Anyway, a woman from Croatia who visits Alabama actually has people getting in their cars and on buses to go see her because she says she can see and talk to the Virgin Mary. How cool is that? One woman from Washington D.C. was so impressed by this ability she had never seen that she quit her job and sold her house and all her belongings just so she can be a disciple to the woman. Uh huh.
Thousands of people show up each week when the Croatian woman comes to visit. She has come 11 times and the compound where she spends her time rakes in millions of dollars each time she pops by to share her visions.
But can she see the Leprechaun?
ReplyDeleteHee hee, funny Vicki.
ReplyDeleteThis is an honest question, not meant to be snotty or anything: Why does stuff like this only ever happen to Catholics? They are the only ones who ever see Jesus or Mary in a tortilla, hear voices, or get possessed. You never hear of Jesus appearing to a Methodist. Why is that? Any theories?
Duh, because jesus loves them! I guess because jesus and blessed mo hv appeared before and i guess everyone wants to get in on the action.
DeleteWho all seen da leprechaun say "yeahhhh!"
ReplyDeleteCould be a crackhead! That got hold to the wrong stuff
DeleteMarian visions are very life-changing events for some Catholics. It's important to remember that Mary's "assumption" or direct bodily ascension to heaven without death only dates from the middle of the 20th century in Catholicism, after all the apparitions and visions and voices 'n stuff. I'm not even Catholic, but I've been to a few Mary shrines in my life and the spiritual fervor there is intense.
ReplyDelete@Texshan, I was wondering the same!
ReplyDeleteMaybe all us non-Catholics should just look up in the tree.
ReplyDeleteOh wait. I'm getting mixed up.
Nice racket!
ReplyDeleteI do feel sorry for the family of the woman who sold her house to follow this woman around, though.
My fiance and I were just talking about that @Texshan.
ReplyDeleteWe watch a lot of those "The Haunting" and "The Haunted" shows and a lot of the ones who claim "demonic possession" or the really scary, whacked out stuff identify as Catholic.
Perhaps they have a belief system that lends itself to that? I'm not very knowledgable so maybe someone else can chime in?
How would you know if you're seeing the Virgin Mary or Jesus? What exactly did they look like? Now people who claim they've seen Elvis - that I can wrap my head around.
ReplyDeleteI think Catholics are more used to the use of icons in their worship -- statues and other relics. So it may feel normal or comfortable to see religious figures in everyday items.
ReplyDeleteWhat always baffles me about the Jesus grilled cheeses of the world, is how much they look like the interpreted image of Jesus. It's like Jesus saw what the church told Di Vinci to paint him like, that he said, Yeah that's it, now when I appear on a food product I will look like this! Never mind that it's contrary to what anyone from that region would have looked like.
ReplyDeleteAs for seeing and talking to the Virgin Mary...what kind of idiot would just take her word for it? Seriously people! I was talking to the ghost of Abraham Lincoln last night, wheres my millions bucks!
Damn people or idgits.
Was thinking the same thing
DeleteI'm embarassed to admit I come from a very Catholic family - many priests and nuns. I went to Catholic school for 13 years. I still don't get all the hoopla. I would have to see the Virgin Mary for myself and if she doesn't look like the VM on front lawns and in the half shell how would I know it's her?
ReplyDeleteGod, I love these stories. And the best part isn't even that she claims she talks to the Virgin Mary - PEOPLE ARE GIVING HER MONEY.
ReplyDeleteI wanna be like Whoopi in Jumpin Jack Flash, but "communicate" with celebrities for people. I'd make a killing on Venice Beach.
I always thought the Grilled Cheese Mary looked more like Marlene Dietrich.
ReplyDeleteRemember, voodoo is partially based on Catholicism, so makes sense. Catholicism is much more literal than other Christian beliefs - like with the wafer and wine literally turning into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist. I think they believe more strongly in physical manifestations of God on Earth.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note: Of course she comes to Alabama. (And I can say that, 'cause my dad's family is Alabaman.)
nolachickee and Redheat, one way you can tell it's an image of Jesus is because he's white with a long blondish beard. *eye roll*
ReplyDeleteIf people are stupid enough to believe this sort of hooey, I'm not going to feel bad when they get cheated out of their money.
