OK… Every time I use parody lately, I end up having to point out later, “Hey guys, this is just a parody.” So, right out of the gate, know that this is. Don’t, however, let that fool you into thinking this isn’t a very serious subject.
The Holy Father just issued a message to Muslims; i.e., those who worship the false god, Allah, to mark the end of Ramadan, the feast dedicated to “amplifying” this figment of the false prophet Muhammad’s imagination.
Speaking of imagination, imagine if you will what a similar message to another false religion might look like.
Message from His Holiness Pope Francis to Wiccans throughout the World
It gives me great pleasure to greet you as you celebrate the sabbat of Lughnasadh, so commencing the month of August, dedicated mainly to honoring Lugh, the sun god.
This year, the first of my Pontificate, I have decided to sign this traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem and friendship for all Wiccans, especially those who are religious leaders.
This year, the theme on which I would like to reflect with you and with all who will read this message is one that concerns both Wiccans and Christians: Promoting Mutual Respect through Education.
Turning to mutual respect in interreligious relations, especially between Christians and Wiccans, we are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values.
It is clear that, when we show respect for the religion of our neighbors or when we offer them our good wishes on the occasion of a religious celebration, we simply seek to share their joy, without making reference to the content of their religious convictions.
At the Mass marking the beginning of my ministry, I greatly appreciated the presence of so many civil and religious leaders from the Wiccan world. With these words, I wished to emphasize once more the great importance of dialogue and cooperation among believers, in particular Christians and Wiccans, and the need for it to be enhanced.
With these sentiments, I reiterate my hope that all Christians and Wiccans may be true promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.
Seems preposterous, doesn’t it? Well, it should.
So, what is the primary difference between the message of the pope to Muslims and the parody above?
Some will be tempted to answer, “We worship the same God as Muslims!” Others who know better may be tempted to point to claims of “common patronage” in Abraham. Others still will point to “monotheism” and the fact that Wicca is far more obviously false.
All of these responses speak to the very reason why the pope’s message to Muslims is even more dangerous and ill advised than the parody message to Wiccans; namely, it lends credibility to a demonstrably false religion that is at pains to disguise itself as being dedicated to the One true God.
And isn’t that Satan’s way, to dress up his lies in the cloak of believability in order to entice more souls to Hell?
Objectively speaking, the practice of Islam cannot lead to salvation. That’s Catholic dogma. Even so, the Holy Father said that in so greeting the Muslim world, “we simply seek to share their joy, without making reference to the content of their religious convictions.”
With all respect, this is ludicrous. How can the Vicar of Christ “share the joy” that comes from worshiping the false god of a false religion that rejects Jesus Christ without “making reference to the content of their religious convictions?” Like it or not, this greeting is just such a commentary. It’s also a commentary on the conviction of the Church, misrepresentative though it may be.
Sorry, Holy Father, you have missed the mark. The mission of the Church is not to share the false “joy” of those who reject Christ, the mission is to call them to conversion, at which point there will be much joy, not just on earth, but in heaven.
Every Catholic missal in Arabic, and every Catholic Bible in Arabic uses “Allah” where English would use God. I do not mention this to argue that we (Catholics and Muslims) absolutely do worship the same God. But it’s completely false, and misleading, unless Catholics too are worshiping a false god, to employ the phrase “the false god Allah.”
Please remember that Arabic speaking Christians, and before them Arabic speaking Jews, used “Allah” to mean “God” long, long before Muslims were on the scene
Now I know why Protestants call us pagans…..
Parody like this has a purpose. This is instructive. It tells us just how wrong such “greetings” really are. Thank you for writing this.
What is truly joyful, just as what is truly good, is Jesus. The Holy Father isn’t making Islam more credible, he’s reflecting the truth that Christ works in every religion whenever there is true joy. Get off your high horse. The blogger knows better than Pope Francis.
Louie, I appreciate your work, I have benefited from it spiritually and will continue to read your blog. I agree with you on many of your points, I just can’t find it in me to mock the Roman Pontiff the way I feel this post does. You may not be intending that, but there is a definite sense of mockery here. Shouldn’t we keep in mind that the pope is the Vicar of Christ and perhaps choose our manner of criticism of him very very carefully?
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE
ON SOME ASPECTS OF EVANGELIZATION
“Everywhere and always, each Catholic has the right and the duty to give the witness and the full proclamation of his faith.”
