sojourner
Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
What's interesting to me is that the only post that didn't approach the thread from a dynamic of divisiveness was an atheist. Don't we Christians even want to think about unity anymore? Of course Roman Catholicism is the Church of God. So are the Orthodox, and the Episcopalians, and the Lutherans, and the Pentecostals, etc. Together, we are all the One Body of Christ on earth.
I felt the thread starter approached the poll in the manner of a true catholic (little "c"). The word, "catholic" means "universal." It refers to the nature of the Church, not the particular denominational slant. The Roman Church is the Church of God, precisely because it is catholic, or universal. So are the Orthodox, and the Episcopalians, and the Lutherans, and the Pentecostals, etc. The problem is that the faithful have reduced the meaning of "catholic" to sectarianism. "We're universal, because we're right -- and you're not." How many times have I heard elitist RC's say something to the effect of, "Well, we are the true Church." Implying that not-RC's are, somehow, not the "true Church." Why can't we all, each in our own unique way, be part of the one, holy, catholic (little "c") and apostolic Church?
It's a pity that the very people Christ entrusted with the keys of the kingdom, have chosen to rend that kingdom-on-earth asunder with petty divisiveness. I don't think Christ is as interested in "proper doctrine" as he is with love, graciousness and acceptance of each other.
I felt the thread starter approached the poll in the manner of a true catholic (little "c"). The word, "catholic" means "universal." It refers to the nature of the Church, not the particular denominational slant. The Roman Church is the Church of God, precisely because it is catholic, or universal. So are the Orthodox, and the Episcopalians, and the Lutherans, and the Pentecostals, etc. The problem is that the faithful have reduced the meaning of "catholic" to sectarianism. "We're universal, because we're right -- and you're not." How many times have I heard elitist RC's say something to the effect of, "Well, we are the true Church." Implying that not-RC's are, somehow, not the "true Church." Why can't we all, each in our own unique way, be part of the one, holy, catholic (little "c") and apostolic Church?
It's a pity that the very people Christ entrusted with the keys of the kingdom, have chosen to rend that kingdom-on-earth asunder with petty divisiveness. I don't think Christ is as interested in "proper doctrine" as he is with love, graciousness and acceptance of each other.