[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

We are obliged for revelations of the iniquity and deceptive, arrogant and divisive behaviour that is the hallmark of the Mother of Whoredoms.

[Basilissa]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Amen! I almost wrote my own thread about Damasus, but Brother Zeph put this so well.


"Saint" Damasus I was the first pope to declare that Rome was the seat of the "Apostolic See". He was the first to declare that the bishop of Rome was the final authority in all of Christendom. He was also the first to take the title pontiff.1

Damasus came to power among factional violence in which he oversaw the murder of 160 or 137 of his opponents supporters in the church of Sicin. During this reign of terror Damasus and his dog Maximin oversaw the torture of dozens of the poor Christians who has supported his opponent Ursinus. 2

Damasus loved opulence and wealth. According to one pagan historian Ammianus Marcellinus, "

"I do not deny, when I consider the ostentation that reigns at Rome, that those who desire such rank and power may be justified in laboring with all possible exertions and vehemence to obtain their wishes; since after they have succeeded, they will be secure for the future, being enriched by offerings from matrons, riding in carriages, dressing splendidly, and feasting luxuriously, so that their entertainment surpassed even royal banquets. Source "

The church having been finally tolerated in the Roman empire had grown quite rich. This naturally attracted the worst sorts of power hungry men who desire nothing but wealth and power. This is no different than the situation of today, however in Damasus' day it was much worse with corruption and nepotism running rampant. Yet this man is considered a saint.

Known as Auriscalpius Matronarum (The tickler of women's ears)3 Damasus I was known to visit consorts in the city of Rome. He was tried and convicted of adultery on the testimony of 44 bishops, but on the intervention of the Emperor Gratian, was acquitted.4


1. Source
2.Source
3. Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
4; Source

This is all true, but I would like to add some historical background. After the initial spread of Christianity within the Roman Empire, there were five dioceses established: Jerusalem, Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch. Ideally, the bishops of these dioceses were equals; in practice, bishops of Rome always believed to be something better than the others (since they resided in what was considered the capital of the civilized world).

After the Arab conquest of the Middle East (7th century AD), Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch lost their importance (they now had less people and less contact with the rest). Later, the theological schism between Rome and Constantinople divided Christianity between the east (Orthodox churches) and west (Catholic church) - that was more of a process than a single event, but it culminated in 1054 AD. Until today, the eastern churches (including the remnants of the dioceses of Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria, that survived both the Arab invasion and later western crusades) do not recognize Rome as having any superiority whatsoever.

[Levi Jones]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Amen! I almost wrote my own thread about Damasus, but Brother Zeph put this so well.


"Saint" Damasus I was the first pope to declare that Rome was the seat of the "Apostolic See". He was the first to declare that the bishop of Rome was the final authority in all of Christendom. He was also the first to take the title pontiff.1

Damasus came to power among factional violence in which he oversaw the murder of 160 or 137 of his opponents supporters in the church of Sicin. During this reign of terror Damasus and his dog Maximin oversaw the torture of dozens of the poor Christians who has supported his opponent Ursinus. 2

Damasus loved opulence and wealth. According to one pagan historian Ammianus Marcellinus, "

"I do not deny, when I consider the ostentation that reigns at Rome, that those who desire such rank and power may be justified in laboring with all possible exertions and vehemence to obtain their wishes; since after they have succeeded, they will be secure for the future, being enriched by offerings from matrons, riding in carriages, dressing splendidly, and feasting luxuriously, so that their entertainment surpassed even royal banquets. Source "

The church having been finally tolerated in the Roman empire had grown quite rich. This naturally attracted the worst sorts of power hungry men who desire nothing but wealth and power. This is no different than the situation of today, however in Damasus' day it was much worse with corruption and nepotism running rampant. Yet this man is considered a saint.

