No Religious Wars Here! Do the Research and Follow Your Conscience!

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

One of the reasons I believe people advise not discussing politics or religion is that only rarely can people remain civil. In my own experience here on the blog in the comment section and in person (particularly with some traditionalists), I see a marked tendency to pull out the long swords and attack. "Die, heretic!"

Frankly, I'm not willing to fight. Anyone who wants to can do the research and follow their own consciences about how to respond to the crisis in the Church. We live in times of great confusion and I'm not interested in engaging in new religious wars like those during the Protestant revolution. 

The painting above depicts the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre when Catholics killed French Huguenots in Paris and sparked similar events elsewhere in the country. Yes, Virginia, even Catholics have been known to hate their enemies enough to murder them for "heresy."

It all reminds me of a joke by comedian Emo Phillips:

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"

He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"

Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over. [You can watch the longer clip on YouTube.]

I will no longer allow comments on any posts related to whether or not Francis is the pope, sedevacantism, etc. People can do their own research and decide for themselves how they will deal and respond to the crisis. The devil is never happier than when he can sow hostility and anger in the family of God. People of good will can pray for each other and trust in God to lead us to the truth. Calling people names and using vitriol only arouses anger and hostility. 

This blog expresses my opinions and those of my blog partner Susan. The two of us do not always agree, but we love and respect each other. When we disagree, we deal with it in a friendly way. But then we know each other and are friends of the heart. 

When you are dealing with strangers on social media, it's easy to label and attack. I have been told so many times I'm going to hell that I just shrug and pray for the person involved. And then I ask the Lord to let me know if the criticism is accurate and deserved and I need to repent. 

But I will not engage.

Feel free to disagree with anything I write. Start your own blog and publicly excoriate me and my opinions. That's your prerogative. Go for it!

If an old lady like me at 76 can figure out how to blog, so can you.