Theologian: Shared Communion With Protestants Would be Blasphemy and Sacrilege

National Catholic Register ^ | January 2, 2017 | Edward Pentin

[BlessedBeGod]

...If the Church were to change its rules on shared Eucharistic Communion it would “go against Revelation and the Magisterium”, leading Christians to “commit blasphemy and sacrilege,” an Italian theologian has warned.

Drawing on the Church’s teaching based on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, Msgr. Nicola Bux, a former consulter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stressed that non-Catholic Christians must have undertaken baptism and confirmation in the Catholic Church, and repented of grave sin through sacramental confession, in order to be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Msgr. Bux was responding to the Register about concerns that elements of the current pontificate might be sympathetic of a form of “open Communion” proposed by the German Protestant theologian, Jürgen Moltmann.

The concerns have arisen primarily due to the Holy Father’s own comments on Holy Communion and Lutherans, his apparent support for some remarried divorcees to receive Holy Communion, and how others have used his frequently repeated maxim about the Eucharist: that it is “not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”

The debate specifically over intercommunion with Christian denominations follows recent remarks by Cardinal Walter Kasper who, in a Dec. 10 interview with Avvenire, said he hopes Pope Francis’ next declaration will open the way for intercommunion with other denominations “in special cases.”

The German theologian said shared Eucharistic communion is just a matter of time, and that the Pope’s recent participation in the Reformation commemoration in Lund has given “a new thrust” to the “ecumenical process.”

Pope Francis has often expressed his admiration for Cardinal Kasper’s theology whose thinking has significantly influenced…the priorities of this pontificate, particularly on the Eucharist.

For Moltmann, Holy Communion is “the Lord's supper, not something organized by a church or a denomination”...

[metmom]

It’s simple even rc’s can do it...just believe in what the Lord Jesus has already done and who He is and not what the church, mother, or saint didn’t do and you will be saved.

And for good, too.

Eternal security in the hands of a loving God. Not living on the edge with a God who is just waiting for you to slip up and zap you to hell.

Security of the believer

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:37-39 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:4-8 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Hebrews 6:17-20 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Jude v24"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy"

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3156607/posts?page=313#313

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

For which the Greek, from the Byzantine, is:

2Corinthians 1:21-22 ο δε βεβαιων ημας συν υμιν εις χριστον και χρισας ημας θεος ο και σφραγισαμενος ημας και δους τον αρραβωνα του πνευματος εν ταις καρδιαις ημων

The first word in bold above is “bebaion,” the idea of confirmation, frequently used in commercial settings to confirm a bargain. Which of course makes sense of the remaining terms used here, which are also elements of a secured contract.

The second word in bold above is “sphragisamenos,” being sealed is to be marked by the signature, signet ring, or other unique proof of identity, that we belong to God, and this sealing is done by God, who is the one taking action in this verse. We do not and cannot seal ourselves. We do not, by our own powers, have access to God’s “signet ring.”

The third bolded word above is “arrabona,” and indicates what we might loosely refer to as earnest money, but in Hebrew culture conveys more the idea of a pledge of covenant, a security given as a guarantee that the deal will go through, though we only receive part payment at the beginning. See ערב for the related Hebrew stem indicating “pledge.”

[Elsie]

Without singling anyone out, consider this as if it pertains to any brother (or sister), even if you do not (yet) believe or understand it in that way :

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Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS. Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.

Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED. 

Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.

Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.

(Leo XIII: Adiutricem populi, September 5, 1895) — [p. 19, no. 44]

Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.

Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.

She says, "He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.   "Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino."

Listen," exclaims St. Bonaventure on these words, "listen, all you who desire the kingdom of God: honor the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and you will find life and eternal salvation."  "Audite qui ingredi cupitis regnum Dei: Virginem Mariam honorate, et invenietis vitam et salutem perpetuam."-psalt. B.V.ps.48.

 

Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven. Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.

Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.

 

“The Catholic Church has always and with justice put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God.”

(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Supreme Apostolatus, September 1, 1883.) — [p. 32, no. 104]

“... Yet our manner of praying to the Blessed Virgin has something in common with our worship of God so that the Church even addressed to her the words with which we pray to God: ‘Have mercy on sinners.’”

(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Augustissimae, September 12, 1897.) [p. 68; no. 302]

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"Only She Can Help You"
by Father Nicholas Gruner, S.T.L., S.T.D. (Cand.)
In this letter introducing The Fatima Crusader Issue 38, Father Gruner discusses the growing lies and deception about Russia's errors and the consecration of that nation. He also reminds us that, while it is urgent that we be informed about and fight for Our Lady's cause, we must ask for Her help and intercession.

