelation is the Church—<i>none</i>. No matter how you twist the words of St. John,
his vision of the "beast" does not indicate the Church. Seeing that St. John was one of the Apostles
of Christ and a founder of His Church, now called Catholic (btw, named such by
St. Ignatius, a disciple of St. John), why would he aid in the founding of a
Church that was a “beast” in his vision? It makes no logical sense. Besides, it
is blatantly obvious that Jerusalem is the “whore of Babylon”—the city of seven
hills and unfaithful to God. The "beast" is still a mystery.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
[2<sup>nd</sup> para] For the most part, today at least, the animosity comes
from basic human nature when dealing with fundamental disagreement over eternal
truths. Passions are sure to ignite in the more weighty matters of life, and
one's faith is (or at least should be) at the top of the heap. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I would agree, however,
those claiming to be Christians should be able to act with charity towards
other Christians and at least be open to the possibility that we are all
sincerely following Christ the way we feel is right. I honestly do not
understand the close-mindedness of the majority of Protestants in thinking that Catholics are not Christians.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many Protestants
think Roman Catholics teach a works-gospel that cannot save,…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: The Catholic Church has
never taught a “works-gospel”. The Church teaches what Christ taught. He directed His followers to DO. </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"<span style="color: red;">In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me</span>." and He said </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"<span style="color: red;">In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.<sup> </sup></span></span></b><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="color: red;">And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life</span>.' (<a href="http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=47&bible_chapter=25">Matt. 25</a>: 40, 45-46) </b></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>SWB: Jesus taught that we have to act upon our faith, and if we don't we will be punished. This is a clear teaching that "works" are necessary to our faith <i>and</i> our salvation. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>SWB: The Holy Spirit inspired James, an apostle of Jesus, to write that <i>works are necessary for salvation</i>.</b></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>How does it help, my brothers, when someone who has never done a single good act claims to have faith? Will that faith bring salvation?
</b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"></a> If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, and one of you says to them, 'I wish
you well; keep yourself warm and eat plenty,' without giving them these
bare necessities of life, then what good is that?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #073763;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a></b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b> In the same way faith, if good deeds do not go with it, is quite dead.</b></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"><b></b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>But someone may say: So you have faith and I have good deeds? Show me this faith of yours without deeds, then! <span style="color: #20124d;">It is by my deeds that I will show you my faith</span>.</b></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b></b></span><span style="color: #073763;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a>You believe in the one God -- that is creditable enough, but even the demons have the same belief, and they tremble with fear.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>Fool! Would you not like to know that <span style="color: #20124d;">faith without deeds is useless</span>?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><b>
</b></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"></a> Was not Abraham our father justified by his deed, because he offered his son Isaac on the altar? So you can see that <span style="color: #20124d;">his faith was working together with his deeds; his faith became perfect by <i>what he did</i>.</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (<a href="http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=66&bible_chapter=2">James 2</a>: 14-22)</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b><span style="color: #073763;">SWB: I do have to say that I find it amusing that Protestants claim to use Scripture as their final authority, yet they ignore inconvenient passages of Scripture. I posit that many if not most Protestants have decided or learned certain doctrines and find passages they think supports their beliefs, while ignoring passages they can't explain away without twisting what Scripture actually says. Christ said we must do acts of charity or we will suffer eternal punishment; that is a clear command. James, the Apostle, said faith without works is dead, and a dead faith cannot save you. But, Catholics believe exactly what Christ and His Apostle taught, but we're the ones accused of not following Scripture. Strange.</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…while Roman
Catholics think Protestants teach easy-believism [sic] that requires nothing
more than an emotional outburst brought on by manipulative preaching. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: As a former Baptist (I
became a Catholic Christian at age 36, so it was not naïve), I can attest that
this is true, at least in my experience. People would go forward at the “altar
call” time and again at church, when is the conversion true? When is it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our (Baptist) church was very emotional. Most of what I learned in
church was fluff. I went to a Baptist college; it left me wanting something
more substantive. The Catholic Church is always accused of having people
blindly follow doctrines; I found that was much truer in the Protestant
churches I attended than the Catholic Church. The majority of the Southern,
Independent, and Regular Baptist churches, and the Lutheran and Episcipal
churches I attended as an adult told the people that they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> believe the pastor’s interpretation of Scripture or they’d be
going to Hell.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Protestants blame
Catholics for worshipping [sic] Mary,..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I think “blame” is the
wrong word here. Protestants <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">accuse</i>
Catholics of worshiping Mary. I believe many relish the accusation because
they think it is a slam dunk in helping them convince people that Catholics are
not Christians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It simply is not true; Catholics do not worship Mary. No matter how many ways and how often it is
explained this accusation will continue. It is a favorite anti-Catholic lie.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… and Catholics think
Protestants are apparently too dull to understand the distinctions Rome has
made in this regard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I don’t believe that is a
correct characterization. I don’t know any Catholics, at least any who publicly
debate Protestants, who think that Protestants are “too dull” to
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In point of fact, most
Catholics try to give Protestants the benefit of the doubt that they simply
have not heard the arguments for the distinctions. Protestants for the most
part simply refuse to see or acknowledge the distinction between the honor we
give to the Mother of our Savior and the worship we give God alone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary was after all extremely blessed by
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She carried God the Son in her womb. She was Christ’s first believer and
follower. She is a model of Christian womanhood and a beautiful soul. It is a
wonder to me, now, that Protestants are so hateful to Christ’s mother. After
all, being disrespectful to anyone’s mother will not endure anyone to another,
especially Christ. Even if Protestants refuse to honor her, they should at the
very least not be unkind about her. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These caricatures are
often difficult to overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;">SWB: True, and some caricatures
perpetuated in this very article.</span></b><br />
<br />
[3<sup>rd</sup> para] Behind the particular disagreements over the role of
faith and works, the sacraments, the canon of Scripture, the role of the
priesthood, prayers to saints, and all the issues surrounding Mary and the
Pope, etc., lies the biggest rift between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism:
the issue of authority. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;">SWB: Very True.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b>How one answers the authority
question will generally inform all the other issues. When it comes down to
deciding a theological issue about defined Catholic dogma, there isn’t really
much to discuss on the Catholic's side because once Rome speaks, it is settled.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Yes, when Rome speaks, it
is settled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the Church neither asks us to be nor
assumes us to be mindless drones. Study of Scripture and Church theology is
encouraged. There are many, many resources available to Catholics or anyone interested
in the Catholic Church if they have any questions. These resources include but
are not limited to the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, EWTN
television and radio, numerous Catholic online outlets such as Catholic
Answers, Catholic Bridge, the Vatican website, and many more.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is a problem
when trying to debate a Roman Catholic – reason and Scripture are not the
Catholic’s final authority; they can always retreat into the “safe zone” of
Roman Catholic authority.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Protestant perception of
Catholic surety as retreat is simply false perception. In point of fact, the
majority of Catholic History is one of reason. The Church was the foremost
supporter of science throughout history (many of the science discoveries were made by monks). The
University system in Europe was built by monks. The earliest private school in
America was founded by a nun. Most Catholics who publicly debate Protestants
have studied theology for years; they have questioned and studied what the
Church teaches through her Christ-given authority. The Church, in fact, encourages
inquiry and study. The Protestant’s false characterization of the
simple mindedness of Catholics is simply that—false.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “safe zone” is the two millennia of study
and reasoning that can be tested and its truth and consistency relied on. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
Thus, many of the arguments between a Protestant and a Catholic will revolve
around one's “private interpretation” of Scripture as against the
"official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I would agree with that
only if the author also agrees that “private interpretation” not only has led to
many diverse Protestant sects who claim to know the “truth” but also makes each
individual (or at least there pastor or leader) their own pope, since they
brook no argument of their “private interpretation”. And, I would posit
that the arguments revolve around individual Protestant interpretations (which
by the way cannot <i>all</i> be true) and the study and reasoned theology of a
Catholic (which have arrived at one truth).</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Catholics claim to
successfully avoid the legitimate problems of private interpretation by their
reliance on their tradition. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Actually, no, Catholics
claim that they can study the actual words of Christ, His Apostles, and the many,
many generations of theologians to approach “legitimate problems.” Two thousand
years of theology and debate carry much more weight than one man's "private interpretation" Two thousand
years of consistent, intelligent, deep thought and debate is pretty compelling
to billions of Catholics. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But this merely
pushes the question back a step. The truth is that both Roman Catholics and
Protestants must, in the end, rely upon their reasoning abilities (to choose
their authority) and their interpretive skills (to understand what that
authority teaches) in order to determine what they will believe. Protestants
are simply more willing to admit that this is the case.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I love how the thousands
of reinterpretations and “truths” are considered reasoned. To admit that, one
is simply willing to reject two millennia of teaching and that seems awfully
unreasoned. Catholics, at least all those I know that debate Protestants,
readily “admit” that they rely upon their own reasoning ability. They
(Catholics) are just more willing to actually study the theology and the
history of the Church. Protestants unnecessarily start from scratch again and
again.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
[4<sup>th</sup> para] Both sides can also be fiercely loyal to their family's
faith or the church they grew up in without much thought to doctrinal
arguments. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: That is not always
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In point of fact, I know of many,
many converts to Catholicism. Many of whom were “fiercely loyal” to the faith
they grew up in, but could not in all consciousness stay a Protestant after years
of studying the Catholic Faith. That includes me. I studied the Catholic Faith
for several years before I entered an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults) class, where I questioned <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not convert mindlessly or out of
loyalty. I became a Catholic because the Holy Spirit answered all my questions
at RCIA and led me to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> Truth.
Christ established one Church, one Body, one Faith. He did not want us to be
divided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Body was and is to be one.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Obviously, there are
a lot of possible reasons for the division between Catholicism and
Protestantism, and while we should not divide over secondary issues, both sides
agree that we must divide when it comes to primary issues. Beyond that, we can
agree to disagree and worship where we find ourselves most in agreement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: If only we could “agree
to disagree.” In my experience as a Catholic, we are much more willing to find
commonalities and work together. Christians should treat each other with
dignity, respect, and charity. I’ve seen time and time again where Catholics
would extend a hand of friendship and cooperation only to be scorned and
rebuffed. However and despite our differences, we need to have a united front
in the face of the growing violent, Muslim threat. We cannot win souls to
Christ with all our infighting. Protestants would do good to at the very least
admit that Catholics are sincere, believing Christians. We would all get along
better.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When it comes to
Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, the differences are just too great to
ignore. However, that does not give license for caricatures or ignorant
judgments…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: Some of which were
included in this article.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– both sides need to be honest in their
assessments and try not to go beyond what God has revealed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWB: I agree. I know that the
Church does teach what God revealed, and nothing else.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b><span style="color: #002060;">[The original article’s] </span>Recommended
Resources: </b><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1011693&item_no=71077" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Gospel According to Rome:
Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy</span></a>
and <a href="https://www.logos.com/gotquestions" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Logos Bible Software</span></a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;">SWB: My recommended resources: <a href="http://www.catholic.com/">Catholic Answers,</a> <a href="http://www.catholicbridge.com/">Catholic Bridge,</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;"><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm">Catechism of the Catholic Church</a>, <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/">The Bible</a>, <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/">Writings of the early Church Fathers</a> (theologians), <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V2ALL.HTM">Sixteen documents of Vatican II</a>, <a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en.html">Writings of St. John Paul II</a>, <a href="http://www.thecatholicfaithexplained.com/">The Catholic Faith Explained</a>, EWTN's <a href="http://ewtn.com/faith/teachings/index.asp">The Teachings of the Catholic Church</a>. The are many more good sources online but this is a good start for anyone interested in inquiry.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #002060;">SWB: For anyone who cares, I did earn a Bachelor's Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Catholic Theology, which makes me just as qualified to speak on theology as those who anonymously author articles on GotQuestions.org.</span></b></div>
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cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-70362207718060082882015-05-25T23:42:00.003-05:002015-05-25T23:42:59.554-05:00Letting Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALa7FJ8-Vv2yc_KpIATswtCHtm5M3OHN35NhdBglXAB16G_kVBI-_SyXlzzwLvk1EWxYQWtogsVQJqAFH-yH-ph20amszQDqNfALtLfAmDR_ahmbM1on9QGTJSOW5twsmvijrLmLrDWDc/s1600/our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALa7FJ8-Vv2yc_KpIATswtCHtm5M3OHN35NhdBglXAB16G_kVBI-_SyXlzzwLvk1EWxYQWtogsVQJqAFH-yH-ph20amszQDqNfALtLfAmDR_ahmbM1on9QGTJSOW5twsmvijrLmLrDWDc/s320/our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
Our family went on an outing 1 1/2 hours from home. We attended Mass at a St. Mary's church. I leave out the location for, I think, obvious reasons. <br />
<br />
The last time we were at Mass there I felt very, very unwelcome. We were at Mass early which, judging by the fact that there were about five other people there (there are seven in our family), seems to be unusual. We planned to sit in one of the front section of pews, because our cousin Fr. Donovan was to say his first Mass there. We were told that we could not sit there because they were reserving that section for other clergy. The other front section was for immediate family only. So, we sat in the middle section. Then, they decided about five minutes before Mass that they'd let people sit in the empty "clergy section." My son was too embarrassed and did not want to move.<br />
<br />
So, we stayed in the middle section, and thought, oh well, we'll stay here. When it was time for the Eucharist, we found out that we were in the wrong section. Apparently, they reward those being late as those in the back and the those in the cry room got to go after the front section. Okay, so we stood up as the two front sections had gone. We were informed that it was not our turn; not only was it not our turn but we were in the section that went after every front side and back section went. I was mortified at being told to sit down and wait. I've never, ever felt so unwelcome at any Mass--to see my Lord. Not only did the stop us from sitting in the front section, which was subsequently empty, but we were not told that we were sitting (in the very next section behind the front pew sections) that we would be the very last in the whole church to receive communion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl4vmbXCuLodbDdbRVZtNqcfe9KNsiJ9HGNjnDpW-6Vx7Sl0RV3nmPMTWzeoPEkahilxwyGmfFmcOnsW19hLVDElPIeGVmCXoStmc5FS7mj0lXcdqcQs0D8Zc2UhN_-kHw29Yu2FdQ7-x/s1600/Reconciliation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl4vmbXCuLodbDdbRVZtNqcfe9KNsiJ9HGNjnDpW-6Vx7Sl0RV3nmPMTWzeoPEkahilxwyGmfFmcOnsW19hLVDElPIeGVmCXoStmc5FS7mj0lXcdqcQs0D8Zc2UhN_-kHw29Yu2FdQ7-x/s320/Reconciliation.png" width="229" /></a></div>
I was so hurt by this that I left the nave before the end of Mass. I cried, and looked like a crazy woman because no one seemed to understand why I was upset. We had a family function in the parish hall so I had to get it together. I eventually did, but I've harbored a resentment of that church ever since.<br />
<br />
This weekend, we had to go back there for a family function. With my resentment intact, we were on our way. I felt it all the way there; I felt it as I entered the church. I prayed for the Lord to help me let it go. I did however, make sure we did not, under any circumstances sit in the same section as last time. I did notice they redid the sanctuary. The Tabernacle was actually in the center behind the altar; there was a statue of Mary in an alcove on our left (Jesus' right) and a statue of Joseph on the right. A crucifix was in the center over the Tabernacle. I liked this new arrangement very much.<br />
<br />
The Scriptures this weekend were all about the coming of the Spirit of God. The homily talked not only about Pentecost but the need for forgiveness--forgiveness of others' offenses even when they do not know or do not ask forgiveness. It felt as if it were aimed at my heart. As were were in the second section and to one side, I thought we'd be receiving the Eucharist from one of the Lay Extra-Ordinary Eucharistic ministers. However, to my surprise and delight we were ushered to the center and the priest. I had the privilege of receiving the Eucharist from the Priest's own hand this time around. My resentment was now completely gone. I let it go this weekend, and it was good. cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-8115360589828124602015-04-22T10:07:00.002-05:002015-04-22T10:07:37.205-05:00Rufuting a Muslim Refutation of the TrinityI have rarely seen a worst defender of Christianity than Jack Chick. His ridiculous tracts are so offensive, I wonder why God doesn't strike him down in the OT Biblical sense. Matt Slick is pretty close, but his rhetorical at least seems more reasoned--it's not, but it <i>seems</i> that way. But, looking at debates and refutations on Catholics vs. Calvinists or Catholic refutations of Slick's nonsense, I came across a Muslim who attempts to refute the Trinity and he seems to think Slick is some kind of Christian authority. Sami Zaatari uses Jack Chick like structure and argument style to pretend to refute the Christian teaching of the Trinity. I will address this in a moment...I just want to point out the irony of Zaatari's claims. I've seen more and more so-called Christians stating that they do not believe in the Trinity. They either believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but not God the Son, or they believe that Jesus took on divinity temporarily as a man. These heresies were refuted by the Church long ago, but as the saying goes, "Those who do not study history, are doomed to repeat it." This is, of course, a paraphrase, but is very apt in the "art" of Protestantism.<br />
<br />
So, back to Zaatari who believes that "Trinitarians do Worship Three God's" [sic]. He says, <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Trinitarians often like to claim that they have a monotheistic belief,
and that the Trinity is not the worship of 3 Gods rather it is the worship of
One God. Basically they say the Trinity doctrine is as follow: </span></div>
</blockquote>
Christianity is a monotheistic faith. Zaatari fails to understand what is the actual dogma on the Trinity. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 1- God is made up of 3 persons </span></div>
</blockquote>
So, far, so good. God <i>is</i> three Persons. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2- The three persons are the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit</span></div>
</blockquote>
OK, good. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 3- All three persons are distinct from each other, The
Father is not the Son, nor is the Son the Father etc. </span></div>
</blockquote>
Right. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit. The Son is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the Son nor the Father. But, they are one and the same God.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">4- Each person in the Trinity has a role of their own </span></div>
</blockquote>
True, but They all work together as one God. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">5- Jesus is the Son in the Trinity </span></div>
</blockquote>
More accurately, Jesus is God the Son. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So basically that is the dogma of the Trinity. </span></div>
</blockquote>
Very close, but not quite there. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span></span><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p2.htm"> </a><span class="text"><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p2.htm"><b></b></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">234</a></b>
The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of
Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is
therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that
enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in
the "hierarchy of the truths of faith".<sup>56</sup> The whole history
of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by
which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to
men "and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from
sin".<sup>57</sup></span></span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
Back to Zaatari: <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Now let us show exactly why Christians do in fact worship three God's.
