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Old 09-04-2015, 05:16 PM
 
1,382 posts, read 764,985 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openmike View Post
As Christians ( co-sinners) we have long forgiven women for having abortions. Secondly, all a women must do is seek forgiveness and that sin is not even remembered by the REAL judge God. So although the Pope is representative of a kind well intended gesture he is not essential any more than I and that doesn't equate to much eh? Lol. Jesus was pretty much butchered forvall we sinners to allow for our Salvation only asking we believe by His grace through faith . Just call upon His name !! Forgiveness is yet appreciated as a token from the Pope or any leader of any faith.
Dear mike,
Although you appear to be a follower of the false prophet Paul, you sound like the false prophets of Matthew 7. Calling on his name, which you don't even seem to have a handle on, will not help the false prophets, for Yeshua said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out the demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you, DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS'. Keep in mind that the only false prophet I know of, who said he spoke for God, cast out demons, performed many miracles, and practiced lawlessness, was Paul. The false prophet with the most rotten fruit seems to be a toss up between Paul and Mohammed, but Mohammed didn't appear to do the casting out of demons and performing miracles.

Moderator cut: Keep the thread about religion, please.

Last edited by mensaguy; 09-05-2015 at 04:11 AM.. Reason: Avoiding abortion controversy
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Old 09-04-2015, 05:17 PM
 
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Fact is no man on earth can forgive our sins of any kind. Even my wife who is Catholic does not agree with pope but she is allowed to do so. She also believes the present Pope is to much into earthly matters instead of work of the church. She says tho church leaders have done this before if you look at history. Reason to ask for forgiveness of sins of the Church in every service. We ask the same in service as Methodist. Above is clearly not a Christian ;so believe what you want to. this is a Christi discussion forum not a political which some seem to think it is.
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Old 09-04-2015, 05:37 PM
 
2,826 posts, read 2,360,304 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openmike View Post
As Christians ( co-sinners) we have long forgiven women for having abortions. Secondly, all a women must do is seek forgiveness and that sin is not even remembered by the REAL judge God. So although the Pope is representative of a kind well intended gesture he is not essential any more than I and that doesn't equate to much eh? Lol. Jesus was pretty much butchered forvall we sinners to allow for our Salvation only asking we believe by His grace through faith . Just call upon His name !! Forgiveness is yet appreciated as a token from the Pope or any leader of any faith.
You must understand the culture that Catholicism came from.

Judaism.

Judaism of Jesus's time was essentially about the Law and Sin. If you broke the Law, you had Sin and needed to go to the priest to forgive them. This is why it was so shocking that Jesus said "Go, your sins are forgiven." Priests in Jesus's day couldn't even tell people their sins are forgiven or "say ten 'Hail Mary's" they had to pray to God, and God would forgive their sins. Then Jesus comes along, and Catholicism is kinda a step away from that, priests can personally forgive people, but only sins that the Pope declares forgivable. Like Judaism, we still have a temple hierarchy. Then Martin Luther comes along, and after driving himself crazy punishing himself for sins and still getting nightmares that he's going to Hell, he takes a long hard look at himself, and the Bible, and was like "**** this ****, why are we doing this to ourselves." And he nailed a piece of paper much like this to the door.

