Posted on 04/08/2002 5:52:41 PM PDT by Brian Kopp DPM
I do not care for your representation of my participation in these threads as "interference". "Interference" with what? Your assumed right to say or do whatever you please without any opposition? I said what my interest in religious discussion on FR, and particularly in the new religion forum, is:
"What I am concerned with is encouraging a respectful and fruitful dialogue."
I'd appreciate if you would take me at my word.
If this is correct, you've been deceptive with me, Angelo, presenting yourself as Jewish and without a dog in this fight, and I despise dishonesty more than any other human failing.
You've been on FR for several months, and have participated in many religious discussion threads. My background should be no secret, as it is common knowledge. My mother is Jewish and my father is Catholic. I was baptized and raised as a Catholic. But according to Jewish Law I am a Jew by birth. I "reverted" to Judaism as an adult. One of my first posts on The Neverending Story threads was:
| To: ThomasMore Southern Baptists ending talks with Catholic Church, Thread 27, Reply #13 Since I didn't jump into this until thread 26, I'm not sure if this has been said before...but clearly the original source of this story was wrong. The ecumenical dialogue between the Catholics and the Baptists is not over, but instead has simply relocated to Free Republic. Looks like the Mormons have joined in as well. Is there room in the pool for a formerly Catholic Jew? 13 Posted on 04/12/2001 12:30:04 PDT by angelo [ Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | Top | Last ] |
Despite theological differences, I have a great deal of respect for sincere Catholics and for the present pope. At times, some of the protestants have accused me of being a crypto-Catholic. At other times, the Catholics are irritated with me. I've been a participant in this forum for over four years, first as a lurker and then as a poster. I have been participating in religious discussion here for almost as long. If you were to ask any of the regulars, I expect that most would vouch for my impartiality and objectivity on intra-Christian matters.
They have a much higher chance of eternal damnation, having turned their back on Christ the Messiah and His Church.
So you believe. Of course, I believe differently, and am fully as convinced of the Truth of what I believe as you are.
Oh, and the anonymous freepmailer is laughably off base with his accusation, and should probably refrain from engaging in amateur psychoanalysis. It was a relief for me to be freed of the yoke of profession of the truth claims of Christianity. It has been an adventure for me to explore my Jewish heritage. I am entirely comfortable with my religious beliefs and my relationship with God. I harbor no secret desire to return to Catholicism or any other form of Christianity. I tried for years to be a Christian and to have faith. Despite praying for faith, I never could in my heart believe. And I was unhappy living as a hypocrite, professing to believe things that I just did not. One day God said to me, "Hey, what did you expect, you're a Jew!" He led me to study His Law. When I've questioned things, He's told me "that's nice. Now do it anyway!" I have searched for Truth, and have followed where He has led me. I could do nothing else.
Psalm 119
[4] Thou hast commanded thy precepts
to be kept diligently.
[5] O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping thy statutes!
[6] Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments.
[7] I will praise thee with an upright heart,
when I learn thy righteous ordinances.
[8] I will observe thy statutes;
O forsake me not utterly!
[9] How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to thy word.
[10] With my whole heart I seek thee;
let me not wander from thy commandments!
[169] Let my cry come before thee, O LORD;
give me understanding according to thy word!
[170] Let my supplication come before thee;
deliver me according to thy word.
[171] My lips will pour forth praise
that thou dost teach me thy statutes.
[172] My tongue will sing of thy word,
for all thy commandments are right.
[173] Let thy hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen thy precepts.
[174] I long for thy salvation, O LORD,
and thy law is my delight.
[175] Let me live, that I may praise thee,
and let thy ordinances help me.
[176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant,
for I do not forget thy commandments.
Undoubtedly.
"With all due respect, who the hell do you think you are?"
Ever read Fox's Book of Martyrs? Does the name Bonner ring a bell? And, he's probably got the hooded robe in the closet waiting for the day he can jump-start the Spanish Inquisition anew!
I doubt most would agree that, as a former Catholic, you can honestly be "objective" in these FReeper Wars, and I have seen ample evidence of bias in your behavior here and on other threads.
You wouldn't make a pimple on this good mans butt, I'll take his honest opinion any day. Your bias is suffocating.
