Faith vs Integrity

The life of faith is in a race with integrity. The trick is to die before the vector of integrity is tempted to intersect faith before the finish line. Development of integrity can cost you your soul. Dying in unscrutinized belief is the safer bet. Have no fear. Your faith is the sure safety that nothing will change until you get your catastrophe.

Meanwhile, be content in the outcomes of faith which we have witnessed now for two millennia. Don’t complain, and please no worries. This is the life you choose through belief.

“The impression somehow prevails that the true believer, particularly the religious individual, is a humble person. The truth is the surrendering and humbling of the self breeds pride and arrogance. The true believer is apt to see himself as one of the chosen, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a prince disguised in meekness, who is destined to inherit the earth and the kingdom of heaven too. He who is not of his faith is evil; he who will not listen will perish”—Eric Hoffer

“Ye are the light of the world”. What do you say to that when everything faith touches lives in a constant state of regression? Living in the past, hoping the future ends. Would a good god condemn you for truly not believing? Seems to me such integrity should be rewarded.

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Catholicism is a Miracle

Scoop tells me that 1.3 billion Catholics growing from a group of 12 men is a miracle. (see comment) Yes, it’s a miracle in the same way that all of North Korea worships Kim Jung Il.

Adopted as a state religion then, about 400 CE the heralded St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo authorized the use of force as a missionary tool using this scripture; “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled”—Luke 14:23

God works in mysterious ways. The next 1400 years (well into the 20th century) it was believe or suffer their wrath wherever they planted their flag. Here locally, the Colville Native American children were rounded up throughout the territory and compelled to Catholic education. Those that escaped Fort Spokane were captured by the Calvary and incarcerated in solitary confinement, had their shoes confiscated, and endured physical torture. It’s a friggin miracle!

How is it catholics can claim any benevolence at all at this point is beyond reason. The most corrupt organization on earth, is god working his miracles through torture.

Scoop also tells me on one hand, Gods judgment is overdue because of the wickedness and sodomites, then tells me it’s the safest time in history to be alive. Coincidentally, it is also the most secular time in history to be alive. Coincidence? I think not.

Catholics Reject Surgery, Chemistry—Accept Mathematics

I’m thinking 1.2 billion Catholics is quite enough. Rejecting contraception as a most grievous sin, here are some interesting tidbits from Catholics and others they’ve influenced.

Martin Luther said of coitus interruptus—the withdraw method “The exceedingly foul deed of Onan, the basest of wretches . . . is a most disgraceful sin. It is far more atrocious than incest and adultery. We call it unchastity, yes, a sodomitic sin. i.e. Pulling out is worse than sex with your siblings/children. What about pulling out during incest? The reformer finished his decree with this about Onan pulling out. “Consequently, he deserved to be killed by God. He committed an evil deed. Therefore, God punished him.” Wait, was he still catholic?

Clement of Alexandria wrote, “Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted”

John Calvin said, “The voluntary spilling of semen outside of intercourse between man and woman is a monstrous thing. Deliberately to withdraw from coitus in order that semen may fall on the ground is doubly monstrous. For this is to extinguish the hope of the race and to kill before he is born the hoped-for offspring.” Maybe now would be a good time. There are plenty of us.

Of Augustine the Great (hypocrite) Those who do this, although they are called husband and wife, are not; nor do they retain any reality of marriage, but with a respectable name cover a shame”.

There is no way to deny the fact that the Catholic Church has always and everywhere condemned artificial contraception. The matter has already been infallibly decided. The so-called “individual conscience” argument amounts to “individual disobedience.”

The Catholic Church also has affirmed that the illicitness of contraception is an infallible doctrine: “The Church has always taught the intrinsic evil of contraception, that is, of every marital act intentionally rendered unfruitful. This teaching is to be held as definitive and irreformable”.

Who makes this shit stuff up? Control the most basic instinct of man and his nature, control the whole man.

Excerpts from Catholic.com

The church has lost its flock and at complete odds with its members/sinners. “Even among Catholic Americans, whose official church teaching condemns all “artificial” family planning practices, 89 percent believe birth control is morally acceptable and 98 percent of sexually experienced Catholic women have used contraceptives” The other 2% are most likely barren—or priests.

