And what things would those be? Certainly not Roman Catholic writings, because I can access NewAdvent on my computer just fine. And I'm sure I could find plenty more at the local library. But why did you bring this up? To avoid answering my question (again)? Here it is again in case you missed it:
My question dealt with how you justify destroying things under the auspices of the magisterium. Because God told them to? How do you know? Did God give them an explicit, "secret" command to destroy things held by others who claimed to have a "secret" knowledge? How ironic...
You ask:
...And your only concern is that we protect this false freedom and not destroy pornography?
The pornography issue, as I pointed out, is a red herring. We're discussing whether or not it's justifiable to destroy books because a self-appointed magisterium doesn't like what's in them. Again: If the words and ideas therein are bad, why shouldn't they be countered with words and ideas that are good, instead of destructive force?
I am a great sinner, and I am in no position to sit in personal judgement of anyone. All I am contending is that sin is not justifiable, whether it's done under the authority of an "infallible" Church, or by myself, among the worst of all sinners. We need to repent of our transgressions, not give hand-waving rationalizations for them.
BTW,you made the assertion about breaking into houses to destroy things,not me.
Then how, pray tell, do you intend to enforce it? From the same article you posted:
The First Ecumenical Council of Nicæa (325) condemned not only Arius personally, but also his book entitled "Thalia"; Constantine commanded that the writings of Arius and his friends should everywhere be delivered up to be burned; concealment of them was forbidden under pain of death. In the following centuries, when and wherever heresies sprung up, the popes of Rome and the oecumenical councils, as well as the particular synods of Africa, Asia, and Europe, condemned, conjointly with the false doctrines, the books and writings containing them. (Cf. Hilgers, Die Bücherverbote in Papstbriefen.) The latter were ordered to be destroyed by fire, and illegal preservation of them was treated as a heinous criminal offense. The authorities intended to make the reading of such writings simply impossible.
How can this be justified? This happened down through the centuries, and not just at the hands of Roman Catholics but Protestants as well. Lord have mercy on us.
“How can this be justified? This happened down through the centuries, and not just at the hands of Roman Catholics but Protestants as well. Lord have mercy on us.”
In the context of an Anglo-Saxon, post Enlightenment society, it cannot be except as a theoretical construct. In other societies, societies which were/are arguably far holier, far more likely to foster theosis in its citizens than ours, it was/is not only acceptable, it was expected and required for the good of the society and individuals.
Matt. 16:18 - Jesus says, “I will build my “Church” (not churches).
What other Churches do you think Christ was talking about?
Matt. 16:19; 18:18 - Jesus gave the apostles binding and loosing authority. But this authority requires a visible Church because “binding and loosing” are visible acts. The Church cannot be invisible, or it cannot bind and loose.
So, Jesus gave authority to bind or destroy certain things
“”Then how, pray tell, do you intend to enforce it?””
Education and Prayer and not being afraid of persecution to publicly speak out against evil
If it saves even one soul it is worthwhile to lay down your life for them if it leads them away from evil.
“”I am a great sinner, and I am in no position to sit in personal judgment of anyone. “”
I am too and it is only through extreme humility that Christ can even begin to use me.
“”Constantine commanded that the writings of Arius and his friends should everywhere be delivered up to be burned; concealment of them was forbidden under pain of death””
Constantine was not part of the Magesterium of the Church and was branded a heretic by the Early Church fathers( I can provide the writings that prove this if you wish) because he did not believe in the Divinity of Christ.
Constantine only legalized Christianity and thankfully he was only baptized on his deathbed.
It’s been over 2000 years and the catholic Church still stands as the Pillar and foundation of truth. The Gates of hell has not prevailed just as Christ promised
Isa. 35:8, 54:13-17 - this prophecy refers to the Church as the Holy Way where sons will be taught by God and they will not err. The Church has been given the gift of infallibility when teaching about faith and morals, where her sons are taught directly by God and will not err. This gift of infallibility means that the Church is prevented from teaching error by the power of the Holy Spirit (it does not mean that Church leaders do not sin!)