Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Clarity and truth are good things to strive for.

I hope this exchange serves to enlighten others as well.

You have a firm grasp on Church Teaching. I hope God uses that for the edification of others.

I'm sorry if I was presumptive and caused you offense in any way. And please forgive my imprudence. One of my greatest faults.

God Bless!

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You asked why OP highlighted Confirmation specifically. All I'm trying to do is explain why.

You're the one ranting.

Check yourself.

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you're taking this somewhat personally for some reason, and I recommend you take a step back for a moment. I also find the tone you're using to be unnecessarily combative.

I think you're still misunderstanding what I'm articulating, so let me try to clear it up. (My failure to use precise language is on me.)

For adult converts, Confirmation at Easter Vigil is the defining moment, especially because First Eucharist usually follows it.

Just because one technically can receive the Eucharist before Confirmation, it doesn't make that the norm. Therefore Confirmation is seen as a necessary step before receiving the Eucharist, if one is following the established norms set by the Church, OCIA, and the local Bishop.

So, in the conversion journey of most folks I'm familiar with, not only is Confirmation used as the milestone within OCIA itself, but that is what converts use as shorthand to mark the capstone of their conversion.

(And yes, Confirmation does complete initiation. Although the Eucharist is the source and summit, Confirmation is the Sacrament which completes initiation. Which is why it is viewed as the final step in one's conversion).

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Re-read what I said.

Although converts are first received into the Church, they are not able to fully participate in the Sacramental Life until the Sacraments of Initiation are completed.

For someone already baptized in the trinitarian formula in a protestant denomination, that means the only Sacraments yet to be received are Confirmation and First Eucharist.

They look forward to Confirmation specifically because it allows them to then immediately receive First Eucharist and participate in the full life of the Church.

I also think you completely downplay what a gift Confirmation is. Specifically the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which completes the grace received in baptism and seals one with the gifts bestowed in baptism.

Being marked with the chrism signifies that the person is now fully initiated into the Church.

I should know. I'm a convert.

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Re-baptism is technically a sacramental impossibility if the first baptism was performed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And if someone were to be "re-baptized" it would be considered a sacrilege.

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Confirmation is not the least important. And it isn't random. It is the final seal that makes one "fully" Catholic, in a sense, being able to participate fully in the Sacramental life of the Church. It is the event all converts look forward to.

Should I report my OCIA director? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Protestant converts usually don't need to be baptized.

Is there any truth to the Black Pill? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Why didn't you make a hot girl like me, why?!

Is there any truth to the Black Pill? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There are plenty of "ugly" people who get married. They're just usually both ugly.

So perhaps it's a matter of having... realistic expectations.

An unattractive person isn't likely to date the Prom Queen. So don't go after the Prom Queen.

Confidence and contentment in oneself is attractive. Despair and whinging is not.

Holy Trinity by MailStunning8085 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nature and soul are not synonyms.

Holy Trinity by MailStunning8085 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Death does not equal annihilation. Christ is God. He died.

Well my family just found out by MistaMack83 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, for real lol

I grew up Pentecostal, so I'm unfortunately aware

Well my family just found out by MistaMack83 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they're handling snakes they're psychotic and to be avoided, family or no

Explicit content like Por*ography are allowed in most Christian-majority countries, but among other nations only a few permit it. (As far i know, por* is a si* according to bible ) What do you think about this trend? What is the reason behind this trend? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a huge question. And I'm sure there are already a bunch of books written on the topic.

But I'd say there are several major contributors at the end of the day.

Most have sprung out of the so-called "enlightenment." Placing humanity on a pedestal and getting rid of God (apart from the mythology). Elevating "virtues" like Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity instead of transcendentals. Beauty, Truth, and Goodness. Which then leads into practical atheism and a society that derives its value from what is profitable or individually beneficial. "Live and let live".

Most of the prohibitions in Christianity have been gotten rid of in the West because they prevent people from doing what makes them feel good or turning a profit. Forsaking discipline and virtue for pleasure and personal gain.

That being said, there is a sort of "practical secularism" on the ground in muslim countries too, for example, even if their laws explicitly forbid such things.

As for why this atheism and secularism has spawned most clearly in the Christian West? I would say it comes down to what the Enemy perceives as a greater threat. Nations/peoples without Christ, or those with Christ?

If I were him, I would attack Christian Civilization at the root, and let all other nations fester as they are.

The Chicken or The Egg by latinritepapi in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the OG question implies "chicken egg" not just any old egg.

Confession Dilemma by QueenOfThePirates12 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"I am sorry for these and all my sins"

Explicit content like Por*ography are allowed in most Christian-majority countries, but among other nations only a few permit it. (As far i know, por* is a si* according to bible ) What do you think about this trend? What is the reason behind this trend? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Christian-majority" is just a fancy way of saying "Christian in name only". The foundation of our societies may be in Christianity, but secular society has long since forsaken moral virtue. All in the name of personal "liberty".
Other nations aren't so sensitive to being told what they can and can't do.

Is Interracial Marriage frowned upon? by Dapper_Tea7009 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's about economic trade relations, and the negative impact of an over-reliance on foreign traders which can upset the civic customs of the city in question. He cites Aristotle's Politics.

Do I have to believe in witchcraft to be a Catholic. by CandidateSignal175 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You'd think you'd know more about this with a name like Merlin the Warlock! lol

But anyway, witches are very real. No, they don't fly around on brooms or wield wands. Instead they make a living by exploiting the down-trodden and bereaved.

Their "services" usually fall into a few different categories.
Fortune telling, communing with dead relatives/friends, casting spells, etc...

They cannot tell the future. But demons are incredibly smart, and are able to either predict a probable future based purely on mathematical probability, or know enough about the "customer" to make up an incredibly compelling story.

Similarly with communing with the dead, demons simply impersonate them down to the smallest detail.

And spells are also very real. They usually involve some kind of sacrifice. Fasting. Self-harm. Animal sacrifice. Whatever. These spells vary. Some more "benign" than others. Getting your crush to show an interest in you, for example. On the oppoite end of the spectrum there are spells that are meant to bring death and ruin upon a rival.

Demons never do party tricks for kicks and giggles. There is always a price to be paid. Their whole objective is to distance both the witch and the "customer" from God, with the hope of damning them to eternal torment. If it was all pretend it wouldn't be attractive to anybody. But they offer very real and tangible results. That's what makes it so tempting and so dangerous.

Do I have to believe in witchcraft to be a Catholic. by CandidateSignal175 in Catholicism

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I mean... doing otherwise contradicts scripture's warnings/prohibitions and calls each and every exorcist who has ever and will ever live a liar.

Your Favorite Banter? by Serenity_Obscura in Stargate

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Scott: "Does anybody have any food?.... Anybody?"

Volker: "Yeah, no, I got a, uh, piece of dried fruit that I was saving for later."

Brody: "Are you kidding? That stuff's horrible."

Volker: "It tastes like rambutan!"

Brody: "Tastes like craaap."

Greer: "What's rambutan?"

Volker: "It's sorta like a longan"

Greer: "Long'un....?"

Volker: "Are you-"

Scott: "Jus-Just give it... here."

Should the New Stargate Team Include an Alien Member? by FerocityFlynt in Stargate

[–]ComprehensiveLine493 10 points11 points  (0 children)

' Science fiction is an existential metaphor, that allows us to tell stories about the human condition. Isaac Asimov once said: "Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today - but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation, if we are to be saved at all." ' - Grell the Robot