Post by clansmanchris on Aug 26, 2010 3:24:55 GMT -5
As we commemorate the 320th Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 2010, let us all reflect for one moment on what may have happened had James defeated William at the Boyne as decisively as Germany recently defeated England in the World Cup. One thing is certain: the United Kingdom would not enjoy the civil and religious liberty she enjoys today, as she would almost certainly be a Roman Catholic country. In fact, it is debatable whether there would be a United Kingdom at all, as it is the (Protestant) Reformed Faith which underpins the Union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is precisely why the Battle of the Boyne is revered by Members of the Loyal Orange Institution throughout the English-speaking world.
Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit the United Kingdom in September particularly to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal Newman who was a Tractarian (who wrote a series of tracts in support of Roman Catholicism within the Church of England). He wrote the hymn “Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom” and finally converted to Rome. It is thought that a mass for up to 100,000 Roman Catholics will be held in the former MG Rover plant. The site is near to the cemetery on Rednal Hill where Cardinal Newman was buried in 1890.
Former Northern Ireland Office Minister of State Lord Patten – who previously changed the name of Londonderry City Council to Derry City Council and oversaw the disbandment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as a sop to Roman Catholic Irish Nationalists – is overseeing the Government’s organisation of the visit. It was the former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who invited the Pope. The visit is expected to cost the Roman Catholic Church £14 million with a similar figure being spent by Her Majesty’s Government.
It has always been the aim, and regular prayers are said each Friday, to see England return to Roman Catholicism, so Cardinal Newman’s beatification (a step towards sainthood) is seen as celebrating his work to turn the UK to Romanism.
Unfortunately, in these days of the ecumenical movement, many no longer see the errors of Rome and the need for the Reformation. The Roman Catholic catechism states that “the sacraments are the chief means of salvation”. That means attendance at Mass, penance and indulgences, together with good works, are necessary for salvation. Merit can be achieved through various religious rites such as meditating on the Stations of the Cross, attending the basilicas in Rome, and even giving up smoking during the turn of the millennium in 2000. This shortens one’s time in purgatory. The Reformers rightly emphasised Paul’s doctrine of “justification by faith” and that we are “saved by grace through faith” – “not of works, lest any man should boast.” (See Ephesians 2:8 & 9).
There are so many other matters of concern. Transubstantiation (where the bread and wine of the communion table is supposed to be changed into the body and blood of Jesus at the blessing) is an anathema, because Rome believes that Christ is offered up once again as a sacrifice on the altar. Paul used the words “as often as you eat this bread” and Jesus said that He would not drink again of the fruit of the vine until He drunk it anew in His Father’s Kingdom. Paul knew he was partaking of bread and Jesus knew He was drinking wine. Also Jesus offered Himself “once for all” as the writer of the Hebrews states several times.
The priesthood has no place in the New Testament except that all believers are described as a “royal priesthood” offering up spiritual sacrifice to God. No priesthood is required because Jesus, as High Priest, offered up to the sacrifice (Himself) to end all sacrifices. There is no need of confession to an earthly priest because we confess our sins directly to God through Jesus Christ.
The place of Mary as the Queen of Heaven, together with her bodily ascension is unbiblical. It is a syncretistic step, embracing Ishtar where in Jeremiah, cakes were offered to the Queen of Heaven. Again, the place of saints is not biblical because we do not go to God via the saints, but through Jesus Christ, the only way to the Father. Through Christ we can come boldly to the throne of grace to find the help we need.
Therefore, one views the Pope’s visit as dangerous as it will only reinforce all the errors which have arisen in Roman Catholicism over the centuries, and a waste of finite public resources at a time when taxes are being raised and public expenditure in other areas is being cut in order to reduce the budget deficit.
At the same time, one notes with concern the recent speculation that Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe is expected to be appointed as British Ambassador to the Vatican., not least because as Ms Widdecombe is herself a convert to Roman Catholicism, her appointment would ensure closer union with the Papacy on spiritual and temporal matters than would be the case were a Non-Papist appointed to the position. If Ms Widdecombe is appointed to this position she will also become the first Roman Catholic to hold this office as previously it has been held by a Protestant.
