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Entry: The Empty Manger Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/the_empty_manger#12741 Post contents: <I>To me, reposing my faith and my conscience in a book with enumerated points of doctrine (ie, the RC catechism), resembles the ways of the Pharisees a bit too much for my conscience to accept</I> Mr. Ball. Believe it or not I do appreciate you refusing the Sacraments due to your beliefs. That is the way a real man acts. I really am irked when by brethren continue to receive the Sacraments when they clearly do not believe in the Creedal Doctrines they profess at each Mass. And I do admit I have the habit of just cutting & pasting when it comes to Doctrinal disputes because me Mom, the Church, is succinct and precise when it comes to such matters. I suppose I could post me own Doctrinal explications (or worse, post my own theological ideas or ideas about ecclesiastical history as definitive, as some others do) but I think Catechism citations are a better way to get the point across. As to what I do being Pharisaical, I could agree, if the Pharisees in question were the ones working on behalf of legitimate authority - Jesus. Of course there were Pharisees who faithfully followed Jesus and later converted but I do not think that is what you meant :) In any event, I do appreciate your ideas and action and I never ignore what you write.You are an interesting and muscular read even when you are wrong. Have a Blessed Christmastide, brother. FWIW, me brother-in-law is moving to Australia later this year, so, y'all have another bright strong-willed man on your side :) Sent at: 2008 09 05