What's the craziest Anti-Catholic whopper you've ever heard?

[Cosmian]

Oh. Whoops. I thought you were being sarcastic. Like so many atheists have in my experience. I apologise.

I thought “Cultural” Catholic meant the same thing to me as a “cultural” Jew (as in a non-believer who was just born into it). Apologies.

I might have been being sarcastic but I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s more like illustrating the absurd with absurdity. I’m not an atheist but I might be a bad person for admitting that.

Please don’t apologize, I throw that “cultural” thing in there as sort of a test for religious bigotry. It’s interesting how people react to me when they think that I don’t pass the sniff test. I know what I mean by it but I like to let other people come to their own conclusions.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Cosmian,

Maybe this ‘cultural Catholic’ self-described label is one of the biggest whoppers of all. It certainly can not be presented as having a foundation in the CCC.

But, you did bring up an interesting observation about the ‘sniff test’. The post you have presented appear scarcastic and baiting - adn this desire to get reactions from people with a self-described lable can hardly be characterized as sincere. Yes, I think you are right about failing the ‘sniff test’. But, who knows, maybe it is not too late.

As I understand your post, you are unaware of most (if not all) of these anti-Catholic whoppers. Be unaware no longer: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Publications Jack Chick produces truly anti-Catholic materials based upon his distorted view of reality. While there are other anti-Catholic groups that can be identified, just work with this one to get the idea that this publication is filled with ‘whoppers’. Ah, but be careful - just because you’ve added an adjective to Catholic would not spare you of Chick’s venom.

Identifying these hate-filled publications and statements is not anything like your characterization: “Stuff like this is what led to the holocaust of the Jews.” Such a statement shows a profound lack of knowledge about history. And, it is really quite offensive. Maybe you would like to work on getting some insight into what whas behind Hitler’s drive to exterminate the Jews (and Catholics, and Protestants, and Gypsies…) and anyone else this mad man did not like?

God bless

I might have been being sarcastic but I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s more like illustrating the absurd with absurdity. I’m not an atheist but I might be a bad person for admitting that.

Please don’t apologize, I throw that “cultural” thing in there as sort of a test for religious bigotry. It’s interesting how people react to me when they think that I don’t pass the sniff test. I know what I mean by it but I like to let other people come to their own conclusions.

 

[BerhaneSelassie]

Anti Catholic/anti-JW have told me the Jesuits run the Jehovah Witnesses, an adventist told me the US is run by the Catholic Church. Another one told me the Catholic church supports gay marriage and abortion. I get the lie that the Catholic Church started Islam (how stupid is that one? why would we start ANOTHER, rival religion?). I run across an anti/ex Catholic that claims the Pope is going to be the head of the new world religion/ecumenical movement. He insisted he had facts but was not able to come even close to proving it. Everyone once in a while I get wild claims

 

[cthulhubryan]

I heard a new whopper, or should I say an expanded whopper.

It goes like this:

Back in the late 200’s to early 300’s AD (I cannot stand the CE, BCE stuff) the main religion of Rome and the Empire was Mithraism. (fairly accurate, specifically within the legions) and Constantine himself was an inductee into the seven mysteries (Mithraism) But as Constantine become Emperor and was fighting to preserve the empire he had a vision of a golden cross. (The golden cross was also a symbol of Mithra, the sun god) but he was convinced by Christian advisers that it was the Crucifix and not the golden cross he had seen. Thus he left Mithraism and became a Christian.

However, people were not very open to this so Constantine had many of the ideas of Mithraism brought into Christianity including:

The idea of one main earthly leader who in Mithraism is called ‘papa’ or Pope.
The seven mysteries became seven sacraments
Baptism was made to reflect the pouring/dunking done in Mithra worship where a bull was sacrificed over a pit and the new converts were then covered in the blood of the white bull (now the spotless lamb)
The Inquisition never really went away (this seems a popular theme) but is still around trying to rid the world of the few remaining Mithra-ites.
Albigensis was not really a Manichaen sect but was rather a group of Mithra worshippers and the Church sanctioned the murder of all, including women and children. However, a few of the faithful escaped and fled to southern Spain and from there continue to try to reach others with the ‘truth’ about Catholicism.

