Monday, April 9, 2007

OF REJECTING FLAWS AND BUILDING ON VICTORIES

Here is a short excerpt from Russell Shorto’s article in the NY Times Magazine on Pope Benedict:

Benedict is one of the most intellectual men ever to serve as pope – and surely one of the most intellectual of current world leaders – and he has pinpointed the problem of the age, as well as its solution, at the level of philosophy. His argument, elaborated in the years leading up to his election and continuing through his daily speeches and pronouncements, reduces to something like this: Secularism may be one of the great developments in history, but the secularism that holds sway in much of the West – that is, Western Europe – is flawed; it has a bug in its programming. The mistaken conviction that reason and faith are two distinct realms has weakened Europe and has brought it to the verge of catastrophic collapse. As he said in a speech in 2004, “There exists pathologies in religion that are extremely dangerous and that make it necessary to see the divine light of reason as a ‘controlling organ,’ . . . However . . . there are also pathologies of reason . . .there is a hubris of reason that is no less dangerous.”



Other thoughts today:

How do you feel now that you have completed your Lenten resolves? Are you thinner? Healthier? Feel better? More productive? More inclined to do something constructive rather than watch T.V.? Have you been moved to greater acts of charity? Did you pray more? If you act now, you can preserve the new you and even upgrade if you wish. That’s right, celebrating Easter does not mean you now must eat extra chocolate, turn that T.V. back on, stop exercising, stop that extra prayer time or doing those extra, secret acts of charity. Now you can continue your Lenten resolve year round at no additional cost. Before you did it out of repentance, now, with the resurrection you can do it out of joy! But wait, that’s not all! If you preserve your Lenten resolve right now, you can upgrade for free next Lent. That’s right! Why do the same old thing year after year? Next year with conquered vices behind you, you can reach for ever new heights. But don’t wait! Act now! Angles are standing by to help you trade in your Lenten resolves for Easter living now!

16 comments:

Odysseus said...

I think an easy starter is to follow the encouragement of the church and abstain from meat on all Fridays. It would be simple to do now.

It's not very dramatic, but simple beginnings often lead to things more profound.

I'm going to do it.

Adoro said...

Actually, as much as I struggled this Lent, I actually DO feel better, and almost like a different person.

God has been very good to me.

sattvicwarrior said...

now really. that VERY POPE YOU refers to was called the “ ROTWIELLIER ” of the church before he BECAME POPE. yet[ in analogy] you compare your pope to a DOG.
and ANIMAL. ????
and then there is that “ blerb’ im your post]
he LOVES his GERMAN SHEPARD.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
when religion has to stoop SO LOW as to compare their LEADER to a DOG it just goes to show you how sad the state of RELIGION is.
where is CHRIST in this??
where is GOD in this??
Where is inner peace
Where is identity with the creator??
Where is spiritual consciousness??
there is NONE..
so he is identified as a DOG!!!!!!!!
[ appropriately so]
SO SAD!!!!!!!!!. . your “ leader “ is compared to a DOG !!!!!!!!!
you said so yourself!!!!!
im sorry your analogy for your " leader" is less than the infinte greatness Christ.
And if you listened to his speach. it was enough to put a SEA SLUG TO SLEEP!!!!!!.
anyway . its going to get better, as hes OFF to his " other castle" for a bit of a respite, while the PEOPLE HE TALKED ABOUT IN DARFU STILL STARVE..
yup!!!!!!!!!!! dude . its DOGS LIFE fer sure, as he reclines in his gold robes and all.
thanks for your post!!! it REALLY gave me a NEW perspective

Adoro said...

sattvicwarrior ~ You're missing the point, and you're missing the theology completely.

Our Pope is, first and foremost, a SHEPHERD. He happens to be German.

As far as the "comparison" to a dog, look deeper than the surface, please. German Shepherds are known to save the lives of humans, they are loyal to their masters, they are vigilant, they are protective, they are affectionate, they are strong willed, and they are obedient and they are intelligent. These same traits are virtues in the Pope - he is all of those things in service to his Master, Jesus Christ, whome he represents.