“Therefore, fully belonging to Christ, who is the Truth, and entering the Church do not lessen human freedom, but rather exalt it and direct it towards its fulfilment, in a love that is freely given and which overflows with care for the good of all people. It is an inestimable benefit to live within the universal embrace of the friends of God which flows from communion in the life-giving flesh of his Son, to receive from him the certainty of forgiveness of sins and to live in the love that is born of faith. The Church wants everyone to share in these goods so that they may possess the fullness of truth and the fullness of the means of salvation, in order “to enter into the freedom of the glory of the children of God”
Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 3 December 2007, Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Patron of the Missions.
First and foremost, I want to thank all who have taken the time to comment on this blog, even those who are in disagreement with certain points I’m making. While more often than not I won’t have time to respond to individual comments, please know that I read all of them, and what’s more, I appreciate them.
On the subject at hand, if you struggle with the point being made, answer the questions being implied: Would you feel any more or less inclined to applaud the pope’s remarks had they been made to Wiccans? What if the same comments were offered to Animists, the practitioners of Scientology, or any of the many other false religions that lead souls away from the Catholic Church, the only means of salvation the Lord has given? If so, why? Did the pope’s comments likely confirm Muslims such that they came away confident in the goodness of their false religion (one need I remind you that directly opposes Jesus Christ), or did they hear the call to conversion?
Look, I get squeamishness when it comes to criticizing a papal message, but as history amply demonstrates, at times, it is necessary to take a critical stance against the behavior of our shepherds, even the pope; not when we ourselves don’t much care for the message, but when he is failing to convey the truths of the Faith as understood through the lens of nearly two thousand years of sacred magisterium.
We live in an age of extremes. People either dismiss everything the pope says, or they tend to treat his every utterance as an impeccable expression of Catholic truth. The reality is, even popes sometimes say and do things that are damaging to the mission that Christ gave to His Church. It doesn’t make one a bad Catholic to recognize as much and to point it out, in fact, the exact opposite is sometimes true.
Thanks again to all for the comments. Keep them coming!
Speaking of pagans: http://kwtraditionalcatholic.blogspot.ca/2013/08/the-sspx-has-irregular-canonical-status.html
The huge problem here is that the Muslims have claimed ALLAH as their God and only THEIR God. In Malaysia, they have forbidden Christians or other religions to use the word ALLAH. It is only allowed to be used by Muslims. So. In conclusion , Islam has hijacked the word Allah.
I cringed when Pope Francis addressed Wiccans. Aren’t they practicing witchcraft (white and black) and for our Pope to be friendly and joyous with their demonic celebrations is AGAINST BIBLE SCRIPTURE itself. We have read in the Holy Bible how this sort of practice is to be condemned. I fear that we will very soon have a Church that will open its doors to ALL RELIGIONS on the pretext that God loves everyone, irregardless faith or sexual orientation. I dread to hear if ever, the Pope addressing Cannibals and sharing in their joy in eating human flesh. I will surely faint from horror!!
Re: Stephen -the use of Allah in the Missal and Bible.
A former imam and convert to Christianity does a superb job explaining why Allah should be retired and the noun al ilah (the god) used, instead.
http://www.arabbible.com/t-Allah.aspx
More false v2 ecumenism. Did hh ever read what his name sake St.Francis of Assisi did to the sultan? Or one of the great Jesuits St.Francis Xavier, who converted whole nations of infidels to the one true faith? How can you profess to have the one true faith, then go and let infedils live in error? And no, God cannot be found in false religions. Any truth thats in false religions are catholic truths.
Amen Louie!
Unfortunately we are in store for some hard times and as is usual fare for our age we will not be able to look to ‘Rome’ for help nor guidance. As Sister Lucie of Fatima predicted,
“we should not wait for an appeal to the world to come from Rome on the part of the Holy Father, to do penance. Nor should we wait for the call to penance to come from our bishops in our dioceses, nor from the religious congregations. No! Our Lord has already very often used these means, and the world has not paid attention. That is why now, it is necessary for each one of us to begin to reform himself spiritually. Each person must not only save his own soul but also the souls that God has placed on our path.”
We don’t deserve good leaders, religious or secular, and God often gives us what we want. In the era preceding the 60’s we did not want the traditional Faith, liturgy, and discipline and so God took it away. Now some of us want it back and God has provided for the few but by and large God is giving us what we want and that is a life without the Church getting in the way. Here it is – and there’s more to come. We will drink to the bitter end. Fortunately God does not abandon the individual soul even if his country or kin abandons God – and that is why it’s now up to each individual to pray, do penance, and sanctify oneself with little help or guidance from the shepherds. The traditional Faith, Sacraments, discipline, and of course the Rosary will see us through this.
Thanks for your work Louie! Keep the Faith!
CAN YOU ENVISION JESUS SAYING THAT?
The mantra of many believers in Christ is “Water baptism is important, however, it is not essential for any ones salvation.”