Known as Auriscalpius Matronarum (The tickler of women's ears)3 Damasus I was known to visit consorts in the city of Rome. He was tried and convicted of adultery on the testimony of 44 bishops, but on the intervention of the Emperor Gratian, was acquitted.4


1. Source
2.Source
3. Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
4; Source

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

No we don't. If anyone were to find out someone was rapkng someone e then you need to call the police. I want substantial real evidence that the pope has draped somebody. For if he had he wouldn't be a pope. I was raped by someone. Not a Catholic by the by. And I can tell you the Church and Father White and most especially God have helped me put the past behind. And become closer to God.

How about substantial evidence that the pope protected those known to have raped children?

LOS ANGELES -- The future Pope Benedict XVI resisted pleas to defrock a California priest with a record of sexually molesting children, citing concerns including "the good of the universal church," according to a 1985 letter bearing his signature.

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/7026438/article-Future-pope-stalled-Calif--pedophile-case-in--80s

The deaf students who were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of a priest in Wisconsin began reporting the abuse as long ago as the 1950s. They were ignored by everyone they told—nuns, other priests, archbishops, and police, reports the New York Times. No serious action was ever taken against Father Lawrence Murphy, who may have molested 200 students from 1950 to 1974.
http://www.newser.com/story/84444/de...r-decades.html

Not enough?

Not too long ago the Commission of Investigation published its report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, Ireland. You can read the report here, all 426 pages of it. You can find all kinds of summaries about it, such as this one that reports Bishop Magee showed "little or no interest in the management of clerical child sexual abuse until just three years ago. In the opening pages, the report claims that the Bishop had 'detached himself' from the management of child sexual abuse cases. It declares that his response was 'totally inadequate'." This is just the latest in a long line of information coming out regarding the systematic refusal to protect children, the refusal to tell the authorities, the refusal of the authorities to do anything about it, and the authorities themselves committing the crimes!

An earlier report by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse states, "This volume of the Commission’s report presents the compiled oral evidence of over 1,000 witnesses who attended the Confidential Committee to report their childhood experiences of abuse in Irish institutions between 1914 and 2000. In most instances the reported abuse occurred while witnesses were in the care of the State. They reported being physically, sexually and emotionally abused and neglected by religious and lay adults who had responsibility for their care, and by others in the absence of adequate care and supervision.

The following chapter highlights aspects of the recounted evidence of childhood abuse including; the circumstances in which it occurred, the level of awareness of that abuse in society at the time, the function of the reported abusers in the childrens’ lives and the intergenerational consequences of the abuse witnesses experienced." link

The abuse was constant and systematic, torturous and bloody, and was no secret from clergy and lay people responsible for the care and well being of children. Nor is this unique to Ireland. Reports are constantly exposing the crime of this situation, information was known all the way to the top. All the prayers to Mary, Joseph and the saints in heaven did nothing to protect the kids in these situations (here, here, here, here, here, and here)

If that last link doesn't turn your stomach, you have no heart.

In every one of these situations, children found themselves at the mercy of those authorized to care for them, and in each of these situations the catholic religion was held to a standard higher than reason, logic or even compassion. In each one of these situations, children prayed to your imaginary god, your imaginary "Mother Mary," your imaginary saints and what did they get? Another dose of abuse and forced guilt.

This is your church, Maddie. This is what you support.

[avemaria]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

No we don't. If anyone were to find out someone was rapkng someone e then you need to call the police. I want substantial real evidence that the pope has draped somebody. For if he had he wouldn't be a pope. I was raped by someone. Not a Catholic by the by. And I can tell you the Church and Father White and most especially God have helped me put the past behind. And become closer to God.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Not every Catholic tapes boys.

No, but every Catholic supports those priests who do. Think about it - the money you put into your silver plate every Sunday goes to pay the legal fees and fines, which in 2009 was roughly US $2.6 billion in abuse-related costs since 1950.

The Vatican pays none of this, although it has more than enough money from its various economic investments such as Rothschilds of Britain, France and America, with the Hambros Bank, with the Credit Suisse in London and Zurich. In the United States it has large investments with the Morgan Bank, the Chase-Manhattan Bank, the First National Bank of New York, the Bankers Trust Company, and others. The Vatican has billions of shares in the most powerful international corporations such as Gulf Oil, Shell, General Motors, Bethlehem Steel, General Electric, International Business Machines, T.W.A., etc.

