Question On Penance

[BradtheImpaler]

Brad you do realize that saying the Ave Maria consistently is meant as a means of meditation, correct?

The "Ave Maria"? Is that a new one?

Time to reflect on what all you did, why you did it, and how you can strive to not do it again. An unexamined life is not worth living, and if you can look back and not see any room for improvement then congratulations and good luck in your infallible future. Other people aren't so fortunate and feel a need to consult with their priest and with God in order to become a better person.

My big sin (according to Fr. O' Something or other) was not going to confession for 6 months. Good enough to send me to hell in a handbasket. (Thing is, they never told us how long between confessions was too long, but apparently 6 months was over the edge) My solution was never to go again. I became a slightly improved person, I believe, because I stopped believing in the myth of hell and broke the spell of those who would threaten with such nonsense.

 

[thessalonian]

myth of hell

:o

Wonder what it will be like for some who deny the myth living in a myth. :

 

[moniker]

Brad you do realize that saying the Ave Maria consistently is meant as a means of meditation, correct?

The "Ave Maria"? Is that a new one?

It's Latin for Hail Mary. Given what I was responding to I figured that was obvious. Even if it wasn't there's always Google.

[quote:65363]Time to reflect on what all you did, why you did it, and how you can strive to not do it again. An unexamined life is not worth living, and if you can look back and not see any room for improvement then congratulations and good luck in your infallible future. Other people aren't so fortunate and feel a need to consult with their priest and with God in order to become a better person.

My big sin (according to Fr. O' Something or other) was not going to confession for 6 months. Good enough to send me to hell in a handbasket. (Thing is, they never told us how long between confessions was too long, but apparently 6 months was over the edge) My solution was never to go again. I became a slightly improved person, I believe, because I stopped believing in the myth of hell and broke the spell of those who would threaten with such nonsense.[/quote:65363]

You lost your faith, assuming you ever had it to begin with, and now you ridicule those who follow self reflection and penance because it is tied to their faith. That is a better person? Someone who has no respect for the beliefs of others? You know it isn't terribly difficult to disagree without being disagreeable. Might want to work on that.

 

[Vic C.]

When and why did this turn onto a debate thread? The propose of this Forum is to allow those of a more orthodox Faith to discuss said beliefs and to answer questions others may have. A simple point/counterpoint os ok now and then, but if someone wants to seriously debate an issure read here, you are welcome to copy/paste into the Apologetics thread, where the real action is. :-D

I do heve one question, since it was brought up. Can someone point me to verses or passages relationg to the act of penance? Thanks.

Vic

 

[BradtheImpaler]

myth of hell

:o

Wonder what it will be like for some who deny the myth living in a myth. :

Well Thess, if you can provide some evidence that it is not a myth then I can begin to deal with the possibility. Until then, I can't see it as anything other than a religious invention used to frighten the naive into Church attendance.

 

[moniker]

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

1Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

3At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

4Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

 

[BradtheImpaler]

It would seem you are now ridiculing what I consider to be sacred.

It's called "tuff love" :smt056

 

[BradtheImpaler]

Brad you do realize that saying the Ave Maria consistently is meant as a means of meditation, correct?

The "Ave Maria"? Is that a new one?

[quote:d5f4e]It's Latin for Hail Mary. Given what I was responding to I figured that was obvious. Even if it wasn't there's always Google

That's what I love about these exchanges - I get to learn important new facts :

(still I wonder why you just didn't say "Hail Mary" unless you wanted everyone to see you know some latin?)

[quote:d5f4e]You lost your faith, assuming you ever had it to begin with, and now you ridicule those who follow self reflection and penance because it is tied to their faith. That is a better person? Someone who has no respect for the beliefs of others? You know it isn't terribly difficult to disagree without being disagreeable. Might want to work on that.

[/quote:d5f4e][/quote:d5f4e]

That's why I need your help in determining exactly how many "Our Fathers" and AVE MARIAS :wink: I need to repeat to become a better person?

 

[moniker]

I couldn't tell you, but any meditation and introverted reflection on your regrettable past actions is better than none.

 

[Lewis]

myth of hell

:o

Wonder what it will be like for some who deny the myth living in a myth. :

Well Thess, if you can provide some evidence that it is not a myth then I can begin to deal with the possibility. Until then, I can't see it as anything other than a religious invention used to frighten the naive into Church attendance.

There will be no unbelievers in hell, and then it wiil be to late. Life is short, as a matter of fact, it is very short. You will be there before you know it.

 

[thessalonian]

It would seem you are now ridiculing what I consider to be sacred.

It's called "tuff love" :smt056

From my end it's called blasphemy. Now it is I practicing tuff love. :

That's why I need your help in determining exactly how many "Our Fathers" and AVE MARIAS I need to repeat to become a better person?

If I were a legalist perhaps I could help you. Sorry.

 

[BradtheImpaler]

There will be no unbelievers in hell, and then it wiil be to late. Life is short, as a matter of fact, it is very short. You will be there before you know it.

You know what's a little ironic? You're just like that priest from my last confession except you don't give out penance :smt079

 

[Lewis]

There will be no unbelievers in hell, and then it wiil be to late. Life is short, as a matter of fact, it is very short. You will be there before you know it.

You know what's a little ironic? You're just like that priest from my last confession except you don't give out penance :smt079

I am not trying to sound harsh here, but I must say how we feel. This is a Christian site, we believe what the Bible tells us. We believe that there is a Heaven and a Hell, because Jesus said so. If you think that hell is myth, there is nothing that we can do about it. Only God can change the heart. And like I said, there will be no unbelievers in hell. But because you said that hell is a myth, you have called Jesus Christ a lie.

 

[Vic C.]

There will be no unbelievers in hell, and then it wiil be to late. Life is short, as a matter of fact, it is very short. You will be there before you know it.

You know what's a little ironic? You're just like that priest from my last confession except you don't give out penance :smt079

At this point I am asking that you not post in this Forum anymore. Further derogatory comments will land you a trip to The Twilight Zone. :-?