When Catholics Were Cristeros

President Barack Obama might have known better than to have picked a fight with Catholics. History would tell him that they rarely lose.

During the 1920s, Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles found that out the hard way. As this year's historical epic For Greater Glory shows, Catholics don't give up without a long and bloody fight.

The film opens with Calles berating Mexico's Catholics as "outcasts from Rome" and "fanatics of foreign interests." He outlaws public worship and pledges to deport anyone who protests. Nonviolent activists regularly flooded the streets and petitioned others for support, but Calles and his government didn't relent.

While chants and marches did little to move Calles, a boycott of Mexican businesses "as a sort of Lent" to bankrupt the government riled Calles to his core. He directed his military to enforce the anticlerical laws with deadly force. Churchgoers were shot up indiscriminately, Cathedrals destroyed, priests publicly executed — perhaps one priest too many.

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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville

To a Roman Catholic reading here:

"…ome to Christ

To receive forgiveness and eternal life from the Lord Jesus, we must repent and trust in him. It would be vain to simply admit our guilt if we do not repent. Again, it would be pointless to know about the love and power of Christ if we do not rely on him for our salvation. The message of the gospel is ‘repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21).

Genuine repentance is conceived in a broken heart. We have every reason to be sorrowful considering how often we have challenged God by our sinful deeds. We ought to admit before God that he is right to condemn you, and that we deserve the punishment of Hell. Yet repentance is much more than sorrow. We repent when we turn our back on sin and return to the Lord. ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon’ (Isaiah 55:7).

Moreover we must believe in him. True faith is a complete trust in the Lord Jesus. We ought to take heart and go to him. We should not attempt to present our merits but simply go just the way we are, with all our guilt and shame. We should call on his name and ask for mercy and forgiveness, believing that the blood he shed on the cross is able to cleanse us from all sin. ‘Save me Lord. I have no confidence in myself, in anyone or in anything else. In you alone I trust the salvation of my soul.’

Jesus is calling, ‘Come to me!’

Many years ago I came to Christ and entrusted my soul to his care. I was thirsty, now my soul is fully satisfied in Jesus. That is why I encourage you to come to the Saviour too. Come with a repentant heart, confidently trusting in him. You will find rest for your soul.

A Personal Word

Friend, you may still have doubts and questions about the way of salvation. I encourage you to keep praying and searching the Scriptures. I am willing to help you, so please don’t hesitate to write and discuss any questions and concerns you might have.

Perhaps, you now understand the gospel and the Lord has granted you repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. You do not depend anymore on anything you do, your own goodness, any saint or religion. Now you rely by faith on the Lord Jesus Christ alone. I rejoice with you and praise God for his wonderful grace. This is the beginning of an exciting journey — the end is even better, Heaven! As a Christian, you desire to follow the Lord and to please him in all things. The Christian life is not a bed of roses. The Lord gives us joy unspeakable, but his wise providence also leads us through much sorrow and pain. That is the way we grow and mature.

I encourage you to read the Bible every day with an attitude of reverence. God is speaking to you — listen well! Go daily to a private place, and open your heart to God, our heavenly Father. Thank and praise him; confess your sins and pray for yourself and others.

As a member of the body of Christ, the church, it is your privilege to join a local Christian assembly. We need one another. The Lord wants you to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and thereafter to partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of his sacrifice for us. Moreover, the teaching and preaching of the Word is invaluable for every Christian to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

The Lord bless you and keep you."

More on "Just for Catholics" ~ http://www.justforcatholics.org/salvation.htm
- daves
  
  It is not in anyway true that President Obama is picking a fight with Catholics. He is trying to make sure that women have access to contraception through their insurance companies and churches are explicitly exempt.
  
  If you don't believe in contraception then don't use it but don't deny access to people just because they work for you.
  - JayMarie
    
    You are a complete fool if you truly believe Obama is benevolent in this issue. Women have complete access to birth control NOW without his mandates. The church is NOT exempt under his mandates. You need to do your homework to uncover the truth. Do not force others who do not believe in contraception/abortion/infanticide to pay for the licentious behavior of women and men who have no will power to abstain/use safe methods to prevent conception. Do not force those with a conscious to pay for the murder of the unborn.
    - daves
      
      All churches are 100% exempt. You need to do your research.
      
