So what if religion is boring?

[Lost_Wanderer]

I never said it’s mandatory. I said that it’s a reason why I find religion exciting.

Yep. YOUR reason. Keep that in mind. Real tight now.

Do you understand what Christ is saying?

Only when it’s not being twisted into false dichotomies and dilemmas like what you seem to be doing.

Believe me if you find a ministry in the Church to become devoted to it by study and becoming active you will not be bored. There is so much to learn and much work to be done.

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. And then… snores Call me shallow but if I need to devote myself to my religion, youth groups and the like will need more than a desire for religious knowledge that I can easily fulfill on my own. I don’t need any more work than that and don’t see a need to nor a command to have it.

So far my my player community and even my own work place have served to beat what you encourage me to participate in. You want me to sign up, you’ll need something like, say, I don’t know, a girl who fits my ideal image of a spouse? I’ll at least be a lot less bored with an object of infatuation and affection walking around.

Wooo hooo!!! the exciting world of prayer and reverence and devotion…wow!!!

Er… sorry, still not feeling this excitement that you speak of and you’d do better with your time not trying again as you’re not even required by the Church to do so.

Oh and FYI, are you aware that addiction to spiritual bliss is actually a danger sign of immaturity?

Let’s face it, this world is distraction to the real and eternal treasures that await us in eternity.

Are you in eternity? Being a little presumptuous aren’t we?

Our eternity is forever. Do you still want to woooo hoooo about the things of this world???

Uh, yeah. Cuz frankly, I’m an exceedingly curious guy. I honestly do not find exhilaration in your Beatific dreams and am frankly glad the Church doesn’t condemn the pursuit of earthly immortality. Sure would like to see what this place is like and be young enough to grasp history as its made.

 

[minion]

Our eternity is forever. Do you still want to woooo hoooo about the things of this world???

Kinda butting in (sorry), but if we weren’t meant to be part of this world, God would have tossed us straight into heaven like the angels, right? Clearly, we’re supposed to be doing something here, and not everyone is called to abandon all worldly pursuits and be a hermit.

I want to think life is not just a dumb divine test where God is just itching to pull al lever to send us to hell if we happen to die in mortal sin, but that we have a purpose while on our way to heaven.
Lost Wanderer:

Cuz frankly, I’m an exceedingly curious guy. I honestly do not find exhilaration in your Beatific dreams and am frankly glad the Church doesn’t condemn the pursuit of earthly immortality. Sure would like to see what this place is like and be young enough to grasp history as its made.

In other words…you’re seeking adventure? I imagine in heaven, near omniscient knowledge of history will be made known to you anyway.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

In other words…you’re seeking adventure? I imagine in heaven, near omniscient knowledge of history will be made known to you anyway.

Got a little riddle for ya. Where’s the fun in learning when you already know everything?

 

[minion]

Got a little riddle for ya. Where’s the fun in learning when you already know everything?

That’s when it’s time for the student to become the mentor

I guess after years of college, I’m just kind of tired of learning, and want to finally act. I have no pleasure watching history unfold as the world self-destructs in petty excesses and profit-mongering.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I have no pleasure watching history unfold as the world self-destructs in petty excesses and profit-mongering.

Ironically, this actually proves my point here about pleasure. I would actually be amused to somehow attain earthly immortality and eternal youth just for the viewing pleasure of seeing such things unfold. It goes to show we have different tastes on the art of observing.

 

[BluesPicker]

Got a little riddle for ya. Where’s the fun in learning when you already know everything?

That is a false statement per Russell’s Paradox, right.

Now can you explain this: Only when it’s not being twisted into false dichotomies and dilemmas like what you seem to be doing.

 What false dilemmas or twisted  false dichotomies?     All  I know is you are very flippant about important things and  hint  of   profane things like  magic (I don't thing you are speaking of pulling rabbits out of  top hats and other slight of the hand tricks).  


