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Though the Roman Church itself may be consistent, not all rank and file pew warmers are. Some are pro death penalty, some are not; some are anti abortion, some are not; some are hawks, some are doves; some care about the environment; some don't; some are pro Obama Care, some are not; some are anti divorce, some are not; some are loyal to the hierarchy, some are not; for example when Mr. Obama was running for President the first time around, Rome encouraged its followers not to vote for him, but thousands of Catholics voted from him anyway; and in point of fact, I read somewhere not long after the election that were it not for the Catholic vote, Mr. Obama would have failed in his bid for a first term.
The average rank and file pew warmer is probably unware that disunity with the hierarchy is all the same as disunity with the monarch whom the hierarchy represents.
America is a democracy consisting of a representative form of government. The Church is a theocracy consisting of a monarchal form of government; viz: The Church is not now-- nor has ever been --a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; but rather; it's a government of Christ, by Christ, and for Christ: a monarch who expects nothing less than 110% loyalty from his subjects; which, relative to the pew warmer, implies submission to Christ's hierarchy and compliance with the catechism and the laws of God. Christ is not a plastic monarch. His wishes are not optional; they are law and nobody gets to vote on them.
†. Matt 16:19 . . And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Those keys were not given to the rank and file; they were given to Christ's hierarchy; therefore, Catholics who dissent with Rome are actually rebelling against the Christ whom Rome represents.
†. Heb 13:17 . . Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Several years ago, on Good Morning America, a Monsignor was asked by David Hartman and Joan Lunden about Catholic dissidents, and he replied; "They've left the Church; and don't know it."
Not only have dissidents left the Church and don't know it, but Christ has left them as well.
†. Rev 3:15-16 . . I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
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