The end of this era

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   marcofratelliposted 14 years ago

   Hi guys,
   
   I thought I would share this with you. I attended a presentation in Australia this week by Professor Courtenay Bartholomew. He is an emeritus professor of medicine, a doctor, a scientist. He was a member of the research team that discovered the AIDS virus in the west indies. He has written a number of books on our Blessed Mother and has toured many countries presenting his findings.
   
   He also speaks as a historian, linking dates of events in history with religious feasts and apparitions, asking the question - is it all a coincidence? He spoke about the Miracle of the Sun, the apparitions in Fatima and messages in Akita. There has been a lot of talk on the internet recently about the end of the world coinciding with the end of the Mayan calender on Dec 21st, 2012. He analysed the current state of the world in relation to the Bible teachings and noted the rise in viruses (such as AIDS), increasing natural disasters, terrorism etc and the widespread rejection of God in our every day lives.
   
   His message was a simple one of returning to the church and returning to a lifestyle based on principles presented in the Bible. Praying the rosary. Consecrating our homes to and having confidence in the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Virgin Mary. I know a lot of people have a go at Catholics and say that we "worship" Mary. This is not true and there is not a fourth person in the Holy Trinity. We simply ask her to pray for us.
   
   Concerning the hype about the end of the world, it was noted that it will not be the end of the world, it will be the end of the world as we know it - the end of this era. The comment was made that in the Bible it states that "no one but the Father knows the exact date" of when certain events will occur, not even the Son. There is no need to live in fear.
   
   The professor spoke about the messages of Our Lord to Berthe Petit and that the prayer "Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us" would be the last help given to us before the end of time.
   
   (NB: This topic is not intended to cause offense or add to the hype, it was what I took away from a wonderful presentation)

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      Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Personally, I am looking forward to the end of this era.
      
      What you guys don't seem to be able to grasp is that your bronze age religionism is part of this era.
      
      ciao.

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         Jewelsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Amen to that Mark

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      Make Moneyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It sounds like Professor Bartholomew's message from his presentation is the same as what Mary's was at Fatima.  This topic shouldn't cause offense.

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   AEvansposted 14 years ago

   Well then I guess all of us who do believe should start cleaning up or messes and doing right instead of judging others for their beliefs.

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      Make Moneyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have to agree AEvans.  But you don't expect anyone to stifle their own beliefs fearing that it might be misinterpreted as judging someone do you?  Do you not think that marcofratelli had the right to post what he did?
      
      To tell you the truth I wouldn't have minded if marcofratelli had have stuck around because what he posted is something that I am passionate about.  I wouldn't have minded having a dialogue with him.  But he got attacked with the first two replies so I doubt if we'll see him back.

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         AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I hope he comes back as no harm was meant and it eliminated the time,day and hour panic syndrome that is going on around here. Everyone has to right to express themselves, what bothers me is when it becomes a fight and everything gets out of hand. If we can walk in here 99.9% pure as snow, then there is a chance that some will listen, but when we have done our own deed of backsliding, sometimes God just wants us to watch and listen and just not speak. I believe that the reason that some get angry isbecause they have there own mess to clean up, as you have to be right before you start talking about God. Just my opinion.

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   Make Moneyposted 14 years ago

   To tell you the truth I am getting fed up with this so called Religion forum.  We should all just give it over to the atheists and new agers and go some where else.  That seems to be their objective anyways, a godless so-called "religion" forum.

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      AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You know you should open a topic on that , and see what happens. Just a thought..

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         aka-djposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I tried that.Called it "Leave us alone", But at last read, it was still going on and on. Ah well, it got them all talking again.

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      RKHenryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Don't do that.  I may not like all the scripture posting, but, I do like reading what you've got to say.
      
      And by the way, marcofratelli just posted a hub on animals.  They got some really good pictures on there.  I highly recommend you check it out.

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      marcofratelliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hey mate, I'm still around and still developing my faith. I'll never be shut down by anyone else's opinion. They can express it, I have no dramas with that and if it's something constructive that will initiate a discussion I'll probably reply next time I log in. If it isn't constructive well it's not worth replying to. But great call with your comment above, that's what I've noticed. Why do "athiests" even post in a "religion" forum?!

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         Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This might come as a surprise to you, but one viewpoint on religion is that it is damaging, dangerous, and holds us back from developing ourselves. I am an atheist and have found myself interfered with and abused in the name of religion, so I am expressing that viewpoint.
         
