Apologetical work: Is God a woman?

(South African Catholic)

Short Apologetical Equation by Marc Aupiais

According to a number of New Wave figures: God is a "woman"- or "clearly" not a "man". Ignoring wilfully the incarnation of Jesus (God the Son- one of the three distinct persons of the Holy Trinity) as an actual male of the human species. For this reason- many uses of the masculine in the Sacred Text- have been rendered gender-neutral in a number of translations- even in "Catholic Bibles".

The reason why this is unacceptable corruption of the text- lies not only in the distortion of many prophesies- but further in the philosophical sense of what is "male" and what is "female". This sense of the words- is what is used when manufactured connectors are labled "male" or "female".

It is God who gives us grace- who gives our bodies life- and who instills the church with life and what unity it has.

God fulfils the Spiritually "male" role in his relation to us. It is possibly: in part- for this reason- I would argue- that God created mankind as "male" and "female", and not simply asexual- it is also important therefore that Genesis places the fact that women exist- on the existence of man. We exist because of God.

It is therefor a vital issue to put forth- That God- in relation to us is philosophically "male"- and that while his "gender role" is possibly, and I deeply stress the word possibly- "gender-neutral"- his philosophic position in relation to us: is "male".

Multi-choice- a look at DSTV / Mnet's track-record with the church

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. Catholic Watchdog South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

I personally enjoy watching DSTV, I love Carte Blanche, and its power to do good- and not simply because of the French name- and enjoy the variety. What I don't enjoy is the many somewhat suspect movies I have seen on DSTV as regards the Roman Catholic church- from the religious sponsored movie Luther- a completely inaccurate, especially if accurate were Luther's diary of the events, or that of historic sources- depiction of the life of Martin Luther- in which the main Character calls Roman Catholic "friendly" Rome at the time hell, and the pope the devil, or something as bad, to "Saved", and its odd depiction of Christianity, to screening the Davinci Code- to the movie "Breach"- which could well be accurate, as apparently based on a true story- with a main character who is spying on the US, and belongs to Opus Dei it seems. I also think I saw the film Primeval Fear or something on one of their channels- which was not agreeable with my senses, also notable is Kingdom of Heaven and its portrayal of the Church.

A while ago I tried to ask DSTV to add EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, who seemingly supply their service freely- to their television bouquet. I was unsuccessful. There are so many channels with a Evangelical Baptism/Fundamentalist/"Non-denominational denomination" type of feel on their network- that I thought one Catholic, even Anlglican or Lutheran Television station would be just fairness, but I see neither very many Catholic movies, nor many Catholic channels on DSTV.

A channel which is Catholic is Audio channel 170 on DSTV- Radio Veritas- a certainly loyal station, when it comes to obeying South Africa's bishops- which sometimes propagates information contrary to what I have been able to research of history- but none the less propagated by diocesan sources. I also heard it playing music by Justin Timberlake and Madonna (Four Seconds to Save the World) some time ago- but the announcer seemed to be Portuguese, perhaps they thought it appropriate, and the station itself does not claim only to play catholic music- or only music from organizations who promalgate Trinitarian Baptism- as seen in their playing Mormon or other music.

All they promise is the "good news and good music for a change".

One of the problems with Veritas- is that they were interviewing a person from Catholics for Truth, who are hosted on our Archdiocese' evangelism website, who stated-

"As the church became more institutionalised, the gifts of the Spirit became less common and were seen only in the lives of the great “Saints’. Some, such as St Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) initially thought that they were meant only for the early Church, to “kick-start” her, so to speak. However, he later withdrew this opinion in his Retractions, when he himself witnessed the gifts in abundance in his own Diocese. It was apparent to him then that the gifts occurred where people had expectant faith."
http://www.catholic-jhb.org.za/tracts/renewal.htm

The page is now only accessibly in Google cache- as the entire "evangelism" site has been closed down without any warning we can tell of.

Also this is stated in perhaps only slightly different words on the radio station, by a person interviewed. These words were not repudiated. One may use scripturelink to search on this- but the manifest fact was Augustine went to such pains to prove the gifts of the early Christians- because he had no examples to use if EWTN is to be believed.

We ourselves have countered these claims on:

http://scripturelink.googlepages.com/charismaticmovement


This said- Veritas is run by persons within the church, in this I speak of contact I have had with representation of the station- who truly seem dedicated to their tasks- even if those interviewed, or quoted are sometimes doctrinally incorrect- it is good of DSTV to host them.

