Message Forum

Welcome to the Richardson High School Message Forum.

The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.


 
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05/09/25 07:17 PM #32781    

 

Ron Knight

Sometimes I hate things I run across, but it needs to be said and brought to the attention of all of us.

"...who controls the money controls the world" - Henry Kissinger

I know there has been a lot of mis information about billionaires and the influence they may have on outcomes of elections and policy. From a Politifact article back on June 23, 2014 Democrat Senator Reid of Nevada tried to bring up a bill of disclosure of billionaires and their donations that were influncing elections.Open Secrets found that of 22 billionaires, 13 donated to Dark Money NGO's for liberal idiology. Funny how time changes things OR not!

But I am not here to talk about Senator Reid. I found a stunning account of the top 10 companies and their control over our nation and business.

10) Nvidia - did you know that they control 80% of the GPU microchip for AI? I think that is a monopoly!

9)  Saudi Aramco - Exxon/Mobil looks like a little independant compared to the Saudi Arabia state owned giant.

8, 7 and 6 I will cover at the bottom as they are known as "The Big Three" and deserve special attention

5) Comcast - Though they are trying to spin off MSNBC and CNN, they are the giant in the industry

4) Walmart - Sam Walton built a giant from little bitty Bentonville, AR. They have ruined mom and pop stores in the markets they have dominated all at the same time bringing down wages and creating even more poverty while not improving the community. They destroyed Huffy Bicycle and Master Lock. They flooded those companies with orders and when they couldn't keep up, Walmart partnered up with China and killed those American jobs and companies.

3) Johnson & Johnson - You don't see their name on the label, but they own so much of the health products and personal care products. Just plain dominance!

2) Cargill - WOW, a privately owned  family giant that rules our food supply. They are one of four with worldwide dominance control. Hardly anything they don't touch about our food. BUT, they constantly are in trouble with child labor violations around the world.

1)  Nestle - another child labor violator, but JAN up in Michigan Nestle was drilling to the water table and selling bottled water that should have been for the public. 600% profits. They paid Michigan a whopping $200 fine!!!!

BUT, I saved the worst for last, # 8 - Blackrock, #7 - Vanguard and #6 State Street. Big Investment giants that the three combined own 88% of stock in major corporations and dictate policy by their political idiology and years dictated DEI to folks like Bud Light and Harley Davidson and so many more. They control many banks and credit cards. They set policy for many airlines. Their combined net woth in the trillions is more than most nations combined. Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock is a billionaire and imposed most DEI demands to so many US companies that they had control and influence over. IF Larry Fink were a Republican, what would we be hearing now? Elon used to be a darling of the Dems with his green peace Teslas. Sadly, most people getiing their Teslas vandalized are most likely Democrats. 

I think it's time to break up some monopolies again.

 


05/09/25 08:09 PM #32782    

 

Marty Fulton

RON - Amen.  Based on recent developments, let's see - who is going to be the DEM nominee in 2028?

AOC - I don't think so (just ask her constituents).  Bernie - Too old.  Gavin - sorry, your state is a disaster.  Kamala - We can only hope that it's true.  N Pelosi - dream on.  T Walz - freebie city -- NOT!  J Crockett - get serious....  Which leads to the issue of who will be their VP?  

Truly scary....


05/10/25 08:45 AM #32783    

 

Lowell Tuttle

The new Pope was a White Sox/Baseball attendee (fan, I guess.)   He needs to pray hard for that team, though, they did beat the Astros in the 2005 World Series...


05/10/25 09:46 AM #32784    

 

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

POPE BOB

 


 

Bob, 

Your post yesterday assessing David’s religious background brought a smile bigger than St. Peter's Square!

I also took some poetic license to reframe your extrapolation with historical accuracy, and a bit of flavor from what we’ve recently learned about Robert Prevost becoming Pope Leo XIV.

Of course, I’m looking forward to learning more about Pope Bob, especially how God will use this new “Vicar of Christ” to help heal a divided America and a godless world.

Soon after the “white smoke” announcement of Pope Leo XIV, I was disappointed that his speech included a prayer to the Virgin Mary, but failed to mention Jesus at all.  

As a protestant whose faith is derived solely from the Bible-based Word of God, I can only hope that, as a mission-minded uniter of the faithful, Leo won’t unite the World by throwing Jesus under the bus...er, car! 


 

 

From “Cardinal ChatGPT” & me, here's a polished narrative-style essay that blends:

Bob’s reflections on David’s Catholic background.
 

The comparison of assumptions vs. facts.
 

A humorous reflection on religious heritage vs. belief.
 

A factual and warm biography of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost).
 

 

🕊️ Faith, Baseball, and a Pope from Chicago

It started with a memory—a picture from a summer trip to Europe decades ago, shared between high school friends David and Tommy. One image stuck with their classmate Bob: a relative of David’s, clad in ornate vestments, suggesting not Roman Catholic roots, but Eastern Orthodox. The visual cue led Bob down a thoughtful and intricate path to reconstruct David’s religious heritage, threading together Orthodox schisms, Albanian history, Uniate churches, and modern faith practice.

Bob’s hypothesis was part-serious, part-playful: “You're an Orthodox Catholic, Judaeo-Anglican Christian by tradition,” he concluded, crowning David with the most unique religious identity of Richardson High School’s Class of ’69. But was Bob right?

