Can Catholics Be Friends With A Sinner?

[Varg]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1910455' date='Jul 4 2009, 05:48 AM']The indigenous peoples of Europe probably practiced the same primeval monotheism that Adam and Noah practiced, until this monotheism was largely degraded into paganism in most places.[/quote]Wat? No, they was all Pagans. Accept it and move on

(what do you mean "degraded" into Paganism?)

[goldenchild17]

dudes. srsly now.

[Varg]

Eirie star. Respect, yeah?

Edited July 4, 2009 by Varg

[Resurrexi]

Monotheism is a philosophically higher form of belief than polytheism.

There are numerous historical examples of men using philosophy to come to monotheism from polytheism.

For example, the polytheism of original Brahminism was changed by philosophy into semi-monotheistic Hinduism.

Zoroaster, using natural reason, subordinated the Iranian gods to Ahura Mazda in his philosophical system.

The Stoics, though coming from the traditionally polytheistic Greco-Roman culture, used philosophy to realize that there is but one God.

Thus, as monotheism is philosophically higher than polytheism, a change from monotheism to polytheism can be called nothing but a degradation.

Edited July 4, 2009 by Resurrexi

[Varg]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1910460' date='Jul 4 2009, 06:57 AM']Monotheism is a philosophically higher form of belief than polytheism.

There are numerous historical examples of men using philosophy to come to monotheism from polytheism.

For example, the polytheism of original Brahminism was changed by philosophy into semi-monotheistic Hinduism.

Zoroaster, using natural reason, subordinated the Iranian gods to Ahura Mazda in his philosophical system.

The Stoics, though coming from the traditionally polytheistic Greco-Roman culture, used philosophy to realize that there is but one God.

Thus, as monotheism is philosophically higher than polytheism, a change from monotheism to polytheism can be called nothing but a degradation.[/quote]Yeah, but polytheism makes more sense, right? Like there is good and bad gods and that's why good and bad stuffs happen to people....

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Varg' post='1910461' date='Jul 4 2009, 06:00 AM']Yeah, but polytheism makes more sense, right? Like there is good and bad gods and that's why good and bad stuffs happen to people....[/quote]



[img]http://freakytrigger.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/troll.jpg[/img]

[VeniteAdoremus]

I like how you are discussing what "Europe" is or isn't about. Please continue.

[OraProMe]

hahahahah
Americans are such losers.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='OraProMe' post='1910466' date='Jul 4 2009, 06:42 AM']hahahahah
Americans are such losers.[/quote]

Dude, don't insult Americans on Independence Day.

That's not cool.

[OraProMe]

OH MY IS IT INDEPENDENCE DAY
Didn't even know that.

Ha, that just makes it even more sweet.

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='OraProMe' post='1910470' date='Jul 4 2009, 06:46 AM']OH MY IS IT INDEPENDENCE DAY
Didn't even know that.

Ha, that just makes it even more sweet.[/quote]


haha, u s[i]u[/i]ck






just kidding.






maybe.

Edited July 4, 2009 by goldenchild17

[OraProMe]

hahahaha
I was just kidding,
You Americans are okay, I just find it funny you're comparing European heritage.

[VeniteAdoremus]

Grats on your 500th post, Ora

But seriously, dudes, if you are comparing notes on "Europe", that's like calling a Texan a Yank

Separate countries. Separate cultures. Separate religions. Separate languages. You can only say something about Europe if you're talking foreign policy

Edited July 4, 2009 by VeniteAdoremus

[Norseman82]

What was the question again?

[Vasilius Konstantinos]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1910448' date='Jul 4 2009, 06:41 AM']You are not truly European.

To be truly European is to be Catholic.
You are not Catholic.
Q.E.D., you are not truly European.

[/quote]

I will remember this next time I am in Romania and Serbia. "Hey! We are not Europeans!" and then there would be great rejoicing.

I do not think its something to brag about, being European anyways. After all, since I am Native American mostly, I have to ask all of you this Fourth of July to get off my property. Now.

[VeniteAdoremus]

[quote name='Vasilius Konstantinos' post='1910688' date='Jul 4 2009, 07:45 PM']I will remember this next time I am in Romania and Serbia. "Hey! We are not Europeans!" and then there would be great rejoicing.[/quote]

Exactly Or Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, any Scandinavian country and anywhere east from Poland or Croatia really. Maybe this thread should be "Can Catholics be friends with a European"

[quote name='Vasilius Konstantinos' post='1910688' date='Jul 4 2009, 07:45 PM']I do not think its something to brag about, being European anyways. After all, since I am Native American mostly, I have to ask all of you this Fourth of July to get off my property. Now. [/quote]

I was wondering about that. Isn't that really awkward?

[CatherineM]

Man, you guys were up early.

If I could only hang out with Catholics in a perfect state of grace, I'd be pretty lonely, and could never go to family functions.

Passionately kissing in public, I agree that shouldn't be done. My husband gives me a peck when he drops me off at church, and that's okay, but we always get caught by the same woman, and you'd think she caught us making out in the confessional or something.

About priests in gay bars, there was a priest back home who used to go to the gay AA. The only reason I knew is that it met in the building next door to where my office was, and my former roommate went there when she came into town with me. He told her he went there because he didn't want his parishioners to know he was alcoholic, and didn't want his AA people to know he was a priest.

[Lil Red]

[quote]Can Catholics Be Friends With A Sinner?[/quote]
heck no.

oh wait. then i couldn't be friends with myself, my husband, or my family.

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
[quote name='goldenchild17' post='1910387' date='Jul 4 2009, 02:45 AM']Prayer is as powerful a weapon as anything as far as I'm concerned, so if discussing it doesn't work, I'm sure they're as good a friend as any in this regard and doing what they can. I think people can be friends and get along while still openly disagreeing with each other on fundamental issues.[/quote]

[quote name='VeniteAdoremus' post='1910431' date='Jul 4 2009, 04:17 AM']Oh, and regarding the topic: yes, you can and should be friends with sinners. Otherwise you'd have no friends. Doesn't mean you automatically approve of everything they do.[/quote]
agreed to both these statements.

[philothea]

I go out of my way to try to make friends with people categorically considered sinners (gay, trans, poly, pagan, atheist, what-have-you).

I like people, so it's no effort to be friendly. I figure they could use prayers, and it seems a lot more effective to pray for people I actually know, rather than some nebulous category of strangers. And, most of them have very negative ideas about what Christians/Catholics are like. Meeting a kind, considerate Christian is a big surprise for them. How wrong is that?

I think it's easy and a bit dangerous to hide in a safe, little everyone-is-just-like-me cocoon. Closing my eyes and pretending radically different people don't exist is not at all in touch with the truth. And we're all about truth, aren't we?

And hey... if someday they want to ask about Christianity or the Church, well, they know they can talk to me. I am always open about my own beliefs, though never pushy.

A notable number of people who follow lifestyles the Church disapproves of have no interest in being friends with me, though. Which is kind of ironic, really...

(Note, in my particular case, there is zero risk of anyone negatively influencing my faith. Might not suggest my methods for someone less mature.)