It also makes money selling porn.

But this income doesn't pay the legal fees finally brought onto it by being unable to hide all the pedophile rapists in its ranks. Oh no, it all comes from the people in your community, your state, your country, and our taxes!

Furthermore, by sitting in the pews every time you go to Mass, you support the priests and the entire infrastructure, the very one that legitimizes child rape by playing Hide The Pedophile Rapist, as well as stealing babies for adoption profit. By sitting there, by praying with them, by offering your money, you're telling them they have your blessing to continue what they are doing. You are offering them credibility and legitimacy by standing up for them proudly. You are telling God that you would rather feed your emotional high you get when you partake of the eucharist than glorify Him by tending to His sheep.

You wonder why I left the church, it's because I finally had my eyes opened and could look without the need to protect my emotions. What I wanted and what I knew could no longer be reconciled. I will tell you though, living with my eyes wide open is far more valuable to me than any fantasy I had to fight to protect. I suggest you try it some time.

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Not every Catholic tapes boys. That's like saying all kids are smart because they go to school.. There will always be some who do bad things. And they are the ones who need praying for because they have strayed from God and from Jesus. But just becausesomeone is Catholic they don't also carry the tag "pedophile".

No, they also carry the tag "papist idolator," and "bead counter," and "mary worshiper," and "blasphemer," and "satan's willing thrall."

To name but a few.

[avemaria]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Not every Catholic tapes boys. That's like saying all kids are smart because they go to school.. There will always be some who do bad things. And they are the ones who need praying for because they have strayed from God and from Jesus. But just becausesomeone is Catholic they don't also carry the tag "pedophile".

[James Hutchins]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

I have found Him and He has renewed my life and I'm happier than ever since coming into the Catholic church.

Of course you are. The catlick 'Church' tells you what you think you want to hear, puts the fear of divine terror in your heart. All while raping budding young boys and robbing the poor to pass the vig upstairs to the 'pope'.

Enjoy!

[Dr Laurence Niles]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

I have found Him and He has renewed my life and I'm happier than ever since coming into the Catholic church.

Such a shame that your happiness comes from an institution that asserts a moral right to anally rape children.

[avemaria]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

I have found Him and He has renewed my life and I'm happier than ever since coming into the Catholic church.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

The words "cult" and "whore" are not words of concerned respect. They sound way too hateful.

They are hateful only to those who have yet to break free of the shackles of oppression! Let the LORD free you! We're here to introduce you to your Savior!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32

[avemaria]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

The words "cult" and "whore" are not words of concerned respect. They sound way too hateful. Would you want people calling the Landover Baptist Church a cult? No one wants to be called that and I'm sorry you fell away from the Church I don't know why you did but I will pray for you that you will one day return.

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Why so much hate for Catholics?

You're confused, dear. It's not hate, it's out of concerned respect that we illuminate the great danger that is following the papist cult, the very "great harlot" against which we are warned in the Holy Bible (Revelation 17:1).

you all have a love for Christ, that's apparent, but you are also not showing love to your Brothers and sisters in Christ.

You have been duped by your church. I know, because I escaped that community and know exactly what goes on. Our own Pastor William Nathaniel Sampson has a very informative and Spirit-Filled sermon you might consider reading about this very subject. I recommend it highly. It's called, " Bible Answers: Who are our neighbors? Who are our brothers and sisters? Who are we to love?"

[avemaria]

Re: The Birth of the Papacy

Why so much hate for Catholics? And seriously where did this Damasus person come from? In the bible there is a verse in which Jesus gives Peter, not this Damasus, the keys to the gate of Heaven. And what heirarchal ladder would Damasus be able to climb up to become pope. Jesus started the Church. And PETER was the person to help begin spreading it. Peter was a disciple. Not Damasus. I can only pray for you people, you all have a love for Christ, that's apparent, but you are also not showing love to your Brothers and sisters in Christ. All Christians are connected as being children of God. And each and every one of them deserve respect. I'll pray for you that you will actually research and soften your hearts to find love for Catholics and all Christian believers alike. God Bless!