Whats really killing us

[RPRPsych]

But you are part of something real. The cold hard truth, is that not any one of us is enough. All of the popes over the entirety of history, and all the bishops and priests and saints combined are not enough. That’s why the Holy Spirit was sent on Pentecost. Jesus already knew the Church would not be “enough” in its human capacity. But because we have the Holy Spirit – no matter how badly the Church screws it up – the Church is still getting up off the ground and marching toward Calvary. The Holy Spirit is our “Simon the Cyrene”, helping us carry the cross and sustain the insults and blows.

Don’t lose hope and don’t subject your faith to the scoreboard of human failing. We’re guaranteed to fail by our own hands, but therein lies the mercy of God: The outcome is already known, so take heart. If Church leadership is falling short – and they do – don’t obsess over what they **could ** be doing in the public square. You have a gift that’s more powerful than any social movement – and that’s prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Make it your gift of faith to pray and accept that failure is a condition of the fall, but it has nothing to do with your faith, which, by definition, transcends all our visible failures.

Blessed are those who mourn…
Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness…

Excellent post.

As Pope Francis himself said, we shouldn’t expect the Church to be an NGO. It is unique. Asking them to step up their activism at the cost of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and the Sacraments is to deny what the Church truly is.

 

[Timothysis]

Man I’m a smoker and I have absolutely no issue with our government being a “nanny state” if it means Big Tobacco has to stop acting like illegal drug cartels.

You’re a smoker and you desire the government to protect you from the evil tobacco companies? Unreal.

 

[djmason]

To answer one reader no I don’t smoke. I did at one time, stopping in 1997. And it’s not just about smoking. It’s about economics, health and its sociological impact on community. I’m not throwing Starbucks, Burger King or Chevron into this. This industry represents something else. It’s a kill programme. Once you’re in the program you can’t quit. Some do, but most can’t and it’s protected, even the lawsuits have engineered its continuance. We no longer have poor people in our society; we have addicts who can’t afford their addiction who eventually become physically or mentally ill. There are Millions of addicts in every city across North America. Sick people do create jobs but now you’re dealing with a country that can no longer afford it. Obama Care!!! But no, as a Catholic the real issues are contraception, abortion and gay marriage. If you have a country that is mostly addicted, suffering from the mental illness and beaten by the poverty it creates, you will need contraception because you will have abortion. How many families are torn apart from addiction or due to the providers getting sick?
Some industries are patriotic while some act as if they have the right to your children and a free enterprise theology to destroy a nation… As a Catholic I think you should know the difference.

 

[djmason]

Is this not a Social Justice thread? From what I can tell from some of the responses is that you might be on the wrong category…

 

[andrewstx]

I, like most, have had experiences, have studied scripture and as a Catholic tried to come to an understanding of my obligations as someone who believes. I do my part in my micro world. But I do feel that those who lead the church seem to communicate that the world is not of their concern and the church would be better off to stay out of social issues except those issues that affect the moral life of the individual. We are reminded at every Mass that all power and all glory belongs to God and that we are his advocates to do His will. We are told that we are the salt of the earth. We are actually taught that the power inside of us is greater than the power in the world. Is this the truth?My disappointment comes from wanting to be a part of something real.
It is largely conveyed by the Church authority that, as a Catholic, my allotted reserve of righteous indignation should be directed to these issues: Contraception, Abortion, and Same Sex Marriage and of course Obama Care. This is the total catalog of issues that I can work with for a better world. Every other sinister motive against the human race if off the hook accordingly
One reply wrote Trans Fats, Alcohol and Vehicles with large engines. I mentioned smoking industry: Death toll for 2012 = 392,683 this is equivalent to the population to New Orleans. And most of these people were paying 4 to $ 500 a month to keep their addiction going. Could this sequestering of disposable income impact a failing economy? Of course it would. How much was the medical cost to look after all those who were dying? Could being addicted to smoking lead to drug addiction and alcoholism? Absolutely; I have rarely met a hard core addict who didn’t’ have a smoking addiction. Cancer industry: Could this be related? A serious question that impacts everybody: Could this industry impact the cost of your healthcare insurance? You can be sure it does. Industries are targeting children who: Grow up, have sex, start smoking, start drinking, and then it’s off to an abortion clinic just like they were compelled into doing.
Its not just about the church state argument. It’s about your money and a certain industries appropriation to it.
This thread is addressing social justice and I think this issue could use some justice. There are 70 + million Catholics in the USA and Canada. I did the math and something is weird. My feeling is that if those who lead us would be more vocal about these problems, our congregations would grow in spiritual strength and in numbers.
Your opinions are welcomed
God Bless

You know at AA meetings EVERYBODY smokes cigarettes. It is like tobacco is the OK drug.