As I said, the Trinity is made up of THREE people, these three people are all
different than one another, it is basically exactly like having 3 people in an
office, Tom Dick and Harry.[sic]</span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Now Christians say that Jesus is God, the Father is God, and so is the
Holy Spirit. So therefore if you have three people, and each one of them is God
then what are you left with? You are left with THREE Gods! This is logic! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
This is only "logic" on the surface and is an observation by one who has not studied the Christian Trinity nor seems to care to do so. This is the Jack-Chick-style logic to which I was alluding.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">If Tom Dick and Harry [sic] are each managers, how many managers do you have?
You have three! Remember Trinity has THREE different persons, and each person
is God, therefore you have three Gods and not one, there is no way around this
mess. </span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only "mess" is Zaatari's interpretation of the Christian Trinity.<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Let us even make it simpler for people: </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is Jesus God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is Jesus the Father? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: No </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is the Father God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is The Father Jesus? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: No</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: So these are 2 different persons? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes, 2 distinct different persons </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: And both are God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is the Holy Spirit God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: green; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: Is the Holy Spirit the Father or Jesus? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: No, the Holy Spirit is not </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: So Jesus is God, the Father is God, and the Holy
Spirit is God? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: And these are three different persons?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Yes</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Muslim: So you have three persons, each one is God, how many
is that? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: green; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christian: Three, opppssss no no I meant One</span></div>
</blockquote>
This, too, is what I mean by the Jack Chick style of refutation. He sets up a false argument and then makes the "Christian" fall for an argument that no intelligent Christian would actually be baited to argue. Trinitarian Christians would not fall for this "mess." While each Person of the Trinity is <i>distinct</i>, the are all the <i>same</i> God. Zaatari uses the word "different" which is not used in Christian apologetics. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It cannot get any simpler than that, Trinitarians worship
THREE Gods and they cant deny it. </span></div>
</blockquote>
I do deny it. The above discussion between a Muslim and a Christian is pure fiction. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Now off [sic] course Trinitarians have come up with dozens and
dozens of laughable analogies to make sense of the Trinity, however so my
favorite analogy Christians bring up to make sense of the Trinity is the Family
analogy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The family analogy basically says this: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: navy; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A Family is made up of more than one member, a Father,
Mother, and Son. Yet the family is one family and not three families, the same
with Trinity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This is my favorite analogy, and it is one of the most
deceptive analogies. The family statement is true, a family is made up of 2 or
more persons, a typical basic family is a Husband, Wife, and son. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">But here is the problem, Christians say that each person in
the Trinity is God, remember Christians say Jesus is God, the Father is God,
and the Holy Spirit is also God. So therefore using the Christian Trinity doctrine,
that would basically mean that the husband is a family, the wife is a family,
and the son is also a family!!!!!!! In a family we say that the husband wife
and son MAKE UP A FAMILLY, we do not say that each specific member of the family
is the family! </span></div>
</blockquote>
I am personally not familiar with this analogy. However, any analogy of a mystery of God is going to be imperfect no matter what imagery one uses. While I agree this analogy is flawed, I can also see why someone may use it. The bond of love in a family would be the core of this analogy. But the point here should be that Zaatari has set up his own argument of what a Christian means by a family and then falsely compares <i>his </i>interpretation of the meaning of the analogy to the Christian Trinity. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Just test this out for yourself, go ask any Christian, is
Jesus God, they will immediately say YES!!!!!!!!!! AMENNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! The
Christian will not reply back by saying no Jesus is not God, but Jesus is part
of God, you will NEVER hear this reply by a Christian, and I myself have never
heard this from a Christian. So therefore the analogy FAILS since the analogy
is not even close to Trinity, when you ask a husband are you a family sir? He
will say I HAVE a family and yes I am in a family, but he will not say yes I am
a family. So Christian Trinitarians have been very deceptive in their analogies
and it seems they themselves don’t understand what Trinity even is! </span></div>
</blockquote>
As I said above, he is arguing against <i>his interpretation</i> of the family analogy, not actually presenting the Christian understanding of the Trinity, and He has not present any of the other "dozens of analogies" he claims is false. He is interpreting the Trinity on his own then arguing against himself. The Catechism says:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"> <span class="text"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">237</a></b>
The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the
"mysteries that are hidden in God, which can never be known unless they
are revealed by God".<sup>58</sup> To be sure, God has left traces of
his Trinitarian being in his work of creation and in his Revelation
throughout the Old Testament. But his inmost Being as Holy Trinity is a
mystery that is inaccessible to reason alone or even to Israel's faith
before the Incarnation of God's Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
</span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
Zaatari is making a human argument about God--a mystery our puny minds can cannot fully comprehend, let alone explain fully. Certainly no one can explain the Trinity to the satisfaction of some one so subbornly ignorant of actual Christian theology. Back to his "mess":<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Christians do not say No Jesus is not God, or no the Father
is not God, Christians do not say that Jesus and the Father are part of God and
make up God, they say that Jesus IS God, they say that the Father IS God. So
the analogy crumbles. :) </span></div>
</blockquote>
No, Christians do not say Jesus is not God, nor the Father is not God. But <i>his</i> analogy crumbles because it is not only inaccurate but not presented properly. There are many, many other imperfect analogies that might explain the Trinity better, but a family, a loving, single unit of beings, is not quite the silliness <i>he presents.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And this analogy even makes more problems! You see folks,
someone doesn’t come up to you alone and say are you a family? For instance if
I was standing outside a shop all alone, a person would not ask me hey Sami are
you a family? They would ask hey Sami are you in a family or do you have a family.
So basically if we want to compare the Trinity to this family analogy, then
this means that we should not ask Christians is Jesus God, we should ask
Christians does Jesus have a God, does the Father have a God! Because the
analogy is basically turning God into a family, so therefore this means God is
made up of people, and is not one alone person, just like a family, so this
means we should be asking the Christians does Jesus have a God rather than
asking is Jesus God. </span></div>
</blockquote>
No, a Christian analogy of the Trinity as a family is not what <i>Sami has presented.</i> The Christian interpretation does not mean that God is made up of people. This means that we believe that God is made up of three Persons (not people, as in humans) who work together as a loving unit--they work together as one. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So as you can see, these analogies are so bad and deceptive
they cause further problems for a Trinitarian. Trinitarians should simply
accept the fact that they worship three God's, once doing so they will be able
to throw this Trinity lie out the window and become a real monotheistic faith." </span></blockquote>
1) <i>Sami</i> has only presented one of "these analogies" and that one is <i>his interpretation </i>of that one analogy. So, saying "these analogies" is very deceptive, since he only presented one and his opinion of that one analogy. He does not present even one actual Christian analogy quote, not any of the other "dozens" he claims are false.<br />
<br />
2) No, Trinitarian will "simply accept" that they worship "three God's [sic]" because they do not. We worship one God--<i>The</i> God of the Old and New Testament.<br />
<br />
3) If he is actually interested in the dogma of the Trinity, here is the presentation of the Catechism:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><b>The dogma of the Holy Trinity</b></span>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">253</a></b> <i>The Trinity is One</i>. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the "consubstantial Trinity".<sup>83</sup>
The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but
each of them is God whole and entire: "The Father is that which the Son
is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which
the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God."<sup>84</sup> In the words
of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), "Each of the persons is that
supreme reality, viz., the divine substance, essence or nature."<sup>85</sup></span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="254"></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">254</a></b> <i>The divine persons are really distinct from one another</i>. "God is one but not solitary."<sup>86</sup>
"Father", "Son", "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating
modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one
another: "He is not the Father who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is
the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son."<sup>87</sup>
They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: "It is
the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit
who proceeds."<sup>88</sup> The divine Unity is Triune.</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="255"></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">255</a></b> <i>The divine persons are relative to one another</i>.
