Did you even click on any of the links I provided? I'm not alone in this. Saying that Catholicism is but one denomination of Christianity is false. It share principles with mainstream, evangelical, Protestant Christianity, but its differences are many and significant. If you don't understand this, then you are ignorant of Protestant denominations. Go do the research, I have already. Like I said, my ex-wife, my current wife, my wife's aunt who we care for in our home, and my wife's family are CATHOLIC. I have studied the differences between the two. How can you say I don't know what I'm talking about. Go read the sites I gave you, and then come back and say it's just me. There cannot be differences? What in the world does that mean? That's like saying that Porsches and Mercedes are both cars, so they are identical, and have no differences. Catholics and mainstream Christians have many philosophical differences. Too many to list. Go to the links.

Your links and other bloviating pronouncements are patently and utterly false and therefore irrelevant. I've been patient with your glaring ignorance, Steve, but now you're insulting me and your wife and relatives, I might add, with your stupid comments that Catholics are not Christians. We are. Period, your lack of knowledge about the definition of Christianity notwithstanding. A bigger popinjay I haven't seen around here in some time.

Catholics believe, like every other Christian, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior. We worship Jesus as the Son of God and the Lord Himself. We are Christians. I'm truly shocked that you cannot grasp this irrefutable and unmistakable fact. Christianity is the tree trunk, and Catholicism is but one of its many branches. I'll say it for the umpteenth time: Catholicism is but one of many Christian denominations. As is Episcopalian, Methodist, etc. Anyone with a modicum of common sense can see this. I don't know what garbage you've been "studying"--probably something written by such overly arrogant people like Robertson et. al.--but it's filling your mind with BS.

In the FWIW category, your links damage any credibility you might have otherwise had. I stopped reading and paying serious attention to such anti-Catholic vile years ago. I'm used to it from those on the proselytizing Religious Right, who so arrogantly believe that they are the chosen ones of a sort. I'd suggest using a different playbook, for that one's quite old.

I'm very shocked to find a religious debate going on in an official's forum. I have enjoyed reading what others have written, however. The truth is, we can sit and debate and argue over who's what all day long....but the more important question is how do we live our lives. We can have all the right beliefs of what the Bible says and be right on in our theology, but if we do not live like-Christ (whether we adhere to Catholic beliefs, or protestant beliefs) then our belief is in vain. In the words of James, "Faith without works is dead". I know people who are Catholic that I believe are Christian and live right. I also know former Catholics who have converted to Christianity that say there is no way that Catholics are Christians. I say it's how one lives their life. BTW, Christ Himself did not adhere to one of the specific religious sects during his day (Saducees, Pharisees, Zealots), but He lived a right life. Don't get caught up in beliefs, get caught up in how you live. Religion is so difficult to speak about in America today because it is so subjective to people. Is the Bible literal or symbolic? The answer is "Yes". In some places it's literal, in others it's symbolic (e.g. "Revelation"). Some of Jesus' teachings were literal, others were symbolic. It is our responsibility to study for ourselves and determine which is which, but with our knowledge must come a changed life. Christianity was not meant to be learned about, but to change your life. Jesus is not interested in what you know, but how you live!

I always have trouble closing my eyes and kind of flinching at the high/inside pitch when I'm in the slot, any solutions or does it just come with more time and telling yourself to quit being a wimp?

I don't think there's anything wrong with a religious discussion in its own thread, lm. It's better than going off track in another thread. I do believe it's rather inappropriate, however, when someone whom one has respected turns it into an attack, based on false claims, of the largest Christian denomination in the U.S.

I think there will be many Catholics in Heaven Ump25! I also think there will be many Protestants in Hell (my point...it's how you live!) Don't let anybody get under your skin based on words they type bro, just live right for the name of Jesus and you will be just fine. Whether you break bread in mass or in the Baptist fellowship hall!

Hey, not once did I bash your religion. I said there are differences. You choose to believe that there are none. You are the one with the veins popping out of your neck on this one, buddy. Calling me stupid is not an appropriate response. I never said you were stupid for believing the way you do. It is just different. On issues. So what? If you think Catholics and Protestants believe the same way, then why was there ever any Protestant movement to begin with. To claim there are no differences is burying your head in the sand. I didn't say "well you're wrong to believe your way" did I? NO, I DIDN'T! I am not saying any anti-Catholic vile, as you put it. The links I posted merely point out the various distinctions between the two branches, as you call them. There are differences between Methodists and Baptists, between Episcopalians and Lutherans. Of course there are differences between Catholics and non-Catholics. Why do you deny the existence of these differences?

You need to settle down and relax, dude, before you snap. People are different, and have different beliefs. That's a good thing. To each their own.
What I happen to believe is not going to change. I am not going to try to change you, either. I don't know you, so it is of little consequence what you believe.

Yes, Catholics believe in Jesus, and that He died for our sins, and that He sits at the right hand of God the Father. In that we can, and should celebrate the similarity. Yes, Catholics are part of Christianity. However, the distinction between Catholics and Protestants was made long before you or I came along. Please don't blame me for pointing out that we are different.

It comes down to whether or not you fully trust the guy squatting in front of you. If he instills confidence in you, you can go without flinching. If he lets every other pitch hit you, doesn't put any effort into blocking balls or going up to get the high and tight ones, it can tend to make one a bit flinchy.:)

It's their board and it is not public domain! If they pay for it and maintain it, they can lock what ever they want.

Did Ozzy Guillen say something wrong? :eek:

This reminds me of a conversation I had with one of my neighbors one time. Went for years thinking he was just a regular guy like me and everybody else in the neighborhood, then we got to talking about politics. This guy was OUT THERE, he was one of those black-helicopters and Trilateral Commission conspiracy theorists who was clearly on his way to a Timothy McVeigh mindset, with a good dose of the Unabomer thrown in.

Takes all kinds to fill the freeways, I guess.

Hehehehe,
 

Being agnostic, this thread is really, really funny.

Regards,

What's the appropriate umpire / official response to the use of the "n word?" -- That's an appropriate topic.

What Ozzie said and how we should respond -- allowed, imo.

Whose religious views are right (or wrong), or most prevalent, or what they "allow" -- not a chance.

Same goes for politics.