In the Fatima sanctuary, at the exact spot where Our Lady appeared, Father Gruner pays homage to Her while touching the original statue of Fatima. Father Gruner was recently graced with this rare opportunity since normally this sacred image is always protected by a glass covering which completely surrounds it all day long.

Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
In this article taken from The Glories of Mary, Saint Alphonsus explains that there are countless souls in Heaven who are there now only because Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them there. If a soul persists in true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, She will certainly lead that soul to Heaven.

 

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The Rosary
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is greatly important that Our Lady insisted on the Rosary. When at Fatima She spoke of the salvation of sinners, of the ruin of souls in hell, of wars and peace, and of the future of our age. Our Lady indicated and recommended the Rosary as the prayer that saves, that brings peace, that preserves the faith.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is truly a treasure to have a strong devotion to Our Lady, for it is She who unites us to Jesus and brings us to Heaven, as this article explains.

Mary, Our Life, Our Sweetness, Our Hope
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
St. Alphonsus de Liguori explains how Mary is our life, how She is our sweetness, and how She is our hope.

The historical record of the worship of Mary accumulated by St. Alphonsus de Liguori who wrote “The Glories of Mary” in the year 1745, which has been since translated into English and printed again and again and again with the full affirmation and imprimatur of the official Roman Catholic Church.  In this book there is the sum of all the glories of Mary which has been vouchsafe to the Roman Catholic Church and the Church itself calls upon all its constituents to give Mary that honor she is due.  She is identified as Mary, our Queen; Mary, our mother; Mary, our life; Mary, our sweetness; Mary, our hope; Mary, our help; Mary, our Mediatress; Mary, our advocate; Mary, our guardian; and Mary, our salvation.  It is said that Mary delivers us from hell, Mary delivers us from purgatory, and Mary leads us to heaven.  And it should be said that de Liguori, who collected all the Marion dogma and devotion, was himself one of the most celebrated and revered authorities in the Roman Catholic Church.  De Liguori was himself a cardinal in life, and a saint in death.

 

Jesus said "Without Me you can do nothing". In this crisis which looms ahead of us, Our Lady has told us that we need Her help, Her intercession. We must ask for Her help with the Rosary and the Scapular.

At Fatima, Our Lady told us very plainly that "Only I can help you". Today more than ever is this so true.

Pray the Rosary and sacrifice yourself for Our Lady.

I urge you to also make some sacrifices as Our Lady of Fatima asked us. For those who are able, do some fasting. If you can, abstain from meat by eating meat only during one meal a day. Try to do this for two days, even ten days or 30 days. Of course we should abstain totally from meat every Friday.

 

 Jesus and Mary — Our Hope

It is so urgent that we reach as many souls as possible before it is too late. Let us be of good cheer and remember the words of Jesus to each of us, "It's never too late to have recourse to Jesus and Mary." That is why it is so important to reach the many millions of souls who do not know this, and who do not know the grave dangers lying in wait for their souls.

No, we must never lose hope. Mary is our hope. She can obtain for us what we cannot by ourselves. Read what St. Alphonsus has to say regarding confidence in Our Lady's intercession in "Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven". Father Manelli also reminds us of the importance of devotion to Our Lady. (See "Hail Mary, Full of Grace"). Our Blessed Mother tells us to turn to Her in confidence. She tells us repeatedly to ask Her intercession through the frequent fervent praying of the Rosary. (See "The Rosary"). She tells us we must pray the Rosary every day. She wants us to pray it many times a day.

 

http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg2.asp

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"Blessed is he whose interior offers the Blessed Virgin Mary a place of repose." Devotion towards the Blessed Virgin remains in all who are the inheritance of Our Lord; that is to say, in all who will praise Him eternally in Heaven.

O, how many blessed souls are now in Heaven who would never have been there had not Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them thither. I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth. Cardinal Hugo, in his commentary on the above text of Ecclesiasticus, says in the name of Mary, "I have caused as many saints in Heaven through Her intercession, who would never have been there but through Her ."

...in the words of St. Ambrose, "Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since Thou hast its keys." "Aperi nobis, O Virgo coelum, cujus claves habes." Nay more, the Church says, that "Thou art its gate." 