Luther's 95 Theses

Quote:
Out of love and concern for the truth, and with the object of eliciting it, the following heads will be the subject of a public discussion at Wittenberg under the presidency of the reverend father, Martin Luther, Augustinian, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and duly appointed Lecturer on these subjects in that place. He requests that whoever cannot be present personally to debate the matter orally will do so in absence in writing.
  1. When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
  2. The word cannot be properly understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, i.e. confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.
  3. Yet its meaning is not restricted to repentance in one's heart; for such repentance is null unless it produces outward signs in various mortifications of the flesh.
  4. As long as hatred of self abides (i.e. true inward repentance) the penalty of sin abides, viz., until we enter the kingdom of heaven.
  5. The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law.
  6. The pope himself cannot remit guilt, but only declare and confirm that it has been remitted by God; or, at most, he can remit it in cases reserved to his discretion. Except for these cases, the guilt remains untouched.
  7. God never remits guilt to anyone without, at the same time, making him humbly submissive to the priest, His representative.
  8. The penitential canons apply only to men who are still alive, and, according to the canons themselves, none applies to the dead.
  9. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit, acting in the person of the pope, manifests grace to us, by the fact that the papal regulations always cease to apply at death, or in any hard case.
  10. It is a wrongful act, due to ignorance, when priests retain the canonical penalties on the dead in purgatory.
  11. When canonical penalties were changed and made to apply to purgatory, surely it would seem that tares were sown while the bishops were asleep.
  12. In former days, the canonical penalties were imposed, not after, but before absolution was pronounced; and were intended to be tests of true contrition.
  13. Death puts an end to all the claims of the Church; even the dying are already dead to the canon laws, and are no longer bound by them.
  14. Defective piety or love in a dying person is necessarily accompanied by great fear, which is greatest where the piety or love is least.
  15. This fear or horror is sufficient in itself, whatever else might be said, to constitute the pain of purgatory, since it approaches very closely to the horror of despair.
  16. There seems to be the same difference between hell, purgatory, and heaven as between despair, uncertainty, and assurance.
  17. Of a truth, the pains of souls in purgatory ought to be abated, and charity ought to be proportionately increased.
  18. Moreover, it does not seem proved, on any grounds of reason or Scripture, that these souls are outside the state of merit, or unable to grow in grace.
  19. Nor does it seem proved to be always the case that they are certain and assured of salvation, even if we are very certain ourselves.
  20. Therefore the pope, in speaking of the plenary remission of all penalties, does not mean "all" in the strict sense, but only those imposed by himself.
  21. Hence those who preach indulgences are in error when they say that a man is absolved and saved from every penalty by the pope's indulgences.
  22. Indeed, he cannot remit to souls in purgatory any penalty which canon law declares should be suffered in the present life.
  23. If plenary remission could be granted to anyone at all, it would be only in the cases of the most perfect, i.e. to very few.
  24. It must therefore be the case that the major part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and high-sounding promise of relief from penalty.
  25. The same power as the pope exercises in general over purgatory is exercised in particular by every single bishop in his bishopric and priest in his parish.
  26. The pope does excellently when he grants remission to the souls in purgatory on account of intercessions made on their behalf, and not by the power of the keys (which he cannot exercise for them).
  27. There is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of the purgatory immediately the money clinks in the bottom of the chest.
  28. It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest avarice and greed increase; but when the church offers intercession, all depends in the will of God.
  29. Who knows whether all souls in purgatory wish to be redeemed in view of what is said of St. Severinus and St. Pascal? (Note: Paschal I, pope 817-24. The legend is that he and Severinus were willing to endure the pains of purgatory for the benefit of the faithful).
  30. No one is sure of the reality of his own contrition, much less of receiving plenary forgiveness.
  31. One who bona fide buys indulgence is a rare as a bona fide penitent man, i.e. very rare indeed.
  32. All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.
  33. We should be most carefully on our guard against those who say that the papal indulgences are an inestimable divine gift, and that a man is reconciled to God by them.
  34. For the grace conveyed by these indulgences relates simply to the penalties of the sacramental "satisfactions" decreed merely by man.
  35. It is not in accordance with Christian doctrines to preach and teach that those who buy off souls, or purchase confessional licenses, have no need to repent of their own sins.
  36. Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of indulgence.
  37. Any true Christian whatsoever, living or dead, participates in all the benefits of Christ and the Church; and this participation is granted to him by God without letters of indulgence.
  38. Yet the pope's remission and dispensation are in no way to be despised, for, as already said, they proclaim the divine remission.
  39. It is very difficult, even for the most learned theologians, to extol to the people the great bounty contained in the indulgences, while, at the same time, praising contrition as a virtue.
  40. A truly contrite sinner seeks out, and loves to pay, the penalties of his sins; whereas the very multitude of indulgences dulls men's consciences, and tends to make them hate the penalties.
  41. Papal indulgences should only be preached with caution, lest people gain a wrong understanding, and think that they are preferable to other good works: those of love.
  42. Christians should be taught that the pope does not at all intend that the purchase of indulgences should be understood as at all comparable with the works of mercy.
  43. Christians should be taught that one who gives to the poor, or lends to the needy, does a better action than if he purchases indulgences.
  44. Because, by works of love, love grows and a man becomes a better man; whereas, by indulgences, he does not become a better man, but only escapes certain penalties.
  45. Christians should be taught that he who sees a needy person, but passes him by although he gives money for indulgences, gains no benefit from the pope's pardon, but only incurs the wrath of God.
  46. Christians should be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they are bound to retain what is only necessary for the upkeep of their home, and should in no way squander it on indulgences.
  47. Christians should be taught that they purchase indulgences voluntarily, and are not under obligation to do so.
  48. Christians should be taught that, in granting indulgences, the pope has more need, and more desire, for devout prayer on his own behalf than for ready money.