Vatican Hands Over the Keys

Mormon officials were stunned after Pope Francis surprise visit to Salt Lake City, Utah on Tuesday. Amidst poorly handled child sexual abuse scandals worldwide, the Pope has called it quits, handed over Vatican keys to Russel M. Nelson, prophet, seer, and revelator of the Utah group. Nelson was speechless, but after a short intercessory prayer spoke of the fulfillment of Mormon prophecy. “The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 65:2)

The church never imagined the prophecy would be fulfilled in such a literal sense. 58,000 Missionaries around the world have received notice to return home immediately, ending the church-old Mormon tradition. Russel M. Nelson, after quoting Joseph Smith was briefly interrupted by Francis. Off-mic comments by Francis recorded by cell phone congratulated the prophet on the LDS church mastery of grooming minors, encouraged him to continue the rite in a less hap-hazard manner, was followed by a subtle wink at the pope. Arrangement have been made and bishops, priests, and cardinals from around the world will be heading to salt lake to receive the Mormon priesthood. LDS sign shop will be mass producing stickers to relabel churches with a New Name, “The Catchurjesuschrist of Latter Day Saints” will be the stone that fills the whole earth.

Nelson, now famous for excommunicating Sam Young (for exposing Mormon abuses of children by presenting nearly 1000 letters from former victims) has a good handle on continuing the ‘inner-traditions” in the hierarchy of religious practice, sending a clear message to incoming clergy that the playground will stay open in a kinder, more subtle secrecy. “The suit is the new robe of the holy priesthood”, says Nelson, providing the needed autonomy to mix business religion with pleasure at the expense of our youth. “Hold on to your butts” the oft quoted line from Jurassic Park has taken on a new meaning in Mormon mantra.

Contracting Minors

When your individuality is determined by a set of pre-made choices and established dogma decided by committee or a single authoritarian you will never be your true self. You are achieving the ideals of another. Drinking age here is 21. Age of consent for baptism should be no less. How can one determine who they want to be as a baby, child, or even a young adult. Minors are not legally allowed to enter into contract, and aligning yourself before you can read the fine print should be discouraged by wise parenting. Joining anything that requires a process to withdrawal is forbidden everywhere—but religion. Joining the stamp club, having a bank account, or having your own gym membership where you can easily cancel and move on is illegal. Your name is always in the Catholic Church, regardless of your desire to disassociate. Saying the Shahada makes you a Muslim, but declaring disbelief is punishablelol by death in many countries, and eternal torment awaits your death “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the Hellfire).” (Quran 3:85) Hardly a contract for a minor to enter. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. How can even one person make one rational decision about religion before they are an adult? Impossible!

American Atheist Converted at Medjugorje, Bosnia

One of my very best friends went to the pilgrimage at Medjugorje, Bosnia while vacationing about five years ago to see Our Lady of MedjugorjeHe went as a skeptic. I want to give you just a short history of one of the smartest people I know. He has the best memory recall of anyone I have ever met, loves to study the sciences and religion and many other disciplines, and he is currently active in coaching and teaching at a collegiate level.

He went up to Medjugore completely convinced it was nonsense and looking to see what all the talk was about. He came down as a believer. He saw the apparitions and the images dancing in the sun. He could look directly at the sun and suffered nothing. He felt something special he can’t explain. Raised catholic but operated as an atheist since late teens. Now he is an active catholic and a 100% believer. He can’t explain it. Can you? I can’t help but believe there is a logical or psychological explanation. One thing I do know, the Catholic Church regards the first visit to the children a miracle. They are remaining skeptical about the continued messages delivered by Mary.

Phil also stated that “not everyone that goes sees it. Only those meant to see it I guess” Another question I would pose, do people that have no prior knowledge of the site see the miracles? It’s not obvious what your mind is going to do with the stored knowledge and expectations or reservations of any specific event. Here is some good read and video if you haven’t seen it, and this is an email answer I got from Professor Taboo. “Bottom-line? Neurological and endocrinological explanations are quite plausible in all cases of ‘paranormal’ activity and visions/hallucinations. The pilgrimmage/hike in Medjugorje, Bosnia contributes to those physiological conditions…. as they do in other parts of the world. When large groups/crowds all participate/perform the “worship” together, it makes it all even MORE intense — the Placebo-effect.”

Further reading and Other Insights