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This follows from reason. If one gives their child a pair of socks for Christmas, and the kid throws them over his shoulder, that means the kid rejects the socks. One could “force” the socks on the kid, but once left alone, the kid would be free *then* to either continue wearing them or take them off. The kid must, at some point, *accept* the gift of the socks for them to be worn. The kid must cooperate with the giving of the gift, or else they will just remain in the drawer (or in the trash).

This exemplifies your extremely flawed Catholic upbringing...A Catholic is born a Catholic...And then a baby is baptized a Catholic...But somewhere along the line, you have to cooperate with God to finish your calling as a Catholic...

And that's not Christianity, that's religion...

Let's go to your socks analogy...In Christianity, nobody gives you socks for Christmas unless you first ask for them...The socks are payed for...They're free if you want them...There is no cooperation of your part...

Jesus doesn't go out and buy the socks to give you once you make the committment to wear them if he does...Jesus doesn't cooperate with you and buy your favorite color 'if you're good...HE'S ALREADY BOUGHT THEM AND PUT THEM UNDER YOUR TREE...THEY'RE THE RIGHT COLOR AND THEY'RE YOURS...JUST HOLD OUT YOUR HAND...

For the record, there are some things I could say to "debate with" your post here, but at this point, I'd rather stick with something we agree with because I think it's the most important point anyway.

HE'S ALREADY BOUGHT [the socks] AND PUT THEM UNDER YOUR TREE...THEY'RE THE RIGHT COLOR AND THEY'RE YOURS...JUST HOLD OUT YOUR HAND...

Amen! I agree. If I don't hold out my hand, I won't get the socks. If I do, I will.

That's cooperation.