How (not) to argue Catholic vs. Protestant issues
Our article Did Pope Francis fulfill prophecy? was based on an article by Timothy George titled Our Francis, Too – Why we can enthusiastically join arms with the Catholic leader.
Within the comments section of that article, which was from Christianity Today, came forth a great example as to how (not) to argue Catholic vs. Protestant issues.
A commentator wrote:
I am Catholic and it breaks my heart to read such hateful, ignorant comments posted about the Catholic Church. You know nothing of which you speak of. I suggest you read a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church or visit Catholic(dot)com to educate yourselves regarding the truth about the Catholic Church. Christians should be working together instead of against each other.
Such hateful and ignorant comments create a dichotomy of which Satan loves.
Let us start here: those who are perceived as being hateful and ignorant are, well, hateful and ignorant and doing that which satan loves. Instead, the beloved of satan should be working together which, let us face it, means agreeing with Catholicism.
Well, we can agree on this much Catholic and non-Catholic Christians should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. However, catholic.com is a Catholic apologetics site administered by personages such as Tim Staple who has stated that the only people who are truly in danger of hellfire are ex-Catholics and that YHVH, yes Him (you know; God), had to “asks her [Mary’s] permission to save the world” (stated during episodes of the Bible Answer Man that aired July 6-7 and August 14, 2000 AD).
Also, the founder of that org is Karl Keating who has made enlightening statements such as:
…where is the proof [of the Assumption] from Scripture? Strictly, there is none. It was the Catholic Church that was commissioned by Christ to teach all nations and to teach them infallibly. The mere fact that the Church teaches the doctrine of the Assumption as something definitely true is a guarantee that it is true.
—Karl Keating, Catholic and Fundamentalism, The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians” (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1988), p. 273
Well, there you have it—guaranteed!
Now, the commentator asked beloved by satan hateful and ignoramuses to educate themselves on the Catholic Church. But first we should ask; which Catholic Church? The one according to which there are various bishops who exercise equal authority over their regions? The one according to which the Roman bishop decides that he is the one and only supreme, apostolic succession having, pontifical vicar of Christ? The one according to which there is no salvation outside of the (Catholic) church? The one according to which Crusades are divinely inspired? The one according to which Protestants are eternally condemned to hell? The one according to which the Inquisition is divinely inspired? The one according to which burning Protestants to death is divinely inspired? The one according to which Muslims are saved even whilst adhering to another god, anther scripture and another Jesus? The one according which—change of God’s mind alert—Protestants are mere “separated brethren”?
The one who’s Pope kisses the Qur’an—a document that specifically condemns Trinitarians such as the Pope—see here?
Much, much more could be said but let us leave off with one lesson of the good it can do to consult the Catechism. How about; the one according to which translating the Bible and placing it into the common people’s hands is a crime deserving of capital punishment-the death penalty? Well, that was way back when YHVH thought that was a good idea. Nowadays, Catholicism claims that capital punishment-the death penalty is to be condemned.
In fact, the way that Deacon Juan Barajas (Director of Evangelization and Hispanic Ministry at the Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s Catholic Center, Alb., NM.) put it (in a column that is mailed out to the Parishes of the Archdiocese to be included in church bulletins), “We cannot be disciples of Jesus and believe in the death penalty.” Wow, now that is some serious stuff; you cannot be saved if you support the death penalty.
Now, let us consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2266:
Preserving the common good of society requires rendering the aggressor unable to inflict harm. For this reason the traditional teaching of the Church has acknowledged as well-founded the right and duty of legitimate public authority to punish malefactors by means of penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime, not excluding, in case of extreme gravity, the death penalty. For analogous reasons those holding authority have the right to repel by armed force aggressors against the community in their charge.
Thus, according to the Catechism, in cases of extreme gravity the death penalty is not excluded.
Figure that one out.
Well, overall; the lesson is that you beloved of satan hateful ignoramuses really should study up on the Catholic church and the Catechism but first, figure out which Catholic church is being referenced.