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The Holy Father warned that our heritage of religious freedom faces "grave threats" from the "radical secularism"
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prodigalson2011
Guest
In short: the hubris of secular elitists decimating our country with the support of the fractured psyche and dulled conscience of a post nuclear society.
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ChibiViolet
Guest
This is appalling…We need to pray about it.
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Nimzovik
Guest
Not surprising really… One could see the beginnings earlier if one were to just actually look…
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tqualey
Guest
Hi, Jimmy B,
Pope Benedict XVI is just the latest pope to draw our attention to the fact that those who are of the world will war against those who are of the spirit. The weapons used will not stop at harsh language. When we learn that we have generously been given a year to conform our morals to a DHH directive - you can see where this is leading. Here is an item from USA Today concerning how the US Bishops are responding to this genuine form of persecution by the secular rulers. usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-01-25/catholic-obama-birth-control/52794196/1
But, notice and take heart - Christ foresaw these events and warned us about them. He also gave us a choice: if we are going to follow Him then we can expect persecution. If we are going to conform ourselves to this world - well, we will not be persecuted … but, it does not end there. We are reminded in Matt 10:28 and Luke 12:4 that we have nothing to worry about from those who can kill the body - our death is just the beginning of where we will be spending eternity.
God bless
Pope Benedict XVI is just the latest pope to draw our attention to the fact that those who are of the world will war against those who are of the spirit. The weapons used will not stop at harsh language. When we learn that we have generously been given a year to conform our morals to a DHH directive - you can see where this is leading. Here is an item from USA Today concerning how the US Bishops are responding to this genuine form of persecution by the secular rulers. usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-01-25/catholic-obama-birth-control/52794196/1
But, notice and take heart - Christ foresaw these events and warned us about them. He also gave us a choice: if we are going to follow Him then we can expect persecution. If we are going to conform ourselves to this world - well, we will not be persecuted … but, it does not end there. We are reminded in Matt 10:28 and Luke 12:4 that we have nothing to worry about from those who can kill the body - our death is just the beginning of where we will be spending eternity.
God bless
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FabiusMaximus
Guest
Pope Benedict forgot to mention the threat of mass immigration.
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Marybeloved
Guest
The church is always right…Always! On contraception, socialism, atheistic communism, relativism, secularism, modern humanism… The Church constantly proves she has wisdom centuries in advance, often against the tide of the world and surrounding society, that is beyond the frail men who occupy her leadership. Like the annoying mom who always turns out to have been right about everything- That’s the church, for you! Amazing to me, as I freshly contemplate this almost-chilling truth.
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GaryTaylor
Guest
Actually all of this has been on the News daily. Really the only active role man needs to play, is to listen, accept the Truth, and follow in obedience. And yes that Obedience has always been the REAL stumbling block.
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Sam_777
Guest
Radical secularism, radical Islam, excess freedom, increasing poverty, etc :sad_yes:
I’m really tired of this world, there is nothing good about it any more, the only hope we have left is Jesus second coming, so let us all pray for His come ASAP…
I’m really tired of this world, there is nothing good about it any more, the only hope we have left is Jesus second coming, so let us all pray for His come ASAP…
While I agree with your sentiments, I’m personally not seeing excess freedom, but instead a constant and growing restriction of freedom, individual liberty.Radical secularism, radical Islam, excess freedom, increasing poverty, etc :sad_yes:
I’m really tired of this world, there is nothing good about it any more, the only hope we have left is Jesus second coming, so let us all pray for His come ASAP…
Jon
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Indiana_Jones
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Agreed
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Sam_777
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Jon, then what you call sam-sex marriage and all the support it has these days!, even from Goldman Sachs CEO http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon13.gif !!! which I never expected a financial guy from number one financial company in the world to put his nose in such disgusting sinful matter…
abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/02/goldman-sachs-ceo-lloyd-blankfein-in-same-sex-marriage-ad/
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tqualey
Guest
Hi, Sam_777,
Actually, I have a bit of a different view on two items in your post…
What we are seeing is a tremendous LACK of freedom. I can not speak for others, but just looking around there are many people who are teaching hate, demanding the destruction of conscience in compliance to governmental regulations and fostering a true desire to rule by fiat. And, this is in the US!
