[Aliska]

Like others, it's scandalous, a whole series of scandals of this sort. But making a ruckus about it probably comes across to the other side and church powers that be as being self-righteous and just plain nasty.

So I will sit on the sidelines and silently grieve and try to find to find the grace to pray for mercy for us all.

I guess God is allowing this to happen, but we are told that He is not mocked. Jesus had the authority to get ugly with the moneychangers (rightfully so), but that authority has not been delegated to we ordinary people just trying to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling".

With few notable exceptions, it has always been thus. Church leaders are blinded and intimidated by the moneyed and powerful and bend the rules for them. Not for Henry VIII though. All England was lost to the church, and many suffered the aftermath of that. Now the pendulum is starting to swing the other way after the passing of many generations.

[presently no screen name]

but that authority has not been delegated to we ordinary people just trying to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling".

Christians DO have the authority! Luke 10:19 - "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Psalm 91:13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

God has given us authority! God has given us grace and mercy at THE CROSS. You say we don't have authority and you will pray for mercy. Why are you saying we don't have something that God all ready said we do have it?