ReplyDeleteI've always said that if you want to get rich you should market something to either the very religious or pet lovers. Nothing against either group, but they are willing to spend LOTS of money on their respective interest.
ReplyDeleteOne last thought - have you ever noticed that no one ever sees an image of their neighbor Pete in their toast, or potato chip, or tree....
ReplyDeleteGrilled Cheesus!
ReplyDeleteI went there once many yrs ago. Like most religious people they seem to go the way of it's all me instead of it's God after a time. It was a beautiful place of healing in the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI think God is just God no matter how you worship. And healing energy is healing energy. Where people congregate and concentrate on good there can be miracles.
@TV Junkie, to your point: I spent like $18 on a little black zip up hoodie from American Apparel for my 6 lb. dog because I thought it was funny. Hah.
ReplyDeleteI'm Catholic. It's been my understanding that if it's really Mary you'll KNOW - no matter what she looks like. Who knows what she (or God) looks like? I think they'll appear to us as we expect them to look. I do know that the Church is VERY skeptical about a lot of these "sightings", works hard to investigate them and very rarely gives credence to one.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I'm of Slovene descent. When Yugoslovia still existed, some Croatians hijacked a plane or something and I asked my grandmother if we were Croatian. Almost gave her a heart attack - those old prejudices die hard.
Enty has an amazing ability to make Bloody Mary's disappear.
ReplyDelete@Another Josh - *ba-dum-bum PSH!* Try the veal, and don't forget to tip your waitress!
ReplyDelete:)
ROFL, Josh!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a bloody mary.
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ReplyDeleteYou mean Enty's profile pic on Facebook isn't of Jesus? Bacon loving Jesus. Forget sweet baby Jesus in his little manger. I'm going to start praying to Bacon Loving Jesus because I like my Jesus holy but with an appreciation for tasty meat.
ReplyDeleteyeah...the whole money thing taints it all for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd that regis is my final answer.
ChasingHeaven, the fact that Jesus was Jewish makes your comment extra funny as hell.
ReplyDeleteTV Junkie, I spent $30 on two sets of outdoor doggy socks for my late chiweenie, who rarely went outside, just because they were adorable. They looked like little mary janes with white ankle socks attached. She never once wore them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for your answers. I have a tendency to roll my eyes whenever I hear about Jesus on a grilled cheese sandwich or someone getting possessed or seeing a statue of Mary crying blood. And it's ALWAYS a Catholic claiming these things. I grew up in a church without iconography (except the cross, sans Jesus), so it's impossible for me to identify with or believe in this stuff. Plus, like someone else pointed out, it's always the "popular" image of Jesus or Mary. We have no idea how they actually looked -- just that chances are they looked NOTHING like any of the imagery we've seen.
@ OMAMA & Hanane - I believe that people believe what they believe and that is what is real to them. Whether I pragmatize it away, it's their reality. But in agreement with you guys, the money this lady is getting is where it stops. If that "millions" figure is even partially true, it's pretty easy to see why this woman is so tight with VM. And on a related note, isn't it kind of a big thing to live modestly and be modest? If that's the case, she shouldn't be accepting money at all, but donating it.
ReplyDelete@Barton Fink- Actually, although the assumption of Mary was only given dogmatic definition in 1950, the belief that Mary was taken in her human body up to Heaven has been around since the very earliest time of Christianity. It was a very popular theme in Renaissance doctrine and art (the most famous representation is probably Titian's).
ReplyDeleteSorry, anal retentive art historian here.
I'm Catholic and know all about this. It - the visions - has been going on for 31 years.
ReplyDeleteWhether it's real or not is a HUGE discussion topic on Catholic sites. It tends to bring out a lot of kooks.
