Searching for GOD...

[ad_orientem]

My next door but one neighbour in those days, a Muslim and very good friend, kept an off-licence and it was full of drink, and he imbibed regularly, even though he was a devout Muslim.  I often wondered if  they have some sort of get-out clause, like the Catholics?     

What get-out clause do Catholics have?

[Shaker]

What get-out clause do Catholics have?

Sin now, confess later.

[BashfulAnthony]

Sin now, confess later.

Right!

[ad_orientem]

Sin now, confess later.

Doesn't quite work like that, not without genuine contrition anyway. Someone who confess who has no intention to reform himself pours hot coals on his head.

[Shaker]

Doesn't quite work like that, not without genuine contrition anyway.

Genuine contrition doesn't tend to last though does it?

[BashfulAnthony]

Genuine contrition doesn't tend to last though does it?

And how does the priest know it is genuine?

[ad_orientem]

Genuine contrition doesn't tend to last though does it?

For most people, no. Which means they have to start again. Progress is by little steps. Often steps backwards are taken along the way but as long as there is some progress then there is always hope and if such are genuine God will always forgive.

[Shaker]

I was thinking rather of that delightful little squib by Thomas Russell Ybarra:

"The Christian is the man who feels
Repentance on a Sunday
For what he did on Saturday
And is going to do on Monday."

 

[ad_orientem]

I was thinking rather of that delightful little squib by Thomas Russell Ybarra:

"The Christian is the man who feels
Repentance on a Sunday
For what he did on Saturday
And is going to do on Monday."

 

If you have no intention of reforming then even if the priest gives absolution your sins are not forgiven.

[BashfulAnthony]

I was thinking rather of that delightful little squib by Thomas Russell Ybarra:

"The Christian is the man who feels
Repentance on a Sunday
For what he did on Saturday
And is going to do on Monday."

 

Thank goodness I'm not like that...

[ippy]

And how does the priest know it is genuine?

Come on B A you've forgotten your Mr Magic that is supposed to know all; perhaps the priest doesn't have to know, according to certain people's unsupported beliefs?

ippy

[BashfulAnthony]

Come on B A you've forgotten your Mr Magic that is supposed to know all; perhaps the priest doesn't have to know, according to certain people's unsupported beliefs?

ippy

The priest doesn't know, but God knows, even our very thoughts: so watch it, Ippy!     

[Sassy]

                                           "how can any Christian endorse air strikes"

How can any of us pull up a chair sit down and watch a man in a cage burn to death?

I can see this problem with the Isis death cult what to do with them and be able to normalise, whatever normal is, the whole area afterwards, after they've been dealt with.

It's a consensus to bomb these crazy people and of course it's not the whole answer but it's a start to bomb them wherever the are; got any other ideas Gonners? I mean other than sitting on your hands?   

ippy

it isn't about endorsing by CHristians.  it is the difference between cold blooded oilers being allowed to murder innocent people and go unpunished. No one wants to see their loved ones lying on a floor covered in blood having died in a hail of bullets.When Joe blogs commits murder we put them in prison. Police will shoot to kill if armed.


I understand the need for action but not qualified to say what that action should be. But it does have to end.

[Alan Burns]

Speaking from personal experience, going to confession is by far the most difficult part of my faith, but it can also be the most rewarding.  God forgives a repentant sinner, but just being sorry in your mind can be very subjective.  To bring your sins out into the open for someone else to see is not easy, but as the priest is there as God's representative it is a much more objective way of receiving His forgiveness.  And I often experience a priest's ability to see into the depths of your soul with an amazing gift of insight.  I can assure the sceptics that there is a huge incentive not to carry on sinning after going to confession - it is a very humbling experience.

[Alan Burns]

I recall the personal witness of an Italian man who had been lapsed from the church for over 30 years.  He felt inspired when he had an opportunity to go to confession with Padre Pio.  After waiting in a long queue, as he entered the confessional box, Padre Pio said in a very gentle voice, "Where have you been?"

[ad_orientem]

Speaking from personal experience, going to confession is by far the most difficult part of my faith, but it can also be the most rewarding.  God forgives a repentant sinner, but just being sorry in your mind can be very subjective.  To bring your sins out into the open for someone else to see is not easy, but as the priest is there as God's representative it is a much more objective way of receiving His forgiveness.  And I often experience a priest's ability to see into the depths of your soul with an amazing gift of insight.  I can assure the sceptics that there is a huge incentive not to carry on sinning after going to confession - it is a very humbling experience.

That's very true. Well said.

[floo]

I don't trust anyone who don't drink.

Why?

[ad_orientem]

Why?

Because there must be something funny about a person who don't like alcohol.

[Nearly Sane]

Because there must be something funny about a person who don't like alcohol.

Quite a few people who don't drink like alcohol

[Outrider]

Holocaust? That was down to a Galtonian Darwinist.

Only one man designed, built and operated all those camps, kept all those people inside the fences and transported them across Europe in multiple trains, boats and road vehicles? That was a busy man...

Or, perhaps, the predominantly Catholic Germany, led by a group of Catholic Germans, inspired by generations of Christian anti-Semitism in Europe conducted the Holocaust. Whilst there were, undeniably, overtones of social Darwinism to their strategy, their motivations included Christianity.

O.

[Shaker]

I can assure the sceptics ...

No you can't, for all your wasted efforts so far

[Alan Burns]

No you can't, for all your wasted efforts so far

Hopefully they will not be wasted.  I felt inspired to keep a record of many of the posts I have made on this forum to be used as material for a book I hope to publish soon.  It will not be published for personal profit, but to help people like yourself to discover God in their lives.

[Shaker]

Hopefully they will not be wasted.

That's faith for you.

I felt inspired to keep a record of many of the posts I have made on this forum to be used as material for a book I hope to publish soon.  It will not be published for personal profit, but to help people like yourself to discover God in their lives.

On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is just about impossible and 10 is as good as certain, how likely do you consider that prospect to be?

[Outrider]

Because there must be something funny about a person who don't like alcohol.

None taken.

It's expensive, it's harmful and it erodes the inhibitions we socially raise to cover our baser instincts and urges - I don't object to people drinking, I wonder about people who express the idea that they 'need' to drink in order to enjoy a night out, but I don't drink myself.

O.

[Shaker]

It's expensive

Try Aldi