Forum Activity for @ken-rich

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

Hi David,I do not, and never have, claimed to be infallible! I claim to be a old sinner saved by grace. Even the album I am working on is called "Songs from a Sinner".However, the Popes and Prelates claim to be infallible, in spite of the fact that they are steeped in sin, and guilty of the most heinous acts imaginable."We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Pope Leo XIII, in an Encyclical letter, dated June 20, 1894"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, hidden under a veil of flesh." The Catholic National, July 1895"But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff... [who] requires... complete submission and obedience of will... as to God Himself." Pope Leo XIII, the Great Encyclical Letters, p. 193"It seems that Pope John Paul II now presides over the universal Church from his place upon Christ's cross." Taken from an article entitled, "Auckland Bishop Says Pope Presides From the Cross" AUCKLAND, New Zealand, SEPT. 20, 2004, Zenit.org"Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their offices the priests are so many gods." Pope Innocent III"For professing faith contrary to the Church of Rome, history records the martyrdom of more than one hundred million people." Brief Bible Readings, p. 16"We must rank the Inquisition ... as among the darkest blots on record of mankind."Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, vol. 4, p. 78"That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind will be questioned by no Protestant who has a complete knowledge of history. It is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." W. E. H. Leeky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, Vol. 2:32, 1910 edition

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

Hi David,I come from Newfoundland, where the infamous Mt. Cashel sex abuse scandal took place. Also, numerous other cases, where the Priests who people think are acting in the place of God, and forgiving their sins, are raping little children, when they walk out of the confessional.Do you really think these Priests have the Holy Spirit, or know God?Perhaps you should study this issue, the confessional goes all the way back to Babylon. Read "The Two Babylons" by Hislop, or "A Woman Rides the Beast" by Dave Hunt.Here is an article on the subject, I am aware of the Vatican's arguments to justify their position but I reject them as false and unBiblical, like so many other things they do and teach. http://www.spurgeongems.org/rb-16.pdf

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

Hi David,I certainly would not claim to be infallible, the Popes and Prelates do that.Perhaps you should take a hard look at the Catholic Church, their history, policies, and teachings, before you defend them.I have no problem with the ordinary Catholic lay person, it's the system, the Vatican, I take issue with.Perhaps you should read this insightful, article before rushing to their defense. Infallible Paedophiles? Perhaps you should re-evaluate them, as many Irish Catholics are now doing. The corruption, tyranny, physical and sexual abuse of defenseless children, have recently been exposed. This in a country where they control and own the schools, hospitals, orphanages, and to a large measure, the government. Irish Question Catholic Identity After Abuse Report
updated by @ken-rich: 07/12/15 09:53:00PM

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

I hear where you are coming from Darren.I also love the Catholic people, in fact, some of my best friends are Catholic. It's the system I find fault with, not the people - the institution, not those deceived by it.However, I am aghast, at how trusting and easily manipulated some people within the system are. They exhibit blind faith in fallible men and a failed institution. No matter what vile crimes are committed by these "wolves in sheep's clothing", they remain untainted, in the eyes of millions of people.Even a cursory examination of history reveals an institution steeped in centuries of vice, scandal, violence, heresy, and mass murder. The inquisitions alone should be enough to turn anyone's stomach, let alone quench their faith in this corrupt power.The traditional Protestant view for 3 centuries (today most Protestants are teaching a counter-reformation Jesuit doctrine) was that the Papacy is the anti-Christ system, we were warned about in scripture. Yet they practice and prosper to this day, despite being exposed in the mass media, as anything but Christian in their conduct and internal regulations - it's almost unbelievable, stranger than fiction, more bizarre than a Hollywood plot.I'm glad you shared that poem, it highlights something that deserves our attention.

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

That's an interesting theme. I guess it was lost on me since I don't know enough about the real Catholic prayers and poems, to distinguish them from those meant to express a type of criticism or sarcasm.The first thing I thought of (when you told me of your poems intent) was the sad situation of Father Hickey . He was a Catholic Priest in Newfoundland (where I am from), who was convicted of raping altar boys. His case was quickly followed by the infamous Mount Cashel sex abuse scandal. The movie " The Boys of St. Vincent " was based on it.I have sometimes thought about the people who believe that these pedophiles (and those who protect and cover up for them) are close to God, and have the power to absolve them of their sins.Even after the shocking scandal which uncovered decades of abuse and cover up by Catholic Priests and Prelates, many ordinary Catholics still refuse to believe the Church or it's officials are corrupt. They persist in denial, despite reams of evidence to the contrary.Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruit.

