I thought I'd share my visit to Medjugorje today. It was about 102 out, but we went anyway. We saw the church and hiked up to the statue where the apparent vision happened. Additionally, the Farina episodes play each night on a channel they have here in the Balkans called CBS Reality. I didn't visit with a priest to help with a cocaine problem or symptoms of MS.

I'll post photos once I am able. The ones on my phone are too large apparently.

I think it's possible the catholic visions were real,around the world;however,I put little stock into them being from the truthful word of God Himself,seeing as I (only speaking for myself) recognize the catholic church as the Great Harlot in the Book of Revelation."Clothed in purple and scarlet,with a gold cup in her hand",etc.,for starters.JMO,I don't care to debate.

I don't care to debate.

Courageous act of standing behind your convictions there. :rolleyes:

If you're going to introduce something potentially inflammatory in a public forum, be prepared to be challenged. Don't bring the ball and then take it and go home because you're afraid you'll skin your knee playing.

Also, last time I checked this was a UM forum. You know that old etiquette rule about leaving politics and religion out of conversation with those you're not intimate with? Probably applies here.

I think it's possible the catholic visions were real,around the world;however,I put little stock into them being from the truthful word of God Himself,seeing as I (only speaking for myself) recognize the catholic church as the Great Harlot in the Book of Revelation."Clothed in purple and scarlet,with a gold cup in her hand",etc.,for starters.JMO,I don't care to debate.


Ha. You think you can drop a bomb like that and no one will respond?

And your ignorance of the apparitions as viewed by the Catholic Church is showing. The Catholic Church doesn't claim they are the word of God Himself. They're MARIAN visions, not GOD visions. Mary is not God. Marian apparitions are PRIVATE revelations, not public. Public revelation ended with the completion of the New Testament, according to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church requires no belief in these apparitions. The Church's "acceptance" of an apparition merely states that it doesn't conflict with the New Testament (PUBLIC revelation) and that it seems to deserve acceptance. There is no command to believe and Catholic are free not to believe.

Some sources for you:
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=162

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/expert_explains_churchs_criteria_for_confirming_marian_apparitions/

If you're going to attack a faith, know your enemy, otherwise, you end up looking like an ignorant zealot.

..............................

On another note, more relevant to this board and this thread, I look forward to seeing your pictures, compulsive!

Ha. You think you can drop a bomb like that and no one will respond?

And your ignorance of the apparitions as viewed by the Catholic Church is showing. The Catholic Church doesn't claim they are the word of God Himself. They're MARIAN visions, not GOD visions. Mary is not God. Marian apparitions are PRIVATE revelations, not public. Public revelation ended with the completion of the New Testament, according to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church requires no belief in these apparitions. The Church's "acceptance" of an apparition merely states that it doesn't conflict with the New Testament (PUBLIC revelation) and that it seems to deserve acceptance. There is no command to believe and Catholic are free not to believe.

Some sources for you:
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=162

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/expert_explains_churchs_criteria_for_confirming_marian_apparitions/

If you're going to attack a faith, know your enemy, otherwise, you end up looking like an ignorant zealot.

..............................

On another note, more relevant to this board and this thread, I look forward to seeing your pictures, compulsive!

Thank you. I'm Catholic and cannot stand the whole theory that Catholicism is the Great Harlot.

If all it takes to be The Great Harlot is to be adorned in purple and scarlet and holding something shiny, I am a fantastic harlot.

Personally, I have a lot of issues with most organized religions, and I should know I've been through several. But I have more of an issue with people basing their disdain on inaccuracies and ignorance.

You also don't need to end every one of your posts with "JMO." We know it's your opinion, that's why you posted it!

Thank you. I'm Catholic and cannot stand the whole theory that Catholicism is the Great Harlot.

I'm Catholic and this is the first time I'm hearing about it. I did however read a Tony Alamo (yes, THAT Tony Alamo) tract I found on a car once when I was in NJ a few years ago that basically took every obscure symbol from Revelation and turned them into "proof" that Catholicism is the world's greatest evil (personally, I would've chosen As-Seen-On-TV products or Broadway musical numbers) or something like that, so maybe that's what I was reading.

I'm Catholic and I hear about it from time to time. It doesn't really bother me any, but it's sort of weird to see it pop up in a forum based on UM of all things. :lol:

I'm not Catholic, but I was also not pleased to see that post. Offering your opinion on the visions is cool and all, but why go attacking the whole faith while you're at it?


Anyway, compulsive, I can't wait to see the pictures! I'm sure it's a beautiful area. Do the visionaries still claim that they speak to the Virgin Mary every day? Whether or not you believe the visions happened, the miracles and recoveries of visitors are always pleasant to hear about. :)




I'm Catholic and this is the first time I'm hearing about it. I did however read a Tony Alamo (yes, THAT Tony Alamo) tract I found on a car once when I was in NJ a few years ago that basically took every obscure symbol from Revelation and turned them into "proof" that Catholicism is the world's greatest evil (personally, I would've chosen As-Seen-On-TV products or Broadway musical numbers) or something like that, so maybe that's what I was reading.

But Meg, you know he's ''the greatest patriot this country has ever known!''




:rofl: That pamphlet I read was a riot.


In all seriousness, I've also never heard anyone reference Catholicism as ''The Great Harlot.''

But Meg, you know he's ''the greatest patriot this country has ever known!''

