Christians with guns are distrusting says Pope Francis

The pope has once more spoken "off the cuff"... no, scratch that.  He's once again gone off the rails.

At what point can we say "Shut up already"?  Oh you know, I'm not the only one feeling this way.  Every time the pope speaks we fight back a small shudder that rips through our spine because we instinctively know something distasteful will follow. 

Yes, I am 100% fed up with this pope.  I've had enough, so I am going to rant.  If you don't want to hear anyone blasting the pope, stop reading this now.

The more this pope speaks the more insane he sounds to me.  Who is actually speaking here?  The pope or a demon using him?  I'm serious. 

How long will our Father in Heaven make us suffer under this pope?

The nonsense has gone on since he was elected...its been one thing after another with this guy.  It's not only his off the cuff remarks, its his actions, in-actions and planned remarks.  He tells us to shut up about abortion and birth control and start worrying about "sister earth" and how to save the planet from climate change, he happily accepts a communist crucifix gift and announces to the world that it doesn't offend him at all, he does numerous chaotic interviews that send the world into a tailspin, and he seems completely unconcerned with the Eucharist being passed around at mega-Masses like hot-dogs at a weenie roast. 

He's made a fine mess of things.  With nearly every action he takes and every word he speaks the insanity is growing and I have to wonder...just who is speaking here?  A holy man or a puppet of the devil himself? 

Now he's decided to target Christians who own guns and weapon manufacturers...

TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - People who manufacture weapons or invest in weapons industries are hypocrites if they call themselves Christian, Pope Francis said on Sunday.
Francis issued his toughest condemnation to date of the weapons industry at a rally of thousands of young people at the end of the first day of his trip to the Italian city of Turin.
"If you trust only men you have lost," he told the young people in a long, rambling talk about war, trust and politics after putting aside his prepared address. <- mistake #1
"It makes me think of ... people, managers, businessmen who call themselves Christian and they manufacture weapons. That leads to a bit a distrust, doesn't it?" he said to applause.
He also criticized those who invest in weapons industries, saying "duplicity is the currency of today ... they say one thing and do another."

"who call themselves Christian"...?  Really Father?  Who are YOU to judge?  Does that line only work with gays?

"Leads to a bit of mistrust"... gee ya think Holy Father?  Rule #1: don't show up to a gun fight with a toothpick.  Innocent citizens are being killed by criminals with guns- we can't protect ourselves from these despicable criminals if we have no weapons.  

I wonder how long it would take ISIS or another terrorist group to attack Vatican City if the Pope got rid of the Swiss Guard and all weapons from the city??  

I bet they would be attacked in less than 24 hours.

So I'm guessing he's not going to un-arm HIS Swiss Guard who currently are extremely WELL armed to protect him from harm anytime soon.  

But for the rest of us serfs we must be unarmed and unprotected because calling ourselves Christian and having a weapon is somehow incompatible.  

  

I can't help but ask myself, is this pope delusional?  What earth he's living on...it can't be the same one I am living on.  He sees white, I see black.  He says its up, I see it's down.  

I just don't understand him...and sadly, I pray to God I never do because his sort of Catholicism is NOT what I fell in love with. 

I wish he would spend less of his time opining on secular issues, and more time doing what Christ commissioned the Church to actually do... save souls from damnation.  




In Christ,


Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner 



Source: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/pope-says-weapons-manufacturers-cant-call-themselves-christian-184139430.html

Swiss Guard Weapons: http://www.guns.com/2014/04/13/guns-swiss-guard/

The Long Suffering Stormtrooper Crucifix?

By Connecticut Catholic Corner

I really get disturbed by the sheer ignorance of people who think nothing they do can or will offend God.

I had a non-denominational Protestant tell me once that she was forgiven all her sins and never needed to repent of any sins because Christ already died on the cross for her past, present and future sins.

It was a "done deal" once she "accepted Jesus into her heart"- and of course said the "sinner's prayer".