Because it does not divide the divine unity, <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>the real distinction of
the persons from one another resides solely in the relationships which
relate them to one another</b></span>: "In the relational names of the persons the
Father is related to the Son, the Son to the Father, and the Holy Spirit
to both. <b><span style="color: #741b47;">While they are called three persons in view of their
relations, we believe in one nature or substance</span>.</b>"<sup>89</sup> Indeed "everything (in them) is one where there is no opposition of relationship."<sup>90</sup>
"Because of that unity the Father is wholly in the Son and wholly in
the Holy Spirit; the Son is wholly in the Father and wholly in the Holy
Spirit; the Holy Spirit is wholly in the Father and wholly in the Son."<sup>91</sup></span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="256"></a><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">256</a></b>
St. Gregory of Nazianzus, also called "the Theologian", entrusts this
summary of Trinitarian faith to the catechumens of Constantinople:
</span>
<br />
<dl><dd><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text1">Above all guard for me this great
deposit of faith for which I live and fight, which I want to take with
me as a companion, and which makes me bear all evils and despise all
pleasures: I mean the profession of faith in the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit. I entrust it to you today. By it I am soon going to
plunge you into water and raise you up from it. I give it to you as the
companion and patron of your whole life. I give you but one divinity and
power, existing one in three, and containing the three in a distinct
way. Divinity without disparity of substance or nature, without superior
degree that raises up or inferior degree that casts down. . . the
infinite co-naturality of three infinites. Each person considered in
himself is entirely God. . . the three considered together. . . I have
not even begun to think of unity when the Trinity bathes me in its
splendor. I have not even begun to think of the Trinity when unity
grasps me. . .<sup>92</sup></span></span></dd></dl>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
The dogma of the Trinity has been studied, thought about, and believed for almost two thousand years. One Muslim's false interpretation of the Trinity is certainly not going to change my mind about the Christian understanding of the nature of God. I don't believe he will change the mind of any Christian who believes in the Trinity with this false logic.<br />
<br />
Trinitarian Christians do have a monotheistic faith, and that, like God Himself, will not change.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-27821068467360172422015-04-12T19:31:00.001-05:002015-04-20T22:20:58.901-05:00Faulty Anti-Catholic List<br />
In searching for information to explain Catholicism to non-Catholic Christians, I came across a ridiculous webpage that tried to equate Mormonism to Catholicism. The absurd claim that Mormonism and Catholicism are equally bad or evil or not Christian is on the rise again. The author made a list of supposed points of similarity between "Mormonism" and "Roman Catholicism." While I cannot speak to the veracity of the Mormon list, I can sift through the truths, half-truths, and innuendo on the Catholic list. The anti-Catholic's statements are in italics. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD6LKHUo_-m69-sjUcwOdMOSAbjSZgGQZOWryAgT-OkwR0MENLjeoezzALK2Pc7_lSt21jnGJuMKfV910_iNj8DCcR0qfk5aL60tuAAyI5ELcDJsR3_5CBNj8MK9rRPlhqTBu1Dz52TnZ/s1600/My+Catholic+Faith.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD6LKHUo_-m69-sjUcwOdMOSAbjSZgGQZOWryAgT-OkwR0MENLjeoezzALK2Pc7_lSt21jnGJuMKfV910_iNj8DCcR0qfk5aL60tuAAyI5ELcDJsR3_5CBNj8MK9rRPlhqTBu1Dz52TnZ/s1600/My+Catholic+Faith.JPG" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Good Shepherd and His Sheep (the Church) #</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Claims itself to uniquely be "the Church."</i><br />
<br />
While the Catholic Church does claim to be "the Church," this is "claim" is well founded. It can be traced back from the present time to Jesus Christ Himself. He is the one who wished His followers to be one in Him, just as He said, "Holy Father, keep in thy name those whom thou hast given me, that <i>they may be one even as we are</i>" (John 17: 11). During the first couple of centuries of the Church, Christians followed the teachings of the Apostles and their disciples, and those appointed by them. For the most part communities of Christians did not meet in the open, lest they suffer persecution or death. St. Ignatius is the one who first called the Christian Church Catholic. Catholic means universal. Since that time the name has stuck. The early Church was one and called Catholic. That is why we "claim" to be "the Church." Our history and heritage indicate that we are descended from the original Church founded by Christ. This is not the same claim as the Mormon Church; their claim is founded on a very different foundation, a man other than Christ and a book outside the bible, more than <i>eighteen</i> centuries <b><i>after</i></b> Christ.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLljvcFdEUNzrssNZeb3Xlj0rnWmSmAPfmCt4mU4b3uSevoGmd4ob8FrCM2yYwAUIGWkOpDzGfs18FGDsfnDDUyIztW9EM01ArAr5Ddt25g_cd_XBce_6d__SBDrUn5nI5QjfE71wmo9gB/s1600/MCF+Laity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLljvcFdEUNzrssNZeb3Xlj0rnWmSmAPfmCt4mU4b3uSevoGmd4ob8FrCM2yYwAUIGWkOpDzGfs18FGDsfnDDUyIztW9EM01ArAr5Ddt25g_cd_XBce_6d__SBDrUn5nI5QjfE71wmo9gB/s1600/MCF+Laity.JPG" height="148" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christ and Sheep (Priest and Laity) #</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Claims a unique and authoritative priesthood, thereby denying the priesthood of all Christians.</i><br />
<br />
Yes, the Church does claim a unique and authoritative priesthood, but she does not deny the priesthood of all believers. These two priesthoods are not mutually exclusive. The priest in the Church brings us Christ in person; he consecrates the Holy Eucharist. He takes care of the day to day running of the church, and is the earthy shepherd of Christ's flock. The layman has a share in Christ's priesthood by virtue of being the "Body of Christ." We are there at the altar. We bring our children and others to Christ. We participate in the Mass and consume communion bread in "remembrance of Him".<br />
<br />
<i>Accepts multiple Satanic visions as being from God.</i><br />
<br />
I am not sure what the author meant here. Is he saying that all visions are "Satanic"? Is he saying all ("multiple") visions that are Catholic are therefore "Satanic"? Because I am <i><b>100% certain</b></i> that the Church does not accept <b><i>any</i></b> "Satanic visions as being from God." Visions accepted by Church authority are not satanic. Accepted visions tell us something about God, or how we can head off tragedies through prayer, or how to bring certain communities to Christ. Not a single vision accepted as worthy of belief by Church authority honors or glorifies Satan, and no accepted vision is contrary to the Gospel. But let us get one thing straight and out there--ALL visions are considered by the Church to be private revelation. Visions are not doctrine. Many visions may have changed our view of some doctrines, but none have changed the central doctrines of the Church.<br />
<br />
<i>Undermines the power of Jesus' blood by its view of personal suffering for the expiation of sins.</i><br />
<br />
This statement shows a complete lack of understanding of the Church's teaching on suffering. The Church never undermines the "power of Jesus' blood." The only thing of equal value is Christ's Resurrection. Suffering on the other hand has value in helping us make up for sins. We caused Christ to suffer for our sins. Our sufferings help us take a tiny sliver of that suffering on ourselves. Suffering makes us closer to Christ and helps us understand His suffering. Our suffering neither replaces His suffering nor does it expiate sin on its own. We do not, despite what silly men like this author would have people believe, advocate our own suffering as a replacement of Christ's suffering.<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Annunciation #</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Sings praise songs about Mary.</i><br />
<br />
I'm not really sure why this is a bad thing but what the author fails to understand that songs and music in church are appropriate for the season. My point being that songs in praise of Mary are sung only a few days during the entire year. That doesn't mean the songs in worship of God, Christ, or Christian doctrines aren't also sung and are sung exclusively at the vast majority of other Masses during the year. I fail to see the offense in this now, though I could have at one time. The thing is that Catholics honor Christ's mother for her part in salvation history. It is not any different than kids in other churches singing about <i>Noah's Arky</i> or <i>the B-i-b-l-e</i>. If it is wrong to sing about the Mother of the Son of God, it would be wrong to sing about the Bible or David or Noah also.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Has strange doctrines regarding marriage (celibacy still practiced among its clergy).</i><br />
<br />
The author fails to connect the two<i>. </i>The vow of celibacy for the majority of Catholic priests (there actually are married priests in at least one Eastern rite in the Catholic Church) has very little to do with the doctrines regarding marriage. Since these celibate priests don't marry, their unmarried state has nothing to do with marriage doctrines. Marriage doctrines have been developed from Christ's blessing on marriage. It is a Sacrament of the Church, instituted by Christ. Holy Orders (priesthood) is a completely separate Sacrament. Celibacy is a discipline developed over time for the benefit of both the Church and the priest. Christ was not married and could devote his whole life to teaching, preaching, and taking care of others. That is the priest's whole life as well--teaching, preaching, and taking care of others. Many are the times I've seen preachers kids (any one seen a show to this affect?) growing up to become absolutely awful people. Their dad was not around; there are certain expectations of a minister and they always come before his own family.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkglcPKB4HcI_Qju4hp2J7FRagC7z7rNGyfgIllJDS0MiqJi2XaiSf0_D__sWRa59yJw2ODX0Mr5KGUlW7NoMlb0JbYNtOKmt23hH-vMOdizO1Zbc64U6B14oZSV5xor-gTtF5ljBi0f_/s1600/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkglcPKB4HcI_Qju4hp2J7FRagC7z7rNGyfgIllJDS0MiqJi2XaiSf0_D__sWRa59yJw2ODX0Mr5KGUlW7NoMlb0JbYNtOKmt23hH-vMOdizO1Zbc64U6B14oZSV5xor-gTtF5ljBi0f_/s1600/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_012.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Valazquez, Queen of Heaven @</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although both Sacraments involve solemn vows before God, they are separate doctrines and neither cancel each other out nor replace each other. They are both important to the Church. Both provide life to the Church.<br />
<br />
<i>Believes in the mother of God (who is the sinless queen of Heaven).</i><br />
<br />
Of course, we "believe" in the mother of God. She exists; we believe in her. Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, God the Son. If her Son is God, she is His mother. Christ is universally regarded as the King of Heaven and Earth. His mother, therefore, would be queen mother. We call her queen just as Bathsheba was the queen in Solomon's court. Mary IS sinless; she's in Heaven. Even protestants believe that people can no longer sin in Heaven. It is as simple as that.<i> </i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOq-sdcJQw-n_DHIOAJ2_Y1yvSCMEyeCTKFBdPasrKoZz6c30f5fjVo6T0qpHuoV5lBP8M2nCe9LO3nc0Wb1W-Ow5x3c0Ay9ls7yNeXuR5co3BSsyh2fugWieacYsqtw7Yn5z0C-5SM_A/s1600/MFC+Primacy+of+Peter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOq-sdcJQw-n_DHIOAJ2_Y1yvSCMEyeCTKFBdPasrKoZz6c30f5fjVo6T0qpHuoV5lBP8M2nCe9LO3nc0Wb1W-Ow5x3c0Ay9ls7yNeXuR5co3BSsyh2fugWieacYsqtw7Yn5z0C-5SM_A/s1600/MFC+Primacy+of+Peter.JPG" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ gave St. Peter charge of His Church #</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Claims the head of their group speaks infallibly at times.</i><br />
<br />
The "head of [our] group" is the pope. He is the vicar (ambassador) of Christ. He is like the viceroy, the representative of the king, in the old testament. The viceroy was given the keys of the kingdom as a symbol of his authority; his authority was second only to the king. In the same way, the pope (papa) is the king's (Jesus') second in command. Yes, we claim that he "speaks infallibly at times." Not only are these "times" extremely rare, but they have happened. The conditions for infallibility are that the pope is speaking on a matter of doctrine, it is a matter for the whole church, and the he speaks of it from the authority of the See of Peter. One such infallible statement is contained in the document <i><a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.htm">Ineffabilis Deus</a> (The Immaculate Conception)</i> issued by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The infallible statement's prologue begins,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Accordingly, by the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit, for the honor of the Holy and undivided Trinity, for the glory
and adornment of the Virgin Mother of God, for the exaltation of the Catholic
Faith, and for the furtherance of the Catholic religion, by the authority of
Jesus Christ our Lord, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own:"</blockquote>
The actual infallible statement is this part:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most
Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular
grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus
Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of
original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly
and constantly by all the faithful."</blockquote>
It seems no matter how many times you explain this, however, there are people out there who either don't want to listen or wish to remain ignorant of the facts.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwB2G9S4wFLB6rQl_-XaxrWQb-pXPi7Wl3R48SOdVxVGTi7CxXQDeoWNSQwM7zqVwoOSraej7G6L5W9cdMWRsgAsBS5eq4LnicRGeD5UVwgUhKyw4QXx0NahIRJX_OI7eVjDwPf2PvC3L/s1600/Saint_John_on_Patmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwB2G9S4wFLB6rQl_-XaxrWQb-pXPi7Wl3R48SOdVxVGTi7CxXQDeoWNSQwM7zqVwoOSraej7G6L5W9cdMWRsgAsBS5eq4LnicRGeD5UVwgUhKyw4QXx0NahIRJX_OI7eVjDwPf2PvC3L/s1600/Saint_John_on_Patmos.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. 5:8 "...the prayers of the people" @</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Redefines "saint" to mean a physically dead Catholic who was afterwords "canonized," instead of a Bible-defined child of God.</i><br />
<br />
The Church has not "redefined" the word saint. Saint means what it always has: someone holy. Whether alive or dead--a saint is a saint. This is not only quite biblical but traditional. Canonization is only a declaration that the Church believes that person to be in Heaven and to be a saint. A person whose life is such an example of holiness that it is necessary to add them to the list (canon) of people we know to be in Heaven. Now are there others in Heaven that are <i>not</i> canonized (listed) by the Church? Of course. We don't know the names of everyone in Heaven, only God knows that, but we can be sure certain people are there. The Church does not deny that their are other, unnamed saints in Heaven which is why there is a celebration of All Souls' Day the day after All Saints' Day. All Souls' Day is for all the dead in Christ.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>"Accepts and spreads "another gospel" (Gal 1:8.9)--good works, the sacraments, Mary and church membership.</i><br />
<br />
There is only one Gospel ("Good News") and that is that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, was sent by God, out of extreme, divine love for us, to die for our sins and that if we believe in Him and follow in His footsteps, we will be in Heaven with Him someday. The Gospel taught by Jesus and His Apostles is the only one the Church preaches. The other things listed are not the "gospel."<br />
<br />
Good works are how we show God, ourselves, and the world that we believe in and follow Christ's example. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven Sacraments of Christ @</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace. All of them, each and every one of them was instituted by Christ.<br />
<br />
Baptism: <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:8;
Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 8:36-38;
Acts 11:16; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:3-6; Acts 22:16;
Romans 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:25-26; Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21,
and many others.</span><br />
<br />
Confirmation: <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In Acts 19:3-6, especially, it is clear that John's
baptism, Christian baptism and Confirmation are all distinct realities.
Also, in Hebrews 6:2 baptizing and laying on of hands are distinguished.
Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28; John 14:16; Acts 2:4; Acts
8:14-17; Acts 19:3-6; Hebrews 6:2.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span>Confession: <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew 16:19; John 20:21-23; Rev. 1:18.</span><br />
<br />
Eucharist: <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 24:35; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor.
11:24-27</span><br />
<br />
Marriage: <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mt. 19:10-11; Eph.
