This thread fascinates me and although I’m not doing very well health-wise, I hope I can pop in every now and then to see what’s going on. I love the X-Files! Thank you to those who wished me well; I want you to know I appreciate your prayers and your kindness.
And IMO, the energetic, multi-faceted, respectful, humble character of John Doggett was so much better than Mulder that it’s like comparing a mumbling smart-aleck sarcastic authority-dissing adolescent to a real man. Just wanted to get that in
BTW, Little Soldier, my comment about “eating” was a very general statement. Please do not infer any theology from it. Many religions, including Christianity, associate an act of eating with spiritual benefits;e.g., the feast of Passover in Judaism. Yes, of course, as Catholics, we are to confess our sins and be absolved BEFORE we receive Holy Communion. But in receiving Jesus frequently in the Blessed Sacrament, we receive graces that help us to remain free of sin after we leave Mass.
Thank you, Cat, for saying that Mulder is a real man. But I don’t think that’s what you meant, is it? I think you presented your “analogy” incorrectly (I’ll call it that even though it’s not really an analogy at all; it’s just a list of characteristics). I read it as stating Mulder is a real man, while Doggett is a mumbling, smart-aleck, sarcastic, authority-dissing adolescent.
I don’t think you meant what you wrote, did you? I think you have it backward. It’s *Mulder * who mumbles. Yes indeed he does. So do I. So do most people in the world. You probably mumble yourself. As to “authority-dissing,” may I please remind you that
the government is part of the conspiracy and for Mulder to treat an unethical, immoral government with respect would be to turn his back on the universal principles of love and sanctity of human life - those universal principles that are also called God’s Law. Oh, I would hope he would always show disrespect for immoral, unjust laws; just as we all should! And as this thread is about Catholicism, I think it is very important to note that the series shows the unethical practices of the government Mulder is employed by, and some of the ramifications of those practices.
To be a real man, Mulder must act against the government, as and Catholics, we must do the same, even if our actions are no more than a non-adherence to unjust laws. I have CCC documentation to back me up and I will post it if so requested.
You implied Mulder acts like an adolescent. I wonder why you list this as one of his characteristic (and I do believe you did so in a pejorative manner). So let me ask you: How many adolescents would take a bullet for a person they loved? How many adolescents feel and demonstrate unconditional, altruistic love? No, Cat, Mulder is not an adolescent when it counts. He is an adult who loves his missing sister and his partner. He is an adult who is searching for Truth, as we all should be - especially Catholics! He wants to know. He wants to uncover the conspiracy. He wants to
protect us, the human race, from whatever is going on (and believe me, there is definitely something going on).
Mulder is funny. He kids Scully about being married when they go undercover as a married couple. He kids Scully about a lot of things. Good for him. I kid people, too, and people kid me and it makes our lives here happier. Like me, Mulder has experienced a horrible tragedy; in his case it is the loss of his beloved sister when he was very young, and this loss affects his present life, just like my loss affects mine. Laughter, finding humor in trying situations, these sort of things help us to cope with despair and fear, and even if we just look on them at face value, they make us feel good. What could possibly be wrong with laughing?
Those of us who have been termed as "smart as*** look at life in a different way. We don’t stay inside the lines when we are coloring. We don’t incorporate the beliefs of others without looking at them with a critical eye, and if they fail that, we look for Truth elsewhere. What a dull world this would be without us! And, once again, as this thread is about Catholicism, I would like to note that I have always been encouraged by Catholics I know and respect to examine the bible and sacred scripture; to ask questions about our faith; and never just simply accept.
As I stated before, Mulder has a good heart. He wants so much to help and yes, he finds himself thrust into situations which would have most of us cowering in a corner like a bowl of jell-o, and still he fights on and on and on; trying to expose the corruption and the conspiracy of the government.
I’m not sure about Doggett’s reaction to this corrupt government or if he is even aware of it. But if he respects it, he loses any respect I would have for him.
The following is tongue-in-cheek. I have a dry sense of humor so I want you to know I am kidding:
Doggett’s name is appropriate. Split it up into two words: Dog and gett (yeah, I know; it’s not perfect). Doggett is very good at fetching. He’s not much good at anything else.
Thank you for answering my question about “eating” to be cleansed of sin. I agree that by partaking of the Holy Eucharist we are given strength to resist sin. My confusion stemmed from your usage of the phrase “cleansed of sin.” We can’t be cleansed of sin we have not yet committed (at least I don’t think so), but we can certainly become stronger in our fight against sinning.
My husband and my kids think I’m completely nuts. 