Such oppression is truly radical, a elevation of secularism as one more false god - but, it is not freedom. This is another variation on slavery. Radical Islam is somewhat different - in that totally innocent civilians in a non-combatant atmosphere are targeted for death by encouraging others to suicide in the duplicit effort to convince these poor souls that they are now martyrs. I have marveled at why those who encourage suicide bombing as a high calling do not lead by example rather than getting others to do their bidding.
Ah, but being, ‘…tired of this world…’ this is a bit slippery as a concept - it can easily become ‘tired of living in this world’, and that would be a problem. While the ‘…flesh lusts against the spirit…’ (Gal 5:17) and we are all moving each day closer to the Second Coming - we must realize that God has put us here on Earth to do good for others because each person is a reflection of God’s Love. This is a burden - but, then we must look to Christ who forgave ‘The Good Thief’ for his sins and His killers as He was dying on the Cross. St. Paul tells us, ‘…not to weary of doing good…’ (Gal 6:9 and 2 Thes 3:13) God has work for us each day - and we will be held accountable for spreading His Love.
God bless
Actually, I have a bit of a different view on two items in your post…
What we are seeing is a tremendous LACK of freedom. I can not speak for others, but just looking around there are many people who are teaching hate, demanding the destruction of conscience in compliance to governmental regulations and fostering a true desire to rule by fiat. And, this is in the US!
Such oppression is truly radical, a elevation of secularism as one more false god - but, it is not freedom. This is another variation on slavery. Radical Islam is somewhat different - in that totally innocent civilians in a non-combatant atmosphere are targeted for death by encouraging others to suicide in the duplicit effort to convince these poor souls that they are now martyrs. I have marveled at why those who encourage suicide bombing as a high calling do not lead by example rather than getting others to do their bidding.
Ah, but being, ‘…tired of this world…’ this is a bit slippery as a concept - it can easily become ‘tired of living in this world’, and that would be a problem. While the ‘…flesh lusts against the spirit…’ (Gal 5:17) and we are all moving each day closer to the Second Coming - we must realize that God has put us here on Earth to do good for others because each person is a reflection of God’s Love. This is a burden - but, then we must look to Christ who forgave ‘The Good Thief’ for his sins and His killers as He was dying on the Cross. St. Paul tells us, ‘…not to weary of doing good…’ (Gal 6:9 and 2 Thes 3:13) God has work for us each day - and we will be held accountable for spreading His Love.
God bless
Radical secularism, radical Islam, excess freedom, increasing poverty, etc :sad_yes:
I’m really tired of this world, there is nothing good about it any more, the only hope we have left is Jesus second coming, so let us all pray for His come ASAP…
T
tqualey
Guest
Hi, Sam_777,
Some in the West appear to think that those who know how to be rich know all there is to know. Such thinking is beyond foolish - and Goldman-Sachs is not only giving public scandal but is simply being stupid.
Those who commit sin are slaves to sin - they are not free. Here is a link that I think will be helpful: veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/Romans_6 The entire 6th Chapter to the Romans is Paul telling his listeners that sin does not offer any freedom at all. Those who sin and which to continue will continue to be slaves to their passions. This thrust into glorifying homosexuality is really quite old - and shows the lack of imagination these fools have as they try to simulate the marital union.
Please, do not look for moral edification or spiritual insight from abc-news or any other news group. Their job is to sell sensationalism (virtue appears to not to ‘sell’ too well these days!) and ultimately the debasement of the human spirit. It is prudent to know what is going on - but, those in high places who give scandal (look at King Herod being confronted by St. John the Baptist) do not take kindly to those who criticize them.
God bless
Some in the West appear to think that those who know how to be rich know all there is to know. Such thinking is beyond foolish - and Goldman-Sachs is not only giving public scandal but is simply being stupid.
Those who commit sin are slaves to sin - they are not free. Here is a link that I think will be helpful: veritasbible.com/drb/compare/haydock/Romans_6 The entire 6th Chapter to the Romans is Paul telling his listeners that sin does not offer any freedom at all. Those who sin and which to continue will continue to be slaves to their passions. This thrust into glorifying homosexuality is really quite old - and shows the lack of imagination these fools have as they try to simulate the marital union.
Please, do not look for moral edification or spiritual insight from abc-news or any other news group. Their job is to sell sensationalism (virtue appears to not to ‘sell’ too well these days!) and ultimately the debasement of the human spirit. It is prudent to know what is going on - but, those in high places who give scandal (look at King Herod being confronted by St. John the Baptist) do not take kindly to those who criticize them.