         I agree with the post you made - change is coming. The end of an era even. The end of an era in which the churches and religion have dominated the political, social and economic landscape, culminating in the current crises.
         
         Not so long ago, I was trying to explain to some one who was of the opinion that "god gave us dominium over," did not mean that there were no responsibilities involved. Yet she prefers to see the destruction of the Alaskan wildlife refuge on the basis that god gave us dominion. 
         
         I did find it interesting that the writer calls for a return to the "values," of the era which is coming to an end, which leads me to believe they do not understand what is going on themselves.

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            marcofratelliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Good point about responsibilities. I don't agree with the logic that churches and religion = current crises though. It actually appears as though the lack of "religion" (let's even call it a "solid moral foundation" for now if it's a better phrase) is what is leading us to fall into all the things that are culminating in the current crises: greed (economic collapse), promiscuity/sexual freedom (AIDS), lack of tolerance of others (terrorism, wars) etc.
            
            On that basis I think the writer is referring to the "values" such as those represented in the 10 commandments - the same commandments that actually form the basis of the values and laws of many countries like the US & Australia - as opposed to what we are seeing in society today.
            
            On a different note, I'm extremely fascinated by science but a lot of stuff is beyond my (and most people's) comprehension. To me, the only logical explanation is that there has to be a higher power such as God behind such an intelligent and complex creation. From experience, I have seen the power of prayer. Sometimes things happen that are completely beyond your control and you realise you are helpless and find yourself praying. I don't know Mark, maybe you're right about it all but I get fulfilment from being a Christian so it's the path I've chosen for myself.

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               Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Greed has been rampant and still is rampant amongst the churches. Just a few months ago a bomb was detonated in Greece and riots arose after it turned out that the Greek Orthodox church conspired with government officials to steal tax payers money:
               
               http://internationalpropertyinvestment. … perty-scam
               
               AIDS and sex -
               
               I am sure I don't need to add any links to the various child sex abuse cases that have been bought against priests belonging to the catholic church - or detail the lengths that the church has gone to to protect those priests.
               
               Lack of tolerance and wars -
               
               http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weeki … .html?_r=1
               http://www.france24.com/en/20090322-you … is-protest
               http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12457
               
               As for the science, I suggest reading "The Blind Watchmaker" by Richard Dawkins for a reasonable explanation of how evolution works and why there cannot be a creator involved.
               
               There is usually a rational explanation for everything that occurs although some times the answers are not clear, and there are many things science has not yet explained.  I personally do not feel the need to ascribe anything I do not understand to a god, but that is your choice. I only really object when some one tells me I need to do the same.

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                  aka-djposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  That only happens when you read the posts! If you don't read them, then they will not apply to/include you. Easy fixed ! ! 

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                     Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Ah so what you are saying is that I was not approached in the street the other day by some one who wanted to tell me the good news, I did not hear a church bell ringing out last Sunday morning, no one left a flyer on my car introducing me to the marvels of Jehova, and my local Mayor did not make a public speech this weekend complaining about how difficult it was to integrate certain members of my community because they were not catholic. 

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                        aka-djposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Are you serious?  Did you have all these approaches? Wow. I can only say one thing to that. It wasn't me behind the cospiracy to "get you". It seems there is nowhere to run.

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                           Mark Knowlesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           Yes I am serious. I am actually a little miffed at the Mayor - this was the usual combining of religion and politics guaranteed to piss off certain members of the community who happen to be brown and follow some other religion.

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   Make Moneyposted 14 years ago

   Good idea

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      AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Go do it!!! I am looking forward to it...

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   Make Moneyposted 14 years ago

   No I am beyond fed up RKHenry.  It's time for at least me to move on.  But I'll be posting a suggestion in a minute if anyone else wants to do the same.

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      RKHenryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Move on???  Where you going????  [bummed face]

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         AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You will see...

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6. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   MM--
   
   What would you like to see happen?  I absolutely do not agree with the Catholic pro-life stance--I think you know.  But you do have a right to post here.

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   Paragliderposted 14 years ago

   The problem with prophesy and 'apparition' remains the same - you can't demonstrate causality. The end of the world as we know it might be just around the corner, but analysing the tangible symptoms e.g. climate change, economic collapse, pandemics is more likely to be fruitful than analysing prophesy and revelation.

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