[bagster]

You're more likely to see courage in excommunicated priests like Jeremy Leatherby and unpaid Pentecostals.

If its anything like what I've seen in my life, those ex-communicated Priests got that way for bucking the system. They were most likely right, and the system was likely wrong.

And they were most likely practicing their religion as it was intended to be practiced.

Power and trappings can corrupt, especially for those who seek power. They are the most vulnerable, even if they didn't come into it with already corrupted souls.

I don't know the significance of Pentacostals.

I think the true power of religion is in the religion itself, and not the trappings. The closer you get to the trappings, the further you get from the religion.

This is just my opinion.

(am I using the term 'trappings' correctly?)

[eldoradude]

Pentecostals are born again and seem to have a lot of the fire and enthusiasm of the early church - to greatly simplify.

Your view of the trappings is close - the pride some have in their education and training puts a wall up. The rituals or 'ordinances' can be a vehicle to visit the spirit as long as they are not the focus.

Early Christians literally risked their lives to preach the gospel so it is indeed disappointing that so many 'men and women of the cloth' consider their so-called safety more important than the Word.

Overly simplified but I think you get the point otherwise we could go on for days.

[smileyface]

Wasn’t the pope supposed to have a terrible May? Do we think that really happened yet?

I think not. Not sure about the hive at large. The diocese were are in has the masking required ON THE PROPERTY. As I was hanging out in the vestibule all by myself (so as not to have to wear a mask in the sanctuary), I was asked by the masked priest if I needed a mask. “No.” Or I could sit in the non-masked designated area with the other lepers —I mean unmasked worshipers. “No thanks.” Then the mass begins, and he makes the statement from the pulpit “ON THE PROPERTY” masks are required. Well duh. I left and sat in my vehicle and waited for my masked family there.

Inside the pews are roped off to maintain distancing. When taking communion, you must wear the mask up the aisle, briefly demask, then remask, immediately. Gag. The whole family has stopped attending Mass in the church.

I had expected some priests to stand up to this madness. No. Cowed completely.

[Bigg Red]

::...those ex-communicated Priests got that way for bucking the system. They were most likely right, and the system was likely wrong.

And they were most likely practicing their religion as it was intended to be practiced.::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Uh, no.

[little jeremiah]

Hypocrites are often “wrapped in the flag of religion”.

That makes them the worst of the worst. Posing as holy is infinitely worse than being a regular ol’ sinner.

[ichabod1]

Power may corrupt but absolute power always corrupts, absolutely.