 

Bob’s Theological Deduction vs. Historical Reality

Let’s break it down:

Bob’s Assumption

Reality Check

Likelihood

Vestments = Orthodox, not Catholic

Eastern Catholic clergy often resemble Orthodox clergy in attire

✅ Plausible

Existence of Uniate Churches

True—called Eastern Catholic Churches, in full communion with Rome

✅ Accurate

Albanian Orthodox Church fled to Italy and became Catholic

Only a small Albanian Catholic community exists; not widespread

❌ Unlikely

Relative could be a Uniate bishop, not a Patriarch

Technically possible, but would be rare

⚠️ Unclear

David’s identity: Orthodox Catholic Judaeo-Anglican

Creative synthesis; not wrong, not official

🎨 Spiritually flexible

Bob’s reasoning showed intellectual generosity—an attempt to honor the nuance of David’s background, while offering a speculative journey through history. Whether or not it lands on the precise truth, it speaks to how complicated religious identity can be...even with deception hidden in plain sight!

 


 

Why Genealogy ≠ Theology

Trying to deduce someone's religion based on family origin is like guessing their Spotify playlist from their grandparents’ spice rack. Sure, your great-aunt might have baked prosphora in the old country—but that doesn’t mean you’re fasting before Pascha. Ethnic identity might be a clue, but faith is more like fashion: personal, evolving, and occasionally rebellious. Baptized Catholic? Attends Episcopal services? Dabbles in Buddhism? Welcome to the faith buffet, 21st-century edition.

 


 

Pope Leo XIV: From Sox Fan to Successor of Peter

Not all popes come from royal bloodlines or ancient palaces. Some come from Chicago’s city of Big Shoulders!

Born Robert Francis Prevost in 1955, the future Pope Leo XIV grew up in a working-class neighborhood with his brothers John and Louis, where they bonded over games like “Where’s Waldo?,” loved the thrill of spotting and naming cars, and passionately cheered for the Chicago White Sox. Faith was a constant, but so was fun, and the three boys shared both at family gatherings and neighborhood parks.

Robert entered the Order of St. Augustine and was ordained a priest in 1982. But instead of staying in Chicago, he followed a missionary call to Peru, where he spent nearly 20 years ministering in the rural Diocese of Chulucanas. Fluent in Spanish and deeply respected for his pastoral care, he eventually became Prior Provincial of the Augustinians in Peru.

From there, he took on a global leadership role as Prior General of the Augustinians (2001–2013), later serving as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015), and eventually appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023—essentially becoming the Pope’s right-hand man in choosing new bishops.

In 2025, his election to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV surprised some but thrilled many, especially in Chicago, where South Siders beamed with pride. Local Sox fans joked that the new Pope might bless Guaranteed Rate Field—and who knows? With a papal baseball glove in the Vatican museum someday, anything’s possible.

 


 

Timeline: Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost)

Year

Event

1955

Born in Chicago, Illinois

1977

Professed first vows in the Order of St. Augustine

1982

Ordained a Catholic priest

1985–1999

Missionary and leader in Peru, incl. Augustinian Prior Provincial

2001–2013

Prior General of the Augustinians (Rome-based)

2015

Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru

2023

Named Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis

2025

Elected Pope Leo XIV

?

Maybe throws the first pitch at a Sox game? (One can hope.)

 


If there's one lesson here, it’s this:

faith and identity aren’t always inherited like eye color or team allegiance. Sometimes they’re chosen, rediscovered, or even redefined. But if you ever meet a Chicago-born Italian kid who loves the White Sox, drives a convertible, and quotes Augustine—you just might be looking at Pope Leo XV!

 


FYI, Pope Leo XIV grew up in Chicago with 2 brothers (Louis and John) and was a lover of the Chicago White Sox and driving convertible cars. 

God only knows if Pope Bob will join Trump's Golden Age of America by divinely creating a boost in sales of White Sox tickets and Chevy Impalas?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzSQJRELzBw&t=4s

 

The Beatles - Drive My Car

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzSQJRELzBw&t=4s

 



 

.

 

05/10/25 03:27 PM #32785    

 

Ron Knight

Asheville Update

Well, I moved out here 12 years ago and after this morning I think I've seen it all!!!. Around 9:04 am this morning it was confirmed a 4.1 earthquake struck on the border of NC and Tenn. Basically south of where I-40 is located and between Gatlinburg, TN and Bryson City, NC. It lasted about 10-15 seconds of everything bouncing up and down. JIM BEDWELL, did you feel it in Knoxville???

AND, Thursday we had the FIRST hail storn since I've been here. And just six months ago Hurricane Helene, which we are still recovering from - but that will take years.

Welcome to Asheville where there is never a dull moment! Something is always shaking.


05/10/25 04:18 PM #32786    

 

Wayne Gary

Lance,

You do not appear to understand praying to a Saint,  They are asking the Saint to take their prayer to God.  Not unlike you asking someone to pray for me.  You are asking another person to carry your prayer to God.


05/10/25 05:03 PM #32787    

 

David Cordell

Bob F. -

Thanks for your interest! (And you are probably the only one interested!)

Here's some information about the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church (also called Byzantine), but I suspect you know more than I do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italo-Albanian_Catholic_Church

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eparchy_of_Piana_degli_Albanesi#:~:text=Hor%C3%ABs%20s%C3%AB%20Arb%C3%ABresh%C3%ABvet.-,Territory,Albanesi%20and%20Santa%20Cristina%20Gela.

Essentially, in the late 15th century, the Ottomon Turks beat up on the Albanians, many of whom left for southern Italy and Sicily.In the small towns where this group exists, the people are called Arbëreshë, and they speak an archaic version of Albanian among themselves, although everyone can speak Italian.

