I am not a poster. I am a crispy critter.

[The Zontron 7000]

I am an internet java script sent to infiltrate your site and transform you from political neanderthals into a modern 21st Century progressive mode.

This is your first warning.

Do not try and resist.

It is useless.

Accept your fate.

You will be assimilated.

[Alice au Wonderland]

I'd not heard of "Trinitytide" before. Of course, we're still Episcopalian and some of the Anglican terminology has been shunted aside. What do you call the "season" between Pentecost and Advent?

[EsmeraldaA]

You see? We are a couple of very wise ladies. ;-))

[Monkey Face]

Yes, we ARE!

[Das Outsider]

There is also "Jewish Guilt" but I don't know the difference. If there is one.

There is something common to both: the feeling that one hasn't done enough, or isn't worthy. Catholic guilt and Jewish guilt only tells you half of the story. OF COURSE we're not worthy, but why stop there? There is so much Law and very little--if any--Gospel in those cases.

The Good News shouldn't be depressing.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Almost nobody in America knows that anymore. It's "The Christmas Season" to them -- that's when you rush out right after Thanksgiving, put up a tree, spend weeks shopping for things, parties with Santa Clauses, the kids opening one present Christmas Eve, gift exchanges Christmas morning (that's the 12th day, you know), bored kids by afternoon, and on the 26th the tree is on the curb awaiting pickup. Christmas is over. (2nd option: tree remains until New Year's Day.)

Christmas is still a big holiday in Ireland - the Christmas tree is still up 'til the Epiphany!

[Tax-chick]

We call it "Ordinary Time" in the Catholic Church, but there used to be a separate season of Pentecost, and some other bits and pieces during the middle of the year.

[Alice au Wonderland]

Not only is there Jewish Guilt, there's Baptist guilt, AnaBaptist Guilt, non-sectarian guilt, 14-karat gilt....

[Tax-chick]

Advent doesn't start until Sunday.

[sionnsar]

Hi, 'Face! Almost caught up to the present...

[Monkey Face]

If I remember my Scriptures, Good News is what it's all about. I like what I find there. It's comforting.

[Alice au Wonderland]

IIRC, for us, Pentecost lasts until Advent.

[Monkey Face]

Boy! You sure talk fast!

[sionnsar]

We have inherited a kitten. His name is Mcxlplx, scourge of mice and depoiler of trolls.

Hi, Alice! "Mixelplix" hmmm...

[Das Outsider]

It's a bit like "liberal guilt" - liberal guilt turns your conscience to mush, Catholic guilt, well, it can have a similiar effect if you are thin-skinned.

Without overstepping my boundaries here, I think a lot of it is in the congregation's perception of the doctrine.

Let me put it to you another way: If Jesus Christ died once and for all, for all men, in all times, to put you in right standing with God the Father, where is the need to dwell in guilt feelings?

If you've ever read a biography of Martin Luther--or perhaps seen the recent movie, "Luther"--it's clear what constant guilt can do to a person. Instead of moving closer to God, they run away; they begin to hate him--perhaps question why they are being condemned.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Not only is there Jewish Guilt, there's Baptist guilt, AnaBaptist Guilt, non-sectarian guilt, 14-karat gilt....

Also Islamic Guilt... America is guilty, Zionists are guilty, Infidels are guilty, women are guilty......

[thoughtomator]

Kitty is a she... she's Thai (Korat cat, purebred, grand champion pedigree). Roan is a nice name but I'm a bit concerned that it might be too close in sound to "No", especially with the Maryland accents 'round these parts. Best thing I've come up with so far is "Suree" which means "good thing" in Thai - I'm not so sure I'm satisfied with that though.

[Alice au Wonderland]

There are no vowels in Mcxlplx.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

I think you are right!

[thoughtomator]

"Catholic guilt" stems from the concept of original sin - you're already a sinner from birth no matter what, so you feel guilty about it since being a sinner is bad.

"Jewish guilt" stems completely from failing to live up to the expectations of one's Jewish mother. The only Jew in history who did live up to the expectations of his mother was Jesus of Nazareth. Every Jewish mother since has wanted the same performance from her children.

[Das Outsider]

If I remember my Scriptures, Good News is what it's all about. I like what I find there. It's comforting.

The Gospel is the answer to the Law. The Law condemns, the Gospel invites those under condemnation to turn away from themselves, sin, and the like, and turn towards God.

A good deal of people are turned off--and apostatize!--as a result of a church body or sect cramming nothing but Law down their throats. Most of these are "Protestant" bodies, by the way, commiting the very same sin that they accuse the Roman Catholic Church of doing, i.e., works based salvation.