You wrote:
“No, it is accurate. If you have sinned a sin, do you speak to God, or do you go to your Priest for your confession?”
Both - Just as He arranged (John 20:19-23).
“When you go to Church, is it anywhere where two or three Christians are gathered, or is it in a building run by a Priest?”
I don’t go to “Church”. Learn English. You might attend a “church”, but not a “Church”. I assist at Mass. It could be in a church or a hotel room or a private home - just like in the early Church.
“Either way, it’s utterly irrelevant to me. My criticism was mostly aimed at Protestants who insist there is no difference between them and Catholicism.”
I understand that, but your “criticism” may be based on ignorance and misperceptions. It certainly seems to be from what you have posted.
“These are essential points PROTESTANTS ought to agree on, but for some reason this is being forgotten for the sake of politics. The fact that so many Protestants are embracing the character arguments to support a candidate is quite disturbing.”
Protestants can’t agree. That’s why they exist as Protestants. That won’t change either.
“I don’t go to “Church”. Learn English. You might attend a “church”, but not a “Church”. I assist at Mass. It could be in a church or a hotel room or a private home - just like in the early Church.”
Since individual Christians are, in fact, members of the body of Christ and therefore the Church (capitalized), my usage is accurate.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
The question is, does one of those 2 or 3 individuals have to be a Priest, ordained by a recognized religious body, in order to have Christ “in the midst” of them?
John 4
19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
One wonders how an individual can look at scriptures like these and yet generally ignore them when it comes to Catholicism’s (and many other religions in the world) emphasis on visible structures, rituals and images of spirituality.
The addition of Saints, to whom you pray to for assistance in certain matters, or Priests to whom you must confess to, are unnecessary. It is certainly good to have accountability amongst a group of individuals, as it keeps you honest. But the idea that you MUST do it, otherwise your sin is not forgiven, is simply another barrier.