 Is the theme of this thread deals with faith that is lukewarm & boring i.e. not challenged spiritually?   Faith is a serious subject but it is hard to take you seriously, although you do post very well written posts sometimes but  the crossroads theme & vampirism &  occult  stuff is at best immature.

  Believe me,  the time, & manner of your and our deaths  will come and are written in the Book of Life.   

  The point is this is a Catholic Spirituality forum and not a comic art forum; but you make light of even your Salvation. 

  Life is hard & challenging.  People battle all sorts of things from being obese & wearing glasses to putting food on the table, daily.   The manner in which how we deal with life's problems & challenges is important because we have to give an accounting to God on how we lived our lives.  It is not all fantasy, although there are a time & place for that.

Yours Truly,
BP, A Spiritual Warfare Type

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

That is a false statement per Russell’s Paradox, right.

Nope, it’s a legitimate question. But then again, as head of this site’s Spiritual Warfare Camp, you guys have an allergy towards it and critical thinking.

What false dilemmas or twisted false dichotomies? All I know is you are very flippant about important things and hint of profane things like magic (I don’t thing you are speaking of pulling rabbits out of top hats and other slight of the hand tricks).

Correction: Things YOU deem important. Obsessed with even. Look at you, just even the slightest mention of the world magic has sent you grabbing for your figurative holy water.

People like you are the reason for why I post threads like this. You act as if religion is the only thing that matters in the world. Given that it’s interconnected with a lot of things, you can’t just isolate that importance from everything else you deem ‘profane.’

Is the theme of this thread deals with faith that is lukewarm & boring i.e. not challenged spiritually? Faith is a serious subject but it is hard to take you seriously, although you do post very well written posts sometimes but the crossroads theme & vampirism & occult stuff is at best immature.

Says the guy obsessed with exorcism and think the whole world revolves around priests fighting demons.

You wanna know what’s really immature? You. Acting as if you’re more superior than those who would choose to put something outside the faith in something as petty as a forum signature. This post of yours reads like a twelve-year-old who fancies himself a saint when you’re not. This thread is for the sake of exposing people such as yourself who either can’t untie themselves from their religious obsession or at least keeping it from deluding them into the idea they are somehow superior than others in totality.

The point is this is a Catholic Spirituality forum and not a comic art forum; but you make light of even your Salvation.

CAF doesn’t revolve around this particular section either. See? Your obsession with the topic clearly shows. Perhaps that’s the only good thing you’ve given this thread. You have justified its existence perfectly.

Listen to yourself. You look down on those who prefer to devote themselves to subject matters outside of religion. You’re not even a priest! No cause you will cite will not justify the insults you just slung at my face. You think you’re better. You think you’re more spiritual.

How can you not be the very proof that people act as if religion is the end-all of everything?

Life is hard & challenging. People battle all sorts of things from being obese & wearing glasses to putting food on the table, daily. The manner in which how we deal with life’s problems & challenges is important because we have to give an accounting to God on how we lived our lives. It is not all fantasy, although there are a time & place for that.

So? I question this… where? What I question is the imbalanced importance religious and entertainers alike place upon themselves. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were being off-topic.

 

[seeker_of_God]

I hear ya…but I get both sides.
One minute I am like “lets put on the prairie dresses and say 15 rosaries everyday and attend daily Mass and make sure the kids are only coloring out of Saint coloring books etc” and then the next I am like " I need to have a Stargate marathon after watching Dr. Who on netflix while re-reading Harry Potter "

My new favorite saying is “With all things moderation” I just need to remember to not let any one thing become my false god. Even “religion” and church can take you away for Christ

God Bless

This is me. I am either in ultra-religion mode trying to get to Mass daily, or I am in ultra secular mode focusing on the business, or other things. I’m trying to find a balance.