5:31-32.</span><br />
<br />
Holy Orders, <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Acts
6:3-6; Acts 13:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-9; 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 4:16;
1 Tim. 5:17-19; 1 Tim. 5:22.</span> <br />
<br />
anointing of the sick. <span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">James<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>5:14-15.</span><br />
<br />
Mary is Christ's mother and honored as such. Do some Catholics go overboard in their expression of devotion to Mary? Of course some do. But one can say something similar about others claiming to be Christians. I watched a Protestant service on tv once in which they chanted a saying about the Bible and their devotion to it. I'd say that was just as idolatrous as anything they have accused Catholics of doing.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what church membership has to do with "another gospel." As I've said, the Church has always preached one and the same Gospel for the last two millenia. Belonging to Christ's Church is extremely important. We are after all the Body of Christ. It is the belief of several Church theologians and reiterated by the Vatican II Council that Protestants do peripherally belong to the same church. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXU4n6Ngm4zcfnIq4VjuJxsCGEL7juG5VNu2-CRq_knFV66Dc_WPWNt4gvkikonC7O2Cy-0D2gCS2fD54lOylDgAts2L0Bl_I7Iwqn8cyDCYH2QITmeyejmlSjx-_7_RMS_QaxDzErdLJ/s1600/MCF+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXU4n6Ngm4zcfnIq4VjuJxsCGEL7juG5VNu2-CRq_knFV66Dc_WPWNt4gvkikonC7O2Cy-0D2gCS2fD54lOylDgAts2L0Bl_I7Iwqn8cyDCYH2QITmeyejmlSjx-_7_RMS_QaxDzErdLJ/s1600/MCF+2.JPG" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prophetic Basis for the Claims of Jesus as Son of God #</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Professes itself as Christian; Jesus as God, Savior, Lord and Son of God; Jesus' atoning death and resurrection.</i><br />
<br />
To this "accusation", I would say we could plead guilty. But, I am extremely confused on this one. In my 36 years as a Protestant (Regular Baptist to be precise), I believed in every one of these things, also. The Baptists I know profess themselves as Christian. They profess Jesus as God, Savior, Lord and Son of God. They profess Jesus' atoning death and resurrection. It makes me wonder at the truth of the author's claim to be a Christian. What is <i>his</i> definition of Christian? Some of the anti-Catholic rhetoric I've seen lately leads me to wonder what the current definition of Christian could actually be.<br />
<br />
<i>Doctrines are sending hundreds of millions to Hell and they need to be openly refuted with Scripture.</i><br />
<br />
This is not so much an accusation as an opinion, an erroneous opinion, but an opinion nonetheless. Since every one of the doctrines of the Church can be "openly" <u>supported with Scripture</u>, refuting Catholics with Scripture would be a pointless endeavor. Catholics are the original evangelicals. No other Christian Church would exist without her.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Teaches and practices bowing before and kissing statues.</i><br />
<br />
"Teaches and practices"? I understand the author has a negative agenda here but the reality is not quite what he implies here. We honor our (God's) family members by having pictures and statues around us, just as people have pictures of their family members (alive and dead) around their house.<br />
<br />
I am not aware of anyone "teaching" people to kiss a statue. True, some people "practice" this but that is out of the love a person has for that family member. Bowing is done as a way to honor our loved ones; kissing is something done out of personal feeling. The only thing I've ever actually seen "taught" about kissing is kissing a Cross on the feast of Corpus Cristi or on Good Friday. This is a way for us to kiss Christ and honor His sacrifice for us.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoTbo7C2xJaSjZUK0DXEBRhOsdvbKaSIv1NrZa4PkfYU2F_HaBY7cKBWWlNZ51_YwEPe5q9dHSdMxfeQYja131gJNdzT-QbckoH1uMIXEdUNBc7J8qoS0hBo2_Xs-QMn69bQkM1IM8b5X/s1600/bodyandblood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoTbo7C2xJaSjZUK0DXEBRhOsdvbKaSIv1NrZa4PkfYU2F_HaBY7cKBWWlNZ51_YwEPe5q9dHSdMxfeQYja131gJNdzT-QbckoH1uMIXEdUNBc7J8qoS0hBo2_Xs-QMn69bQkM1IM8b5X/s1600/bodyandblood.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This is My Body..." @</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>WORSHIPS the consecrated communion wafer as God.</i><br />
<br />
He is close on this one. We do worship God in the Eucharist. Remember He said, "THIS IS MY BODY". We believe His words. So, if that is His Body, as He plainly said in so, so many places in Scripture, we can worship the actual Christ. However, when we kneel to the Eucharist (or "consecrated communion wafer") we are kneeling before Christ, not a piece of bread or an idol. We worship Christ, period.<br />
<br />
<i>Claims Mary is their life, sweetness, hope, and most gracious advocate (as revealed in the Rosary).</i><br />
<br />
And? Mary is not only the example but <i>is</i> everything we hope for and hope to be. She is alive in Christ. She was not only a sweet person but shares in the sweetness of Heaven. She lives the hope of Salvation with her Savior, just as we hope to do someday.<br />
<br />
She is a gracious advocate. This takes nothing away from Christ. If you pray for a friend, you are their advocate. If your pastor, minister, priest prays for you, they are your advocate. Mary prays for us, children of God, she is our advocate.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ4kXCS8RaOEg7mcDAxhCJmzbraifenVLBFjlIMmQ0I8aI5gQDNCJ-aXDQaQwJgPze7gtJrWfXBuX_suvCL-gLbBo0cU8fkAHKthtazmj9ygij1gHL5yBaDv6lMBAU50gGiT6_OJUZwdN/s1600/our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ4kXCS8RaOEg7mcDAxhCJmzbraifenVLBFjlIMmQ0I8aI5gQDNCJ-aXDQaQwJgPze7gtJrWfXBuX_suvCL-gLbBo0cU8fkAHKthtazmj9ygij1gHL5yBaDv6lMBAU50gGiT6_OJUZwdN/s1600/our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal-dispensing graces @</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Claims Mary was raised bodily into Heaven.</i><br />
<br />
Yes, we do claim that. There is biblical precedent for it. Elijah was taken into Heaven on a chariot; Mary was carried by angels. It is not only entirely plausible from a pragmatic view of Scripture but also probable. I'd like to ask the author of this statement and any others who despise our belief that St. Mary received this honor, "why wouldn't He?" Why wouldn't Jesus Christ want His mother not to suffer the indignity of the corruption of the grave? Why wouldn't He want to honor the mother that He loves and cherishes? Why wouldn't He use His power as God to honor the woman who bore Him, God, in her womb? To me is it silly <i>not </i>to believe He would do that for her.<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Claims they get to Jesus by first going to Mary.</i><br />
<br />
Actually, the Church claims that we <i>can</i> go to Mary first not that we <i>have to</i> go to Mary first. The difference is subtle but very important. Why would you go to your minister about Jesus? You say you don't need to go to anyone "first." We don't have to go through Mary. It is just that we can. Have you never, ever been ashamed of your actions, you know you must apologize, but were too ashamed? What if you could explain yourself to some one kind and gentle and loving? Then she could go the king for you and explain. Yes, He already knows what you've done, and, yes, you could go directly to Him. But, there is another avenue available to us--His mother. His mother is gentle and kind and loving and will listen to us.<br />
<br />
****<br />
Anti-Catholics such as the author of this list have been
taught so much prejudicial nonsense that they cannot see past it. If
they would actually listen to what the Church teaches and not what
they've been carefully taught over the years, all Christianity might
actually have a chance of putting up a unified front against the snares
of the evil one. We, Catholics, are Christians. We do love Christ and
follow His teaching. We do love other Christians and pray for them to go
to Heaven. We also pray that the blinders of prejudice should come off
and that they might see the truth in the real Gospel message.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">#Pictures with this symbol are from the book online <i>My Catholic Faith: A Manual of Religion </i>by the Most Reverend Louis Laravoire Morrow, STD. Kenosha, New York, 1949. http://www.catholicbook.com/AgredaCD/MyCatholicFaith/MyCatholicFaith.htm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">@Public Domain</span>cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-14091435946110848242015-04-12T15:13:00.001-05:002015-04-20T22:25:52.702-05:00Tea PartyOne of my favorite shows is "Bones" on Fox. However, the writers are very anti-Catholic, specifically, and anti-Christian in general. The main character, Dr. Brennan ("Bones") is an atheistic scientist and believes that anything her husband, FBI agent Seeley Booth, a Catholic, is silly. In the latest episode of Bones, she says her husband's belief in transubstantiation is equivalent to her daughter feeding cake to her stuffed rabbit. Booth does not engage in discussion about it, as the phone rings. That is how they always leave these kinds of discussions on the show. No rebuttal, no explanation. The writers have an agenda and are obviously not interested in presenting truth.<br />
<br />
I remember a previous episode in which Booth and Brennan were in trouble and Booth wanted their daughter baptized. He finally convinced Brennan to allow him to have her "christened"--a word not used for Catholic baptism--to make him feel better. She believed it only made the baby wet. They show a scene with a priest, Booth, and Brennan's father at a baptismal font. Brennan shows up at the last minute, not because she believes in Baptism now but that it may be the last time she sees her husband for quite some time. At this point she runs away with the baby for several months.<br />
<br />
Number one, baptism is a very serious matter in the Catholic Church. It is not normally done frivolously. I say, not normally, because their are priests that are much more liberal about the Sacraments. Baptism is a sacrament that gives God's life of grace to the soul. It washes away Original Sin.<br />
<br />
Number two, most parishes of which I am aware, require parents and at least one godparent to attend either a class on the Sacrament or counseling with the priest or deacon who will be doing the baptism. The Church does not take this lightly.<br />
<br />
Number three, "godparent" is not an honorary title in the Church. Godparents are supposed to be the adults designated to see that the child is brought up in the faith if something happens to the parents. In that scene on the show, there were no godparents present. There must be at least one at a Catholic Baptism. <br />
<br />
My point is that the writers don't even try to make an effort to portray Catholic beliefs in a factual manner. It seems as if that the assigning of the Catholic faith to one character on the show was for the sole purpose of making fun of the Church and a person's faith in Christianity. They have a Muslim character, but they treat his faith, when they treat it, with respect. "Bones"doesn't make fun of the mythology and falsity of his religion ever. In point of fact, his Arabic poetry was praised on the show.<br />
<br />
This is now our culture. Where we aren't allowed to say that English should be our national language. Just because every other immigrant who came here had to learn English, doesn't mean we should hurt illegals' feelings by requiring them to learn it. We aren't allowed to refuse service to immoral people, because they are now a protected class. We aren't allowed to state that Islam is certainly not a religion of peace but one founded on violence. But, it is okay to make fun of Christians. It is okay to twist, lie about, and make fun of Catholics' beliefs. It is open season on Christians in other countries but we don't say or do anything about it. Why is that?cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-49104309606551249642015-03-10T14:07:00.002-05:002015-03-10T14:07:57.680-05:00Good Bye, Son<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdqC-UxqtrxSjAiHOnMkjU5nVGDuY9D-cBoGToQ2XguIeKTEAMiVL9vajUdAnedykqi58zKKZrE-zWP_-P9pLNCFxFGpB4GAtTwri3_pqcVH4s7iAyDxQkQRAZOsj4xA3lxKOkDnGmXC6/s1600/St+Peter.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdqC-UxqtrxSjAiHOnMkjU5nVGDuY9D-cBoGToQ2XguIeKTEAMiVL9vajUdAnedykqi58zKKZrE-zWP_-P9pLNCFxFGpB4GAtTwri3_pqcVH4s7iAyDxQkQRAZOsj4xA3lxKOkDnGmXC6/s1600/St+Peter.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Peter, Piers' Patron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(Monday, the 9th) I have spent most of the day not
thinking. I did many last minute errands for my son, not thinking about
it. I talked to my mother on the phone about nothing, not thinking
about it. I thought about all the things I was upset about, or stressed
about, or wanted to do that I couldn't right now, not thinking about
it.<br />
<br />
I am sitting here eating chocolate chip cookies and
drinking milk and it is finally hitting me. My son, Piers, is gone.
Tomorrow, he'll be in San Antonio, Texas, Lackland Air Force Base to be
specific. My son aspires to be an Air Force Para rescue airman. I know
he can do well. I know his guardian angel and his patron saint (St.
Peter himself) and his confirmation saint (St. Ignatius) will be around
him and protect him. I'll be praying a Rosary everyday of basic
training for his well being.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekwgscqc6LOjhhH4d-BCQFDCP47jM_H0_H6kIytleuVr0u1e-Qko58JrLCiTg1_m1ACRrFhmO71X0OZ2Zexde_2c4zsQdhnsJpg8TKv5KMMNB4ypf4nppHkNXjXy_uOzKvcvezD-2X_Z4/s1600/stignatius.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekwgscqc6LOjhhH4d-BCQFDCP47jM_H0_H6kIytleuVr0u1e-Qko58JrLCiTg1_m1ACRrFhmO71X0OZ2Zexde_2c4zsQdhnsJpg8TKv5KMMNB4ypf4nppHkNXjXy_uOzKvcvezD-2X_Z4/s1600/stignatius.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Ignatius, his confirmation Patron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think about that tiny red-headed baby. That baby
was early. His skin was a little yellow, so we had to lay him in the
sun. We put a mattress in our living room, within the semi-circle of the
bay windows/doors. He would roll around, coo, and nap on that
mattress. Soon, his pale skin became rosy and beautiful. He was one of
the most beautiful babies in the world. His only equal: his 20 month
old brother with the milk chocolate hair and huge black eyes (they were
actually brown but so dark they almost looked black). The two boys were
fast friends. His older brother tried to share his favorite snack: <i>Cracklin' Oat Bran.</i> Yes, I fished that out of the baby's mouth real quick.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b9C2PGItOKSsnbjYepQ9BLHxqf1iWR-vh2rPBWYJRNb33mE7jAmJiYaDGfQIea2MWuygf8Tae5MzOXBTvCT1uEw2Au7JX2GwmQ52JpVwAZY_Cqhf2OTkvDu_iZ0Ii4Sx4LRGdqfPe_RS/s1600/St.+Walburga.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b9C2PGItOKSsnbjYepQ9BLHxqf1iWR-vh2rPBWYJRNb33mE7jAmJiYaDGfQIea2MWuygf8Tae5MzOXBTvCT1uEw2Au7JX2GwmQ52JpVwAZY_Cqhf2OTkvDu_iZ0Ii4Sx4LRGdqfPe_RS/s1600/St.+Walburga.jpg" height="200" width="70" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Walburga, mom's patroness<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those two were thick as thieves after that. Piers
taught his older brother how to fill those terrible empty spaces on the
walls with crayon modern art. He also showed him how the crayons fit in
the VCR and the grate under the fire place. Unfortunately, he also
tested his poor brother's patience. Only parents of a biter understand
what I mean when I say, he was a biter. There is no sound like the
blood curdling scream of a toddler being bitten in the middle of his
back by his baby brother. I knew that pain. There was many an occasion
that my baby son bit me during feeding. It always came as a surprise,
and always painful. He'd wait until I was lulled into a false sense of
security and wham! he'd bite me again. Unfortunately, he bit his older
brother quite a few times, but his brother never bit him back or hit him
in revenge.<br />
<br />
(written the morning he left March 10th)
As he grew, his bubbly, fun, friendly personality came through. Oh,
yes, he did have the "red head temper" but it was usually a flash and
then gone. He was a respectful and fun kid. The homeschool family that
we lived near lost out. He so, so much desired to be the friend of their
daughter of the same age. At 7, 8, 9, he wanted friends besides his
brothers and sister. How do you explain other people's eccentricities
about with whom their children will play and study. You can't explain
to an 8 year olds other family's snobbery or rejection. I've been hurt
so many times by other homeschooling moms that I am used to feeling and
being alone, but it is not easy to explain to a sweet, caring,
fun-loving kid that the "friend" is not rejecting you, it is the mom
that is the problem.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE_ol1GM5QcqF5FTBaRSA-Vt7YOHrpbgj5nYG7iTDOdbsO7K5QWpxVrWg_emu9WoBY_4xxhwpVx0z9QiW7Nl7SyJBDznC85EMZHNyP3p5JG3MkqFLyFsbJVXclO6dNpkVxqbAqrSiM3vI/s1600/immaculate_conception_ca_1628.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE_ol1GM5QcqF5FTBaRSA-Vt7YOHrpbgj5nYG7iTDOdbsO7K5QWpxVrWg_emu9WoBY_4xxhwpVx0z9QiW7Nl7SyJBDznC85EMZHNyP3p5JG3MkqFLyFsbJVXclO6dNpkVxqbAqrSiM3vI/s1600/immaculate_conception_ca_1628.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immaculate Conception, Patroness of America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He thrived socially in his one year of Catholic
school. He was happy to be in with the other kids. He did well in
school, but his brothers (grades 6 and 1) did not. Not only did it cost
too much but the kids education was lacking. So, we decided to
homeschool them again--after all if I'm going to be doing over three
hours of homework with the kids, I might as well homeschool them. Piers
did well at home, too, but he longed for adventure.<br />
<br />
After
stubbornly refusing to send him to the public high school, I gave in in
the middle of his sophomore year. Since he could pass the school's
tests (for reasons that were not his fault) except biology (he got
credit for passing biology), he actually complete the four years of
requirements in the two and a half years at high school. He was on the
wrestling team, in ROTC, CAP, and did well in his classes. He grew into
a caring, loving, considerate, kind adult.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr3M8L8O-MEZNF1E0pMwgEogpfZLkJFYiCjHhDG1koNHF0ygrdPMiVRC91whJ6HMX8g_wGWmKKKNZ9aQdXGMwkE5NpnwT3bC5LCY2zZH0kVAx_csBs-jbwePyG-BYkecVvRr6UNcp_4Wb/s1600/St.+Brendan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr3M8L8O-MEZNF1E0pMwgEogpfZLkJFYiCjHhDG1koNHF0ygrdPMiVRC91whJ6HMX8g_wGWmKKKNZ9aQdXGMwkE5NpnwT3bC5LCY2zZH0kVAx_csBs-jbwePyG-BYkecVvRr6UNcp_4Wb/s1600/St.+Brendan.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Brendan, brother's patron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He graduated high school last year and decided to
join the Air Force. However, he didn't want just any job; he wanted
adventure. He joined the Air Force last Summer for pararescue. In the
meantime he worked at a Boy Scout camp for several weeks and got a job
at an adventure park in Oklahoma City. He really enjoyed being
outdoors. The adventure park had zip lines, rock climbing, and other
physical challenges. It was a perfect fit for him. Unfortunately, once
it got too cold the park closed for the winter. Now, all he had to do
was wait for his Air Force slot. For reasons I don't want to get into
here, he was told that he could not go to pararescue training. He was
deeply hurt and disappointed. He had looked forward to it for a few
months and then found out the Air Force didn't want him in that field.
He tried to deal with it. However, as things go in the military, they
changed their policy. He was in again! He was so excited and happy!
