Hey everybody, the real foszoe's back! 
First, as I get older, I care less about what divides us. So, I'm not really interested in that.
Second, though, out of respect for the effort, I will comment on a few of the points.
- Grace - my understanding is that it is a convenient label for multiple aspects of God's energy (borrowing f'bomb's Orthodox formulation). That is, we pray that Mary was/is full of "God's grace." Well, sure she was/is. She consented to bearing Him and raising His mortal self. Instead of "multiple," I should probably say "infinite." It can also be God's own way of touching our own internal godliness, and even cultivating it, so that it is expressed differently to/from each of us.
- checkboxes - yeah, this is a human problem. The milestones help us keep the path; they remind us of where we're going and where we've been. It is easy to view them as the actual paths, when they aren't. He is the path. But, He's blessed humanity with certain opportunities... certain habits... that help keep the mind and soul right. So here's something - I'm not actually confirmed. In high school, I went to bible study and youth group and was active in the church, but even then, I wasn't sure that it was something I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to. With my mom's blessing (pardon the pun), I opted not to. (There were other things going on in my life, too, so even if I had, I'm not sure it would've been true.) As time's gone on, and I have dedicated myself (as best I can) to God as a Catholic, I haven't felt drawn to check the box. Yet, at the same time, I do feel like I've tested out of that particular class.
- doctrinal development - I think this, and "papal infallibility" are misconstrued. As humanity matures, and people understand the world differently, biblical doctrine can remain true and applicable in new ways. That's part of the miracle. For instance, Pope JPII commissioned a doctrinal study that resulted in the Theology of the Body. The Theology of the Body is one online source. It really is fascinating. As society's broken down certain barriers about the body, it has also presented an opportunity to re-examine genders and sexuality biblically. Believe me, I was skeptical that this was just a Catholic sex ed thing. But, as my younger kids studied it in school, it really is pretty amazing. It ties in OT and NT concepts - some of which have been around a long time - but integrates and aggregates them in a new way. I was very impressed. To me, it is an example of how modern study of the Bible can develop doctrine that is renewed and applicable to modern society.
First, as I get older, I care less about what divides us. So, I'm not really interested in that.
Second, though, out of respect for the effort, I will comment on a few of the points.
- Grace - my understanding is that it is a convenient label for multiple aspects of God's energy (borrowing f'bomb's Orthodox formulation). That is, we pray that Mary was/is full of "God's grace." Well, sure she was/is. She consented to bearing Him and raising His mortal self. Instead of "multiple," I should probably say "infinite." It can also be God's own way of touching our own internal godliness, and even cultivating it, so that it is expressed differently to/from each of us.
- checkboxes - yeah, this is a human problem. The milestones help us keep the path; they remind us of where we're going and where we've been. It is easy to view them as the actual paths, when they aren't. He is the path. But, He's blessed humanity with certain opportunities... certain habits... that help keep the mind and soul right. So here's something - I'm not actually confirmed. In high school, I went to bible study and youth group and was active in the church, but even then, I wasn't sure that it was something I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to. With my mom's blessing (pardon the pun), I opted not to. (There were other things going on in my life, too, so even if I had, I'm not sure it would've been true.) As time's gone on, and I have dedicated myself (as best I can) to God as a Catholic, I haven't felt drawn to check the box. Yet, at the same time, I do feel like I've tested out of that particular class.
- doctrinal development - I think this, and "papal infallibility" are misconstrued. As humanity matures, and people understand the world differently, biblical doctrine can remain true and applicable in new ways. That's part of the miracle. For instance, Pope JPII commissioned a doctrinal study that resulted in the Theology of the Body. The Theology of the Body is one online source. It really is fascinating. As society's broken down certain barriers about the body, it has also presented an opportunity to re-examine genders and sexuality biblically. Believe me, I was skeptical that this was just a Catholic sex ed thing. But, as my younger kids studied it in school, it really is pretty amazing. It ties in OT and NT concepts - some of which have been around a long time - but integrates and aggregates them in a new way. I was very impressed. To me, it is an example of how modern study of the Bible can develop doctrine that is renewed and applicable to modern society.
and a heck no!! Having been in an Independent Baptist church my entire life I am well aware of the MAJOR downfalls made by them. Personally I couldn't care less what name you have on your sign, but I also understand why it's there. Denomination means a set of beliefs (which is why non-denominational always made me chuckle). If you don't line up with the Independent Baptist flavor, I'm not mad bro.
