[ECUMENICAL] For My Non-Catholic Readers

Crossed The Tiber ^ | 12/29/2010 | Russ Rentler

[BlackElk]

If loving is wanting what is best for the loved one, you have probably met a Catholic Prot-lover or two on FR. May the graces and joys of this Holy season descend abundantly on you and yours.

[Quix]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Cronos]

Paulicians: In their doctrine there are two principles, two kingdoms. The Evil Spirit is the author of, and lord of, the present visible world; the Good Spirit, of the future world. The Paulicians accepted the four Gospels; fourteen Epistles of Paul; the three Epistles of John; the epistles of James and Jude; and an Epistle to the Laodiceans, which they professed to have. They rejected the Tanakh also known as the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. To them Christ came down from heaven to emancipate humans from the body and from the world, which are evil. The reverence for the Cross they looked upon as heathenish. Paulicians ascribed the creation of the world to the evil God (demiurge)

[Cronos]

Albigensians: They believed there existed within mankind a spark of divine light. This light, or spirit, had fallen into captivity within a realm of corruption identified with the physical body and world.

According to the Cathars, the world had been created by a lesser deity, much like the figure known in classical Gnostic myth as the Demiurge. This creative force was identified with Satan; most forms of classical Gnosticism had not made this explicit link between the Demiurge and Satan. Spirit, the vital essence of humanity, was thus trapped in a polluted world created by a usurper God and ruled by his corrupt minions.

The goal of Cathar eschatology was liberation from the realm of limitation and corruption identified with material existence

Once cognizant of the grim existential reality of human existence (the "prison" of matter), the path to spiritual liberation became obvious: matter's enslaving bonds must be broken. This was a step-by-step process, accomplished in different measures by each individual. The Cathars accepted the idea of reincarnation. Those who were unable to achieve liberation during their current mortal journey would return another time to continue the struggle for perfection. Thus, it should be understood that being reincarnated was neither inevitable nor desirable, and that it occurred because not all humans could break the enthralling chains of matter within a single lifetime.

As death drew near many would shun further food or drink in order to speed death. This is Jainism.

Sexual intercourse and reproduction propagated the slavery of spirit to flesh, hence procreation was considered undesirable. Informal relationships were considered preferable to marriage among Cathar credentes. Perfecti were supposed to have observed complete celibacy, and eventual separation from a partner would be necessary for those who would become Perfecti. For the credentes however, sexual activity was not prohibited, but procreation was strongly discouraged, resulting in the charge by their opponents of sexual perversion

[Cronos]

Valid. However, in many Baptist circles in particular the members are told incorrect “stories” of what the Church teaches. hence they hate what they perceive The Church to be (and I don’t blame them) — but this article seeks to address some of those points.

[Jim Noble]

However, in many Baptist circles in particular the members are told incorrect “stories” of what the Church teaches

Yes, I've run into that - but do remember that MOST incorrect stories about what the Church teaches are told by Catholics, including not a few shepherds.

[Cronos]

incorrect stories about what the Church teaches are told by Catholics, including not a few shepherds.

I'll agree with you on that :)

Would debate the "most", but anyway -- have a great New Year's Eve celebrations and praying we all have a better, more Christ-filled 2011!

[Jvette]

Once cognizant of the grim existential reality of human existence (the "prison" of matter), the path to spiritual liberation became obvious: matter's enslaving bonds must be broken. This was a step-by-step process, accomplished in different measures by each individual. The Cathars accepted the idea of reincarnation. Those who were unable to achieve liberation during their current mortal journey would return another time to continue the struggle for perfection. Thus, it should be understood that being reincarnated was neither inevitable nor desirable, and that it occurred because not all humans could break the enthralling chains of matter within a single lifetime.

I remember in college in the 70's a movement that drew me in in which the proponents opined that Jesus was merely the first human to have made it to perfection. The theory/theology was that we each must work our way to perfection through reincarnation. Every stage/life was an opportunity to learn/grow toward perfection and until we reached that state we were reincarnated. Jesus having reached that state had perfect use of his brain and his body. Jesus was not God, nor had he ever been, but was the example for us of what humans could/would achieve.

It made for fascinating conversation while under the influence of weed, LOL.

[Jim Noble]

Maybe “most” was excessive.

Take it from me, though - figuring out what the Catholic Church teaches - and also what it doesn’t - is very difficult.

[Religion Moderator]

Antagonism is never justified on a Religion Forum thread labeled “ecumenical.”

[metmom]

I never saw anyone bring a Bible to church in all the decades I went there.

We live near a ECC now and have for years and I never see the people entering or leaving it for mass bring Bibles either.

[John Galt's cousin]

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