BigMack
Needless to say, this assumes that you are right.
Thank you for your explanation, and please accept my apologies for my misinterpretation of your motives. I had not seen anything indicating you were a former Catholic up till now.
You're welcome, and no problem.
I doubt most would agree that, as a former Catholic, you can honestly be "objective" in these FReeper Wars, and I have seen ample evidence of bias in your behavior here and on other threads.
Would you care to share the "ample evidence" you mention?
As far as whether "most would agree" about my objectivity, that should be simple enough to check.
Great.
Lets start with the scriptural proof texts that say its OK to let your seed fall to the ground, then move on to the early church father's quotes defending the use of abortifacient hormonal contraceptives, shall we?
And then, since your church's embrace of contraception lead to legalized abortion, we'll do a nice little study about what happens when churches lead little ones astray (not by sinners' refusal to listen to their church, as in the case of priests, but by sinners confirmed in their vice from the pulpit, as in your churches.)
I will not argue with you any longer, and again I apologize for misunderstanding your intent and motives.
As far as objectivity goes, any evaluation of same cannot itself be objective. Lets end this scrap. Mea culpa.
On that particular thread, I did want to clarify the nature of the usage of "catholic" in the Ignatian epistle, and I sought to do so in a non-confrontational way. After I received your answer, I was genuinely curious to know what the earliest recorded usage of "Catholic" as a proper noun was. And I appreciated your reply. In fact, just today (I think) someone else asked me the same question, and I posted your response to them.
Lets end this scrap. Mea culpa.
Sounds good to me. Unfortunately, in reaction to your remark, I initiated a vote of confidence regarding my objectivity on TNS. You may still find the response interesting.
Shalom.
Yes I've heard this strange idea before and it still makes me wonder about your sanity. Where were God and Mary married and when, and why isn't it recorded in any of the gospels? It sure seems like an important point to leave out, don't you think? Did they get a divorce so she could marry Joseph or did she have 2 husbands? If you think my questions are ridiculous it's because that's what a ridiculous notion lead to, more craziness.
BigMack
angelo: "With all due respect, who the hell do you think you are? Last I checked, Jim Robinson is still the owner of this forum. And I don't think he's delegated you any authority to police threads or to silence other freepers. Frankly, your arrogance and triumphalism grow increasingly tiresome."
With all due respedct, angelo, who the hell do you think you are? To demand an answer to a question pertinent to the subject of the thread is not at all out of line. In case you didn't read all the posts, the subject of the thread was the historical Christian view of contraception.
Unable, apparently, to deal with their denominations' deviation from the historical Christian position, at least one poster sought to turn the thread into the typical 'Catholics worship Mary' bashfest which so entertains you over on The Neverending Story threads. I believe the freeperspeak is, the poster sought to 'highjack' the thread.
Thus, I believe the good doctor was well within bounds to demand an answer. Maybe the 'be silent' was a little tough but, frankly, I've seen far worse over on the TNS. Indeed, I've engaged in it myself, much to my chagrin.
If you do not, on what scriptures do you base your belief?
If your church does not teach contraception to be sinful, by whose authority did it change the continual teaching of Christianity on the subject?
If it did not have such authority (which it obviously does not and cannot) then your system is in apostacy, and you have no grounds whatsover to challenge the scriptural interpretations and doctrines of Catholicism. Period.
Do you, or do you not, believe all forms of contraception to be sinful.
If you do not, on what scriptures do you base your belief?
If your church does not teach contraception to be sinful, by whose authority did it change the continual teaching of Christianity on the subject?
If it did not have such authority (which it obviously does not and cannot) then your system is in apostacy, and you have no grounds whatsover to challenge the scriptural interpretations and doctrines of Catholicism. Period.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
I know you think your somebody, but really, who are you kidding? Be silent, after you come over to the Story thread and spew about contraception, trying to hijack the thread because nobody will come over here to read your straw man post, and get mad and flame you so you can hit the abuse button on them and get them banned, and you want me to be silent? Not gonna happen.
Your attempt at constructing a creative post was pitiful. I mean, really, stringing together a bunch of insults among a load of babbling was hardly effective... I wish you the best of luck in the emotional, and social struggles that seem to be placing such a demand on you.
BigMack
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.