Can you envision Jesus saying that?
What if all the creed books, all the Bible commentaries, and other books written about Bible were destroyed? What if the source for truth you had was the Bible and the Bible alone, then, what would you believe was the purpose of water baptism? Would you still believe that water baptism was not essential for salvation?
THE BIBLE
Ephesians 5:25-26…as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (NKJV)
Ephesians 5:25-26….as Christ showed to the church when he died for her, 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word; (The Living Bible—Paraphrased)
Ephesians 5:25-26 ….as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (NASB)
Can you imagine Jesus saying, “Water baptism is not essential to salvation?”
Acts 22:16 ‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ (NKJV)
Acts 22:16 And now, why delay? Go and be baptized, and be cleansed from your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ (The Living Bible —Paraphrased)
Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’ (NASB)
Can you envision Jesus saying, “Saul your sins were washed away three days ago on the road to Damascus, water baptism is not essential to salvation?”
Acts 2:38….let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;….. (NKJV)
Acts 2:38 And Peter replied, “Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (The Living Bible— Paraphrased)
Acts 2:38 …each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christfor the forgiveness of your sins….. (NASB)
Can you envision Jesus saying, “Water baptism is not essential to forgiveness of sins?”
Mark 16:16 …..and is baptized will be saved… (NKJV)
Mark 16:16…. and are baptized will be saved… (The Living Bible—Paraphrased)
Mark 16:16 …..and has been baptized shall be saved… (NASB)
Can you imagine Jesus saying, “Water baptism is important but not essential to salvation?”
IF YOU ONLY HAD THE BIBLE, WHAT WOULD YOU BELIEVE?
Creed books, Bible commentaries, and all other books explaining the Bible are not the infallible word of God. They are not God’s inerrant message to all mankind. Why would you not simply trust the Bible and the Bible alone for God’s truth given to mankind?
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY CHRISTIAN BLOG . Google search>>>>>steve finnell a christian view
Steve:
CAN YOU ENVISION WHO COMPILED THE FIRST BIBLE?
hint: It wasn’t King James!
CAN YOU ENVISION REMOVING ENTIRE BOOKS FROM THE BIBLE?
hint: King James Version did.
CAN YOU ENVISION ABANDONING “Oral Tradition” HANDED DOWN TO US IN THE NAME OF SOLA SCRIPTURA?
hint: Even the NKJV says we shouldn’t.
I Thank you for your invitation; but prefer to remain with the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
BTW: Thanks for the article, Louie, I found it a welcome breath of fresh air considering the bewildering stagnation among those who feel that because one holds a title of authority, that to simply discern what may not be in line with millenia of magisterial teaching, is somehow disrespect when to the contrary it is the epitome of respect–for the office, and the individual.
To QM Barque: How does Christ work in “every” religion? Are you sure? Does that include wicca and the like? It seems your position is to argue about every article here, but this comment you made is a little ridiculous. Please explain how Christ works in “every” religion.
eh as an actual pagan i would say the Catholics as a whole are not bad, they are very hard working and the least violent denomination i have dealt with, i kinda like them actually they do a lot of good for the community, however the attitudes above are why i looked to other faiths, and Ultimately became Wiccan, for the record many Wiccan are christian, no that’s not a contradiction, you can believe in Christ and the christian god, and believe in other things. You can hold your head high my faith has some bad apples as well. and the Louie isn’t the speaker of your faith, Francis is and frankly he is a man you be proud of, i once thought about converting back because of him but well i believe in my own path. have a great day Jordan
Don’t worry we wiccans will stay out of your church, the thought is kind but we have our own ways thank you much and frankly um do you know how many pagans your church has taken in? seriously the catholic church took over the roman empire, (i apologize for how the pagan Romans treated your church) Emperor Constantine was pagan before he converted to Christianity and made it the state religion. How else are you guys going to get converts if you don’t invite them over? not that i plan on attending although the invitation is nice. also don’t forget if the pope hadn’t sat down with Attila the hun (Pagan) and persuaded him to go away think how many innocents would have died? and saint peter helped out a pagan woman on the road despite her not being catholic or Jewish or a follower of Christ i think his words when asked about it by the men at the next were a true son of god helps the people or something like that, either way you have wonderful religion and should pay more attention to its tenets.
easy because “Christ as he puts it is more then a man but also an idea of general goodness, a faith as it were, translate that faith into any other religion and you got it working in every religion Perhaps not as a man, but through the symbolic lens of interpretation. or in Barques words “What is truly joyful, just as what is truly good, is Jesus.” its a symbolic interpretation James, not necessarily a literal one.