But cancer is not the only result of smoking by far. Smoking also causes heart disease. asthma, emphasema, stroke and many other diseases. It also stinks to high heaven, makes smokers anti social.

 

[Captain_America]

Justice should be without prejudice or subordinate to a political definition. As a pro life Catholic I have had a difficult time, wondering why corporations are protected from being condemned or judged publicly. The damage they inflict on the common good, especially on youth, is appalling. Corporations like the Tobacco industry target youth and have been known to be financial producers of mainstream television and film. Many reckless pregnancies are due to youth being taught by media that casual sex is a part of life. Big Tobacco industries are in fact industrializing addiction and disease with full permission from governments, void of condemnation or accountability by the religious leaders in our society. The only way these corporations can survive is to target youth… Youth caught up in addiction will likely have a promiscuous lifestyle… It is mainstream media that is promoting a death culture. Not one religious leader has ever spoken publicly regarding a corporations sinister agenda to exploit the weak in our society, the weak being mostly children, and this make me feel that the pro life movement is under political scrutiny. I strongly feel that you cannot advocate a cause of justice in our society without addressing the whole truth… The Bible firmly advocates protection of the innocent of the unborn and also the newborn, of all society. It is corporate manipulation of religion that has made this a politically correct issue instead of a Truth issue.

The complacency I describe above has hurt my faith greatly. So, I would welcome some comments.

Excellent post; many good points. Corporate power DOES have harmful impacts.

 

[TEPO]

You know at AA meetings EVERYBODY smokes cigarettes. It is like tobacco is the OK drug.

But cancer is not the only result of smoking by far. Smoking also causes heart disease. asthma, emphasema, stroke and many other diseases. It also stinks to high heaven, makes smokers anti social.

Yeah, but it’s so cool.

 

[andrewstx]

Yeah, but it’s so cool.

Cool? That is why I started cigs, to be cool and accepted by my friends who were also cig junkies. I was lucky that I never was addicted and had an easy job of giving it up.

When I was young everyone in the parish smoked you could not see across the parish hall for the vast clouds. Now it’s not so cool. The smokers now are fundamentalists in the South where many make their livings by growing and marketing tobacco. It’s a shame that most quit not for health reasons but because it is now socially unacceptable.

I hope you don’t have a cigarette in your mouth as you hold your baby. That is how I got asthma, my mother nursing me with a cigarette in her mouth .

Life stinks for a young sickly asthmatic boy, being the last chosen for sports teams and all.

 

[TEPO]

Cool? That is why I started cigs, to be cool and accepted by my friends who were also cig junkies. I was lucky that I never was addicted and had an easy job of giving it up.

When I was young everyone in the parish smoked you could not see across the parish hall for the vast clouds. Now it’s not so cool. The smokers now are fundamentalists in the South where many make their livings by growing and marketing tobacco. It’s a shame that most quit not for health reasons but because it is now socially unacceptable.

I hope you don’t have a cigarette in your mouth as you hold your baby. That is how I got asthma, my mother nursing me with a cigarette in her mouth .

Life stinks for a young sickly asthmatic boy, being the last chosen for sports teams and all.

You’re right. A couple of years ago the wheezing started, and I’m always clearing my throat. I smoke way too much and I think I already have emphazima. I can feel myself dying. . Something in my gut tells me throat cancer is in my future… But it’s so hard to quit because I know I won’t be able to control myself and might hurt someone’s feelings -most likely everyone’s feelings.

 

[mikekle]

I believe the number of people who are smokers are vastly underestimated, or purposely lowered and the public not given the true number. I say this, because in my job, I work with cigarette reps and territory managers, trust me, the tobacco companies are making alot of money today!!! They are doing better than ever actually.

