“Why is it that every time a catholic posts a conversion story, so many folks are ugly and critical?”
Now, now. This is NOT a plain “Man converts to Catholicism” story - personally I’m happy for people whenever they find a spiritual home, wherever it is.
Newt is a politician, first and foremost. It is at least appropriate to have a bit of cynicism. If he were to have converted and faded into the political obscurity that is his destiny anyway, it would be more believable.
Newt is using the Catholic church to try to resurrect a dead political future. His conversion is a shield he uses (and he did use it in the past presidential cycle) to defend himself against criticism of his prior marriages - a valid point of discussion for any politician with Presidential aspirations.
Newts political motives are there for all to see. The Catholic bureaucracy fell for it - and gave him what he needed politically. It doesn’t really matter why - Someone like Newt isn’t the story Catholics should be eager to roll out about why someone should become Catholic.
Surely there are better examples than his?
“If this man finds that the Catholic Church leads him closer to Christ, then what’s that to you?”
The Catholic Church led him closer to being a viable Presidential Candidate in 2012. This is another attempt to use the Catholic Church to insulate himself from deserved criticism of his personal choices while setting up a potential run in 2016.
There is nothing divine here. Yes, I am willing to go there, when it comes to politicians seeking the limelight.
It’s been my impression that he is not interested in politics now.
History, yes, but not politics.