What point is there in noting this- it lies in believing that what DSTV screens with their news and entertainment is the full spectrum- it is not, nor is it normal for so many films, including a recent screening "Absolution" to be played on a network without any real opposite viewpoint portrayed. It is odd that this should be permitted, and sad that DSTV has not addressed the issue so apparent- in that someone within their buying department or whatever controls their films and programs- has somehow decided to buy rights to such caliber films to screen, and to choose such channels, that it seems some groups are oddly favoured.

All of this said- I still do enjoy watching DSTV- and sadly- just as a certain and in the case of the example, though not DSTV- infamous channel- CBS chose to air Joan of Arcaidia- a clearly Catholic program, so DSTV also has Veritas- more than this it has BBC, whose news is often accurate, and many useful channels. Until a better competitor, and for that matter, one very positive toward faith, and reason- is allowed in the Market- DSTV is still has a wider selection than many.

DSTV's KTV is very well managed- and probably for quality- permit that their programs seem sometimes to be more than a decade old as long as they are suitable, or seem to be for children.

So- ultimately- the weaknesses in DSTV lie in their selection of films, and their over-emphasis on a very small minority religion's perspective in South Africa- while ignoring that of larger groups to some extent- so that this has only appeared on an Audio Channel, and maybe in a few programs on networks they air.


Some links on sources:

Message Board Conversation where some viewers of movies discuss their views. Not all movies in this discussion have relevance
The Film Luther Reviewed
Veritas on DSTV
Radio Veritas
Refutation of statements on Augustine from good sources

Delegates to Catholic bible synod include Jewish speaker, and Protestants, as well as Our Othodox Brothers

(Journey In a broken World; c.f. Catholic Culture 03/10/08; Vatican Information Services 03/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

With the article from the Vatican itself emphasizing the amount of feminine experts attending- the Church will on Sunday have opened their 12th "general assembly of the Synod of Bishops"( Catholic Culture 03/10/08).

Events include a Jewish Rabbi who will speak of the Jewish perspective on scriptures. Also attending are many experts, as well as delegates from the Eastern Orthodox churches, Lutherans, Anglicans, and others.

Holy See- always manifest the Gospel

(Journey In a Broken World; c.f. EWTN; Vatican Information Service)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Yesterday- the Holy Father noted that whatever freedom Christians have- it must never be "Libertinism", he noted that when Saint Peter and Saint Paul disagreed- when Saint Peter would not eat with Gentiles, Saint Paul himself had suggested only eating vegetables to accommodate the weak, but that while one was concerned for the feelings of others- the essence of the Gospel was at risk for the other.

The Holy Father noted we must always live in conformity with Christ.

Catholics, we must note believe of the Law- that one should always act in conformity with truth- so that when the bible abstains us from many, but not all ceremonies of the Old Testament (Acts 15), it does not in the same council permit any action.

God is worshiped in Spirit and Truth- therefore we must worship him in all we do- and in entirety, doing also the external- for he is not only worshiped by our entire inner being ("spirit"), but also in the manifestation of our actions ("truth").

So that every actual sin consists, not only in what God views as insanity- but also in a denial to those watching, and within one's self of truth, and further in the lack of justice due to world and God.

Material sin, also takes the form of such insanity, but of course bears not guilt so far as it is unintentional.

Rome- Synod to focus on bible

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; Southern Cross (Fidelity issues, link removed: new link explains why) 01/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In light of the coming synod on the Bible, the Southern Cross- is emphasizing the role of the bible in the church. What is not mentioned in their article- is that one of the Oldest popular Catholic bibles- the Douay Rheims- was published before the King James version, or that many of the so-called bible translators- were killed not for translating- something common at the time- but rather for heresy, schism, opposition to church and state- and a revolting appetite for mocking Catholic practice. They were of course killed according to the biblical principal that Aquinas emphasizes- that when acting for justice- and as just authority- a just authority- and not an average citizen- for the good of the nation's people- in Catholic morality has the right to rid the nation of such a citizen (c.f. Augustine- Just War).

Certain anti-Catholic groups may particularly focus on people such as Wycliff- whose translation was so bad- that the Catholic church had him killed. Wycliff was also a heretic- who certainly was not a modern Protestant in belief, or Tyndale- whose bible was such a purposeful mistranslation- to support Martin Luther, and whose footnotes were so anti-Catholic- that not only did Henry the 8th appose him as a heretic, before and after his split with the church, but he was eventually arrested by the secular "Holy Roman Empire"'s representatives and killed- at a time when the church had a waning influence in England (This Rock Magazine 2002;).

