Did you get proper permissions to ... "Communicate"? Because if you didnt secure proper communication permissions from your local board elders, your brain doesn't make right chemicals. And without those... you know what happens, like people don't fulfill their board obligation and sometimes - Mod forbid - look at other boards.
I witnessed a very refreshing moment over the past few days. A woman was talking to the Monsignor of our local church, and the topic of child molestation came up. The women said something to the effect of "the priests are only human." The Monsignor wagged his finger in her face and said "don't you dare say that! What those priests did was an abomination!" I heard the same Monsignor say "don't even get me started on the Catholic Church, they have a lot of areas that they need to fix." Now mind you, this is the Monsignor of a Brooklyn Catholic Church. I only go to Church for weddings and funeral masses. I have been to two recently, and he always opens with "Welcome to all Catholics and non-Catholics, believers and non-believers. You are all welcomed here." Hearing him say that moved me to tears.
Whoa whoa whoa. I'm a partial believer, I'm a God fearing Roman Catholic who doesn't feel compelled to believe ALL the shit the Church throws at us and I find rapist priest deplorable and the Church's protection of them disgusting. Do I have to choose whether I'm a believer or a non-believer? Are those the only 2 options? _
Those are the only two options I'm aware of . God is not going to ask you if you believed in a church.
So you've inserted yourself into only 1/4 of the conversation? There are plenty of "believers" but the narrative here is, if you don't FULLY believe you are not a true believer. Unless you are speaking for God Almighty, please either join the discussion or refrain from throwing out non sequiturs. Oh, and next time you want to respond to me, feel free to quote me do I don't have to hunt for your reply. Like I am doing now. Thankee. _
That's gonna come as a big surprise to all those millionaire Evangelical Pastors and their superchurches that don't pay any taxes yet involve themselves in every election. Better not let our local holy roller in on this revelation. (no pun intended).
There are only two options according to the very words of God. 1) Depart from me. 2) Well done good and faithful servant, you may enter in. Its in the Book ... I promise.
Which specific book are you talking about? Who wrote it? When? In what language? Who first translated it? How many times has it been translated? By whom? Did any of them have motive to shade the truth? Who currently promotes this book you're selling? Can you conceive of any reason this may not be totally non-fiction?
"Religious practices aren't meant to be ends in themselves. The purpose of prayer, fasting, almsgiving isn't to register points with God. The purpose is to help me draw closer to the Lord"*, closer to selfless love for God and for others. Religion = structured practices to aid and direct our spirituality. It's analogous to practices in sports. Take football, for example. As a team sport, it's crucial that all players act together as a team to achieve a greater goal, a desired result (to win the game). So the players attend structured practices with strict rules, a coach to oversee it all and direct it all, and a playbook for reference and guidance for everyone involved (including the coaches!). The Catholic Church (and all organized religion) works the same way. When we go to church, it's like "practice" in the spiritual life. It helps us to train for what we will face in life ("the game"). Just as football players perform drills in practice, we say prayers together at church, sing inspiring songs, share signs of peace and love with each other to encourage each other (like players patting each other on the back for encouragement), etc. The Priest (or religious leader) is like the coach, directing the players (the congregation). The Bible and other religious materials represents our "playbook", used by the players (us) and coaches (religious leaders) alike. Just as in football and other sports, the players will not become nearly as good if they try to do it all by themselves, and don't get together and work together as a team. We are all in this thing called life together, and we need to work together as a team to win! That's the reason for organized religion as opposed to individual spirituality. ~ the first part, starred (*) and in quotes, taken from the "Little Black Book of Lenten Reflections, 2016, Diocese of Saginaw...the rest my reflections.
http://pix11.com/2016/03/05/more-al...iests-come-forward-after-spotlight-oscar-win/ More alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests come forward after ‘Spotlight’ Oscar win WOODSIDE, Queens — The spotlight is still on "Spotlight" and the clergy sex abuse scandal. Megan Peterson, 26, is a painter and a leader in the New York City branch of SNAP, the survivors network of those abused by priests. When the movie, "Spotlight," detailing the Boston Globe's investigation into the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal won best picture, Paterson's phone started ringing with more alleged victims coming forward. "I think my phone started ringing an hour after," Peterson told PIX11 News, "with new survivors and whistleblowers." "More victims are coming forward every day," Peterson said. Peterson herself said she was a victim herself. She was allegedly raped by her parish priest in Minnesota 12 years ago. Peterson said Father Joseph Jeyapaul was convicted of sexual assault, served some time, but is now about to work as a priest again in a parish in his native India. "There are children who, without a doubt, are going to be hurt," Peterson said, fighting back tears. It's because of "the Vatican's decision to reinstate him," she added. Peterson is hoping that people who watch the movie "Spotlight" will realize that the clergy sex abuse scandal isn't over yet. "I am hoping that people will seek help, go to the police and have others look into it," if they know something isn't right, Peterson said. _
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinio..._Time_can_t_heal_sexual_abuse_by_priests.html Inquirer Editorial: Time can't heal sexual abuse by priests They knew and they let it happen! To kids! That's a quote from the movie Spotlight attributed to real-life reporter Mike Rezendes when he was investigating Boston priests accused of sexually molesting altar boys and other children 15 years ago. The comment could just as well be applied to Pennsylvania authorities who for decades did precious little to stop similar abuse by priests and cover-ups by religious leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. A grand jury report released last week by Attorney General Kathleen Kane said an investigation had revealed evidence of "several instances in which law enforcement officers and prosecutors failed to pursue allegations of child sexual abuse occurring within the Diocese." Cambria County Judge Patrick T. Kiniry, a former district attorney, reportedly told state investigators that the close relationship between local authorities and diocesan officials when the alleged abuse cases occurred was a reflection of the Catholic Church's influence. Evidence presented to the grand jury included material gathered in a raid of diocesan offices last August by state agents. They found a "secret archive" of documents, including handwritten notes sent to Bishop Joseph Adamec by the late Bishop James Hogan, which detailed alleged abuse cases, including victims' statements. In one case, the grand jury said Hogan interceded on behalf of Joseph Gaborek, who in the early 1980s was accused of sexually violating a 16-year-old boy he recruited to work with him at two parishes. Gaborek went on a sabbatical, but later was allowed to return to work as a priest without ever being charged. That same pattern was evident in the 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report that led to William Lynn's becoming the highest ranking U.S. Catholic Church official convicted in a child sex abuse case. A new trial was recently ordered for Lynn, who argued that he was made a scapegoat by prosecutors trying to show how the Philadelphia Archdiocese protected priests accused of abuse. A study commissioned by the Catholic Church said more than 4,000 U.S. priests had been accused of sexually abusing at least 10,000 children, most of them boys, in the last 50 years. The church has spent more than $2 billion to settle cases, pay for victims' therapy, lawyers' fees, and other costs. Prosecution is unlikely for anyone accused in the new grand jury report. Statutes of limitation have expired. Some of the accused are dead. One victim committed suicide and others are reluctant to testify. The grand jury recommended lifting the statute of limitations for sexual offenses against children and suspending the statute of limitations to file sexual abuse civil suits. Those are good steps. Some crimes are too heinous to ever avoid prosecution, or deny victims restitution. _
