Indulgences Make a Comeback

This is ridiculous, it's like the Catholic Church is out to be even wackier than usual these days. First the reinstating of a bishop who denies the Holocaust then this. Can't wait to see what's next.

This is just ridiculous.

My favorite quotes from the article:

"'Father, I haven't been to confession in 20 years, but this' " -- the availability of an indulgence -- " 'made me think maybe it wasn't too late.' "

"the church wants the idea of personal sin back in the equation. Indulgences are a way of reminding people of the importance of penance."

"a happy incentive" for confession

All this talk about sin and punishment, and not one time is "Jesus" mentioned in the article. NOT ONCE!

The 2 most ridiculous lines in the article, IMO:

"You can get one for yourself, or for someone who is dead" !!

"The good news is we're not selling them anymore" !!

http://www.catholic.com/library/Primer_on_Indulgences.asp

Joshua-
First of all, I want to say that I am a huge fan of your books and they have really helped me to better understand Christian relationships and Christian living in general. Your writing has had a great positive impact in my life.

I also want to say that I am a Catholic Christian who is in love with Jesus and who is constantly trying to work on my relationship with Him. I find it slightly upsetting that your website tends to mock us Catholics and our beliefs. First of all, the New York Times is not the best source for understanding our belief about indulgences. Secondly, I don’t understand how making Catholics look crazy contributes to your ministry. I have found multiple things on your website that give very negative views of Catholicism: this article, the one that associates Catholicism to voodoo and occult practices, and the one by the Catholic writer discussing American Idol (For the record, I loved that segment of the show and disagree with that writer). Being a devout Catholic who has gained much inspiration from your books, this is upsetting to see. I understand that you don’t agree with many of our beliefs, and that’s fine. But my question to you is: Are you intending your ministry to reach out to all Christians, or are Catholics excluded?

That was my rant. Know that I really respect you as an author and person; I just don’t understand some of the things on your website and why they are present.

Thank you and may God bless you in all you do.

-Jessica

Dear Jessica,

Thanks for leaving this comment and sharing your perspective. First, I'm honored that you would read my books and say such kind things about my ministry. I appreciate that very much.

Now about your concern. It definitely is not my intention to belittle or mock my Catholic friends. It's true that we have some significant differences of view on important points of belief, but I've never meant to criticize or offend.

I looked at the other blog posts you referenced and in each of those cases I would view the statements as attempting to be unbiased statements of fact. I said the writer of the American Idol piece was Catholic only to point out that he wasn't anti-Christian. The comment about the religious influence of Haiti isn't equating Catholicism with voodoo only stating voodoo's influence. And I shared the article on indulgences as something newsworthy without any negative comment. I do think your point that the NY Times isn't the best source is well taken.

I share all this only to say that it's not my intention in any of these posts to attack you or your beliefs. And I will definitely keep your thoughts in mind for the future so that I'm careful in the way I write things.

Thanks again for humbly expressing your thoughts. May God bless you!

Joshua