That little ";-)" at the end of your post means you're playing. Ok, my turn.;-)
We are taught that "charity" is primarily the love of God and, secondarily, the love of neighbor for the sake of God. Ought not the love of neighbor be subordinated to the love which is due to the Lord? To "offend" our neighbor for the love of God is, in fact, a true act of charity. Charity is practiced in relation to our neighbor when, in his OWN INTEREST, he is crossed and chastised. Charity is practiced in relation to God when, for His glory and in His service, it becomes necessary to silence human considerations to attain the highest of all ends.
You wrote:
Of course you're no longer interested in discussing an instance where you were likely guilty of rash judgement and a lack of charity. I understand, Sock.
I am guilty of many faults, but calling a liberal dissenting half-wit a “half-wit” is not one of them. In fact, it IS an act of charity. To refer to a liberal dissenting half-wit as anything less than a liberal dissenting half wit, would be bearing false witness, sitetest. The fact that I don’t hold a half wit’s hand, snuggle up, and whisper sweet nothings in his ear is not my bag, sitetest.
Liberal charity, on the other hand, is tender in appearance, but at bottom it is an essential contempt for the true good of men, or the supreme interests of truth and [ultimately] of God. It is human self-love, usurping the throne of the Lord and demanding that worship which belongs to God alone.
You along with your “friend” (perhaps there’s a bond I’m not aware of) expressed the belief that there were few souls in hell. You then quoted the Fatima prayer as a piece of evidence to substantiate your claim. I responded by posting the quotes from Lucia after her vision of hell and the actual quote from Our Lady indicating that MANY souls are damned. I understand that this conflicts with the post V II hand holding, we are the world, ecumenical, I’m ok – you’re ok, philosophy of a few Kumbaya Katholics. I understand that also, sitetest. No problem.
Perhaps the article in which you can rebut the words of Lucia and Our Lady of Fatima is located near the other articles that you refered to which show that (I’m paraphrasing) 80% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence. I’m sure if I find the one article the other will be there also. Once I find the article showing that 80% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence, as you claim, I will email Cardinal Hickey since he, like many of us who read Gallop and the CBS/NYT polls are misinformed.
Have you ever done stand-up comedy? You have talent, sitetest.;-)
You wish to believe that your insults and harsh words are the acts of charity of a saint. I don't care to dispute that with you. Anyone who can read these posts knows that you are likely immune to any reason concerning this.
Just to clear up a few items. ;-)
"You along with your 'friend' (perhaps there’s a bond I’m not aware of) expressed the belief that there were few souls in hell."
Well, I can't speak for my friend. You'll need to ask him directly. However, you would be hard put to show where I have expressed a belief that there are few souls in Hell. Especially since that isn't my belief. But I'm sure that your falsification of my views is inadvertent, and not a lack of charity.
"...is located near the other articles that you refered to which show that (I’m paraphrasing) 80% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence."
It's you who quoted a poll stating that 80+% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence. I've seen other polls with other numbers, but have never cited a poll stating that 80+% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence. I'm sure that your falsification of my statements is inadvertent, and not a lack of charity.
You went further with the poll numbers and showed that many, or most who believe in the Real Presence have a heterodox notion of what it means.
You demonstrated lack of knowledge about polling, among other topics, with your discussion of the results of that poll. But in any event, it is you who cited it, not me.
"Have you ever done stand-up comedy? You have talent, sitetest.;-)"
Thanks. I always try to leave 'em laughing.
;-)
sitetest