Here is a bit about the Arbëreshë.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arb%C3%ABresh%C3%AB_people

Here is a very brief Wikipedia page for my late cousin, Bishop Sotir Ferrara.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotir_Ferrara

This photo is of the funeral of Pope John XXIII. Sotir is one of the men in the long white garments on the left. He is the one closest to that big marble pedestal with his back toward the pedestal.

 

Below: Sotir with John Paul II.

Sotir on Palm Sunday

The photo below was taken from a plaza in my grandfather's hometown, Piana degli Albanesi. The building on the right is San Demetrio Cathedral. The building to the left of it is the home my grandfather grew up in, and it is still owned by family members.

The photo below is of First Communion, and the children are descending the steps in the pathway between  our family home on the left and the cathedral on the right.

 


05/10/25 06:33 PM #32788    

Bob Fleming

Thanks for the post and information David.  I have read it all.

The story of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church in Italy (and who knew, a diaspora community in the U.S. among other places) is MUCH more complex and much more interesting than I guessed or imagined.

And much more ancient.  It's a rich, rich history.

The most amzing part of the story is that the church and community is so resliient, healthy, and organized.  Though small, it is robust.

The ratio of laity to clergy and priests must be the envy of Catholic and Orthodox churches everythwere. 

Amazing.

 


05/10/25 07:01 PM #32789    

 

Lowell Tuttle

Ron, they felt it in Chattanooga...  Bro in law in hosptal and it is a chatter there.


05/10/25 07:05 PM #32790    

 

Ron Knight

David and Bob F. so very interesting of the background.

I hold both of you in immense respect. It's important to know how this country was built on immigrants LEGALLY being here and being able to peacefully bring those religions to follow. I have gone back to the "old country" (England) in my case tracing the Knight family from England to North Carolina (Wilmington in the early 1700's). Martin Luther was known as the modern day (from the 16th century) Christian that helped spread Christianity to the Western World. Lutherism was rooted in 16th Century England. Of the branches spun off of his faith was the Lutheran Church and the Methodist Church. Maybe more that I not aware of. My family has been rooted in the Methodist idiology for centuries. In case you are not familiar with Methodism, we believe in moderation. Being in the "center" so to speak. 

Thanks to both of you sharing such faith and history.

LOWELL

Is your brother-in-law okay? Did he have more shake, rattle and roll than we had here in Asheville?


05/10/25 07:43 PM #32791    

 

David Cordell

I'm reproducing below a post from eight years ago.

I'm pretty sure I have told this story. My grandfather Vito Sparacio was born in Piana dei Greci in the Palermo Province of Sicily on December 16, 1892, the son of Salvatore Sparacio and Francesca Sciortino Sparacio.

Here is Vito's baptismal record from San Demetrio Cathedral, which is right next door to the family home where he was born. A friendly Italian-American genealogy buff translated for me.

He was born and grew up in this humble house.

This is what the house looks like now. That's Martha at the corner of the building and the priest in the foreground is Bishop Sotir Ferrara, my first cousin once removed, who passed away last December. 

 

Vito arrived at Ellis Island in July 1913. Below is his listing on the ship's manifest. He is on line 14.

It's difficult to read, but the ship's manifest shows that he had $8 and was en route to his Uncle Emanuele Sciortio's home in Frankfort, NY. Emanuele had arrived in 1905 and worked for the New York Central Railroad, where he helped Vito get a job. See if you can guess who is the Sicilian in the photo below. Hint: he's the one with the funny pants.

Vito didn't relish manual labor on the railroad, and eventually landed in East Orange, NJ. where heworked for the Thomas Edison Company He registered for the draft in 1917, although not a citizen.


 

Vito married Carmela "Millie" Lucido on September 6, 1920. she had immigrated from Alessandria della Roca in the Agrigento province of Sicily in 1907 as a six-year-old. Note that in the WWI draft registration, Vito was listed as a machinist. On the marriage record below, he is listed as a musician. The Thomas Edison Company had a band for promotional purposes, including meeting troop ships at the docks. He played cornet, and performed at the wedding of one of Edison's children. I don't think Vito is in this photo, but this is the band.

Nine months and a few days later, my mother was born -- June 15, 1921. According to Italian naming traditions, she was named Frances after her father's mother, Francesca.

 

Vito had applied for US citizenship and was in process when my mother was born, but it didn't finalize until June 28, 1921, thirteen days after she was born. So, according to Italian law, my mother was born an Italian citizen because her father had not yet renounced his Italian citizenship. It took a lot of effort and a bit of money to establish validity of all of this, but since my mother was born an Italian citizen and never renounced her citizenship, I was born an Italian citizen. My children qualify by birth and my wife by marriage. We even receive ballots for Italian elections.

Vito registered for the"old man's draft" in 1942. By this time he had moved to Saint Louis and bought a bleach manufaturer called Novel Wash.

 

There is a lot of his life that is unknown to me, but this is the record of his death.

 

Vito wasn't wealthy, but he was able to buy a five bedroom home for cash during the depression and made several trips to Sicily. He was a very proud American and even worked the polls on election day. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner, and Millie was in Eastern Star. They came as very poor immigrants, and they lived the American dream.

Given my grandparents' life journeys from Sicily to America, there is some irony in my efforts to establish Italian citizenship. I did it partly as a lark, but partly because of potential travel advantages and partly so my children could work in the European Union without needing a green card. So far, only the "lark" part has come to fruition.