Further, not all references to dogs in the Bible were negative. A woman approached Jesus asking for help for her daughter, and Jesus compares her to a dog. It seems to be a rebuke on the surface, but what he was doing was drawing her out - he was asking her to persevere, to penetrate more deeply why she was asking for his help. A dog knows its master....just as this woman recognized Jesus for who he really was and knew he was the only one who could help her.

Ask the Dominicans about dogs...they'll be happy to tell you all about St. Dominic.

As far as the typical strawman about alleged "riches" - please, can you find another slam against the Church and the Pope rather than that old tired thing?

I'm quite certain that you haven't given up all of your comforts to go relieve the suffering you bring up. After all, both you and I are sitting at computers - what a luxury.

We live in glass houses, don't we?

Further - check into the poverty and starvation issues. The fact is that most of that suffering comes straight from their governments - not from a lack of the Pope doing something about it. He is not the root of the world's problems. The world produces an EXCESS of food - but one of the problems is shipping and the governing forces of those areas of the world that must need the food are their largest hindrance. That's not the Pope's fault, nor is it ours.

Let's stop focusing on what the Pope is or is not allegedly doing, and actually put the focus and condemnation upon those governments whose job it is to ensure that their people are honored with the dignity God gave them.

sattvicwarrior said...

thanks for the response ADORO . hope the dude who writes this blog dosent mind me responding in his " territroy , but a lot of your statement is very well put.
but i was not missing the point. it was sorta tounge and cheek.
but when you say. " please, can you find another slam against the Church and the Pope rather than that old tired thing? "
cmon . lighten up. its not a SLAM it is what it is. the dicotomy is mind boggling, the church dosen t seem to hold bac[ i.e.SLAM] others that dont think the way it does. and when you see from history HOW the church accquiered its wealth, through plundering and murder of innocent people all for power it does give one to pause...
THEN YOU SAY.
I'm quite certain that you haven't given up all of your comforts to go relieve the suffering you bring up. After all, both you and I are sitting at computers - what a luxury.
I SAY...
YOU better believe it. but im not the pope. my " corperal works of mercy" are harldy anyones business , but then again im not running around in yellow slippers on a marble floor in gold robes telling people they should" think" about the poor.
THEN YOU SAY.
The fact is that most of that suffering comes straight from their governments - not from a lack of the Pope doing something about it. He is not the root of the world's problems.
I SAY..
you seem to forget that the " church" at one time was the seat of all government. and the people still starved,a s they got richer and richer. . If they[ the church ] had its way today it would repeat its actions which was all to evident in the dark ages.

YOU SAY.
Let's stop focusing on what the Pope is or is not allegedly doing,
.. I SAY>>>
THATS CONTRADICTORY...
it seems people ALWAYS want to hear what the pope has to say. but when his perspective is questioned there is always a retort JUST like what you responded with .
NO one ever QUESTIONED the POPE hundreds of years ago. if they did THEY WERE TORTURED AND MURDERED. so you see its ALWAYS good to QUESTION AUTHORITY. one can do that in a free society.

Anonymous said...

Alleluia! Lent is over in more ways than one and it brings to mind one of my favorite scriptures on perseverance and ultimately hope - the hope that I live for and work towards, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:1-5)

Adoro said...

sattvicwarrior

~ What you did was slam the Pope, even if you did so tongue-in-cheek.

So tell us what you would like him to do? Would you like him to get into a plane and bomb the oppressive regimes with Holy Water through the load dock of a C-130?

And quite honestly, if you're going to slam the Pope for not relieving suffering in Darfur, then, in fact, in order to avoid being a hypocrite, you'd better be able to back up your position with a morally higher standard, that being the position of action. Thus, you brought yourself into the mix through your condemnation of him.

In the past, the Church has had some bad moments, admittedly, however those moments are not relevant to the current situation in the world. Nor was Pope Benedict XVI involved in those bad moments.

If you are truly open to knowing how the recent Popes see the situation of humanity in the world, I would suggest that you read their words. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were/are (respectively) prolific writers, and have inspired people THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!

It is actually not the Pope's job to go out and about - just as it is not the job of the priest to be living as the rest of us do. It is their job to lead souls to Christ...and inspire US, as the laity, to be the hands of Christ, to walk in holiness, and to relieve suffering. This is a cohesive thing - it's not about just the clergy, or just the laity. It is in our respective roles within what we refer to as the "Mystical Body of Christ."