  49. Christians should be taught that the pope's indulgences are useful only if one does not rely on them, but most harmful if one loses the fear of God through them.
  50. Christians should be taught that, if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence-preachers, he would rather the church of St. Peter were reduced to ashes than be built with the skin, flesh, and bones of the sheep.
  51. Christians should be taught that the pope would be willing, as he ought if necessity should arise, to sell the church of St. Peter, and give, too, his own money to many of those from whom the pardon-merchants conjure money.
  52. It is vain to rely on salvation by letters of indulgence, even if the commissary, or indeed the pope himself, were to pledge his own soul for their validity.
  53. Those are enemies of Christ and the pope who forbid the word of God to be preached at all in some churches, in order that indulgences may be preached in others.
  54. The word of God suffers injury if, in the same sermon, an equal or longer time is devoted to indulgences than to that word.
  55. The pope cannot help taking the view that if indulgences (very small matters) are celebrated by one bell, one pageant, or one ceremony, the gospel (a very great matter) should be preached to the accompaniment of a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
  56. The treasures of the church, out of which the pope dispenses indulgences, are not sufficiently spoken of or known among the people of Christ.
  57. That these treasures are not temporal are clear from the fact that many of the merchants do not grant them freely, but only collect them.
  58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the saints, because, even apart from the pope, these merits are always working grace in the inner man, and working the cross, death, and hell in the outer man.
  59. St. Laurence said that the poor were the treasures of the church, but he used the term in accordance with the custom of his own time.
  60. We do not speak rashly in saying that the treasures of the church are the keys of the church, and are bestowed by the merits of Christ.
  61. For it is clear that the power of the pope suffices, by itself, for the remission of penalties and reserved cases.
  62. The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
  63. It is right to regard this treasure as most odious, for it makes the first to be the last.
  64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is most acceptable, for it makes the last to be the first.
  65. Therefore the treasures of the gospel are nets which, in former times, they used to fish for men of wealth.
  66. The treasures of the indulgences are the nets which to-day they use to fish for the wealth of men.
  67. The indulgences, which the merchants extol as the greatest of favours, are seen to be, in fact, a favourite means for money-getting.
  68. Nevertheless, they are not to be compared with the grace of God and the compassion shown in the Cross.
  69. Bishops and curates, in duty bound, must receive the commissaries of the papal indulgences with all reverence.
  70. But they are under a much greater obligation to watch closely and attend carefully lest these men preach their own fancies instead of what the pope commissioned.
  71. Let him be anathema and accursed who denies the apostolic character of the indulgences.
  72. On the other hand, let him be blessed who is on his guard against the wantonness and license of the pardon-merchant's words.
  73. In the same way, the pope rightly excommunicates those who make any plans to the detriment of the trade in indulgences.
  74. It is much more in keeping with his views to excommunicate those who use the pretext of indulgences to plot anything to the detriment of holy love and truth.
  75. It is foolish to think that papal indulgences have so much power that they can absolve a man even if he has done the impossible and violated the mother of God.
  76. We assert the contrary, and say that the pope's pardons are not able to remove the least venial of sins as far as their guilt is concerned.
  77. When it is said that not even St. Peter, if he were now pope, could grant a greater grace, it is blasphemy against St. Peter and the pope.
  78. We assert the contrary, and say that he, and any pope whatever, possesses greater graces, viz., the gospel, spiritual powers, gifts of healing, etc., as is declared in I Corinthians 12 [:28].
  79. It is blasphemy to say that the insignia of the cross with the papal arms are of equal value to the cross on which Christ died.
  80. The bishops, curates, and theologians, who permit assertions of that kind to be made to the people without let or hindrance, will have to answer for it.
  81. This unbridled preaching of indulgences makes it difficult for learned men to guard the respect due to the pope against false accusations, or at least from the keen criticisms of the laity.
  82. They ask, e.g.: Why does not the pope liberate everyone from purgatory for the sake of love (a most holy thing) and because of the supreme necessity of their souls? This would be morally the best of all reasons. Meanwhile he redeems innumerable souls for money, a most perishable thing, with which to build St. Peter's church, a very minor purpose.
  83. Again: Why should funeral and anniversary masses for the dead continue to be said? And why does not the pope repay, or permit to be repaid, the benefactions instituted for these purposes, since it is wrong to pray for those souls who are now redeemed?
  84. Again: Surely this is a new sort of compassion, on the part of God and the pope, when an impious man, an enemy of God, is allowed to pay money to redeem a devout soul, a friend of God; while yet that devout and beloved soul is not allowed to be redeemed without payment, for love's sake, and just because of its need of redemption.
  85. Again: Why are the penitential canon laws, which in fact, if not in practice, have long been obsolete and dead in themselves,—why are they, to-day, still used in imposing fines in money, through the granting of indulgences, as if all the penitential canons were fully operative?
  86. Again: since the pope's income to-day is larger than that of the wealthiest of wealthy men, why does he not build this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of indigent believers?
  87. Again: What does the pope remit or dispense to people who, by their perfect repentance, have a right to plenary remission or dispensation?
  88. Again: Surely a greater good could be done to the church if the pope were to bestow these remissions and dispensations, not once, as now, but a hundred times a day, for the benefit of any believer whatever.
  89. What the pope seeks by indulgences is not money, but rather the salvation of souls; why then does he suspend the letters and indulgences formerly conceded, and still as efficacious as ever?
  90. These questions are serious matters of conscience to the laity. To suppress them by force alone, and not to refute them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian people unhappy.
  91. If therefore, indulgences were preached in accordance with the spirit and mind of the pope, all these difficulties would be easily overcome, and indeed, cease to exist.
  92. Away, then, with those prophets who say to Christ's people, "Peace, peace," where in there is no peace.
  93. Hail, hail to all those prophets who say to Christ's people, "The cross, the cross," where there is no cross.
  94. Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells.
  95. And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.
#8 btw is in reference to the sale of indulgences, in case you missed it. The first 7 are about the logical fallacy of going to a priest to forgive our sins. Your sins are forgiven when you learn to stop hating yourself.