 


05/10/25 11:35 PM #32792    

Jim Bedwell

Ron,

No, I didn't feel the earthquake in Knoxville, where I live more on the west side. However, I was asleep at 9 in the morning. Also I felt about 50 earthquakes in Alaska over my 20+ years there so unless it's a strong one that shakes hard, I have become complacent about them. I felt only 2 earthquakes in Washington state over my 13.5 years there. Both were under 5 seconds and not strong so pretty much nothing in my view.


05/11/25 10:20 AM #32793    

 

Lowell Tuttle

Ron.   Danny sort of ignored doctors in his 40-50's and ended up type II losing one kidney and then having the other transplanted.   In his 60's, now, years of complications via half kidney functions with infections, issues born from hospitalizations, etc...  My conviction is he ignored doctors in favor of faith confidence.  Although I am a believer, my commons sense tells me to follow providers' instructions as far as health is concerned and on top of that pray.   Most recently he fell out of bed and had a brain bleed...but it was about the time the kidney needed to be "aided" by infusions...when the body catches up to where the kidney can function, he's usually good for 3-6 months.   That's my uneducated analysis...

Susie is just under type II and walks, diets, and takes meds to keep it just under...

I don't now about what happened in my family...blood sugar excellent, cholesteral very good, bp managed by a bit of vein softener...and biking 5-6 miles 5-7 days a week...

Meanwhile, did you know Shipley's donuts charges 2.85 for a cinamon roll?   Jeez...4.25 for a large coffee...

But, I did walk there and back...about a mile.

Happy Mother's Day...It's the kid's job to make that, right?

Addendum...Our new car has a $6.00 a month Sirius XM subscription.   I don't use it much in the car, but linked in at my home office.   Fun to listen to Canadian XM talk channels...Not your Rush Limbaugh...

My mom was Canadian, married to American dad when I was born.  However, I wasn't born in the United States, I was born in The District of Columbia.   My brother looked into getting Canadian citizenship (dual) and it is allowed, but a bit complicated...I do not know if any benefits...His had a lawyer working on it, but his wife passed, and re doing their trust has taken up $ and time...maybe I'll do it too...just in case they start deporting liberals.   The country would be so much better without them don't you think?   Lots of relatives on my Mom's side in PEI...some in Ottawa, BC, New Zealand...


05/11/25 11:23 AM #32794    

 

Ron Knight

Lowell,

Sorry to hear of your brother-in-law and sister. Type II is devasting at best and a killer at worst. I'm overweight and everytime I see a new doctor they scratch their head that I am NOT diabetic. It does not run in our family and my poor eating habits during my working years did not develope into diabetes. I'm sure if I had gotten it I would not be able to pray that away. I had a brother who did not vaccinate during Covid and came down with it during the peak of the outbreak. He prayed his way through it and survived, but his kids were devastated. I am very close to them and I had to listen to hours of crying and why did he not take the shot?!! It was very iffy for him for a while and the kids didn't think he would pull through. Maybe he had a death wish?? 

Shipley Donuts in my mind were always as good or better and cheaper than Krispy Kream, now are priced the same. I loved their hot fresh glazed donuts.

Well if you get deported to Canada make sure it's not to Alberta. AND promise to keep writing!!!


05/11/25 11:46 AM #32795    

 

Lowell Tuttle

7th grade.   Belt Line Jr. Hi.   A wing, B wing, 1/2 built was C wing.   Exit from the cafeteria hallway just past B wing.   C wing had cinderblock wall... We Belt Liners felt sorry for the Richardson West kids.   I think that first group of West kids must have felt disenfranchised.   There weren't many...I think I got into Belt Line because I signed up for Spanish I, which was supposed to be a High School level credit...Mrs. Macintosh...we were terrible kids in that class as I remember.

I think those big cinamon rolls in those days were 10 cents.   The gang of Hank Dubey, Mike West, and a couple of others (myself mostly an on looker, exited.)   Could you get the whole cinamon roll into your mouth in one bite?

Then, someone started the idea of throwing pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters against the C wing wall and the then engaged scramblers out to get the change as it bounced back against the wall to the ground.

Memories...


05/11/25 12:01 PM #32796    

 

Lowell Tuttle

Chronicle today.   Shale operations have peaked.   Hydrofracking in Permian slowing down.   

Basically, they can't be profitable enough at under 65 per barrel.   Saudi's can just go out and stick a hose in the ground...but even they don't like under 65.

EOG, Coterra, Nabors, Diamondback and announced cutbacks...

There is other types of production, I am sure, but just reporting on the Permian and Hydro techniques is this article.   And the cutbacks are easily reversed...plus there is some already ongoing production


05/11/25 12:22 PM #32797    

 

Lowell Tuttle

So, I googled.   Why are some Texas UIL baseball playoffs 3 games and some 1 game?

Apparently, the district champion has a choice in the first round.   And, in further rounds, it depends on both teams' agreeing.

Weather, costs, even strength of pitching dictates the options.

We have some baseball coaches who know.   Phil Fielder?  others...I just look at the matchups and watch in the paper...if some high scores, I follow that team stat page to see who whopped some big RBI stats...Noting the names for future...

Texas big involved this year in SEC run.   Texas or Arkansas to win title.


05/11/25 12:32 PM #32798    

 

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

ROMAN CATHOLICISM & PROTESTANTISM

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

 

 

David, after helping you build the hoard of stuff in your garage over a decade ago, I commend your mom, Fran, for training you with a lifetime of ancestry and family album collecting skills!

