WHY I DEFECTED THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Why I Deflected The Religious
Establishment
BUFF SCOTT, Jr.

[Part II]
​

TESTIMONY OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
The sect-ridden system called “The Church”—Catholic and Protestant—is no longer influential or impressive. She has lost her ability to relate to the human predicament. Abraham Lincoln relied heavily on God but leaned away from the Religious Establishment. He described his relationship with contemporary religion by saying, “Christianity is not my religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.”

Thomas Jefferson had an insightful view of the whole mess when he scribed, “The greatest enemies of Jesus are the doctrines and creeds of the church. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all than to blaspheme Him by the atrocious writings of the [church] theologians.” He further announced, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Needless to say, Jefferson included the various institutions of religion when he referred to “tyranny over the mind of man.”

John Adams alluded to the religious order as so much “baggage” when he wrote, “Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find Christianity encumbered with.”

James Madison spoke of the “fruits” of orthodox religions as ignorance, arrogance and servility in the laity, superstition, bigotry, and persecution. But long before our founding fathers came upon the scene, Martin Luther, the Catholic defector, insightfully concluded that the “greatest threat to the cause of Jesus always arises from those who lay claim to being his children.” Gandhi of India proclaimed that “Christianity is the greatest enemy of Jesus Christ” (Lifted from Google under “Quotes on Religion from our Founding Fathers” ).

Regardless of the religious persuasion or spiritual status of these men, the underscoring factor is that our founding fathers—plus other leaders—looked upon the splintered estate of partisan religion with discontent. Judging from their words, they must have felt that the schismatic plight, the endless and ghostly rituals, the never-ending symbols, and the clerical jargon of sectarian religions had no meaningful message for a troubled world. If Lincoln could have had his way, he might have re-shaped, reformed, and even reversed “Christianity” in an effort to rid it of excess baggage.

IMPACTING THE WORLD
The early believers won the world without theological seminaries, missionary societies, clergy, Roman Catholics, Protestants, or any of the other “artifacts” and baggage that burden us today. They changed lifestyles without throwing a rock, burning a building, drawing a sword, or parading down Main Street in Jerusalem with weirdoes, long-haired losers, homosexuals and lesbians.

Their resurrection message to the unregenerate was simple, “Repent, and turn to God!” The new reign welcomed everyone—yes, even homosexuals and prostitutes and drunkards and thieves and swindlers. In the congregation at Corinth, there were recovering homosexuals, prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, and swindlers (I Corinthians 6:9-11). They had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.

If we intend to influence the world with the message of salvation, we must abandon our sectarian establishments—both Catholic and Protestant. To go forth as an “Unholy See” or as a “Protestant Crusade” is to face defeat before we “fire the first shot.” But let me clarify: We can defect the Religious Establishment without rejecting our brothers and sisters who are still entangled in the partisan “system.” They, too, need to be “rescued”—as many of us have been. Meet with them, encourge them, and share the Good News of freedom with them!

But understand that the Religious Establishment couldn’t be any more warped if the Lord had commanded it. The world will not nor cannot be won to Messiah Jesus as long as she is the cause instead of the solution. Nor can the world be conquered for the Captain of our salvation by exerting most of our efforts parroting the party’s clichés or adding more theological waste to our partisan rostrums. The slate must be cleaned, reformed, renewed, and reshaped before receiving our marching orders. Then and only then will we be able and ready to give the battle cry! [Please look for Part III Monday, Aug. 5.]​

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Why I Deflected The Religious
Establishment
BUFF SCOTT, Jr.

[Part II]
​

TESTIMONY OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS
The sect-ridden system called “The Church”—Catholic and Protestant—is no longer influential or impressive. She has lost her ability to relate to the human predicament. Abraham Lincoln relied heavily on God but leaned away from the Religious Establishment. He described his relationship with contemporary religion by saying, “Christianity is not my religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.”

Thomas Jefferson had an insightful view of the whole mess when he scribed, “The greatest enemies of Jesus are the doctrines and creeds of the church. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all than to blaspheme Him by the atrocious writings of the [church] theologians.” He further announced, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Needless to say, Jefferson included the various institutions of religion when he referred to “tyranny over the mind of man.”

John Adams alluded to the religious order as so much “baggage” when he wrote, “Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths, Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find Christianity encumbered with.”

James Madison spoke of the “fruits” of orthodox religions as ignorance, arrogance and servility in the laity, superstition, bigotry, and persecution. But long before our founding fathers came upon the scene, Martin Luther, the Catholic defector, insightfully concluded that the “greatest threat to the cause of Jesus always arises from those who lay claim to being his children.” Gandhi of India proclaimed that “Christianity is the greatest enemy of Jesus Christ” (Lifted from Google under “Quotes on Religion from our Founding Fathers” ).

