With Same-Sex Decision, Evangelical Churches Address New Reality

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Our church itself is divided on the issue,…
No, it is not. There is, and always will be, dissent. That is division away from the Church, not within it. This issue is a matter of faith and morals. The Church cannot change the definition of marriage anymore than she can change God.
 
The truth will stand forever in Catholicism. The gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Mary.
Smoke and mirrors.

If the Pope can be liberal in regards to evolution, atheists and his unwillingness to denounce homosexuality, the Church is still true? If so, that truth comes down to a personal testimony, which is non-different than what mormons do. I hope you’re aware of that.
 
It doesn’t matter if they believe something else. The magisterium preaches, teaches and acts in accordance to the Biblical truth on gay marriage.

Mary.
Remember when St. Paul was asked about homosexuality and he refused to answer, but instead said “Who am I to judge”?. I don’t remember that scripture. It must be a textual variant… :coffeeread:
 
Smoke and mirrors.

If the Pope can be liberal in regards to evolution, atheists and his unwillingness to denounce homosexuality, the Church is still true? If so, that truth comes down to a personal testimony, which is non-different than what mormons do. I hope you’re aware of that.
Papal replies to the evolution thing boil down to “Its not incompatible with the Genesis narrative, but you aren’t required by the Church to believe it either.”
 
No, this is incorrect.

The Catholic Church has for years held much power and was very authoritative and ‘mean’ for a lack of a better word. However, now that the world has changed, it’s become very nice and pleasant to those who disagree with it.

Read the fourth Lateran council and tell me if that sort of language could ever be used in Italy again? How about read what was said about Muslims and Islam? How about the Lutherans or the Heretics?

The day the newest Popes write another 4th Lateran council document in the kind of language that was used is the day that Catholicism would die out.
I just read the 4th Lateran Council that you refer to and believe it is a document that reflects the mindset and culture of its time, although it is doctrinally the same Catholicism as I understand it today.

Keep in mind that this document was written several centuries before Luther and Calvin, when breaking off from the Catholic Church wasn’t even a gleam in the eye of the reformers. Therefore, the words and tone of the 4th Lateran Council reflect our religious forefathers too, just as much as they do Catholics.

Since Protestant denominations didn’t exist in that day and time, there is not a Protestant document of its era to which it can be compared, so to criticize it for harshness is to possibly be critical of our own ancestors.
 
Remember when St. Paul was asked about homosexuality and he refused to answer, but instead said “Who am I to judge”?. I don’t remember that scripture. It must be a textual variant… :coffeeread:
Ah. I see the fallacy of taking a quote out of context, and the assumption that if it is not in Scripture, it didn’t happen.
 
I just read the 4th Lateran Council that you refer to and believe it is a document that reflects the mindset and culture of its time, although it is doctrinally the same Catholicism as I understand it today.
In the name of God, ex communicating and basically taking away any chance for someone to have a life simply because they aren’t Catholic is no longer the Catholic way.

The post I was referring to was that Catholic teachings do not conform to its times. This is wrong. The CC was extremely harsh and is now quite nice. It can’t be as harsh as it was because its power is gone.
Keep in mind that this document was written several centuries before Luther and Calvin, when breaking off from the Catholic Church wasn’t even a gleam in the eye of the reformers. Therefore, the words and tone of the 4th Lateran Council reflect our religious forefathers too, just as much as they do Catholics.
It was problems like the fourth Lateran council that prove the CC needed a reform. Recently the CC apologized for its persecution of the Waldensians, but it doesn’t change what the Pope taught about fighting Waldo, Hus, Wycliffe, whoever.

I think it’s so wonderful that the CC is nice now, don’t get me wrong. All it took was a reformation to hold the CC accountable to make it happen. But let’s not say they haven’t changed.
Since Protestant denominations didn’t exist in that day and time, there is not a Protestant document of its era to which it can be compared, so to criticize it for harshness is to possibly be critical of our own ancestors.
It was actually the 3rd Lateran council that condemned Peter Waldo, who I believe was the forerunner to the reformation.
 
Remember when St. Paul was asked about homosexuality and he refused to answer, but instead said “Who am I to judge”?. I don’t remember that scripture. It must be a textual variant… :coffeeread:
He was being asked to judge the soul of a celibate priest who was known to suffer from SSA, That is a far cry from saying that homosexuality (the behaviour) is okay.

