I left Catholicism in part because of the arrogance that I saw rotting the souls of Catholics, and I didn't want it to happen to me. I saw Catholics speaking like you do, about "marks on souls" like slave brands, and using domination terminology to deny the free will of the soul before God and "claim" it for the Church.
I was, and still am, sickened by these ice cold power plays in the name of divine love. I would cut out any part of my soul that would link me to people who would arrogate to themselves the right and power to decide other's relationship to God. What staggering hubris!
Millions of people reject your meddling and clawing dominance claims and dark threats of authentication authority with the righteous rage of souls who know they are already beloved by God. But still you remain utterly clueless to the wreckage you create around you, calling your judgements "love," and castigating those who flee your grasp.
Get thee behind me.
-— . What staggering hubris!
Millions of people reject your meddling and clawing dominance claims and dark threats of authentication authority with the righteous rage of souls who know they are already beloved by God. But still you remain utterly clueless to the wreckage you create around you, calling your judgements “love,” and castigating those who flee your grasp.
Get thee behind me.
Are you sure it’s the Catholics with the “staggering hubris”?
I can't add anything to those words, Talisker, but can comment that baptizing an infant or indoctrinating a youth don't prepare anyone for standing before the Throne. Sprinkling an infant isn't baptism. God is a Spirit! For reference:
John 3: 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ...
John 4: 24... God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Do you fell that way about the Catholics on FR?
You can’t put all Catholics in one bucket.
How would you like it if we said all non Catholics were _________________ (fill in the blank with a negative adjective.)
Why the attacking of other Christians/Catholics?
When Christians fight other Christians it hurts to get the good news of the Gospel of Jesus out to those who have no faith in the Lord.