It simply is unfair to inflict all the sufferings of history and current times onto the Pope, then sit back and say, "Well, I don't have to do anything to correct this problem because I am not wearing X cloting or living in X location." That is simply illogical.

Now, if you want to take ME to task for not doing enough, fine, but I'll make your job easy - I admit it. I don't do enough to help others, to reach out to my neighbor, etc. I'm completely guilty. But it's not the Holy Father's fault that I'm guilty.

Do you see what I'm saying?

Now, you're talking about people being "tortured and murdered." Go check your history on that. The Spanish Government did a bunch of stuff in the name of the Church, and in fact, the Church responded by trying to SAVE the lives of thousands of people, which was successful. Additionally, there's a ton of mythology out there with regard to the Inquisition, and the numbers allegedly killed by the Church.

That's another strawman that people like to trot out when they really have nothing of substance to say, but prefer to just attack the Church without any real grounds to do so.

Shall I list the others?

Or, in order to make this productive, would you be willing to pose your honest questions to us and allow us to point you to resources that may address your concerns?

I think you'll find that, while you clearly have a problem with religion, we respect that fact and we are willing to share our faith with you. But it's much easier to do so if you are not on the warpath against our beliefs, which you clearly don't understand. Are you open to understanding or are you going to continue to throw out strawman arguments, one after another?

I'm sure Fr. V. would be thrilled to be given the opportunity to answer your questions, and in fact, he has, time and again, demonstrated this very thing.

So! What do you think?

Adoro said...

sattvicwarrior ~ Sorry, forgot to address your first point.

The Church has always stood up for Truth, and Truth cannot be compromised. The Church does not "slam" others, but has always spoken out in charity in an attempt to direct souls to God. It is the job of the Church to bring people to God. Each person has a choice as to whether to respond to that call to holiness, or to disregard. The choice of the individual does not change the Truth and it does not change the consequences of rejecting God.

It is the Church, (which includes all of us who are believers) that is constantly slammed by society for not caving in to the demands on the fickle winds of culture.

sattvicwarrior said...

WHEW ADORO!!!!!!! LOTTA TERRITORY THERE, YOU SAY A LOT OF THINGS BUT IN ORDER TO KEEP IT SIMPLE SINCE THIS IS NOT MY FORMAT BUT SOMEONE ELSE’S.
you say.
it's not about just the clergy, or just the laity. it is in our respective roles within what we refer to as the "mystical body of Christ."
I SAY,,
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THAT AND THIS IS NOT IN ANY WAY QUESTIONING[ FROM MY PERSPECTIVE] ANOTHER PERSONS FAITH , ALL IM DOING IS POINTING OUT THE INCONSISTENCIES IN DOGMA AND HOW IT HAS SHAPED AND WARPED THE PRESENT DAY STANDARDS OF RELIGION.

