I do not condone killing ...

[NanceGreggs]

188. Ironically ...

... it was the Catholic Church I had most specifically in mind when I referred to "the self-serving interpretation of "Christianity" by some so-called Christians."

Having been raised as a strict Catholic - Catholic school, taught by nuns, the whole nine - I know whereof I speak.

The CC has, since its inception, "interpreted" Christianity in self-serving ways - and their positions on abortion, contraception and homosexuality are a prime example thereof. Jesus never addressed those issues - no less condemned them. It was the CC who 'interpreted' his teachings on those issues - a sort of "what Christ would have said about those things, if had he gotten around to it" philosophy.

The CC has always initiated its own "rules", and then proffered them as being a part of "Christianity". The concepts of indulgences, meatless Fridays, attendance at mass on Holy Days of Obligation, etc., have no basis in the teachings of Christ. By the same token, the condemnation of homosexuality and contraception have no basis in those teachings either. Ergo, such rules and restrictions are not Christian - they are imposed by the CC, not by adherence to Christian principles.

Given the often bloody, violent, and greed-inspired history of the CC, along with its present positions on homosexuality, contraception and abortion, to hold out the Catholic Church as "probably the most 'Christian' sect of Christianity there is" is -- well, if you believe that, I've got a couple of plenary indulgences to sell you.