Why do so many Democrats claim to be Catholic?

The Catholic Church emphatically teaches that abortion is a mortal sin worthy of automatic excommunication.  The Democrat party stands for abortion on demand and heinously supports even partial birth abortion where a child is murdered after he is born.  And yet, many Catholics still vote Democrat.  

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman.  The Democrat party supports same sex marriage.  And still, many Catholics vote Democrat.

The Catholic Church is for the dignity of life from conception to natural death.  In six states, the Democrat party has legalized physician assisted suicide.  But many Catholics still support the Democrat party.

How can any Catholic vote Democrat?  #walkaway

The true Catholic position

MT said: 

Contrast this with the Reformed understanding that Christ made specific atonement for the elect, and that everyone for whom Christ died will be saved and that everyone else will be lost since Christ has not died in their place. 

Let's contrast the true Catholic position and not your version thereof.

Jesus Christ died for all. Some have refused to accept His offer of salvation, disobeyed Him and died in their sins. Contrast that to the Reformed misunderstanding that God elected some people to damnation without giving them the opportunity to be saved. And they believe this even though Scripture says:

1 Timothy 2:4

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Another word for teachings is tradition

Jesus Christ did not write any Scripture. He taught and passed down Tradition. The Church then wrote that Tradition in the New Testament. 

Protestants dislike the word, tradition, so they try to gloss over it or change it to something else.  For example, in the NIV translation of the Bible, they have changed the translation of the Greek "paradosis" to teaching, rather than "tradition".

2 Thessalonians 2:15
New International Version (NIV)¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 

2 Thessalonians 2:15
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Notice how the older, KJV translation, correctly translated the word to "traditions".  

Why is this important?  Because, as I said in the beginning, Christ did not write Scripture.  He passed down Teachings which He expected would be passed down in every generation.  Jesus established Traditions which He expected to be taught in every generation.  Here is what He said:

Matthew 28:18-20 King James Version (KJV)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Thus, in condemning "traditions", they are condemning the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Church does not teach universalism

MT said:
Prelude to the Controversy
Over at Nick's Catholic Blog, I had mentioned that the doctrine of universal atonement (as opposed to the doctrine of particular atonement), often leads to universalism, or the doctrine that since Christ died for all, all will be saved. In deed, many, if not most, Roman Catholic liberals believe precisely this.

Speculation. I've found plenty of Protestants who believe in universalism as well.

However, the Catholic Church does not teach universalism, so this is besides the point.

They may technically affirm the existence of hell. But they don't actually believe anybody will ever go there. 

1. We believe the devils are in hell, this is directly revealed by God.

2. Whether anyone else is in hell is God's business, not ours.

3. Our business is to make sure we don't wind up in hell.

This means they are universalists in practice, even if not in theory.

Exactly the opposite. We KNOW that hell exists. We live according to that fact. It is theoretically possible that no one is in hell. That is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely considering the heinous criminals which have died without ever showing any sign of repentance. But God alone knows.

In deed, no Roman Catholic has to believe anyone is in hell, for it is theoretically possible that anyone may choose to avail him or herself of the salvation that Christ's atonement has made possible in his or her behalf.

True. But we do believe that hell exists. That the devils are there because God made hell for them. And that we had better toe the line or we might wind up there as well.

Two more points.

1. If a Catholic does not believe that hell exists, he contradicts Catholic Teaching.

2. If a Protestant does not believe that hell exists, he is free to do so under the rule permitting private interpretation of any doctrine.

Sincerely,

De Maria

A recent discussion about authority

De Maria, 
The problem with your statement is that ROME had no authority over Christendom. 

On the contrary, Glenn, Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church and empowered her to:

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Roman bishop originated as equal in authority to all other bishops (Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch, et al). The Roman bishop apostatized and declared himself as authority over all the Church as he brought in all the heresy still taught by Rome today.

On the contrary, Jesus Christ appointed St. Peter as the head of His Church.  It is clearly stated in Scripture.

John 21:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

And when the Protestants rebelled against the Catholic Church, they rebelled against Christ.  And today, when they reject the Eucharist, they make themselves the enemies of God.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hello De Maria,
Your argument does not hold water when Roman Catholicism is viewed from the perspective of it being a gradual historical development (and rightly so, I add). Your church has in fact contradicted the written Word of God.

That perspective is wrong.  Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church when He said:

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

While Scripture does indeed condemn acts of rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23), it is not rebellion to stand up against ungodly and unlawful governments. An unjust authority is no authority at all.

But Jesus Christ condemns any who disobey His Church:

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Using your logic, the American Revolutionary War never should have happened. Using your logic, it would have been wrong for the apostles to speak against the Jewish Sanhedrin when it told them to stop preaching Christ in Acts 5. 

On the contrary, the King of England was not God.  While it is God who died upon the Cross to bring an end to Judaism and establish the New Testament Church.

The authority claims of the Roman Catholic Church are self-proclaimed and unbiblical.

Wrong.  The Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ and all who rebel against her, rebel against the Lord of Heaven and earth who established her and continues to speak through her to this day:

Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

The True Church

Lutero said:
Here is a statement the RCC published about themselves:

"If it is not identical in belief, government, etc. with the primitive church, then it is not the Church of Christ" (Catholic Facts, 27.)

