The May 2010 Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter can now be found at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/Newsletters/Newsletter108(May2010)(RGB).pdf Bill C-384 was soundly defeated by a vote of 228 to 59. Check how the Members of Parliament voted at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/HowTheyVoted.pdf On June 5, 2010, we are co-hosting the US/Canda Push-Back Seminar at the Radisson Gateway Hotel at the Seattle/Tacoma Airport. The overwhelming defeat of Bill C-384 proved that we can Push-Back the euthanasia lobby in the US and Canada and convince people that euthanasia and assisted suicide are a dangerous public policy. Register for the Seminar at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/2010SeminarFlyer(RGB)(LetterFormat).pdf The Schindler family are being attacked by a Florida television station and Michael Schiavo. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is standing in solidarity with the Schindler family. My blog comments: http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2010/05/att
Reflections from the pastoral ministry of an Evangelical Catholic Priest.
very interesting dialogue...i wonder if people simply leave the Church because they feel they no longer have any need for the Sacraments and have forgotten the real meaning of the Mass. God help us if we have become a people who go to Church to be entertained. It is where we go to hear the word of God and where we are gifted DAILY with His Body and Blood so we may go out and bring Him to others.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article, I guess. It looks like they've given up on those who leave religion all together. It would be intersting to follow up on the 40% who go to the Protestants to see if they grow disillusioned with that faith too and joing the "nones".
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed interesting why people leave or change religions. It is a sad state of affairs that exists in the Christian Church today. In another Blog much is made of Newt Gingrich becoming Catholic, and it seems this is great news to Catholics when they steal a good Protestant. The selling of birth rites should not be a cause for celebration and bragging about bringing a new "convert" into the fold. This is a disgraceful practice among the churches today.
ReplyDeleteChristian Unity will never be achieved until true respect and love permeate our inner being. Sheep stealing brings no glory to the body of Christ.
Cliff
Hi Cliff
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'd describe someones personal conversion to another faith as sheep stealing. And that goes for people coming and going from the church. I have many protestant friends that tell me stories of Catholics jumping ship and that they "found the Lord". I don't think they were stolen, they simply found what they believe to be the truth elsewhere. People leave of their own accord, nobody is forced to accept another faith, including Newt Gingrich.
Cheers
Paul
BINGO MARY!
ReplyDelete"i wonder if people simply leave the Church because they feel they no longer have any need for the Sacraments and have forgotten the real meaning of the Mass."
I think many feel they don't need God (and his Sacraments). In our minds, we've become gods of our own destiny. And I agree 100% that the real meaning of the Mass has been lost in recent years therefor its seen as a pointless exercise.
Cheers
Paul
Young Catholics leave because they find no commonality or admirabilty with those running the Church today.
ReplyDeletePaul, yes I agree most people leave of their own accord and have reconciled that decision between themselves and God.
ReplyDeleteWhere I get upset is when these conversions turn into "bragging", such as high profile individuals who "converted" to the Catholic Church such as Michael Coren, Conrad Black, Ian Hunter and recently Newt Gingrich. These celebrities are certainly highly publicized in the Catholic press. Does this need to be publicized at all?
Let everything be done for the Glory of God!
Cliff
I agree many have nothing in common with the church and have no admiration for it. Many young and old Catholics alike leave because they've chosen the secular values of the times over those put forward in the scriptures and the teachings of the church. As Jesus says ""No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Paul
I see your point Cliff. In the big picture, celebrity conversions are of no greater value than the lowliest of persons. In a worldly sense they're valuable because for some strange reason, man tends to value the opinions and values of celebrities above all others. Nobody cared about forgiving 3rd world debt until Bono made it an issue. Sadly if you're trying to sell a product or idea in this world, nothing works better than a celebrity endorsement. I guess the Catholic press is not immune to this thinking.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Paul
Michael Coren is a good example of an Esau who sold his birth rite not once but twice. He was raised an orthodox Jew and converted to Evangelical Protestantism, and now to The Catholic Church. Not only that he has the audacity to write a book, "Why Catholics are Right". Not only is this uncharitable, but sticks a knife in Protestants as well. My question is where will he "convert" to next.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a lot of respect for Michal Coren, but he has crossed a line that is unacceptable and truly lacking in understanding and forgiveness, yet his book is trotted out for all to see.
Irony! Irony!
Cliff
Hello Cliff
ReplyDeleteHave you read Michaels book or did you make the determination it was uncharitable and truly lacking in understanding and forgiveness based on the title alone?
I've haven't read it but I have watched interviews of him on his book and it sounds like its not an attack on Protestantism but a defence of common attacks and misconceptions on the Catholic Church in general.
I agree with you on this point "Christian Unity will never be achieved until true respect and love permeate our inner being. ".
However I would ad unity will never be achieved if we don't better understand our differences and discuss them. Ignoring the elephant in the room won't make him go away. I think Coren's book can help someone outside the church to better understand it as it addresses the many myths and misconceptions that contribute to anti-Catholic sentiment.
Cheers
Paul
I think Michael’s track record speaks for itself, and it is a question of his credibility and instability. If he keeps jumping ship eventually he may find the full truth?
ReplyDeleteHe may have had good intentions, but he certainly is going about it the wrong way, because we know the Church has enough enemies without aggravating your allies and friends. We are all seeking the truth, and yes I agree we certainly need to cooperate a lot more than we currently do.
Cliff