Posted on 03/21/2015 4:27:12 PM PDT by NYer
From The Salem News in Massachusetts:
If the deacon is a different sort of religious figure for the church, then Chuck Hall, 62, is a different sort of deacon. He came of age as an evangelical Protestant. Only slowly did he gravitate toward conversion, drawn by, of all things, the priest abuse scandals.
As one damaging headline followed another, he sensed an imbalance in the treatment of the church. Moreover, he saw the Roman church as at the very foundation of Christianity. While he never faulted the press for following the story, the fierce hostility brought on by the scandals seemed to him an attack on Christianity itself.
“It made me go back and study some church history. … I let the church speak for itself,” he said. The more he studied and understood, the more he began to feel that the conflicts always cited between Protestants and Catholics were overdrawn: “‘Do you worship Mary?’ No.”
The lessons of inclusion brought by Vatican II, the “inspirational” writings of G. K. Chesterton, also a convert, and the courage of Pope John Paul II eased Hall’s path.
“I went to my first Mass,” he said. The very interior of the church shouted of difference — the stained glass, the bright colors of the priest’s vestments, the statuary.
“A lot of things about being Catholic take some getting used to,” he laughed. But Hall began to see the beauty in these things and, sitting recently in the bright, soaring interior of St. John the Baptist, he smiled at the thought that God can be seen in such beauty.
“Art is a great gift,” he said. “The creative life is when we most imitate God.”
There is an added irony in Hall’s attraction to Catholicism. When he married 25 years ago, his wife, Mary, was teaching the Catholic catechism. As he was drawn toward her religion, however, she was drifting away. She currently worships in the Anglican church. Yet, he says, “She has been supportive of everything I’ve wanted to do.” They have no children.
The article has much more on deacons. Check it out.
Excuseme, the Protestants were the ones burned!
When will catholics learn to stop digging holes?
I don’t see anyrefutation yet!
Just a question, off-topic: why the dots?
Thank you!
Name-calling is for children. Catholicism is not a"cult". Instead of the Wizard, why not try, "A Man For All Seasons," 1966, with Paul Scofield? Much more (no pun intended) edifying.
It would appear you only read half your history book. Plenty of atrocity and blame on BOTH sides.
If someone made a habit of posting pictures of ground pork every time a Catholic initiated a post, one would hope they would think carefully before resorting to accusing others of childish games.
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I was going to ask what dots, then I realized you meant the periods I used to space the lines without going to html tags.
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Catholicism’s basic beliefs are contrary to plain scripture, so I call them a cult, “the cult of Constantine.”
Main line protestant churches also have some clearly non scriptural beliefs, but they are not their core beliefs, just quirks out of ignorance that get in their spiritual way, so I don’t often call them cults.
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Read my tag. Read my home page. The above is a pathetic twisting of my meaning. God is infinite: not limited, thus He is above our comprehension, both as individuals and as institutions. I believe with all my heart that the Roman Catholic Church is the closest I'll get in this world. When you went to school, didn't you rely on your teachers and books to learn from? One has to acknowledge that others know more than they themselves do. That's how I feel about the Church. That's how I'll feel until God calls me, I pray! Open your heart, and understand that others feel differently, and speak your truth without the mocking and memes. Don't just cut and paste, be an example! That stuff just turns people away. I really am not here to convert anyone. If you are, bashing, especially the graphics, don't support a Scriptural view. A little old lady advice... 👵 God bless you!
Ok, thanks about the dots...!
Your thinking we are a “cult” does not make it so, but it is offensive.
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The things that Constantine’s cult did to Yeshua’s sheep for more than a millennium were more than ‘offensive,’ they were absolutely repugnant and vile.
He murdered them for keeping Yehova’s commandments, and for possessing his scriptures, and for not keeping Constantine’s christmas and easter abominations.
Offensive?
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Can’t discuss with a closed minded person. Call it the Glenn Miller Orchestra if you want. Yes, it is offensive, but that is between you and your god.
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The dots were a good idea, by the way!
Discuss the issues all you want but do not make it personal.
“Mind reading” is making it personal.
Dumb old me! Thought those were Richard Rich and Archbishop Cranmer sitting there with Bishop John Fisher hanging? Before he was drawn and quartered, of course. Maybe the "Know Nothing" party with another Catholic victim? Those outfits look familiar- aren't they usually white- either way, didn't they kill Catholics in the New World? Or are the history books truncated like the bible that was sponsored by a despot and modestly given his name?
There are faults on BOTH sides of the issue.
To the forum rules it's a no no and it would be wise if you abide by the rules if you want to continue to participate.
Most of us did, but when we got out of there we found that much of what they taught was not the true picture. History and scripture would be two areas that come to mind. To not investigate the truth of the matter is irresponsible. Especially with scripture because it has eternal consequences.
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You bet my mind is closed to the creature worshiping, soul crushing, heart breaking madness of the catholic ‘church.’
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