[WaterBoard]

So if Rome says "Free Will" then Rome must deny the fallen nature of man, must say that man doesn't need the Paraclete to open his eyes, and that the natural man doesn't need a new heart to respond to the Gospel. These are not debatable elements within Christianity, being that Rome has denied them simply is further reminder that Roman Catholicism is Roman Catholicism, not Christianity."

Ahh... you got that backwards from a historical point of view.

Before there was any Protestent, Episcopalian, New Age, Born Again, etc Christian; there was the Catholic religion.

These sects or off shoots of Christianity are modern interpretations of a 2,000 year old religion.

To claim Catholicism is 'not Christianity' simply shows you don't know history. If anything, your beliefs are the 'antithesis' of the true historical bible as you chose to follow a new one. A bible that was created because a murderous English king could not get a divorce from Rome so he created a whole new religion.

As an American, you are free to believe what you wish, but to denigrate other religions is not nice. Now, I have no problem with your belief system, its your life, but don't go around pompously labeling different regions as you will get a snoot full of history to contradict you.

[The Theophilus]

Before there was any Protestent, Episcopalian, New Age, Born Again, etc Christian; there was the Catholic religion.

That trick might work on your easily deceived and ignorant friends, but to anyone with a background in church history, particularly education in medieval theology, I find the statement insulting.

I'm glad that you take pride in your bondage to Rome, if that is what makes you happy and content, peace be to you.

You know as well as I do that there is no fruit in the ecumenical debates since we both don't have the same foundation. I start with Sola Scriptura, Rome makes constant ad hoc emendations to fit the times, sentiments and culture to incorporate their various syncretisms to existing religious ideas. Because of that, there is no common ground for discussion - unlike CrEvo threads, we don't work with the same evidence and generate results based on differing interpretational templates. Rome cobbles up new doctrine and teachings as the conditions of the moment dictate and cover it under the umbrella of Holy Tradition, and its total folly to suggest that there is one mind, one unalterable doctrine throughout the millennia within the family of Rome.

If your religion requires you to make silly exclusive claims to things not in evidence, and that is what keeps you throwing coins in their hopper, then more power to you.

Again, I apologize for questioning your Free Will position, if that is what Rome teaches, then it must be so for the god(s) that Rome worships. I don't want to make the mistake of telling you what your religion should teach.