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Middleman
Guest
Laura Ingraham is a quality woman. Talk radio does have some good eggs, in spite of the bad rap it gets. This woman is tops in my book!
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RobbyS
Guest
Converts tend to take what they are taught about the Church at face value, They accept the creeds as true, whereas many liberals Catholic may say the same words, but have put a new construction on them. One reason why the term consubtantial disappeared from the English version: not mythical enough.
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Digitonomy
Guest
Mea culpa. I should have been clearer that I was not characterizing the people themselves, but suggesting that the approaches to issues by Hannity and Levin are simplistic and bitter respectively.
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luminoushope
Guest
I believe when Laura Ingraham (sorry for my previous misspelling) talked about “cafeteria Catholics”, she was discussing the pro-abortion “ardent Catholic” Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Mrs. Pelosi not only promotes abortion but states that the Church’s teaching about when life begins has never been clear. Hence, she knows better than the Church. She was recently admonished on this subject by the Holy Father who told her that a Catholic in a government position has a duty to promote the sanctity of life from conception until natural death. Sorry I don’t have links, but these remarks were in public and are well known.
In the circumstances, wouldn’t you think “cafeteria Catholic” would be a mild characterization?
In the circumstances, wouldn’t you think “cafeteria Catholic” would be a mild characterization?
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PCM
Guest
Perfect example! Not someone struggling with why or how and generally striving to be holy yet a sinner like all of us - but someone like Nancy Pelosi. with a public voting record, making up Church teachings.Thank you for clarifying so nicely!
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Ridgerunner
Guest
I tend to look at it another way. If one sins, one should confess it before receiving Communion. And, one should approach the whole thing humbly. Do those who sin and confess absolutely know they will never sin again? No. Do they often pretty much figure they will, out of weakness, sin again? Yes, people do. Does that mean they are unforgiven? God knows for sure. But one thing God did in the Incarnation was not only to bring men to Him, but to bring something of Himself to men. And so, in empowering the apostles to forgive sin, did He mean to give them no power; that the sinner must be perfect before he is forgiven, i.e., perfect in contrition so that he would be forgiven even without the sacrament of Penance?
No, I think He meant to share real power with men. And so, the power to forgive sins is real, and does not require perfection either in contrition or in purpose of amendment.
What is a “firm purpose of amendment”? Can we have an intention that we pretty well know we will break and still qualify?
We all know using artificial birth control is seriously sinful. We know that. We all know lots of things are seriously sinful. In mentally declaring our “purpose of amendment” can we not at least resolve seriously to look into NFP? Can we not at least give it a “protected try”, if that’s all we can manage? And, among our reasons for not wanting to have a child at this time, are there none we could re-examine with the thought that perhaps they are not all valid? Perhaps none of them are truly valid? Can we not resolve at least to re-examine our whole attitude toward Divine Providence as it relates to birth control? Is our life perhaps on a wrong road in other ways, and is our use of birth control perhaps more a symptom than the disease? We can do at least that. We can resolve to reconsider our purposes in life. We can look to the Scriputre and the writings of the Church concerning birth control and our approach to life generally. We can do that.
No matter how deeply we are into a particular sin, we can, at minimum, resolve seriously to at least re-examine it; to think it out again; to be other than smug in the assumptions underlying our decisions that we know are sinful. We can do that. We can resolve to try, and we must resolve to make a start.
God knows how weak we are. He knows we will fail, over and over again. He does expect us to try, though, and to be serious in trying even if we are capable only of weak trying at this moment.
I sometimes marvel at those who decide to reinvent the morality of the Church. Why do we do that? It’s because we want to think of ourselves as strong and we do not want to face our weakness. I am not a moral theologian, but I truly do think accepting that we really aren’t strong and are deeply flawed, is the critical precondition to becoming a truly moral person and a devoted child of God.
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Gerry_Hunter
Guest
Even when the term is used with the care I commended, it would be hard to argue it didn’t apply here.
At the risk of stretching the analogy, after years of cafeteria dining, she has helped herself to such liberal portions that she has diseased her faith. She provides a vivid example of the consequences of carelessness in structuring your spiritual diet. She needs a diet of the purest spiritual nourishment her Holy Mother can (and would be pleased to) provide. Problem is, has the disease progressed to the point that she cannot realize that and accept it?