He worked hard, going to Crossfit every weekday morning at 6am. He built
up his muscles and his mind. He was so delighted that he was willing
to get his ducks in a row. He took college classes in the interim and
waited for April to come. He got news of the Air Force policy changing
back and a chance they would take his dream away from him again. His
recruiter acted fast and got him in a slot a month earlier--before the
rules could be changed again.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxTbV7d7t4zfRIGYwR4LCF7GcZOZmqxLp6bq2yYg1OlFKXYzuMxDEEBKFMNXSca2C5kJurIDIWOF7gGhBYEGMFiJGBQaULTg_11C67euFu8zeORtINnW7T0ovrNN5F_pCcoZhv7cPpqPx/s1600/stflorian.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxTbV7d7t4zfRIGYwR4LCF7GcZOZmqxLp6bq2yYg1OlFKXYzuMxDEEBKFMNXSca2C5kJurIDIWOF7gGhBYEGMFiJGBQaULTg_11C67euFu8zeORtINnW7T0ovrNN5F_pCcoZhv7cPpqPx/s1600/stflorian.jpg" height="200" width="114" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Florian, brother's confirmation patron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today, he left. His father, his sister,
his youngest brother, and I spent time with him at the MEPS station--the
processing center. He is at the airport right now awaiting his flight
to San Antonio. He is a man now, but mom can't help remembering the
tiny adorable toddler. My heart hurts, my soul aches, but I put him in
the Father's hands. Your children leaving home is an inevitability, but
it is wrenching all the same. I pray for him to be surrounded by
saints and that Christ will strengthen him.<br />
<br />
I love you,
son. You are my heart and you are always welcome to call, email,
write, fb, visit, stay for a while. I wish I could keep you young, but I
am proud of the man you have become. <br />
<br />
St. Michael, patron of the military, pray for him and protect him.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-3290849933457550072014-12-08T16:38:00.002-06:002014-12-08T16:38:57.723-06:00The Immaculate ConceptionHave a great Advent. Don't forget today is a Holy Day of Obligation--The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All practicing Catholics should be going to Mass today. God bless.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jesuitinstitute.org/Pictures/AdventAnimWreath2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://jesuitinstitute.org/Pictures/AdventAnimWreath2.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is a copy of the<a href="http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-catholics-believe-immaculate.html"> article I wrote for the Cathapol blog </a>for the series on what Catholics believe: The Immaculate Conception. I thought it appropriate to publish today. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most
Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular
grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus
Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of
original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly
and constantly by all the faithful</span></b>." [Pope Pius IX, <i><a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.htm">Ineffabilis Deus</a> </i>(or<i> Apostolic Constitution on the Immaculate Conception</i>)]</blockquote>
While
the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Dogma, most people, Catholic
and non-Catholic, have no idea what it means. For someone who has
studied Catholic theology, the above statement is a pretty good
description of the dogma. Mary was given special grace because of her
Son. I really like the way Bishop Venerable Fulton Sheen said: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Just
suppose that you could have pre-existed your own mother, in much the
same way that an artist pre-exists his painting....Would you have made her exteriorly and
interiorly of such a character as to make you ashamed of her? Or would
you have made her, so far as human beauty goes; the most beautiful woman
in the world; and so far as beauty of the soul goes, one who would
radiate every virtue, every manner of kindness and charity and
loveliness; one who by the purity of her life and her mind and her heart
would be an inspiration not only to you but even to your fellow men, so
that all would look up to her as the very incarnation of what is best
in motherhood?<br />
<br />
"Now if you who are an imperfect being
and who have not the most delicate conception of all that is fine in
life would have wished for the loveliest of mothers, do you think that
our Blessed Lord, who not only pre-existed His own mother but who had an
infinite power to make her just what He chose, would in virtue of all
the infinite delicacy of His spirit make her any less pure and loving
and beautiful than you would have made your own mother?... Do you think
that the Son of God, who hates sin, would have made His own mother
sinless and He who hates moral ugliness would have made her immaculately
beautiful?" [Quote from <a href="http://fallibleblogma.com/index.php/quote-of-the-day-immaculate-conception-fulton-sheen/">here</a>. Likely from Venerable Fulton Sheen's book <i>Mary, the Woman the World Loves</i>, the blog does not cite the source]</blockquote>
This
is the special gift God gave to Mary. He created her as the perfect
specimen of a woman and mother. Mary was created as the person He meant
Adam and Eve to be, but they disappointed Him. Mary would be the pride
in contrast to His disappointment.<br />
<br />
To hopefully make it a little easier to understand here are ten facts on the Immaculate Conception:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrpiZUL2v5zIHR7JPnUcnu79axcUn3jbcCkZTqs60WBiANGv7x0MgKZ2UkHei4dANl5O0vBuJRhM_FgyatsProHCRCEBdIvjJjVJsb5FCN3gx3PiGA3P0l8yK4Q3uQgf0S_LHosdB/s1600/immaculate_conception_ca_1628.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrpiZUL2v5zIHR7JPnUcnu79axcUn3jbcCkZTqs60WBiANGv7x0MgKZ2UkHei4dANl5O0vBuJRhM_FgyatsProHCRCEBdIvjJjVJsb5FCN3gx3PiGA3P0l8yK4Q3uQgf0S_LHosdB/s1600/immaculate_conception_ca_1628.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
1)
The Immaculate Conception refers to the special grace given by God to
Mary at her conception. It does not refer to the Virgin Birth of Jesus
Christ. However, this grace was given to her because of and for her
Son, Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
2) The Church does <i>not</i> teach
that Mary's Immaculate Conception was necessary to ensure that Original
sin would not be passed on to Christ. This was never a part of the
teaching on the Immaculate Conception (despite what some sites on the
internet purporting to explain the Immaculate Conception). The
Immaculate Conception was an unmerited gift given to Mary in
anticipation of Jesus' redemption of man and God's knowledge of Mary's
"yes" to His plan. <br />
<br />
In the Immaculate Conception,
therefore, God made a fitting or suitable dwelling place for His Son,
Jesus, not out of necessity but out of love.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For
it was certainly not fitting that this vessel of election should be
wounded by the common injuries, since she, differing so much from the
others, had only nature in common with them, not sin. In fact, it was
quite fitting that, as the Only-Begotten has a Father in heaven, whom
the Seraphim extol as thrice holy, so he should have a Mother on earth
who would never be without the splendor of holiness. (Pope Pius IX, <i>Ineffabilis Deus</i>) </blockquote>
<br />
3) Gabriel addressed Mary: "Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee."
(Luke 1:28). She was filled with grace. In Catholic parlance, this
means that Mary was filled up with God's very life. If she is filled
with God's life or the Holy Spirit, there was no room for sin of any
kind.<br />
<br />
4) Mary's Immaculate Conception does not mean
that she was divinely conceived. St. Anna and St. Joachim are,
traditionally, the names of Mary's parents; her conception was a human
one. She was, however, untouched by Original Sin. Therefore, Mary
remained sinless.<br />
<br />
5) The Immaculate Conception is symbolic of the Immaculate bride of Christ (His Church) awaiting her Bridegroom.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"...the faithful, living in the liturgy the spirit of Advent,
by thinking about the inexpressible love with which the Virgin Mother awaited
her Son, are invited to take her as a model and to prepare themselves to
meet the Savior who is to come. They must be "vigilant in prayer and joyful
in...praise."(15) We would also remark that the Advent liturgy, by linking the
awaiting of the Messiah and the awaiting of the glorious return of Christ with
the admirable commemoration of His Mother, presents a happy balance in worship.
This balance can be taken as a norm for preventing any tendency (as has happened
at times in certain forms of popular piety) to separate devotion to the Blessed
Virgin from its necessary point of reference-Christ." </span></span>[<i><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus_en.html">Marialus Cultus</a>, </i>4]</blockquote>
<br />
6)
The Immaculate Mary was prefigured by immaculate Eve. Eve was created
immaculate--without Original Sin. Mary was conceived without sin. Eve
fell from grace and brought sin into the world. Mary remained "Full of
grace" and brought salvation, her Son Jesus Christ, to the world.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"As
St. Irenaeus says, "Being obedient she became the cause of salvaton for
herself and for the whole human race." Hence not a few of the early
Fathers gladly assert..."The knot of Eve's disobedience was untied by
Mary's obedience: what the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary
loosened by her faith." Comparing her with Eve, they call Mary "the
Mother of the living" and frequently claim: "Death through Eve, life
through Mary." (CCC 494)</blockquote>
So, Mary is called the new
Eve and the mother of us all because her Son would be the new Adam and
save the world from the sin of Adam.<br />
<br />
<br />
7) Mary
is the Immaculate Ark (and queen) seen in John's vision. "Then God's
temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant could be seen
in the temple." (Revelation 11:19)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightShadingAccent1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 5;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">The Ark in the Old Testament</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">The New Ark -- Mary</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Immaculate
vessel made to God’s specifications (Ex. 25:10-22)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Immaculate vessel conceived to God’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>specifications (Luke 1:28)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Contained
the Rod of Aaron (Num. 17:25; Heb. 9:4)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Bore the Rod of Jesse—Jesus (Isa 11:1; </span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Contained
the manna from Heaven (Ex. 16: 32-33; Heb. 9:4)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Bore the manna from heaven (John
6:32, 48-51, 58)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Contained
the Ten Commandments made of stone (Ex. 25: 21; Heb. 9:4)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Bore the Law made flesh (John 1:1-5)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Watched
over by angels (Ex. 25:18-20)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Watched over by angels (Luke 1:26)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Covered by the Holy Spirit (Ex. 40:34-38; Num. 9: 18-23)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Overshadowed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Used in
the battle (Josh. 6:3,4)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Used in the heavenly battle (Rev.
11:19)</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
8)
The original "Immaculate Conception", the Holy Spirit, is her heavenly
Spouse. Joseph became her worldly spouse and protector on earth.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Among creatures made in God's image, the union brought about by married
love is the most intimate of all. In a much more precise, more
interior, more essential manner, the Holy Spirit lives in the soul
of the Immaculata, in the depths of her very being." (St. Maximilian Kolbe,<i> Final Sketch, </i><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4270">source</a>)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"...the Holy Spirit manifests his share in the work of Redemption through
the Immaculate Virgin who, although she is a person entirely
distinct from him, is so intimately associated with him that our
minds cannot understand it. So, while their union is not of the
same order as the hypostatic union linking the human and divine
natures in Christ, it <i>remains true to say that Mary's action is the very action of the Holy Spirit</i>.
For Mary as the spouse of the Holy Spirit is raised to such a
height of perfection above all other creatures that she
accomplishes in everything the will of the Holy Spirit who dwelt
in her from the first instant of her conception. " (St. Maximilian Kolbe,<i> Final Sketch, </i><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4270">source</a>) </blockquote>
<br />
9)
The most well known Protestant "reformer", Martin Luther, believed in
Mary's Immaculate Conception. Even after he split from the Church and
many of her centuries old doctrines, he did not waiver on this one:<br />
<blockquote>
"... so that while the soul was being infused, she would at the same time be
cleansed from original sin ... And thus, in the very moment in which
she began to live, she was without all sin." (Martin Luther's Works, vol 4, pg
694)<br />
<br />
"God has formed the soul and body of the Virgin Mary full of the Holy Spirit, so
that she is without all sins, " (ibid. vol 52, pg 39) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
". . . she is full of grace, proclaimed to be entirely without sin. . . .
God's grace fills her with everything good and makes her devoid of all evil. . .
. God is with her, meaning that all she did or left undone is divine and the
action of God in her. Moreover, God guarded and protected her from all that
might be hurtful to her."
(Ref: Luther's Works, American edition, vol. 43, p. 40, ed. H. Lehmann,
Fortress, 1968) [Source of quotes<a href="http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_conceived_without_sin_immaculate_conception.php"> here</a>]</blockquote>
10)
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th.
