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Wow, your personal attack against me in post 130 takes my breath away. I thought we were having a theological discussion, but your personal mischaracterizations of me and my motives is far beyond discussing theology.

I have stood all alone in this angry hornets nest of Roman Catholics, just an average joe, with no one on my side in these discussions. But armed with God's Word and the Holy Spirit as He moves me to speak, I cited Bible verses and explained my scriptural positions, because I am moved by the Spirit to preach to catholics so that they hear the Gospel that is not taught by the Roman Church.

I can tell you that I am very comfortable in the knowlege that God has observed our entire discussion here. I'm sorry that you can't discuss the Bible without resorting to negatively characterizing the individuals who souoght discussion with you.

Post 130 was not a personal attack! It was an interpretation of you based on what you have been writing here. Consider, the last line: FOCUS ON CHRIST. Does that sound like I want to personally attack you?

If it's any comfort to you... I was once like you. Fallen away from the Church, spending hours going over the meaning of every phrase in the bible and trying to personally interpret how I could apply it to my own life. In need of a "Personal Savior" to take away the doubts. Luckily He led me back to His Church and thereby back to Him. I truly hope you can find your way back... if my "rebuke" was over-the-top, I apologize for not being clear in my intentions.

If it seems like I have little patience with Protestants, rest assured I don't. I think they are wrong in some of their interpretations, but have no antagonism towards those that are truly seeking Grace and Gods promises. But I do have little sympathy for fallen-away Catholics who come back to tell me I'm going to hell because I have not embraced their viewpoint, or wish to try to argue against or attack the Church that introduced them to the wonders of Christ.

You are right about one thing. God is watching this conversation... and He knows what is in my heart... and I'm grateful for it!

When I talk about "catholic mindset", I mean vis-a-vis The Bible. And what I find is that catholics have no reverence for the exacting specificty of God's Holy Word.

Just one last reply. God gave us the gift of the Bible and I and other Catholics accept that gift with reverence and awe. It is the inspired Word of God. But God gave us so much more than just the Bible. He gave us the Holy Spirit to lead the Church of His Son until His Son returns again.

I'm not going to mention you in particular but all those ex-Catholic/anti-Catholics. When will you at least accept that you weren't listening, you were misinformed by someone and never bothered to do your own homework or you found some teaching contrary to the way you wanted to live your life and abandoned your Church. Why do think spreading lies or if not deliberate lies, then ignorance of the Catholic Church? Why must you attack the Church and Catholics? Why not be pro-whatever you are rather than anti-Catholic? I read these threads and sometimes all I can see of your religion is that it hinges on hating Catholics and trying to prove Catholics wrong without even acknowledging what it is that Catholics believe! Is anti-Catholicism your religion?

Back to Israel and the pope, you seem to think that if the pope has any compassion for Palestinians he is necessarily pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli. I can only speak for myself but I'm VERY pro-Israel but I'm not anti-Palestinian, I'm anti-bad stuff. I cringe when an innocent child is killed or maimed I don't care what nationality they are. I detest the hatred and anger that is being bred within this dispute and know that hearts are being rotted with hatred and anger and that this is as bad as physical death because people filled with anger and hatred can never find contentment and will never search for peace and understanding.