My Faith: Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), from Catholic to Muslim

CNN ^ | 9/1/11 | Chris Welch

[marshmallow]

Minneapolis, Minnesota (CNN) –Prior to 2006, few people even knew that then-Minnesota state legislator Keith Ellison was a Muslim. Because of his English name, he said, no one thought to ask.

But five years ago, when he ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives - a race he would go on to win - word of his religious affiliation began to spread.

“When I started running for Congress it actually took me by surprise that so many people were fascinated with me being the first Muslim in Congress,” said Ellison, a Democrat now serving his third term in the House.

“But someone said to me, ‘Look Keith, think of a person of Japanese origin running for Congress six years after Pearl Harbor–this might be a news story.’”

Though Ellison's status as the first Muslim elected to Congress is widely known, fewer are aware that he was born into a Catholic family in Detroit and was brought up attending Catholic schools.

But he said he was never comfortable with that faith.

“I just felt it was ritual and dogma,” Ellison said. “Of course, that’s not the reality of Catholicism, but it’s the reality I lived. So I just kind of lost interest and stopped going to Mass unless I was required to.”

It wasn’t until he was a student at Wayne State University in Detroit when Ellison began, “looking for other things.”

[marbren]

Eve chose to say no to God and let sin into paradise. Mary chose to say yes to God and let the Rededemer come. If Mary had said no - no Redeemer. Mary is the new Eve.

Are you saying Catholic doctrine says sin came through Eve? I do not know but, Thank God, God knows.

[metmom]

But it’s still wrong.

The sin was not Eve’s that Mary should atone for it.

It was Adam’s. The sin and sin nature comes through the man.

[marbren]

God is eternal. Only men change.

I agree, change is good

[metmom]

What’s all that got to do with my post that you’re responding to?

[metmom]

Are you sure you’re on the right thread?

[marbren]

It was Adam’s. The sin and sin nature comes through the man.

I agree

[metmom]

Are you saying Catholic doctrine says sin came through Eve? I do not know but, Thank God, God knows.

Yes, that is clearly what Catholics believe, based on previous conversations on other threads.

Sin came through Adam, Scripture is absolutely clear on that.

[count-your-change]

I don’t know but I was rather hoping I might learn why Paul’s writings are viewed with such a jaundiced eye by some of the posters here.

[MarkBsnr]

>>Paul was sent to teach and preach with the authority of God. The others did not have the authority to teach anything else other than what the Church taught.<< Huh??? You mean the other Apostles had no authority directly from Jesus? Even Peter? >>2 Thessalonians 2: 15Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.<<

The others are the ones to whom Paul addressed his letters (from which I excerpted). Paul and the Apostles had the authority to teach and to quantify the Faith (as did those to whom they appointed as successors). Individual presbyters and deacons do not.

That’s right, and would be the reason I insist everything be proven in scripture unlike the RCC which “makes things up as they go along”.

Where does it say that Scripture is the only source of belief? NT Scripture did not even start getting written down until a generation after the Ascension of Jesus. What do you think that the Church relied on until the Canon of Scripture was approved? Flash cards?

[marbren]

Yes, that is clearly what Catholics believe, based on previous conversations on other threads.

Maybe but, many protestants do as well, My question is, Is it Catholic doctrine?

[MarkBsnr]

Mark, just remember, according to the RM: False claims, ridicule, spitwads and so on are to be expected in the town square format of “open” Religion Forum threads.

Oddly enough, with this polite antiCatholic crowd, I've never noticed.

[stonehouse01]

Just read your Genesis - the woman was behind it both times. It is not a hard concept!! It is actually obvious and why resist.

I am not suggesting that Mary was atoning - Jesus alone atoned. Mary had to put him in position, because Eve unfortunately put Adam into position - a set up.

Why is this a problem? It is perfect justice.

[Natural Law]

"Now, what was that lie you were trying to get past about Mary not being called a Co-Redeemer?"

Your failure to comprehend aside, nothing I posted was a lie.

[marbren]

I was rather hoping I might learn why Paul’s writings are viewed with such a jaundiced eye by some of the posters here.

IMHO it is about the replacement theology problem. Paul is the main apostle for the Church, Christ believing Jews and gentiles. Once the church age, the age of grace, is over with the rapture, God's program shifts back to Israel.

[Natural Law]

"Breathtaking ignorance !"

When you persist in repeating the same falsehoods regarding verifiable history your opinions have no relevance or value to me.

[Judith Anne]

I barely saw it myself.

[Natural Law]

"Your reference is obviously to another Freeper, personally."

Doesn't the act of a FReeper revealing personal information in an appeal for pity or to wave the red shirt forfeit that protection?

[Judith Anne]

Paul is the main apostle for the Church,

What church? Who says?

[marbren]

Why is this a problem? It is perfect justice.

are you talking church doctrine or your opinion?

[marbren]

What church? Who says?

I said IMHO.