Pope excommunicates the Mafia

[Imran Siddiqui]

How is it Ben doesn't realize his personality is the greatest advertisement against everything he believes in?

Indeed. One of the greatest arguments against Catholicism on this forum is Ben. I'm not saying people would be all super pro-Catholic if Ben had left years ago, but the view of the Catholic Church here would be much better if its main defender on these forums was Felch.

[Ben Kenobi]

Indeed. One of the greatest arguments against Catholicism on this forum is Ben. I'm not saying people would be all super pro-Catholic if Ben had left years ago, but the view of the Catholic Church here would be much better if its main defender on these forums was Felch.

Poly used to boast about converting Christians away from the faith. Now?

[Berzerker]

Why would I stop people from exhibiting their prejudice towards the Catholic church?

aint no prejudging involved, the Church has given us centuries to consider

[rah]

Poly used to boast about converting Christians away from the faith. Now?

Now we have Ben to do if for all of us.

[Ben Kenobi]

Now we have Ben to do if for all of us.

Interesting you would place yourself on the side of converting folks away from Christianity, rah.

[N35t0r]

What are you using as a guide to determine what the Catholic church actually teaches?

Gee, I dunno, what about my catholic upbringing, up to my first communion?

What rationale could you concoct that would explain me defending the Catholic church for almost 10 years now, despite not actually being a member?

So you are Israeli as well as Catholic? good to know.

[Ben Kenobi]

Gee, I dunno, what about my catholic upbringing, up to my first communion?

And? This upbringing wasn't sufficient to keep you inside the Catholic church. What makes you think that it would have any bearing on anyone else, if it means nothing to you?

So you are Israeli as well as Catholic? good to know.

I believe that Jews are the Chosen people and that God made a covenant with them. It's all right there in scripture.

[rah]

Interesting you would place yourself on the side of converting folks away from Christianity, rah.

Actually I was putting myself in the poly group.

I'm sure you've scared away more than I have if your posts here are any indication.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm sure you've scared away more than I have if your posts here are any indication.

Wasn't referring to you or anyone who is currently active here. But, Poly is not the same as it was back in the day.

Surely you can see my point to Imran who has converted. If, I were sincerely 'driving people away from Christ', why don't we see this as actually the case?

[Sava]

I can't see you because you're rightly on ignore, but honestly, shutting up would probably benefit your interests much more than any thought you feel worth opining.

must thank
no thanks

[Sava]

What's sad is that Ben doesn't even have an actual Catholic background. He never had a first communion. He never was an altar boy. He never grew up with a community of people who share the same faith and background.

I feel sorry for him for that.

In reality, he's just a little psycho who seemed to find other psychos to hang out with... and they happen to be "Catholic".

Catholicism is like Orthodoxy. You are either born one or you're not. Sure, friends are welcome to join whenever. But they, at the very least, should respect those people whose faith is part of their cultural identity. Religion isn't a salad bar to us. You don't get to pick and choose what you like or don't like... or just focusing on abortion and gays... I mean, come the **** on. You read the Bible (allegedly) and that's the message you take away from it?

That's seriously ****ing messed up.

[kentonio]

must thank
no thanks

Got you covered.

[Ben Kenobi]

What's sad is that Ben doesn't even have an actual Catholic background. He never had a first communion. He never was an altar boy. He never grew up with a community of people who share the same faith and background.

I did have first communion. I had First communion, right after my confirmation.

I feel sorry for him for that.

Imagine how I feel about it.

In reality, he's just a little psycho who seemed to find other psychos to hang out with... and they happen to be "Catholic".

Very nice people who had a major, positive impact on my life in a very difficult period for me.

Catholicism is like Orthodoxy. You are either born one or you're not. Sure, friends are welcome to join whenever. But they, at the very least, should respect those people whose faith is part of their cultural identity.

What am I supposed to think of someone who had all of these advantages and chose to walk away from them? I think it's very sad.

Religion isn't a salad bar to us. You don't get to pick and choose what you like or don't like... or just focusing on abortion and gays... I mean, come the **** on. You read the Bible (allegedly) and that's the message you take away from it?

The message I take from it is that human life is sacred from conception onwards (before I formed you in the womb, I knew you), and that marriage is intended to be one man and one woman.

Both of these positions are positions that I held prior to my conversion to Catholicism. What brought me over to the Church are passages like, "and the gates of hell shall not prevail".

Read Scott Hahn if you want to understand me better and the process I went through then.

[Berzerker]

I believe that Jews are the Chosen people and that God made a covenant with them. It's all right there in scripture.

what happened to christians?

[Ben Kenobi]

what happened to christians?

What about them?