The concept of autonomy makes bringing the Eastern Churches into this irrelevant. What you fail to realize is that the Church also protects the Eastern Churches right to preserve its culture as well as the West.
The Eastern Churches can and do receive in the hand if they so choose as well and always have just as the Western Church did for over 1000 years.
But we as individuals cannot often choose so the point here is that it is not strictly speaking up to us. It is up to the Church.
Thats an irrelevant point as well. That fallacy presumes that the Church is wrong in its judgment
it presumes nothing it states that the church can be wrong in her application with regard to disciplinaries matters and practices which is a notion that the church Herself maintains.[/QUOTE]
or that one can predict what is in the hearts of people because of how they choose to receive as if one way is better than the other.
Nope that's something you inferred I don't talk about other peoples interior dispositionas as if I know what it is.
You have no way to know that. Absolutely none. And even if it were true, it is better to express that love from the heart, that the Lord alone can judge, and as the Church approves of than by some man who cares only for appearances and is hardened of heart toward the needs of others.
You are judging that in my heart I only care for peoples appearance that judgement as you have aptly stated is not yours to make.
Would you stigmatize all those who receive standing and in the hand as somehow loving the Lord less?
no. But my poiint was that stating that the church allows it doesn't mean that she might always allow or always think it is the best practice
That would come off as rather bigoted and full of ones self wouldn't it?
You do seem to like questions that if answered the wrong way give you permission to make judgements about whats in my haert. Yet I haven't done any such thing to you or anyone else. and yet you seem to condemn such a practice.
For the sake of that fallacy,
Why would we do anything for the sake of error Don't you mean the sake of sarcasm?
lets assume everyone loves the Lord in varying degrees.
I don't think we need to assume that I'm pretty sure the church teaches that. (although I suppose some don't love him at all an some don't know him so they can't be expected to)
What should the Church do for those folks who struggle with a weaker faith than some? Force them on their faces?
I'm not sure how you arrive at this strange train of logic
As if doing that would make them love the Lord more. How would you personally encourage folks to love the Lord more, by forcing them to kneel and receive on the tongue?
I would encorage them to do the things the church recommends and that her saint recommend. I would think that would be an obvious answer.
Would you tell those who prefer the ancient practice of receiving in the hand they aren't as Christian as they could be because they don't want to perform the same praxis as you
you justlike asking question that make you seem absurd
when the CHURCH has officially sanctioned what they are doing?
I don't no anything about sanctioned, she has certainly allowed many things
This is in effect what one is doing when they push a false notion contrary to the Church like receiving on the hand or standing is not good enough.
If only I had said such a thing you comment might be of some help to some one.
Should these who follow the Church be receiving communion as you seem to approve of or how the Church approves of?
It's not an either or situation. As I have pointed out the church allows both she does not recommend both.
Obviously the answer is the Church. Would you presume to tell the Church what she should allow or not? It seems you would.
again interesting inference given all that I haven't said.
What would Jesus do for these folks who others don't think love him as much
We all love to varying degrees and merit to varying degrees And the Church tells us there are varying places in heaven. St theresa of the little flower tells us that there are many kind of flowers in the garden. They are not all roses but they are all in the garden. I hope that answers your question, though perhaps it was meant more as an accusation.
as they do because they don't express that love the same way as they do? It seems those hardened of heart may actually be the lessor Christian because they fail to recognize that Christs will is for us all to be sensitive to the plight of our neighbor. It seems those of divisive opinions could not care less
matthew 10:34"do you think I have come to bring peace? I have not come to bring peacve but a sword" it is an interesting thing for the prince of peace to say but then again he had a lot of devisive opinions.
about the plight of ones neighbor because they would shun them for not doing things as they would have them.
Can one claim to be a better Christian when they neglect the plight of those around them in lieu of appearing more holy when inside they are actually hard of heart? Isn't that the same mistake the Pharisees made? it is.
I'm sure who ever is doing this is in trouble.