Catholics aren't required to believe in private revelation, but you'd never guess it from the blogs and cottage businesses that have sprung up because of them.
Me? I believe in the Church approved ones like Fatima, Lourdes, etc., but the fact is, the Church takes a very long time to rule on these. Can you blame them? Who the heck wants people believing evil beings (who can convincingly fake these visions)?
Now there's a lot of people who claim they have locutions - which is an inner voice - or hear "words coming to them" in prayer. I'm very leery of it, because who's to say if that's coming from your subconscious?
Sigh. All this is much more Evangelical than Catholic, and brings out more cuckoo clocks than reasonable people. Makes the whole Catholic Church look nuttier than she's already perceived.
I am not Catholic, but I do see things all the time. I come from a long line. Native American Medicine Clan. My one Grandfather was a master electrician who worked until 70 on jobs bc he was so well known. He would take out his hearing aides or turn them off bc he saw and hear so many spirits trying to talk to him. As kids we did not understand it. It happened to me the first time that I remember at 11 and then my mother told me what & why. My Daughter has the same abilities, but we can turn it down. Otherwise it can drive you CRAZY. And no, I have never seen Mary or Christ. I think they are a little to busy for me. Or any one else. I see people who have passed on some I know some I don't and they tell me things Like there my son I Love him and was never mad. If people would just learn to talk to each other then I would get the stuff I want like some historical figure to come see me. I also have visions, but these are more spiritally important to me. Sometimes I get Big Events before they happened. Don't like that, there is no one and I mean No One you can call up and say I think something is going to happen in some big city with a building and they want the address and I don't get that I get the human terror and I mean TERROR. So, some or all of you laugh, when a relative comes to me I will still tell you.
ReplyDeleteNot for nothing, but mary snd jesus are "busy"? Doing what?
DeleteDo your own research, but to break this down simply:
ReplyDeleteCatholicism worships idols, has rewritten the Bible for its own purposes(specifically the ten commandments), and supplants Jesus with the Pope/priests/Virgin Mary/saints in terms of intercession and absolution. This is in direct violation to scripture.
The book of Daniel and Revelations make it pretty clear that the Antichrist system that precedes the Antichrist individual figure appearing in the world is the Catholic church.
Most of the Bible is prophecies that have all come true - against odds so large as to be impossible to calculate.
Events the bible says precedes the appearance of the Antichrist figure - who will appear to be a savior and will attempt to destroy belief in Jesus as being the Most High in favor of one world religion, i.e. New World Order (check your dollar bill for the Eye of Horus/Satan and "New World Order" in Latin) - will be seemingly miraculous events happening in the sky. It says Satan and his minions have the ability to manifest miracles of all kinds and will appear as "angels of light."
Part of being a good counterfeit or lie (Satan is the "Father of all Lies") is that there's a great deal of truth mixed in with the deception, to the point where you really can't tell the truth from the lie.
These Mary appearances are nothing else but demonic forces, as are ghosts. The bible speaks about "familiar spirits" who are able to masquerade as loved ones or communicate with tarot card readers, etc. The bible explicitly warns against involvement with these "unclean spirits" and forces.
We live in an Antichrist society. The bible says Lucifer was cast out of heaven for the sin of pride, for wanting to be higher than God, and that he was jealous of his relationship with Jesus. Satan has control of this world and God has given us free will to choose to believe in Jesus and live by the biblical commandments or else after the world - i.e. Satan. In the end, when it comes, you will be judged according to how you chose.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Job 1:7
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
There is a spiritual war happening, God vs. Satan for souls. The Enemy hates humans primarily because we are made in the image of God; the goal is to take as many pieces of God down into Hell with him at the end, which is coming. The Antichrist figure will convince as many people as possible - through persuasion or force - to choose him over Jesus.
In Revelations, it talks about people being required to get "the mark of the Beast" on the hand or forehead in order to be able to buy or sell. A lot of people believe this is the RIFD chip - look it up - the chip is inserted in the hand or forehead. The idea is this tag will be a tracking device, one that will hold all the technology we need to live.