      Are you absolutely certain that the insurance you have now does not cover contraception?
  - Wayne
    
    Obama IS AN ENEMY to the church. He has done everything within his power to see life subverted to his own will. That is through Gay Marriage, Hate laws intended to only protect LGBT, Late term abortions on demand, All forms of abortion on demand, forcing the church to bend to his won will, threats of taxation when the church speaks freely about political issues, on and on the list goes. Obama;s hate for the church is real and palpable. Get rid of Obama and his hellish minions before they cause any more damage to America.
  - Lee Anne
    
    If you believe in contraception then use it but don't ask ME to pay for it through my taxes or my corporation.
- myth buster
  
  And your point is? There is nothing in that post I disagree with, but there is the implied accusation that we Catholics do not believe this. The real question is, do you believe? "Unless a man is born from above of water and Spirit, he shall not enter the Kingdom of God," says the Lord. Just as He says in another place, "Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you have no life within you." So Scripture plainly states we must be born from above of water and Spirit, that is, be baptized, and we must eat the Flesh and Blood of Christ.
Ben E. Dictum

Despeville,
You are positively correct. There are so many "professing" to be christians, when they rely on some other mechanism for salvation: the pope, the absolving of sins by that figure or another; or of works righteousness wherein the believe they can do enoug good to get into heaven. Those are the two greatest deceptions, for they minimize the power of the Lord Jesus when we are to have total an absolute trust in that God-Man Christ, and the other issue is that by thinking one's works are sufficient, that puts the trust in self, in that one can do it on their own. Those are the most common deceptions present in religions which are not truly Christian.

Admittedly, only God himself can judge a man's heart, but we have the Words of God Himself, Jesus Christ, to tell us what we must do to be saved. Praise God for the Holy Word and that being revealed to us. People have commonly elected to put their trust in some priest, reverend, or vicar to tell them what they must do, but it is apparent in the Word. When one believes, they repent, they follow the Lord's dictum to be baptized as a public profession of faith, and live the life Christ desires of you.
- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
  
  Indeed.
  
  "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
  ~ Acts 4:11-12
  
  Seeking, acknowledging, invoking and trusting in intercession in and by any other name i.e. any saint, any pope or Mary is to reject the corner stone Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory. No semantics, no exceptions and no excuses.
- myth buster
  
  "Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and those whose sins you retain are retained," says the Lord. That's in John 20:23, look it up. That is an explicit authority granted by Christ to the Apostles to forgive sins in His Name.
  - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
    
    There is a context to that and it is called THE GOSPEL. By proclaiming the true Gospel Apostles were also proclaiming the FORGIVENESS OF SINS because that is the power of the Cross and righteousness of Christ. I am glad that you have observed that that authority of forgiveness through the Gospel was given to Apostles and not just to Peter as most of your fellow religious mistakenly asserts:
    
    Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
    
    Matthew 18:18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
- Lee Anne
  
  I don't rely on a Priest to forgive my sins, when I go to confession I am confessing to Jesus. Read the Bible.
  - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
    
    So where do go for confession if you will?
Be E. Dictum

I would add one thing to this issue, and that is the utter contortion of scripture to permit infant baptism. It had always been the nature of Christianity for an individual to come to believe first, then they repented (as belief conferred some understanding of sin in their life). It was upon a confession of faith unto Christ that a WILLING follower would be baptized. Baptism, apparently so well intended for that cognitive believer, would ultimately be made into an act which was perpetrated upon the unwilling, the unrepentant and unknowing infant.

God is a merciful God, and it's upon the willing and knowing that baptism was performed, but infant baptism worked its way into the churches. This was likely Satan's intent, to alter the original plan of God; whereas the entire actions of adults "believing-repenting-confessing-baptizing" was put out of order. It just muddied the waters, quite literally. It was thereafter that catholics had to come up with some mystery about limbo and babies being thrown into it because they weren't baptized. Now THAT is diabolical.