I like this from earlier in the thread:

Others in the lay state have different types of lay lives. A writer, a father, a single engineer, an actress, a doctor, a small business owner–their spiritual task is to spiritualize what they are doing; to do what they are doing in a holy way. But they are not going to be able to be a good _____ if everything they read is written by a Doctor of the Church.

I guilt myself so much just because I’m not much into praying the rosary all the time. I’ve been trying to get into the habit of at least spending a few minutes with God in the morning. I mean I pray informally all the time, but nothing very structured. Maybe just, “God please give me strength,” or “help me with xxx.”

 

[seeker_of_God]

\

Read this passage of the Gospel of Matthew 5:33-37:

Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord. 34But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God: 35Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.

Do you understand what Christ is saying? For me He is clearly saying either you must be a follower of Christ by saying yes to Godly things and no to bad things; or, you are in the camp of Satan.

  I just want you to understand that clearly.

 Believe me if you find a ministry in the Church to become devoted to it by study and becoming active you will not be bored.   There is so much to learn and much work to be done.

First of all, I’m not sure where you got that interpretation of the passage in Matthew. The interpretation that I’ve always heard, and which makes the most sense from reading it, is that Jesus is saying that our speech, our actions, should be so consistent, that we shouldn’t have to swear to do something. But that if we say yes, it means yes, and that if we say no, it means no.

To your last paragraph: not everyone is called to an active ministry in the Church. I can name a dozen Catholics off the top of my head who are very faithful, yet are too busy with their jobs to be doing anything in the Church. Their service to God is through their jobs, through service to their spouse, etc.

Yes, God must be center, and above and beyond all else. But this doesn’t have to look like the stereotypical all we do is pray and go to Mass and go to adoration and such. I have a business, and through that business I strive to serve God, but it’s also rare that I can step away for a few hours. I pray in the gaps of time, and of course go to Mass and confession.

Each person is called to a unique service. It doesn’t have to be in-your-face, but ideally, IMO, should be subtle. Again, most of the people I know rarely talk a lot about the faith…but they just live it. It’s who they are, but there’s no need to be talking about it every hour of the day.

I actually know one of my in-laws who is over-religious. The day before I was confirmed, I became really discouraged. This person did one thing after another after another, whether a walking Rosary, or adoration, or the stations. Understandable to do at least some of this, but it was an all-day affair, way more than I could handle personally. This is just one example of many, of course.

Anyway, it just depends on the person. We really cannot judge how they live out their faith, unless they are committing serious sin.

 

[BluesPicker]

Nope, it’s a legitimate question. But then again, as head of this site’s Spiritual Warfare Camp, you guys have an allergy towards it and critical thinking.

Correction: Things YOU deem important. Obsessed with even. Look at you, just even the slightest mention of the world magic has sent you grabbing for your figurative holy water.

People like you are the reason for why I post threads like this. You act as if religion is the only thing that matters in the world. Given that it’s interconnected with a lot of things, you can’t just isolate that importance from everything else you deem ‘profane.’

Says the guy obsessed with exorcism and think the whole world revolves around priests fighting demons.

You wanna know what’s really immature? You. Acting as if you’re more superior than those who would choose to put something outside the faith in something as petty as a forum signature. This post of yours reads like a twelve-year-old who fancies himself a saint when you’re not. This thread is for the sake of exposing people such as yourself who either can’t untie themselves from their religious obsession or at least keeping it from deluding them into the idea they are somehow superior than others in totality.

CAF doesn’t revolve around this particular section either. See? Your obsession with the topic clearly shows. Perhaps that’s the only good thing you’ve given this thread. You have justified its existence perfectly.

Listen to yourself. You look down on those who prefer to devote themselves to subject matters outside of religion. You’re not even a priest! No cause you will cite will not justify the insults you just slung at my face. You think you’re better. You think you’re more spiritual.

How can you not be the very proof that people act as if religion is the end-all of everything?

So? I question this… where? What I question is the imbalanced importance religious and entertainers alike place upon themselves. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were being off-topic.