The press omitted the context of the remark.
 
The post I was referring to was that Catholic teachings do not conform to its times.
This seems to me too, to be the case—that the CC was and is more influenced by the times its leaders live in than some Catholic apologists care to admit. I wonder if it’s reasonable to say that we live in a post-Christian, but still residually Christian-influenced, time now, and so I’ll be curious to see how the CC handles challenges like this from here on out.

I was listening to a public radio program this evening from WITF in Harrisburg, PA (our state capital). The host was discussing the SSM ruling with a Catholic priest from Harrisburg as well as with a mainline Protestant professor–in a commited SSM himself—from Lancaster Theological Seminary. Both spoke well in defense of their opposing positions, and the host was respectful…it was interesting.
 
I just read the 4th Lateran Council that you refer to and believe it is a document that reflects the mindset and culture of its time, although it is doctrinally the same Catholicism as I understand it today.

Keep in mind that this document was written several centuries before Luther and Calvin, when breaking off from the Catholic Church wasn’t even a gleam in the eye of the reformers. Therefore, the words and tone of the 4th Lateran Council reflect our religious forefathers too, just as much as they do Catholics.

Since Protestant denominations didn’t exist in that day and time, there is not a Protestant document of its era to which it can be compared, so to criticize it for harshness is to possibly be critical of our own ancestors.
One thing that I’ve been seeing, it appears to me, in my readings on history for awhile now, is that heights of respect for the dignity of persons (and creation—animals and the earth, too) have been reached at points in the past (thousands of years ago) by some people, and then those insights are forgotten and strong-armed into obscurity by heavy-handed but well-meaning brutality in leadership. Then someone comes along and remembers them and they’re rediscovered as if they’re new, and the ethical climate changes.

So, yeah, I do think it’s reasonable to criticize all our Christian ancestors if they behaved brutally, because I think they should have learned from the ethical high points (such as, umm…Jesus’ leadership) of those before them, rather than lapsing into darkness again as if they couldn’t have known better.

Sorry…off topic, but just something I’ve been thinking about.:o
 
This seems to me too, to be the case—that the CC was and is more influenced by the times its leaders live in than some Catholic apologists care to admit. I wonder if it’s reasonable to say that we live in a post-Christian, but still residually Christian-influenced, time now, and so I’ll be curious to see how the CC handles challenges like this from here on out.
Each generation will approach things differently. And I mean this as the majority of members both as leaders and laity.

The approach can be noble, weak, bold, wise, foolish, etc. But the official Teaching will be True and consistent.

Consider when the crowds of Jesus began to grow large. Many were insincere. Jesus set before them a challenge of faith in Teaching. He prophesised about His Eucharist. Many left Him.

Each generation has the challenge of compelling the world to believe and its followers to obey! This is truly a duanting task! For individual leaders, the way is to be an example and to live put the Gospel in works and teaching. But as a Magisterium, there are many difficult decisions in how to approach things. Sometimes they can make unwise approaches, for sure. But the Teaching is still the Teaching, and like the Christians were said to do in the quote in my signature, so we do when we seek the Teachings of the Church.

The approach of giving a harsh ultimatum has shown to have negative results. For some time now, the approach has been open dialogue and apologetics has grown stronger, while dissent and Protestantism grows as well.

I believe there is a time for both, and there will always be some who don’t accept. But I would like to see actual Catholic members to uphold their own faith. This should be what the Church focusses on.
 
That is what I find most appealing about Catholicism and I admire it. The Catholic Church doesn’t adjust or mold its teachings to cater to contemporary public opinion. In many ways, it is a lighthouse on a dark and stormy sea – pointing the way home and out of danger.
Someone once described the natural and supernatural worlds as the sun and the stars. Our sun is actually one of the smaller stars in the universe, and yet when it is around, it distracts us and causes us to forget about the rest of the stars.

In the same way, we are flooded with the world. It is immediate; it is big and bright, overwhelming the supernatural so we have to make a serious effort to access it.

So a lot of Catholics are bad Catholics, dissident or heterodox… some define their own doctrine, others vote in their own pope; either way, they are usurping the Church.

But the Church remains the same.