All this mystery goes away when one puts their total faith in Christ, and reads his Words, and it is all revealed with clarity.
- myth buster
  
  How is it then, that the prefiguring should be greater than the fulfillment? The children born under the Old Covenant were consecrated to God through circumcision on the eighth day. How then, could it be wrong to consecrate the children born to believers under the New Covenant through Baptism? Are you saying that the children of the Jews had part in the promise, but our own children do not have part in the fulfillment of that promise? And since when was it even controversial to baptize infants? There was no dispute in antiquity over the legitimacy of infant baptism, except whether or not it was okay to baptize them in their first week after birth.
  - Glen S
    
    Where is baptism of infants observed in the Gospels or the Epistles? Circumcision was (is) the symbol of the Old Covenant by command! Baptism by water is the sign of the New Covenant to be administered only after an individual has accepted the atonement for his or her sins by professing a faith is Jesus as Lord and Savior.
    
    So again, where do you or any other denomination find in the scriptures that infants and children before professing faith are to be baptized.
    
    Also, your comment leads one to believe that the act of baptism is what guarantees salvation. It is a symbol! It is an act demonstrating one's identification with the death of Christ and rebirth into salvation. But it is not salvation nor is the act of baptism what gets one into heaven.
    
    Finally, as far as children and salvation. Jesus has a place in heaven at his feet for children who die before they can cognitively understand the message of the Gospel.
    
    You are guilty of the same flawed logic of which those of the Old Covenant are guilty. You put ritual before belief. Faith comes first. Then the symbolism.
    - bighoss
      
      Your attempted parallel breaks down badly. Circumcision was indeed a sign of the Old Covenant, but nowhere in the Old testament was there any commandment to "Repent and be circumcised." There IS a command in the New Testament to "Repent and be baptized…." (Acts 2:38). Tell me, then, just how an infant ":repents". Moreover, in the Old Testament, circumcision did not apply to all Jews, only to men, whereas baptism is enjoined upon both men and women.
      - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
        
        "Tell me, then, just how an infant ":repents"."
        
        Exactly and now compare this with true commandment in which context of Peter was speaking:
        
        " He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”
        ~ Mark 1:15
      - Glen S
        
        And you sir failed to answer the question. Where in the scripture are we commanded to baptize infants. As Despeville pointed out, an infant cannot repent. They therefore cannot keep the first part of the commandment. We are however told by Jesus, himself, that He has a special place in his heart for children: infants and toddlers specifically.
        
        So again, if baptism is the outward sign of an inward repentance and recognition of one's need for Jesus; how does an infant repent and fulfill the commandment.
      - Esther
        
        You always fail to answer question. You are a fraud and a liar. And you must have a woman to hold up to show your stupid egocentric superiority. Don't tell me you haven't heard that before. You wander around pretending to be a minister. You are fully a charlatan.
      - Glen S
        
        I will again ask that you demonstrate your accusation conclusively our shut up. Exactly where have I EVER claimed to be a minister.
Evermyrtle

Every person has to do his own repenting, and giving his life to GOD, by accepting the LORD JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR. Nobody can do it for you. After doing this we must dedicate our lives to living according to HIS commandments.

One of the first things we do is, to assume we are the only ones who has the truth and think we must impose it on everybody and that our way is the only way. Nobody's views have any merit but ours. Satan feeds us the illusion that we are almost perfect and nobody can teach us anything because we already know it all.

I think what i am trying to say is to know and use the word HUMILITY. We must bow to GOD'S will and advise those we are teaching and not to ram it down their throats.There are many different ways that he leads different people. Some are led to teach, some to heal, some to show kindness and love and understanding, to nourish. No two ways are identical and we need to realize that and work together, not against each other.
- Evermyrtle
  
  To carry on HIS work we must study HIS WORD, everyday. We must be ready go listen as well at to teach. We must learn patience and love those we are teaching and teach of GOD'S love for each and every person that HE has created.. We must teach that it all volunteer, our acceptance our work, that we do it from our of love for HIM and for each other. i CANNOT BE FORCED! We must never with hold our love from those we are teaching or leading. It helps to know the scriptures and where to find them. BUT THE ANSWER TO IT IT ALL, IS GOD'S LOVE FOR US AND OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.
- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
  
  Repenting is there but where is this "accepting" in the Word if you will please?
  
