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I try not discuss religion with family anymore. I don't bring up the subject unless it is brought up to me. Noah and the flood was at one time a subject of discussion. Adam and Eve is another.

However, I did get a call from a Catholic family member the night of the ABC Mel Gibson piece. She wanted to know what "anti-semitism" meant. Since she was in the midst of the show I politely explained as quickly as I could in the "context" of the subject matter Mel's film, she thank me and went back to the show.

I do not ask these questions anymore, I went and did my own digging, cause I wanted answers. Either the Word is truth or it was a hoax, and I needed to prove that for me.

I take literally "truth will set you free". Truth cuts both ways and doesn't always feel good. Repentence is called for and sins are forgiven.

There is a miracle described when Christ gave up the spirit and I find few who acknowledge it. That miracle gave access to each individual directly to our Heavenly Father through Christ. Man no longer stood behind a veil as the intercessor.

This is not about a grievance, I believe that each individual has the freedom to believe whatever they choose to believe. My responsibility is to plant seeds. Like above pointing out that we are told about the miracle of the veil being rent from top to bottom. What does this mean? One must go to the Old Testament to understand where this was, the purpose of a veil, who stood behind the veil, etc.....

No longer was it required for a man to be the intercessor to our Heavenly Father, Christ became our intercessor.

This is but one example of seed planting, it is not my business what happens to the seed, that is between the individual and our Heavenly Father and He is the mind reader.

Hrm. If the people in question didn't even know what "anti-semitism" meant, you really thought they would have an educated grasp of Catholic teachings? I mean, I don't mean to offend or anything, but someone who doesn't know what anti-semitism means can't be all that well read.

That's what the Church is for. It's a framework for men who wish to devote themselves to a lifetime of study on all the complexities of trying to understand what is by definition not understandable, and to pass that on to their congregations.

I see nothing wrong with that. Consider the Catholic Church as a group of specialists devoted to the study of the divine. Jesus did not expect every person in existence to become priests or to devote their lives to theological inquiry in order to answer these questions for themselves. That's why there's a Church. One man farms, another man fishes, another man studies and preaches. I don't think society could function otherwise.

That doesn't mean that any individual -couldn't- relate directly to God, but most individuals don't have the time or means or desire to devote themselves exclusively to the study and contemplation thereof, and if they all tried to, we'd all starve. They have to provide means for themselves, take care of their families, etc. That doesn't make those who act as intermediaries for -those- people wrong or unnecessary or unhealthy.

It's a shame that you don't seem to be willing to discuss some of these issues further, though.

Me, personally? I have no problem with Catholic teachings, I actually think from a logical and ethical perspective they hold together quite well and consistently. My issue is simply a lack of Faith. Hey, I wish I had it! I believe Faith has been a positive influence on most people I know who have it, and the lack of faith a negative influence on those who don't. I just can't make the necessary leap. Oh well.

I do intend to go see the Passion, though. Have a ticket for a week from Saturday. Looking forward to it.

Qwinn