 Fair enough evaluation of me.  So you deliberately post false flag stuff about occultism just to get people who care to rise.   In the last part of my life an opportunity presented itself for me to help in the ministry of deliverance.    I have several peer reviewed  research journal papers in the field of deviate behavior which includes closed societies.   The ministry of deliverance fits roughly in this, as you have described.   I collected data and keep records looking for the hook into my field of professional study.   I always had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ from when I was small.  In other words I was a person of deep religious convictions and  I embraced my Catholic faith always.  But most of all  I love & respect God who has intervened in my life bringing me back into His Flock the many, many times I strayed away.   I also love people.  Back to the research  I found in working helping people. Having conversations with exorcist priests that each one possessed an intangible quality that enables them to deal with evil.

 They love God more than they love themselves and other people in the same manner. This is what motivates them this deep love.  They love Jesus Christ so much that they embrace suffering death for their own iniquities & the iniquities of others.  They follow Christ on the Road to Calvary.   As one young priest lamented there are no gunslinger exorcists.  Through them  I began to see Jesus Christ, albeit imperfectly as it may be.

I also could plainly see the Finger of God working though all priests.

  At any rate,  I realized how foolishly proud and full of myself thinking I could understand this enough to write about it.  For the past two years,  I had to take a break becoming less active. 

  I never was drawn towards spiritism or occultism or magic.  I do see the beauty in people and in the world.   But I have witnessed pure evil alive in some.  Man passes on to Judgment but evil states of mind live on here.

  I called myself a "Spiritual Warfare Type" adopting your appellation to people devoted to the ministry of deliverance.  However,  I am limited to praying with people and private prayer.  My goal is to go to Heaven and take as many POWs along with me as I can. Every time mostly I post I just regurgitate precisely what I was taught by priests who broke it down for me.  All  I can say is  playing sorcerer has made life really hard for some.  But people get delivered and find God's Love & Joy each day many times a day.  

   You are a pretty sharp fellow sometimes but very immature in your pursuits.  Stay away from any sort of magick, spiritism,  esoteric or occultism.   Every willful act can be described as evil or good.  And you were jesting I hope when you said you know everything because only God does.  If not I hope you get better.

Peace & God Bless You & Keep You,
BP
(You are my favorite critic Lost Wonderer & certainly imaginative.)

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Fair enough evaluation of me. So you deliberately post false flag stuff about occultism just to get people who care to rise.

No, I simply expose those prone to spiritual paranoia. Happy that you continue to serve as evidence.

In the last part of my life an opportunity presented itself for me to help in the ministry of deliverance. I have several peer reviewed research journal papers in the field of deviate behavior which includes closed societies.

Last time I checked, peer review means no squat unless it’s accepted as mainstream and publicized. I believe it’s something to do with the fact that only ‘peers’ are involved.

They love God more than they love themselves and other people in the same manner. This is what motivates them this deep love. They love Jesus Christ so much that they embrace suffering death for their own iniquities & the iniquities of others. They follow Christ on the Road to Calvary. As one young priest lamented there are no gunslinger exorcists. Through them I began to see Jesus Christ, albeit imperfectly as it may be.

Nice to see you prove that you are indeed an exorcist fanboy. Unfortunately for you, the CCC doesn’t mandate me to care to the level that you care for and your constant, uncharitable ‘chastisements’ only serve to prove why I’m glad that I don’t.

At any rate, I realized how foolishly proud and full of myself thinking I could understand this enough to write about it. For the past two years, I had to take a break becoming less active.

Really? Because you don’t sound like you are any less active. Your words continue to be foolish because you can’t unwind from your obsession.

I never was drawn towards spiritism or occultism or magic. I do see the beauty in people and in the world. But I have witnessed pure evil alive in some. Man passes on to Judgment but evil states of mind live on here.