I’m really surprised that Dan Brown has not written a novel about Mithra.

 

[1holycatholic]

Back in the late 200’s to early 300’s AD (I cannot stand the CE, BCE stuff) the main religion of Rome and the Empire was Mithraism.

CE = Christian Era
BCE = Before Christian Era

 

[cthulhubryan]

CE = Christian Era
BCE = Before Christian Era

Ah, that is a better way to look at it. When I was finishing up my B.S. in Anthropology they started with the Current Era/Before Current Era ****. I still used AD/BC in my papers and old one of the profs that since I was older than she was that she should just respect her elders. Luckily she did.

 

[cjforJesus]

I heard a new whopper, or should I say an expanded whopper.

It goes like this:

Back in the late 200’s to early 300’s AD (I cannot stand the CE, BCE stuff) the main religion of Rome and the Empire was Mithraism. (fairly accurate, specifically within the legions) and Constantine himself was an inductee into the seven mysteries (Mithraism) But as Constantine become Emperor and was fighting to preserve the empire he had a vision of a golden cross. (The golden cross was also a symbol of Mithra, the sun god) but he was convinced by Christian advisers that it was the Crucifix and not the golden cross he had seen. Thus he left Mithraism and became a Christian.

However, people were not very open to this so Constantine had many of the ideas of Mithraism brought into Christianity including:

The idea of one main earthly leader who in Mithraism is called ‘papa’ or Pope.
The seven mysteries became seven sacraments
Baptism was made to reflect the pouring/dunking done in Mithra worship where a bull was sacrificed over a pit and the new converts were then covered in the blood of the white bull (now the spotless lamb)
The Inquisition never really went away (this seems a popular theme) but is still around trying to rid the world of the few remaining Mithra-ites.
Albigensis was not really a Manichaen sect but was rather a group of Mithra worshippers and the Church sanctioned the murder of all, including women and children. However, a few of the faithful escaped and fled to southern Spain and from there continue to try to reach others with the ‘truth’ about Catholicism.

I’m really surprised that Dan Brown has not written a novel about Mithra.

ROFL,Wow that is a whopper! Where do people come up with this stuff??I am glad i dont believe everything I read.

 

[patrick457]

I heard a new whopper, or should I say an expanded whopper.

It goes like this:

Back in the late 200’s to early 300’s AD (I cannot stand the CE, BCE stuff) the main religion of Rome and the Empire was Mithraism. (fairly accurate, specifically within the legions) and Constantine himself was an inductee into the seven mysteries (Mithraism) But as Constantine become Emperor and was fighting to preserve the empire he had a vision of a golden cross. (The golden cross was also a symbol of Mithra, the sun god) but he was convinced by Christian advisers that it was the Crucifix and not the golden cross he had seen. Thus he left Mithraism and became a Christian.

However, people were not very open to this so Constantine had many of the ideas of Mithraism brought into Christianity including:

The idea of one main earthly leader who in Mithraism is called ‘papa’ or Pope.
The seven mysteries became seven sacraments
Baptism was made to reflect the pouring/dunking done in Mithra worship where a bull was sacrificed over a pit and the new converts were then covered in the blood of the white bull (now the spotless lamb)
The Inquisition never really went away (this seems a popular theme) but is still around trying to rid the world of the few remaining Mithra-ites.
Albigensis was not really a Manichaen sect but was rather a group of Mithra worshippers and the Church sanctioned the murder of all, including women and children. However, a few of the faithful escaped and fled to southern Spain and from there continue to try to reach others with the ‘truth’ about Catholicism.

I’m really surprised that Dan Brown has not written a novel about Mithra.