Dont be fooled when the news tells you less and less people smoke today than in years past, this is not true, and they have an agenda to promote.

 

[andrewstx]

I believe the number of people who are smokers are vastly underestimated, or purposely lowered and the public not given the true number. I say this, because in my job, I work with cigarette reps and territory managers, trust me, the tobacco companies are making alot of money today!!! They are doing better than ever actually.

Dont be fooled when the news tells you less and less people smoke today than in years past, this is not true, and they have an agenda to promote.

I remember when I got my first job other than work/study it was in a retail store. I’m giving up my age, but I remember they cost $.50 a pack. Now they are $8.00 A PACK more in some places. Hard-core cig addicts will pay anything for their “fix”.

Statisically low income people tend to smoke more than others, those who can least afford it. I have known people who when they are paid will buy their cigarettes first and then buy food with what’s left.

My dad was a rep for Liggett and Myers. Made me angry, Especially since he joined a fundamentalist church where smoking was taboo. Like liquor they smoked on the sly while condemning those who openly smoked. Cigarettes killed both of my parents!!

 

[silver2soul]

I, like most, have had experiences, have studied scripture and as a Catholic tried to come to an understanding of my obligations as someone who believes. I do my part in my micro world. But I do feel that those who lead the church seem to communicate that the world is not of their concern and the church would be better off to stay out of social issues except those issues that affect the moral life of the individual. We are reminded at every Mass that all power and all glory belongs to God and that we are his advocates to do His will. We are told that we are the salt of the earth. We are actually taught that the power inside of us is greater than the power in the world. Is this the truth?My disappointment comes from wanting to be a part of something real.
It is largely conveyed by the Church authority that, as a Catholic, my allotted reserve of righteous indignation should be directed to these issues: Contraception, Abortion, and Same Sex Marriage and of course Obama Care. This is the total catalog of issues that I can work with for a better world. Every other sinister motive against the human race if off the hook accordingly
One reply wrote Trans Fats, Alcohol and Vehicles with large engines. I mentioned smoking industry: Death toll for 2012 = 392,683 this is equivalent to the population to New Orleans. And most of these people were paying 4 to $ 500 a month to keep their addiction going. Could this sequestering of disposable income impact a failing economy? Of course it would. How much was the medical cost to look after all those who were dying? Could being addicted to smoking lead to drug addiction and alcoholism? Absolutely; I have rarely met a hard core addict who didn’t’ have a smoking addiction. Cancer industry: Could this be related? A serious question that impacts everybody: Could this industry impact the cost of your healthcare insurance? You can be sure it does. Industries are targeting children who: Grow up, have sex, start smoking, start drinking, and then it’s off to an abortion clinic just like they were compelled into doing.
Its not just about the church state argument. It’s about your money and a certain industries appropriation to it.
This thread is addressing social justice and I think this issue could use some justice. There are 70 + million Catholics in the USA and Canada. I did the math and something is weird. My feeling is that if those who lead us would be more vocal about these problems, our congregations would grow in spiritual strength and in numbers.
Your opinions are welcomed
God Bless

I too kinda feel that way, although my stance is a little greater as it is about people and about the truth in/through the son of GOD JESUS. It is about what we are doing to one another and how it represents corruption when we do not hold to the true faith by loving one another. The church being the body of JESUS CHRIST we should stand up against oppression and corruption when it is affecting other people whom we are commanded to love…love thy neighbor as thyself! Looking at big corps what are we truly talking about? A system of people operating…so who is to blame?

our idle stance and complacency is a sin in it’s own right. Loving others is beneficial because we act out of love to help those in need, we act out of love for those whom are ill and oppressed and to die for those we love/friends is commendable and no greater love than it, as JESUS loved us and gave his life for us and for the heavenly father. If we are persecuted because we see immoral acts of tyranny…doesn’t that announce our faith in sound principle? Are we not acting in/out of love?

Most of us do not nor know how to love as we stumble around yoked to blinding darkness trying to tread in descriptive waters of life…those true waters of life are by the grace of god through his son JESUS.

