Good will to all men? Not from the grumpy atheists! (Thank God not all atheists are grumpy but there sure seems to be a lot of them)
Why is it that so many in the atheist community cannot bring themselves to get past their anger whenever they engage in discussions? The language of many of their contributions in public debate is laced with invective and dripping with sarcasm and bile. There are exceptions of course, but they tend to fall more into the category of being the 'exception that proves the rule' when compared to the hostility of many of today's atheist posters. Comment offered by the theists in the public square is often depicted as being 'malicious' or 'venomous' and intended to enslave the 'feeble minded and weak' by those who post. Nothing could be further from the truth. Venom is something that is oriented to death. Christians are oriented in a 180 degree different direction. We speak not to the culture of death that grips our world but rather for the culture of life and light which ends with the gift of eternal life. For example, the Catholic Church in its hum...
Most N American Catholics do not agree with the pronouncements of their Pope, bishops or priests and do not live according to them. they have no part in the appointment of their priests or the elevation of those among them into the hierarchy. When I read what you, the select among your brothers and self proclaimed orthodox lay pundits that you publish here I recognize no similarity to the Catholics around me that I know as family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. It seems to me that most of the Catholics I am familiar with no longer have the freedom, according to you guys, to lay claim to their own Catholicism.
ReplyDeleteWho gets to say who is Catholic, in word, thought or deed. Not you, Tim. Not anyone except each individual as they live their own life in step with their God. Jesus is big. His church is big. You are only one voice. A bishop is only one voice. A pope is only one voice. None are more or less true because of high ecclesiastic status. You may have a list of those who are first among us. God may also have a list. I doubt it is the same list.
If people have stopped listening to you, the bishops and the pope, it certainly is significant. It does not mean that society is discriminating against religion. It may mean that there are serious errors with what you are saying. Ask God, he will let you know what is what. I think that is what most people do.
"Most N American Catholics do not agree with......."
ReplyDeleteDog: more hasty generalizations without foundation - so using your logic, when any priest, bishop or the Pope speaks about care for the destitute, food for people in Third World Countries, etc etc - most N American Catholics, do not agree? Is that your blanket logic?