BobRoth

BobRoth

22p

11 comments posted · 0 followers · following 0

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Pop Christianity · 1 reply · +2 points

So shall we all. Your point is?

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Pop Christianity · 3 replies · +2 points

I'm not buying it guys. If Christ had walked would that not have knocked much of the Old Testament into a cocked-hat? Or would it just show that Christ was not the Messiah and we would had an end of him, or really no beginning of him since he failed to save mankind? To even remotely try to keep the story rational it seems necessary for Christ to die. Wheels within wheels.

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Pop Christianity · 6 replies · +2 points

I'm having trouble with this, "...voluntarily giving up his life...." I thought the whole passion, death, resurrection thing was, for lack of a better word, determined. No choice involved. I know the Bible describes Jesus praying for the "cup to be removed" or something along those lines. But he was asking that as a man, not the Son of God. My theology is weak, but.....

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Pop Christianity · 0 replies · +2 points

E.D. and W.B., the book sounds silly start to finish. I thought of E.D. as I read it. Not because E.D. is silly, far far from it. I just know from lots of exchanges that he would dislike the Christianity touted as bringing "God Back." Then finding his post, well it defines serendipity.

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Gone to Pot · 0 replies · +1 points

Some musings:

At least one state, New Mexico, recently abolished the death penalty. I understand that the leading reason for doing so was the cost associated with the judicial wrangling . I have read other accounts of states and localities making changes with regard to jail time because of budget shortages. Perhaps the current budget shortfalls will engender some sort of reform in drug laws.

The generational shift you mention seems very significant on this, drug laws, and other issues, homosexuality, environment.

The disparity of laws among the states regulating behavior has long troubled me, but hell I'm a fan of a strong central government. (But let me hasten to add, with limits.) Drug laws and abortion laws left to the tender mercies of gun totting Bible Beaters seems far cry from the America I want. I am not trying to paint you, Will, as that extreme , but you bring up an excellent point. I recognize states have legitimate legislative duties, but I guess I see the 14th Amendment's "privileges and immunities," "due process," and "equal protection" clauses as acting as a break on states. A statement sure to roil.

Sorry, but Go Hawks!

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Pop Christianity · 3 replies · +3 points

E.D., thanks for this post.

I want to bring to your attention to a book reviewed in the NYT today. "God Is Back" by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge. If you have a few minutes to read the review I think you will find that it neatly ties into your post.

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Tradition and Ideology · 0 replies · +1 points

Well I guess I guessed wrong. But I guess that makes my Irrational statement rational.

I don't make any pretense to know how or what religious folk believe, it's all oogedy-boogedy.

Smart? Maybe. Doable? I'm not holding my breath.

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Tradition and Ideology · 0 replies · +2 points

E.D., I can't explain it either. I don't know what sort of rational irrational institutions, or folks, use when confronted with the sort of issues you bring up. ( I would guess that Western Catholics still consider the Eastern Church hetrodox,, in error on many issues. ) It's akin, exactly the same actually, as some Christians venerating Old Testament injunctions against homosexuality while ignoring other equally strong commands. Seems irrational to me.

BTW, I'm the "Bob" that previously posted here. With the change that you recently initiated I had to change my user name. Nothing nefarious afoot.

I like the change, now that I can navigate it.

The Old Bob (new Roth)

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - Tradition and Ideology · 0 replies · +2 points

The issue not discussed, at least directly, is the origin of any particular tradition. While some in the GOP might like to claim they are doing God's work none would claim, I hope, that the GOP speaks for God. The GOP remains a secular institution. The Catholic church on the other hand does claim such authority. When the pope speaks ex cathedra he is doing so on God's behalf , the Holy Ghost has intervened making sure that such statements are error free.

As has been pointed out the Church is slow to change doctrine. And much of the debate arguing for or against change is behind closed doors or off the radar of the faithful in the pew. So even long debated issues once resolved may come as a shock to the average catholic. And regardless more conservative catholics may well refuse to accept the change. Even after 50 years of Mass being offered in the vernacular widespread objections exists.

Changes in traditions of the Church are dangerous, they open doors to questioning all traditions or dogma. Did God change His mind? Indeed it seems the perfect slippery slope. This accounts for the election of the current pope, a counter reformation. Vatican II is much disdained. Even young Catholics seem more enamored of their great-great grand fathers church. A certainty of authority. The majesty of the Latin Mass. Shelter from modernity.

Regardless of the lack of Priests Benedict will never allow for a married priesthood. And he is insuring that legacy with his appointment of conservatives to the College of Cardinals. In fact Benedict's election confirmed the resurgence, and dominance of, the conservative wing of the Catholic Church. The Cardinals knew the were electing God's Rottweiler, Defender of the Faith.

Changing the traditions of the GOP are nothing compared to changing the Church.

14 years ago @ The League of Ordinary... - A Poem for Sunday · 0 replies · +1 points

With Tad

My dog barks
Yards away,unseen
For gold and red cling
Still to low growing brush

Hillsids glow
With color I can't describe
Soon to be replaced
With, better left unspoken

My dog barks
Closer but still unseen
"Walks over, time to go home"
There he is