Posted on 06/15/2004 2:12:56 PM PDT by Fifthmark
Define "religion" for me, as I'm unsure of how you're employing the term.
A commitment or devotion to a particular religious faith or observance.
For Our Lord said, "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me" (St. Luke x.16). He sent His Apostles into the world to "teach all nations" so that His Revelation might be made known and so all people could worship God "in spirit and in truth." The Apostles carried the Doctrine of Christ through the Catholic Church, to be retained "even to the consummation of the world" and passed down through their successors, the bishops, which the Holy Ghost has placed "to rule the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own Blood." To be subject to the Church is to be subject to God.
Divine faith is assent to a truth based on God's Revelation. Do you feel it is important to assent to all of God's Revelation?
I don't believe anyone knows what God's Revelation is.
So basically you claim the same authority claimed by the mullahs in Iran.
Islam is a false religion, so you are incorrect.
Well, even for those who haven't been given the grace to believe, the Catholic Church is convincing in its assertions that it is the sole possessor of God's Revelation. It would be infinitely worthwhile for you to inspect its claims, if only to try and prove them wrong.
It is not convincing to many. I have no desire to prove anyone wrong.
You can make any claim you wish about the truth or falsity of religions, but if you or your church seek to impose your beliefs with the aid of government, you will be resisted with the same intensity and the same degree of contempt that militant Islam deserves.
I would hope you have the conviction to prove yourself right in your beliefs, then. God bless.
I'm not sure there is any movement to "impose" the beliefs of the Catholic Church "with the aid of government," but there should be a movement to establish Christ as King over all nations, although through persuasion, not coercion. The idea seems laughable to those steeped in ignorance and disbelief, but we Christians have hope in Our Lord and know that in the end, He will triumph.
As an aside, I find the phrase "militant Islam" to be rather humorous, as if Islam's roots weren't entirely militaristic. All of Islam, if it is true to the Quran, is militant and seeks the conversion or destruction of infidels. Perhaps the "good" of liberalism, if I can say such a thing, is that as far as it has made inroads to Islam, it has mitigated this desire.
I have admitted in many threads before, and I will say it again...my beliefs in God cannot be proven, as I don't believe anyones' can....that is why they are beliefs, and not facts.
If I posted that kind of story about Catholics (and I have) I would be banned from this site (and I was).
As a Landmark Baptist, you have insulted my doctrinal ancestry, and I am plenty offended. It's easy for the victor to characterize all their murdered enemies as purveyors of "debauchery, contraception, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, brutal capitalism, an intense materialism and salvation for all"; they were also accused of having sex with tomcats. The Inquisition and it's pervert defenders are disgusting.
And wasn't it Peter of Verona or his delegate that gave us that famous expression, "Kill'em all and let God sort'em out?" Yes, I think it was...to justify a pogrom on innocent (read: civilian) men, women and CHILDREN. Sound familiar? Any relevance to recent events? Hmm?
The Church is no more corrupt post-Vatican II than it ever was. It's institutional heirarchical design was inevitably prone to corruption, abuse, and power lust. Ya reap what ya sow.
I am furious beyond description. Shame on anyone that would defile the conscience of sinner or saint, to coerce to convert, or kill for refusing. Shame.
From the land of the Last Great Catholic Police Action, THE ALAMO.
Facts represent objective realities. God's existence is an objective reality, which we both agree upon. His Revelation, while also an objective reality, must be sought amongst the many false and deceiving religions that exist in the world today. But I assure you that through pursuit and prayer, that Revelation can be found...and believed in.
...who embraced a whole host of errors that were destructive both to Christianity and society.
The material world being intrinsically bad, Cathar ethics condemned all contact with matter. Marriage and procreation were forbidden because one must not collaborate in the work of Satan, who sought to imprison souls in their bodies. Since death constituted a liberation, suicide was encouraged. They applied the "endura," that is the withdrawal of nourishment, from the sick and even sometimes from infants, to accelerate the return of the soul to heaven. The Cathari refused to take oaths under the pretext that God should not be mixed into temporal affairs, and they condemned all forms of wealth.
Would you like to deny that they taught this, or are you trying to defend the indefensible?
As a Landmark Baptist...
...I question your "doctrinal ancestry," as your sect is not even a hundred years old, having split from the Southern Baptists in the late 19th or early 20th century. Christ established a Church 2,000 years ago - and I should consider anathema even an angel from heaven who preaches that which deviates from the Doctrine of Christ given to the Apostles.
And wasn't it Peter of Verona or his delegate that gave us that famous expression, "Kill'em all and let God sort'em out?"
Care to provide evidence for your assertion, or are you content with regurgitating lies?
It's institutional heirarchical design was inevitably prone to corruption, abuse, and power lust.
If Christ didn't build a Church - in contradiction to Scripture - please explain how Christianity operated in the first four centuries and provide historical evidence to back your claims.
I am furious beyond description.
Perhaps you should pray to the Holy Ghost for His fruit of peace.
It doesn't. Please do not confuse the present with history.
I have followed this thread with great interest. Thank you for posting this. If you have a ping list please add me too. I rarely post, but read every day. I usually only respond on a few themes and anti-Catholic rants are one of them.
First, please explain objective reality, and why God's existence and His Revelation represent facts? Second, why must His Revelation be sought?
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