Posted on 01/12/2015 11:59:16 AM PST by NYer
Freedom of speech is a great thing. Unfortunately, it comes at an unavoidable price: When citizens are free to say what they want, theyll sometimes use that freedom to say some pretty silly things. And thats the case with the 12 claims were about to cover.
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Some of them are made over and over, others are rare. Either way, while the proponents of these errors are free to promote them, we as Catholics have a duty to respond.
6. "If the Church truly followed Jesus, they'd sell their lavish art, property, and architecture, and give the money to the poor."
When some people think of Vatican City, what they immediately picture is something like a wealthy kingdom, complete with palatial living accommodations for the pope and chests of gold tucked away in every corner, not to mention the fabulous collection of priceless art and artifacts. Looking at it that way, it's easy to see how some people would become indignant at what they think is an ostentatious and wasteful show of wealth.
But the truth is something quite different. While the main buildings are called the "Vatican Palace," it wasn't built to be the lavish living quarters of the pope. In fact, the residential part of the Vatican is relatively small. The greater portion of the Vatican is given over to purposes of art and science, administration of the Church's official business, and management of the Palace in general. Quite a number of Church and administrative officials live in the Vatican with the pope, making it more like the Church's main headquarters.
As for the impressive art collection, truly one of the finest in the world, the Vatican views it as "an irreplaceable treasure," but not in monetary terms. The pope doesn't "own" these works of art and couldn't sell them if he wanted to; they're merely in the care of the Holy See. The art doesn't even provide the Church with wealth; actually, it's just the opposite. The Holy See invests quite a bit of its resources into the upkeep of the collection.
The truth of the matter is that the See has a fairly tight financial budget. So why keep the art? It goes back to a belief in the Church's mission (one of many) as a civilizing force in the world. Just like the medieval monks who carefully transcribed ancient texts so they would be available to future generations — texts that otherwise would have been lost forever — the Church continues to care for the arts so they will not be forgotten over time. In today's culture of death where the term "civilization" can only be used loosely, the Church's civilizing mission is as important today as it ever was.
Paul was preaching and writing to pagans, many of whom practiced things that no Jew or Jewish Christian would have ever considered. Paul was preaching straight Jewish morality, to pagans. It is highly unlikely that Jesus ever said a word in his preaching about such sins.
How about making a rational argument, rather than spewing bigotry?
How about making a rational argument, rather than spewing bigotry?
No bigotry there at all...False accusation...Merely an observation that Catholics will believe anything their bosses tell them without them checking the actual facts...
But we see you avoided the biblical argument in post #57...
More bigotry. Have you ever read any of my posts about the current Pope? You know nothing about Catholics or Catholicism. You only hate.
More bigotry. Have you ever read any of my posts about the current Pope? You know nothing about Catholics or Catholicism. You only hate.
Apparently you don't know what bigotry means...Oh well...
I find it saddening but not surprising that a Catholic priest would teach such blatant false doctrine to his people...
Again, you said,
But who said that repenting and being baptized are INSEPARABLE? Nobody. Ever.
Repenting is NOT part of the sacrament of Baptism.
There IS a caveat here...If one gets baptized, he/she must first repent...However, repentance does not require (water) baptism...
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Your first so-called pope says repentance and baptism are inseparable...Why would you disagree with him???
The thing that bugs me is why I am not allowed as an American to believe what I want to believe with out the same (Fill in the blank) coming in here to spew! I am a Catholic, I will die a Catholic. I wish they would freaking deal with it. Now they can skip off to whatever the next thing is that catches their eye.
Here’s a hint: When you find yourself saying “Catholics do this...” or “Catholic always do that...” you are engaging in bigotry, rather than discussing ideas.
I never said that repentance has nothing to do with baptism, or that repentance doesn’t often precede baptism. I said that repentance is not part of the sacrament of baptism.
Nothing I said contradicts my “so-called first pope.”
BTW: You could call him “Saint Peter,” or “Peter.” No need to throw in “your so-called first pope.” That’s more anti-Catholic bigotry. Bigotry and contempt seem to ooze out, like pus.
They kind of remind me of another group of people. They’ve been in the news a lot lately, if you catch my drift.
Pope Francis and the Catholic Church?
I get it! Boy do I get it.
He is the “so called pope” by Catholics. Not in scripture or for 100s of years after was anyone called pope. It’s all made up by the Catholic Church. Same with your “so called saints” and “so called queen of heaven”.
Give it? There’s nothing in that.
According to God, it is our duty (and pleasure) to expose your false religion...
You whiners spend an inordinate amount of time castigating other religions since you falsely claim (on these threads) that yours is the only true religion...
I couldn't care less if you spend two lifetimes believing and being a Catholic...But when you come on a public board where your religion's lies are revealed to the general unsuspecting public, it is our obligation to God to warn them of the danger...
You certainly are obsessed with Catholicism.
There’s only one explanation for this: You suspect it’s true.
It's the most dangerous religion on earth.
>>There’s only one explanation for this: You suspect it’s true.<<
The Catholic Church has taken every truth from scripture and twisted and corrupted it then added pagan practices and beliefs which God condemns.
There are no people who come on here and rant about the Methodists, or the Presbyterians, or the Baptists.
The reason so many people rail against the Catholic Church is that they suspect it’s the true Church, but they don’t want to give up using the Pill, or they are in an illicit “marriage,” or something similar.
Are you kidding? There are plenty of anti-Protestant posts on this forum. They even come up with nicknames like "Protties". A lot of them are titled (Catholic Caucus) so protestants can't even comment on them.
The Vatican should send these FReepers thank you notes; after all, it’s very kind of them to not charge Catholics rent.
Contrary to what they have heard Catholics do know their faith. Most don't feel the need to articulate it ad nauseam. We live it, we love it, it's who we are.
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