The rise of militant American Catholic men

  • Thread starter Thread starter SWolf
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
JimR-OCDS said:
Don’t explain to me.

Present Chris to people as a source of peace and love, not a call to be a soldier marching off to war.
Click to expand...
“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”

~~ Exodus 15:3
 
“And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer.”

~~ Revelation 6:2
 
the_phoenix said:
“And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer.”

~~ Revelation 6:2
Click to expand...
Dream literature, not how Jesus described himself.

Jess is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, not the Militant Warrior.

Jim
 
the_phoenix said:
The revealed Word of God.
Click to expand...
The Book of Revelation like the book of Daniel, is considered “dream literature,” loaded with symbolic language not to be taken literally.

In fact, the book was almost not included in the NT canon, because they feared it would be misunderstood.

There is no comparison to the Gospels and other NT writings.

Remember, our mission as Christians is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to others, not the mentality of Jesus as a military warrior.

Jim
 
And then there’s Mary.
I believe the members of the Legion of Mary consider themselves Christians. Here is a prayer posted on their website, as part of their mission:

(NOTE: Legion is a militant term, too …)

THE CATENA LEGIONIS

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

(Make the Sign of the Cross) v. My soul glorifies the Lord.* R. My spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. v. He looks on His servant in her lowliness;* henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

R. The Almighty works marvels for me.* Holy His name! v. His mercy is from age to age,* on those who fear Him.

R. He puts forth His arm in strength* and scatters the proud-hearted. v. He casts the mighty from their thrones* and raises the lowly.

R. He fills the starving with good things,* sends the rich away empty.

v. He protects Israel His servant,* remembering His mercy, R. The mercy promised to our fathers,* to Abraham and his sons for ever.

v. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit… R. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

legionofmary.ie/prayers
 
Legion = great number, not necessarily a militia.

Again, back to my point, its public perception which is the issue here.

We’re trying to bring souls to Jesus Christ, not recruit a military force.

Jim
 
I think we are all engaged in a war against sin, corruption, secularism and the devil. Nothing wrong with being militant as long as in doing so we are nonviolent, not hateful, and armed with love for God and all of Creation.
 
I believe real men are recognizing just how far the U.S. culture has strayed from its religious, spiritual and moral roots. The rise of ‘militant’ American Catholic men is a very encouraging sign. I pray this movement will continue.

Leaders in America today are people with their own agendas. We are witnessing a huge disconnect between government and main street, Wall Street and main street, and those of means vs. those in need. All of which is the consequence of bad culture. And government is opposed to religion. Enough is enough.

Men see this problem and are finally beginning to act. We may not be able to stem the tide nationally, but since we live in local communities, and are able to hold more sway at the local level, it is the natural place for banding together.
 
mh2007 said:
I believe real men are recognizing just how far the U.S. culture has strayed from its religious, spiritual and moral roots. The rise of ‘militant’ American Catholic men is a very encouraging sign. I pray this movement will continue.

Leaders in America today are people with their own agendas. We are witnessing a huge disconnect between government and main street, Wall Street and main street, and those of means vs. those in need. All of which is the consequence of bad culture. And government is opposed to religion. Enough is enough.

Men see this problem and are finally beginning to act. We may not be able to stem the tide nationally, but since we live in local communities, and are able to hold more sway at the local level, it is the natural place for banding together.
Click to expand...
I believe Militant, will be misconstrued, mostly by those who embrace it.

Jim
 
the_phoenix said:
Whatever the mindset is, the Catholic Church is made up of:

1.) The Church Triumphant … in Heaven
2.) The Church Suffering … in Purgatory
3.) The Church Militant … on Earth

Also, if you look at my title here on CAF, I’m a Prayer Warrior.
Me being called a warrior sounds kinda militant, right? But the people in charge of the CAF forums don’t seem to object.

In fact, CAF provides us with the following militant smiley face icons:

:knight2: … :knight1:

My favorite Saint happens to be St. Michael … a warrior angel. :angel1:

And finally, * drumroll please * …

SEMPER FI, the Marines motto is Latin for “always faithful” …

Okay, now I just couldn’t resist that last one … 🙂

~~ the phoenix
Click to expand...
👍

Nailed it.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
I believe Militant, will be misconstrued, mostly by those who embrace it.

Jim
Click to expand...
I think you are wrong. The men who embrace this know they are not joining a military. It matters not what one looks like or if they like to bake cupcakes. All men are called by God to stand up and be counted. We must put on the armor of God and fight the good fight. Our armor & weapon is prayer!

I think you are over thinking this, that’s what I think:thumbsup:
 
ProdigalSun said:
I think you are wrong. The men who embrace this know they are not joining a military. It matters not what one looks like or if they like to bake cupcakes. All men are called by God to stand up and be counted. We must put on the armor of God and fight the good fight. Our armor & weapon is prayer!

I think you are over thinking this, that’s what I think:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
It’s merely looking at it from the perspective of those outside of the Church.

The term will put up walls.

Jim
 
We on earth are the church militant.

Men need to be more militant in our faith.

We need to be the spiritual leaders in our families, communities, and the Church.

There is nothing wrong with being a strong Catholic man. It is the ultimate mark of manliness.
 
Every experience of God in my life has been an experience of peace, mercy, and love. I never had a thought of violence while in prayer. That’s enough for me.

Also, since what’s his name has his whole “Church Militant” thing going on so I’ll stay as far away from that imagry as possible. I could look his name up but he tends to take things off course in these forums.

Again, I don’t have a problem with men who find this approach fruitfull, as long as I’m not expected to live up to unfair expectations of manliness.
 
J_Peterson said:
Every experience of God in my life has been an experience of peace, mercy, and love. I never had a thought of violence while in prayer. That’s enough for me.
Click to expand...
If one has never had to fight against evil thoughts and desires while in prayer, I guess we have a saint in our hands.

Jesus used plenty of violent imagery:

Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Also, since what’s his name has his whole “Church Militant” thing going on so I’ll stay as far away from that imagry as possible. I could look his name up but he tends to take things off course in these forums.
Click to expand...
The Church on Earth is “The Church Militant”, as has been already stated.
 
SWolf said:
If one has never had to fight against evil thoughts and desires while in prayer, I guess we have a saint in our hands.

Jesus used plenty of violent imagery:

Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

The Church on Earth is “The Church Militant”, as has been already stated.
Click to expand...
Violent imagry doesn’t help me with my struggles. I know it helps others and I have no problem with that. Being drawn to a different style of spirituality doesn’t mean I don’t sin. One of the beautiful things about the Chruch is it’s universality. There’s a way for everyone.

What was Christ really talking about in that passage? I usually turn to my annotated Bible when I don’t understand scripture but it’s at home. I’m not going to take it literally unless the Church teaches that’s what Jesus meant to convey.

The term “Church Militant” is now associated with an ultra conservative group. I refuse to use that term based on that alone. I find that group to be very divisive and wrong in many ways so I will not risk being associated with them. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top