RELIGIOUS NUTS versus SPIRITUAL FRUITS
There is a massive difference between being "spiritual" and being "religious" - between SPIRITUAL FRUITS and RELIGIOUS NUTS.
RELIGIOUS NUTS:
THE CATHOLIC ONES:
1. Roman Catholics who think that the pope is infallible.
2. Roman Catholic who believe that their church organisation is not absolutely corrupt.
3. Roman Catholics who think that only Catholics go to Heaven.
4. Roman Catholics who think that God spend all day every day worried about what people do with their penises and vaginas.
5. Roman Catholics who are members of cults like the NEOCATECHUMENATE and OPUS DEI.
Roman Catholics who make Mary, the mother of Jesus, into a goddess.
6. Roman Catholics who go to see moving statues.
7. Roman Catholics who kill for God and their religion.
THE PROTESTANT ONES:
1. Protestants who interpret the Bible literally.
2. Protestants who think the world is only 6,000 years old.
3. Protestants who think Catholics and others will not get into Heaven.
4. Protestants who take the term "born again" literally.
5. Protestants who call the pope the anti Christ.
6. Protestants who kill for God and their religion.
THE MUSLIM ONES:
1. Muslims who interpret the Koran literally.
2. Muslims who believe in and wage a Holy War.
3. Muslims who think that if the blow themselves up there are 72 virgins waiting on them.
4. Muslims who try and kill authors and cartoon artists.
5. Muslims who kill in the so called name of Allah.
THE JEWISH ONES:
1. Jews who hate, torture and kill Palestinians.
2. Jews who believe it's okay to have nuclear weapons.
3. Jews and kill in the name of Yahweh.
4. Jews who think that the current Israel is their Promised Land.
THE OTHERS ONES:
1. Cults of all kinds.
2. The Mormons.
3. Jehovah's Witnesses.
SPIRITUAL FRUITS:
1. Love.
2. Hope.
3. Faith.
4. Tolerance.
5. Respect.
6. Good deeds.
7, Forgiveness.
8. Rationality.
9. Good manners.
10. Non violence.
11. Peace.
12. Humility.
13. Modesty.
14. Kindness.
15. Decency.
16. Neighbourliness.
17. The honouring of the aged.
18. The love of animals and nature.
19. Gratitude.
20. Thanksgiving.
21. The care of children and the vulnerable.
22. The admiration of beauty.
23. Sharing.
24. Hospitality.
25. Non-judgementalism.
MAYBE SOME OF THE REST OF YOU MIGHT ADD TO THE LISTS ?
People who think Religion will protect them from those who are different or reality as a whole are in for a big shock. Reward or punishment in this life or the next does not come from above or below but within. The reality of free choice means humanity can inflict and experience joy or pain. God sent Jesus to show us the way but not force us through this laberynth. Humanity needs to learn and grow in order to be gifted to see God's face. The reality of this promice is the central message of Christmas. Well Pat there's me being all theoretical for a change. Ho Ho Ho and a Merry Chrstmas to one and all. Sean
ReplyDeletePart 2>
Delete6. Unfair to blame bp Treanor for D&C probs. He didn't cause them. This place was/is totally dysfunctional, dominated by characters who were gravely lacking in basic human/pastoral skills. Treanor may not be personality of the year but he is good-hearted. p.walsh's 'promotion' was a symptom of everything wrong with D&C. C Daly, I once heard accurately described as 'a pompous little fusspot' LOL. These men had no ability to interact meaningfully with either priests or laity - totally unqualified spiritually, humanly. No 'smell of the sheep' - they kept 'the sheep' at bay and regarded them with contempt. Farquhar was promising very gifted but was suppressed by Daly and always in the shade of Walsh. He hadn't the strength of character to face them down. he resorted to being 'the clown' sad and tragic for him. It has greatly affected his health. gone to seed years ago.