Calvin said:

Because Roman Catholic apologists love to talk so much, they cannot help but hang themselves if we just listen carefully to what they say.
Basically, Catholic apologists do not even believe their own arguments at the end of the day. This is how little conviction and integrity they have.
Remember: "identical" does not really mean identical identical. These differences are very subtle in Roman Catholicism. 

Good post. Refuting RCism is too easy. They do all the work for us. 

De Maria replies:
I'm of a different opinion. The Catholic Church is the one described in Scripture. Scripture says that the Church teaches the Wisdom of God: 

Ephesians 3:10 
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 


Is God's Wisdom infallible? I say yes. 


Is there really any need to say more? I don't think so. But there is more. 


Scripture says that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth: 
1 Timothy 3:15 
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 


God is here saying that the Church always upholds the truth. I believe God. Therefore, I conclude that the Church is infallible. 


Scripture says: 
Matthew 16:18 
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 


Here the Church is depicted as keeping hell in a state of seige. And further it is said that hell will never prevail against the Church. If the Church committed errors in the mission given her by God, then the gates of hell would have prevailed. 


God says that won't happen. I believe God. Therefore, I conclude that the Church is infallible. The Catholic Church teaches that it is infallible.


But is this the Catholic Church? Yes.


First, Jesus Christ appointed a Pastor as head of the entire Church: 
John 21:17 
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 


I see only a few Churches with such a Pastor. Further, Jesus Christ said that the Pastor over His Church would be infallible: 


Matthew 16:17-19 (King James Version) 
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 


The list of Churches accept this teaching gets smaller. Certainly, all Protestant denominations can now be eliminated. 


Jesus Christ not only said that the Pastor was infallible but Scripture describes the Church as infallible: 
Ephesians 3:10 
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 


The list remains the same, but now I can certainly eliminate all Protestant denominations. 


Back to Matt 16:18, Scripture says that Jesus Christ established one Church. History shows that all the Churches sprang from the Church which is frequently described as the Mother Church. The Catholic Church. 


By simple logic of elimination, that leaves only the Catholic Church. Further, the Catholic Church can produce records tracing back to Apostolic times. 


Therefore, I conclude that it is the Catholic Church which is described in Scripture. 

Mary's birth pangs

 If Mary did not sin, how do you explain this Psalm 51:4-5

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

David acknowledges that he sinned against God.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

He also acknowledges that he was born in the original sin which we all inherit from our parents.

Is that what you were asking?

Hm? I think I get it. Are you saying that the Messiah is admitting that His mother sinned? Well, if that is the case, then He also admitted that He, Himself sinned. Read verses 2 and 3:
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Yes, this is a Messianic Psalm, spiritually speaking. But, literally speaking, David was talking about himself. Therefore, we must discern which portions of the Psalm pertain to Jesus Christ, which Scripture says:

Hebrews 4:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

and Luke 2:21-22?

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

Did you ever read in Scripture, where Jesus said:
Matthew 3:15
King James Version (KJV)
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Although He never sinned, He submitted to Baptism for the remission of sins. To fulfill all righteousness.

That is the same reason why, the sinless Virgin Mary, submitted to the purification ritual, to fulfill all righteousness.

(ii) The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin, then the woman with the 12 stars on her head in Revelation 12:1 is not Mary because of Revelation 12:2 the woman was said to be experiencing “birth pains”

The entire Book of Reveleation is written in a style of speech called Apocalyptic. It is recognized that this book contains many symbols. In this case, the pain of childbirth represents the pains which Mary did endure which are referred to in another symbol by the prophet St. Simeon in the Temple:
Luke 2:35
King James Version (KJV)
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And this pain is not that of the physical birth of Jesus Christ. But of the spiritual birth of the Church by the efforts of Her Son, who also commanded her to be the mother of all who love Him:

John 19:26-27
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

And commanded us to take her as our Mother:

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Which is also confirmed in Revelations 12:17:
Revelation 12:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The Woman of Rev 12 is definitely Mary.

If you should suffer for righteousness sake, blessed are you: Kavanaugh

We can almost see the Gospels playing out before our eyes.  Do you guys remember what Jesus said:

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

You might say, "he's not being persecuted for Christ's sake."  And I respond, "yes, he is."

ABORTION

Have you forgotten that the main reason that the Democrats are attacking him is because they are afraid he will overturn Roe v Wade?  Roe v Wade is the Supreme Court decision which legalized the abhorrent practice of killing babies in the womb.  Democrats want to abort babiles.  Especially black babies.  It used to be that Democrats would say that they were against abortion but only supported the woman's right to choose.  But it has gone far beyond that now.  Now, they are over run by women like that black comedienne who wants people to celebrate their abortions. 

Therefore, Democrats are attacking Kavanaugh because he believes in God.  They are attacking him because he represents Christian values.  And they want to destroy any evidence of Christ in this world.

Whether Kavanaugh becomes a Supreme Court Justice or not, he and his family are being showered with God's grace.  Because, as the Scripture says:

1 Peter 3: Christian Suffering. 13 Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, 16 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,[f] 20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. 21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God[g] for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. (NAB)