Confessions Of A Catholic

Religion/Philosophy

Those are nice thoughts Darren. Did you write that based on a Catholic prayer, or is it a traditional Catholic prayer.Please excuse my ignorance, I am not Catholic. The first line is something I have heard before many times on TV, so now I am curious.

"COME UP A LITTLE HIGHER"

General Posts - any topic

Beautiful!

"MIGHTY MEN OF WAR"

Religion/Philosophy

Very strong theme - I like it!

What's in a Name?

Christian Teachings

Hi Blake,I had a quick look at your links (pressed for time), but I saw nothing new there that I have not seen before.I am not trying to play the devil's advocate lol. Personally, I see nothing wrong with celebrating the birth of our Lord I'm happy that he came and died for me. Nativity scenes, special services honoring the King, theatrical productions retelling the story, are all good things in my eyes.When I was swimming in legalistic circles, I too was affected by all the condemnation and finger pointing. Baptized paganism is the general sentiment expressed by such people. So what's the alternative? Tell the world to stop celebrating the Savior and go back to sun worship?The big problem I see with the legalistic mindset, is that it condemns everything outside of the narrow confines of what it deems acceptable, and believes everything (and everybody) else, is offensive God. However, few things are as offensive to God, as the legalistic mindset itself.How far are you willing to go to purify yourself? You say Christians compromise the truth, so where do you set your own personal limits? Rings are of pagan origin, so you must get rid of your wedding ring! Don't shake anyones hand the handshake had it's origin in paganism. How about the myriad of symbols allegedly originating with occult systems. Some people actually find circles and triangles offensive! Are you going to do what the Jews did, and start adding prohibition after prohibition - until you are staggering under a load of burdens?Also, consider the fact that many of the traditions commanded by God, and found in scripture, initially had pagan origins. Others were not by command of God, but were accepted practices among his people and not condemned by him. Circumcision was practiced by the Egyptians before it was practiced by the Jews. It was a cultural practice which had some religious significance. God captured the practice, gave it to Abraham, reinvested it with new meaning and it became a religious rite for Abraham to worship his creator. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, wasn't given by God in the Scriptures. It's something that they do to recollect a deliverance, a special deliverance . ( Is Christmas Pagan? Gregory Koukl)Some people condemn what God does not condemn. They have not found their freedom in Christ, and have no love for others. Bondage to legalistic thinking, and condemnation of others, characterizes their spiritual condition.Luke 6:37 Stop judging, and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom. 1 Corinthians 10:23 We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good. I was once a legalist and seriously considered removing Christmas from my life. Baptized paganism , said the voices I was listening to. Now I listen to the Spirit, and when Christmas comes, I am thankful that Christ came to this earth (in the flesh) to save me! I rejoice in his birth, his life, his Gospel of love, and his hard won victory what is pagan about that?Did some of the trappings (tree, balls, mistletoe, etc.) of Christmas, originate with paganism? Although there is debate, there is evidence to support that claim. So what? Like circumcision, it's not what it meant originally that counts, it's what it currently means. Circumcision was originally associated with paganism ( Encyclopedia Britannica ), then commanded by God and adopted by the Jews, later nullified by the New Covenant, and now seen as a sign of legalism - by those free in Christ.1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in the presence of God. Love and blessings,Ken

What's in a Name?

Christian Teachings

Hi Blake,Santa, the tree, the revelry, and the other pagan aspects of the holiday, are of course, not of Biblical origin. Most Christian scholars agree that Christ was born in the fall, not December 25. That date came from pagan sun worship. However, replacing a pagan festival, with a celebration honoring the birth of the Savior, is somewhat of a victory in my estimation.Likewise, the Easter Bunny is a fertility symbol (same as the eggs) which came from Paganism. No competent Christian scholar would disagree. However, replacing a pagan celebration for a fertility God, with a memorial honoring the sacrifice Christ made for us, is also somewhat of a victory, in my eyes.The 50 days of the Easter Season were forshawdowed in Judaism as Shavuot. The feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) is a wonderful example of type meeting anti-type and the continuity of Scripture between the Testaments.On Passover, the Jews were delivered from slavery in Egypt; at the resurrection, Christ the passover lamb - delivered us from slavery to sin. He also represented the firstfruits (Bikkurim). But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (1 Cor.15:20). On Shavout, the Children of Israel received the Torah; on Pentecost, Christians received the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jews celebrated their freedom from bondage in Egypt and the birth of the Old Covenant. We celebrate our freedom from bondage to sin and the birth of the New Covenant.The Saturday/Sunday conflict is a non-issue to me. I have entered the true rest, foreshadowed by the Sabbath, by resting in Jesus. However, that is a subject covered in a different post - Law vs Grace in the New Covenant May his peace be upon you,Ken