Is the Catholic Church a Force for Good?

http://www.wordonfire.org ^ | May 25, 2015 | Matt Nelson

[NKP_Vet]

Viva Cristo Rey!

[thesligoduffyflynns]

It won’t happen on Pope Francis’ watch that’s for sure.

[cherokee1]

Other than that whole INQUISITION thing that set western civilization back a thousand years maybe a case can be made for there being some actual benefit to the presence of the Vatican. Before the inquisition there was that incident where the Holy Romans burned the Library of Alexandria——there went another thousand years. Hiding pedophiles in the Vatican pretty much tops off the list of progress on their part. Another thousand years should do the trick?

[aimhigh]

Most Christians glorify God. Catholics, they glorify the church. See the problem?

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

You're an ignorant specimen indeed if you think the Inquisition had the power to set the western world back. If anything, the Inquisition benefited the west by preventing Islamic subversion -- it's primary function in Spain. Other than that, it was no more cruel or corrupt than any other system of it's time.

Your bit about the library...I'm not sure what can be said to relieve you of the ignorance that clearly envelopes you. perhaps you should go back to your other liberal friends and swap more conspiracy theories.

[impimp]

Catholics glorify God. If you went to a Mass you would know this.

[impimp]

Are you sure it wasn’t unicorns who destroyed the library?

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Catholics glorify God and the Church glorifies God.

[gorush]

I believe that any organization that pushes morality is worthwhile.

[BlackElk]

"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, wotld without end. Amen."

Last I checked, that is a Catholic prayer. The problem is yours. Next softball?

[Isabel2010]

Excellent reply!! The Catholics have saved Europe’s butt from Islam more than a few times!! Thus, saving Protestants, Jews and non believers!
Who will save Europe now?

[CynicalBear]

>>Is the Catholic Church a Force for Good?<<

Let's watch as it spearheads the establishment of the one world religion by bringing all religions together.

[NKP_Vet]

Now for the truth...........

http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Church-Built-Western-Civilization/dp/1596983280

[Shadow44]

First of all, the Great Library was ransacked several times prior to its final destruction. It was also in a state of neglect and disrepair. So you’re wrong on that account. The library was a ghost of itself when it went.

As for the Inquisition, the Black Legend about it is so laughable compared to the reality of it. It wasn’t a Medieval SS, it was a traveling court that dealt with accusations. Most were peasants who got angry over land disputes with their neighbors and accused them of heresy.

The Spanish Inquisition wasn’t even authorized by the Pope, the monarchs’ strong-armed it into existence. Furthermore, it was created to PROTECT people from another Albigensian Crusade.

You might know the quote, “Kill them all and let God sort them out”, which was uttered by the French noble in charge. The Crusade became a giant land grab by Northern French nobles who indiscriminately slaughtered heretic and pious alike.

[Alex Murphy]

The data is clear—celibate Catholic priests are no more likely to abuse children than clergy from any another denomination, or even teachers and other secular adult leadership. As Ernie Allen, the president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, has stated: “We don’t see the Catholic Church as a hotbed of this [abuse] or a place that has a bigger problem than anyone else." (Pat Wingert, “Mean Men,” Newsweek, April 8, 2010) Professor of psychology, Dr. Thomas Plante, agrees with Allen: "Catholic clergy aren’t more likely to abuse children than other clergy or men in general." ("Do the Right Thing", psychologytoday.com, March 24, 2010)

Considering the number of times that Catholics have posted claims stating just the opposite - sometimes claiming as much as 10x-100x more abuse in Protestant churches - I have to seriously question whether Catholics would agree with this article.

Related threads:
Sexual Abuses Issues in the Church; Raising the Bar
Sex abuse rife in other religions, says Vatican
5 Arguments Against Priestly Celibacy and How to Refute Them
Letter about Catholics wrong about Protestants [re claim 10% of Protestant clergy are sex abusers]

[Salvation]

The Catholic Church with the help of God has maintained its stand against
abortion
euthanasia
homosexuality
contraception
embryonic stem cell research,
and the list goes on and on.

For how long? 2000 years — and the Gates of Hell have not prevailed against it. (Thanks, God!)

So to answer the question in the title: Is the Catholic Church a Force for Good?

Absolutely yes!

[RnMomof7]

Most Christians glorify God. Catholics, they glorify the church. See the problem?

They think the church is god

[Mrs. Don-o]

All Catholics glorify God. As for the Church, called in Scripture the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ -— we honor the Chuch too, for Christ’s sake.

[RnMomof7]

Catholics glorify God. If you went to a Mass you would know this.

Abbra cadabra ...magic/mysticism on full display ...

[RnMomof7]

For how long? 2000 years — and the Gates of Hell have not prevailed against it. (Thanks, God!)

Gates are defensive not offensive