So let's just let it drift off into obscurity and actually support each other in the worship of the One, True God."
Everytime I see one of these threads I just shake my head. My best friend is an evangelical christian, we both rejoice in beliefs that we have in common, and leave alone the beliefs we dont' share. I don't understand why christians are so hateful...........to other christians.
People, take a breath. We are all on the same side!
Take a look at post number 3 in this thread. Note that it summons a host of Protestant polemicists while pre-emptively saying, "Let the rationalizations begin." Before it is made, the Cahtolic response is characterized as deficient. What looks like an article about a grievous trend is revealed by post number three to be, at least, bait. Is the trapper on the same side as his prey?
Then by the time we get to the posts in the 80s not only have we had an injured innocence act, but Catholics are being criticized for not taking the bait, despite the fact that their future responses were already discounted as rationalizations and thus discouraged.
In other words, an article was put up as a provocation. Evidently the response was insufficient and post #3 was a further provocation. The response was still not enough, the bait not swallowed, the hook not set, so then it is suggested that not taking the bait is a kind of flaw.
On the whole, it's not an auspicious beginning for a thoughtful enquiry into the meaning of the sinfulness of the clergy. It's a great beginning for a bar fight, though.
Thou art [not thou personally, thou understandest?] like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his sword upon the table and says "God send me no need of thee!" and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.