then you say,
it simply is unfair to inflict all the sufferings of history and current times onto the pope, then sit back and say, "well, i don't have to do anything to correct this problem because i am not wearing x cloting or living in x location." that is simply illogical.
AND YOUR STATEMENT IS A SWEEPING GENERALIZATION WHICH CONSISTENTLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WHAT I AM ADDRESSING, BUT IS MORE OF A DEFENSE, ALSO I AM WELL AWARE OF THE MANY GREAT THINGS PEOPLE OF DIFFERNT RELIGIONS HAVE DONE AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE WELL BEING AND BETTERMENT OF MANKIND, THEY ARE THE SILENT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRULY A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS IS ALL ABOUT. SO TO LUMP EVERYONE OF A SPIRITUAL BENT IN TO ONE BIG BALL HAS NOTHING TO DO WHAT I AM ADDRESSING, YOUR BEING DEFENSIVE.
EVER HEAR OF JOHN PAUL XXIII.. NOW THERE WAS A SAINT IF THERE EVER WAS ONE. BRILLIANT MAN .. TOTAL INSPIRATION FOR ALL RELIGIOUS SECTS, PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE CATHOLIC REALM ADORED HIM AND HE BROUGHT THE CHURCH OUT OF THE DARK AGES.
AND NOW YOU HAVE A POPE WHO IS DRAGGING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH RIGHT BACK INTO THE DARK AGES. [ DID YOU LISTEN TO THAT 13TH CENTURY " TOE TAPER" HE CHOSE TO BE SUNG DURING HIS EASTER GIG??]. CMON, THATS HARDLY WHAT ANYONE WOULD CALL INSPIRATIONAL. AND YOU WANT TO DEFEND HIM?? YOU SHOULD DEMAND MORE FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL ELEVATION , WHY?? BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT, NOT TO BE DRAGGED BACK INTO THE DARK AGES, AND SIMPLY SAY THIS IS THE WAY YOU SHOULD FEEL ABOUT YOUR FAITH BECUAED SOME ONE ELSE SAID SO. . THATS NONSENSE.
ON TO OTHER THINGS[ DUDE. YOU COVERED SO MUCH IM JUST TRYING TO BE GENERAL OK??}
YOU SAY,
additionally, there's a ton of mythology out there with regard to the inquisition, and the numbers allegedly killed by the church.
THEN WHY DID THE CHURCH FINALLY DISBAND THE " INQUISITION " JUST AS RECENTLY AS THE 1930'S???. HARDLY MYTHOLOGY, AND IF YOU REFER TO MY FIRST POST ABOUT THIS IT STARTED WITH THE CHURCH AS A " GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION " THOSE
ARE FACTS.
YOU SAY
i think you'll find that, while you clearly have a problem with religion, we respect that fact and we are willing to share our faith with you.
I SAY. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH YOUR BELIEF. OR YOUR FAITH . AND I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RELIGION . I SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS. NOW THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERNT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT WHEN YOU SEEM TO FEEL ARE ONE. AND IM SORRY YOUR WRONG ABOUT THAT .
ONE THING ABOUT RELIGION IT HAS THE POWER TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING, NOTHING IS LEFT TO CHANCE, LOGIC CAN AND IS HAPPILY THROW OUT THE WINDOW
YOU ARE CONFUSING RELIGION WITH YOUR PERSONAL FAITH AND / BELIEF. WHICH IS NOT WHAT I AM ADDRESSING AT ALL. .
THEN YOU SAY.
It is the Church, (which includes all of us who are believers) that is constantly slammed by society for not caving in to the demands on the fickle winds of culture.
I SAY.
AND ITS PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO RESPECT THE BELIEFS OF OTHERS, BUT WHEN THOSE BELIEFS ARE DEMANDED AND FORCED UPON THOSE WHO DONT BELIEVE THE WAY THEY DO ITS TIME TO GIVE THE SELF RIGHTEOUS AND PONTIFICATING KNOW IT ALLS A DOSE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE. IM NOT SAYING THAT ABOUT ALL PEOPLE OF FAITH OF COURSE , AS I KNOW MANY AND I MEAN MANY PRIESTS WHO ARE VERY VERY GOOD AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO FIND MY PERSPECTIVE OF THE POPE VERY ACCURATE. BUT THEY DONT SPEAK OUT , CAUSE THEY CANT.
CHRISTIANITY IS BASICALLY A WONDERFUL THING, BUT RELIGION ON THE OTHER HAND TRULY IS THE LEPROUS SORE ON THE FACE OF CHRISTIANITY. WE ARE ADDRESSING TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES..
thanks:).. i relize this was a generization but afdter all this is not my format, and my respects to the dude who allowed it!!!

Adoro said...

sattvicwarrior, have you read "Fides et Ratio" by Pope John Paul II, or "Truth and Tolerance" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)? You may be fascinated by what those books say.

Faith and reason are not mutually exclusive and in fact, have always gone hand in hand in the Church.

Can you give a basis for your complaints? The Pope is not dragging us into the dark ages - I've heard a lot of people claim it, but it's simply not true. I did not see the Easter Masses for the Vatican, however I suspect the music involved was likely traditional music, such as Gregorian or Ambrosian?

This is indeed inspirational, however in our culture of heavy metal and thrash, or rap (which I listen to as well or did in the past), there is a lost appreciation for true music, especially when that music has a purpose and is a sacred artform unto itself.

Gregorian chant has been referred to as "the breath of God" and if you take some time and really listen, it may change your perspective on it.


