Pope Sticks his Nose were it Doesn't Belong (attacks Canada), page 4

posted by wildcat

Just remember the Roman Catholic popes have been corrupt. Do a little research and you will find that my statement appears to be correct.

This is important. Critics of the RCC usually are being critical of its historical role. I and most of the others, do not mean to be critical of the religious practices in which devout Catholics engage. That is strictly none of our business.

The fact remains that the Roman Catholic Church is the oldest extant institution in the West. Like it or not, I believe that in itself gives me the right to be critical of its past practices and to take some liberties with its current policies. Good Catholics - of which the world is filled - are themselves in a dilemma. They “know” in their Goldwater "heart of hearts" that the 180 old and odd men in Rome who rule their church with an iron hand are about 2 centuries late. But they are at a loss what to do about it.

May I summarize my position, briefly? I contend the founder of the RCC was Emperor Constantine around 320 AD. I noted that the great Council of Nicea was not called by the Bishop of Rome. It was not held in Rome. It was held in Nicea on Constantine beckoning. The most notable bishop was Esubius. I have looked, but I could not find the Bishop of Rome to have even been in attendance.

We of Christian culture know from the books in the Holy Bible that Paul was in Rome. We of Protestant persuasion do not believe Peter was ever in Rome. And certainly his bones are not buried there. The first church council was held in Jerusalem when James and Peter called Paul to task. It basically ended with them agreeing to disagree. James - brother of Jesus - was probably the #1 apostle after Jesus death.

The papacy struggled with the church councils which would be dominant, and have the final word. It was only in Vatican 1, 1869-1870, that the struggle was put to rest when the papacy won the day! The declaration that the papacy was infallible was the outcome and dispelled the need for future councils, except as a rubber stamp for the popes.

I could go on but then I have made my point. The RCC was “invented” in the 4th century, waged relentless war to become the dominant force in the new state approved religion of Christianity - it was not the only approved religion. For various reasons, it became dominant by the early middle ages. From the 14th century onward, people of independent spirit have fought to gain their freedom from the RCC. Many died in the process.

I like to refer to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of French Protestants (Huguenots) as exemplary of the struggle. On hearing that 15,000 Protestants had been burned alive in their church buildings, the Pope was overjoyed, said a special Mass of celebration, ordered the bells of Rome pealed all day and said it was the best news he had heard since the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. Those were tough times. A late 15th century Papal Bull ordered Spanish Jews to wear a distinctive mark, to live in ghettos, to convert to Catholicism, leave the country penniless or die. And etc.

But none of that has any direct bearing on a Catholic in 2006 worshiping God as he sees fit. But he should be aware that because of the history of his beloved institution, us non-members are always suspicious.

[edit on 9/12/2006 by donwhite]