Regardless of the religious persuasion or spiritual status of these men, the underscoring factor is that our founding fathers—plus other leaders—looked upon the splintered estate of partisan religion with discontent. Judging from their words, they must have felt that the schismatic plight, the endless and ghostly rituals, the never-ending symbols, and the clerical jargon of sectarian religions had no meaningful message for a troubled world. If Lincoln could have had his way, he might have re-shaped, reformed, and even reversed “Christianity” in an effort to rid it of excess baggage.

IMPACTING THE WORLD
The early believers won the world without theological seminaries, missionary societies, clergy, Roman Catholics, Protestants, or any of the other “artifacts” and baggage that burden us today. They changed lifestyles without throwing a rock, burning a building, drawing a sword, or parading down Main Street in Jerusalem with weirdoes, long-haired losers, homosexuals and lesbians.

Their resurrection message to the unregenerate was simple, “Repent, and turn to God!” The new reign welcomed everyone—yes, even homosexuals and prostitutes and drunkards and thieves and swindlers. In the congregation at Corinth, there were recovering homosexuals, prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, and swindlers (I Corinthians 6:9-11). They had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.

If we intend to influence the world with the message of salvation, we must abandon our sectarian establishments—both Catholic and Protestant. To go forth as an “Unholy See” or as a “Protestant Crusade” is to face defeat before we “fire the first shot.” But let me clarify: We can defect the Religious Establishment without rejecting our brothers and sisters who are still entangled in the partisan “system.” They, too, need to be “rescued”—as many of us have been. Meet with them, encourge them, and share the Good News of freedom with them!

But understand that the Religious Establishment couldn’t be any more warped if the Lord had commanded it. The world will not nor cannot be won to Messiah Jesus as long as she is the cause instead of the solution. Nor can the world be conquered for the Captain of our salvation by exerting most of our efforts parroting the party’s clichés or adding more theological waste to our partisan rostrums. The slate must be cleaned, reformed, renewed, and reshaped before receiving our marching orders. Then and only then will we be able and ready to give the battle cry! [Please look for Part III Monday, Aug. 5.]​

"Deflected" in the caption should be "defected."--Buff.

 

[atpollard]

Thomas Jefferson had an insightful view of the whole mess when he scribed, “The greatest enemies of Jesus are the doctrines and creeds of the church. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all than to blaspheme Him by the atrocious writings of the [church] theologians.” He further announced, “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” Needless to say, Jefferson included the various institutions of religion when he referred to “tyranny over the mind of man.”

Since Thomas Jefferson was a cult of ONE, denying that God ever performed any miracles (including the resurrection) and creating his own Bible, he may not be the best person to FOLLOW as a shining example of “follow me as I follow Christ”.

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Since Thomas Jefferson was a cult of ONE, denying that God ever performed any miracles (including the resurrection) and creating his own Bible, he may not be the best person to FOLLOW as a shining example of “follow me as I follow Christ”.

This is why I said in the article, "Regardless of the religious persuasion or spiritual status of these men, the underscoring factor is that our founding fathers—plus other leaders—looked upon the splintered estate of partisan religion with discontent."​

 

[atpollard]

Judges 17:1-6 [NKJV]​

Now there was a man from the mountains of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears--here is the silver with me; I took it." And his mother said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my son!" So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, "I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the LORD for my son, to make a carved image and a molded image; now therefore, I will return it to you." Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah. ​

​

The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. ​

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.​

We don't need no stinkin' Church tellin' us how to worship GOD!
(I respectfully, disagree ... something about "baby and bathwater" or was that "cure worse than disease" ... I can't remember the platitudes and you won't listen to them anyway. )

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

"Deflected" in the caption should be "defected."--Buff.

I noticed that after it was too late! Thanks.

Buff

 

[Keiw1]

From the Apostles/disciples to Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Martyr, and Irenaeus.... they were all Catholic!

Ignatius of Antioch​

Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your clergy too as you would the apostles; give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishop’s sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is present, there is the Catholic Church (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).

The Martyrdom of Polycarp​

When finally he concluded his prayer, after remembering all who had at any time come his way – small folk and great folk, distinguished and undistinguished, and the whole Catholic Church throughout the world – the time for departure came. So they placed him on an ass, and brought him into the city on a great Sabbath (The Martyrdom of Polycarp 8 [A.D. 110]).

Irenaeus​

The Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said (Against Heresies 1:10 [A.D. 189]).

Imagine that. Catholicism = 2 Thess 2:3= 0 doubt in all creation.

