Posted on 05/07/2010 7:09:29 PM PDT by NoLibZone
The FRoman Catholics devotion to their church, their pope, and Mary is admirable if anything.
If they devoted to God the time they devote to Mary, were as committed to the teachings of Jesus as they are committed to the teachings of their church, and prayed as Jesus taught us to, they’d light the world on fire.
Instead we see the RCC advocating for *social justice*, communism, and a one world religion, that is now starting to include the muslims.
There is not a predominantly Catholic nation which is not impoverished. A cursory look at Central and South America and the Philippines demonstrates that.
Looking at history and seeing the industrial revolution and the standard of living and growth in education and human rights in Northern Europe, predominantly Protestant countries, demonstrates that as well.
During WWII it was socialist Italy which sided with Germany, while the Dutch, at great expense to themselves, rescued hundreds, if not thousands of Jews through the Underground.
Countries under heavy Catholic influence do not fare well.
QUITE SO. QUITE SO. SADLY.
FOR SURE.
What's being offered up by many "conservatives" is nothing more than a false choice of accepting a Romanist tyranny or, I'm sorry to say, an Evangelical tyranny. or some combination thereof, over against a secular humanist tyranny.
I could relate some recent personal ancedotes as evidence but I won't bore ya'll. Suffice it to say that I've come to the conclusion that most Americans today hate liberty irregardless of party affiliation. This country has lost it's Jeffersonian ethics. Our country has lost any notion of grace and it's merely a war between competing notions of governmental servitude. Too many so-called conservatives have bought into the notion that governmental actions can create the kingdom of God. Utter foolishness!
We've become a mean spirited society that covets coveteousness. If a neighbor is enjoying a liberty he is despised. We've trampled under the spirit of the moral law.
Sadly, for most of us I assume, our children have not had the opportunity to live in a society that operates under the principle of grace.
So they think. But look at Spain. Once the Marxists take over, the Church will get the boot. Liberals are dumb.
Got any sources to back that up? I'm well familiar with the evangelical movement and don't know anyone who believes that nor do I know any denominations who advocate that.
Everyone I've ever met recognizes that the kingdom of God is NOT the responsibility of the government to establish nor is it OUR responsibility to help establish it through the government.
I'm going to differ with you on this. I don't see anything admirable in being devoted to heresy. I admire those that once they realize the depth of their church's error, recognizing that they can't change it, leave and join a Christian assembly. I've seen some of this first hand. It is hard for Christians when they are put down by family members and or shunned because they left the "true church" and committed their lives to Jesus Christ.
These are the Christians I admire. They don't just talk their faith they walk by faith.
If they devoted to God the time they devote to Mary, were as committed to the teachings of Jesus as they are committed to the teachings of their church, and prayed as Jesus taught us to, they’d light the world on fire.
I've never met anyone from this church "on fire for Jesus".
I've been to services at RC churches and found them lifeless and ritualistic. I've known RC's all my life and have yet to meet one that regularly reads their Bible, or eagerly enjoys a good theological discussion (other than the priests at my son's school). I've never met a RC who given the opportunity to witness to a nonbeliever who had any idea of what The Gospel is, or what to do.
We hear a lot about works in any discussions with them, but the most important works I know of involve spreading the Word.
The first time my wife came to church with me she was stunned. People brought their Bibles and followed along with the Pastor during the message. After the services were over all the "blue-haired" ladies talked to her asking her where she "fellowships" and at least half asked if she "knew" the LORD when she was confused with the question about fellowship. When I went with my wife to her church I got more than a few looks walking in with a Bible. I was the only one with a Bible.
Well said.
Isn't it strange how otherwise intellegent people can be so stupid.
I remember my first time in a Protestant Church. It was like night and day.
I alternated between the two for a couple months and finally made the decision to leave the Catholic Church.
I never looked back
Pelosi Urges Catholic Church to Play ‘Major Role’ in amnesty push
This book may be a good place to start.
I've never been certain as to what Glodly evangelicals like Horton have against CR. Many see it as a conservative movement (many were part of Reagan's kitchen cabinet,) but that shouldn't ruffle Horton's feathers. Most reformed Christians are conservative.
My short opinion is that the U.S. is not a Christian nation but that Christian ethics can and should influence the culture as a whole without conflating the two.
Hmmm. That's interesting.
The question then becomes would it be beneficial for the U.S. to become "a Christian nation?" Is that a worthwhile goal to work towards?
I would think the term would need to be defined rather precisely. Romanists would like a "Christian nation" but I have no desire to live under their definition of the term.
Because the unregenerate will always be with us this side of Glory and no amount of coercion will force them to convert, only God converts people, the best we can hope for is a principled reading of the 2nd table of the Law which I believe would promote the greatest happiness. Our collective Christian conduct does influence society and when we veer off into weirdness it influences society negatively.
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