The bible says the Enemy appears as a wolf in sheep's clothing. It says after the mess Satan creates, the Antichrist will appear as a figure who brings unprecedented peace - for a time. Then all hell breaks loose. Literally.
The bottom line is Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. "No one gets to the Father except through Me," He says.
Take it from someone with a serious testimony. You couldn't talk to me about any of this stuff before- I would shut down. But I got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore and God stepped in because I begged him to. Hallelujah. I urge all of you nonbelievers to start doing some research asap. Get to Jesus, people.
Old;ady - I believe there are some people who see the things that you see. Unfortunately, the people who genuinely have this gift are overshadowed by those who pretend or manipulate these things by making money off of them. The ones that truly have these gifts tend to be very low key about it. What I would suggest is that you keep track of your visions and sightings in a diary or something - it would make interesting reading in the future for your family.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Mary came to me in a dream once when I really needed some comfort and peace in my life. And I'm not crazy, thank you.
ReplyDeleteOdd that this is in Alabama. Very few Catholics in the South outside of NoLa.
"Catholicism worships idols, has rewritten the Bible for its own purposes(specifically the ten commandments), and supplants Jesus with the Pope/priests/Virgin Mary/saints in terms of intercession and absolution. This is in direct violation to scripture."
ReplyDeleteNo, we don't. Not sure that they did. And no, we don't.
It happens to Baptists too. In the early 80's in Jasper, AL at Walker Regional Medical Center someone 'saw' Jesus in a door (The Door) and people cane from
ReplyDeleteall over to see this door. You were a heretic if you didnt see/believe in it. The Door is still kept somewhere, nit on hinges in the hospital.
(For God's sake, Enty -- pun intended -- will you PLEASE not post religious stuff? It only gets ugly. This is a GOSSIP site. Why stir up the Protestants vs. the Catholics, the atheists versus any Christians, etc.? This site should be FUN, and insults and attacks against religion are NOT fun.)
ReplyDeleteOh, but religion is all about love and peace! *snark*
DeleteVoodoo is not based on Catholicism. It takes some of the same ideas: use of candles, bells, praying...a lot of religions do that. Please, be careful.
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ReplyDelete@SusanB Thank You, I do write things down. I just wish people would know there are some of us out here, who can see things and we don't take any thing for it. Then you will lose the ability, its a trust to you from the spirits. No, I don't get any winning numbers or Lottery tips. I know what is beyond, is a loving place where you can actually work a out problems with others and Dogs, cats, Horses all the animals have always been there.
ReplyDelete*Eyeroll* Wow
ReplyDelete@ Redheat, thats what I also did to Grandfather. Until, it happened to me at 11.
ReplyDeleteAKM, it's never a bad thing to share the truth, no matter what the forum. The story was posted and people asked for clarification on the matter. The first duty of a believer is to spread the Word.
ReplyDeleteAs far as you disagreeing with what I wrote, it's not my opinion, it's fact. I urge you to do your research.
God bless.
@ Gwen - tl;dr. No offense.
ReplyDeleteCatholics dont worship statues or saints. Saints are kind of like close friends of God. It's like asking them to put in a good word for you. Like a sponsor of different issues.
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ReplyDeleteBtw, Gwen, if you are such a purist what is your rationalization for exposing your mind and soul to the contents of this blog?
ReplyDeleteBatshit, batshit, BATSHIT up in this post.
ReplyDeleteseriously, if i wasn't atheist BEFORE this thread.....
ReplyDeleteHahaha, yeah, youre right.
ReplyDeletewhat does tl;dr mean?
ReplyDeleteToo long, didnt read
ReplyDeleteI read a book about a reverend? not catholic, who promised to communicate what heaven was like after he died. He then allegedly spoke thru a medium and explained that Heaven, for each person is what they expect it will be. That Catholics are kind in an area with others with the same beliefs, yet its fluid and without boundried. He also said that some people like drug addicts, hang in a grey area, and that there are people whose job it is to help them when theyre ready. I wish I could remember the name of the book.