Oh yeah, he's on par with at least John Adams.

I just imagine him strutting around in those cowboy boots "that make him look several inches taller than his actual height of 5'7" and Stetson atop his head. I'm willing to bet money he had an "Alamo of Nashville" jacket with a giant bedazzled bald eagle flexing its talons mid-flight on the back.


:rofl: That pamphlet I read was a riot.


In all seriousness, I've also never heard anyone reference Catholicism as ''The Great Harlot.''

I seem to remember the one I read had a lot of colorful descriptors in it a lot like that. I wonder if ol' Tony personally authors each one. :lol:

I've already solved the mystery of revelations. I am the great harlot. I can get references if you'd like them. I'm sure there are at least 3 or 4 people who would concur.

:)

Tony may have been quite the colorful character, but when it comes to spreading hate propoganda against religion, in the name of religion, he has nothing on Jack Chick. That guy has something bad to say about everyone regardless of their beliefs, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, and he always manages to do so in mini-comic book form!

Tony may have been quite the colorful character, but when it comes to spreading hate propoganda against religion, in the name of religion, he has nothing on Jack Chick. That guy has something bad to say about everyone regardless of their beliefs, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, and he always manages to do so in mini-comic book form!

Ah, yes. Good ol' Chick tracts. I found one once in a restroom at college one morning years ago, on the floor underneath a stall. The only more appropriate place for it to be would have been in the trash or in the toilet.

I've already solved the mystery of revelations. I am the great harlot. I can get references if you'd like them. I'm sure there are at least 3 or 4 people who would concur.

:)

:lol:

Ah, yes. Good ol' Chick tracts. I found one once in a restroom at college one morning years ago, on the floor underneath a stall. The only more appropriate place for it to be would have been in the trash or in the toilet.

Hate mongers like Jack are just like any other wannabe terrorists; if you can't laugh at them, they win!

Hate mongers like Jack are just like any other wannabe terrorists; if you can't laugh at them, they win!

I remember some of those tract titles were pretty lol-worthy--"The Death Cookie" comes to mind.

What was the death cookie?!?

What was the death cookie?!?

The Holy Eucharist, according to the tract. Absolutely beyond cringeworthy, but laying aside the horrifyingly disgusting and offensive descriptor, it's pretty hilarious. As all of us who know can attest, there's nothing even remotely cookie-like about those wafers. :)

That's not a cookie. A cracker, that I could buy, maybe, but a cookie? No way.

That's not a cookie. A cracker, that I could buy, maybe, but a cookie? No way.

For sure, plus they would have to be the thinnest cookies the world has ever seen.

I think it's possible the catholic visions were real,around the world;however,I put little stock into them being from the truthful word of God Himself,seeing as I (only speaking for myself) recognize the catholic church as the Great Harlot in the Book of Revelation."Clothed in purple and scarlet,with a gold cup in her hand",etc.,for starters.JMO,I don't care to debate.

I 100 percent agree with you. Let me start this by saying I am an atheist, however I was raised a catholic and went to catholic school intill the 10th grade, did my confirmation and all the 'sacraments' . And an equal religion hater. I think they are all pretty much the same, no better then the other. I think you would have to be pretty blind and living in your comfortable bubble to not notice the clear problems with the catholic church. To me, the catholic church was set up for one thing and that was power. I really can't understand how anyone can think the catholic church is still pure, after all they did , and well didn't do in the sexual abuse scandal. The fact that they were just moving priests from city to city knowing that they were going to continue on to abuse little boys is just sickening.
Also love how they pull new rules out of their asses, like no meat on Friday. oh okay, meats on Friday is good! no wait no its not! oh wait, yes it is, but only chicken.

To me the catholic church is something that should of been done away with a very very long time ago, i think it will eventually die a natural death though. The average age of a priest is like what 60?

compulsive dvd, I'm really sorry we seem to have hijacked your thread. Really look forward to seeing your photos once you're able to post.

I'm sorry this thread seems to have moved off topic,which is worthy of discussion.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252122/Virgin-Mary-sightings-Are-Bosnians-hoaxers-living-saints.html

It didn't take much for this thread to get stupid. Sorry for ruining the thread, compulsive dvd.

Sorry for the delay. I forgot to follow up. It's an interesting turn everything took. Anyway, here are some photos. Medjugorje is close to a great touristy town called Mostar, which is where this bridge is located. Once you get out to Medjugorje there is the main church and then various spots you can taxi and/or hike to. You have to hike up to the statue. The terrain is like nothing I've seen before. It was actually 106F/41C that day, so we were close to seeing a vision of something by the time we were done. It was also Sunday, so there was a huge mass in the back of the church. The church is fairly plain compared to others we visited in the region. The town is set up for tourists. There are tons of shops selling various religious ware. Most of the tourists seem to be Italian. The roads in and out are paved and smooth and there are a lot of tourist buses, but we had a car. Bosnia, like every other Balkan country, has speed limits, but no one seems to be aware of them.

I didn't really get much of a story when I was there. I only knew what I'd seen in the UM segment. I did hear someone telling another hiker that the visions had not been confirmed by the Vatican.

Hopefully the attachments display.

Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing them. :)

Looks like a very beautiful place. Thanks for uploading them, compulsive dvd!

Wow.

This just reenforces my desire to visit the Balkans.

Thanks for sharing!