It is a holy day of obligation. This means that it is the duty of every
Catholic to attend Mass on that day. We remember what Christ did for
His mother and how His mother was a willing participant in God's plan of
salvation. In this way, we honor Christ through Mary. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
“Just
suppose that you could have pre-existed your own mother, in much the
same way that an artist pre-exists his painting. Furthermore, suppose
that you had the infinite power to make your mother anything that you
pleased, just as a great artist like Raphael has the power of realizing
his artistic ideas. Suppose you had this double power, what kind of
mother would you have made for yourself? Would you have made her of such
a type that would make you blush because of her unwomanly and
un-mother-like actions? Would you have made her exteriorly and
interiorly of such a character as to make you ashamed of her? Or would
you have made her, so far as human beauty goes; the most beautiful woman
in the world; and so far as beauty of the soul goes, one who would
radiate every virtue, every manner of kindness and charity and
loveliness; one who by the purity of her life and her mind and her heart
would be an inspiration not only to you but even to your fellow men, so
that all would look up to her as the very incarnation of what is best
in motherhood?<br />
Now if you who are an imperfect being and who have not the most
delicate conception of all that is fine in life would have wished for
the loveliest of mothers, do you think that our Blessed Lord, who not
only pre-existed His own mother but who had an infinite power to make
her just what He chose, would in virtue of all the infinite delicacy of
His spirit make her any less pure and loving and beautiful than you
would have made your own mother? If you who hate selfishness would have
made her selfless and you who hate ugliness would have made her
beautiful, do you not think that the Son of God, who hates sin, would
have made His own mother sinless and He who hates moral ugliness would
have made her immaculately beautiful?”<br />
- See more at: http://fallibleblogma.com/index.php/quote-of-the-day-immaculate-conception-fulton-sheen/#sthash.137WfvUI.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
“Just
suppose that you could have pre-existed your own mother, in much the
same way that an artist pre-exists his painting. Furthermore, suppose
that you had the infinite power to make your mother anything that you
pleased, just as a great artist like Raphael has the power of realizing
his artistic ideas. Suppose you had this double power, what kind of
mother would you have made for yourself? Would you have made her of such
a type that would make you blush because of her unwomanly and
un-mother-like actions? Would you have made her exteriorly and
interiorly of such a character as to make you ashamed of her? Or would
you have made her, so far as human beauty goes; the most beautiful woman
in the world; and so far as beauty of the soul goes, one who would
radiate every virtue, every manner of kindness and charity and
loveliness; one who by the purity of her life and her mind and her heart
would be an inspiration not only to you but even to your fellow men, so
that all would look up to her as the very incarnation of what is best
in motherhood?<br />
Now if you who are an imperfect being and who have not the most
delicate conception of all that is fine in life would have wished for
the loveliest of mothers, do you think that our Blessed Lord, who not
only pre-existed His own mother but who had an infinite power to make
her just what He chose, would in virtue of all the infinite delicacy of
His spirit make her any less pure and loving and beautiful than you
would have made your own mother? If you who hate selfishness would have
made her selfless and you who hate ugliness would have made her
beautiful, do you not think that the Son of God, who hates sin, would
have made His own mother sinless and He who hates moral ugliness would
have made her immaculately beautiful?”<br />
- See more at: http://fallibleblogma.com/index.php/quote-of-the-day-immaculate-conception-fulton-sheen/#sthash.137WfvUI.dpuf</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">More reading: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pope Pius IX, <a href="http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.htm"><i>Ineffabilis Deus</i></a>, December 8, 1854. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pope Saint John Paul II, <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus_en.html"><i>Marialis Cultus</i></a>, February 2, 1972.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Catholic Church, <a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm"><i>Catechism of the Catholic Church</i></a>.</span>cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-51450690050614923722014-11-30T16:02:00.000-06:002014-11-30T16:02:32.428-06:00Advent--Happy New Year to the Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. This marks the first day of the Church's liturgical year. It is both exciting and a little terrifying. It is a wonderful, joyful time of the year in anticipation of Christ's coming (and coming again). However, it means that once again I am way behind the eight ball in planning for Christmas. But, I always have a good time this time of the year because of my five kids. They are really the joys of my life.<br />
<br />
We mark each Sunday before Christmas with a candle. The color purple symbolizes prayer, penance, and doing good works in the time of preparation. Pink or Rose is for Gaudette (or joyful) Sunday. Two weeks of Advent are already complete and Christ's arrival is imminent. The evergreen wreath is a symbol of everlasting life (the evergreen boughs) and eternity (the circle).<br />
<br />
This week's readings:<br />
<br />
You, Lord, are our Father,<br />
our redeemer You are named forever.<br />
Why do You let us wander, O Lord, from Your ways<br />
and harden our hearts so that we fear You not?<br />
Return for the sake of Your servants,<br />
the tribes of Your heritage.<br />
Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down,<br />
with the mountains quaking before You,<br />
while You wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,<br />
such as they had not heard of from of old.<br />
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but You<br />
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.<br />
Would that You might meet us doing right,<br />
that we were mindful of You in our ways!<br />
Behold, You are angry, and we are sinful<br />
all of us have become like unclean people,<br />
all our good deeds are like polluted rags,<br />
we have all withered like leaves,<br />
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.<br />
There is none who calls upon Your Name,<br />
who rouses himself to cling to You,<br />
for You have hidden Your face from us<br />
and have delivered us up in our guilt.<br />
Yet, O Lord, You are our Father'<br />
we are the clay and You the Potter:<br />
we are all the work of Your hands.<br />
(Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7)<br />
<br />
Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.<br />
<br />
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,<br />
From Your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.<br />
Rouse Your power, and come to save us.<br />
<br />
Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.<br />
<br />
Once again, O Lord of Hosts,<br />
look down from heaven and see;<br />
take care of this vine,<br />
and protect what Your right hand has planted,<br />
the son of man whom You Yourself made strong.<br />
<br />
Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.<br />
<br />
May your help be with the man of Your right hand,<br />
with the son of man whom You Yourself made strong.<br />
Then we will no more withdraw from You;<br />
give us new life, and we will call upon Your Name.<br />
<br />
Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved. <br />
(Psalm 80:2-3; 15-16, 18-19)<br />
<br />
Brothers and Sisters:<br />
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
I give thanks to my God always on Your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in Him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
God is faithful, and by Him you were called to fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />
(I Corinthians 1:3-9)<br />
<br />
Jesus said to His disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.<br />
<br />
"Watch, therefore, you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"<br />
(Mark 13:33-37)<br />
<br />
May the Lord find us waiting and watching. God bless you all at Advent.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-80566949372977034632014-10-29T21:34:00.001-05:002014-10-29T21:34:29.656-05:00Halloween is a Catholic Holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeDPCUgWC8nuF5jCF_rCOqsfZSUZqChSr-uuBM0e5MN8zj-76MESflrrHEniAjQFdlKBvFCaZ7_5OwVLbfR-bXxRoz0KSsf4hwMffG6GQ8qmEa38Ad3zL-tHuwZp4we0DKMjVdCw5gaem/s1600/all-saints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeDPCUgWC8nuF5jCF_rCOqsfZSUZqChSr-uuBM0e5MN8zj-76MESflrrHEniAjQFdlKBvFCaZ7_5OwVLbfR-bXxRoz0KSsf4hwMffG6GQ8qmEa38Ad3zL-tHuwZp4we0DKMjVdCw5gaem/s1600/all-saints.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
All Hallow's Eve, now called Halloween, is the eve of All Saints' Day, a day formerly a holy day of obligation. Like all holy days the eve or vigil Mass became a celebration in itself. So, Halloween grew into parties and celebrations, and eventually trick or treating, bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving, and lots of punch and candy. Halloween was never a pagan holiday. Though the trappings are there, the costumes, the tricks, the candy, the haunted houses are just that--trappings. They are mostly harmless and make fun of things we think we should be scared of. However, it really is supposed to be a celebration of the lives of the saints. Don't let any overly sensitive "Christian" or delusional pseudo-pagan talk you or your kids out of having fun. Play with your kids, dress up like a kid, have fun like a kid--just for one night enjoy and celebrate.<br />
<br />
Further reading and ideas:<br />
http://catholicism.about.com/od/thecatholicfamily/p/Halloween.htm<br />
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/default.aspx?id=23<br />
http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/hallween.htm<br />
http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/all-hallow-s-eve.htmlcathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-4737795800485304412014-10-27T23:01:00.000-05:002014-10-27T23:01:15.172-05:00Anti-Catholic Political Ads are Back in StyleIn Washington state, the state I hesitate to say is where I was born
and lived in until I was 24, the elections are being tainted by
anti-Catholic bigotry.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ltO94_5pcuSCf7TClQi9SYwwhjnumrroJjttWxHaJYx8-5Dks2ZcFllVJa4wJt9RdwRwCCvZHrynx5UOi-nhovPCWmMPDbOF59fza22UGeVIdlb_P5NsLBhmPdN93OnXz_uvUIsz/s1600/anti-Catholic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ltO94_5pcuSCf7TClQi9SYwwhjnumrroJjttWxHaJYx8-5Dks2ZcFllVJa4wJt9RdwRwCCvZHrynx5UOi-nhovPCWmMPDbOF59fza22UGeVIdlb_P5NsLBhmPdN93OnXz_uvUIsz/s1600/anti-Catholic.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I
don't know anything about Mark Miloscia or his politics. Obviously,
from the above he must be Catholic. But really, "he has best
represented the people of <i>The Vatican."</i> What is this the 17th
century, when Catholics were not only not welcome in the Colonies but
were actively blocked from participating in any type of politics and had
few rights under the "law?." Is this the 18th century, when the <i>only</i>
state were there was actual freedom of religion-Maryland, which was
founded by Catholics-was taken over by protestants and it became illegal
to practice Catholicism in the open? Is this the 19th, were Irish
Catholic immigrants were indentured servants with no rights and no
freedoms as citizens? Is it the 20th century where the public was told a
Catholic candidate (including John F. Kennedy) would mean the U.S.A.
would become a vassal of the Vatican? To think that our country had not
evolved past such prejudices is almost unthinkable and bodes no good
for the future of our country.<br />
<br />
The website listed at the top of the cartoon goes to a <a href="http://markmiloscia.info/?61c7072da23a83a1edcb624bae192ead">webpage</a>
that lists all of Mr. Miloscia's "sins." From what I can gather from
this list, Mr. Miloscia voted his conscience. For instance, he voted
against forcing Catholic Charities to pay for voluntary abortions and
forcing all insurance carriers to cover contraception. He voted against
same sex "marriage" and "domestic partner" "rights". He voted for a
tax on adult entertainment materials which the web page author calls a
"sin tax" on "playboys and marital aids." He voted against the "Death
with Dignity Act" (which unfortunately passed) which gives terminally
ill and elderly people the right to "choose their time of death" in
other words, giving people the right to kill themselves if they are
suffering. All of these issues are morally repugnant and against
Catholic teaching. Instead of berating him for voting "Catholic" they
should be applauding him for voting his conscience. After all, that is
what the other side says there doing.<br />
<br />
The irony is that
Mr. Miloscia was a Democrat but left the party over these very issues.
He became a Republican candidate to put forward a more conservative
agenda than the Democrats are willing to hear. Washington state has
become a liberal bastion and an embarrassment to all moral thinking and
acting voters. If I still lived in Washington state, I'd feel very
ashamed at this campaign. Portraying a Catholic as a nut case and a
vassal of the Vatican because he votes his conscience is barbaric and
the epitome of the smear campaign. None of the things listed in the
anti-Catholic smear ad seem to be "sins" at all, let alone deal breakers
as far as a politician should be concerned. I pray that Mark Miloscia
stands his ground and votes his conscience despite the smear campaign,
despite pressure, and despite election.<br />
<br />
Also ironic are
all the inconsistencies on the website. The website says that Miloscia
voted against forcing pharmacies to provide emergency contraceptives,
voted against forcing employers to carry insurance for contraception and
abortions but then accuses him of lobbying for large pharmaceutical
companies, because of campaign contributions. Says he "lobbies for the
Vatican" yet sets up a page pitting his alleged record against
out-of-context quotes by the pope which appear to oppose Miloscia stand
on the pet legislation.<br />
<br />
Go <a href="http://www.markmiloscia.com/">here</a> to read Miloscia's side of the campaign. <br />
<br />
While Catholics are only about <a href="http://www.statemaster.com/graph/peo_rom_cat_per_of_cat-people-roman-catholicism-percentage-catholics">7%</a>
of the population in the state in which I now reside, at least this
type of campaign hasn't happened here--yet. However, much of the nation
saw the <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/09/22/Only-42-Attend-Black-Mass-in-Oklahoma-City-With-Hundreds-of-Christian-Protestors-Outside">"Black Mass" debacle</a>
in Oklahoma City on the news. At least only 42 people (reportedly)
attended the performance (in an 80 seat auditorium) that was pointedly
done to ridicule a true Mass and the Catholic Church. Our <a href="http://archokc.org/top-news/3638-archbishop-coakleys-statement-on-return-of-stolen-host-to-the-catholic-church">Archbishop</a> stood up for Christ and got an legal injunction for the return of the supposedly blessed Host that was to be used that night.<br />
<br />
One
of the few prejudices that are still politically okay--Catholic
bashing. But while I can understand why people who hold completely
morally opposite views might attack a candidate like Mr. Miloscia, I
don't understand why other Christians wouldn't speak out. Catholic
entities such as Catholic Charities and abbeys that refuse to pay for
contraception and abortions on moral grounds are being attacked. Many
other Christian organizations don't believe that affects them. How
about the pastors in Texas? Does the fact that the new, openly gay
attorney general is ordering pastors, under threat of criminal
prosecution, to turn over copies of all sermons that speak out against
homosexuals in general or her in particular get anyone's attention? Our
country is slowly but surely turning into a country that no longer
believes in freedom of religion or a right of any Christian to have his
beliefs affect his public life and decisions.<br />
<br />
[Note:
The above cartoon, although it can be found elsewhere online, has been
taken off the original website by the anonymous author at the request of
the Democratic opposition] <br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
http://markmiloscia.info/?61c7072da23a83a1edcb624bae192ead<br />
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2014/10/27/anti-catholic-mockery-directed-at-miloscia-in-state-senate-race/<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/11187557/Anti-Catholic-US-campaign-ad-reflects-lingering-bigotry.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/11187557/Anti-Catholic-US-campaign-ad-reflects-lingering-bigotry.html</a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2014/10/website-attacks-republican-candidate-for-his-faith/#ixzz3HI9sOTdj"><span style="color: #003399;">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2014/10/website-attacks-republican-candidate-for-his-faith/#ixzz3HI9sOTdj</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/25/republican-candidate-attacked-for-being-catholic/">http://dailycaller.com/2014/10/25/republican-candidate-attacked-for-being-catholic/</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This article is strictly the opinion of the post author--Cathmom5. </span></div>
cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-24631284238275088442014-10-13T22:23:00.003-05:002014-10-13T22:23:59.656-05:00Syncretism and other nonsense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHhm6-gmvAKrtYCbvx2_nX4U19qAJTTfgkaweT7zXb7LeJ4C3YuRhUBijOuTz36ctlytIqloOwXyqiwrpiJ2T8qiIYpYdCrEcxHapMR36Bv1VFjjB9TJ2fTMusHbQJIq3nKXl3ltf9gZ3/s1600/christianfish.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHhm6-gmvAKrtYCbvx2_nX4U19qAJTTfgkaweT7zXb7LeJ4C3YuRhUBijOuTz36ctlytIqloOwXyqiwrpiJ2T8qiIYpYdCrEcxHapMR36Bv1VFjjB9TJ2fTMusHbQJIq3nKXl3ltf9gZ3/s1600/christianfish.gif" height="151" width="200" /></a></div>
We have a very interesting non-Catholic who has been commenting on Catholic Debate Forum accusing the Church of pagan roots. <br />
<br />
First, he said that the Church got its practice of eating fish on Friday from pagans who ate fish on Friday in honor of Freya. Freya was a Scandinavian goddess that was never an influence on Christianity or its customs. Beside the fact that the Scandinavian peoples ate fish on a regular basis, not just on Friday. He also mentioned a couple of other gods who were supposedly honored by fish consumption. Even if that were true, what has that to do with the Christian practice of eating fish on Fridays? Nothing whatsoever.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87rtdUpjhl8ehC89C84DusxVocHIgOdbF42cvqpjn0k5dkCTyDGWbBeTBGN12_JyXc_Y91Rcy6jSL9-yDmC6I2PGRXSxIyP1JDIabHJnSMmBy5shbNhPhYhTyMtjUueJ03wxhe863aqXY/s1600/Med+Diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87rtdUpjhl8ehC89C84DusxVocHIgOdbF42cvqpjn0k5dkCTyDGWbBeTBGN12_JyXc_Y91Rcy6jSL9-yDmC6I2PGRXSxIyP1JDIabHJnSMmBy5shbNhPhYhTyMtjUueJ03wxhe863aqXY/s1600/Med+Diet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The practice of the Catholic Church is to <i>not eat meat</i> on Fridays. The Church observed this custom from early in its existence (its founding by Christ in the first century). It is a custom in consideration of the poor. The poor could rarely afford to eat meat. European poor often ate bread, porridge, and vegetables on a regular basis. If they were fortunate, they lived near rivers, the Mediterranean or other seas in which obtaining fish only cost time and ingenuity. <br />
