Resolution-Is it Possible?

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Posted by Diana on August 25, 19100 at 04:26:09:

This is an open letter to Anne, Phil, and whoever else might have been following along in our birth control discussion.

Our experience has been a microcosmic experience of the macrocosim. There seems to be a real war of opinions going on in the Church today. There are those who have decided the official stance on all the issues and have taken it upon themselves to judge all others as wanting. The issues then fade into the background as the focus switches to degrading the individual.

I find the bullying and intolerance of this approach reminiscent of the Crusades. It is the 'we are right' approach that fails to take into consideration the workings of the Holy Spirit in each individual. It
demeans the individual, kills the Spirit, and uses guilt, isolation, and fear to make its point. All-in-all, it paints a picture of God and the Church as rigid, authoritarian, and controlling. It's so busy silencing, analyzing, and condeming that it doesn't have much time or energy left for love and understanding of each individual and his/her situation.
Rules become more important than people. Love is lost in the process of keeping rules and regulations "pure."

For example, along the way in our conversation, missing Mass as a mortal sin was mentioned. Yet, how does anyone know why another misses Mass? What if they have been so abused by the Church or a priest/pedophile that going to Mass actually sickens them instead of heals? Or what if they simply can no longer bear to listen to another homily of chastizement or stupidity that has nothing to do with a loving God? Our loving God, the one that is no denomination, then reaches out to them in other ways.

Rosemary Ruether has an excellent article in 8/25 edition of NCR. It's called "Renewed in zone of truth" and discusses the "structures of deceit" in the Church.
This was preceeded by an 8/11 NCR article, "Of force, fear" by Sister Joan Chittister that discusses the current bullying in the Church.

Silencing and excommunication have become common in today's Catholicism. Fear and bullying abound. The graces and gifts of Vatican II are being maligned as excesses. The beauty and trust in the Spirit which dominated the reign of John the XXIII have been overshadowed by fear, domination, and control.

Is resolution possible? You decide.

(Thanks for listening to my viewpoint.)

Sincerely,

Diana

Follow Ups:

Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Philip St. Romain 07:15:42 8/25/100 (6)
- Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Warren 11:36:51 8/25/100 (5)
  - Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Philip St. Romain 09:15:52 8/26/100 (4)
    - Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Warren 12:04:26 8/29/100 (3)
      - Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Philip St. Romain 07:29:54 8/30/100 (2)
        
        Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Grey Linen 21:45:25 1/17/101 (1)
        
        Re: Resolution of birth control controversy. Philip St. Romain 11:38:57 5/16/101 (0)

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: This is an open letter to Anne, Phil, and whoever else might have been following along in our birth control discussion. : Our experience has been a microcosmic experience of the macrocosim. There seems to be a real war of opinions going on in the Church today. There are those who have decided the official stance on all the issues and have taken it upon themselves to judge all others as wanting. The issues then fade into the background as the focus switches to degrading the individual. : I find the bullying and intolerance of this approach reminiscent of the Crusades. It is the 'we are right' approach that fails to take into consideration the workings of the Holy Spirit in each individual. It : demeans the individual, kills the Spirit, and uses guilt, isolation, and fear to make its point. All-in-all, it paints a picture of God and the Church as rigid, authoritarian, and controlling. It's so busy silencing, analyzing, and condeming that it doesn't have much time or energy left for love and understanding of each individual and his/her situation. : Rules become more important than people. Love is lost in the process of keeping rules and regulations "pure." : For example, along the way in our conversation, missing Mass as a mortal sin was mentioned. Yet, how does anyone know why another misses Mass? What if they have been so abused by the Church or a priest/pedophile that going to Mass actually sickens them instead of heals? Or what if they simply can no longer bear to listen to another homily of chastizement or stupidity that has nothing to do with a loving God? Our loving God, the one that is no denomination, then reaches out to them in other ways. : Rosemary Ruether has an excellent article in 8/25 edition of NCR. It's called "Renewed in zone of truth" and discusses the "structures of deceit" in the Church. : This was preceeded by an 8/11 NCR article, "Of force, fear" by Sister Joan Chittister that discusses the current bullying in the Church. : Silencing and excommunication have become common in today's Catholicism. Fear and bullying abound. The graces and gifts of Vatican II are being maligned as excesses. The beauty and trust in the Spirit which dominated the reign of John the XXIII have been overshadowed by fear, domination, and control. : Is resolution possible? You decide. : (Thanks for listening to my viewpoint.) : Sincerely, : Diana : : : :

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