Post by Matthew Johnson[snip]
Post by Bob CrowleyI might add now that I'm getting close to abandoning Catholicism,
mainly on account of Ratzinger's endorsement of evolution.
That is the most surprising reason for "abandoning Catholicism" I have heard in
a long time.
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Subducat se sibi ut haereat Deo
Quidquid boni habet tribuat illi a quo factus est
(Sanctus Aurelius Augustinus, Ser. 96)
I have 3 major beefs with Catholicism, not just one.
First, I don't accept the doctrine of Papal Infallibility, which as
far as I'm concerned was nothing more than a jaundiced opinion of
hardline Ultramontanists, reacting against an age of Revolution and
the treatment meted out to Pius IX by revoultionaries. The only way
his role could be restored was by French military power, such that
"the world was treated to the spectacle of the Father of all the
Faithful seated on bayonets, and ruling, rather ineptly, 3,000,000
subjects, most of whom wanted to be rid of him."("Saints and Sinners"
- Eamon Duffy)
Great grounds for establishing a doctrine of Infalliblity. I accept
the business of a ruling being "binding", as exemplified by Peter's
summary execution of Ananias and Sapphira, carried out by the agency
of the Holy Spirit. But Peter himself, the first "Pope" allowed his
fallibility to shine through in all four Gospels. He had to be
rebuked by Paul for trying to reintroduce Judaism into Christianity.
If Paul hadn't pulled him into line, we'd all have been circumcised
and eating kosher food as part of Catholic 'infallible" doctrine.
Another great start for the "Infallibility doctrine"!
Secondly, I believe the contraceptive was God's gift, given at the
very time that population pressures were becoming a real problem.
It's noteworthy that in Mexico and the Phillipines, rather than
contributing fruitful ideas as to how to reduce poverty, the church's
own ruling encourages the sort of attitude that sees people living on
rubbish tips. Personally I think God has already killed JP1 over the
matter. He lasted 30 days in office before kicking the bucket,
despite being elected by an "infallible" magisterium. I think Christ
told him to rescind the ruling on the pill, and he did not. As it is,
about half of all fertilised ova are flushed down the toilet, even if
no contraceptives are not used. Around the world, that must amount to
millions every year, probably hundreds of millions due to natural
effects, maybe a billion or more. It's pretty clear God's not overly
worried about the loss of quite a few fertilised ova up to whatever
state of division they happen to have reached. The ban on fhe
contraceptive pill also provides an excuse for abortionists. And the
fact so many CAtholic families are no longer the large families they
used to be means that a lot of ordinary Catholics treat the ruling
with contempt. They're the ones who have to feed, educate, house,
clothe and care for the kids - not the Cardinals living in high pomp
in the Vatican and expensive houses.
Third, the current Pope intends to hold a "conference" on evolution,
no doubt with the intention of promoting it as official Catholic
teaching. Yet the theory is so full of holes it isn't funny.
If he had an ounce of honesty, he'd hold a DEBATE, with both sides
allowed to put their viewpoints across.
Between these three things, I think I've had enough of Catholic
"infallibility".
I'm pretty close to leaving.