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[silver2soul]

I do believe in justice and I do believe in truth… Our faith declares that we are at war demonstrated by how much oppression we are suffering from.I feel as if the church is so oppressed that it is lacking power. Instead of clergy being compliant, maybe if they spoke out regarding important issues ,then just maybe many believers would be delivered from their tribulations. It is the contradictions that hurts faith. 70 million Catholics do have power but they have all been trained not to speak out unless it’s Contraception, abortion, same sex marriage and to vote republican. Meanwhile the degradation of millions proliferate, filling the world with metaphysical negative energy and thereby strengthening the devils agenda to control. The reason why we have Judas profiled as a trader in the first apostolic college, is to show a geometric example of how many traitors their could be in the present tense. 1 out of 12 Could the molestations be a part of this model? We have all been trained to think that things will never change, not to respond and that we are not entitled to an opinion. Just say your Hail Mary’s and be subordinate? Our Lord was not subordinate. He demanded fidelity to the first two commandments. To protect those who are week in our society is a commandment… Targeting children for a future of addiction and degradation is abhorrent to our Lord (I feel it in my spirit ) but apparently not to our leaders. Maybe it’s time that the 70 million believers started writing letters to ask why? Don’t get me wrong I love the church but I also love God. And I do want my family to be healthy and safe.

I have never been told to NOT speak out about moral corruption and the seeds that destroy. Even in public school we are learned to NARC so to speak or admonish “bullies” so to speak. "How much more do you think we should stand idly by and NOT do something/say something about inappropriate behavior and misconduct; especially towards those whom call themselves brothers or sisters? Complacency has no place in the church for idleness is NOT defined as righteous in the Church of JESUS CHRIST.

**Proverbs 10:4

King James Version (KJV)**

4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

I love the church but I also love God. And I do want my family to be healthy and safe.

Remember that the Church is not separate from GOD as it is a the assembly of GOD, JESUS , the heavenly host and we the believers in the true faith as a/one body…the family united!

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[djmason]

Sometimes suffering is our greatest educator… I had addiction, my parents had addiction and there was a lot of death and organized religion was always there conveying that our problems lay elsewhere. The one thing I love about the Bible is in regards to the Lords forecasting to the believer signs to lookout for. The religious world as far as I can see it is governed by religious professionals who constantly are pitching a theology of subordination. How? By defining what it is to be a good parishioner? It’s never about justice, the good parishioner practices charity. Giving is about giving, Justice is about confrontation and that’s where the authorities draw the line.
I like this verse from the lord (The hired hands care nothing for the sheep John 10:13) As far as I can tell the religious world is mostly governed by hired hands. But Jesus Christ also said (The power inside of you is greater than the power in the world) another one (If you had faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains). St Paul: in his Corinthians discourse about tearing down strongholds.
If these passages are true then it would make sense that demonic powers would endeavour to eradicate this truth from ever being realized and actualized. When it comes to the reality of navigating 70,000,000 US Catholics, evil authorities will certainly want to prevent this realization from happening. Hence (Hamster Cage theology) it will be about Contraception, Abortion, Same Sex marriage, handing out sandwiches, etc. You will never speak out, write a letter to your bishop or question those above you why your society is falling apart.
As a Catholic, this is what I have learned. That the diseasing and addicting of America is intentional because it fosters the ability to control the public, generates professional income and investment, and is also being used to segregate a segment of the population into horrible degrading lives. This is done by Creating diseases, depression leading to alcohol & drug addition, crime, financial oppression, and self absorption. In short you’re too injured to care. And I think our leaders should speak out publically on this issue.

PS To the smoker: Quitting is like going the Gym to build muscles. You practice exercising for a day for a week for a month and so on. And for every time you did manage to stop, reward yourself. It’s when you stop going to the Gym that you have a serious problem. Then write your Bishop

Your opinions are welcomed
God Bless

 

[mikekle]