Oh but magic is wonderful if you’d actually care to update your dictionary beyond the Middle Ages. I fancy the fictional and the fantastical, not the obscurely historical. My sorcery summons dragons from different realms and enhances them with biomancy. It’s got nothing to do with worshipping trees or prancing around in glades. Finally, you have once again forgotten that my spell-weaving self is of the fictional sort so stop confusing me with some New Age hippies.

All I can say is playing sorcerer has made life really hard for some. But people get delivered and find God’s Love & Joy each day many times a day.

Really? It’s made my life easier to bear. When I play sorcerer, I feel free because my mind has been temporarily released from the chains of the daily slog. My mind has been focused on the simpler tasks of hurling down the elements on brainless mobs rather than the complex tasks of marketing and refining myself to be a more sociable chap towards my workmates. (And on that note, God forbid what they’ll think of the likes of you and all those who can’t handle the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around your brand of spirituality.)

You are a pretty sharp fellow sometimes but very immature in your pursuits. Stay away from any sort of magick, spiritism, esoteric or occultism. Every willful act can be described as evil or good. And you were jesting I hope when you said you know everything because only God does. If not I hope you get better.

If I’m immature, I shudder to think what they call someone who doesn’t even read posts completely in their context context (meaning you, obviously). Again, please get a new dictionary. You cite your homework, well I’ll cite mine: I graduated an English Language major and I can tell you now, your understanding of loose words is out of date.

(You are my favorite critic Lost Wonderer & certainly imaginative.)

As much as I’m flattered, I’d rather my criticism be more constructive for you instead of you assuming the same of yours.

 

[seeker_of_God]

Oh but magic is wonderful if you’d actually care to update your dictionary beyond the Middle Ages. I fancy the fictional and the fantastical, not the obscurely historical. My sorcery summons dragons from different realms and enhances them with biomancy. It’s got nothing to do with worshipping trees or prancing around in glades. Finally, you have once again forgotten that my spell-weaving self is of the fictional sort so stop confusing me with some New Age hippies.

Really? It’s made my life easier to bear. When I play sorcerer, I feel free because my mind has been temporarily released from the chains of the daily slog. My mind has been focused on the simpler tasks of hurling down the elements on brainless mobs rather than the complex tasks of marketing and refining myself to be a more sociable chap towards my workmates. (And on that note, God forbid what they’ll think of the likes of you and all those who can’t handle the fact that the world doesn’t revolve around your brand of spirituality.)

While I’ve enjoyed your posts so far, I do think you’re walking the line here. You must keep a very clear distinction between this fictional magic/fantasy that you enjoy (and I enjoy such things, too), and actual, real magic, which does exist, but not in the form that they write about in fictitious books. And the real type is very dangerous, as has been pointed out. Very, very dangerous, and demonic.

I’m all about fiction about fantasy writing and things like that, as long as that distinction is made. I’ll read Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, and another series I like called the Dresden Files and books like that. But just like I won’t try to find a real unicorn just because they’re written about in books, so I know not to cross the line into trying to pursue real magic just because of the fictional type that is written of in books.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

While I’ve enjoyed your posts so far, I do think you’re walking the line here. You must keep a very clear distinction between this fictional magic/fantasy that you enjoy (and I enjoy such things, too), and actual, real magic, which does exist, but not in the form that they write about in fictitious books. And the real type is very dangerous, as has been pointed out. Very, very dangerous, and demonic.

The thing is I’ve known the likes of BP to fail in that distinction (as demonstrated in their knee-jerk response to the word). I know fantasy is different from fact more than anyone. (You would find I’m less… charitable towards the latter if you got to know me more. )

 

[seeker_of_God]

The thing is I’ve known the likes of BP to fail in that distinction (as demonstrated in their knee-jerk response to the word). I know fantasy is different from fact more than anyone. (You would find I’m less… charitable towards the latter if you got to know me more. )

I’m glad to hear it, then.

