I mentioned that Carrie from Of (Some) Christian Woman is writing a series on Catholicism. The stated purpose is to inform other non-Catholic Christians what the Catholic Faith really teaches. The real purpose is to rip it. Consequently, as the Catholics (the majority of Carries’ readership and certainly the ones who drive most of her traffic) offered suggests and constructive criticism, she did what only someone with conviction and integrity could do (not!)- she shut down her comment section. (Seems to be a trend in anti-Catholic circles.)
I do want to highlight this part of our exchange today.
Me: I think it’s only mind control if you think there might be any truth to it. For me, when I made the choice to stay I was like a thorough prosecutor. I was going to look at the church historically and logically and if it didn’t make sense I most likely would have followed my sister out of it. I stayed, not because of mind control issues, but because after careful study and reading many sources, I found the church’s case to be very compelling and convincing. Too compelling and convincing to leave. Logic and scholarship kept me in, not mind control.
Carrie: The best lies are the easiest to believe. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” 2 Cor 11:13-15
Just a side note: I don’t know why but I just found that particularly illogical and intellectually dishonest at best, plain rude and insulting at worst. I had given her a polite glimpse of my faith history and she essentially decided be disrespectful and rude.
Now in this next part I once again decided to open up and be on an honest human level with Carrie.
Me: How about by their fruits you will know them? When the actual doctrines and teachings of the church have been followed wonderful fruit has been produced. The #1 charitable organization in the world, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, educating children, caring for mothers and families – is the Catholic Church. You don’t even have to be Catholic for the church to care for you! She cares for all. Witness Mother Theresa tending to the poorest of the poor in India, a Hindu nation, or Father Damien of Molokai, tending to the leper colonies of Hawaii, a nonChristian nation at the time. I have a friend in Nigeria now caring for orphaned children there. That has a significant Pagan population.
It seems to me that is doing exactly what Jesus taught.
On a micro level, I took dinner over to a lady who had surgery yesterday. I have no clue whether she is Catholic or not. I know she was in pain and needed help. She smiled and gave me a hug. That was nice. I didn’t do it for that, but it was nice and it certainly was sweet fruit.
Carrie: Duplessis Orphans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplessis_Orphans
Magdalen Asylum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalen_Asylum
Priest Sex Scandals: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_sex_abuse_cases
Inquisition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition
Elena, we have been down this road together already.
There is plenty of heinous fruit from the Roman Catholic Church also, so that reasoning doesn’t work.
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If Carrie had carefully read my reply to her she would have made careful note of the part I emphasized above. Obviously there have been sinful people in the Catholic church. That’s not the point. When the TRUE teachings are taught, received and lived, truly the fruit that comes from that is good.
The chip on Carrie’s shoulder that she carries against the Catholic church apparently obscures her clear vision, and pinches off her ability to be fair and logical, as well as compassionate and kind. This blog is a sandal shaker as well, which of course will be a lot easier now that she has decided to close her comment section. Apparently her series withers under the slightest cross examination.
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