The "office of the Inquisition", by the way, still exists, just by a different name. It is the Office for the Propagation of the Doctrine of the Faith, which was the position held by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger before he was elected Pope.

sattvic, I pray you find what you are seeking.

sattvicwarrior said...

dear adoro. you say.
Truth and Tolerance" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)? You may be fascinated by what those books say.
i say!!!!!!!!
ANYBODY CAN WRITE A BOOK . JUST BECAUSE IT WAS WRITTEN BY HIM DOSENT MAKE IT TRUTH, OR ABSOLUTE.... . HAVE YOU READ THIS???

http://playahata.com/hatablog/?p=447

CHECK OUT THE LINK AND IT WILL GIVE YOU A NEW PERSPECTIVE. [ MAYBE] BUT I DOUBT IT.
THEN YOU SAY.
Gregorian chant has been referred to as "the breath of God" and if you take some time and really listen, it may change your perspective on it.
I AM WELL AWARE OF GERGORIAN CHAT. ITS ORIGION AND LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT, WRITTEN FROM THE ORIGINAL CONCEPTS BY A MONK CALLED BALIBUS. AND THE REASON FOR ITS MUSICAL STRUCTURE.
YOU SAY
The Pope is not dragging us into the dark ages - I've heard a lot of people claim it, but it's simply not true.
OF COURSE NOT AND THE SKY IS NOT BLUE, AND BIRDS DONT LAY EGGS. YOUR THE ABSLOUTE TRUTH ON THAT AND NEVER SHOULD BE QUESTIONED EVER. EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG, AND THANKS FOR SETTING IT STRAIGHT
THEN YOU SAY.
The "office of the Inquisition", by the way, still exists, just by a different name. It is the Office for the Propagation of the Doctrine of the Faith, which was the position held by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger before he was elected Pope.
BINGO!!!!!!!!! THATS WONDEFUL. AHAHAHAHHAHAHA. SO A HORSE BY ANOTHER NAME IS NOT A HORSE. AND WHO BETTER THAN THE POPE TO HOLD SUCH A SCANDELOUS LINK TO THE PAST. . DUDE . YOU ARE REALLY A PIECE OF CAKE. YOU GIVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO HAVEING ONES HEAD BURIED IN THE SAND.
sattvic, I pray you find what you are seeking.
THANKS. IVE FOUND IT. ITS CALLED KNOWLEDGE. WHICH IS THE DIVINE LUMINIOUS WISDOM THAT DISPELS THE DARKNESS. AND IM JUST TRYING TO SHOW OTHERS A DIFFERNT PERSPECTIVE. AND THAT IS..... ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY, WHICH IS SOMETHING THE CHURCH CANNOT TOLERATE.
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT..:)
SATTVICWARIOR!!!!!!

Adoro said...

sattvic ~ FYI I'm a woman.

God bless you.

Fr. V said...

Ah,

Satvicwarrior, you bring up good points but you provide no meat. Some of your arguments are arguments of taste - Gregorian chant - what has that got to do with faith??? I happen to love it and find it inspirational (as do some of the contributors as you have found out. That does not make them wrong.) That means absolutely nothing. Does music have to be popular to be inspirational? No. "He who cannot live on 3000 years of history is living hand to mouth." We need our heritage. Some love it, some don't. So what?

And that the office of the inquisition means anything? It is just a name. What did they do in 1930, that is what matters.

Or that the pope is referred to as a dog (making the assumption that is a bad thing) how does that sink Christianity to new lows?

That the pope walks on marble floors. So what? Should they all be ripped up so that future generation should never be able to enjoy them? Do you know how many people (yes even poor ones from 3rd world countries) walk on them? What does that have to do with the goodness of the Church?

And of course the Church proclaims what it sees as truth. If we see the body concieved within a woman's womb as a human person, the church would be a silly institution not to proclaim it and try to have others see the truth. If truth is relative and we cannot - should not - will not proclaim it to others - why bother have a belief or faith at all? It would all be rather pointless.

I want you to comment - but give us some meat for real discussion! Debate ideas (which I think you love). That is far more fun and constructive!

So go at it!

sattvicwarrior said...

