As so many seem to have deviated away from the Teachings of the Catholic Church, let us then examine the difference between the Faith of today and the Faith that our Martyrs died for many centuries ago.
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What St. Polycarp of Smyrna said;
The Words of Polycarp to the Philippians;
"Wherefore, girding up your loins," serve the Lord in fear and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and "believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory, and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him...if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: "Judge not, that ye be not judged; forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you...once more, "Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
A 'politically' correct Polycarp the revisionist version
'Wherefore, girding up your loins, keep always the thought of what others may think of you to the forefront. Do not offend those who hold different views from yourself, it could be the case that your God may not be everyone's god so just choose a god that appeases all. Do not talk about such things as the one who Judges all, it may cause offense and may be seen as a hate crime so keep the truth quiet in order to get along with the world.'
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The Words of Polycarp of Smyrna
"For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;" and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from the beginning; "watching unto prayer," and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation," as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak."
A 'politically' correct Polycarp the revisionist version
'For whosoever does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an enlightened human being; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is sensitive to those who wish to embrace other spiritualities and validate those who worship such things as crystals, fire, water and air much like the Wiccans and pagans. Whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord should be allowed to explore their own version of what they believe and explore their own sexuality without fear of committing offense. Let us therefore embrace inner freedom and respect those who wish to fornicate, lust after their neighbors goods or who prefer to live alternative lifestyles. Let us not remind others of sins, lest you incur their wrath.'
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The Words of Polycarp of Smyrna
"I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead."
A 'politically' correct Polycarp the revisionist version
' I exhort you all, therefore. to yield obedience to anything you hear so long as it appeases the crowd and those who have chosen to live outside of the Word of God, lest a minority find us to be intolerant. Do not take much note of men such as Ignatius or Paul, they lived long ago what relevance do they have in this year 2006? Do not concern yourselves with righteousness it may cost you your popularity therefore go along with the crowds who wish to believe in Buddha, Wicca, Crystals, séances etc. Live for the present world, embrace all worldly philosophies and spiritualities, why should you put your life on the line just for mere 'words'? These men are long dead forget about them and live for today.'
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The Words of Polycarp of Smyrna
"For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. It is declared then in these Scriptures, "Be ye angry, and sin not," and, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Happy is he who remembers this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who "raised Him from the dead." Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him."
A 'politically' correct Polycarp the revisionist version
'For I trust that ye are not to well versed in the Sacred Scriptures for if one were to understand the Word of God then your excuse of ignorance is gone, therefore do not read the Scriptures lest it indicts you! Do not pray too much, many find the word God offensive and prayer is out of place in this 'peaceful' world. Remember there is no 'God' as you know it but there are many gods, let us call 'god' the 'universal spirit' or the 'feminine goddess' so that all may feel included and may pride reign forever.'
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The proconsul said to Saint Polycarp such things as "Have respect to thy old age" and "swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists."
When Polycarp entered the stadium a voice from Heaven rang out, 'Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Polycarp'!"
The Proconsul said"...say, Away with the Atheists", Saint Polycarp "gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, 'Away with the Atheists'."
A 'politically' correct Polycarp the revisionist version
'Gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen Polycarp then changed his expression to one of benevolence and acceptance as he looked upon the crowds in the stadium and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, and said, 'Let me join you in the stadium, after all your idea of 'god' is fine so long as you feel validated, it is only right you should worship whom you believe in whether that be God or your 'god' of choice. We must learn religious toleration, any 'god' or 'gods' should be acceptable for who am I to tell you different? That would make me intolerant if I do not accept your choice of 'gods'. What is 'truth' for your 'truth' may not be my truth so let us all embrace and live our own 'truths' lest we be considered pious or holy.'
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Saint Justin Martyr His Words
Justin Martyr was born approximately 100 AD, let us examine his words and then the politically correct Justin.
