Pope says Christians should embrace persecution as source of blessing

Catholic News Service ^ | January 10, 2007 | Cindy Wooden

[Cap'n Crunch]

hahahaha... yeah, it is a good exercise in restraint. Helps me out in my job at the police dept. too. The other day I arrested a guy on an outstanding warrant. He's in the back of my car telling me he hopes I die of cancer.

I think the same of him as I do these people who feel the need to make such comments. Sad. Then grateful that it bothers me less and less, that I can manage to pray for them and endure this little slight and offer it to Jesus in memory of what He said, and suffered.

[Aggie Mama]

Let's see...I think standing up to 1 billion Muslims might be a start...Why don't you get back to us the next time you do that, okay?

[Enterprise]

That is kind of along the lines I am thinking here. A lot of Christians have died lately fighting militant Islam and many many Christians have openly supported Israel in their fight against a very wicked ruthless vile religion. I favor killing the persecutors by the millions so they won't be able to persecute anyone anymore. But then, I'm not the Pope.

[Enterprise]

My, how tolerant. Don't pray for him, call him names.

[Enterprise]

[Enterprise]

God gave us free will. My will is not to embrace suffering. I would rather fight it when I can. I am thankful that our forefathers didn't embrace suffering from the King of England.

[cheme]

"Enterprise" & "MaxMax" are just playing their part!

[Ronaldus Magnus]

My, how tolerant. Don't pray for him, call him names.

His words reveal his bigotry. At your suggestion, I will pray for him and that he overcomes this sin.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

[Embracing suffering is a Christian thing] For clergy yes. But I live in the real world where most don't take crap from anybody.

You offer further support of my hypothesis that you don't understand Christianity.

Even from people like you.

Then I shall gracefully embrace the persecution offered by your overt bigotry!

LOL, I'm a bigot

Yes, sadly the statements you have made here against the Pope reveal a deep seated bigotry.

[Religion Moderator]

Discuss the issues all you want, but do NOT make it personal!

[Enterprise]

And just what part is that?

[cheme]

I thought it was clear?

[Enterprise]

You are not clear.

[livius]

Enterprise, I think you are not attacking Catholics but have misunderstood some things about the Catholic attitude.

We are all called to resist evil, which is one of the reason the great majority of our police forces are Catholic, and there is a disproportionately heavy dose of Catholics in the military too. A government or a ruler is resonsible for protecting his people, and this does mean using force.

The Pope was talking about situations in which individuals are powerless to defeat by force those who hate us. In that case, we cannot bow down (the way the hostage reporters who "converted" to Islam did), but simply have to accept whatever suffering comes to us for holding to our principles and our faith.

[MaxMax]

Statements? You spelled that wrong. It should read statement.

Btw, I'm nondenominational. And the pope has been the blunt of
many jokes and comments. Do you not allow that in your utopia of debate?
(the obvious) He is not a god.

I find it curious that you've taken a personal interest in
my outlook. Thank you for caring.

[Enterprise]

Now THAT is a reasonable view! (And explanation)