The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread

[malakhi]

The Catholic sources I cited were not so reticent to render an opinion on the matter.

What does this mean? I didn't understand what you were sayign.

You said:

In most cases, I don't think there is sufficient evidence to prove or refute that the saint's story is false.

My response what that the Catholic sources I cited felt there was sufficient evidence to judge that the story was false.

[SoothingDave]

My response what that the Catholic sources I cited felt there was sufficient evidence to judge that the story was false.

Oh, OK. Thans for clearing that up, I didn't get your drift.

Opinions can vary.

SD

[malakhi]

Technically, the first doctrine you rejected was not listening to Protestants. :-)

See, that's where I fell off the wagon. I forgot I was supposed to talk with them without listening to what they said. ;o)

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Where you at? Paving that driveway for the Mrs.?

[malakhi]

I guess I should have been directing them to St. Josaphat Kuncevyc.

There ya go. You were just 15 days off on the feast day. An understandable mistake.

[man of Yosemite]

Having come from a Catholic family, I know the importance of saints to many Catholics. Many Catholics pray to saints, and I even bowed down and prayed to the statues of Mary and Joseph. I wouldn't do it now, but others in my family do. I don't think it's defensible in any way. I was speaking generally though, having known some well-studied Catholics who rightly divide the word of truth. No offense intended.

[OLD REGGIE]

I'm not gonna hold my breath waiting for ya'll to change your minds and agree with me!

I for one agree with you more than I did two years ago. Of course a UNITARJEWMIAN can do things like that.

I am satisfied that we believe in the same God and He makes room for all of us.

[malakhi]

Do you ever feel sorry for all the saints that don't get any prayers said to them? Dave said yesterday that there were something like 10,000+ canonized Catholic saints. Most of these guys must be pretty lonely, with the bulk of the prayer hits going to the most popular saints.

[SoothingDave]

I forgot I was supposed to talk with them without listening to what they said.

Oh, you can listen. Just at the end of the day run it all by your confessor.

SD

[malakhi]

Well, Mary was a young woman wasn't she?

Yes, thank you Reggie! Jews believe that the messiah will be born to an almah.

[OLD REGGIE]

The concept is quite clear. Just apply it to these saints whose historical veracity is impossible to ascertain.

Oh! You mean like Padre Pio?

[malakhi]

Back to you.

[malakhi]

Do we truly "know" this? Or do we just lack proof?

The Catholic sources I consulted seemed pretty certain.

[SoothingDave]

Do you ever feel sorry for all the saints that don't get any prayers said to them? Dave said yesterday that there were something like 10,000+ canonized Catholic saints. Most of these guys must be pretty lonely, with the bulk of the prayer hits going to the most popular saints.

Over eternity, though, it all evens out doesn't it?

Seriously, any decent litany will always include a generic "all of the saints" at the end. They are likewise invoked for the Sanctus during Mass.

Lastly, it would seem logical that the "lonely" saints would pray for the poor lonely forgotten souls in Purgatory. We aren't the only ones in eed of help, remember?

SD

[conservonator]

Do you ever feel sorry for all the saints that don't get any prayers said to them?

Call me a sinner, but I have a hard time felling sorry for any one basking in the presence of the Lord:)

[malakhi]

I might still have some of those e-mails about prayer to the saints saved on my computer at home. It might be interesting to pull them out and post the exchanges.

[malakhi]

I am satisfied that we believe in the same God and He makes room for all of us.

Amen!

[conservonator]

BTW, my parish is All Saints, so we say a prayer for them at every Mass, even the allegorical ones.

[OLD REGGIE]

These historical saints are not the process of canoniation, but are held in acclaim by the people. The Church has not erred. It just goes along with the people.

What bullshit! It's a 180 and you know it.

[man of Yosemite]

God has more compassion than we can understand, but he does have a very definite word that we are meant to hear. Jesus was disappointed when people walked away from him, but he never said they could find their own way to God. He said he was the only way to the Father. He continues to feed and cloth the entire world, even the terrorists that are even now plotting murder against the United States and Israel. He himself has said in scripture that he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. It also states that God is not willing that any perish, but that all should come to repentance. There is a way to approach God that is acceptible to him, but if you have another way I won't dissuade you.