I was reminded of her today, when I read a story about an "artist" who created the "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" crucifix.  The "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" is from the Star Wars movies.  The fictional soldier AKA a 'stormtrooper' has replaced Jesus Christ on a crucifix- this is "art" according to Mr. Callanan (the artist) and The Picture Frame Gallery where this "art" is displayed.

Quote (my comments is PURPLE):  Mr Callanan, whose artwork has been bought by the likes of Fatboy Slim and Russell Brand, said: “It’s not making fun of any particular religion and certainly not Christianity.” [really? What other religion is known for using the image of the crucifix?]
The piece of work represents the sacrifice of the movie stormtroopers as “cannon fodder” for someone else’s cause, said Mr Callanan, who is also known as RYCA.
The avid Star Wars fan said that he isn’t offended by Mrs Jenkin’s criticism. “If it was [Star Wars film-maker] George Lucas having a go at me I would be more upset,” he said.
Gallery owner Mark Belda, who says he was raised as a Catholic, also defended the sculpture, which is priced at more than £300 and titledThe Long Suffering Stormtrooper.
“I’ve got three customers who are priests and they all like it. [God help them if that statement is true.] I totally take on board what she’s saying, but it’s not got anything to do with religion,” said Mr Belder.

It wasn't only the ignorant artist and the "Catholic" gallery owner that bothered me - it was also the poll taken asking if the "Long Suffering Stormtrooper" was blasphemous or not.  

At the time I took the poll, only 11% were offended by the "art" of a science fiction character replacing Jesus Christ on the crucifix.  More than half thought it was 'just fine'.

"Just fine"?  Really?

I can almost understand non-Christians and atheists... but anyone who claims to be Christian - and KNOWS the suffering Jesus did for love of us -and yet finds nothing offensive about this "art" is simply... pathetic.

Do they even take a moment to THINK what that suffering was like?

Do they even take a moment to LOOK upon a true crucifix and CONTEMPLATE the pain, suffering and anguish our dear Lord went through for LOVE of us?

How... how can anyone contemplate Christ on the cross and then look at this stormtrooper 'art' and NOT be offended?

I don't get it...I truly don't understand such ignorance.

On another note... had a depiction of Islam's Mohammad been placed where the stormtrooper is I am willing to bet there would be more "offended" people in the poll.  JMO


In Christ,

Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner


link: http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/star_wars_stormtrooper_in_crucifix_sculpture_blasphemy_row_in_gidea_park_1_3736483

"It is finished"

Cary writes: Christ sat down at the right hand of God after He was resurrected from death which upon dying He said, "it is finished". At that point, the washing was completed...sins were nailed to the cross. There is no "purgatory". From God's perspective, all our sin was thrown into the sea of forgetfulness to be REMEMBERED NO MORE. When did this happen? It was 2,000 years ago at the cross.......not at the point when we accept the sacrifice. Forgiveness for ALL sin was completed at that point.......all sin we (you and I-everyone) have completed in our life was future at that point and all was taken care of. I was washed, you were washed clean. Until we accept what Christ did, we are still forgiven "dead" people as far as our spirit goes......we are not yet reconciled to God. What brings our spirit to life is that acceptance of His finished work, the Holy Spirit coming to dwell within us to bring the life of God to us........to flow through us. Those works flowing through us are works that are "alive", that have merit. Until then any "good works" that are performed are meaningless because they are dead works without Spirit life........all the little religious acts we become so proud of are nothing to God......they are the dead works that needed cleansed away so we can serve the living God in Spirit and in Truth.