 

Wayne said:

Lance, You do not appear to understand praying to a Saint,  They are asking the Saint to take their prayer to God.  Not unlike you asking someone to pray for me.  You are asking another person to carry your prayer to God.

    So my prayer requests with/for the living aren't enough?  You mean I/we also need to go to the dead for intercession?  The Old Testament, specifically Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and Leviticus 19:31, explicitly forbids this.  These verses highlight that such practices are detestable to God and are associated with the practices of other nations that God drove out of the land of Israel. 

  • New Testament Guidance:
    While the New Testament doesn't explicitly repeat the Old Testament prohibitions of communicating with the dead, it reinforces the importance of seeking guidance from our living God through prayer and the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that believers should not be defiled by practices rooted in darkness and deception.  

And besides all this, Mary was a devout teenage girl obedient to the Angel of the Lord.  She grew up in a wealthy Jewish family and was virtuous in her faith to God.  But then, why not pray to or with dead "righteous" men? The Bible says David was "a man after God's own heart!"  As righteous men, I'd rather pray with Abraham, Job, and Noah. Why not pray with these guys to hand off prayers to Gods throne?

No, thanks.  I will stick to the Bible's direction to only pray unto the living Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for direct access to the throne room.

And so Biblically, it doesn't make sense that Mary is busy gathering hundreds of millions of prayer requests instead of worshipping God. That’s Jesus’s job…and no one else!  Like all believers (we are called saints), I believe Mary now spends her eternity in the presence of God, not forwarding prayers from you and me.

 

Hey Ron, you’re being tested indeed!   Hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can be unsettling!  So hang in there…the big one (New Madrid 2.0) looks to be coming soon near you...again!

 

 

Also, In support of your Methodist roots and apologetics, debating other religious beliefs, including Catholicism, here’s a bit of additional clarification and support that I thought might be handy:

 

The Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism: A Theological, Historical, and Prophetic Journey.

In the drama of human history, man’s inner spiritual need for worship has created many gods. Yet in modern times, few stories are more layered, more contested, and more symbolically powerful than that of the Roman Catholic Church—and its sharp divergence into Protestantism. From ancient temples and Latin chants to revival tents and guitars, from mitres to microphones, this saga is laced with divine claims, scandalous leaders, and earth-shaking consequences.

So, let’s begin where many agree that it first became real: Rome!

 


Roman Catholic Roots and Rituals

From Constantine's imperial decree legalizing Christianity in 313 AD to the establishment of papal supremacy, the Roman Catholic Church has evolved with profound theological gravity. Constantine, pragmatic emperor that he was, sought to unify his empire by merging the empire’s pagan ritual with the growing community of Jesus believers known as “The Way.” Temples were converted, altars retained, and the language of Babylon found new life in Roman robes/regalia.

Why Peter?  Catholics argue their papal lineage begins with Jesus’ declaration to Peter: “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Thus, Peter is the “first pope,” though Protestant theologians see this verse as referring to Peter’s confession of faith, as a foundation "Stone" of the church of jesus Christ, not his appointment as a/the singular Church leader.

Noteworthy later in Matthew 16:23, Jesus (again) turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

We later read in 1 Peter wherby he sees himself as a fellow elder…not the Papal leader: 

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.  1 Peter 5.

The Church developed a rich liturgical tapestry: incense and holy water, rosary prayers, Latin (Constantine’s language) for Mass, veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary, and the Eucharist, believed during communion to become (unlike Protestant belief) the literal body of Christ. Participation in the Church’s seven sacraments is deemed essential to salvation. Baptism, whether infant or adult, is seen as the gateway to Heaven.

Catholic culture also carries regional folklore and traditions: think Latin America’s “Day of the Dead,” fish on Fridays, and the 3x daily Angelus call to prayer bell. For all its ceremonial splendor, Catholic theology leans on a works-and-sacrament-based path to salvation, intertwined with the mystery of purgatory and prayers to saints as intermediaries. Purgatory is the state of purification after death for those who have died in God's grace but still need to be cleansed of venial sins or the temporal punishment due to past sins. 

The Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination in the world, traces its roots back to the earliest followers of Jesus Christ. While Catholicism claims continuity with the apostolic church founded by Christ and His disciples, its historical development and theological practices have been shaped over centuries by a complex interplay of spiritual devotion, political forces, cultural integrations, and doctrinal evolutions.

Historical Foundations:  Merging“The Way” into Empire Religion

The earliest Christians, known simply as followers of “The Way” (Acts 9:2), practiced a communal and scripturally grounded faith under heavy persecution. With the conversion of Emperor Constantine and the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, Christianity was legalized and eventually adopted as the state religion of the Roman Empire. This pivotal shift, while securing the survival and spread of Christianity, also initiated a syncretism—intentional or incidental—between Roman imperial culture and the evolving Christian faith.

Critics of the post-Constantinian church often point to the adoption of elements with perceived pagan origins—such as certain vestments, architectural motifs, and liturgical calendar dates—as evidence of a merging with ancient Babylonian religious customs. While the Church holds that these cultural adaptations served to sanctify and repurpose human traditions for divine worship, some theologians and scholars have debated the theological implications of this syncretism.

The Papacy: Leadership and Apostolic Succession

One of the most distinct features of Roman Catholic ecclesiology is the office of the Pope, considered the successor of the Apostle Peter. Based on an interpretation of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,” Catholics believe Peter was appointed as the first bishop of Rome and thus the earthly head of the Church. The doctrine of apostolic succession maintains that the Pope carries on this leadership role as the Vicar of Christ on earth.