These are the words of St. Justin
"When I was a disciple of Plato, hearing the accusations made against the Christians and seeing them intrepid in the face of death and of all that men fear, I said to myself that it was impossible that they should be living in evil and in the love of pleasure"
A politically Correct Justin Martyr
'When I was a disciple of Plato, hearing the accusations made against the Christians and seeing them intrepid in the face of death, I thought what 'god' are they willing to die for? Should we not be embracing all 'gods' in order to appease and be seen as tolerant toward those who share other views? Should we not applaud nay even follow after those who follow the 'gods' of power, wealth, beauty and where sin no longer exists? Do they not have a better 'god' where all conduct is acceptable as a lifestyle choice?' Surely this is more acceptable than dying for what you actually believe? I ponder these things.'
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The words of Justin Martyr
"To obey the commandments of our Saviour Jesus Christ is worthy neither of blame nor of condemnation. I have endeavoured to learn all doctrines; but I have acquiesced at last in the true doctrines, those namely of the Christians, even though they do not please those who hold false opinions..."That according to which we worship the God of the Christians, whom we reckon to be one from the beginning, the maker and fashioner of the whole creation, visible and invisible; and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had also been preached beforehand by the prophets as about to be present with the race of men, the herald of salvation and teacher of good disciples. And I, being a man, think that what I can say is insignificant in comparison with His boundless divinity, acknowledging a certain prophetic power, since it was prophesied concerning Him of whom now I say that He is the Son of God. For I know that of old the prophets foretold His appearance among men."
A politically Correct Justin Martyr
'To obey the commandments of our Saviour Jesus Christ is not a good idea, it is far to constraining and many prefer to live in an age of freedom, surely we must show ourselves to be broadminded and accepting of what others choose to believe. As for Jesus divinity that is now in dispute who am I to go against the masses, surely I should be accepting of all 'truths' no matter what that 'truth' is? Him of whom now I say that He is the Son of God. For I know that of old the prophets foretold his appearance, but then again this is a new age, and the prophets wrote these words so long ago. Should we really take note of old men with old ideas?'
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The words of Justin Martyr
"Yes, I am a Christian...I hope that, if I endure these things, I shall have His gifts. For I know that, to all who have thus lived, there abides the divine favour until the completion of the whole world. No right-thinking person falls away from piety to impiety. Through prayer we can be saved on account of our Lord Jesus Christ, even when we have been punished, because this shall become to us salvation and confidence at the more fearful and universal judgment-seat of our Lord and Saviour."
A politically Correct Justin Martyr
'Yes, I am a Christian...though I am also accepting of other idea's and philosophies, why should I demand that others believe as I do? What matters is that I am saved I care not for speaking the Truth lest others may feel offended. No right-thinking person should actually live their Faith or they may be called 'holier than thou' or worse they may lose their popularity. As for universal judgement-seat of our Lord and Saviour, who and what is your 'god' of the day, surely we have become to sophisticated for this outmoded thinking of 'judging'.'
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Saint Irenaeus of Lyons His Words
"For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God."
The Politically Correct Saint Irenaeus
'For this is why the Word became man, so that we could internalise what Jesus was really saying by reading and watching heretical works pertaining to who Jesus really is. Why should we be chained by the Truth, especially in these days where every 'truth' is acceptable."
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The Words of St Irenaeus
"God is the source of all activity throughout creation. He cannot be seen or described in his own nature and in all his greatness by any of his creatures. Yet he is certainly not unknown. Through his Word the whole creation learns that there is one God the Father, who holds all things together and gives them their being. As it is written in the Gospel, "No man has ever seen God, except the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father; he has revealed him."
The Politically Correct Saint Irenaeus
'God is the source of all activity throughout creation. We must accept that we are descended from apes for this is what science teaches us, has not science become a new 'god'? Through his Word the whole creation learns that there is one God the Father. Surely as intelligent human beings we understand the Bible was written by men who are fallible, do we trust this 'man written bible' or should we rely on our own reasoning abilities? God is what you want him to be, lest anyone feel excluded, therefore as proud 'catholics' surely we should be open minded to realise that there is no truth outside of your own perceived 'truths', therefore all 'truths' are true, are they not?'
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When we review the words and the lives of these great Martyrs and then study the politically correct language of today, we must ask ourselves.... Where do we stand when it comes to speaking the Truths of the Church? Or did our Martyrs die for nothing?
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