<br />
Fish became a customary alternative to meat not only because the poor usually ate fish, when they could afford it (usually much more often than they could afford meat), but fish was not considered to be meat. Fish are cold blooded and that in itself made people think that their flesh was not the same as meat.<br />
<br />
Another point about eating fish is that Jesus called His followers to be "fishers of men." Jesus chose Peter and Andrew, James and John to be apostles. Both sets of brothers were fishermen by trade. Thus, His call to be "fishers of men" was not lost on them.<br />
<br />
And, the early church used the fish rather than the cross as a secret code that they were Christians. The illustration above shows how the word <i>fish</i> in Greek can, ironically, be used as an acronym for <i>Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior.</i> The early Christians saw this as an affirmation of their faith in Christ. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMCNKMrBmkMWAw7jptdwXwOt3r6rzssGxtMXxlsPegxMTS32sL8x3FPFomtlBkIDrcGKsdupFr1tx35PrKhZfMCCYP5bDAnSXt09C_OzTUewS57hpVrkb9tXdEiJdDgtGP2pYXjzQS-sx/s1600/mardi+gras+colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMCNKMrBmkMWAw7jptdwXwOt3r6rzssGxtMXxlsPegxMTS32sL8x3FPFomtlBkIDrcGKsdupFr1tx35PrKhZfMCCYP5bDAnSXt09C_OzTUewS57hpVrkb9tXdEiJdDgtGP2pYXjzQS-sx/s1600/mardi+gras+colors.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors of Mardi Gras</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This silly person then tried again to link Catholicism with paganism by saying that "carnival/Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday" was another syncretism (which he erroneously considers the custom of eating fish on Friday to be) to make it "easier to join the Church." It is quite obvious to anyone who actually knows anything about history that Mardi Gras comes from the Church's practice to rid their houses of any luxury food items such as meat, fats, sugar, eggs, milk, etc. the day before (thus fat <i>Tuesday</i> which is what mardi gras means in French, by the way) Ash Wednesday. Thus, it was called <i>Mardi Gras</i> in French or <i>Fat Tuesday</i> in English, because they would consume all these items on that day. It was the practice of many parts of the Church until modern times to not eat these items, including meat, for the entire 40 days of Lent. They would then have a grand celebration on Easter Sunday with any of the items they could afford from which they had abstained during Lent.<br />
<br />
Carnival actually comes from the Latin <i>carne vale</i> which is roughly translated "farewell to flesh" also has its roots in the Church celebration before Lent. It is not a pagan custom adapted to Christian practice; it is quite the opposite. The Christian practice was adapted and customized by the cultures (such as Rome) around the Church. In Rio, carnivale has become a huge party with drinking and costumes. Mardi Gras in New Orleans came there by the French and Spanish Catholics who settled there (also where the cajun language came from). These customs has been taken too far in some places and seriously misrepresent the Church's intent before the celebration of the holy days of Lent. The roots of the celebration, wherever it is, came from the Church, not the other way around. The accusation that these customs have their roots in paganism or that the Church is pagan comes from ignorant anti-Catholics from the 19th century on that attempted and still attempt to discredit Christ's Church.<br />
<br />
Even if this (mardi gras or eating fish) were syncretisms to "make it easier to join the Church" what would be the harm in that? We should make it easy for those seeking the truth to embrace and love the Lord through the Church He Himself established. We welcome one and all--the sinner as well as the saint. Christ said that the physician is called to heal the sick. What better nurse to the Great Physician than His Church?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">By the way, the traditional colors of Mardi Gras represent justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold). Very Christian indeed.</span>cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-17804609299446442252014-09-29T22:47:00.001-05:002014-09-29T22:47:43.942-05:00My Son and The Music ManLately, life has been extremely busy and stressful. I've had a few anxiety attacks in the last couple of weeks. What with the doctor's appointments, the start of school, being buried under mounds of stuff, and trying to keep up with dance classes, boy and cub scouting, CAP, CWV, Kof C, etc., etc., etc., the stress is culminating in lack of sleep, stomach aches, forgetfulness, and higher blood pressure.<br />
<br />
Tonight, however, I had a pleasant evening with my 15 year old son. He wants to be an actor. He is presently in competitive acting class at school, although he's already learned an adult lesson--sometimes even what you enjoy can become work. He doesn't enjoy competitive drama as much as he loved his drama one class last year. It was more like playing last year. It is more like work this. So, when my girlfriend couldn't go to the theater with me this evening, I took my son. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.okcciviccenter.com/images_upload/feature_full_1401385961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.okcciviccenter.com/images_upload/feature_full_1401385961.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick Cassidy and Shirley Jones in <a href="http://www.cami.com/?webid=2379"><i>The Music Man in Concert</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What an enjoyable experience. My son is a genuinely fun person to be around. He is witty and fun, kind and good-natured. We went to see <i><a href="http://www.cami.com/?webid=2379">The Music Man in Concert</a>.</i> It stars Shirley Jones and her son, Patrick Cassidy. If anyone reading this loves musical theater or movies and this comes to your town, go see it! <br />
<br />
My son had never been to the Oklahoma City Civic Center before. He took in the experience like a true aspiring actor. He studied the theater. He enjoyed getting a treat (and sneaking it into the theater). He enjoyed the wonderful seats we had. Having grown up on musicals and being the same age as Patrick Cassidy, I had a whole different perspective on the concert. But, my son's fresh eyes on <i>The Music Man</i> (he'd seen Matthew Broderick's movie version), enjoyed the songs very much. His favorite song from the musical is <i>Shapoopi</i>. What teenage boy's wouldn't be? What teenage boy nowadays knows that song? Sometimes having older parents can be an advantage.<br />
<br />
Musical theater doesn't have the same impact it once had, but it sure can make for a nice break in a stressful world. And, give a too-busy mom an opportunity to slow down and enjoy being with her son. God has truly blessed me.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-61924851503770943392014-09-06T01:04:00.000-05:002014-09-06T01:04:16.501-05:00UnsureLately, I've been thinking about a friend of mine with whom I had a slight falling out. I've known her since the fourth grade, but her family moved when we were in high school. So, we've been in contact over the last 30 years or so through mail, phone calls, and the very rare visit.<br />
<br />
Over the years she had not been interested in any particular church. In fact, I had the feeling she did not go to <i>any</i> church or believe in any particular faith. I, however, have always been open about my faith, but I have never pushed it on anyone else. I try to live the Gospel and win others for Christ by example.<br />
<br />
When my family and I moved to Oklahoma, it was the closest I have been to my friend, who lives in Kansas City, in many years. I suspected that she was getting involved in some kind of church a few years ago when she called and asked me about a Catholic funeral she had gone to. She asked about a prayer that many of the people in the church were praying. After asking her a couple of questions, I understood the "prayer" in question was the Rosary. The Rosary is actually a set of prayers for the meditation of the life of Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. There was no rudeness, no judgement--that would come later.<br />
<br />
<br />
I invited her to a couple of my kids' First Communions--she made it to one. It was a nice visit and I enjoyed answering any of her questions about it and the Church. I wonder now if she was already involved in the "church" that has now turned her against her long time friend. She seems to be convinced now that my soul is "in danger." Supposedly the Holy Spirit came to her and told her to let me know I was in danger.<br />
<br />
What I am unsure about is where to go from here. I received several emails over the last several months with such ridiculousness like her asking about church authority and comparing Mormonism to Catholicism because Mormons use words such as bishop. The fact that Mormonism isn't actually Christianity seems to be beyond the thought process of radically anti-Catholic "Christians." Christianity is supposed to be about knowing, loving, and serving God. The Church is the Body of Christ in which to do that. We know God through Scripture and the Sacraments. We love Him in receiving the Eucharist. We serve Him by doing works of mercy, such as clothing the naked, housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and the like. We absolutely do these things for God, and not, as Mrs. Osteen so dramatically put her foot in her mouth about, for ourselves. We do these things as offerings to God.<br />
<br />
Now to have a long time friend sending me messages of condemnation and accusation was hurtful. I did try to answer her questions as thoughtfully as possible. I'd get back messages about how I was close minded. Of course I'm close minded. I made a long, thoughtful journey to the Church. Why does a friend, who seems to have fallen in with a radically anti-Catholic "charismatic" church, think she knows better in a few months better than a 2,000 year old Church? It is one thing about the Protestant "churches" I no longer understand. The intolerance and lack of charity of these groups really floor me. <br />
<br />
When I did try to defend the Faith and answer her questions, I was told that I was being emotional and therefore deep down I must know I am wrong. What? Where did that come from? Let me get this straight, if I am passionate about Christ, about His Church, and about my Faith, then I must be wrong? I fail to see how that works. It is circular reasoning to me. On the one hand, protestant groups want one to be passionate and loud and outgoing about their faith and evangelizing others, including other Christians. But on the other, if one IS actually passionate and loud and outgoing about their faith, if "they" don't understand it, then one must know deep down they're wrong. How does that work again?<br />
<br />
I am passionate. I am sure. I am knowledgeable. I feel deeply. <br />
<br />
No, I don't believe I am wrong to be a Catholic. I became a Catholic when I was 36, having been a Baptist of some flavor since I was very young. I read, I studied, and I joined RCIA. I prayed a lot and I do believe the Holy Spirit answered my questions and moved me in the direction I was supposed to go. When one, friend though she may be, questions your integrity, your passion, a very important part of your self, it is not only hurtful but it makes it clear that she doesn't really know you at all. It is hard to trust such a person and hard to carry on a friendship with her.<br />
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I am unsure where to go from here. Charity and patience is what I need but can be hard to muster when ever word you say is judged in a negative light.cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-63272907974736908222014-07-26T13:45:00.001-05:002014-07-26T13:45:44.165-05:00AuthorityA childhood friend wrote to me recently. She was never that interested in any church and really didn't discuss much about it with me until about a decade or so ago. At that time, she politely asked about a prayer some people were saying together at a Catholic funeral. I told her it was the Rosary. I explained the Rosary--how it is a meditative form of prayer concentrating on the lives of Jesus Christ and His mother Mary. Since she is not Catholic, I also provided her with the Scriptures for each of the "mysteries", the stories that one contemplates on while praying, so that she could see that it <i>is</i> Scriptural. Her response was gracious. Later she even attended of my sons' first communion. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpcdhOep3G9FcH7tgRQfnXdyc-6iBSiGXuT7pNjl0bdd3s3LCy43lcfJ6T8MCvixXL4vbp3xrX2eEZpKJ3wfVyzo4lV903r74c192CyxlVOKBCbj8KlkgAKtXABlFU0V4ixYfmq5IxrPl/s1600/house+of+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpcdhOep3G9FcH7tgRQfnXdyc-6iBSiGXuT7pNjl0bdd3s3LCy43lcfJ6T8MCvixXL4vbp3xrX2eEZpKJ3wfVyzo4lV903r74c192CyxlVOKBCbj8KlkgAKtXABlFU0V4ixYfmq5IxrPl/s1600/house+of+God.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
Well, she apparently had a "meet Jesus" moment in recent months and has been asking questions. However, the questions have gone from polite and curious to accusatory and downright anti-Catholic. I don't know what kind of "prayer ministry" she's joined but they seemed to have convinced her that Catholics are not Christians or not "saved." She has been convinced that my soul is in danger and that I can't possibly understand what a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ (because I'm Catholic). How can otherwise well-meaning people be so hateful to other members of the same family--God's family? I believe it is the influence of the dark one, the one who does not want Christ's Church to be one as Christ Himself wished it to be. I've tried to be patient and tried to be loving but it is extremely difficult to get past the feeling of betrayal.<br />
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She started off by sending me a letter telling me that I had been on her mind a lot lately. She said, "I don't know why the thoughts come to mind over religion, its [sic] not really over being saved or not, its more of believing something that just isn't correct." So, after years of not going to any church, asking respectful questions, and listening to explanations from me as to why I am a Catholic, she's decided she knows what is "correct." I couldn't possibly know better than her charismatic group.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtB9ZqQOcsX-ZbtohM6TwhSwRFLdiMC-bwfWAwKlbBLhRDatCKCykbnk9BwRmlK4iuxBpwA_mducnuh5_cITMYOlG-bSikCeLzpa1nN9Y4OSHHRitm7bNCWSokRyaAsQsc5k37MoRYpnQ/s1600/christeucharist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtB9ZqQOcsX-ZbtohM6TwhSwRFLdiMC-bwfWAwKlbBLhRDatCKCykbnk9BwRmlK4iuxBpwA_mducnuh5_cITMYOlG-bSikCeLzpa1nN9Y4OSHHRitm7bNCWSokRyaAsQsc5k37MoRYpnQ/s1600/christeucharist.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
She asked me a question a couple of months ago about an interview she'd heard with a priest who had stated that the Real Presence in the Eucharist was the center of His personal relationship with Christ. This phrase, "personal relationship with Christ," raised a big red flag for that fledgling Christian zealot. She asked me if I "could never take the Eucharist again would [I] be close to the Holy Spirit/Jesus, the Personal Relationship as Catholics put it." As a matter of fact, <i>one</i> Catholic put it that way. That priest doesn't speak for every individual Catholic. However, I did try to explain to her that I had no objection to the priest from the interview expressing his feelings that way. After all, how much more personal can you get than to meet Christ in the Flesh. There is nothing more intimate, more personal than Christ becoming a part of you in a real, mystical way every time you go to Mass. But, this tack never satisfies. I understand that Protestants, especially some of the latest off shoots of the mainstream Protestants, such as Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, etc. These off-shoot sects as those who are now doing strange things like not celebrating Easter or Christmas and perpetuating lies like St. Patrick, bishop and missionary to Ireland, was not Catholic because he never mentions the Catholic Church in his writings (1-Very few of his writings have survived the intervening 14 centuries, 2-There was no need to "mention" the Catholic Church, it was the one and only Christian church in existence at the time). They are so against any hint of tradition that might in any way lead back to the Catholic Church that they make things up about Catholics and about historic tradition.<br />
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She persisted on this tack however, insisting that I answer whether or not I would have a "personal relationship with Christ if I could not have the Eucharist." I told her that was not a fair question. It would be something similar to whether or not I could ever eat breakfast if I could never have eggs again. Now, I know my example is a little absurd but I couldn't think of anything better off the cuff. I can still have breakfast--I just can't have eggs. I can still have a "personal relationship" with Christ without the Eucharist, but why would I want to? What closer relationship to a person than the person themselves--in person!!! When I go to the Eucharist (Greek word for <i>thanksgiving</i>), I am with Him, He is Present, and He is in me at that moment. How much more personal is that? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpFPcWWoo4yqMdTyc_V1Dx6oUUqHgBxX7i7_EkmJ3mqIZbeK2wnTvXlT9kp5aA0hJDTP5bTaNBKI7EkmO5mg7Jy9PJCt4R4mlKy_hiIXXrkClMyKu_o4l8ISpbpWcvV-nSQ4EFrgNLTjY/s1600/Hebrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpFPcWWoo4yqMdTyc_V1Dx6oUUqHgBxX7i7_EkmJ3mqIZbeK2wnTvXlT9kp5aA0hJDTP5bTaNBKI7EkmO5mg7Jy9PJCt4R4mlKy_hiIXXrkClMyKu_o4l8ISpbpWcvV-nSQ4EFrgNLTjY/s1600/Hebrews.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1800 yo copy of Paul's letter</td></tr>
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Her latest insult not was to ask me about authority. She said they had talked about authority in her "prayer ministry class." She said the class "was all around who has the Authority given by Jesus and the Holy Spirit? [sic] Much of what the book of Hebrews speaks." She doesn't specify just what Hebrews "speaks" of authority. If she is talking about the absolute obedience that some protestants believe is implied in Hebrews 13, she'd be wrong about the Catholic Church. While Catholics do believe that Church leaders have authority in spiritual matters, Catholics are not now nor have they ever been mindless drones of a huge religious machine. All one has to do is look at the rate of conversions in the Catholic Church. Twice as many are entering the Church as leaving it, and many of the converts are the more educated of former Protestants. <br />
