Sandy, I checked the link and this little braintwist hit me:
“For sacrifice and deprivation are paths that lead nowhere, choices for defeat, and aims that will remain impossible.”
Really contrary to our thought. As Catholics, we view personal sacrifice and deprivation in many ways; for penance, fasting for spiritual clarity and for prayer, for souls, and for our own requests of our Lord. That sacrifice makes the impossible possible.
On another level, deriding personal sacrifice opens the way for a selfish, ego-ridden humanity.
On the most da*ning spiritual level, it sets up the ability for one to dismiss Christ’s sacrifice and its Redemptive effect on humanity. It isn’t stated, but over time the idea that sacrifice is useless can impress on the impressionable this thought, even unwritten.
It’s subtle writing and darn evil. You are probably right about this being the Third and final stage.
I’ve seen so many religions that cast Jesus and God as “sugar daddy”. Or that if you don’t get what you pray for you aren’t praying hard enough or living a good enough life.
So many think it is all about material gifts and the quality of their lives here on Earth.