Which is why you don't go to confession in any Protestant church. We don't need the Pope to tell us that we can live with ourselves. We need to be able to live with ourselves.
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Old 09-04-2015, 06:52 PM
 
1,569 posts, read 1,324,756 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bulmabriefs144 View Post
You must understand the culture that Catholicism came from.

Judaism.

Judaism of Jesus's time was essentially about the Law and Sin. If you broke the Law, you had Sin and needed to go to the priest to forgive them. This is why it was so shocking that Jesus said "Go, your sins are forgiven." Priests in Jesus's day couldn't even tell people their sins are forgiven or "say ten 'Hail Mary's" they had to pray to God, and God would forgive their sins. Then Jesus comes along, and Catholicism is kinda a step away from that, priests can personally forgive people, but only sins that the Pope declares forgivable. Like Judaism, we still have a temple hierarchy. Then Martin Luther comes along, and after driving himself crazy punishing himself for sins and still getting nightmares that he's going to Hell, he takes a long hard look at himself, and the Bible, and was like "**** this ****, why are we doing this to ourselves." And he nailed a piece of paper much like this to the door.

Luther's 95 Theses
[/list]#8 btw is in reference to the sale of indulgences, in case you missed it. The first 7 are about the logical fallacy of going to a priest to forgive our sins. Your sins are forgiven when you learn to stop hating yourself.