Blessings,
Gerry
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selah603
Guest
That is so sad when people leave the Church because they have been convinced that it is not “Christian”. I am a convert and I know the tactics used to “convert Catholics” . I used them myself.
Unfortunately, many good Catholics have not grown and learned about our faith since they were confirmed, and therefore are easy targets.
I love listening to Laura because she reflects the enthusiam of so many of us who have raced into the Church when we realize that this IS the church that Jesus founded.
I have been writing for examiner.com/chicago and trying to slip in some apologetics 101 as I write. I would really appreciate feedback and suggestions as we go along.
To anyone thinking of leaving the church: start reading Keating, Hahn, and sites that are called Catholic apologetics such as this one. Shoot… for those who stay… we need to read them too!
Paul said to always be ready to give an answer… let’s go for it!
I really mean it when I say that I would appreciate your help!
God bless you this first Friday of Lent!
Pam
PS Just to avoid confusion, there are two RC examiners in Chicago. From what I have read, we are very different in our perspectives of the church.
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josie_L
Guest
If a Catholic is unaware that they have committed a sin in taking birth control (hard to believe in this day and age), then yes, we should not judge them, however, it takes only a rudimentary knowledge of Church doctrine to realize that the use of birth control is a mortal sin. I believe that the majority of Catholics contracepting are willfully ignoring the teachings of the Church.
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luminoushope
Guest
My husband remembers clearly that when Mrs. Pelosi took office as Speaker of the House, she announced, “I’m now the most powerful woman in the world!”
I think we can see from this what the issues are and pray accordingly.
God bless,
L.H.
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PCM
Guest
I agree. It is more common to find people disregarding the teachings of the Church that don’t suit them than those who are struggling with a teaching, possibly disagreeing, but researching the basis of it and seeking guidance. The latter requires courage and humility.
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luminoushope
Guest
Greetings! Congratulations on your writing venture. Just breathe and let it flow through you.
I think the cafeteria being closed means that we believe and submit ourselves to the teachings of the Church, rather than expecting to be able to tailor those teachings to our preferences.
As a convert-in-process, from a Jewish family and an evangelical of 27 years, please forgive me if I’m going over the total basics, but you asked for suggestions for your writing. The Eucharist had a great deal to do with drawing me in, it was the central issue really. Now, Protestants always talk about “Christ in the Passover”, even giving “New Testament Seders”, but then insist that communion is only “symbolic”. Guess what? The Passover lamb and unleavened bread weren’t “symbolic” any more than the Passover wine! The Body and the Blood! The Jews ate them and drank them, physically, still do today! Of course, this is a type and a forerunner of Our Lord’s Passion and the gifts He gave.
I would have put this in a private message to you but I’m technologically challenged and don’t know how.
Best wishes and blessings to you,
L.H.
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luminoushope
Guest
Here is another “cafeteria” issue: “same-sex marriage”. Today, March 5, from 9 to 12 in the morning, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the 3 lawsuits pending against Proposition 8, which defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. What is being sought is for this court to negate the “will of the people” for the second time. Many demonstrators have arrived near the courthouse and the network news is covering this in the usual way.
After this hearing, the court has 90 days to render its decision.
Please keep this matter in prayer. Our parish women’s club met Tuesday and someone proposed that we all show up at Mass today. Sounds right to me.
I hope and pray that somehow the cafeteria can be indeed closed in California.
After this hearing, the court has 90 days to render its decision.
Please keep this matter in prayer. Our parish women’s club met Tuesday and someone proposed that we all show up at Mass today. Sounds right to me.
I hope and pray that somehow the cafeteria can be indeed closed in California.
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rpp
Guest
First, let me welcome you to the Church. May God continue to bless you and inspire you as you learn more about what the Church teaches. And a belated welcome to CAF.
I would really like to thank you for your explanation of the various perspectives regarding the seder meal and Passover. That really helps me to understand more fully that what the Church teaches about the Eucharist is not different but actually fulfillment of what Jews taught and believed. Thank you!
(Sorry for taking this thread a bit off topic. Now back to Laura Ingraham.)
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Scalia
Guest
Exactly, Laura appreciates what she has and doesn’t want to see it diminished:thumbsup:
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glitterglo
Guest
um, the sun actually does rise in the east…
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