Saturday, February 26, 2011

Tidbits

1. Angry Romanist Loves John, Despises Swan
Here's one for John Bugay. The closest thing to Cochlaeus in Cyber-space has been writing long diatribes against Luther and the peasant's war. These screeds are often hard to read to completion. At one point he stated, "Lest anyone think that 'Admonition' is going to be ignored from this point on, it is not. We will be doubling back to it as we trace our way from the causes of the Peasants War all the way to the initial bloodshed." I responded, "It's probably not "we" who will double back, it's you. I rarely read your posts, and if I do, I don't often make it through them. I suspect the same is true of your other fans. " Well, here's a response that broke my heart:

As for you not reading my posts – on your blog your last 6 “articles”, have drawn a total of 17 responses by others. Thankfully for you, you now “allow” some people to “contribute” who actually say “stuff” that people are interested in. As an example, John Bugay’s last three articles have drawn a total of 85 responses.

So John, thanks again for all your posts. This angry Romanist appreciates them, and finds them interesting and saying "stuff."

2. Let's Empty Purgatory
Catholic Answers is more than simply a discussion thread board. They have specific groups, created for specific needs. Here's their group: Let's empty Purgatory:

Group created by eternalcorn. Jesus said if we pray this prayer 1,000 souls from purgatory are released: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

The group's founder, eternalcorn, joined Catholic Answers Aug 8, '09, posted this, then visited once more in 2010 (that's dedication!). The group has 319 members, and they have almost 1200 posts repeating this prayer Jesus told us to pray... well, I seemed to have missed that chapter in the Bible, must've been in one of the books Luther threw out.

3. Christian Hypnosis
I'm not exactly sure how I came across this one: Christian Hypnosis. Tool around on this site for a bit.

ChristianHypnosis.org provides christian hypnosis CDs and programs that are designed for Christians who believe that God is all powerful. The programs are designed for believers who believe that through God’s power, anything is possible.We strive to teach believers, and non-believers about the true nature of hypnosis. That it is no different from any other tool that is available in this world. We educate people by exposing myths of hypnosis and encouraging scientific and spiritual research

-snip-

You are in no way more susceptible to “evil spirits” with any of the programs on my site. They are totally the opposite in fact. The goal with Christian hypnosis is to maximize the potential within you and align you more with God and His spirit. This allows us to create the good change you desire.

The debate aside, it was actually the sound file excerpt of their product they offer that I found most entertaining.

4. Swan vs. Sippo on Luther Biographies
I had thought this 2006 discussion I had with Dr. Art Sippo from the Envoy Forums was no more. Searching for something else, it appeared: Research on Luther and Calvin. I'm almost positive this was deleted. Perhaps when Pat Madrid set up his new Envoy forums, it was restored.

12 comments:

John Bugay said...

James, I appreciate the opportunity to follow my passions here. I love interacting with folks on a topic that's near to my heart, that's been such an intense part of my life for all these years.

James Swan said...

Even though that particular Romanist was simply venting (and probably would be bouncing off his cyber-walls had he actually read any of your posts), it is indeed true that the posts you put together are insightful and interesting. Thanks again.

John Bugay said...

Thanks James :-)

Carrie said...

Ah, poor James.

I am here to increase your comment count. Not sure I can come up with at least 80 responses, though.

Carrie said...

Jesus said if we pray this prayer 1,000 souls from purgatory are released

Is that 1000 each time the prayer is said or is there a daily cap or something? Anyone ever estimate how many souls are in purgatory?

Carrie said...

Okay, I think I answered part of my question. Looks like there is no limit on saying the prayer. One guy on the forum is a machine:

I couldn't help 100,000 Holy Souls on Saturday (only managed 10,000), so I'm going to help 200,000 today (Sunday). I am also planning to say a Mass for them in a couple of weeks time for them, in particular, for the most forgotten and most "damned" soul. link

Now I wonder what he means by "damned"?

John Bugay said...

Carrie, that reminds me of Elijah:

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

James Swan said...

I couldn't help 100,000 Holy Souls on Saturday (only managed 10,000), so I'm going to help 200,000 today (Sunday).

I can't figure out why, if this prayer is so powerful as to remove people from purgatory, why a similar powerful prayer couldn't be invented to keep people from being in purgatory in the first place.

I'm thinking of posting this question on the CA forums, which may be my ticket out of Catholic Answers.

Carrie said...

I can't figure out why, if this prayer is so powerful as to remove people from purgatory, why a similar powerful prayer couldn't be invented to keep people from being in purgatory in the first place.

It seems like this prayer may do this based on it's wording (sinners everywhere...)?

I guess the problem with those still living and breathing is that they keep "staining" themselves. You cleanse them today through your prayers but tomorrow they sin again.

What I find interesting is that so few Catholics seem to bother with these prayers. If one guy can release a 100,000+ souls from purgatory per day then the millions of Catholics around the world should certainly be able to empty it quickly. Yet I have never personally known a Catholic who spends much time even thinking about it.

Carrie said...

At noon Elijah began to taunt them.

Elijah would have taken a lot of grief today for his "tone".

John Bugay said...

One of Luther's 95 theses was something to the effect that, if the Pope can release these folks from purgatory on just his word, then it's cruel of him not to do so.

James Swan said...

I didn't have a chance to Google the prayer, I'm figuring it has a story behind it as well