I read about that. I’m quite sure the Dominionists would like to have that ability, here, but the more “conservative” RCs just can’t conceive of that idea, and think those guys are their friends.

Like the definition of Persecution = “Not being permitted to persecute everyone else”?

Here’s the flip side of that in today’s Brazil, as “Evangelicos” come to outnumber Catholics:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/soldiers-of-jesus-armed-neo-pentecostals-torment-brazils-religious-minorities/2019/12/08/fd74de6e-fff0-11e9-8501-2a7123a38c58_story.html

In correspondence with the blogger Wondering Eagle, we have scratched our heads as to why Born-Again Bible-Believing Christians are among the most Fanatical of Trump Fanatics. Like they’ve Taken The Mark in bad Christian Apocalyptic. This link backs up his working hypothesis:

https://natesparks130.com/2016/03/12/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Money quote: Point 5 on the above page, first item under “The Ugly”.’

5. Denny Burk recently wrote a post describing his experience of attending a Donald Trump rally. While the description of events is disturbing, I am forced to wonder if those within the Neo-Calvinist camp realize Trump is a monster of their own creation.
Burk and company have built an empire on a theology of fear and antagonism. It is absolutely no surprise that the very people they have endeavored to control with fear now choose support a presidential candidate who amplifies the tactics of their own pastors/leaders.

The “Denny Burk” comment links to this page:

http://www.dennyburk.com/i-spent-super-tuesday-with-donald-trump/

Look at the image of God you get way too often from American Christians, from the inhuman determinism of the Calvinist God to the occult woo-woo of the Ultra-Charismatic Spiritual Warriors.

The Pious Piper writes and tweets about a Determinist God whose only goal is HIs Own Glory, whose only reason for existing is Glorifying God (no matter who gets hurt in the process). The Rapture Ready crowd gushes over a God who So Hated the World He’s about to send His Only Begotten Son to destroy it all and cast all except His Special Pets (guess who?) into Eternal Hell.

Like some sort of Arrested Development Narcissist with Power, always obsessed with Loyalty of his inferiors, casting thunderbolts down on any whim. (Remind you of anyone in the news?) Not even Zeus at this worst what that touchy.

When someone comes along who acts just like that God except more so, well, he must be More Godly(TM)! The Pastors who preached that thought THEY would be the one to fill those shoes. They groomed their pew peons over 40 years of Culture War, conditioned them to that axiom. They never dreamed someone would come along with a public persona more “Godly(TM)” than theirs…

https://hellochristian.com/article-image/2018/9780fed7225de93fb5acdd703d2dd44a/st-louis-billboard-suggests-president-trump-is-the-word-made-flesh-photo-facebook.jpg