Are you saying that I think the Church is a building or group of selected men who officiate over it? If so, you much mistake me.
I just recently riffed on I Cor 12, referring to the diversity of gifts and offices. But the whole argument, as I at least hinted, is that all are partakers of the one spirit, and that the “greatest of these”, charity, is available to all, as the last line of chapter 12 implies when it urges to Corinthians to seek after the higher gifts.
Again and again on these threads I have referred to “Dominus Iesus” and pointed out that the phrase “separated brethren”, which so many of you find offensive, is an assertion that “brethren”, members of the body, are found among “ecclesial assemblies” not in communion with the Holy See.
If we did not think that at least some “non-Catholics” are really members of the Catholic Church in a certain way we would insist on baptizing all who sought to come into full communion.
So, once again it seems, someone is so sure of what we believe that there is no room to find out what the teaching of the Church actually is.
By the way, Cardinal Ratzinger wrote or presided over the production of “Dominus Iesus” before he was elected Pope. It is, you can conclude, representative of what we teach.
Is it resting on Scripture that leads to this misrepresentation of what we teach? I cannot think so.
I’m sorry if I sound tart or offended. I ask you to consider how frustrating it is to be told repeatedly that you believe something stupid which you do not in fact believe.
Mad Dawg...your irritation with me is exactly why I don’t get tangled in debates with you....you seem to take how I see the catholic church as a personal assult on you when I am simply stating what my observations are for most with those I’ve encountered as catholics and their practices...outside of FR.
As for those here...well it’s needless to say a unique bunch...and I have oftentimes attempted to understand, but more times then not it defies understanding or opposes the truth of the scriptures. Othertimes some offer some interesting reads which if I have little familarity with will entice me to seek out the truth of the matter.
Your knowlege of catholics and their belief system no doubt goes much further then mine since this is your choice of churches....but that does not mean that it’s true or that I have misunderstood what I do know.
The rituals catholics perform are especially sensitve issues to catholics....and the defense strong against any who disagree...oftentimes beyond reasonable imo...there just seems to me so much “stuff” that gets in the way and people hold fast to for to do otherwise without there faith would shake, rattle and role....and when that happens all the defenses come up and the tongue lashing ensues.