Mulling over LEE LOFASO to STEVE ASHER 28 Apr 2005

G'day Lee,

>SA>The RCC bishops observe the protocol (and probably Anglicans, Assembly
>SA>of God, Baptist etc do also), but the Orthodox have factions which get
>SA>a bit passionate at times, especially if a bishop of the wrong faction
>SA>arrives in Oz uninvited. It doesn't happen all that often, but it does
>SA>happen.

>LL>It's called protecting one's turf.  :)

SA>That is literally true, of course. In its extremes, the dominant
SA>church / religion causes the government to enact laws outlawing
SA>or restricting other churches / factions / religions to prevent
SA>proselytising.

 LL> Proselytising is always seen as being a big no-no.  A very big
 LL> no-no. :) 

On the other hand, forced conversion, at the point of a sword or
a pile of burning wood is officially sanctioned, from time to time. :)

>LL>Even the pope, who is the bishop of Rome, would not show up in
>LL>another diocese uninvited.  Even though most RCC bishops would love
>LL>for him to visit.  :)

>SA>His visit certainly wouldn't go unnoticed! :)

>LL>Maybe an exception would be to make a speech at the United Nations,
>LL>which is located in New York City.  And any religious leader who
>LL>did that would be sure to get worldwide attention.  ;)

SA>It may happen sooner rather than later (that B16 addresses the UN in NY).

 LL> JPII addressed the UN on two separate occasions.  Will B16 address
 LL> the UN?  Only time will tell...

My very rough guess would be around October, based on "chatter" that
I am trying to confirm. Again, time will tell.

>LL>As well as better relations with other Christians,

>LL>JPII was a theological conservative.  Benedict XVI appears to also
>LL>be a theological conservative, following in the footsteps of the
>LL>late JPII. But JPII was definitely NOT a political conservative.

>SA>I guess it depends on how one views a theological conservative; to me,
>SA>the notion of seeking Christian and wider religious unity, as expounded
>SA>in B 16's inaugural outdoor mas, smacks of rejection of the biblical
>SA>concept of separation, and plays into the hands of the "god of this
>SA>world" (Satan) and his false Messiah, the Beast 666.

>LL>If the pope were to be making a case for wider religious unity
>LL>based on religious freedom, it would be an error.  IOW, all
>LL>religions are not the same.  Arguing that all religions are the
>LL>same, or more or less the same, is a defined heresy, that of
>LL>indifferentism.  What the pope is referring to is freedom of
>LL>conscience, which is based on the dignity of the human person, NOT
>LL>on the basis of religious freedom.

SA>I think I will just have to "watch this space" very
carefully to get a
SA>feel for what B 16 is saying, and what he means, re unity of Christians,
SA>Islam offering a "valid spiritual foundation for the life of its
people",
SA>etc.

 LL> As per Christian unity, B16 is referring to coherence between faith
 LL> and life, as well as Gospel and culture.  Certainly, Catholics have
 LL> their own unique identity, as do Baptists, Methodists, etc.
 LL> Otherwise, Catholics would not be Catholics and Baptists would not
 LL> be Baptists, etc.  He also seems to be pushing for more open
 LL> dialogue between Christians and non-Christians, so as the world's
 LL> people can gain a better understanding of each other.  His choice
 LL> of Benedict as a name is significant, being that Benedict means
 LL> "blessing", and his mention of Benedict XV being an influence on
 LL> his choice of name, along with St. Benedict.

It is one thing to have "dialogue", but to what end? A Parliament of the
World's Religions is likely to issue a manifesto along the lines of..
"Knowing that religion is a major cause of human misunderstanding and
conflict... we the people of the world's community of faith believe
that... we need to work cooperatively to reduce causes of conflict,
negativity and separation... recognise our oneness with the Creator
however we perceive Him..." (etc) and produce a manifesto designed
to appeal to all people, but rejecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 LL> Benedict XV was pope from 1914-1922, and had tried mightily to
 LL> prevent WWI, but was unsuccessful.  St. Benedict was the founder of
 LL> the Benedictine Order, and although B16 is not a Benedictine, St.
 LL> Benedict is very popular in Germany.  Furthermore, recent comments
 LL> made by B16 seems to suggest that Christians will soon be
 LL> undergoing many trials and tribulations, with Judgment Day just
 LL> around the corner.

 LL> B15 - WWI
 LL> B16 - WWIII?

Ezekiel 38 & 39? (Marketed as WWIII or Armageddon)


Cheers, Steve..

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