Quote from: Ladislaus

That's one of the things that backed me away from radical sedevacantism.  At one point I realized that I was the only Catholic left in the world  :sign-surrender:

That is one of the things that backs me away from Sedevacantism period.

It leads, ultimately, to bitterness, Pharasaism, home alonism, and to complete despair.

If I ever started down that road I don't know where I'd ultimately end up. That is why I won't go there.

Matthew, you do not have trust in truth and what it entails or implies. You simply don't. You are pitting your personal hypothetical fears against the value of truth, rather than, like a child trusting the care of his own mother, distrusting how truth and reason will carry you into safety and God's care. Truth is a reflection of God. Reason and logic infallibly give you that reflection.

Quote from: Alexandria

Matthew, have you ever spent any time at a sede chapel?

The one I go to (when I am able) includes the nicest group of people I have EVER encountered anywhere.  Do you honestly think sedes talk only about the crisis in the Church?  Sometimes I wish they would, but we are, after all, normal people despite what you think.  They are also the happiest group of people.  After Mass, all you hear outside is laughing, and the laughter is contagious.   Sometimes, when I'm trying to make my thanksgiving and I hear this one particular person laughing, I can't help but laugh myself.

The other sede chapel that I am familiar with is the same.

I know of no sedevacantists that actually thinks that if you are not a sede, you will lose your soul.  Where did you ever get such an idea?  

I've met plenty of them on here.

That you "will"? No. That you are in grave danger? Yes. We will be finally judged on how well we obeyed our consciences...and more importantly, how well we intend to form our consciences well.

Quote from: Laurentius

the orthodox position is that while marriage is indeed good celibacy is a superior calling and a greater gift, thus ideally we would all be free from matrimony.

Of course, "ideally" is opposed to "realistically". The virtue of prudence demands being realistic, and being realistic we know the ideal will not be realized especially considering Scripture and prophecy. However, if the ideal can be imagined to be reached, then no more Catholics would be created except through converson of other young non-Catholics in the world by celibate Catholics. The ultimate ideal is that all Catholics are celibate and there are no more to convert. Basically, that would be the end of the world.

I do think Pope Augustine realizes that the calling to celibacy is a gift not given to all, so I am sure if a person struggled with lust and absolutely lacked the power to be celibate such a situation would be handled.