 

[BluesPicker]

The thing is I’ve known the likes of BP to fail in that distinction (as demonstrated in their knee-jerk response to the word). I know fantasy is different from fact more than anyone. (You would find I’m less… charitable towards the latter if you got to know me more. )

I wonder what spirit intices you to do things like that?

Seeker of God & LW, do you recognize this below? I wonder what this is:

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

 

[seeker_of_God]

Seeker of God & LW, do you recognize this below? I wonder what this is:

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

It is the baptismal promise. Why do you ask?

If you are implying that taking part in fantasy writings, or fictional “magic,” then I have to disagree that it has anything to do whatsoever with Satan. I’ve read plenty of fictional books like that, and my faith is just fine.

This stuff takes a balance. We are called to live in the world, but be not of it. But totally rejecting anything and everything even remotely “of the world,” isn’t even living in it. It’s secluding ourselves. It looks worse for our faith that way, because all people see is our religion, and nothing else. They have no way to identify, no way to connect with us, and no reason to want to look at the Church any further, thinking that it would just take over their entire life and they wouldn’t be allowed to live in the world.

I have many things going on in live that have nothing to do with religion. But I have a very strong faith, and my relationship with Christ permeates every aspect of my life — my business, my programming, my hobbies, etc.

And yes, I watch TV (though not very much of it), and I read secular books, and I visit non-religious websites…and I"m fine.

I’m still not sure where your objection is.

 

[BluesPicker]

It is the baptismal promise. Why do you ask?

If you are implying that taking part in fantasy writings, or fictional “magic,” then I have to disagree that it has anything to do whatsoever with Satan. I’ve read plenty of fictional books like that, and my faith is just fine.

This stuff takes a balance. We are called to live in the world, but be not of it. But totally rejecting anything and everything even remotely “of the world,” isn’t even living in it. It’s secluding ourselves. It looks worse for our faith that way, because all people see is our religion, and nothing else. They have no way to identify, no way to connect with us, and no reason to want to look at the Church any further, thinking that it would just take over their entire life and they wouldn’t be allowed to live in the world.

I have many things going on in live that have nothing to do with religion. But I have a very strong faith, and my relationship with Christ permeates every aspect of my life — my business, my programming, my hobbies, etc.

And yes, I watch TV (though not very much of it), and I read secular books, and I visit non-religious websites…and I"m fine.

I’m still not sure where your objection is.

 That is your observations and you are entitled to have it, right?   This person whom you described as over-religious & you cited 3 things they did in their devotion to Christ, remember?  I bet they read secular books & visit non-religious websites too.  What is wrong with their  religious devotions?  From what  I remember they were standard Catholic practices. 

  Other than me being a leader of some sort, LW is correct about me I guess.  Only  I see a lot of people devoted to spiritual warfare here &  the Church is one big  Deliverance ministry.    The  Our Father taught by  Jesus Christ is a  deprecatory private prayer of exorcism i.e. a prayer of liberation.

   I don't feel very well physically & I am in a lot of pain.  I pulled a muscle and maybe tore it.

Peace,

 

[seeker_of_God]

That is your observations and you are entitled to have it, right? This person whom you described as over-religious & you cited 3 things they did in their devotion to Christ, remember? I bet they read secular books & visit non-religious websites too. What is wrong with their religious devotions? From what I remember they were standard Catholic practices.

  Other than me being a leader of some sort, LW is correct about me I guess.  Only  I see a lot of people devoted to spiritual warfare here &  the Church is one big  Deliverance ministry.    The  Our Father taught by  Jesus Christ is a  deprecatory private prayer of exorcism i.e. a prayer of liberation.

   I don't feel very well physically & I am in a lot of pain.  I pulled a muscle and maybe tore it.

Peace,

The person does a lot more than that. I was just trying to point out how I was initially discouraged because I couldn’t keep up with their devotions that day. But this person tends to use religion as a tool to feel superior, to judge and criticize and so forth…not that it is really on topic here, but I was just giving an example.

