Religious Discussion Welcome Thread

[Buckalew11]

PUFFY2 you are DEAD WRONG! YOU don't know me. YOU have no knowledge of me! HOW CAN YOU EVEN SAY anything??? You just seem like a poor sport sticking up for a failing team. How did I offend you?

I thought this same thing when I read that comment, Adam. How could he *know* you and make such a commnet?

 

[Big Dude]

Let's face it. This thread was started to pick a fight. I could easily do the same thing with a number of Protestant religions, but tact and Southern manners require that I resist that temptation.

Persoanlly, I think this thread should be locked.

WOW, have YOU mis-interperated this thread! YOU have no knowleded of what is in my heart. Sorry you feel the way you do. I'll pray for you.

Adam

 

[disneymom3]

I didn't think this thread was meant to pick a fight at all. Seems to me that there was a legitimate frustration and concern being asked. Keep in mind that the OP (Adam) is not the person (or people) doing all the arguing. Not that some of the arguing wasn't called for.

 

[Rella Bella]

Let's face it. This thread was started to pick a fight.

I don't think Puffy2 even read Adam's start to this thread... he simply asked a question... others have turned it into a debate.

 

[Big Dude]

Thank you Rella Bella. You are very kind. Puffy 2, maybe you should just avoid this thread if it causes you that much discomfort. I am (not really) surprised that most of the posters are teaching me from their hearts. That is very comforting and I really do appreciate it. Catholics, Protestants, Jewish and any other denomination that I can learn from is welcome in my heart. Thank you all again for your thoughts, teachings and prayers.

Adam

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I don't think Puffy2 even read Adam's start to this thread... he simply asked a question... others have turned it into a debate.

With all due respect to Big Dude, he didn't "just" ask a question. I can easily see why puffy2 would say what he did. If Big Dude "just" wanted to know the answer, then question would've been phrased something like "Why do Catholics not allow other denominations to particpate in Communion?"

But, he was upset about the practice and therefore phrased his "question" in what sounded like an obvious "dig" on the Catholic Church. I am sure that BD knew that Jesus didn't specifically say anything about Catholics at the last supper, so his question was tongue in cheek/sarcastic in nature.

As to the debate part of the thread, when people are critical of my religion for things that aren't even true, yea I find myself jumping in.

 

[Rella Bella]

With all due respect to Big Dude, he didn't "just" ask a question. I can easily see why puffy2 would say what he did. If Big Dude "just" wanted to know the answer, then question would've been phrased something like "Why do Catholics not allow other denominations to particpate in Communion?"
But, he was upset about the practice and therefore phrased his "question" in what sounded like an obvious "dig" on the Catholic Church. I am sure that BD knew that Jesus didn't specifically say anything about Catholics at the last supper, so his question was tongue in cheek/sarcastic in nature.

I am also Catholic, and I agree that there was definitely some angst expressed in BD’s post. But I believe it was more frustration than ill will. Way back on page 2, Figment22 quoted the American College of Bishops and technically answered his question. But his question was emotional not technical.

He was back at Mass for very emotional reasons and our practice probably made him ‘feel’ excluded at his own parent’s funeral mass… even though he had been raised Catholic. I think he was ‘reaching out’ in frustration trying to express emotions that were difficult to put into words. He is still grieving the loss of both his parents and this ‘question’ is partly an expression of his heartache. I sense a true desire for understanding… not an intention to start an argument.

I have many ‘raised Catholic’ friends that have come to this place. They left the Church (or just wandered away) when they were young, sometimes with no real reason. Then life brings them to a crossroad and they are suddenly faced with “ why”. Sometimes it comes out as anger, sometimes as frustration, sometimes as intense sorrow. It’s a time for us to pray for them.

 

[dcentity2000]

PUFFY2 you are DEAD WRONG! YOU don't know me. YOU have no knowledge of me! HOW CAN YOU EVEN SAY anything??? You just seem like a poor sport sticking up for a failing team. How did I offend you?

In Puffy2's defence, there is a difference between actus reus and mens rea. You may not have intended to start a skirmish, but it may have sported some of the hallmarks of it. On such a controversial issue you need to make every effort you can to ensure that such a topic is not construed as hostile.



Rich::

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I am also Catholic, and I agree that there was definitely some angst expressed in BD’s post. But I believe it was more frustration than ill will. Way back on page 2, Figment22 quoted the American College of Bishops and technically answered his question. But his question was emotional not technical.

He was back at Mass for very emotional reasons and our practice probably made him ‘feel’ excluded at his own parent’s funeral mass… even though he had been raised Catholic. I think he was ‘reaching out’ in frustration trying to express emotions that were difficult to put into words. He is still grieving the loss of both his parents and this ‘question’ is partly an expression of his heartache. I sense a true desire for understanding… not an intention to start an argument.

I have many ‘raised Catholic’ friends that have come to this place. They left the Church (or just wandered away) when they were young, sometimes with no real reason. Then life brings them to a crossroad and they are suddenly faced with “ why”. Sometimes it comes out as anger, sometimes as frustration, sometimes as intense sorrow. It’s a time for us to pray for them.

