Yes, you do, mhaze. (Note the words "seem.")

You didn’t explicitly say you were nostalgic for wealth and power - but when you frame the Church’s past strength in terms of political influence and luxurious wealth, and then describe its current loss of “significance” as a bad thing, the implication is pretty clear. If that's not what you meant, fine - but that’s how it reads.

As for your point about the "foundations," I don’t disagree that evangelism was central. But spreading the Gospel wasn’t supposed to be detached from living it. Jesus’ ministry was full of calls to care for the poor, the sick, and the outcast. Francis emphasised those things because they are at the core of Christian life - not an optional extra after conversion.

You’re right that millions are turning away from the old institutions. But if you think it’s because the Church spent too much time talking about mercy and justice, and not enough time just preaching John 3:16 in isolation, you’re missing what a lot of disillusioned Christians are actually saying: they want a faith that feels real, not one that sounds like a political platform.

Trumpster you are at it again, lying!

"Paul, who doesn't believe in a Christ, somehow believes in an anti-Christ." Do I? Where dd I say anything remotely like that? Do you just make this rubbish up or are your comprehension skills truly that bad? Plenty of historical, Non-Christian sourced evidence for Christs existence.

I said; Do you think Pope Francis seen your man Donald as the Antichrist? I took that question to be rhetorical and not requiring an answer from YOU! Frances did indeed see Donald as an Antichrist figure, based on his pontifications. When I said; Don't you think the attendance of the Antichrist, Donald Trump, was rather hypocritical? Again somewhat rhetorical. We could have had an Unholy Trinity sitting in the front row, Donald, flanked by Vlad on the right, and Kimmy on the left, all dressed in snappy black uniforms. Remember that prostitute, she said Donald dressed in snappy black pj's.

"You didn’t explicitly say you were nostalgic for wealth and power -"

Oh JD's back to reading between the lines rather than the actual lines again. Its standard JD, make up someone else's views for them and then declare then fools for having such views.

JD SEEMS to be a moron.

"they want a faith that feels real, not one that sounds like a political platform."

Oh so now you agree that its political. Stand by for verbal gymnastics.

If you ever went to some of these 'other' churches, you'd see that what people want is fellowship, and the preaching of the gospel. Although I suspect you'd SEEM to misunderstand it.

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Paul, You said outright that Trump was the anti-Christ. QED.

Paul SEEMS to be learning from JD. Now everything's 'rhetorical' rather than an opinion.

mhaze,

You keep accusing me of making things up, but all I did was point out the natural reading of your own words.

You talked about the Church’s loss of significance after highlighting its past political influence and wealth. That's not inventing your views - it’s basic comprehension. If that's not what you intended to imply, you’re free to clarify without the tantrum and defensiveness.

As for your "political" point: talking about mercy, justice, or caring for creation isn’t partisan politics - it’s living the Gospel. The only reason it gets labelled "political" now is because some Christians have fused their faith with a particular political tribe, and anything that doesn't match it gets treated as suspect.

And yes, I know people want fellowship and preaching. Nobody said otherwise. But fellowship without compassion is just a club, and preaching without action is just noise.

You can keep sneering if you want, but it doesn't change the facts - or the Gospel.

Trumpster,

Where is your evidence that I; "Paul, who doesn't believe in a Christ, somehow believes in an anti-Christ." That's like me saying; "Trumpster who doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny, somehow believes in the Tooth Fairy.

Given Pope Frances was a strong adherent to scripture, he would have been familiar with the text in Revelation's which refers to the beast, the Antichrist;

"The Antichrist—the "beast" seen coming from the sea (Revelation 13:1)—becomes a worldwide power. The whole world will feel the impact of his rule. He will exercise his authority over tribe, people, language, and nation. No doubt, there will be no law but his law."

Does that describe YOUR MAN DONALD

By the way, mhaze.

It also SEEMS that you think nobody’s allowed to describe how your arguments come across unless they quote you word for word. That’s not how discussion works. Interpretation is part of conversation - and if you don’t like how something reads, you’re free to clarify it, not lash out at people for noticing.

It's no wonder your lack of communication skills leave so much to be desired.