I complimented you yesterday,I thought you were saying what I had been trying to say and that was a lot of "OOPS" and "gotchas" on these threads probably were not pleasing to God and were an absolute turn-off to those who might be searching. I had not been following the particular exchange that precipitated your remark and I am sorry. Because now I find you meant Catholics were asking the questions you found bothersome. This was contrary to my opinion.You for all practical purposes were saying,"we believe and don't you dare ask us what we believe because it hurts Gods feelings and we are right so just keep quiet and we will tell you what Jesus said". So I withdraw the compliment.
It seems,from the perspective of a Catholic, that non-Catholics are in unity only in their hostility and animus for the Catholic Church and I am quite sure that was not the great commission.You constantly demand proofs for everything and throw up some passage or another,frequently out of context to prove your point of the moment. But if you took the 191 times that Peter was mentioned,the duties and responsibilities he was charged with as well as the virtual totality of the times he was mentioned first you would recognize that you are missing a very clear message from Jesus. You might even be embarrassed because it is so scripturally clear in words and in space allocation that He established a visible Church and put someone in charge.
Why do you think He came when He did? Don't you think it may have had something to do with the quarrelsome state and the number of sects among and within the group that was once "His Chosen People Israel"? After all He had sent the Spirit to them and all they did was bicker and some used it to take advantage of others. I can't believe He came to exacerbate contention and disunity.God did create us to live with one another.
You know I have seen things written by all non-Catholics at some time or another that gave food for thought and I really appreciate what Havoc says about obedience to God and your sincere effort to get the word of God out and Havard's humor and explanations of many things and Bass808's theology and verbal skills in transmitting it. I have seen many Catholics agree with you all,compliment you and genuinely try to discuss things with you but I have not seen the converse occur with the exception of one person and then only upon rare occasion.
Incidentally the question Soothing Dave was asking is of paramount importance because denial of Jesus Christ's deity or divinity is the first step down the old slippery slope that leads to concluding that man is God. It is well known among certain circles and very dangerous to start down that slope because it becomes irreversible at a certain point,except of course,in the case of Divine Intervention. Keep up the questions Dave,you are living proof that faith and a brain are not mutually exclusive.
Also ... Dave asked the question of Havoc because Havoc said something that made it sound like he didn't believe Jesus was/is God. Dave didn't just throw out the question to stir things up.
Becky