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I’m new to the religion forum. I’ve stayed mostly in political news. So perhaps certain posters have a “history” of adversarial interactions and I am simply unaware of it.

However, I do want to comment on the snide, snarky, antagonistic responses from some, not all, Catholic-defenders on this thread. I’ve noticed that no matter how neutrally a couple of Protestant-defenders attempt to frame a discussion, the response is usually snide.

I’m not specifically refering to either Dr. Eckleburg or annalex. I simply copied them because they brought up the issue.

BuckeyeTexan,

Yes, there is a history of adversarial interactions, and that is why I requested in post #1 that posters comply with the ecumenical nature of the thread. I am asking for folks to post with a warm, respectful attitude, with the assumption that all are in the pursuit of the same Truth -- while at the same time defending to the best extent possible, with good logic and reason, the scriptural or other evidential basis for their beliefs. This is going beyond the usual "don't make it personal," but also avoiding all inflammatory rhetoric, including straw man arguments, hyperbole, etc. That's the attitude I am hoping folks will bring to this conversation. Also, I don't think anybody should expect others to change their beliefs, or try to convert anyone in this forum, but seek rather to understand the beliefs of others on their own terms, and to clearly articulate how our beliefs differ from theirs. I think we'll enjoy the conversation, and will learn more, with this approach to ecumenical dialogue on this controversial doctrine of Purgatory.

Thank you for your post and your comments on this ecumenical thread. And the "American Spectator" article on your homepage is great.

The most obvious problem with Rome's concoction of the whimsical lost island of purgatory with no basis in Scripture is that it demeans and very nearly negates the work of Christ on the cross by pronouncing it somehow insufficient to cover the sins of His flock.

It is a man-made concept intended to keep the masses subdued and nervous when in fact Christ gives liberty to our conscience and cleanses believers by His perfect, completed sacrifice.

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" -- Hebrews 13:20-21

An excellent essay is found here...

PURGING A PROBLEM

"...It (purgatory) is a negation of the Scripture itself to hear a Roman pontiff express the following reprieve: "An indulgence of three years is granted to the faithful who read the Books of the Bible for at least a quarter of an hour, with the reverence due to the Divine Word and as a spiritual reading. To the faithful who piously read at least some verses of the Gospel and in addition, while kissing the Gospel Book, devoutly recite one of the following invocations...an indulgence of 500 days is granted." The man who penned these words was ignorant of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All these doctrines and practices are tied to a heterodox way of looking at the process of salvation. Human effort and merit are somehow made part of Christ's work on our behalf. Purgatory is a negation of the doctrine of grace; it is a monument to a theology of works. And that, after all, is the way fallen man likes it..."