Featured Indulgences

You were not charged as having done so, rsr, but, the thread is not open to look at all of the perceived errors of the Catholic Church, and, if that is the direction it goes that is what is going to happen.

On the contrary, we have a Public Confession of that very thing...and it has been ignored.

And that is my point. I have spoken with quite a few Catholics and had many of them overlook certain Doctrines which "a Catholic has to believe," when the fact is that all fellowships have their share of heretics (also known as people who think for themselves, who are not subject to indoctrination for the sake of indoctrination).

That is the myth, and usually when a Catholic comes on here, in my opinion, mind you, they come on because of the nasty way Catholics are treated, so the potential for sincere discussion goes out the window and it becomes a Catholic bash.

An example might be those who reject a Pre-Tribulational Rapture. Comments like "Pre-Tribbers are waiting for a bailout," or, "Pre-Tribbers think there is secret whisking away," or something to that effect. The problem is that (1) the people making comments about "Pre-Tribbers" have no real grasp of Biblical teachings concerning the Rapture, (2) no real understanding of what all Pre-tribbers believe and teach, and (3) a tendency to impose what they think Pre-Tribbers believe on all Pre-Tribbers.

And the result is that they seldom take the time to try to understand why someone is a Pre-Tribber.

So if people take an approach like that, why would we not think that the only Catholics who come here, come here on the defensive in the first place, and seek to justify the faith group they are a part of? Rather, if we seek to stir up sincere discussion of the Doctrines which divide us, I thikn there are two very real outcomes, (1) we can better understand why they believe what they believe, and (2) it may just be we may be surprised by their reaction which could be a rejection of the disputed doctrine.

But it isn't going to happen in an environment that is strictly hostile.

Not for all Catholics. It was in fact a Catholic that I spoke with that basically dismissed indulgences and pointed out the difference between how some Catholics view the doctrine, and the often erroneous view of antagonists who use it as a club on them.

It isn't something that a Catholic has to believe. Everyone can make that decision for themselves, and that is what they do. That's why we have "Baptists" that teach Annihilation and Soul Sleep.

And you may say Catholics have to believe certain things, or cannot believe certain things, but that is about as useful as saying Baptists have to believe certain things and cannot believe certain things. You really want to claim a Unity among Baptists? On a forum where Baptists are debating the same things over and over, day in, day out?

Tell that to Adonia. Tell him what it is he has to believe. You could do that, and what do you think is the result?

You just might push him into adopting into his beliefs the very thing that most who "witness" to Catholics say they are trying to dissuade Catholics from, lol.

Get the point?

And nothing you said would have made anyone think you were trying to offend.

But let's keep the OP on point, and not extend it to all issues we might see as erroneous in Catholic Doctrine.

As far as I am concerned, the thread was over with Adonia's statements. That was in fact the point of the OP, to show that we have to distinguish, individually, and on a personal level, the Basis of Belief of every believer, rather than putting them into a box and telling them what they believe. We have to find out what a person believes in reality before we can "address it" or "witness to them."

I have spoken to numerous people on this forum that say they are "Baptist," and few would argue that there have been some rather strange "Baptists" come to this forum.

And if I resemble that remark...please keep it to yourself. I wouldn't want it to get out I am a heretic.




God bless.

 

Well, I would like to get the opinion of Catholics about this new Pope. Might be we may see a division as we see over Trump. Catholics are as diverse as Baptists. My own view of what a "true Baptist" is was shaped, surprise surprise, from the Baptist Fellowships I have been a part of. I think it quite probable, seeing that every congregation has leadership that influences and shapes the views of the majority of their congregation, that there is a range among Catholics from nominal to fanatical, from Liberal to Conservative. And my experience on forums speaking with Catholics supports that.

As far as the links go, I am not interested in following links, so if there is something in there that you feel is relevant, quote the particular statement and comment, and open it up to Catholics for a response.


God bless.

 

We are pleased with your request. Speak now thine own heart.




God bless.