  "He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. REPENT and BELIEVE the gospel!"
  ~ Mark 1:15
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Did you read my first comment of the two comments?? Go back and read the first line!!! So Sorry, to disappoint you!!
    I did not mean to do so.
    - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
      
      I politely asked you a question. Your first comment does not answer that or I would not have ask…
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Yes, and I THOUGHT my answer was polite. I will try again, please go to my first of two comments and read the first the first sentence. My REPENTING AND MY ACCEPTANCE CAN BE FOUND THERE. IF I COULD MAKE IT ANY MORE PLAIN THAT THAT I WOULD DO SO. THIS IS THE BEST I CAN DO!
      - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
        
        Yes, I can see you speaking about "accepting Christ" but I cannot see that language or term in the Bible. That is why I have asked and continue to ask where do you see that since you present that as the faith? Thank you.
aceituna

No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. I can't remember the exact reference, but it is in Peter. That is why I confess that I cannot by my own wisdom or strength believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or come to HIm, but the Holy
Spirit has called me by the word, enlightened me with his gifts and sanctified and preserved me in the one true faith. That is why I fear Evermyrtle is committing the sin of beliving that he is saved by the "good work" of coming to repentence and believing. Please give the Holy Spirit the credit that is due.
Hurricane

There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave instructions and commandants. The original deposit of faith. Ever since then the Catholic Church has safe guarded that deposit. She has endured all of the heresies, persecution and corruption, just like Jesus promised she would. The bad popes, bad priests and bad laity, just like Jesus promised she would. There is only one church founded by Him and given to us to guide us to salvation. What other church makes this claim? The Baptists, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists or any of the other thousands of denominations? No.

In the end, many will come in His name and He will will say He never knew you. Why? Because if you do not abide in Him and He in you, you are not attached to the vine and will be cast into the fire. That is why you must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have life in you.

Brothers and sisters, pray that the Holy Spirit guides you to the narrow gate. The road to destruction is wide and many choose it. Do not be cast into the outer darkness to weep and gnash your teeth. Our Lord invites all to the wedding feast, but do not show up in rags. Ask His Blessed Mother and she will tell you to do whatever He tells you. And He is telling you there is only one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. He stands at the door and knocks. He wants to sup with you. Do not be caught sleeping and make sure there's oil in your lamp. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on His account.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
  
  There is no salvation for the one who follows official doctrines of Rome for the cannot save but damn and damn only.
Praise Reformation

The catholic church has survived just as the Muslims have survived, and the Buddhists, Hindu and Jains. Even Zoroastrianism exists today and numerous other cults. So claiming that the catholic church is providential has little merit on its face.

Furthermore, believing that the catholic church is the original church is a terrible historical injustice, perpetuated by catholics of course, but not by historians and those who know that His church survived DESPITE the works of Satan. Praise God for the body of Christ living through the holocaust which has been the mode of the catholic church. Praise God for the Reformation and all those martyrs who have given us the understanding of TRUE Christianity. So many have been burned at the stake, tortured, and yet the true faith has endured, just as the Holy Spirit of God intended. That alone is the great miracle of a loving God. However, God has permitted to catholic church to remain, principally as a testament to the evil within man's heart and the conniving nature which creates an artifice of a church which steals an identity of christianity, and deceives its adherents into believing that they will be saved by works and by priests as damned as they are.
- Lee Anne
  
  Works by Priests???? What the heck are you talking about? Read the Bible. Everything we do in the Catholic Church is in the BIBLE.
Luong

ALL CATHOLICS WILL BURN IN HELL!!! They must get out of the Great Whore's system and repent of their sins if they want to go to Heaven. Better do so now before God YAHWEH comes back. Amen.
- Glen S
  
  Alas, this statement will do much more harm than good; and will send more individuals running from the Truth and toward it. While the Catholic Church is rot with doctrinal errors and falsehoods, it in no way guarantees that a member will certainly suffer an eternity separated from Jesus.
  
  Anyone who repents and professes faith in Jesus will be saved! Works have nothing to do with salvation. The works demonstrated by a believer is evidence of the transforming power of the Cross.
  
  The flip side of this coin is that the words of many on this forum demonstrate that although they profess a faith in Jesus; their works and words demonstrate complete contempt for His teachings and transforming power.
Tout

to LUONG: As I am a Catholic, I will say a prayer for You.