Which is why you don't go to confession in any Protestant church. We don't need the Pope to tell us that we can live with ourselves. We need to be able to live with ourselves.
God bless you. that said, assume you are a "bible believing" Christian relying on the LITERAL meaning of a given scriptural passage. IF that is indeed true (if you're NOT a biblical literalist then please ignore the rest of this post, LOL), then what indeed do you make of the (already mentioned) scriptural passage in John 20:23 where Jesus says to the disciples, "RECEIVE the Holy Spirit. whose sins you forgive they are FORGIVEN and whose sins you retain, they are RETAINED (especially in light of what Jesus says to the disciples just before---"as the Father sent Me, so I send you..." and one of His powers was to FORGIVE sin---Mark 2:10 for example)?

what is the LITERAL meaning and implication of this statement for the disciples and their ministry---i.e. your first reaction to reading such a passage WITHOUT the usual theological and confessional interpretations you might already possess? better yet, lets say you're one of the disciples and you have just had this statement addressed to YOU---what is Jesus really saying? why is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit needed for all this "forgiving" and "retaining"?


why would Jesus say such a thing in the first place and why should this passage be recorded unless it was somehow very important for the disciples (and potentially for all those Christians afflicted with sin thereafter) to know and use?

just curious because Catholics and Orthodox appear to believe that a "literal" interpretation of this passage is why they believe that Jesus intentionally gave certain of his followers specific authority and responsibility to "forgive" sins in His Name as part of the ministry of repentance, reconciliation, and salvation for sinners that is what Jesus (and the Church He founded) was and IS all about.

again, God bless you and help ALL of us find and live the truth.

Last edited by georgeinbandonoregon; 09-04-2015 at 07:45 PM.. Reason: more info.
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Old 09-04-2015, 07:19 PM
 
9,963 posts, read 4,920,298 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by openmike View Post
As Christians ( co-sinners) we have long forgiven women for having abortions. Secondly, all a women must do is seek forgiveness and that sin is not even remembered by the REAL judge God. So although the Pope is representative of a kind well intended gesture he is not essential any more than I and that doesn't equate to much eh? Lol. Jesus was pretty much butchered forvall we sinners to allow for our Salvation only asking we believe by His grace through faith . Just call upon His name !! Forgiveness is yet appreciated as a token from the Pope or any leader of any faith.
Sounds as if some are saying ALL of the previous infallible popes are now wrong.
1st Corinthians 5:11-13 is aimed at the unrepentant or those who refuse to repent.
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Old 09-04-2015, 07:35 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Matthew 4:4 View Post
Sounds as if some are saying ALL of the previous infallible popes are now wrong.
1st Corinthians 5:11-13 is aimed at the unrepentant or those who refuse to repent.
The idea that ANY human being can be infallible at any time for any reason is just preposterous!!! When will we outgrow these silly ideas???
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Old 09-04-2015, 07:57 PM
 
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nope. don't think ANY Pope has ever "infallibly" (or otherwise) declared that REPENTENT people involved in abortions (or any other sin that is repented of) are unable to be forgiven by the power of God through the ministry of His Church. fact is that sacramental absolution/forgiveness/lifting of associated excommunication has always been available to those who have had OR performed an abortion and sincerely wishing to avail themselves of it--normally through the local bishop and NOW authority has been extended to the local parish priest ("no waiting on this aisle", LOL). that's what the pope's announcement was really all about AFAIK---no changes in doctrine at all just trying to make things easier to better serve the faithful who want/need this ministry. seems kind of sad that the apparent cluelessness of the media on things religious in general and the Catholic faith in particular has led to so much rather needless speculation and controversy on what is basically just a procedural adjustment and not a policy change.

as for the concept of papal infallibility, the belief is that the pope is ONLY infallible (protected by the Holy Spirit from error) when he speaks "ex cathedra" solemnly and officially defining doctrine on a particular question of faith and/or morals---it does NOT apply to comments, views, and opinions on religious or any other topics at news conferences, interviews or public or private conversations on any subject, also movie reviews, stock tips, or predications on tomorrow's weather !!! moreover, this "chrism" does NOT protect the pope from personal sin (he is and knows he is a sinner needing God's grace and mercy and has to confess his sins to a priest (just like regular folks) and ask for God's forgiveness and help every day in his private and public prayers---as all of us probably should).

