Question for Catholic Caucus (Catholic Caucus) (Vanity)

2/18/2007 | self

[markomalley]

I would like to take a straw poll of the various members of the Catholic Caucus:

There are a huge number of tracts out there that attempt to question various elements of Catholic theology. When they invariably surface on Free Republic, several of us take the opportunity to debunk them; however, as those tracts are invariably posted by Protestants, the threads become 'general discussion' threads and usually end up being several hundred posts (or several thousand) long; the hard work done by caucus members end up being swallowed up in the sheer volume...making those posts difficult to use as reference in the future.

My idea is for us to, from time to time, post one of those tracts, and go through and debunk the claims. Primarily from the Bible, but where history is misquoted, a proper source showing what that history IS would be appropriate, as well.

Now since thes would be 'caucus'-type threads, examination of the doctrine or practices within various Protestant denominations would be off-limits: the scope would have to be carefully restricted to understanding the scriptural defense against those denominations' attacks on us.

The question for the caucus is: would there be any interest in the above?

[markomalley]

Before starting such an endeavor, would you weigh in on whether you would support having apologetics threads like I described above as 'caucus' threads?

[markomalley]

Could you ping your lists to see if there is any interest?

[Aggie Mama]

I have to tell you, I've learned more about my faith over the past 6 yrs on FR than I ever learned in CCE. What I really learned how to do, however, is to defend my faith. The 1000+ post threads were an invaluable tool in that. As a matter of fact, inspired by what I've seen here, I helped to develop a program at our kids' school where they learn how to defend themselves (intellectually) against religious attacks like what I've seen here (and what I experienced in high school from Baptist friends).

[Theoden]

As someone who is usually content with just lurking, I have noticed that certain Protestant posters on here are reposting articles that we mark as Catholic Caucus threads and make them Protestant Caucus threads. It is very childish, but it is happening, and it bypasses any ability of ours to combat the misconceptions. There would be no mechanism to prevent this from happening.

On the other hand, I think your idea is still very good, and that it would be beneficial for those Protestants who are on their journey and need information.

[Dumb_Ox]

Alas, I've mostly avoided the apologetics discussions. Either the familiar faces moved on and one just has to repeat things over and over.

[Alex Murphy]

Ping to follow this discussion

[Tax-chick]

No, I don't really have time for this sort of thing, over and over and over again.

But best wishes to anyone who wants to undertake it!

[defconw]

I might be interested. I generally don't post because I have no wish to undertake a thousand protestant posts, that don't belong on a Roman Catholic thread.

[Religion Moderator]

A thread that seeks to debunk claims made by another confession can never qualify for a caucus because the other confession has an interest in defending its own claims.

However, a thread that describes your confession's understanding with regard to Scriptures, history, news or whatever can be a caucus.

It would be best if the other confession is not even mentioned in a caucus because then there can be no question at all. Or if there is a mention, it must be a simple fact which is not subject to shades of meaning, interpretation or dispute. Otherwise, the other confession has an interest in making a rebuttal

[Talking_Mouse]

As a member of the Tiber swim team I have to agree with Aggie Mama that I have learned more about my faith in the 1000+ post threads than in RCIA.

I would be interested in your "tract threads". We would need to keep it from a "Ya Ya we're right, their wrong!" to a discussion of the topics from a biblical and historical standpoint. I think we can do this. I try to emulate Chaucer's Clerk - I will gladly learn and gladly teach.

[trisham]

It might be interesting. For me, the 1,000 plus threads are generally too long. There is also too much repetition and nonsense on a long thread. It's worth a try.

[mockingbyrd]

I think it could be interesting, and enlightening. It could stay a caucus thread if questions were posed more as "Why do Catholics believe X?" or "What is the scriptural basis for the belief y?"

[rzeznikj at stout]

same here...

[Frank Sheed]

Like Dumb Ox and Tax-Chick, I wonder what purpose is served when one accepts a priori the terminology of the Religion Moderator by using the word "confession."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confession_of_Faith

The term being used appears to be that used at this link, is associated with the Protestant Faith and, as the definition on wikipedia denotes, is "polemical." To Catholics, confession is a term that is used to denote a sacrament, Penance, and is more commonly called "reconciliation" in more modern parlance.

I refuse to be categorized a priori in this fashion. The Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ. It is one, holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic. It has formulated Creeds in order to stem heresies and these can be found on-line. It is NOT a "confession."

For this reason, I wonder what is served by your proposal, Mark, when two members of this discussion thread have already decided to "opt out."

F

[Religion Moderator]

I'm surprised you would object to the term "confession" which is quite literally a declaration. It could be a declaration of faith, disbelief, guilt or whatever.

The term confessionem is translated "confession" from the Latin Vulgate.

"Belief" and "religion" are off the table because atheists and agnostics must be treated with an even hand and they do not believe or mostly do not believe.

So by all means, let the posters here propose a term that would represent a collective of like minded individuals on the Religion Forum who should be treated with an even hand to other such collectives of like minded individuals.

[AliVeritas]

I'm in.