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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > February > 09 > Entry
The Catholic Church brings back indulgences?
I had to read this New York Times story to actually believe the headline. Indulgences, the corrupting currency of official forgiveness that helped enrage Martin Luther into launching the protestant movement, are officially back.
Thankfully, you can’t buy them anymore. Now you can “earn” the equivalent of credit for good behavior on a future purgatory sentence in this life by racking up prayers and charitable contributions after confession.
As a Catholic, it is bizarre to me that the church would reach back in time to revive this outdated concept. It’s a tilt back in the direction of what you might call “checklist Catholicism.” Mark enough checks on your score card (rosary prayers, Mass attendance, etc.) and hope you earn enough “points” to get into heaven.
Personally, I’d like to see the church focus more on its better traditions that reinforce the value of living a good life and serving others in ways that make the world a better place.
What do you make of the revival of “indulgences?” Let us know in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Religion and Faith, Scott Elliott
Comments
By Philman
February 11, 2009 7:29 AM | Link to this
Nothing surprises me coming from the Catholic church, almost all of there Doctrine is inconflict with the HOLY BIBLE, the Bible says to stay sober, catholics sell beer at there church, the Bible says no one can forgive your sin’s but GOD. the catholics ask some man in a closet to forgive them. the Bible says call no one Father but your father in heaven, catholics call there pastors father, the Bible says bow down only to GOD, catholics bow down to all sorts of statues. Jesus said (I am the only way to heaven ) catholics are now asking Mary to save them. READ THE BIBLE. one third of the Bible is Prophecy, thats pre written history to prove it’s TRUE. trust it read it.By Lutheran
February 11, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
I read something a few years ago about getting an indulgence for watching the pope live on TV, but not for watching the same thing on tape, so I thought they never were gone. In my religious tradition, we believe that you don’t try to do good to earn God’s grace, but BECAUSE we have God’s grace we try to do good. However, I doubt that even most Lutherans look at things this way. Most people rely on the “carrot and the stick.”