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

POPES AS “GOD HIMSELF”​

It is blasphemous for any human being to place himself on equality with God, as the “Holy See’s” Popes have done. To apply divine titles to mere men, such as “Holy Father” or “His Holiness,” is the height of apostasy. Even our Lord never once referred to Himself as “Holy Father,” and no one called Him “Holy Father.” Jesus used the term only once when He, in prayer, addressed God the Father as “Holy Father” (John 17:11). The title is not used elsewhere in scripture. History chronicles the fact that popes have considered themselves on the same level as God the Father.

1] “We [Catholic Popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” (Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter, June 20, 1894).

2] “But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires together with a perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself” (Pope Leo VIII, Encyclical Letter, “On the Chief Duties of Christians as Citizens,” 1890, & Great Encyclical Letters, p. 193).

3] “All names, which in the Scriptures are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that He is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope” (On the Authority of the Councils, Book 2, Chapter 17).

These bits of history from the archives of Catholicism are only a few of the many that could be cited. Each quotation is lifted from Catholic publications that have the imprimatur (Latin for “let it be printed”) of a Bishop, Archbishop, or Cardinal, which makes each excerpt authoritative. The average pew-sitting Catholic is unaware of the depth of this blasphemy.

“There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5).

As a “side order,” in the Catholic National, July 1895, it is written, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.”

The apostle Paul, prophesying under the influence of the Holy Spirit, “hit the nail on the head” when he said this apostate system’s chieftain would “take his seat in the temple [place] of God and proclaim himself to be God” (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

Based on these segments of divine evidence, it would be ridiculous to deny that the “Holy See” is the heretical religious institution Paul alluded to.
_____

ENDNOTE: It may be argued that the quotations from past and recent popes, which relates to their being God on earth, were not issued from “Peter’s Chair” and, therefore, are not infallible writ. If past and recent popes issued fallacious statements while sitting in “Peter’s Chair,” or while seated on a tree stump, we have no choice but to question their trustworthiness and credibility.

SOURCES: Catholic Encyclopedia, 15 Volumes, Special Edition, under the auspices of Knights of Columbus Catholic Truth Committee, The Encyclopedia Press Inc., New York, 1913.

Catholic Dictionary, Addis & Arnold, The Catholic Publication Society Co., N. Y., 1887.

Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Thom. Richardson & Son, London, for the Catholic Book Society, 1846, 12 Volumes. (These sources, plus Glories of Mary, will be found throughout much of this project.)​

 

[makesends]

I noticed that after it was too late! Thanks.

Buff

'I do my best proofreading after I hit "send".'

 

[Arch Stanton]

POPES AS “GOD HIMSELF”

1] “We [Catholic Popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” (Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter, June 20, 1894).​

...We feel drawn to follow the example of Our Redeemer and Master, Jesus Christ,

did you forget that part of the paragraph?

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

As a “side order,” in the Catholic National, July 1895, it is written, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.” ​

This is pure blasphemy. Straight from Hell.

 

[Arch Stanton]

As a “side order,” in the Catholic National, July 1895, it is written, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.” ​

This is pure blasphemy. Straight from Hell.

Pope Pius X. made the blasphemous claim that he was “Jesus Christ hidden under the veil of the flesh. Does the Pope speak? It is Jesus Christ who speaks.”
– Pope Pius X, Church Review, Oct 3 1895, also in Evangelical Christendom, 1 Jan 1895

In 1895 Protestant newspaper, “Church Review” and “Evangelical Christendom“, claimed that this was said by Cardinal Sarto, who later became Pope Pius X. The claim by the newspaper was investigated, and found to be false. Cardinal Sarto produced the original document, and all it claimed was that “the pope represents Jesus Christ himself“. Nothing like what was claimed by the anti-Catholics.

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

The apostle Paul, prophesying under the influence of the Holy Spirit, “hit the nail on the head” when he said this apostate system’s chieftain [Pope] would “take his seat in the temple [place] of God and proclaim himself to be God” (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

And that is precisely what has happened, beginning with the first Pope. Actually, this apostate system didn't have its first Pope until about the 2nd or 3rd century. I can supply the evidence when your ears are open and your heart is receptive.​

 

[Mr GLee]

Judges 17:1-6 [NKJV]​

Now there was a man from the mountains of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you, and on which you put a curse, even saying it in my ears--here is the silver with me; I took it." And his mother said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my son!" So when he had returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, "I had wholly dedicated the silver from my hand to the LORD for my son, to make a carved image and a molded image; now therefore, I will return it to you." Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah. ​

​

The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. ​

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.​

We don't need no stinkin' Church tellin' us how to worship GOD!
(I respectfully, disagree ... something about "baby and bathwater" or was that "cure worse than disease" ... I can't remember the platitudes and you won't listen to them anyway. )

The living abiding word of God lovingly commands us . Study to seek his approval .Warns us of those false prophets, false apostles (antichrists) "another teaching authority other than sola scriptura the gospel." Men who say we need dying mankind to teach us . Can't throw out the water of the word. . doctrines of God that fall like rain causing growth by which he cleanses his children of faith.

