Replies

Thank you for your reply and for your clarifications. I think they cleared up some misunderstandings, especially on original texts vs. what we have today. I'm sorry I didn't realize that you were no longer active on the thread when I originally posted. I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances to continue on other threads. :)

FK, I wll always answer your posts. I have simply withdrawn from those posters who have chosen a confrontational style, resorting to bashing.

I respect other people's opinions, whether I agree with them or not. I do not respect anyone who says "burn those books" or "Catholic Bible smells funny." I am sure you know what I mean.

Now if someone says that in their opinion our sacraments are 'empty rituals' and is willing to elaborate and have a civil discussion on it, fine. No offense taken.

You will notice that I have posted to others since then, because they are respectful and civil.

what you believe today is exactly what you have always and everywhere believed.
= = =

Pondering . . . I wonder . . .

Given that humans are ESSENTIALLY the same. Eternal truths are eternal truths . . . particularly about human nature, human inclinations, habits, behaviors . . . rebellions, idolatries . . . relating or not to God Almighty etc.

Yet . . . is it possible to believe precisely what was always believed.

ESSENTIALLY, I think it is, but precisely, I think is beyond us.

1. Culture and cultural reality changes. The meanings of words change because the reality has changed.

For example, in industrialized countries, WORK does not mean what it meant 2,000 years ago, for most people. Certainly not for computer programmers or day traders etc.

TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL does not mean what it meant. KNOWLEDGE does not mean what it meant. AUTHORITY does not mean what it meant.

2. There's whole robust layers of gestalt around each concept, word, reality--all those layers are at least SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT than they were 50 years ago, 250, 500, 2000 years ago.

So, automatically, our beliefs written, experienced and understood in those words--our beliefs are inherently SOMEWHAT different. I doubt in any essential sense--but in complexion, flavor, 'clothing,' . . . and it does effect behavior to some degree.

But I think AT THE HEART LEVEL, THE ESSENTIALS ARE STILL THE ESSENTIALS.

3. I think that's one reason Christ's (A) LOVE GOD WHOLLY; (B) NEIGHBOR AS SELF; (C) DO UNTO OTHERS . . . all from the heart . . . ARE the ESSENTIAL GOSPEL, THE ESSENTIAL DOCTRINES.

4. There's no weaseling about those from the heart. One either does or does not or does to whatever degree. God knows it and somewhere inside, the honest person knows it.

5. All the other accoutraments and details that all the historical squabbles are interminably about will likely, essentially have been for naught. God will still be checking to see

IN EACH INDIVIDUAL'S MOMENT BY MOMENT CASE . . . DID THEY DEMONSTRATE WHOLLY LOVING ME; LOVING OTHERS AS SELF; DOING UNTO OTHERS; DID THEY FORGIVE AS THEY SOUGHT TO BE FORGIVEN; DID THEY DO AS THEY SAID.

I'm skeptical that ANYthing else will matter significantly.

The denominational 'water fights' (since I can't put it more accurately in the religion forum LOL) will turn out to be either black marks because of the motives of the hearts involved . . . or just such utter chaff as to be totally inconsequential.

imho.