God bless
M
Marybeloved
Guest
How true. The back-door creeping in of socialism, even when Europe is now proving to the world how unsustainable this system is in the long term, is coming with the restrictions on individual liberty you notice. I remember a line from Star-Wars, when the Senators are about to vote to give excess power to the future emperor and dictator of the galactic republic to help him curb the threats the republic is facing (though of course they don’t realize that this is what they are doing at the time- creating an emperor), Natalie Portman’s character says to a Jedi she’s seated next to (I think it’s Obi wan Kenobi, but I’m not so sure)…She turns to him and says to him…
“So this is how liberty dies…with thunderous applause”.
This is how I see these types of things happen. There’s a problem that people are struggling to find solutions to (like an unsatisfactory health-care system) and then some saviour comes up with this marvellous solutions that will help everyone- but of course, he can’t do this in the current legal scheme, he needs some leeway, some strength to do this, so of course, the Law must be tweaked to provide these necessary tools (read here: excessive power) needed to help everyone. Then, (with thunderous applause, don’t forget), the tools are provided and liberty begins to make her retreat.
Here’s my two cents from following this Obama-HHs affair, socialism is wonderful…Only in two scenarios:-
Scenario One: Jesus Christ is President/King/Ruler of whatever kind and he rules us all with perfect wisdom, justice and charity. This of course will not work because, even a perfect King like our glorious Lord by himself does not make a perfect kingdom with very imperfect, sinful and often downright evil subjects. In other words- The New Jerusalem of St. John’s Revelations, with a perfect King and perfect citizens is what we will wait for.
Scenario Two: Adam basically does not eat the fruit and we are all born in an unfallen world where everyone is truly altruistic.
Some systems need someone who knows what is best for everyone else and can be trusted to make those decisions for all- Obama is acting like the US is one such system, and he knows what is best for everyone. Obviously, he doesn’t. He’s not God. A system that assumes this is dangerous- which is why communism has caused so much harm to humanity in a short span of 100 years. I now realize why communism is usually criticized for making the government God. Jesus alone can be trusted to rule that way and to absolutely defend every person’s worth and dignity.
So, my friends, unless you see Jesus Christ on the ballot, stick to the system that upholds fundamental rights as inalienable and defends them even against the majority (or mob) and retains the balance of checks between different organs of the Government.
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GaryTaylor
Guest
Well said, Marybeloved, and here resides the issue, not only must we here conclude Obama is inconsistant with a Christian reality, he doesn’t even follow the Governments which at least somewhat followed Christian belief however imperfect.
So too then, its a process of choosing the least of which evil is presented. And in the realm of choice today? How one can conclude he is the Best choice and follow a Christian life I find simply impossible to comprehend.
Peace
Sam,
There is a significant difference between freedom and license. One of the “costs”, if you will, of a free society (as opposed to theocracy, for instance), is that some people will take freedom as anexcuse to act immorally, and against God’s will. These things, in and of themselves, are not freedom, but they certainly grow from a misuse of freedom.
When I say that there is a restriction of freedom, I am speaking in a constitutional sense, that individual liberty comes from God, and that it is anticedent to government. government cannot create liberty, but it can move outside its constitutional limits and restrict individual liberty. This is what is happening today, and the name for it is tyranny.
Jon
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jlhargus
Guest
JL: I don’t know about the letters from other bishops but our bishop’s letter asked us to pray AND fast. Our priest said he would fast on Fridays and ask us to join with him.
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Geist
Guest
Truth. I suspect some don’t realize the depth it goes. My first real problem with atheism was its specific anti-Christian mission…this did not lead me to where I am now, its just something that made me uncomfortable then.
For me at the time I found all religion equally distasteful and didn’t know why it was Christianity that was so focused upon for attack. But, I didn’t get that was the point of atheism. very few atheists are “equal opportunity” as it were, the vast majority are simply anti-Christian.
The Catholic church, having outlived empires is the ultimate trophy as it were why its focused on so much.
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Jimmy_B
Guest
Jon,
From what I’ve read over the years from great, early Christian writers; St Aquinas and so on, and from leaders of the Catholic Church and in early Christianity in general, is that we have the freedom to do the right thing…
Much like criminal law, we are free to do the right thing and forbidden to do the wrong thing… a criminal act.
For instance, you’re not “free” to rob a bank…
Your thoughts on this?
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