ReplyDeleteAll aboard the next ship to Imaginationland!
ReplyDeleteBook of Tempestuous Grape says drink wine and shut up!
ReplyDeleteMy massage therapist, who is a Mormon, clarified for me what they believe Heaven is like. Basically, they think only a certain number of people will actually get to Heaven (all Mormons, of course), and that it will be whatever you want it to be, but mega-Mormon. Other Christians will go to a quasi-Heavenly place, and atheists, non-Christians and the other unsaved will go to hell. I told him that I agree that Heaven will be however you envision it, but I think that all repentent Christians will go there, along with good people who never had a chance to learn about God (lived in deepest darkest tribal Africa or South America or whatever). I believe everyone else will go to hell (I don't believe in purgatory or "different levels" of Heaven). I don't believe in a fire and brimstone hell, unlike most of my Baptist brethren. I just think hell is the one place where God is truly absent. Also, I think animals will be in Heaven. At least, I really hope so.
ReplyDeleteOf course, this is all just conjecture.
@Texshan: Because we're His favorite.
ReplyDelete(I kid, I kid...)
LOL, Popnursing.
ReplyDeleteGwen, you are a fucking religious bigot and a kook. I bet you believe that Jews killed Christ and have horns on their head, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to sell my house and follow Tom Cruise.
ReplyDeletefrom my understanding, voodoo, has the Catholic connotations only because when the African slaves were brought to the americas and the islands, they were given new names and a new religion to adhere to, and ordered to NEVER speak of their old names, traditions, etc, thus, they wisely hid their native traditions behind Catholic labels.
ReplyDeleteThe saints at first were a cover for the orisha, but eventually if you sit at the feet of San Lazaro and pray to Babalua, the two fuse together. Eventually, Babalua looks like San Lazaro, and when you hear lightning in Caracas or Miami or Havana, you say "Santa Barbara!" when you really mean "Chango." Cuz it's all the same. "Ai Chango! Ekua, ekua," goes the old prayer ...
ReplyDeleteThis may as well have been written in ancient greek! Did not get one word- well a scattered few.
DeleteOh boy. One of the things I was *always* taught, was religion and politics are no-no topics in most public venues. I really dislike people who make money on the backs of people who want to believe in something so badly, they'd give up their home to do it.
ReplyDeleteI tried many religions when I was younger. Not one of them 'fit' me completely, so I just live with faith in the universe. If you want to call my 'universe' God, please do. I don't begrudge anyone a need to have faith in 'something'.
I'd like to think though, Gwen, that most of us on this gossip site don't really come here to read a dissertation about what you believe. I think there's probably many sites who could visit that would welcome what you typed and you could have a healthy discussion with like-minded people that went there for that purpose.
/off soapbox - sory folks! ;-)
I dunno, sometimes the whackadoodles add a little crazy fun to the day.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that...Spider, I would agree that if you want your religious treatise to be taken with the proper amount of gravity, this probably is not the right place (see preceding sentence).
I may go visit. I'm dying to ask the holy mother if she is still a virgin.
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ everyone.....stop attacking each other an lets just forget it. As long as each of us believes or knows in a power higher then ourselves, I think we're all good to go, no?
ReplyDelete//sorry, had to.
///don't like the name calling towards Gwen. Whether we agree or not, no need to attack. Just let it go, or turn the other cheek. HA! But seriously.
BLESS (b/c we all need it)
@Gwen...here's a phrase I live by that I feel you should know too. It's from one of my favorite Bob Marley songs, Jah Lives, "The truth is an offence, but not a sin, is he who laughs last, is he who wins."
ReplyDeletemany blessings :)
//great song, btw.