My response: I agree that Christ is seated at the right hand of God. But we disagree on what "it is finished" means. You see it as "the washing is complete" when Jesus said "it is finished" and seem to see this as a sort of justification to conclude there is no purgatory. The "it is finished" is Jesus saying He has finished his work on earth. He had fulfilled all the prophecy about Himself and could now be our Sacrifice on the cross to bring Salvation to those who truly make Him Lord of their lives. That does not mean that "the washing was complete" for every human being on earth. Human's are still sinning and our "washing" is not complete as long as we continue to sin. You say "all our sin was thrown into the sea of forgetfulness to be remembered no more", but that is not true of unrepentant sinners. Repentance is a requirement for our sins. We must repent, not only in our words but truly feel sorrow and regret in our hearts for our sins to be forgiven. You go on to say that "forgiveness of all sin was complete at that point" and that our sins past, current and future were forgiven then too, but you are forgetting the requirement: repentance. We MUST repent to receive that forgiveness. You say that "acceptance of His finished work" brings our "spirit to life". I disagree. A Christian is brought to life by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can bring an infant's "spirit to life" without the infant first having to "accept His finished work". That is part of the Grace of God. You then go on to the topic of "works" and have concluded that some "good works" are meaningless as "all the little religious acts we become so proud of are nothing to God". What "little religious acts" are those? If a person is doing a "good work" it is not meaningless to God. God sees all, and all acts of kindness and charity to others are "good". I once met a person, who told me only the "good" that Christians did mattered to God because everyone else didn't have the Holy Spirit so their "works/deeds" mean nothing and are as "filthy rags" to the Lord. Do you agree with that view? I don't. A true act of kindness or charity comes from a compassionate heart, someone willing to put themselves out there to help another (Matt.25 the "sheep" who fed, clothed, welcomed and visited others). That does not go unnoticed by God and is not "meaningless". Remember the story of the "Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37)? Was that meaningless or like "filthy rags" to our Lord Jesus Christ? No it was not. The only "dead works" are those done only for a reward and not from a willingness to help others.

Euthanasia Supporters are Goats

March 31 has been declared "Terri's Day" (AKA International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo and All of Our Vulnerable Brothers and Sisters) by the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation and Priests for Life. Terri's Day will help bring attention to the need for protection for all disabled persons. Abled or disabled we are all human beings with value, with the right for life and equality. Every human being should have the right to food and water (as should any animal). That this has to be battled in courts is repulsive and gruesome to say the very least. Who has the right to determine the value of another human being as less valuable than another? No human being has the right to judge another human being's worthiness to life. There is no price tag to place on a human life, they are priceless and precious. Starving a human being to death is barbaric and should be criminal in this nation and others. For any self proclaiming Christian to think that what was done to Terri was some how "humane" is to forget (or ignore) the words of their Savior Jesus Christ in Matt. 25 where Jesus tells us that what we do to others is what we do TO and for Jesus Christ himself. To starve a disabled person to death is to do that to Jesus Christ (Matt.25:42).

Matt. 25:31"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 41"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44"Then they also will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45Then He will answer them, saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Those who support euthanasia can find their eternal fate in Matt.25:46 "everlasting punishment" according to the Word of God. We will all be held accountable one day as Jesus demonstrated with the Sheep and the Goats. The Sheep to eternal life, the Goats to eternal punishment.