You know what, that story has as much truth and accuracy in it as a small piece I wrote ago out of boredom as a little joke (it was History class) which goes:

Hannibal flees to Jerusalem after his defeat at Zama only to be assassinated by Pontius Pilate and the Pharisees, thereby prompting King Ashoka, Achilles, and Liu Bang to declare war against Julius Caesar, who attempts to summon Humbaba and Xiang Yu to his aid, only for Humbaba to be killed inside the Cedar Forest by Liu Bang’s troops using the “Chu Songs from Four Sides” tactic. Caesar became deathly afraid and attempted to build the Great Wall of China to defend himself, only for Brutus to foil his plans. Xiang Yu shot an arrow at Achilles’ heel in revenge, only for Shiva to appear and kill Xiang Yu with his dance, which also turned his troops into the Terracotta Army. Achilles is then buried in a stupa built out of soil from the Yellow River as the mourners eat curry with their right hands while using the other hand to write on turtle shells.

 

[cjforJesus]

You know what, that story has as much truth and accuracy in it as a small piece I wrote ago out of boredom as a little joke (it was History class) which goes:

Hannibal flees to Jerusalem after his defeat at Zama only to be assassinated by Pontius Pilate and the Pharisees, thereby prompting King Ashoka, Achilles, and Liu Bang to declare war against Julius Caesar, who attempts to summon Humbaba and Xiang Yu to his aid, only for Humbaba to be killed inside the Cedar Forest by Liu Bang’s troops using the “Chu Songs from Four Sides” tactic. Caesar became deathly afraid and attempted to build the Great Wall of China to defend himself, only for Brutus to foil his plans. Xiang Yu shot an arrow at Achilles’ heel in revenge, only for Shiva to appear and kill Xiang Yu with his dance, which also turned his troops into the Terracotta Army. Achilles is then buried in a stupa built out of soil from the Yellow River as the mourners eat curry with their right hands while using the other hand to write on turtle shells.

.I think you should create a video game out of such a contrived scenario. People would love it!

 

[jmcrae]

You know what, that story has as much truth and accuracy in it as a small piece I wrote ago out of boredom as a little joke (it was History class) which goes:

Hannibal flees to Jerusalem after his defeat at Zama only to be assassinated by Pontius Pilate and the Pharisees, thereby prompting King Ashoka, Achilles, and Liu Bang to declare war against Julius Caesar, who attempts to summon Humbaba and Xiang Yu to his aid, only for Humbaba to be killed inside the Cedar Forest by Liu Bang’s troops using the “Chu Songs from Four Sides” tactic. Caesar became deathly afraid and attempted to build the Great Wall of China to defend himself, only for Brutus to foil his plans. Xiang Yu shot an arrow at Achilles’ heel in revenge, only for Shiva to appear and kill Xiang Yu with his dance, which also turned his troops into the Terracotta Army. Achilles is then buried in a stupa built out of soil from the Yellow River as the mourners eat curry with their right hands while using the other hand to write on turtle shells.

What, you mean that’s not really true?!

 

[Cosmian]

Hi, Cosmian,

Maybe this ‘cultural Catholic’ self-described label is one of the biggest whoppers of all. It certainly can not be presented as having a foundation in the CCC.

But, you did bring up an interesting observation about the ‘sniff test’. The post you have presented appear scarcastic and baiting - adn this desire to get reactions from people with a self-described lable can hardly be characterized as sincere. Yes, I think you are right about failing the ‘sniff test’. But, who knows, maybe it is not too late.

As I understand your post, you are unaware of most (if not all) of these anti-Catholic whoppers. Be unaware no longer: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_Publications Jack Chick produces truly anti-Catholic materials based upon his distorted view of reality. While there are other anti-Catholic groups that can be identified, just work with this one to get the idea that this publication is filled with ‘whoppers’. Ah, but be careful - just because you’ve added an adjective to Catholic would not spare you of Chick’s venom.

Identifying these hate-filled publications and statements is not anything like your characterization: “Stuff like this is what led to the holocaust of the Jews.” Such a statement shows a profound lack of knowledge about history. And, it is really quite offensive. Maybe you would like to work on getting some insight into what whas behind Hitler’s drive to exterminate the Jews (and Catholics, and Protestants, and Gypsies…) and anyone else this mad man did not like?