Why must religious info be so obtuse? Just say what u mean
DeleteOMAMA's right. Let's move on.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I stick to my idea that Enty needs to leave the religious stuff off of this site. I guess that's hard to do with the TomKat sitch, but I'd bet that 99% of all of us here agree on our views of THAT one. ;-)
I wish I had it in me to sell people a bunch of crap. I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. I would start laughing and say BAHAHAHA I CANT BELIEVE YOU BOUGHT THAT! That is why I am working for someone else and poor.
ReplyDeleteI didnt finish reading what everyone wrote because I was too busy reading about how Beyonce is throwing Illuminati signs in her videos.
Santeria takes from Catholicism, not exactly voodoo.
ReplyDeleteAnd the proper term for what Communion stands for is transubstantiation. It's my favourite churchy word ever.
It's not literal, just symbolic ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santer%C3%ADa
ReplyDeleteI like it when people argue about transubstantiation, consubstantiation and contransubstantiation. And argue they do!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone else wrote transubstantiation cause now I can say it in my head over and over.
ReplyDeleteTRANSUBSTANTIATION!
Everyone should be allowed to believe as they are called, but if u have a sick child and are told to turn to faith because medical science can offer you nothing, you might feel different and find it in your heart to allow others to follow their own belief without ridicule.
ReplyDeleteDonna, yes, everyone should be allowed to believe what they are called to.
ReplyDeleteHowever...when you have a sick child and are told to turn to the church INSTEAD of to medicine...there's something F***ed up about that. I don't care what your beliefs are.
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ReplyDeleteFurthermore, your right to believe in something absolutely does not preclude my right to find it ridiculous/mock it (appropriateness of timing notwithstanding).
ReplyDelete(in this instance, I use "your" collectively, not personally)
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ReplyDeleteWhy do atheists always sound so bitter?
ReplyDeleteI believe there are some people so arrogant that they actually think they have the right to tell others what to believe - and they are the scariest people of all.
ReplyDeleteWe all find things to make us feel more alive. I love the rich iconography of the Catholic church, and the stories of the Saints, and even Jesus and other wise ones, and I'm atheist. How many of us would like to have a reason to sell our stuff and follow our passion? I can't feel sorry for the woman in this story who did.
@Agent**It - I'm bitter against religion because I had a crazy religious mother and have met Evangelicals, and they are not the nicest human beings.
ReplyDeleteMy mom would be alive today if she had gone for cancer treatment instead of praying to Jesus to heal her. Religion ruined her life and other's lives - I have horror stories about what religious zealots are capable of, and I know many others like me do as well. When I called my mom's dear religious friends to tell them she had passed, I pretty much got gist of their true colors.
I can appreciate spiritual beliefs, and respect them, but religious people who get up in your face or tear down others have been, in my experience, the nastiest people I've ever come across.
It's the Christians who keep their mouths shut and live their religion who impress me, and I have a few friends who shovel walks and clean old ladies carpets, but they live and let live, never gloating or preaching.
If I never run into a Bible pimp again, I will die a happy person.
I respect others right to believe and read all of the comments. I found many of them interesting. I do, however, feel that atheists, or non-theists were attacked, which may have spurred counter-attacks. I myself am an atheist and believe in maybe reincarnation or just straight out one life and death. Guess I will find out eventually.
ReplyDeleteYes Lola it's pretty fucked up when the best doctors in the country tell you they can offer you nothing except a suggestion to turn to faith. It's pretty fucked up when they walk into a chapel with you to pray with you for hours, for your child.It's pretty fucked up when your child's lifespan will likely be counted in months instead of years.
ReplyDeleteI am not christian never have been and never will be. But I have to say the catholic church has reached out to us and helped in more ways than I could ever tell. they have never asked us for money, to convert or even to believe in a god. The local priest put us in contact with a healer that uses a type of healing sim. to reiki. Its healing based on use of natural energy. My daughters condition has slowed since the healings. Whether from the healings or because that was the natural progression of the disease I don't know.
but of course you can mock if you like. I am sure it helps you in some way deal with your life.