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But not only does my friend ask about authority, but she then equates Catholics to Mormons when she asks, "Is it only given to Men like LDS/RLDS/FLDS?" No, we don't believe authority is "only" given to men. The authority in the Church was given to Christ, who passed that same authority to His apostles. The Holy Spirit was then sent by Christ to give the apostles the courage and strength to live out that authority in the Church. The Holy Spirit is now the soul of the Church Christ founded and guides her leaders to this day. That is the authority the author of Hebrews was referring to in chapter 13. Christians do not act as mindless drones, but neither do they make up an aimless body. Th<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OeDXyXTrdR_BueiaTBumL1gY3tm4D3KRx9RvsRLlwtcAXYuUA4EmaAgVY3T1jFIGXH8KPNQ2_4Lao-CjNe21KPbjm5tOhRZkNxjyFNpsEdMRuekcqnzgYmgZJ0c8hV9gC3DEQlKX031t/s1600/salt-lake-mormon-temple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OeDXyXTrdR_BueiaTBumL1gY3tm4D3KRx9RvsRLlwtcAXYuUA4EmaAgVY3T1jFIGXH8KPNQ2_4Lao-CjNe21KPbjm5tOhRZkNxjyFNpsEdMRuekcqnzgYmgZJ0c8hV9gC3DEQlKX031t/s1600/salt-lake-mormon-temple1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LDS Temple Salt Lake City</td></tr>
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is comparison between the LDS and the Catholic Church is more than insulting and I will not tolerate this insult anymore. The Catholic Church was founded by Christ upon Peter and the Apostles almost 2,000 years ago. The LDS has no such founding or authority, having been founded by a crazy man about 150 years ago on his own fictional writings. There is no comparison.</div>
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She asked if it were "maybe Pastor's and Deacons?" If she means Protestant pastors and deacons, then my answer would be a no. While Protestant Churches have some of the Truth Christ left for us, they lack much of it. These Pastors and Deacons did not get their authority from the Church Christ established, therefore, no they don't have the authority of interpretation or the giving of the Eucharist. They have some authority over their own church, their own little kingdom as it were, but they do not have the authority Christ gave the apostles or the Church.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus gives the Keys of the Kingdom to Peter</td></tr>
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She then asked "Is it [authority] the Pope and Priests and Saints of the Church?" The simple answer is <i>yes</i> at least about the pope and priests. I'm not sure that saints have authority per se on their own. Saints are examples of Christian living and the holiness that we should all aspire to. But the Pope was appointed by Christ Himself. Christ chose Peter as the Rock upon which the Church is built. He commissioned Peter to "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep." This is an obvious referral to Christ, the <i>Good Shepherd</i>, passing the job as the shepherd of His sheep on earth to Peter. He made Peter His visible representative on earth. Minimizing what Christ did or saying it isn't so just because you don't think it should be that way, doesn't change the fact that Christ did indeed put Peter in charge of His Church. He also commissioned the other apostles--"Go into all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Christ commissioned them as the first priests. It is that simple<i>.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles</td></tr>
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"Did it [authority] die off sometime after the 12 Apostles where put to death?" No. Why would it? Christ founded His Church on the apostles--founded, not just tossed out there temporarily. Look in the book of Acts. Matthias was commissioned to take Judas' place among the twelve. If authority was to "die off" with the apostles, why would they choose a replacement for one of them? It would be pointless. Obviously, the 11 thought it necessary to choose and train a replacement for the future of the Church. Also, the "Council of Jerusalem" also points to the continuation of authority. There really would be no point in hashing out the issue of whether or not one had to be a Jew to be a Christian, if they felt they had no authority to decide for future generations. So, easily the answer to that question is NO.</div>
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"Or by some wild chance ignored by Christians over the years,..." So, when Christ said, "...the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it" or "I am with you always" He had to have been lying. The Church was founded by Christ, emboldened and given life by the Holy Spirit, and watched over by generation upon generation of disciples of Christ, but only "Christians" now know what Jesus meant by those words. </div>
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She says that "...we who have knowledge/understanding given by the Holy Spirit and reading the Scriptures we all have the ability given to us if we pray and seek the Holy Spirit?" I would then ask her as I would any misguided Protestant, "What makes <i>you</i> right and not Joe Smith down the street? You two don't agree with each other but you both say that the Holy Spirit and Scripture guide you. So, who is right?" Most Protestants don't think that deeply about what they've been told to believe. The vast majority of Protestants believe what their Pastor or whatever they call their leader tells them to believe. Why do some Protestants believe baptism is necessary and some just believe it is water over their heads? Jesus said, "Go...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." So, He just meant the original 12? No one else needed baptism? What about the Lord's Supper? Since it is just a symbol to most Protestants, some churches don't even bother with the farce of reenacting it. Jesus said, "When you eat this bread and drink this cup..." Why don't they think Jesus' words are important? He said when you do it; he didn't say <i>if</i> you do it. Why do Protestants believe it is okay to say, "This is what we believe: x, y, z" and then just find those convenient Scriptures that support their beliefs while ignoring the rest of Scripture? It is sad and not a little hypocritical.</div>
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When I told her I found some of her questions disrespectful and a little insulting she said, "It didn't surprise me that you have no interest at this time. I hope sometime we might be able to enjoy talking of such things." I don't mind talking of such things, but, I'm sorry, we are not on equal footing in this matter. I am much more educated in my Faith and in Christology. She may be part of a pentecostal group that believes that the Holy Spirit is guiding them--that doesn't make it so. Telling me that I must know I'm wrong because I passionately defend my faith (which she did in a different email) is just ludicrous. If you want to talk, let's talk, but leave the insults out of it. </div>
cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-35868865080446597632014-07-20T11:19:00.002-05:002014-07-21T11:28:52.871-05:00My best friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlySXWxEq0LdzZbo2Za8Mq5Hxj3OheFfeEZw3WFyxsT2vdZFcq91Ef029RZh1hQIr5zsOuh_pfo8yMR8pVxQPpg84p6TreXGUwK4YhFPEd1JaEQKmhGw0_WDpEKVSLRef-nYquCenwsMJx/s1600/Chrysanthimum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlySXWxEq0LdzZbo2Za8Mq5Hxj3OheFfeEZw3WFyxsT2vdZFcq91Ef029RZh1hQIr5zsOuh_pfo8yMR8pVxQPpg84p6TreXGUwK4YhFPEd1JaEQKmhGw0_WDpEKVSLRef-nYquCenwsMJx/s1600/Chrysanthimum.jpg" /></a></div>
It has been a very long time since I had a real best girlfriend. A girlfriend I could talk to on the phone for hours at a time. Someone who understood how I felt and would let me talk about anything and everything until I was all talked out.<br />
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My sister was my best friend growing up. We talked all the time. We fought as sisters do and we'd make up. Nothing could separate us. That is, until she got married. Then most of the time she was so wrapped up in the day to day of an 18 year old trying to take care of a tiny apartment, and being pregnant that she hardly had time for me. As things became more routine, we eventually got our best friend groove back. Then I joined the Air Force. For the first few months, I was not able to talk to my best friend very often. I had very few chances to call home during training and she was busy with her second child. But, after I got stationed at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, DC, we were able to talk more. We would talk an hour or more once or twice a week. It was nice to have a best friend. That seemed to change when her marriage fell apart. Apparently, I could not sympathize in the right way or say the right words. So, the calls became less frequent. She visited me once, after I was married and pregnant with my first child. She was divorced and seeing a muslim immigrant. Later she married a friend's cousin from Pakistan. She resented the fact that I would not come to her wedding in Pakistan. At that time I was living in Germany, had two toddlers and I was not about to go to a third world country on my own or with two little ones and endanger our health. When I was pregnant with my fourth child (and only daughter), she got angry at me on the phone. Later I found out that her (second) husband didn't like her talking to me on the phone when he was home. He felt that we were conspiring against him. And, because I didn't know about or help her out of her abusive situation, she seems to have blamed me for it. She later left the abusive SOB with the help of another friend. I didn't know why she wouldn't talk to me until years later. Since then, she has remarried her first husband but only spoken to me a handful of times. Our best friend phone calls ceased 14 years ago and have never resumed. I rarely get so much as a Christmas card. It is a hole in my heart and life that can never be filled. Although she said she's forgiven me (for what I am still not sure), she still doesn't speak to me unless we happen to be in the same place which doesn't happen very often. <br />
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So, I've tried to forge friendships with women around me. I thought I had a friend in when we lived in Germany. She was an officer's wife however and made it quite clear that enlisted wives were beneath her. We went on a tour of Belgium together, with my two oldest sons (toddlers at the time) in tow. While she enjoyed having the company, she made it clear that I was not only not her first choice but that I was actually a burden on the trip. The purpose of the trip was to scout locations for a wives club (which was combined enlisted and officers wives at the time--that changed later) outing. So, no we did not get close. Oh, but Belgium is where I discovered the saint that would become my patroness, St. Walburga. It was the first time I ever saw a woman saint depicted with a bishop's crook in her hand. I later found out that Abbots are considered of the same rank as bishops and are often depicted with bishop's crooks. St. Walburga was a physician, and abbess who later took over the whole abbey of men and women when her brother, the abbot died. I took her as my confirmation Saint when I became a Catholic at Easter, 1998.<br />
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Since I was older than most mothers who had children the same age as mine, I usually had little in common with them. Women my age have teenage or adult children, so they don't want to be around someone with young children. In Texas, our parish had a wonderful women's group that had women of every age and situation. It was great to be a part of a group at least, even if I could not find a close friend among them. By then I had four children and, believe it or not, that was unusual even in a Catholic parish. The support and friendship I felt there was wonderful, but I was sorely disappointed when we came to Oklahoma. The parish here has no women's group and when I asked if we could have one, people looked at me as if I had two heads and asked why would we need such a group. So, no women's group.<br />
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When I decided to home school, that made me even weirder. Catholic homeschooling came out of the Protestant homeschooling movement which had been going on for decades before Catholics started doing it in large numbers. However, when you are in a town (in Texas, mind you) where there is one Catholic Church in town and one on the outskirts of town, no Catholic schools at all, and you are one of the few white families (our parish was about 60% Hispanic, 30% Filipino, and 10% white--this is my estimation) it is very difficult decision on what to do about education. However, there are schools such as Seton (since 1980) and Kolbe Academy Home schools that are Catholic and help you give your kids a good Catholic education. I joined the on base home school support group. They were very nice ladies, but they made it abundantly clear that Catholics weren't welcome to many of their activities. The librarian there was great; she supported all home school mothers. She would ask the group every year what books to order to help them. She would fit as many of the books on our wish list as she could in her budget. However, none of these women were going to be a close friend.<br />
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Here in Oklahoma, I've tried, too. I even thought I had a friend who had children the same age as me. As we got to know each other, I thought we were good friends but, like all the "girlfriends" I've had before, she was younger and had already established friendships. I was invited over for group things but rarely did we do things together. The first time she hurt my feelings, I tried my best to just take it and never let her know. I think I was successful because I believe to this day she doesn't know how her actions hurt me when she picked another "friend" over me. I tried not to let it make me bitter but in some ways it has. I would write more about the hurts and disappointments over the years but I believe she reads my blog, so I will end it here. I am trying to let it go and just be friendly when we see each other. <br />
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I have one friend now with whom I talk on occasion, but it is the same thing. Her two kids are grown and I am still raising mine. So, we have lunch together. Sometimes we go to a play or musical together. The last time we went out we saw "Sister Act" on stage. It was fun and funny. I had a good time. But, still not best friend fun. I can't call her and talk for an hour on the phone and bear all to her. I enjoy her company but it is not the same as my best friend/sister that I miss so very much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2FMtYdlTq4IrAIOM-yKY95TFPnwk8cTlklTELsE59H10PY-Ie3ZkBJPLJXwOl_oYZmW34O_e8rjBkAbOaRGvJHQvOXmNOeftnPHrlWjBDUhOyWoXpc9CcHEcvdDYTaMx-ukJd1KOUdNu/s1600/August+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2FMtYdlTq4IrAIOM-yKY95TFPnwk8cTlklTELsE59H10PY-Ie3ZkBJPLJXwOl_oYZmW34O_e8rjBkAbOaRGvJHQvOXmNOeftnPHrlWjBDUhOyWoXpc9CcHEcvdDYTaMx-ukJd1KOUdNu/s1600/August+flowers.jpg" /></a></div>
As I go through my cancer treatment, I feel very much alone. I have no best girlfriend. I have no one to talk to until I'm done talking. That best friend is gone and I feel alone. I do have a "cancer buddy", as my daughter has named her, with whom I am talk sometimes. She went through something similar to me in the Fall. However, she's pretty much done and my journey goes on. But, we only talk here and there. It is usually an hour at a time but only about once every other week or so.<br />
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My mother has been my rock. She stayed in the hospital with me both times and kept me company. She lets me blather on the phone and get things off my chest. I feel bad sometimes though because she has an ailing mother (my grandmother is 90 next month) and a daughter going through cancer treatment. She's kind of sandwiched in between. She's been wonderful. I guess my mom is the best friend I can have for now. While there are things I cannot tell her, I can tell her a lot. God bless moms! cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529095487107985164.post-69012899432039548972014-07-19T16:47:00.000-05:002014-07-19T16:47:01.076-05:00Cancer and all that Goes with it--Again<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qKd5zCpgjMl5_qOsLLeyDtvy_wyEkqQ-FKNwRqsO6MfMvKxPMPfhp6fmr4H5Pi0qipPlbVqo13gMSrnOhVBfFO2Hz8rI_b58DGHdXnSxIyZPOWxp5WbhDadpp_FzvZeLHJFXe-mG7WDi/s1600/saint-agatha-breast-cancer-personalized-prayer-card-2015703.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qKd5zCpgjMl5_qOsLLeyDtvy_wyEkqQ-FKNwRqsO6MfMvKxPMPfhp6fmr4H5Pi0qipPlbVqo13gMSrnOhVBfFO2Hz8rI_b58DGHdXnSxIyZPOWxp5WbhDadpp_FzvZeLHJFXe-mG7WDi/s200/saint-agatha-breast-cancer-personalized-prayer-card-2015703.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Agatha prayer card</td></tr>
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Note: This was written in May. I have had another mastectomy since. I will write on that soon. <br />
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Well, It looks like I get to go through the whole nightmare, again. Yes, I should have had my other breast rechecked at the time. Yes, I probably should have insisted on a double mastectomy. But, I did not want to have healthy tissue removed. I was taking tamoxifen. That was supposed to block the hormone receptors in the cancer cells. Apparently, it didn't work.<br />
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Last week I had a biopsy. The doctor had me go through yet another mammogram. Afterward, I noticed that the technician had a mammo on the light box. However, it was the pictures taken in August, not the one I had done in April. So, if they are working off my old one, why didn't they biopsy my right side then? Wow, it could have saved me a whole six months of anxiety, wondering, and pain. However, if the biopsy comes out positive, I may save myself a trip to the OR. I put off my reconstruction for this and may be able to have it done at the same time as my second mastectomy. Now, I just have to wait a couple of days for the results and the decision on surgery.<br />
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As small as our community is at church and civic groups, I find it interesting that people I'm acquainted with don't know about my mastectomy. I thought that rumor would go around like wild fire. I am amazed and pleased at the same time that my life is not grist for the rumor mill. But I also notice that when people do find out about it, they seem to expect me to look like an Amazon warrior--you know, the mythical female warriors who had one breast cut off to make bow and arrow easier to use in battle. I had a simple mastectomy of one breast. The surgeon removed all the breast tissue. He lifted the muscle off the rib cage, inserted an expander, and sewed the skin back together. I feel very self conscious in tight clothes because to me it looks very odd. My daughter says no one else notices the odd shape of my left breast or that it has changed its shape and size over the last six months. It still makes me feel strange, especially the sleepy flesh feel of it. It is not me but it is what I have to live with now. My husband is understanding and says he is okay with the artificiality and ugliness of it. It is one of those strange things you never really thought you'd be talking to your husband about when you were a girl.<br />
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So, my cancer odyssey has begun again. Hopefully, if I do have another mastectomy, I won't have to worry about cancer again. But, you never know. I had no risk factors for breast cancer (except, as my good friend Paddy says, I have breasts and I'm a woman. <br />
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<br />cathmom5http://www.blogger.com/profile/15999643587274419879noreply@blogger.com0