Oh, I understand he was upset/emotional, etc. I wasn't really trying to read into what BD meant per se, but rather explain that puffy2 certainly had a reason to suspect what he did based on how BD phrased his original post.

I am sure it frustrated him, but to say puffy2 was way off base, I don't think is accurate.

 

[Rella Bella]

Oh, I understand he was upset/emotional, etc. I wasn't really trying to read into what BD meant per se, but rather explain that puffy2 certainly had a reason to suspect what he did based on how BD phrased his original post. I am sure it frustrated him, but to say puffy2 was way off base, I don't think is accurate.

Right! I think BD just felt misunderstood when he said that, but to give puffy the benefit as well, he could have read that into what was posted.
Boy, it sure makes a difference when communication happens!

 

[cardaway]

So Catholics feared that this thread would become a Catholic bash fast, and when it didn't, they decided to turn it into a Big Dude bash fast.

Looks like the finger pointing on why these threads get ugly might need to do a 180.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Agree 100% We are ALL under the same God. UNITE! Don't divide!


"When Will They Learn We Are All Children of the Same God?"- John Paul II

Well said.

And, in effect, this is the OP's concern. IMHO, what the OP felt was the 'exclusion' and the 'divisivness' caused by the Roman Catholic Churches actions and policies.

Why is what is good enough to be a Christian and to be saved thru Christ, NOT good enough to be included in the 'Catholic' faith. Was Christ's sacrifice not good enough? Are 'Christ's' parameters not good enough?

 

[6_Time_Momma]

So Catholics feared that this thread would become a Catholic bash fast, and when it didn't, they decided to turn it into a Big Dude bash fast.

Looks like the finger pointing on why these threads get ugly might need to do a 180.

Oh for pete's sake, card, where the heck do you see anyone "bashing" BD? I just don't have enough rolleyes for that statement.

 

[Rella Bella]

Why is what is good enough to be a Christian and to be saved thru Christ, NOT good enough to be included in the 'Catholic' faith. Was Christ's sacrifice not good enough? Are 'Christ's' parameters not good enough?

It's not about being 'good enough'. It's not even about being 'saved'. Christ's sacrifice is the ONLY thing any of us have to depend on! It's just about different definitions of how much unity is required to share that particular act of worship.

The below was posted earlier... but I have edited and added the emphasis:
We welcome our fellow Christians as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship. And that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity. "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, if a non-Catholic Christian were to receive Holy Communion, it would proclaim a unity that, regrettably, does not exsist.

Peace

 

[Wishing on a star]

And, you don't see a huge irony here in regards to 'unity'?

Would Christ practice or condone these policies of division and exclusion?

Sorry, but once again, I do not begin to expect a satisfied Catholic to see any of these points. It is like talking to a brick wall. We are on a whole different plane.

 

[phillybeth]

And, you don't see a huge irony here in regards to 'unity'?

Would Christ practice or condone these policies of division and exclusion?

Sorry, but once again, I do not begin to expect a satisfied Catholic to see any of these points. It is like talking to a brick wall. We are on a whole different plane.

Would you just come right out and say what your problem is with Catholics?

As for those of you who hate or fear Cahtolics, why? Have you ever been to a Catholic Mass? It's not devil worship. Guess what they do? They listen to bible readings- OT, NT, and Gospel. They hear a sermon. A plate or basket is passed. They eat some bread and drink some wine. They sing some songs. Any of this sound familiar?

 

[6_Time_Momma]

And, you don't see a huge irony here in regards to 'unity'?

Would Christ practice or condone these policies of division and exclusion?

Sorry, but once again, I do not begin to expect a satisfied Catholic to see any of these points. It is like talking to a brick wall. We are on a whole different plane.

LOL!! Believe me......many Catholics feel the same way about talking to protestants about the Catholic faith!!

As to the unity, it isn't there......one reason IS the fact that most other denominations do not recognize the Eucharist as the body of Christ. Obviously, as demonstrated in this thread, there is a long way to go before there is unity between Christian denominations.

 

[cardaway]

Oh for pete's sake, card, where the heck do you see anyone "bashing" BD? I just don't have enough rolleyes for that statement.

For starters...

But, he was upset about the practice and therefore phrased his "question" in what sounded like an obvious "dig" on the Catholic Church.

Of course it's not much, but it's equal to the stuff that was always labeled as bashing when it was directed at Catholics or their religion.

And here, since you've got lazy, let me help.



You've given me a lot of practice this year.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

For starters...



Of course it's not much, but it's equal to the stuff that was always labeled as bashing when it was directed at Catholics or their religion.

And here, since you've got lazy, let me help.



You've given me a lot of practice this year.

If you see that as bashing BD, then whatever. You have a strange sense of what bashing is, IMO.

 

[Wishing on a star]

But, the deeper question, is how can their be unity between Christian's when there are denomonations that have practices and requirements that are contrary to Christ directives???

I know that it may be hard for some Catholics to hear. But, the fact is that many protestants do feel this way about the Catholic Church. Which is, in fact, the whole Catholic/Protestant division.

sigh... Still on different planes here.