7. Dallat was imposed on Walsh who craved episcopate for his mate Tom Toner. Daly spiked this. Toner, God rest him, would have been another useless tool and clone of Walsh. When poor old Dallat died, Walsh again sought TT. Again denied. donal mckeown was again imposed on Walsh who wasn't informed of the apt by the nuncio but by mckeown (dickie) himself by phone - much to PW's dismay. A brief moment of hope when dickie was apopointed soon evaporated when dmcK jumped into Patty's soutance pocket and became a drone too. sad.
8. the donaghy case was horrific. I had some limited insight into the suffering of his victims. a friend of mine was present for the entire court case - the evidence of the victims and when JD himself took the stand. The trial had to be halted one day because a juror became physically ill listening to a victim's evidence. JD was a very violent predator. I was told that watching Fr McCafferty give evidence was like watching a crucifixion. Walsh has many unanswered questions which he refuses to answer. The UTV prog in recent months flagged the issues but no one took them up. Very very strange indeed. Thankfully justice was done for all concerned.
9. The Hugh kennedy saga was and is astonishing. he has no respect among the people of st peter's - a parish he has destroyed. In any other walk of life, he would be handed his p45 but not in D&C. His open gay affair is shocking to people. He would be forgiven if he was a kind man but he is an arrogant snob - again no smell of the sheep. The diocesan cathedral is a mess. God luck to Ciaran dallat and God bless him! Again, Walsh appointed kennedy. Walsh seems to have a penchant for disastrous decisions. Kennedy's obvious dtsfunctionality should have been addressed with the man for his own good years ago but he was let run amok and even indulged.
10. Lay People are talking about homosexual Down and Connor clergy's exploits in gay bars and cruising areas. Belfast is a village. The dogs on the street know their names and they are going to get caught. Journalists are reading this sight. This is a powder keg. Priests have been seen in gay bars in Belfast openly acting up. Stoopid or what?
Anyhow, this was a disjointed response to issues on your sight Pat. I wish you well. A brother priest "Sagart, Dun agus Conaire"
Did I tell you Pat that Clarice is addicted to Tiffin-A Cadbury chocolate mostly available in Ireland-(fruit and nut theme you see) Sean
ReplyDeleteWhat about religious fruits and spiritual nuts, Pat? Isn't everyone a 'fruit and nut case'? :)
ReplyDeletePart 1. Hello Pat, I am new on here and was told about your website. Clergy and laity are talking about it which is no harm. I have been reading it, on and off, this last week - haven't read all of it. A few random observations which I hope you won't take offensively on various matters:
ReplyDelete1. Catholics do not believe that their fellow Christians won't be in Heaven. The church doesn't teach this - never has. a priest called Feeney was excomm in the 50's for saying Protestants can't go to Heaven. This is in contrast to the 'saved' Protestants who are adamant Catholics are damned unless they 'convert' to their mindset.
2. The infallibility of the Pope is a charism of the Holy Spirit for the good of the church. It does not mean the pope is always right - you should know this. Infallibility has been rarely used - only three times - apart from Church councils. The Pope is as liable to be wrong/ sinful, etc. as all of us are. God promised to guide the Church, however, throu the Holy Spirit.
3. To worship Mary is idolatry and would separate you from the faith of the Church. no true catholic regards her as a 'goddess'.
4. re. euthanasia/abortion - it is not to impose your Christian beliefs to utterly resist these - anymore than it is to resist stealing/murder/abuse. There are things that are wrong of themselves and it is our duty to oppose them by every legitimate means and seek to dissuade others from them. Extreme cases make for bad laws. Deliberate Euthanasia and abortion are acts of murder - never right.
5. The case of bishop Dallat was news to me. I found him the most 'real' of the bishops during the walsh regime (walsh unapproachable, sarcastic and with a shed load of 'baggage'; Farquhar's nickname being 'Coco the clown' among priests). The abolition of celibacy would not alleviate our probs - might add to them and further complicate matters. Whatever about bp Dallat - good luck to him and God rest him. "An sagart, DagusC"