Catholics Aren't Christians?

[bennyboy]

Is the contention here that there are sufficient trappings of paganism/other cultures/faiths within catholicism as to disqualify them as christians? I'm unimpressed....the OT is a borrowed book..and the NT fares no better. They're all a bunch of fucking pagans - they're just too pigheaded to own up to it, and I have to say...so fucking what, what's the big damned deal? A faith of borrowed thought that spawns another faith of borrowed thought (and schisms like stars between them over the centuries) and each sect pointing the crooked finger at the other...for what...borrowing? If that's a problem....they're all in trouble, but why is it a problem?

I think in this particular case the problem is that the Catholics do things which very expressively go against the God of the Bible they supposedly adhere to. They took "sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor" to "Build giant cathedrals laced with gold buy bilking everyone for 10% of their income. Also, wear elaborate gowns laced with gold and giant ruby rings on your fingers, so the impoverished masses will know you're the true chosen leader of God's flock."

I mean, the Catholic church literally sells (sold?) forgiveness from sins for cold hard cash. This is in stark contrast to the New Testament, in which Jesus overturns the tables of moneychangers, outraged that his "father's" place was being used for commerce.

[Minimalist]

Someday a mass murderer might quote your hateful comments about theists and cite them as their reason min

Yeah...I can dream, can't I?

[pocaracas]

I mean, the Catholic church literally sells (sold?) forgiveness from sins for cold hard cash.

Still does, apparently:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence

[bennyboy]

I mean, the Catholic church literally sells (sold?) forgiveness from sins for cold hard cash.

Still does, apparently:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence

Yeah, I'm pretty sure "Indulgence" isn't in the Bible.

Catholic business plan:
1) Kill, rape, and threaten your way to wealth a la the mafia.
2) Use your ill-gotten gains to buy Indulgences.
3) You and your children will be assured a first-class trip to heaven.

Only problem now is that bastard Pope Francis has excommunicated the mafia, presumably taking them outside the salvation even of indulgences. Now, what's an ambitious Italian guy gonna do to go to heaven? Follow the Bible's teachings and live a modest and honest life?

[Minimalist]

presumably taking them outside the salvation even of indulgences.

Nah. They just have to pay a premium rate!

[abaris]

Same shit for protestant as well as Catholics. One calls it indulgence, the other ones call it tithing. It's shameless money grabbing one way or the other.

[Minimalist]

Religion has always been a lucrative scam.

[bennyboy]

Same shit for protestant as well as Catholics. One calls it indulgence, the other ones call it tithing. It's shameless money grabbing one way or the other.

Tithing is seen as a duty-- basically a church tax. But I don't think anything about tithing allows you special forgiveness from having sex with tranny hookers, buggering little boys, or voting Democrat.


By the way, am I the only one here who's kind of becoming a fan of Pope Francis? I mean, here's a guy who excommunicates the mafia, and still does not ride in a protected vehicle. I don't know how he's gonna fit those giant balls through heaven's gate, but I have a feeling he'll find out pretty soon!

[Crossless2.0]

But I don't think anything about tithing allows you special forgiveness from having sex with tranny hookers, buggering little boys, or voting Democrat.

. . . otherwise known as a fun night out in south Boston.

[abaris]

Tithing is seen as a duty-- basically a church tax. But I don't think anything about tithing allows you special forgiveness from having sex with tranny hookers, buggering little boys, or voting Democrat.

It's money grabbing nonetheless. So I see no real difference.