Posted on 09/02/2011 9:07:47 AM PDT by marshmallow
Minneapolis, Minnesota (CNN) –Prior to 2006, few people even knew that then-Minnesota state legislator Keith Ellison was a Muslim. Because of his English name, he said, no one thought to ask.
But five years ago, when he ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives - a race he would go on to win - word of his religious affiliation began to spread.
“When I started running for Congress it actually took me by surprise that so many people were fascinated with me being the first Muslim in Congress,” said Ellison, a Democrat now serving his third term in the House.
“But someone said to me, ‘Look Keith, think of a person of Japanese origin running for Congress six years after Pearl Harbor–this might be a news story.’”
Though Ellison's status as the first Muslim elected to Congress is widely known, fewer are aware that he was born into a Catholic family in Detroit and was brought up attending Catholic schools.
But he said he was never comfortable with that faith.
“I just felt it was ritual and dogma,” Ellison said. “Of course, that’s not the reality of Catholicism, but it’s the reality I lived. So I just kind of lost interest and stopped going to Mass unless I was required to.”
It wasn’t until he was a student at Wayne State University in Detroit when Ellison began, “looking for other things.”
(Excerpt) Read more at religion.blogs.cnn.com ...
A demonstration is requested.
We are the servants with the talents and the disciples with the commission. We are the ones addressed by the Sermon on the Mount. We are the ones to whom much has been given. Our Judgement will be based upon what we do, not about what any RF antagonist does.
That is what sets us apart from any who reject the Faith and regularly eat large bowls of YOPIOS. It is not an accident of birth (there are far too many exemplary Catholics who are converts and far too many failed Catholics that were cradle), but rather, an example of personal adherence to the Beatitudes and the Commandments of Christ, which we can only do with the guidance and the strengthening of the Holy Spirit. Without Him, we are lost and will perish eternally. With Him, we may gain eternal salvation.
It would be cause for hope to see one post from them acknowledging anything like that. So far, I don’t see that anyone is willing to even post that they see my points). So, feh!
Links please? Some evidence would be nice.
Have I ever gone after *failed* Catholics*? *Failed* Protestants? *Failed* anybody? Have I ever told anyone they're a failure?
Have I ever stated that I don't want someone to come to faith in Christ for salvation, rejecting them from salvation?
I do pray for those who speak evil of me or to me.
Oh, yes, the Christlike lovingkindness of metmom is well known, nay, legendary.
Do you recall a thread where you claimed that Mary was placed on the cross with Christ by Catholics? That that proved we worshipped idols?
Nice to pick sins you’ve not committed, and then proclaim your innocence. That’s a classic straw man. What about the ones you HAVE done?
I’ve never told you to your face that you’re a hypocrite, though I’v e wanted to. Does that make me innocent of name-calling? No, nor do I claim it.
Links please? Some evidence would be nice.
Have I ever gone after *failed* Catholics*? *Failed* Protestants? *Failed* anybody? Have I ever told anyone they're a failure?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2765466/posts?page=1288#1288
You are less than complimentary to Baptists and Pentecostals both. Would you not consider that your post accused them of failing Christianity?
I do pray for those who speak evil of me or to me.
It must be very pianississimo (no it is not misspelled, but I would not expect you to know that).
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and DOCTRINE." 2 Tim. 4:2.
I think you will notice if "the others" seem not so loving toward you, you will find Scripture listed in their post, attempting to show you in God's word doctrine for our position. That is not an unloving thing to do. And it shows you that it is God's own words that reprove, rebuke, and exhort. This is why Scripture is always given.
If it is taken personally, then perhaps you should re-read your Bible for your doctrine. That is where you will find it. Not in the doctrines of men.
So what? If you accuse a busy man of laziness, would he entertain that accusation with dismissal or levity? Probably. If you accuse a terminal layabout with laziness, would would his reaction be? Probably indignation.
You are Christian. Do not let the pagan barbarians and heretics and faux Christians bring you down to their level. Who cares if they acknowledge your points or not? If you are a chess grandmaster, does praise or censure from an ancient Amazon rain forest native matter to you?
