You’re using logical reasoning there. It won’t work with these folks. They’re immune to it. They’re driven by an irrational animus against all things Catholic.
I would be happy to see a reasonable non-Catholic discuss these issues of theology and Scripture in a measured and respectful way on this thread, but I’m not holding out much hope. Unfortunately, under the “open thread” rules in effect, anyone can come here anonymously and hurl all sorts of vile ephithets at Catholics, as long as they don’t “get personal” with an individual poster.
That’s the way it is, I suppose. I wouldn’t be surprised to come back here in ten years and find the same individuals here all day long posting the same bigoted remarks, and the gentleman with the colors and the giant letters cheering them on.
Oh, well...It’s in God’s hands.
Actually, the anti-Catholics are making me a better Catholic because they have caused me to refresh my prayers, readings, meditations and positions in the context of their attacks, rechecking fact and context. Not once has my Church or faith failed me. Aside from an occasional anger issue it has been a very Catholic experience.
Integral to this 'animus' is the exaggeration of the idea of total depravity (which, rightly understood, is a fine notion, but wrongly understood is Manichean and gnostic) to the point that reason is considered too weak to perceive anything of value.
So while our discussion partners will use the forms and patterns of reason to make their points and rebut our arguments, when they meet with a successful "refudiation," (Bless Sarah Palin for this word!), suddenly it's "human understanding" and fallen and depraved.
If they confined themselves to mantic and ecstatic utterances, that would be one thing, but since they use (or attempt to use) reason right up to the point where they are overthrown by it, and THEN claim reason itself to be depraved we know something ain't right here.
Anti-[pick a belief] are often most comfortable in the town square format of "open" RF threads where their anti beliefs can be aired openly. And those who are offended by them are often most comfortable in the "caucus" "ecumenical" "prayer" or "devotional" RF threads.
The key for an RF poster is to find his own niche and IGNORE all the others so he doesn't torment himself and become a trouble-maker to others.
For example, the "antis" should IGNORE the caucus threads of whatever beliefs they oppose. And the thin skinned should IGNORE the open threads. Don't read them, don't post to them.
I would be happy to see a reasonable non-Catholic discuss these issues of theology and Scripture in a measured and respectful way on this thread, but I’m not holding out much hope. Unfortunately, under the “open thread” rules in effect, anyone can come here anonymously and hurl all sorts of vile ephithets at Catholics, as long as they don’t “get personal” with an individual poster.
That’s the way it is, I suppose. I wouldn’t be surprised to come back here in ten years and find the same individuals here all day long posting the same bigoted remarks, and the gentleman with the colors and the giant letters cheering them on.
Oh, well...It’s in God’s hands.
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Imho, we must never think that what we see on the surface is all there is. It is my impression that there are many who do not post, or who post very infrequently. Your words may touch them in a way that you may never know.