Christians And Same Sex Marriage

So many Christian's and their denominations are struggling with the issue of same sex marriage and relationships. Why? The bible is clear on this. It has nothing to do with "homophobia" or being "biased" or wanting to make some people into "second class citizens". God, not man, decides what is sin and what is not. Man has the choice to accept the Word of God or reject it. The scriptures list what God calls sin. For Christians, Catholics and Protestants alike we proclaim Christ as our Savior and follow our Lord and his teachings to the best of our abilities. There are many laws in the bible, but on the issue of same sex marriage we need to look at Moral Law and the institution of marriage in the bible between men and women, not people of the same sex. We look to God's Word because we are Christians and the bible is a wonderful tool- gift really- to be used in teaching God's will for us and our lives. Should we thump non-Christians over the head with our bibles? No. They have the choice and free will to accept or reject God's teachings. For those of us who call ourselves Christians, we have made our choice and must adhere to the Word of God in all things in our lives.
Why do some Christians think that the Moral Laws of the Old Testament where tossed out by Jesus Christ in the New Testament? Did Jesus ever say that adultery, fornication and/or sexual immorality etc., are A-Okay under the New Covenant? No, he did not. So that tells us that ALL those things (Moral Law) still apply today for believers. It is still wrong to rape, murder, commit incest, adultery, fornication and all forms of sexual immorality as defined by God (man didn't decide what was immoral, God did). The liberal (religious, not political) argument that is spewed out about Leviticus Moral laws only apply to Jews is a house built on sand with the tide coming in.
The Moral Laws include (but are not limited to) not murdering, raping, stealing, fornicating, incest, sex with animals and more, those things are still wrong. The liberal religious thinking that gay relationships are okay after Jesus came is absurd. You can't pick one Old Testament sexual abomination and say "This one is OK now, but all the others are still abominations." Either they ALL are or they are not. Is it OK for a father to have sex with his daughter now? Is it OK for a brother to have sex with his sister in law now? Is it OK for siblings to have sex now? All of these are listed in Lev.18 as wrong, sinful and you can't pick one out of this list and stamp it as "good" while rejecting the rest as still wrong. That is ridiculous. All the sexual immorality abominations in Lev.18 are still abominations in the New Testament. Jesus never said "Oh and by the way, all those sexual abominations in Lev. still hold true except for the "man with man" one, you can do that all ya want now." That is not biblical no matter how people try to twist the Word of God or justify their actions. God will not be mocked and the Truth will always be the Truth. That will not change no matter who says what.
The Word of God is built on the Rock of Truth, not the sand of the liberal religious wishing to rewrite the Word. The Old and New Testaments up hold Moral Law, all Moral Law.
Romans 1:24 "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
Also, 1 Cor.5 addresses the issue of the sexually immoral (in all its forms) within the church and what the church is told to do about these people (vs 13). The strawman that some attempt to build (that we've all heard a thousand times) is "well you eat shellfish! blah, blah, blah" (referencing dietary laws placed on the Jews under the Old Covenant). Apparently these people can't grasp the difference between dietary laws and Moral Law (and Jesus knew it too when he said "Are you so dull?"). Jesus was clear on the dietary law in the New Testament.
Mark 7:18 "Are you so dull?" he [Jesus] asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") 20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
The next strawman that gets tossed out by some is "Monogamous gay love is OK with Jesus". Where did that come from? Certainly not God or the bible in any verses we can find. Monogamy has nothing to do with it. The sin is the same if you have one partner or a hundred! It's the relationship that is wrong. That's a bit like saying a father who has four daughters isn't wrong if he has sex with only one of them, but if he has sex with all of them then its wrong. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. The relationship is immoral. That is the sin according to scriptures. The amount of times the act happens is just how many times you need to repent of the same sin. That is The Word of God, no one has to accept it for their lives, Christianity isn't forced on anyone. But if you claim to be a Christian then you must accept and believe the Word of God taught by Christ our Savior. That is how we follow Christ and become Christians by believing the Word and accepting it as the Word of our God and Savior.
If we do not repent or accept God's teaching then God is not our Father but Satan is. Satan is the one rejecting the Word and deceiving people. Jesus came and gave us the gift of salvation. We have free will to reject that gift, but in order to receive that gift we must not deny the Word of God. Repentance is part of our relationship with our Father- but not our whole relationship. If you don't accept what God calls sin and you don't repent of all the things He tells us are sin (God decides what is sin, not man) then we are not being Christians following our Lord and Savior. We are less than true Christians if we only adhere to what we want to accept. God never gave us multiple choice on sins. He declares what is sin and we (Christians) must believe Him. Who are we to tell God He is wrong? The bible is clear on Moral Law, it stands today the same as yesterday and generations ago. God never changed Moral Law, what was wrong before is still wrong now.