St. Antoninus tells us "that this divine Mother has already, by Her assistance and prayers, obtained Heaven for us, provided we put no obstacle in the way."23 Hence, says Abbot Guerric, "he who serves Mary, and for whom She intercedes, is as certain of Heaven as if he was already there."24 St. John Damascene also says, "that to serve Mary and be Her courtier is the greatest honor we can possibly possess; for to serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign there, and live under Her commands is more than to govern."25 On the other hand, he adds, "that those who do not serve Mary will not be saved; for those who are deprived of the help of this great Mother are also deprived of that of Her Son and of the whole court of heaven."26

 23.  "Coeleste nobis regnum, suo interventu auxiliis, et precibus, impetravit."—Paciucch. Sup. Salve Reg. exc. I.
 24. "Qui Virgini famulatur, ita securus est de paradiso, ac si esset in paradiso."
 25. "Summus honor, servire Mariæ, et de ejus esse familia; etenim ei servire, regnare est; et ejus agi frænis, summa libertas."
 26. "Gens quæ non servierit illi, peribit; gentes destitutæ tantæ Matris auxilio, destituuntur auxilio Filii et totius curi’‘ coelestis."— De Laud. B. M. I. 4.

Cardinal Hugo http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg3.asp 

[Mark17]

Eternal security in the hands of a loving God. Not living on the edge with a God who is just waiting for you to slip up and zap you to hell.

That's exactly how I felt when I was a Catholic. I, and maybe you too, was never self satisfied. I was ALWAYS afraid God was going to zap me.
If I had kicked the bucket at that time, God certainly WOULD have zapped me, not because of sin, but for refusing to accept His provision for sin. My opinion is, unbelief is the only sin God made no provision for.
Of course, we must define every term we use. "Faith" and "belief" mean something entirely different to you and I, than the terms mean to others, who will remain unnamed. 😀😆

[boatbums]

Amen! Exceeding great and precious promises. PTL!

[BlueDragon]

Guy comes into a building, into a room that has long tables with people seated there, prior to a meeting taking place.

After some small discomfort, looking around wondering what to do, somebody notices our Guy looking around, smiles, and motions towards Guy to take a seat, cheerfully saying "make yourself comfortable" then nods, and smiles again friendly-like when Guy sits down.

After a while, and during early, opening portions of "the meeting" our Guy is asked by somebody --

" what's your name?

"Demented",

our Guy says.

Room responds;

"Hi, Demented! Welcome!"

[Elsie]

My opinion is, unbelief is the only sin God made no provision for.

Why an 'opinion'?

There are PLENTY of verses; printed in this very thread; that show the TRUTH of the matter.

[Elsie]

https://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/the-how-demented-are-you-test

[Repent and Believe]

“... Yet they also know that Christ has established certain conditions for entry into eternal happiness in Heaven – for example, receiving His true Flesh and Blood (John 6:54) and keeping the commandments (Matt. 19:17).

YES!

Yes He did:

John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Elsie, you are deceived or a liar if you say you believe yet do not OBEY Jesus. “The devils believe and tremble.” says St. James in chapter 2:19

ST. JAMES - Chapter 2

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 *Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works, offering up Isaac, his son, upon the altar?

22 Seest thou that faith did co-operate with his works: and by works faith was made perfect?

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled, saying: *Abraham believed God, and it was reputed to him to justice, and he was called the friend of God.

24 Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?

You’ve bought the prosperity gospel, where all you’ve got to do is believe in the Son of God, but in you heart are you really believing in Him, or are you relieved that you don’t have to LISTEN to all his words of everlasting life and FOLLOW them, each and every one?

How are you dealing with not receiving His true flesh and blood, for example?

[Repent and Believe]

From CATHOLIC bible, St. John Chapter 6: 53

The Jews, therefore, disputed among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

You nailed it, Elsie.

Today you could write that verse:

The Protestants, therefore, agreed among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

[Repent and Believe]

“...Not living on the edge with a God who is just waiting for you to slip up and zap you to hell...”

You have mis-characterized the catholic church here metmom.

Where has the church ever made God to appear as such?

It is the straw man that your preachers build in their sermons and writings then teach you to destroy thinking you are triumphing over “that evil sect” that they freed you from, no?

[Elsie]

Elsie, you are deceived or a liar if you say you believe yet do not OBEY Jesus.

These my only two choices?

[Elsie]

You’ve bought the prosperity gospel, where all you’ve got to do is believe in the Son of God...

I find it is more like BIBLICAL gospel, which is quite unlike the Roman gospel; which leaves one in a state of INSECURITY; needing always to suck at the Romish teat for sustenance.

[Elsie]

Today you could write that verse:

The Protestants, therefore, agreed among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

For centuries; the Roman church has taught:

Only we Catholics (therefore agreeing among themselves) and our religious organization has exclusive rights to distribute what we call his flesh to eat.

[Repent and Believe]

“Would you care to actually answer the question?

Are women who do not cover their heads real, true Catholics?

Yes, or no?”

Just as soon as you answer this question “Yes” or “no”:

Are women who use birth control real, true Christians?

[metmom]

He didn't give them flesh to eat because it would have violated the Law and would have made Jesus a Law breaker instead of a Law fulfiller.

Jesus said this....

Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

If Jesus had violated the Law or demanded others to, then He could not have been the atoning sacrifice for our sins, the SPOTLESS lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

The only way His atonement worked and He could defeat sin and death is to not have any sin Himself and then to die. Then death could not hold Him and He therefore was capable of paying the penalty for our sin, which is death.

But if He had sinned, as Catholics claim by insisting that He violated the very Law He handed down at Mt Sinai, then He would have also been a law breaker, a sinner, and not been able to pay the penalty for our sin.

[metmom]

You have mis-characterized the catholic church here metmom.

Not in the least. There are many Catholics on this very forum who also grew up with that perception of God from being raised Catholic and one of them has already chimed in. That is the God that was presented to me throughout all my life as a Catholic.

Where has the church ever made God to appear as such?

Because you must be sinless to receive communion so between confession on Saturday and communion on Sunday, you'd better not sin.

From the teaching that if you die with what the Catholic church teaches is a mortal sin on your soul, you go to hell, directly to hell.

And then there's purgatory for the rest of us and that is where everyone I know expected to have in indefinite stay of suffering to finish paying off their sins while waiting to get into heaven and hoping in the meantime that enough people would remember them that would pay for masses to be said to shorten the time.

Catholicism presents a God who is intolerant, wrathful, vengeful, impatient, quick to judge, unmerciful, and stingy with His grace. Hierarchy who claim to be able to retain sin and threaten you with no forgiveness if you don't do penance.

You toe the line or you are so screwed.

NOTHING anyone can do can please God.

The God of Catholicism is NOT a God of mercy or grace but rather one of intolerant, unmerciful judgment.

Let me ask you this. Do you expect to go to heaven when you die? Right away.

It is the straw man that your preachers build in their sermons and writings then teach you to destroy thinking you are triumphing over “that evil sect” that they freed you from, no?

NO! This is NOT a strawman any non-Catholic preacher has taught me. THEY did not set me free from*that evil sect* (your words, not mine). You are stating as fact something that is not true and that you can not have any knowledge of to state as if it were true. It is a false accusation and you are hereby being put on notice as such. Now you are responsible to not repeat it.

No Protestant preacher had anything to do with my salvation and coming to Christ. That was the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, convicting me of my sin (which wasn't hard), and bringing me to a place where I accepted Christ into my heart, asking Him for forgive me and come into my life.

He drew me to Himself, on His own, without help from organized religion. He showed me my need for Him and I responded bu committing my life to Him.

And I was born again and my spiritual eyes were opened.

When I first got saved, I actually went back to the Catholic church as that was where I grew up but as I attended and read Scripture on my own under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I saw more and more discrepancies between Catholic teaching and life style, and Scripture.

After a few months of attending there, I tried an Evangelical church. Went between the two for a few weeks and chose to walk away from the false teachings of Catholicism and never looked back and with no regret.

No non-Catholic preacher I have ever heard in my almost 40 years of being a born again Christian has EVER addressed Catholicism and its teachings or perception of God as Catholics love to claim.

It's just another accusation and unverifiable fact thrown out as truth by Catholics who are looking for someone to blame besides their own church.

If you are sure that's being taught by *Protestant* preachers, then provide the links to said sermons and teachings.

[metmom]

That’s the way it is with Catholicism.

Their way or the highway.

[metmom]

You’ve bought the prosperity gospel, where all you’ve got to do is believe in the Son of God, but in you heart are you really believing in Him, or are you relieved that you don’t have to LISTEN to all his words of everlasting life and FOLLOW them, each and every one?

It's clear that you don't understand what the prosperity gospel is all about.

Learn what it is before spouting off again and making a bigger fool of yourself.

[metmom]

Cop out duly noted.

No.

I asked first and more than once.

If you cannot answer without conditions, then the answer is clear to everyone.

[Mark17]

That’s the way it is with Catholicism.

Their way or the highway.

I choose the highway. When I was. Catholic, I couldn't stop committing mortal sins.
My dad got suspicious when he saw I wasn't going to communion. I didn't want to go to communion with a mortal sin on my soul, thereby committing a mortal sin of sacrilege. I committed mortal sins all the time, but I wanted to stay away from the big M.
No one in the Catholic Church ever told me that God would zap me. It was a conclusion I came to all by myself. I figured if God would send me to hell for committing a mortal sin, ergo, that was like zapping me. If others come to a different conclusion, that's on them.
After I got saved by grace, through faith alone, I went to mass 3 more times, before I just gave it up forever, never to return. The Tiber River can flow for a trillion years, and there is no danger I will EVER enter it.
I gave someone specific instructions, that if it ever appeared that I was about to swim the Tiber, to beat me severely about the head and shoulders, just to get my attention. 😀