History and the Catholic Church

LewRockwell.com ^ | Jeffrey Rubin

[JMJ333]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[ultima ratio]

You wrote "there is a little too much evidence to bury the Inquisition." You underestimate Crocker. His points are well substantiated. He used William Manchester and Will Durant as sources--and they are impeccable. First off, the Spanish Inquisition wasn't the Church's Inquisition per se, it was Ferdinand's and Isabella's. It was run by laymen, attorneys actually. They did not use an iron maiden or thumbscrews. That's pure unadulterated anti-Catholic bunk. They put to death around 4,000 people in 350 years. To put that in perspective, Luther's war against peasants took 130,000 lives in just two years. Of course nobody ever mentions this in polite conversation.

[Theresa]

"Catholicism is naturally the religion of high civilization, of art, learning, and beauty, and of understanding that everything’s not in the Bible and that the classical world had virtues worth preserving and building on. St. Augustine recognized that pagan Rome had great virtues. Dante’s guide in the Divine Comedy is the pagan poet Virgil. Aquinas built on Aristotle. The Church incorporates everything. It truly is universal, and that is one of its great glories."

Yes!!!! Thank the Lord too! And fie on Puritans who are afraid of culture, philosophy, art (including STATUES) and anything remotely "pagan." What did Chesterton say? The Catholic Church is like a jug of wine, a good steak a fine cigar. Something like that. I could never be a Protestant. Not to offend, really. It is NOT the main reason I could not be one, but I just could never be a Protestant because it's too plain!! Not that Protestants cannot become very holy people. But is so plain!!! I like complexity and variety. I like it that the RCC has not been scubbed clean of culture and color and mystery. Maybe it is because I am part Italian that I could never feel at home in a bible belt Protestant Church. As I said, no offense to anyone. I guess it is what you are used to.

[Theresa]

"pale in comparison to the 150,000 documented witch burnings elsewhere in Europe over the same centuries."

And the Protestants burned witches too! That was the way it was back then.

[JMJ333]

I'm with you, and you're right--Chesterton says it best:

Intellect and the Mass

A thinking man can think himself deeper and deeper into Catholicism . . . conversion is the beginning of an active, fruitful, progressive and even adventurous life of the intellect . . . To exalt the Mass is to enter into a magnificent world of metaphysical ideas, illuminating all the relations of matter and mind, of flesh and spirit, of the most impersonal abstractions as well as the most personal affections. To set out to belittle and minimise the Mass, by talking ephemeral back-chat about what it had in common with Mithras or the Mysteries, is to be in altogether a more petty and pedantic mood; not only lower than Catholicism but lower even than Mithraism . . . It is precisely the dogmas that are living, that are inspiring, that are intellectually interesting. {The Thing, NY: Sheed & Ward, 1929, 212-213}

[ultima ratio]

That's 130,000 peasant lives of course. The other classes lost very few people. Nice guy, Luther.

[JMJ333]

Welcome to FR, by the way. ;)

[ultima ratio]

Thanks. And thanks for the posting.

[Polycarp]

Thanks! I bought this book recently at a wonderful Catholic homeschooling conference in D.C.

I've been reading it in bits and pieces.

Its a great, unapologetic romp through Catholic history, reminiscent in its bellicose Catholicity to the historical tales of Hillaire Belloc.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Theresa]

"To set out to belittle and minimise the Mass, by talking ephemeral back-chat about what it had in common with Mithras or the Mysteries."

Ain't it the truth? I can't get over how many NC's think that a "rite" as in a "ritural" as in something as innocent as making the sign of the cross over yourself with holy water is sooooo terrible. What is THAT all about? What in the heck is wrong with making the sign of the cross? As long as live, I will never understand this kind of thinking. I suppose it is because they think of it as superstitous. But to me what IS superstitious is to believe that making the sign of the cross is superstitious. And candles. What in the world is wrong with having candles in a church? What is wrong with lighting a candle and saying a prayer? When you go into a Catholic church and you see the lit candles, it shows that people have been there praying. I think that is wonderful! Why? Why? Do NC's see that as something undesirable? I'll never understand it and it bugs me. I wish it did not but it does. Some of the most innocent things are seen as something bad. It's a sad thing really. I guess it is what you are used to. That's the only answer I can come up with. I suppose if I was not used to it, I would feel as they do. I don't know.

[EODGUY]

Terrific article, thanks for the ping.

"A: Because the Vatican knows that if this scandal were reported accurately the headlines would read: “Church Experience with Homosexual Priests Confirms Boy Scout Fears.” That’s why the Vatican has already directed the American Church to purge itself of homosexuals. And that’s why next on the chopping block will be the morally lax liberalism that allowed this happen. So the inevitable long-term result will be a rejuvenated, more conservative Church full of orthodox celibate priests – exactly the reverse of what the media is predicting. But the media is too blinkered by liberal prejudice and superficiality to understand this."

IMHO, the quote above is the best in the entire article. I disagree with the final sentence, however. I am confident that the media and especially those who control it, understand the responder's contention all too well. Unfortunately, reporting same fails to fit the pro-homosexual agenda of the media that is wrought with liberal prejudice, superficiality and I dare say, anti-Catholic bias.

God bless,

EODGUY

[Sock]

Excellent interview!

Oh, to see this line in print...

“Church Experience with Homosexual Priests Confirms Boy Scout Fears.”

[JMJ333]

I agree. The lying bunch of snakes, aka the mainstream media, know full well the impact it would have on the homosexual community if the truth were printed. Too bad for them that, to a large extent, damage has already been done. They will see the results, and they won't be happy. We'll be stronger than ever. ;)

[JMJ333]

Oh, to see this line in print...

I fear that would take an act of God for that to happen. heh.

[EODGUY]

Notice how quiet the homosexual activitists have been regarding the tragic issue facing the vicitms and our Church?

We will indeed become stronger!

EODGUY

[Evangelium Vitae]

That's 130,000 peasant lives of course. The other classes lost very few people. Nice guy, Luther.

And the tract that gave the go ahead was entitled, Against the Murderous and Rapacious Hordes of the Peasants. Herr Luther, what do you really think about the peasants? LOL.

[JMJ333]

The best thing for us to do is to be exactly who we are--unabashadly proud orthodox Roman Catholics, who are not afraid to show our devotion through beautiful artwork, our treasury of saints and prayers, and the piousness we espouse by lighting our candles, saying our rosaries, and burning our incense. I'm proud of who I am!

[EODGUY]

Well said.

I am very proud to be a Roman Catholic as well.

EODGUY

[Polycarp]

As always, I too am Proud2bRC!!!

;-)

[JMJ333]

And where are you hiding at? =)