Sometimes suffering is our greatest educator… I had addiction, my parents had addiction and there was a lot of death and organized religion was always there conveying that our problems lay elsewhere. The one thing I love about the Bible is in regards to the Lords forecasting to the believer signs to lookout for. The religious world as far as I can see it is governed by religious professionals who constantly are pitching a theology of subordination. How? By defining what it is to be a good parishioner? It’s never about justice, the good parishioner practices charity. Giving is about giving, Justice is about confrontation and that’s where the authorities draw the line.
I like this verse from the lord (The hired hands care nothing for the sheep John 10:13) As far as I can tell the religious world is mostly governed by hired hands. But Jesus Christ also said (The power inside of you is greater than the power in the world) another one (If you had faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains). St Paul: in his Corinthians discourse about tearing down strongholds.
If these passages are true then it would make sense that demonic powers would endeavour to eradicate this truth from ever being realized and actualized. When it comes to the reality of navigating 70,000,000 US Catholics, evil authorities will certainly want to prevent this realization from happening. Hence (Hamster Cage theology) it will be about Contraception, Abortion, Same Sex marriage, handing out sandwiches, etc. You will never speak out, write a letter to your bishop or question those above you why your society is falling apart.
As a Catholic, this is what I have learned. That the diseasing and addicting of America is intentional because it fosters the ability to control the public, generates professional income and investment, and is also being used to segregate a segment of the population into horrible degrading lives. This is done by Creating diseases, depression leading to alcohol & drug addition, crime, financial oppression, and self absorption. In short you’re too injured to care. And I think our leaders should speak out publically on this issue.

PS To the smoker: Quitting is like going the Gym to build muscles. You practice exercising for a day for a week for a month and so on. And for every time you did manage to stop, reward yourself. It’s when you stop going to the Gym that you have a serious problem. Then write your Bishop

Your opinions are welcomed
God Bless

You make some great points here! You are right about the church and especially Govt, they have to have some way to keep people under control and submission, so they use what they can to do that. After all, they have to keep people going to work, obeying laws of society, paying taxes, buying goods from stores, etc. My point is, they MUST convey the idea that there will be punishment for disobeying or going against what they consider to be just and good.

I sometimes wonder if our society was not religious based, would it be common for people to go out killing others, if people knew there was no punishment or consequences for anything they do, I just wonder what society would look like? Would the Govt be able to even exist…IDK, Im still wondering about this.

 

[Captain_America]

The OP is close to striking nerve here!

This is dangerous stuff!

MOST Americans are largely powerless, even though they vote.

PARTLY this is because we are ignorant of the issues. Partly this is because we’re coddled the few times there’s sufficient mass to make a noise that pierces the Beltway curtain and the media blackouts.

There is no commitment to the idea of a common good. And so there is no sense of right or wrong, independent of the political power of the person making the choice.

 

[djmason]

As a believer and Catholic I think all the fear is facade, I have never witnessed a miracle by being a subordinate parishioner. It’s only when I embraced that fearing God and believing that God did empower me to take action that I have witnessed miracles and have experienced extraordinary things. All Catholics have access to this truth through sacrament and scripture. The passion was not about defeat it was about victory. I am absolutely convinced that a great percentage of believers have been indoctrinated in fear and powerlessness. What if a person turned off the TV, wrote their Bishop, their representative and even the corporations themselves for accountability. I have never missed an obligation mass but I have noticed in the prayers for the people, our petitions for our leaders. It seems to be actually getting worse. I think we are dealing with a take up your matt and walk policy regarding the Lords healing of the cripple by the pool of Bethesda . We are supposed to take action and take the Lord with us into the battle. David and Goliath: This young child taking out a scary Giant. It’s simply a scary facade, with the intension to intimidate. If David simply said a prayer and Goliath evaporated then we might have a reason to stay passive.
The Cardinal virtues Courage, Fortitude, Intelligence, and Justice: Justice is about protecting our relationship to each other, if we reject our duty to the truth; we are left with a pile of unsubstantiated fairy tales.

Your opinions are welcomed

God bless us all

 

[TEPO]

For some reason, I’m having trouble getting to the root issue of this thread. What is this really about?

Are we talking about improving our Catholic culture or improving the secular society? What’s this all about?

Is it a kind of ‘Catholic Action’?

 

[djmason]

There are a couple of issues that I’m addressing. I think there are 2 types of Christian religions, and I have difficulty knowing that many feel that the practicing of your faith means you suffer in a powerless state in this life, then go to heaven after you pass on. But to take this position is not biblical. I really did address a serious social justice issue on this thread. Issues that I feel are having a serious impact on everyone. These issues are not connected to the party line as far as religion is concerned but they are real and deadly.

It would be an amazing day if or when 70 000 000 Catholics got together one day and communicated : That were done with this satanic nonsense.

Hope this helps

God Bless