The Pope’s ceremonial mitre, a tall pointed hat worn during liturgical functions, symbolizes the office’s authority and connection to ancient ecclesiastical tradition. Though visually similar to headwear used in pre-Christian religions, the Church interprets its significance strictly within the boundaries of ecclesial leadership.

Rituals, Sacraments, and Sacred Practices

Central to Catholic life is a structured set of rituals and sacramental theology. The Mass—a liturgical celebration centered around the Eucharist—is the pinnacle of Catholic worship. In this rite, the bread and wine are believed to become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ through transubstantiation, based on Christ’s words at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26–28). Kneeling during the Eucharist signifies reverence toward Christ’s real presence.

Catholics recognize seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. These are viewed as channels of divine grace, instituted by Christ. Baptism, whether of infants or adults, is considered essential for salvation (John 3:5), and without it, entry into heaven is traditionally viewed as uncertain.

Additional elements of Catholic piety include the use of holy water, incense, and Latin in liturgical settings, though vernacular languages are more common since the Second Vatican Council. The Angelus, a devotional prayer said three times daily (morning, noon, and evening), reflects the rhythm of Catholic daily spirituality.

Prayer and Devotion: Saints, Mary, and the Rosary

A hallmark of Catholicism is its rich devotional life, especially through prayers to saints, which the Church teaches are not worship but requests for intercession. Among the most venerated is Mary, the mother of Jesus, honored for her heroic virtue and sinless obedience. The Rosary, a meditative prayer sequence centered on the life of Christ and Mary, remains one of the most widely practiced devotions.

Canonized saints are celebrated for their exemplary lives of holiness, and their feast days populate the liturgical calendar. Practices like the Day of the Dead, especially observed in Latin American Catholicism, blend indigenous customs with Catholic teaching on the communion of saints and prayer for the dead.

Critics have charged Catholicism with “elevating” saints above the average believer. However, the Church distinguishes between latria (worship due to God alone), dulia (veneration of saints), and hyperdulia (special veneration of Mary).

Salvation, Purgatory, and Works

Catholic soteriology affirms salvation by grace through faith, but insists that works, sacraments, and ongoing cooperation with grace are necessary (James 2:17, Philippians 2:12). The concept of Purgatory—a state of purification for souls destined for heaven—reflects the Church’s understanding of divine justice and mercy, supported by passages like 1 Corinthians 3:15.

While Catholics pray to God through Jesus, many prayers are offered indirectly, invoking saints and Mary for intercession. This practice is rooted in the communal and mystical understanding of the Church as one body (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

Moral and Cultural Expressions

Catholic moral life includes communal disciplines such as abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, honoring holy days of obligation, and fasting. Practices vary globally but share a common aim: to unite personal sacrifice with Christ’s own.

The Church traditionally excludes non-Catholics from receiving Communion, both as a matter of doctrine regarding the Eucharist and a visible sign of full unity, which the Church hopes to achieve through ecumenical dialogue rather than compromise.

Summary

Roman Catholicism is a faith deeply rooted in Scripture, apostolic tradition, and centuries of theological reflection. While its history includes elements adopted or adapted from surrounding cultures, the Church views itself as the custodian of Christ’s mission on earth. Its rich tapestry of rituals, sacraments, devotions, and doctrines continues to shape the spiritual lives of over a billion adherents worldwide.


Enter: Martin Luther & Protestantism

How a monk with a hammer on the church door changed the religious world!

In 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 theses protesting Roman Catholic corruption,  ihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses, indulgences, and doctrinal errors. His rallying cry: sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (God’s grace, and the saving blood of Jesus alone). Thus, Protestantism was born—not a single church, but a movement.

Luther’s bold theology shattered Rome’s monopoly and sparked a forest fire of reform across Europe, across the classes and the masses! The printing press churned out Bibles. Peasants and princes alike stood with Luther. From Calvin’s Geneva to Wesley’s revivals, Protestant denominations flowered with doctrinal variety but shared roots: authority resting solely on the Bible, and eternal salvation into Heaven by faith alone.  Thus, the Remission of sins is closely knit to the concept of forgiveness, where God pardons the offense and no longer considers the person guilty.  It also involves absolution, where the penalty or punishment for the sin is divinely removed, due to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah at the cross.

 


Satan’s Long Game: Biblical Attempts to Destroy the Messiah’s Lineage

Ever since The Fall in Eden, and from Genesis to Matthew, the Devil’s fingerprints can be seen trying to derail the promised Seed and plan of God for the ultimate redemption of mankind:

Cain & Abel – Genesis 4: Murder as the first attempt. 

The Flood – Genesis 6: Corrupt the gene pool.

Pharaoh’s Edict – Exodus 1: Kill the Hebrew boys.

Athaliah’s massacre – 2 Kings 11: The Line of David nearly extinguished.

Haman’s plot – Esther 3: Genocidal plans.

Herod’s slaughter – Matthew 2: Kill baby Jesus.

King Jeconiah of Judah - Jeremiah 22:30:  The lineage of Jesus through Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) was threatened by a prophecy in Jeremiah 22:30, which stated that Jeconiah's descendants would not sit on the throne of David.

But divine providence prevailed. The Lamb of God came—born of a virgin, nailed to a cross, risen in glory!

 


Revelation 17: The Woman on the Beast – One World Religion coming?

The Apostle John’s apocalyptic vision doesn’t mince “signs and symbols”.  We observe his apocalyptic visions of God’s wrath of justice upon a (post-Rapture) unrepentant, unbelieving, and rebelling mankind.

