Thanks. I seriously have to rethink my participation here.
And, yes, folks, I’m not letting the door hit me!
In the past I'd taken about a two, two and a half year break from FR and all the other "political" forums that I'd been participating in.
When I came back to FR, I literally didn't recognize the place. The "tone" of FR, the posts here, the "quality" of the posts were just way down IMO and what made it worse for me was the seemingly endless game of "gotcha!" that some posters pull on others. (I admit that I got caught up in some of that myself until pulling my self back from it.)
I think you've been around almost as long as I have (class of '98 here) and we've seen alot of change on here, some certainly not for the better. Before you pull the plug, consider taking a few weeks off first and not think about what goes on here. Give yourself at least a few weeks, maybe thirty days to do absolutely nothing on FR. Don't read it, nothing. Whenever you're ready to re-think your participation after a break you'll know what you want to do.
Wishing you the best.
Many Catholics are doing likewise. And many have left, taking their donations with them.
If you read Catholic saints and theologians, and the writings of past popes, you will see that they sound absolutely nothing like anti-Catholic "conservatives" of FR... "conservatives" who, to me, sound more like Ayn Rand and Ragnar Redbeard. For example, this is the Canticle of the Sun, by St. Francis of Assisi. It was written 800 years ago. This is the language of the Church, not what we read on FR.
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.
why- because people are telling the truth about the Pope??
i’m a practicing Catholic; 17 years of Catholic school and to this day church every weekend- the guy is a coward and a hypocrite...
Take a couple weeks off.That’s what I did.PS Just a few weeks ago:)