To be honest, your posts are a bit disjointed. I’m still not sure where you are coming from. Were you saying that these things are evil or demonic?

I’m sorry that you are in pain. God’s blessings be with you.

 

[BluesPicker]

The person does a lot more than that. I was just trying to point out how I was initially discouraged because I couldn’t keep up with their devotions that day. But this person tends to use religion as a tool to feel superior, to judge and criticize and so forth…not that it is really on topic here, but I was just giving an example.

To be honest, your posts are a bit disjointed. I’m still not sure where you are coming from. Were you saying that these things are evil or demonic?

I’m sorry that you are in pain. God’s blessings be with you.

One, I am ill presently so I don’t feel the energy to argue (in the philosophical sense), debate, maybe is a better term.

   So this person appears to have as you indicate a holier than thou atitude?  The real question is how much devotion does it take to gain Heaven and can we live in a manner where secular & sacred don't conflict?

  Charity, just how charitable is a society that consumes 95% of non-renewable resources, polluting, destroying environments of other countries, etc. etc.  while the rest of the world struggles in  poverty?  Then the real icing on the cake is this society is so consumed with greed & selfishness  that it has become twisted to the point millions of children are aborted & some the most ghastly ways. 

   Life is not just about acquiring material wealth.  Money is not the root of all evil but love of money is said to be.   What ever it is that is wrong,  I am just as guilty as anyone in sins of omission and commission.

   Better give thanks to Jesus Christ because He provides us a Way out of this dilemma.   I am nothing at all without  Christ except a soul destined to Hell.  That is a stark reality, bare, cold but very true.   I conjecture this is why people can sound overbearing about imposing various religious outlook they subscribe to. It is because they care about others.  Christ left a Church and the Church Walls are made of people  & I just as everyone else need people.   And particularly me because  I need  LW  & others to keep me humble, awake & aware.

   The reason I detail about exorcist priests is because they like us need people of the Church, the Church that is they Mystical Body of Christ.  They like all of us need prayers, good will, and good intentions because Christ is in His Church.

  How can I be a leader when I fail to make people understand concerning the

St. Michaels Prayer (an abbreviated form of Pope Leo XIII Prayer)? Now when Fr. Amorth posts this prayer it is preceded by this:

From the Book of Don Gabriele Amorth
“An Exorcist tells.”
Dehoniane editions, Rome.

Premise

"When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus practiced (Mk 1.25 s) is from him that the Church derives the power and the duty to exorcise. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called “a major exorcism,” can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. In what must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Very different is the case of illness, especially mental, whose care falls within the scope of medical science. It is important, therefore, ensure, before an exorcism is performed, which is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness "(Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1673).

Even this exorcism contained in the Ritual Romanum, is reserved to the bishop and priests expressly authorized by him and can be recited by the faithful only privately. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has drawn the observance of this rule in the letter Inde ab annis aliquot of 29 September 1985. In it is also stated that this recall “in no way away from the faithful pray as Jesus taught us, are delivered from evil (cf. Mt 6:13).”

Pray the exorcism (in this or in any other form) is especially recommended when you feel the action of the devil becomes more intense in us (very strong temptations), families (discord) in public life (when they are trampled rights of God and man), in the relations between states (war) in the persecutions against the Church. You should also recite diseases."

Fr. Amorth is just the Head Vatican Exorcist.  And no, this is just tangential info and not related to anything here.

Peace,

 

[soma]

Christianity is reverent and alive if one listens to the call from inside. The dull habit of preaching, giving sermons, patronizing, condemning or judging others as insufficient is the ego talking about Christ, not the religion of Christ. Descriptions about Jesus are not the spiritual ideas Jesus described. The experience of joy and the supernatural realization of Christ are not about sins, hell or Satan, but the glorious energy of the soul. A healer doesn’t rifle through the lives of others, but brings one from the outer personality to the inner-self arousing one from immaturity and prejudice to wholeness.