Posted on 07/26/2013 2:04:17 PM PDT by NYer
Ping!
My apologies for not reading anymore than the title before commenting. But it occurred to me if one thinks they may have been conceived or designed by aliens, it is bound to impact or shape their world view. Our understanding of our origins or even the impetus for the design of those origins are very important without which is no solid foundation.
BTTT
In before the Protestant anti-Catholic morons who will claim this convert really never knew his Protestant faith!
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (1John 2:19)
I’m pro-truth, not anti-Catholic. I care about Catholic people, if not I wouldn’t bother.
Lol ... just heard from one of them earlier today with the same tired list of 5 de-converts ... is that even a word? ; - )
“I’m pro-truth, not anti-Catholic.”
The Catholic faith IS the truth.
“I care about Catholic people, if not I wouldn’t bother.”
I have no reason to believe your claims.
You are so wrong, Friend, but I know only The Lord can show you that.
Want to know why I started studying your religion? Because I love my Catholic relatives. I knew we were different, but I really wanted to convince myself they were saved.
I was raised Baptist. I guess you could say that I'm at least agnostic if not atheist now.
At the tender age of 16, I was invited by my girlfriend to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the local catholic church.
The most bizarre string of ritualistic craziness I've ever seen.
Didn't get the whole thing then, don't get it now, never will get it.
Bloody statues, parades of people in robes, people speaking ancient languages and swinging incense burners.
I got out of there as fast as I could graciously and never talked to the girl again.
Scared the crap out of me to see people I thought were normal participating.
You wrote:
“Didn’t get the whole thing then, don’t get it now, never will get it.”
I think you’re selling your intelligence short. Ask a question. Someone here will get the answer for you. Was Jesus’ Judaism not stepped in “ritualistic craziness” as ordained by God? Ever read the Old Testament where YHWH actually ordered all that BLOODY craziness like the sacrifices? And you’re going on about a few bloody statues. My God, the Son of God, died on a cross. That was bloody. And beautiful.
“Bloody statues, parades of people in robes, people speaking ancient languages and swinging incense burners.”
Sounds awesome! I’m partial to the Romans and Russians myself: look here in the middle of the video. The music is beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdkBFwulcI8
“I got out of there as fast as I could graciously and never talked to the girl again.”
Clearly she was better off if that was how you would treat her just because you didn’t understand the Mass.
“Scared the crap out of me to see people I thought were normal participating.”
Then you must think very little of Christ because of His circumcision, sacrifices at the Temple, paying Temple taxes, kosher diet, etc. Did you ever think that maybe you’re just a small mind and person and maybe God and Christianity were bigger than you? Did you ever think that maybe you should grow as a person to be more rather than simply abandon faith altogether.
Christ changed everything. What have you done lately that merits any note?
When was the last time you even tried to pray? Maybe you just need to realize what you aren’t. You aren’t God. But He loves you and is even now waiting for you. Will you respond? Or will you run away from him like you did your girlfriend when you were 16?
Magnificent
Excellent reply, Vlad!
Excellent post.
You’re better than me who has no patience with these rabid snake handlers, Bible thumpers, Harold Campings, Paul Crouches, Jim Joneses, the Bakkers, don’t forget the second ‘k’, Billy Grahams, who claim they saw freedom of religion in the Soviet Union, all those parents who will rather see their child die than to give him an aspirin, the 7th Day Witnesses knocking on our doors day in, day out, did I miss anyone? Oh yes, I missed the 30,000+ different hateful heresies.
You are aware that shortly after Jesus was born, two turtle doves were killed right? You are aware that prior to dying, Jesus was tied to a post, whipped and beaten. He was then paraded around, with a crown of thorns on His head and mocked. Someone took a reed and beat Him around the head (while He was wearing a crown of thorns). Then after being beaten and humiliated, He was made to carry a large and heavy wooden cross up a hill (both ways in the snow). Finally He was nailed to a cross; the nails went through His wrists and feet. A soldier proceeded to drive a spear into His heart to make sure He died by nightfall.
While He was being crucified, His mother, the Virgin Mary, watched as her only son was killed for the sins of all mankind, including yours and mine.
I am not sure what the objection to ancient languages and incense burners are.
To understand it, start with God sending his only son to die so that our sins may be forgiven.
I had an addiction to pornography and masturbation that I tried for years to end. Praying never worked; fasting never worked. Then one day I decided to search for a Catholic solution to my addiction to porn. I found a page talking about praying to Rosary. After the first time I prayed the Rosary, I have had no desire to watch porn and have had negative reaction to songs that talk about having sex. Some friends tried to get me to watch Game of Thrones; I only watched the first episode (actually I only stayed past the first incest scene as I was unsure of how to get out of it politely).
My addition to masturbation took longer to get rid of, sometimes I would forget to say the Rosary for a few days and would relapse. Eventually I found a set of Catholic prayers called the Divine Office. Included are ones to say just before going to bed; these finish with a prayer to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and Queen of Heaven and Earth. I have not had the temptation to masturbate at night or in the morning since starting these prayers.
However, I still had a problem with impure thoughts during the middle of the day. Saying three Hail Marys; one for Faith, one for Hope, and one for Charity; keeps these thoughts away for about half an hour.
If this were the work of the Devil, why would he give up one of his most powerful weapons against us?
The Scopes trial was in 1925. The 90th anniversary (or, as it will inevitably be called by illiterates, “the 90-year anniversary”) will be in 2015.
BTTT!
You just made it! Congrats! LOL!
What a powerful story. Blessings to you.
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