The Authority of the Church, Chapter III: The Catholic Church is one. It is under one visible head

The Authority of the Church ^ | 16th century A.D. | St. Francis de Sales

[Pyro7480]

LOL! Where did you get that expert testimony?

[wintertime]

What would you consider to be the characteristics of a cult? ( just wondering.)

[johngrace]

2Timothy3:16"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Theopneustos, God-breathed].”

But by whose Authority?

Well what about this scripture?

JOHN20:21 "Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father Has SENT ME, I am SENDING YOU." 22And with that he BREATHED on THEM and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

THEM?

THE APOSTLES

WHAT DID HE GIVE THEM?

POWER OF ATTORNEY?

One person (the principal) appoints another person to act as an agent on his or her behalf, thus conferring authority on the agent to perform certain acts or functions on behalf of the principal.

WHICH CAME FIRST THE APOSTLES OR NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES?

HOW DOES FAITH COME BY?

ROMAN 10:17 "So FAITH comes from Hearing, and Hearing by the word of Christ."

IT DOES NOT SAY BY READING AND READING THE WORD?

BUT IF SO BY WHOSE AUTHORITY?

YOU, ME and THE MAN ON THE MOON?

HOW ABOUT APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION?

[johngrace]

Thank you.

[Pyro7480]

I'll use the International Cultic Studies Association's definition:

"group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community."

[wintertime]

and fear of leaving it, etc
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And...The key words are: “ fear of leaving it!”

[Pyro7480]

You are really trying to stretch it to fit your worldview.

[Paved Paradise]

Oh, now I see. Thanks.

[Salvation]

God bless St. Francis de Sales

[wintertime]

Denial is not a river in Egypt.

[Natural Law]

"What would you consider to be the characteristics of a cult?"

A perfect example is calvinism.

[boatbums]

I have a good feeling that Desales knows the real truth now.

[GCC Catholic]

And...The key words are: “ fear of leaving it!”

Context is your friend, FRiend...

IF you had read the statement that Pyro posted in context, you might have noticed that the list of methods of control would be "unethically manipulative" and is "designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community."

Telling someone that they will go to Hell is not "unethically manipulative." Most religions have some conception of Hell - and many Protestants would contend that that is the destination for Catholics who believe and faithfully practice the Catholic Faith in its fullness.

And there are no threats, real or perceived to the well-being of a Catholic who leaves the Church - the Church's goal is always to reconcile them. And so acting in terms of threats does not work to that end.

I find it both laughable and extremely sad that so few Catholics believe the claims of the Catholic Church as the One True Church while so many Protestants do... in reality, most Catholics don't fear leaving the Church, because they were never taught to.