it makes for a lovely soundbite and for lying about a candidate. it’s sickening and this Catholic intends on telling every Catholic I know about your “on the ground” perspective, if you don’t mind.
> It’s simply not a core doctrine of the church.
It is extra-biblical, thus subject to change over time. The Scripture is not subject to any such change.
Only God knows who the Whore of Babylon is, who the False Prophet is, who THE Anti-Christ is.
Yeah, some of the popes of old were pretty tyrannical. I don’t think that applies today. If anything, I would say they need to be more stern and excommunicate nominal “Catholic” politicians that vote pro-abortion and por-homo-agenda.
Also, all churches, evangelical, Catholic, protestant, whatever, must make the distinction between government taking money by threat of force to “help” the poor, and the charity of a “cheerful giver”.
The New Testament does not teach that the people of God must pass laws to compel people against their will, or their capacity, to “help the poor”.
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity [that is, for guilt or threat], for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
2nd Corinthians 9:7
Besides, the efficiency quotient for government distribution to the poor is about 10%. That of Christian charities is about 90%. To whom would you rather give?