Satvicwarrior, you bring up good points but you provide no meat. Some of your arguments are arguments of taste - Gregorian chant - what has that got to do with faith???
ACTAULLY WE GOT A LITTLE SIDETRACKED AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL SUBJECT ADDRESSED, AND YOUR RIGHT ABOUT THAT …
I happen to love it and find it inspirational (as do some of the contributors as you have found out. That does not make them wrong.) That means absolutely nothing.
NO ONE SAID IT WAS WRONG, AND YOU ARE RIGHT IT MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Does music have to be popular to be inspirational? No. "He who cannot live on 3000 years of history is living hand to mouth." We need our heritage. Some love it, some don't. So what?
ACTUALLY MUSIC DOES HAVE TO BE POPULAR TO BE INSPIRATIONAL TO A SENSE, AS IT WOULD APPEAL TO A LARGER AUDIENCE , BUT IT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE CRITERIA SO IN ESSENCE. ITS REALLY NO BIG DEAL

And that the office of the inquisition means anything? It is just a name. What did they do in 1930, that is what matters.
THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN THAT , WHAT IT REPRESENTS OR REPRESENTED SHOULD BE MORE THAN AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE CHURCH, WHEN I TOLD THAT TO A FEW OTHER PEOPLE THEY ABOUT FELL OFF THEIR CHAIR IN SHOCK.

Or that the pope is referred to as a dog (making the assumption that is a bad thing) how does that sink Christianity to new lows?
ITS NOT WHAT ONE WOULD CONSIDER [ I PRESUME] “ GOD LIKE”. A DOG?? WHY NOT A SAINT OR AN ANGEL OR SOMETHING MORE PURE ASSOCIATED WITH GOD CONSCIOUSNESS. BUT A DOG. AND AN EVIL ONE AT THAT AS IT WAS TRIED TO KILL . HARDLY AN INSPIRATIONAL IMAGE WITH ALL THE VIOLENCE GOING ON IN THE WORLD THESE DAYS.

That the pope walks on marble floors. So what? Should they all be ripped up so that future generation should never be able to enjoy them?
YOUR MISSING THE POINT, AND TURNING IT AROUND. I GIVE YOU MORE CREDIT THAN THAT !
Do you know how many people (yes even poor ones from 3rd world countries) walk on them? What does that have to do with the goodness of the Church?
IT WAS REFLECTED AS A DICHOTOMY AND THE EXTREMES TO IDENTIFY WITH SOMETHING MORE PURE FOR INSPRATION
And of course the Church proclaims what it sees as truth. If we see the body concieved within a woman's womb as a human person, the church would be a silly institution not to proclaim it and try to have others see the truth. If truth is relative and we cannot - should not - will not proclaim it to others - why bother have a belief or faith at all? It would all be rather pointless.
AGREED ON THAT . BUT THE PROCLAMATION SHOULD BE WITH IN THE REALMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE WHO FOLLOW THOSE OR THAT BELIEF SYSTEM, WHEN IT IS FORCED ON OTHERS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THAT PHILOSOPHY THEN THATS WHEN THE CHURCH IS TOTALLY OUT OF LINE. AND THAT S USUALLY THE PERSPECTIVE THAT I INTERJECT.

I want you to comment - but give us some meat for real discussion! Debate ideas (which I think you love). That is far more fun and constructive!
GEE DUDE!!!!!!!!! I THOUGHT I WAS DOING THAT . ACTUALLY I FELT A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE AS I WAS USING YOUR SOAPBOX TO EXPRESS MY PERSPECTIVES AND I DIDN’T WANT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL , SO THERE WAS CAUTION , AND WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH TO COVER ITS KIND OF DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE. thanks thO :)

So go at it!
THANKS AGAIN DUDE!!!! . I WONT FOR A WHILE, FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS FROM NOW I WILL BE SAILING DOWN THE BAJA PENISULA FOR A WEEK OR SO JUST TO HANG OUT IN THE SUN, DO SOME SCUBA AND FISHING!!!… BUT THANKS FOR THE INVITE:)

sattvicwarrior said...

ADORO you SAY..
sattvic ~ FYI I'm a woman.
MY APOLIGIZIES. I SHOULD CHECKED YOUR LINK.

God bless you.

HE HAS. MORE THAN MOST. AND THE SAME TO YOU , THANKS:)

Fr. V said...

Rob, I'll take you challenge - but I don't have a lot of control over what I get to eat. In place I will fast from breakfast on Fridays.

Lori - Great passage! I agree.