God bless

Am I baiting people? I’m sorry. I get told off every time I say anything here. It appears that I come off as being insincere which I am not. I just have a hard time with people who appear smug and self-righteous to me. I’m sincerely concerned that the truth is harder to defend against than most of these ridiculous stories.

My Characterization of the ridiculous things being said against Catholics being likened to the things said against Jews was also not meant to be offensive. Actually, I was working on getting some insight into what was behind Hitler’s drive to exterminate the Jews. The attitude and misconceptions among supposedly Christian people made Hitler’s plan much easier to accomplish. Hitler didn’t do what he did single-handedly. Some of the whoppers being told about the Jews was that they were evil and that they had a peculiar odor and appearance.

I’m sorry that I brought it up. You’re right and I’m wrong.

Wild stories were being circulated about Jews and they were believed by people. Stuff like

 

[losh14]

Back in the late 200’s to early 300’s AD (I cannot stand the CE, BCE stuff) the main religion of Rome and the Empire was Mithraism. (fairly accurate, specifically within the legions) and Constantine himself was an inductee into the seven mysteries (Mithraism)

I’ve got a response for you to use. It dates back to the 160’s A.D., Justin Martyr’s Second Apology, chapter 66:

For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.

The cult of Mithras borrowed a lot from Christianity (as have wiccans, neo-pagans and satanists). But they certainly did not ‘invent’ such things as:

The idea of one main earthly leader who in Mithraism is called ‘papa’ or Pope.

They’re getting this from the title ‘Pontifex Maximus’ - literally ‘Supreme Bridge-Builder’, which is one of the Pope’s titles. This was used as the title for the head of the state religion in Roman antiquity - regardless of whether that religion was mystery cult, the personal cult of emperor deification, the pantheon stolen from the Greeks, Mithras or Sol Invictus. When Christianity was made the state religion (a notion so alien to American ears that it’s immediately condemned by many) the title passed to the Bishop as well.

Even if the title didn’t remain, the idea of monarchic rule, rather than democratic, is morally repugnant to many Protestants. Why? Their faiths emerged during a time when democracy was on the rise or even flourishing. So why should we be surprised that the Catholic faith - which developed during a time of kings and emperors - has a monarch?

The seven mysteries became seven sacraments

Mithraism does not have a monopoly on the number seven. It is important to Christianity because it was important to the Jews, who saw it as the number of perfection and of Divinity.

Baptism was made to reflect the pouring/dunking done in Mithra worship where a bull was sacrificed over a pit and the new converts were then covered in the blood of the white bull (now the spotless lamb)

According to wiki (sorry) the initation was done by handshake following survival in an ‘ordeal pit’, which was used to expose initiates to heat, cold or danger. Not bull blood.
The language of the ‘spot-free lamb’ (1 Pt 1:19) makes sense when you consider the Jewish culture in which Jesus was raised - such an animal was a fitting sacrifice for sin offering (Lv 4:32, 14:10, Nu 28:3, 28:9, etc.).

Albigensis was not really a Manichaen sect but was rather a group of Mithra worshippers and the Church sanctioned the murder of all, including women and children.

You lost me there, ghostrider. Do you mean the Albigensians are supposed to be “true” Christians opposed to the alleged vield Mithraism of the Church? I’ve heard similar things. Problem with Albigensians, Waldensians, and others, is if you look at the beliefs, they really don’t resemble that of modern Protestants aside from a non-ordained clergy and the push for access to Scripture for all. The Waldensians, for example, required vows of poverty, which few Protestant denominations adhere to today.

I’m really surprised that Dan Brown has not written a novel about Mithra.

Oh he will, he will.

 

[losh14]

My Characterization of the ridiculous things being said against Catholics being likened to the things said against Jews was also not meant to be offensive. Actually, I was working on getting some insight into what was behind Hitler’s drive to exterminate the Jews. The attitude and misconceptions among supposedly Christian people made Hitler’s plan much easier to accomplish. Hitler didn’t do what he did single-handedly.