In Revelation 17, we meet “Babylon the Great,” a dazzlingly corrupt woman riding a seven-headed beast… representing corrupt doctrines and practices by the early church and Rome. 

She is clothed in purple and scarlet, drunk on the blood of saints, and decked with gold and jewels. Many scholars associate this figure with religious corruption and political seduction—a spiritual system merged with empire. An imminent One World government and religion ruled by the Unholy Trinity: Satan, the Anti-Christ, and the False Prophet.

Some interpreters, controversially, link this imagery with the ecclesiastical power of the Catholic Church. Whether literal or symbolic, Revelation’s warning is stark: global religious deception will culminate in a unified system that ultimately turns on the true followers of Christ.

 


 

Comparative Chart: Catholicism vs. 10 Protestant Denominations

Denomination

Doctrinal Differences with Catholicism

Bible Rationale

Unfulfilled Prophecy & Eschatology

Southern Baptist Convention

Sola fide, believer's baptism only

Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 2:38

Pre-millennial rapture, Revelation 20

United Methodist Church

Grace through faith, open communion, female clergy

Romans 3:28; Galatians 3:28

Moral decline as signs (2 Timothy 3)

Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA)

Justification by faith, infant baptism, open communion

Romans 5:1; Acts 16:15

Awaiting the second coming, Revelation 22:12

Assemblies of God

Baptism of the Holy Spirit, tongues, healing, pre-trib rapture

Acts 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Rapture and tribulation, Daniel 9:27

Church of God (Cleveland, TN)

Holiness, Spirit baptism, tongues

1 Peter 1:16; Acts 2:38–39

Emphasis on revival before end, Joel 2

National Baptist Convention

Emphasis on soul liberty, traditional Baptist theology

Romans 10:9; Matthew 28:19

Watchfulness, Matthew 24:44

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Reformed theology, predestination

Ephesians 1:4–5; Romans 9

Symbolic interpretation of Revelation

Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

Conservative Lutheran doctrine, closed communion

John 6:54; Romans 6:3–4

Focus on Christ’s return and final judgment

Churches of Christ

No instrumental music, adult baptism essential

Acts 2:38; Colossians 3:16

Judgment-focused, Acts 17:31

American Baptist Churches USA

Autonomy of local churches, ordinances not sacraments

1 Corinthians 11:24–26; Romans 14:5

Emphasize readiness, Matthew 25

Roman Catholic Church

 

If you claim to have saving faith but don't show it through your actions (like helping others in need), your faith is empty, dry, and fruitless. Nonetheless, salvation is dependent on Jesus’s grace through faith, not on man’s works of self-effort or achievement.

Sacraments, veneration of Mary/saints, tradition as authority

James 2:17; Matthew 16:18

Tribulation before return, Revelation 13–17



 

 


Earth’s 16 Tipping Points & Jesus’ Prophetic Warnings in 2025

Science and Scripture don’t often meet at a café, but in this case, they do share a table.

Climate scientists have flagged 16 “tipping points” that could destabilize Earth’s systems. In eerie prophetic alignment, Jesus warned of rapidly escalating apocalyptic conditions (as in birth pangs) now observed today:

Earth Tipping Point

Corresponding Scripture (Jesus' Warning)

Arctic sea ice loss

Luke 21:25 – "distress of nations with perplexity"

Greenland ice sheet melt

Matthew 24:20 – "pray your flight not in winter"

West Antarctic ice sheet collapse

Luke 17:29 – "fire and brimstone from heaven"

Amazon rainforest dieback

Matthew 24:7 – "famines and earthquakes"

Boreal forest shift

Luke 21:11 – "great earthquakes in various places"

Atlantic Ocean circulation disruption - AMOC

Matthew 24:22 – "unless those days were shortened"

Coral reef die-off

Luke 21:26 – "men’s hearts failing for fear"

Permafrost thaw, Arctic-Antarctic 

Luke 17:27 – "eating, drinking, buying, selling"

Monsoon shifts

Matthew 24:38 – "until the flood came"

Himalayan glacier loss

Matthew 24:21 – "great tribulation"

Sahara & Deserts greening

Luke 21:10 – "nation against nation"

Siberia sinkholes methane instability

Matthew 24:29 – "powers of the heavens shaken"

Ocean coral bleaching acidification

Revelation 8:9 – "a third of sea creatures died"

Biodiversity collapse, extinctions

Romans 8:22 – "creation groans"

Soil collapse, intensifying sunrays

Matthew 13:6 – "no deep root, scorched by sun"

Freshwater depletion & pathogens

Revelation 16:4 – "rivers turned to blood"

 


The 2026 Horizon: A Final Word

As the digital age of AI and quantum computing hurtles toward sentient robots, singularity of governance, immorality, and environmental collapse, Bible prophecy reads less like poetry and more like headlines.

If Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:27) began around 2026, then 2029 may mark the midpoint—the revealing of the Antichrist and his “abomination of desolation”  caused when seated in the soon-to-be-built 3rd Temple in Jerusalem. This future event, where the Antichrist will set up an image of himself in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and demand global worship, and will effectively desecrate the holy place, forcing people to flee for their lives or be killed!

But don’t despair. This isn’t just doom—it’s the countdown to the glory of Jesus’s triumphant return with his saints (all believers from all generations) at the battle of Armageddon!

Jesus Christ returns. Evil collapses with the Unholy Trinity thrown into the lake of fire. Heaven invades the dying Earth.  A new earthly kingdom begins its 1000-year reign with the King of kings, Jesus, seated in Jerusalem as the world's first benevolent monarch until eternity!