Ephesians 5:25-27King James Version25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Not of those of the number the confederacy like King David. . . .many died

saiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

 

[atpollard]

The living abiding word of God lovingly commands us . Study to seek his approval .Warns us of those false prophets, false apostles (antichrists) "another teaching authority other than sola scriptura the gospel." Men who say we need dying mankind to teach us . Can't throw out the water of the word. . doctrines of God that fall like rain causing growth by which he cleanses his children of faith.

Ephesians 5:25-27King James Version25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Not of those of the number the confederacy like King David. . . .many died
saiah 8:12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Hebrew 10:24-25 [NKJV]
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

“Defecting [ALL] Religious Establishments” sounds a lot like a “Church of ONE” … which is an abrogation of ALL the “one another” verses that God commanded us. It is a popular modern view, but it is not a scriptural one (except in the negative example from Judges 17:1-6 - offered by God as a warning - that I posted upthread).

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

• It was not until after the fifth century the Roman Church was completely organized. She did not have an Archbishop until the end of the fourth century, and it was centuries later before she had Cardinals and Popes (Catholic Ency., Vol. IX, p. 61, and Catholic Ency., Vol. IV, p. 44). Yet this “Holy See” claims that her Popes and Cardinals can be traced back to the first century A. D. and that Peter was the first Pope. This is Catholicism against itself.
  ​
  
  
• According to Ancient Civilizations, (2002, Times Books), between 327-750 A. D., Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria had Bishops who were major figures, but no pope yet. The Bishop of Rome claimed preeminence as the direct successor of Peter.​

A religious “act of reverence” is the same as an act of worship. Yet Peter, who is alleged by Catholics to have been the first pope, refused to allow Cornelius to bow down to and worship him. He told Cornelius who bowed before him, “Stand up! I am only a man myself” (Acts 10:25-26). The Catholic Bible says, “Stand up! I’m not a god!” Catholic Popes, then, must consider themselves God, as they expect others to bow to them.

Every pope in history has expected others to bow down to them, including Pope John Paul II—the exact opposite of what the apostle Peter told Cornelius. Catholics and their clerics dishonor the very Bible they claim to have written by rebelling against its teachings. They do the same by bowing to and worshipping images, statues, and idols. Based on this information, Catholicism resembles paganism more than it does Christianity.

P. S. We've both have said more than enough on this subject. Lest other readers get tired of reading us and quit, this will be my final post to you on the subject.--Buff.​

 

[atpollard]

In 1895 Protestant newspaper, “Church Review” and “Evangelical Christendom“, claimed that this was said by Cardinal Sarto, who later became Pope Pius X. The claim by the newspaper was investigated, and found to be false. Cardinal Sarto produced the original document, and all it claimed was that “the pope represents Jesus Christ himself“. Nothing like what was claimed by the anti-Catholics.

I would like to believe you (claims SHOULD be verified back to original sources whenever possible).
Do you have a link to a source of your claim? (That would be helpful to me.)

 

[atpollard]

We've both have said more than enough on this subject. Lest other readers get tired of reading us and quit, this will be my final post to you on the subject.--Buff.

If I am the other half of “we” … then I just wanted to take a moment to state that I agree with much of what you wrote. Religious Hierarchy is not a substitute for The Church (and the RCC is not The Church). I just needed to clarify that in an age of every man worshiping God “their own way” and having their own personal “revealed truth”, the Church (people united with Christ as the head) are still called to assemble to minister to “one another”.

Thank you for your words, and for your grace in putting up with me.

Shalom Shalom (perfect peace, complete wholeness),
Arthur

 

[Mr GLee]

Hebrew 10:24-25 [NKJV]
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

“Defecting [ALL] Religious Establishments” sounds a lot like a “Church of ONE” … which is an abrogation of ALL the “one another” verses that God commanded us. It is a popular modern view, but it is not a scriptural one (except in the negative example from Judges 17:1-6 - offered by God as a warning - that I posted upthread).

I would think God of one ..family. Three the smallest tribe, sect or denomination.

Whenever two or three assemble themselves together under his name (sola scriptural) he is the working in them with them . Same with two or three billion

Two the witness Christ has spoke

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

1. M

 

[Keiw1]

...We feel drawn to follow the example of Our Redeemer and Master, Jesus Christ,

did you forget that part of the paragraph?

He is still correct-The Pope is a sinner, not God.
Show us the Jesus who would ok killing ones own brothers in Christ for men like Hitler like your religion okayed in ww2 standing on both sides.