Liberal Christianity is paying for its sins

LA Times ^ | 7/9/06 | Charlotte Allen

[Oshkalaboomboom]

The accelerating fragmentation of the strife-torn Episcopal Church USA, in which several parishes and even a few dioceses are opting out of the church, isn't simply about gay bishops, the blessing of same-sex unions or the election of a woman as presiding bishop. It also is about the meltdown of liberal Christianity.

Embraced by the leadership of all the mainline Protestant denominations, as well as large segments of American Catholicism, liberal Christianity has been hailed by its boosters for 40 years as the future of the Christian church.

Instead, as all but a few die-hards now admit, all the mainline churches and movements within churches that have blurred doctrine and softened moral precepts are demographically declining and, in the case of the Episcopal Church, disintegrating.

It is not entirely coincidental that at about the same time that Episcopalians, at their general convention in Columbus, Ohio, were thumbing their noses at a directive from the worldwide Anglican Communion that they "repent" of confirming the openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire three years ago, the Presbyterian Church USA, at its general assembly in Birmingham, Ala., was turning itself into the laughingstock of the blogosphere by tacitly approving alternative designations for the supposedly sexist Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the suggested names were "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer and Friend." Moved by the spirit of the Presbyterian revisionists, Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest. Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe."

Following the Episcopalian lead, the Presbyterians also voted to give local congregations the freedom to ordain openly cohabiting gay and lesbian ministers and endorsed the legalization of medical marijuana.

[Notwithstanding]

The Catholic Church very emphatically, and publicly, and much to the public outrage of the media and all other liberals, condemns all homosexual acts as evil and the desire to engage in homoseuxal acts as disordered (perverted).

At the same time, and very biblically, the Church condemns the sin but welcomes the repentant sinner. And refuses to interrogate those who come to the Church to worship about whether the person is sinning. Instead the Church offers the sacrament of the Lord's pennance and forgiveness to all who are repentnat and seek it.

Are there wayward pasors who ignore the doctrines? Of course. And?

The Catholic Church is so universally hated by the leftisits and the press precisely because of it moral clarity on sexual and other moral issues.

You are not very knowledgeable on this topic.

[hellbender]

This is not really true. As the article says, membership in the doctrinally rotten denominations is shrinking. However, the Bible-believing Christian denominations which are not corrupted by heresy are growing, in this country and around the world.

[hiho hiho]

ping

[Notwithstanding]

A pro-gay anti-Catholic website has some good information on Catholic doctrine regarding homosex on its website:

http://worldpolicy.org/globalrights/sexorient/catechism.html#depravity

[GBA]

Liberalism today, whether in North American politics, religion or any other philosophy, is the slippery slope. It can't simply stop at reasonable change and be happy, but rather, must continue to change for the sake of change until the end result is completely untenable and nothing like the original starting point. It is a childishly emotional response to facts and common sense traditions.

[Notwithstanding]

Though I cannot excuse the decision making made by fallible men, you have failed to effectively condemn the entire church for the sins of some of its leaders.

People have been trying to do that for centuries, without success.

[PGalt]

Interesting/informative thread. Belated Welcome Aboard! Thanks to all contributors.

[Cyclops08]

"If it were not for the crystal clarity of Catholic doctrine"
I left the Catholic church. Too much of what the RCC taught was NOT Biblical.

There was NO scripture to support Purgatory, or Praying to Dead People. Mary was never sinless, she was just a faithful woman. Mary is NOT a Co-Redemtrix. Nor can she hear anyone who prays to her.

Tradition and culture are promoted as just as valid as Scripture in the RCC. There was a reason that the Protestants broke away from the church-Liberalism controlled the church back then, and holds sway even now.
The RCC is not the font for spiritual truth it claims to be.
I'm glad I left.

[AmericaUnited]

Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe."

Was it St Augustine or Martin Luther that said "A denomination can survive persecution, but it can not survive being laughed at by the entire world."?

Actually, neither one said that.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Moved by the spirit of the Presbyterian revisionists, Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest. Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe."

As a non practicing Catholic, I feel like I've been there, done that. Liturgical dances, inane feel good homilies, and "oh gee, wouldn't want to offend anyone(except people who want to attend a traditional Mass)". I show up for funerals. That's about it.

[sionnsar]

[sionnsar]

Thanks to hiho hiho for the ping.

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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[AmericaUnited]

The pope may be infallible in theory, but the exercise of that infallibility is almost non-existent, and has only been exercised regarding things long accepted as true - since the days of the orignial apostles.

I'm guessing you don't want to talk about how the "first pope" Peter, had to be given a "spanking" for faulty doctrine by the Apostle Paul.

[Dick Vomer]

i left the catholic church b/c they seemed to favor financial benefits (see Kennedy and Kerry and Durbin as still "practicing") over what is right time after time. The local parish refused to partipate in a right to life cross placement when invited

same with me... had an aunt that constantly "needed" money in Central America and begged for help (which we provided), but was sponsored by a church that has gold, real estate and luxuries.... kinda felt like the church was being hypocritical. I've wandered back.

I'm more a reborn Christian, but miss the Catholic church. I go to mass with the family occasionally but have 4 kids that will miss the catechism and sacraments.

The other services just feel "different". However the Presbyterian pastor we had in Florida was conservative and always made me feel that he was addressing me in his sermons.

[308MBR]

It is impossible to be a leftist and a Christian.

I'd like to see some moral absolutes from Catholics regarding illegal immigration, specifically the admission that advocating and abetting law breakers is morallly WRONG. I know most illegals who have come here so far are Catholic while many Americans are abandoning regular attendance and tithing. No doubt, these folks are percieved as a boon to the Church by its leaders.

I have Catholic friends, and THEY don't much like it either. One says he's just waiting for the Chicken Sacrifices to start any Mass.

[chesley]

No offense to the Catholics on this board, or the Pope, for whom I have a lot of respect, but I prefer the protestant method of relying on the Scriptures.

Ignoring the theological justifications for now, it's simply that the Catholic Church, like any other institution, can be infiltrated by the ungodly. There have been in the recent past a number of liberals in high positions, especially say, proponents of "liberation theology".

And in the more distant past there were a number of evil men who held the position of pope.

If the Southern Baptists, my church, ever goes liberal, I can leave it with no twinges of conscience, same as I would the Republicans if they became the left-most party. I would do it now, in fact, if there were a more conservative party with a chance of winning a general election.

[Tucson_AZ]

Thank you for posting that list, it's very interesting.

[wintertime]

The Catholic Church is so universally hated by the leftisits and the press precisely because of it moral clarity on sexual and other moral issues

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am a graduate of Villanova University. It is an Augustinian University.

I am sorry to say but many of my religious and philosophy instructors were mired in Marxist Liberation Theology. They worshiped Marx far more than God.