Leaving aside Benedict XVI's homophobic views which have - quite rightly, in my view - caused widespread outrage by the secular gay and lesbian community across the United Kingdom, the aforementioned reasons explains why one prays that all eyes will be opened and ears will be unstopped as true believers proclaim Biblical Christianity so that the UK might once again echo the battle-cry of King William III, Prince of Orange, “The Protestant Religion and the Liberties of England I will maintain” or, to cut a long story short, loudly chant “No Pope Here!”
Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit the United Kingdom in September particularly to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal Newman who was a Tractarian (who wrote a series of tracts in support of Roman Catholicism within the Church of England). He wrote the hymn “Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom” and finally converted to Rome. It is thought that a mass for up to 100,000 Roman Catholics will be held in the former MG Rover plant. The site is near to the cemetery on Rednal Hill where Cardinal Newman was buried in 1890.
Former Northern Ireland Office Minister of State Lord Patten – who previously changed the name of Londonderry City Council to Derry City Council and oversaw the disbandment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary as a sop to Roman Catholic Irish Nationalists – is overseeing the Government’s organisation of the visit. It was the former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, who invited the Pope. The visit is expected to cost the Roman Catholic Church £14 million with a similar figure being spent by Her Majesty’s Government.
It has always been the aim, and regular prayers are said each Friday, to see England return to Roman Catholicism, so Cardinal Newman’s beatification (a step towards sainthood) is seen as celebrating his work to turn the UK to Romanism.
Unfortunately, in these days of the ecumenical movement, many no longer see the errors of Rome and the need for the Reformation. The Roman Catholic catechism states that “the sacraments are the chief means of salvation”. That means attendance at Mass, penance and indulgences, together with good works, are necessary for salvation. Merit can be achieved through various religious rites such as meditating on the Stations of the Cross, attending the basilicas in Rome, and even giving up smoking during the turn of the millennium in 2000. This shortens one’s time in purgatory. The Reformers rightly emphasised Paul’s doctrine of “justification by faith” and that we are “saved by grace through faith” – “not of works, lest any man should boast.” (See Ephesians 2:8 & 9).
There are so many other matters of concern. Transubstantiation (where the bread and wine of the communion table is supposed to be changed into the body and blood of Jesus at the blessing) is an anathema, because Rome believes that Christ is offered up once again as a sacrifice on the altar. Paul used the words “as often as you eat this bread” and Jesus said that He would not drink again of the fruit of the vine until He drunk it anew in His Father’s Kingdom. Paul knew he was partaking of bread and Jesus knew He was drinking wine. Also Jesus offered Himself “once for all” as the writer of the Hebrews states several times.
The priesthood has no place in the New Testament except that all believers are described as a “royal priesthood” offering up spiritual sacrifice to God. No priesthood is required because Jesus, as High Priest, offered up to the sacrifice (Himself) to end all sacrifices. There is no need of confession to an earthly priest because we confess our sins directly to God through Jesus Christ.
The place of Mary as the Queen of Heaven, together with her bodily ascension is unbiblical. It is a syncretistic step, embracing Ishtar where in Jeremiah, cakes were offered to the Queen of Heaven. Again, the place of saints is not biblical because we do not go to God via the saints, but through Jesus Christ, the only way to the Father. Through Christ we can come boldly to the throne of grace to find the help we need.
Therefore, one views the Pope’s visit as dangerous as it will only reinforce all the errors which have arisen in Roman Catholicism over the centuries, and a waste of finite public resources at a time when taxes are being raised and public expenditure in other areas is being cut in order to reduce the budget deficit.
At the same time, one notes with concern the recent speculation that Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe is expected to be appointed as British Ambassador to the Vatican., not least because as Ms Widdecombe is herself a convert to Roman Catholicism, her appointment would ensure closer union with the Papacy on spiritual and temporal matters than would be the case were a Non-Papist appointed to the position. If Ms Widdecombe is appointed to this position she will also become the first Roman Catholic to hold this office as previously it has been held by a Protestant.
Leaving aside Benedict XVI's homophobic views which have - quite rightly, in my view - caused widespread outrage by the secular gay and lesbian community across the United Kingdom, the aforementioned reasons explains why one prays that all eyes will be opened and ears will be unstopped as true believers proclaim Biblical Christianity so that the UK might once again echo the battle-cry of King William III, Prince of Orange, “The Protestant Religion and the Liberties of England I will maintain” or, to cut a long story short, loudly chant “No Pope Here!”