So what? If you accuse a busy man of laziness, would he entertain that accusation with dismissal or levity? Probably. If you accuse a terminal layabout with laziness, would would his reaction be? Probably indignation.
You are Christian. Do not let the pagan barbarians and heretics and faux Christians bring you down to their level. Who cares if they acknowledge your points or not? If you are a chess grandmaster, does praise or censure from an ancient Amazon rain forest native matter to you?
Lots of accusations. No substance.
Still waiting for examples......
There is nothing in scripture to support that claim....salvation does not come from any single church or denomination proclaiming it is exclusively theirs to offer, regardless if they proclaim as much.
Mormons, Islam and many others also make this claim.....it's a form of "exclusiveness" promoted by those who desire absolute conformity to their church or organization........Christ proclaimed clearly that no man can come to the Father apart from Him....so church affiliation means squat without Christ as ones Savior.
It's Christ himself who offers salvation and it comes thru the work of His spirits work in the heart and the mind of an individual..... Even the Pope acknowledges Christians are in every branch and not exclusively catholic churches.
On the other hand I do believe if one is a Christian thru Christ, he is secure and God will deal with those who leave the fold. The question might rather be were they truly a Christian to begin with or did they just practice "churchianity". For all churches can attest to having "pew sitters" along side those who truly know Christ.
INDEED.
The prissy sanctimonious self-righteousness of the Vatican Ishtar-Mary Goddess cult seems to have intensified yet again recently.
Maybe it’s becoming a new duty of religious obligation or some such.
Evidently the Vatican Ishtar-=Mary Goddess cult has decreed that we need a double dose of self-righteous sanctimony.
It’s doubtful they’ll ever learn that we don’t need their prescriptions at all.
Why is something that is as impotent as Allah worthy of anybody's worship?
It kind of depends on what *leaving the fold* means. Does it mean leaving a denomination?
Well, since denominations are not Scriptural, nor is baptism into a denomination, they do not save, they are not encouraged at all.
1 Corinthians 1:11-15
11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.
So *leaving* or rather choosing to not affiliate with, a denomination is meaningless. It does not equate to rejecting Christ.
The only admonition about anything similar to church attendance is found in Hebrews 10:25
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
What's in a church name? Simply an identification of the organization that gives an indication of doctrinal position. It has nothing to do with anyone's standing in Christ.
Churches don't save. Jesus Christ, who died for us, does.
As for those leaving the fold....reasons vary for each from those I've spoken with.....many leave because they could not find the fulfillment within they are seeking...so then one might wonder what it is they are seeking and identify that.
Many simply want deeper teaching and the truth often is covered with so much ritual and such it never reaches the heart....they have not known ..”Be still and KNOW that I am God”. The to do list outweighs the relationship aspect of Knowing Christ on a personal basis. So they sense emptiness in the course of time....it's just not enough.
Meanwhile the enemy of men's souls stands on the side ‘waiting for whomever he may devour’......and is quick to pounce for those unfamiliar with his devices. Many do not have the word of God in their hearts to withstand the deceptions...and fall easily into cults, false religions, and various other organizations affording them “belonging”.
Oh the reasons people leave their church are many and varied for all denominations.....but those who are in Christ eventually come home to the faith which is only in Christ Jesus.... IF they are truly seeking Him FIRST and desire the Truth....again only found in Him.
Anyone is Christ belongs to Jesus and has eternal life, not dependent on works or baptism or church membership or affiliation or any such thing.
I could never darken the door of a church again for the rest of my life and I’d still be a redeemed child God, secure in Him for eternity.
My faith is in Him and Him alone.
You keep talking about them. Are they Pentecostal?
has decreed that we need a double dose of self-righteous sanctimony.
Are you talking about antiCatholics here? Their smug self-righteous sanctimony passed double dose a long time ago.
It’s doubtful they’ll ever learn that we don’t need their prescriptions at all.
You've lost me here. The posts leading up the one that you replied to involve proscription, not presecription. Are you referring to that or to something else entirely?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.