From: sienerbc@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu "Chuck"
Subject: Re: WHO is a Catholic... (formerly: Hello?)
Reply-To: sienerbc@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu "Chuck"
Organization: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 04:48:48 GMT

In article <1992Apr5.020306.19326@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> knapp@spot.Colorado.EDU (David  
Knapp) writes:
> In article <1992Apr3.224638.29561@cs.rose-hulman.edu>  
sienerbc@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu "Chuck" writes:
> >In article <1992Apr2.213039.3268@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> knapp@spot.Colorado.EDU  
> >(David Knapp) writes:
> >> 
> >> I just spoke with the pope, who just got off the line with God, and they
> >> both agree that it would be a good idea for you to post THE criteria
> >> for being a bona fide Catholic. I am sure that all Catholics would be
> >> glad to hear what they should be doing to be *real* Catholics.
> >
> >Well, one of the undisputed criterion for being a member of society is
> >you can not murder other members (no association intended with fetus).
> >As well, one of the undisputed criterion for being a member of Catholicism
> >is to accept that abortion is wrong. 
> 
> Except for the fact that this *is* disputable. It is hard for me to believe 
> if a 'CAtholic' is a 'Catholic' in every word and deed *besides* their
> view as pro-choice, that he is now not Catholic.  Indeed, if it is a 
> requirement that every person who wants to be a "CAtholic" ascribe totally,
> completely, and unceasingly to the doctrine and dogma of Catholicism,
> there *aren't* any Catholics. You are saying that if a "Catholic" does 
> one thing against the official dogma that they are not now Catholic? This
> is ridiculous, and I am sure that the "Catholics" (what I and they call
> them) would find that to be totally absurd.

This makes a lot of sense, but I have one problem with it.  Even if a murderer
is perfect all his life except for killing one person, he is thrown into jail.
That is usually how it goes.  Also, he has become a "non-member" of society;
otherwise, it shouldn't be necessary to *reform* that person when he
*re-enters* society.

> > I don't think it necessary that I
> >list all of the criterion since we are only discussing abortion.  However,
> >if you insist, they are in the bible "The Ten Commandments"
> 
> So if one does not follow the ten commandments to the 'tee', they are not,
> then Catholic?

I wouldn't want you to interpret it that way.  In a previous post, I once said
that a person has to know and realize when he/she is wrong.  If one says he is
right (saying to the Church, "The Church is wrong"), then he/she is choosing to
lead himself/herself and is removing him/herself from the Church.  I also said
in a previous post that if one at least realizes when one is sinning, and
doesn't say, "I am right because I am doing what I want to do," then one is
headed in the right direction.  They will admit these as wrong-doings to the
Church.

> >(Note:  They are not meant to be taken word for word as in the bible.
> >The Catholic Church utilizes them to *interpret* the morality of things.)
> >
> Ah...
> 
> 
> Were you Catholic at one time? How do you know so much about Catholicism?

As you believe, I went through 12 years of Catholic education because my
parents sent me there.  Personally, I don't know exactly what to *believe*,
but I do understand the Church's viewpoints on the matter.  Unfortunately,
I don't know quite as much about all of the other religions in the world--
only a little.

--

thebians

The truth hurts; doesn't it?  Life's a bitch, and then you die!!!
[Any information presented herein is the product of the author's imagination and  
should not be used, construed, or interpreted as anyone's beliefs.]
Newsgroups: alt.abortion.inequity