Just ignore those who deviate to the point of “cafeteriaism” on both sides of the spectrum. Focus on Christ Himself and what He wanted, and how you can contribute to that goal of His. Just because others are doing the wrong thing is no reason for you to do the same.
However, many Catholic parishioners apparently* do * follow public opinion and I find that troubling. I also find it hard to reconcile that a majority of US Catholics (or those who identified as Catholics in exit polls) voted for the current president twice – a president who unashamedly espouses the most anti-Catholic positions on abortion and same sex marriage of any president in the history of the United States – the same president who allowed the gay rainbow to be openly displayed on the White House as an “in your face” display of hubris, in my opinion.
Why is there apparently such a big disconnect between Catholic teaching and the personal and voting behavior of Catholics in the USA and in countries like Ireland? I just can’t seem to figure that out and it makes me have second thoughts about pursuing Catholicism if it indeed makes no practical difference in the daily lives of Catholics, although I still plan to continue with my journey because I long to live a sacramental life that is even closer to God than the life of faith I live now – in the Catholic Church that I believe was the one that Christ founded and whom he still loves dearly.
There are several historical reasons for the odd place all too many Catholics (many of whom do not even follow their faith) do what they do politically, bit it has less and less ti do with Catholicism.
 
Hi Tommy999

I agree, although I believe I have recieved a few answers, one answer came when I was in year 10 at a Catholic High School and the teacher mentioned that the Eucharist was the real body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; Catholic students reacted as if it were folly.
If the students have been attending catechism classes, why would they react in such a way? Unless they are non-catholics (not sure whether the school can exclude them) or they haven’t been catechized at all. I took catechism classes at about 8 or 9 of age and when confirmation came, we know what the Eucharist is without a doubt.

Or the school is Catholic in name only but due to demographics or secular reasons are not able to attract sufficient Catholics to attend. The school will just pad it up with any headcount of other denominations/religions.

I don’t dare to believe that catechism knowledge has been watered down to such a state.
 
The truth will stand forever in Catholicism. The gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Mary.
I think the sheep and the goats are clustering around their respective corners. I’d rather the wolves are clearly visible rather than camouflaged and hiding among the sheep and carrying out raiding parties internally below the radar screen.
 
That is what I find most appealing about Catholicism and I admire it. The Catholic Church doesn’t adjust or mold its teachings to cater to contemporary public opinion. In many ways, it is a lighthouse on a dark and stormy sea – pointing the way home and out of danger.
She has no authority to deviate. That is why she is so old fashion. She is anchored to an ancient historical rock so huge that she defers to its history for its doctrines. Leadership can change only its look and feel but not its substance. She has got blue blood.
However, many Catholic parishioners apparently* do * follow public opinion and I find that troubling. I also find it hard to reconcile that a majority of US Catholics (or those who identified as Catholics in exit polls) voted for the current president twice – a president who unashamedly espouses the most anti-Catholic positions on abortion and same sex marriage of any president in the history of the United States – the same president who allowed the gay rainbow to be openly displayed on the White House as an “in your face” display of hubris, in my opinion.
Why is there apparently such a big disconnect between Catholic teaching and the personal and voting behavior of Catholics in the USA and in countries like Ireland? I just can’t seem to figure that out and it makes me have second thoughts about pursuing Catholicism if it indeed makes no practical difference in the daily lives of Catholics, although I still plan to continue with my journey because I long to live a sacramental life that is even closer to God than the life of faith I live now – in the Catholic Church that I believe was the one that Christ founded and whom he still loves dearly.
I am not surprised. When I was young(er), I probably have the same sort of liberal thinking. especially when we started college and discover new freedoms. Trends and fads are important, to be cool, politically correct among your peers and so on. I can’t find who the source is but it goes something like this:

When you are 20, you care what everyone thinks, when you are 40, you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you are 60 you realise no one was ever thinking about you in the first place.

May be that’s why younger catholics have a different mind set but as they get older, the stats still fortunately suggest they may yet return to traditional thinking. I attribute that with maturity people reflect more on important things such as condition of the soul, salvation etc and less on political correctness. If it is wrong, democracy doesn’t make it right…When people figure out this truth, they will understand that unlimited freedoms does not guarantee morality, only the freedom to be immoral.
 
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