Posted on 04/04/2009 3:29:51 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
This is a distressing new Gallup poll. It shows that churchgoing Catholics are far more likely to approve of moral behavior (sex between unmarried people, homosexuality, etc.) that their church deems immoral than are churchgoing Protestants.
This is a conundrum to me, one I thought about a lot when I was a Catholic, and troubled over. Why is it that Catholics have a Pope and a Magisterium -- a clear teaching authority -- as well as a complex, coherent and profoundly intellectual moral theology ... and yet these things, which ought to give it a tremendous advantage in maintaining the obedience of its flock, avail the Catholic Church little? It shouldn't be that way, logically, but it is in practice.
Lee Podles, an orthodox Catholic, has some thoughts.
[I wish I didn't have to say this, but I do: this is not an anti-Catholic post, but rather intended to spark discussion on various reasons why this poll found the things it did. As someone who would like to raise my children to believe in what my faith teaches, I'd like to know what works, and what doesn't. Anybody who tries to derail the thread by making specious claims of anti-Catholicism will find their posts unpublished. So don't even start.]
***I thought King James wrote the bible.***
And in English. A CofC conservative preacher in high dudgeon once told me that if English was good enough for Jesus then it was good enough for everyone.
And he meant it.
I’m not sure that it is possible for him to embarass himself further. I think that it is very charitable of you to try. Especially since the very voice of experience accuses you of not having a life.
John 10:28-30
God has my soul. On promise and securely held by security deposit.
***John 10:28-30
God has my soul. On promise and securely held by security deposit.***
John 10:
25
10 There was a scholar of the law 11 who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
27
He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
28
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
29
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30
Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
31
12 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
32
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
33
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.
34
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.
35
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’
36
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
37
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
I think that you had better examine that promise. It comes with requirements. Who is your neighbour and what have you done for him?
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I think it is instructive to provide certain minds enough opportunity to display the degree of their rot.
Also, sunlight is a wonderful disinfectant.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
***I think it is instructive to provide certain minds enough opportunity to display the degree of their rot.
Also, sunlight is a wonderful disinfectant.***
Interesting. I believe that there are things and people that are ultimately buttressed against such things as truth, justice and the Catholic Via. The Via of St. Paul is the way of Christ. All others are false counsellors.
In the 8th Circle of Hell, we have the souls of the Deceivers or Evil Counsellors. The Evil Counsellors abused the gifts that God gave them for their own evil doings. Their acts were hidden from the world and so they are hidden from all sight in Hell, as they are forever consumed in flames.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
Logically? I don't think so. Religion was a top down thing in Catholic Europe (something similar is true of the Lutherans and Anglicans). People were Catholic from birth or because they lived in a certain country. Under such conditions it was natural that many wouldn't have much of a commitment to the Church.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
Just to clarify, my family wasn't having a problem with the church, they were just there to witness the Church having problems for many years. The Church in our area was made up of great people. I blame the overall attack on the Church as coming from the outside from a mass movement to destroy all faiths ......and I'm afraid they are winning.
Have a blessed day FRiend.
I’m happy to help you embarrass yourself further.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
