Anyone who has the attitude to as you say: "I'm here to give them something to protest, and the last thing they would want is for me to turn protestant, for then the fun would end." I would question if they genuinely care about people (to put it mildly).
Well, sir, I was hoping you'd understand the humorous context in which I wrote this, but it appears I have failed to adequately convey this. If you think that I don't care about you or the members of this post, then perhaps you haven't been paying attention, for I have expressed my affection for the people here just as I do for my family and closest friends.(All protestants as well.) If I took some of the scathing remarks I often receive from the members here (many more than you get) as a sign that people don't care for me, then I would equally be off the mark.
The members here have expressed these following sentiments to me:
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"You're in my prayers."
"I like you here <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />you would not believe how much I learn from your post and everybody responding. It's a great read."
"I genuinely enjoy your presence here."
Off the top of my head and among many more that I remember along the same lines, and don't think for a moment I don't hold these members just as dearly in my heart, which brings me to your second statement:
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I am not a Monitor on the Highway, so I hope I am not overstepping my bounds here, but based on the above and other statements you made in your post, I would say it is time for you to move on.
Tom, sir, just a few points I should make:
1. As I already pointed out there are many here who already do care for me, and whether you find it tasteful or not, they do enjoy being able to test Protestant doctrines in thoughtful discussion with an informed Catholic.
2. You suggest this based on my unwavering convictions in my Catholic faith. If my beliefs were whimsical and easily changed, not only would I be a bad Catholic, I would also make a terrible Protestant.
3. Only once, and just recently, has a Moderator rebuked me on a statement I made, and in response I demonstrated a willingness to comply. I will always strive to be sensitive to the members here and respectful of the forum's syllibus, but perhaps you may have overlooked that I'm not a guest here, I'm a member, with the same rights and privelidges as any other to express what I believe; as I'm sure you're not unaware, I'm not the only one who holds beliefs differing from the Forum's. (if everyone was of like mind, this would be a dull forum indeed!)
4. You retain freedom of association, and if you find it intolerable that I will not bend in my convictions, you are certainly at liberty to ignore my future posts. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, Pilgrim has designed this web site so you can do just that. Simply click on my profile and you'll see the option at the bottom of the screen.
Perhaps you are a little hasty in assessing how I fit in this forum, but I do have to agree with you that Pilgrim and the moderators here have been more than gracious and patient with me, especially in suffering my oft oversensitivity. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Maybe, sir, you could do the same for me.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