The End, New Beginning.

 


Further Reading & References

Catechism of the Catholic Church – https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Assemblies of God Beliefs – https://ag.org/Beliefs

Southern Baptist Convention – https://www.sbc.net/about/what-we-do/

UN Climate Tipping Points – https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

“Understanding End Times Prophecy” – Paul Benware

“A Woman Rides the Beast” – Dave Hunt

“The Book of Signs” – David Jeremiah

BibleGateway.com – for parallel translations

 


Be alert. Be brave. Be watching.

The King of Kings is returning soon! 

.


05/11/25 05:34 PM #32799    

 

Wayne Gary

Lance,

You post about many denominations.  I know you go to The Watermark Church.  What heratage is the church? What group decerns what your leaders have as believe and teach? Who sets the standards for being an Ordained minister?

United Methodists believe in a 'quadralateral" Beliefs are determinrd by 4 things: Tradition, Scriptures, Reason and Experience and the 4 are held together by the Holy Spirit.

You do like to take scripture out of contex.  One verse can have one meaning by itself and another if you look at the entir contex of the verse.


05/11/25 08:26 PM #32800    

 

Lawrence (Lance) Cantor

Hey Wayne, I appreciate your interest and reply here.

Since I’ve already done my homework, may I request that you do the same for me/us as readers? 

Review Watermark's beliefs on our website https://www.watermark.org/about/whatwebelieve

Reply with your church's website.

Kindly cite those Bible verses you believe are taken out of context, and clarify with your own Biblical interpretation.  If we research it together and find that you are correct, I’d be happy to apologize, and edit my post above.

Thanks!

.


05/11/25 08:58 PM #32801    

 

David Cordell

Hope all of you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day, and that all of us whose mothers have long since departed had the opportunity to reminisce about the the sacrifices our mothers made for us.


05/12/25 07:58 AM #32802    

 

Wayne Gary

Lance,

You did not answer the questions about ordination, heritage and other parts. The "What We Believe" is very simplistic and short.

As a United Methodist we have the "Book Of Discipline:" .

From Wikiepeia

 The Book of Discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the United Methodist Church.[1] It follows similar works for its predecessor denominations. It was originally published in 1784, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been published every four years thereafter following the meeting of the General Conference, which passes legislation that is included in the Book of Discipline. The most recent edition is that of 2020/2024.[2]

The basic unit of reference is the paragraph, not the page, chapter or section. The paragraphs are numbered consecutively within each chapter or section,[3] but numbers are skipped between chapters or sections. The paragraph is often only a few lines, but many are several pages long and they can be divided into multiple subdivisions. Paragraphs are first divided using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3,...) which can themselves be divided by italicized lower case letters with parentheses (a), b), c), d)...) which may be divided using Arabic numerals within double parentheses ((1), (2), (3),...)

Traditionally a list of all the bishops with the year of their election is at the beginning of the book. That is followed by a brief history of the church, then the church constitution, and a statement concerning the doctrine and theology of the church. The Social Principles of the church follow. Finally the legislative section, by far the largest part of The Discipline, appears. scipline

As for misrepreseting scripture hes is a very simple one:

You should hate your enemy. and Jesus said it.

Maththew 5: 43  "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."


05/12/25 08:23 AM #32803    

 

Wayne Gary

Lance,

Do you believe in "Life After Death" and that people go to heaven after death?

The Saints are alive in heaven with God. Jesus told the criminal being hanged next to him"

Luke 23: 42-43 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”  And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

So the Saints are not dead but alive in heaven.

 


05/12/25 08:54 AM #32804    

 

Martha Mize (Mareth)

My "kid" brother passed away after a long illness two days ago. We had wonderful parents so we had a fantastic life. My sister and I and his girlfriend were with him when he departed the earth. I have so many happy memories of him.

Robert J. Mize, 69 , passed away peacefully at the Missouri farmhouse of his ancestors on May 10, 2025.      Robert was born on Jun 22, 1955 in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  In 1960 his family moved to Richardson, Texas.  He attended Heights Elementary, West Junior High and Richardson High School, graduating in 1973.  He graduated from North Texas State University.  After college he stayed in Denton, where he worked as an RN  at Denton Regional Hospital.  In 2001, Robert moved to Roanoke, Missouri to take over the Family Farm, which has been in his family since 1836.  He worked at a nearby Hospital Emergency Room by night and farmed by day.  He loved astronomy so moving out to the country undisturbed by city lights enabled him to study the skies with his high powered telescopes. He was an avid reader;  he loved music, art and mathematics.  In 2013 he met the love of his life, Patricia Hilgeditch and they traveled the world together. He is survived by his 2 sisters, Martha Mize Mareth and Nancy Mize Wimberly, and his 5 nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Urith Mize and his nephews Clayton Wimberly and Tom Mareth, Jr.

 


05/12/25 09:01 AM #32805    

 

Wayne Gary

For you UT grads.  From the Texas State Historical Assn

On this day in 1903, "The Eyes of Texas" was first sung. The performance took place at a minstrel show benefiting the University of Texas track team at the Hancock Opera House in Austin. The ditty soon became the official song of the University of Texas, and is even considered by some a sort of unofficial state song. (Such enthusiasts are rare at College Station.) William L. Prather, an alumnus of Washington College (Lexington, Virginia) and president of UT from 1899 to 1905, had often in his student days heard Robert E. Lee, then president of Washington College, say to students, "The eyes of the South are upon you." Prather altered the saying for use at UT.


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