A valid point. Hitler came to power at a time when people needed a leader. He gave them all sorts of good things and was loved for it - if you ever get to watch “Triumph of the Will” you’ll see it all in the first 15 minutes. As he’s flying into Nuremburg (in a shiny new German-built prop plane), drives past groups of children in traditional dress, visits Hitler-Jungen at play, visits people feasting … all of these are images to promote an industrially-advanced, yet in touch with its roots, Germany where people have enough to eat and smiling kids have a bright future.

Contrast this with the anti-Semitic propaganda and we have such a bright line demarcation that it really framed the Nazis as the good guys. I don’t think we’ll ever know whether the Holocaust was the original or primary intent of the Nazis, but evil begets evil, and whether Hitler used the KZ as a way to both get rid of a convenient scapegoat (the Jews, as well as Gypsies, Poles, POWs, Catholics and others) and to control the lunatic fringe (the psychopaths who comprised many of the KZ officers and guards), or whether he truly wanted genocide, either way we end up at the same terrible conclusion. The message was clear (and this is sarcasm following) - if you don’t choose me - the plucky Charlie-Chaplin-esque young man who likes Wagner and Weisswurst - you’ll get some socialist who is backed by the Jews who were REALLY the cause of the disastrous Armistice. (end sarcasm).

Even good folks followed Hitler - some likely ignorant, others willfully so.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Cosmian,

You are certainly free to start another thread on this topic about the relationship between Hitler, the Jews and Catholics.

God bless

Am I baiting people? I’m sorry. I get told off every time I say anything here. It appears that I come off as being insincere which I am not. I just have a hard time with people who appear smug and self-righteous to me. I’m sincerely concerned that the truth is harder to defend against than most of these ridiculous stories.

My Characterization of the ridiculous things being said against Catholics being likened to the things said against Jews was also not meant to be offensive. Actually, I was working on getting some insight into what was behind Hitler’s drive to exterminate the Jews. The attitude and misconceptions among supposedly Christian people made Hitler’s plan much easier to accomplish. Hitler didn’t do what he did single-handedly. Some of the whoppers being told about the Jews was that they were evil and that they had a peculiar odor and appearance.

I’m sorry that I brought it up. You’re right and I’m wrong.

Wild stories were being circulated about Jews and they were believed by people. Stuff like

 

[losh14]

Hannibal flees to Jerusalem after his defeat at Zama only to be assassinated by Pontius Pilate and…turtle shells.

Like how Japan, Hawaii and China used to be part of Australia but when the Crusaders dropped the A-Bomb on the Ottoman Empire they all broke apart?

 

[losh14]

Hi, Cosmian,

You are certainly free to start another thread on this topic about the relationship between Hitler, the Jews and Catholics.

God bless

I’d participate if you did.

 

[Janine_Therese]

ROFL,Wow that is a whopper! Where do people come up with this stuff??I am glad i dont believe everything I read.

Heh! That idea that the inquisition was still around? Yeah! I wish it were sometimes! Like to see what they would do with old Dan Brown!!!
(Shame on Me)ROFLOL!

 

[roveau]

During the World War II it was said that all Catholics posed a threat to national security because their first allegiance was to the pope in Rome.

 

[losh14]

During the World War II it was said that all Catholics posed a threat to national security because their first allegiance was to the pope in Rome.

Interesting, since we weren’t fighting the Pope but the Nazis,who were mostly German. But we didn’t take any action against German-Americans, did we? Despite the pro-Nazi organizations in the late 1930s and early 1940s (German-American Bund, Friends of New Germany, Free Society of Teutonia), and the small, but extant, number of Americans who actually fought FOR the Third Reich in the European theater, and later fought against the Allies as the U.S. entered the war.

 

[tqualey]

Hi, Losh14,

Start the thread and let’s see what happens.

God bless

I’d participate if you did.