Donna, I neither mocked you nor dissed your situation. I also did not address the fact that sometimes medicine can offer no more hope and for many people, the only thing they have left is to turn to religion. I merely globbed on to your statement the fact that there are people out there who keep medicine from their children (or themselves) because of faith...when medicine offers cures and/or care. If you (again collective) are an adult, it is certainly your right to rely on faith even if the outcome is tragic (MadLyb, I am so sorry about the your mother). If you have a child, it is F***ed up to deny your child medical care, I don't care what your beliefs are. As to you and your daughter, I am so sorry for your situation and I get that you have medically done what you can...I can only offer you and your daughter my wish that she heals.
ReplyDeleteHaving said all of that, when religious beliefs are shoved in my face (literally or metaphorically), I reserve the right to mock said beliefs (eh, even if they aren't shoved in my face). Religion, like politics is a beast that invites argument, mockery and derisiveness. As an agnostic, I accept that I too must be prepared for disagreement and mocking, and I am. Personally, i don't care if people agree with me or not. My faith (or lack thereof) is mine alone and if I choose to advertise to the world what that faith is, I open myself to people who disagree (sometimes vehemently) or mock me.
My final thoughts should be prefaced with the point that, although Agnostic, I am functionally Atheist; however, I find pure Atheism every bit as dogmatic as the belief in a divine power.
Agent**It, I don't in any way find Atheists to be bitter, no more bitter than religious people who hold their beliefs strongly. For some reason, in this country, ANY belief is more acceptable than NO belief (at least in a higher power). For some reason, religious types see bitterness in the argument of Atheism but none in the virtually interchangeable argument of religion (particularly Christianity). Just replace "no", "not" and the like with "is" "are" and the like. No bitterness, just strongly held belief.
There. Now I've offended everyone. I'm equal opportunity like that.
I hate the name calling too. Thank you Omama for trying to keep things civil.
ReplyDelete@Donna
I'm so sorry for everything. I seriously have no words, except I'm sorry and praying for some type of miracle. I don't really pray much these days, but a critically ill child will drop me to my knees in a heartbeat. Much love to you and your family
Having reread my first comment, I should have clarified that I was not attacking your situation, Donna (which is what I meant by my first sentence), and that I agreed for some people, faith offers hope when medicine no longer can. For that I apologize and hope my last comment clarified what I meant.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I am so sorry for your daughter (and you) and offer my heartfelt wish that she is healed.
@agent**it
ReplyDeleteWe've missed you :). And I don't know where my beliefs stand these days. I'm all over the map, but even when one of my best/oldest friends tells me she's an atheist my heart always drops a bit. She knows I'll never try to convince her, but I always think in my head "At least say you're agnostic!!!" Religion is such a hot topic - yikes
"And the proper term for what Communion stands for is transubstantiation. It's my favourite churchy word ever.
ReplyDeleteIt's not literal, just symbolic ;)"
For Protestants, yes, it's symbolic. For those of us who are Roman Catholic, it IS literal.
thank you sunny.
ReplyDeletethank you lola as well, i think my comment may have been misunderstood as well. i meant i don't like mocking anyone for their belief or non belief.
i was not trying to target non believers as there is obviously at least one remark that is from a believer that is unkind.
of course you are welcome to deal however you want and welcome to say so, i still feel we should be able to express ourselves and allow others the same right.
As for my daughter she was not expected to live past her 5th birthday. she is an adult, shes is physically disabled but alive.Her condition continues to deteriorate but slowly now. I believe the healing we do is why shes still here. After lots of medical testing it was found to be a genetic disorder that only exists in our family. We always appreciate any positive energy sent our way.
"Her condition continues to deteriorate but slowly now."
ReplyDeleteI hope she is pain free and has joy in her life and I hope that you continue the joy of having your daughter with you.
My thoughts are with you.
I am RC and no one has ever made me take it literally. That I believe in the symbolism is enough.
ReplyDeleteMaybe my priest is cooler?
I should say, do I think the wine and wafer are really the body and blood of Christ? No. Obviously me senses tell me different.