In fact- for all the bible martyrs fronted by those apposing the views of the church- there is a similar story.

To be in any real hatred of the Catholic church- one often must discount reason and history!

Another appearance of Catholic disrespect from the bible came about when the American government made the King James Version compulsory in schools- forcing Catholics of the time to veto these classes out of obedience to their bishops.


Further Reading

Tyndale

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0212fea3.asp

Translations on both sides
http://www.scborromeo.org/truth/b4.htm

Related to Tyndale- perils of the "Left Behind" Series, and it's apparent links with anti-catholicism- according to Catholic Answers Apolostate
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109fea3.asp

Vatican installs Solar Power

(Social Justice South Africa;c.f. CathNews;Catholic News Service (CNS) ;BBC; AP; IHT)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Solar panels for the Paul VI auditorium are being installed, with Holy Father- Pope Benedict XVI- emphasising the utmost importance of protecting the environment. Donated by "Solar World", the 2 700 solar panels, used in temperature control and lighting- will save 70 tons of oil, however from the quotations we are unsure of the period in which this will take place, and how often this will occur.

Another group, Planktos Inc (US Firm), along with- KlimaFa Ltd (Hungary) are restoring 600 aches of wood in Hungary and donating the carbon credits to the Vatican.

The German Holy Father- is known for his encouragement of ecological action- to aid our world's natural heritage.

Bishop gives admirable speech- to gay audience that invited him

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Creative Minority Report; Cal Catholic Daily)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sacramento Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto recently was keynote speaker at a gay and lesbian catholics conference in America- where he was expected by many to do what some American bishops have done on issues ranging from salvation, to the mass, to abortion- and endorse the heretical* view of the group....

Instead- and I will quote his words of wisdom, and disapproval of the sin these poor persons where they manifested a heretical* view of marriage and were perhaps are separated from the Ecclesiam by-

"[Cal Catholic Daily] But there was noting ambiguous about Bishop Soto’s remarks to the group. “Sexual relations between people of the same sex can be alluring for homosexuals, but it deviates from the true meaning of the act and distracts them from the true nature of love to which God has called us all,” Bishop Soto said. “For this reason, it is sinful. Married love is a beautiful, heroic expression of faithful, life-giving, life-creating love. It should not be accommodated and manipulated for those who would believe that they can and have a right to mimic its unique expression."

At least five members of the audience walked out during the bishop’s address. When he finished speaking, there was general silence -- with only a very small number applauding.

The chairman of the conference then announced that the bishop would answer questions at a reception that would be held in another room. That led to widespread expressions of disapproval from members of the audience, who said they wanted to be able to express their responses immediately. It was agreed that those who wanted to speak would line up. The bishop was told twice by the chairman that he was free to leave if he wanted -- or to stay and listen. Bishop Soto stayed and sat quietly listening to every response.

A series of about eight speakers came to the microphone to express their unhappiness with what the bishop had said -- and what they felt he had not said. One woman said, in essence, "We know what the Church says. What we wanted you to talk about is the value of our lived experience as lesbian women and gay men."

Two speakers -- one man and one woman -- thanked the bishop for his address and voiced their agreement with what he had to say.

While the audience members were responding to the bishop’s remarks, a board member of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries came up to one of the tables in the room and said, "On behalf of the board, I apologize. We had no idea Bishop Soto was going to say what he said.""

http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2008/09/soto-voce.html








*Official church definition- one who rejects a doctrine they are obligated to believe

Peter and the sheet! What infallibility means- literally speaking!

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Karl Keating Newsletter sept 23)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Saint Peter is Famous for being told to eat unclean food on a sheet- by God- and being told he was wrong to call it unclean.

The notable thing is not that God calls all unclean- or clean- he doesn't- acts 15 proves this- but that he shall determine that- not Peter- but Peter's authority in this is instantly accepted by all the important Christians he speaks with on this.

Karls point, unlike my own- is not on Peter though- but his belief that Cornellius has a more important conversion than that of Saint Paul- as he opened the way for us Gentiles to receive Christ! The fulfillment of Isaac's prophesy- when he appears to lie to Abraham about being firstborn!