Last edited by georgeinbandonoregon; 09-04-2015 at 09:26 PM.. Reason: more info.
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Old 09-04-2015, 09:34 PM
 
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The first Adam took the entire human race into sin and a fallen condition. The second Adam Jesus came to fix that problem for the entire human race, and not with half measures. Sin causes only one thing and that is death. For Jesus to give eternal life to those who would believe He had to destroy sin completely. It required a sacrifice of blood so precious and holy that only one person in the universe qualified and He was and is Jesus of Nazareth. A "one time only" sacrifice never to be repeated. The King of the Jews came and died for all including His enemies, of which we at one time all were. The cross changed everything. The Jews had been under the yoke of the oppressive Mosaic Law, this required FAITH and WORKS. It was holy and good but man could not keep the law and it was weak and helped no one to keep it. So Jesus introduced a new thing through one man, as He selected Moses to bring the law, He selected Paul to bring Grace to the Gentiles and the Jews as well. ALL must be saved through the one gospel of grace today. To those who find and believe that gospel in 1 Corinthians the power of God changes them forever, the Holy Spirit indwells and seals the new believer and never again should they worry about their security. The cross was of such power that it took away past, present, and future sins ONLY for those who believe. The lost who reject Christ will receive nothing but eternal separation from God. New believers will now live with a dual nature, the perfection of God in the form of the Holy Spirit, and the sinful nature of their flesh. The flesh and Spirit will be at war as long as we all live in this temporary tent of our earthly body. That will be resolved at the rapture when we receive our glorified body fit for eternity.

The precious blood of Jesus paid for any and all sins, including abortions........no sin too large.......after all the man after Jesus own heart David, had someone murdered. Our beloved Apostle Paul was known throughout the land for murdering believers, he did it in ignorance thinking it pleased God.........nonetheless the blood covered all. We serve an amazing God of Grace and Mercy........without which NONE of us would see heaven. Salvation is all of Jesus and His works, our faith in HIM plus nothing...........now go out and tell the world, those are the "works" He wants to see AFTER salvation...........
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Old 09-05-2015, 12:32 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by georgeinbandonoregon View Post
for the sake of accuracy and completeness in this story---women involved in abortions (and anybody involved in performing an abortion) have ALWAYS had the opportunity for forgiveness in the Church---however, previously absolution in these cases was reserved to the local bishop. the pope's announcement has now EXTENDED the "facilities" for absolution and removal of the "excommunication" associated with having an abortion to individual priests at the parish level. as always, contrition, confession, penance, and of course at least the serious intent of "sinning no more" in the future. are still required but now access to the means for reconciliation is now generally easier n terms of logistics as it were.
In America the priests have always had the ability to forgive the sin of abortion when a woman confessed but in other countries the priests need to go to the local bishop to get permission to forgive. That is the difference. The year of Divine Mercy is coming so that is what the Pope is doing for it.
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Old 09-05-2015, 12:35 AM
 
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Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28 View Post
Many women who do NOT "suffer" after making their CHOICE have no need to commiserate with others and participate in that pity-party.

GUILT is a man-made concept and it (guilt) only exists because religion has been able to get a foot hold in society and for too long was legitimized by those in a position of power and status.

Eventually, as Marx wrote, religion became the opiate of the masses and a means of control. As has been discussed here on C-D to ad nauseum, religion has been used to justify genocide, slavery, rape, mutilation, lobotomy, closing food kitchens, closing warming shelters and even discrimination if you can believe that!

Sacraments are self-righteous acts intended to fill a void created when we mortals feel as if the church is dangling us over an open flame (Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God?) and the ONLY way we will ever be able to get out from under the "guilt" is to comply with the church by acknowledging its authority and and accepting the church's influence / wisdom in a public manner--though "confession" is done privately, EVERYONE knows who confessed and has pretty good idea to what they confessed to.

The Pope's willingness to make a public announcement that the church (though there will be radicals who think Francis is way TOO liberal (kind of like Jesus huh?) and will no doubt be passive aggressive and look for ways to subvert the Pope's revelation; it does mean fewer women will be tormented over making the decision to exercise their choice thereby experiencing less trauma and psychological damage imposed by religion.
WOW, this is one cold hearted post. Also, no one knows what a person confesses, don't know how you got that idea.
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