ReplyDeleteDo I believe in the power of the symbolism behind the eucharist? Yes.
So the people who died yesterday when to heaven. One by one Peter asks them what their faith was. "Catholic." Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two and you're in room three. "Lutheran" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two, and keep going to room four. "Methodist" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two, and then keep going to room five. "Congregationalist" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two and keep going to room 6. "But why does it matter that I tiptoe past the first two but not the others?" Peter hesitated before answering. Since you're Congregationalist, I'll tell you. The third room is the Catholics, and you don't have to tiptoe past them anymore; most of them realize the Protestants get here too. The second room is the Baptists, and we tell them so many of them are here that the first room is already full. But the first room is actually the Mormons, and it's very important to be quiet going past those first two rooms, because they both think they are the only ones here.
ReplyDeleteSo the people who died yesterday when to heaven. One by one Peter asks them what their faith was. "Catholic." Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two and you're in room three. "Lutheran" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two, and keep going to room four. "Methodist" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two, and then keep going to room five. "Congregationalist" Ok, tiptoe past rooms one and two and keep going to room 6. "But why does it matter that I tiptoe past the first two but not the others?" Peter hesitated before answering. Since you're Congregationalist, I'll tell you. The third room is the Catholics, and you don't have to tiptoe past them anymore; most of them realize the Protestants get here too. The second room is the Baptists, and we tell them so many of them are here that the first room is already full. But the first room is actually the Mormons, and it's very important to be quiet going past those first two rooms, because they both think they are the only ones here.
ReplyDeleteSorry, i usually read all the comments before commenting, but someone upstream hit it out of the park for me. 'Mary on the Half Shell'. Yesssss! If you see Mary on a pizza, in a potato chip, on grilled cheese -- Unless the clam shell is there, you know you're looking at the devil's work. If you don't see the shell, do NOT bid on these items on eBay.
ReplyDeleteSue Ellen that was nicely stated.
ReplyDelete"I am RC and no one has ever made me take it literally. That I believe in the symbolism is enough.
ReplyDeleteMaybe my priest is cooler?"
Your understanding of the Eucharist is your own, certainly, and no one can "make" you accept or believe anything. As you may know, the Church has a long history of intelligent, rational questioners...St. Thomas Aquinas comes to mind. People who aren't Catholic believe that we're just mindless robots listening to Rome, which is NOT the case.
That said, it's misinformation to make a blanket statement that the Church doesn't say that the Eucharist is literal, because it does; the CCC clearly states this. YOU can, of course, believe differently, even if you're Catholic, but your statement is incorrect according to Church teaching. That's all. :-)
"Oh, but religion is all about love and peace! *snark*"
ReplyDeleteMany of us want that very much, yes. :-/
I am laughing at loud at that joke, WUWT. Very funny!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't understand the people who don't go to doctors and refuse any medical treatment. Luke, one of the Apostles, was a physician. If Jesus rolled with him, why should anyone be opposed to medical help?
@AKM
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about it, you are correct and I shouldn't have made that statement because it's my personal belief and not the belief of the Church.
Really though, when it comes down to it, I only worry about my soul and its final destination.
I know a lot of non catholic have a problem with saints and said worship of them. maybe this well clarify, anyone who dies and goes to heaven is a saint. Not all saints are recognized by the church as there is no indication they are defiantly in heaven. so anytime you talk to you deceased grandma, or uncle walter, you are having the same experience a catholic has when praying for intercession from a saint.
ReplyDeletethe church does recognize all saints. all saints day is a day to honor saints that are not named by the church
. all souls day is a celebration of all souls even those that did not make it.
These are not my beliefs just a little of how it was explained to me by our local priest.
@gwen
ReplyDeleteDo you read Aramaic? Cause if not then y'all is reading a TransLATION...which is subject to iNTerPREtation....
But thanks for insulting my religion...
I appreciate it
Ahh, the Alabama Leprechaun is one of my most favorite of YouTube findings. Particularly the police sketch.
ReplyDelete