I lost my Church 10 years ago when the Methodists hired a lesbian minister, a church I joined at 12 years old.
Since then I have felt a pull to the Catholic Church. Maybe because of the formality, and definitely because of the Church’s stand on abortion, same sex marriage, etc. I was adopted at birth so I may have been Catholic at birth. I don’t know. I had checked with some folks to find out what I needed to do to become a Catholic.
Now this Pope is really disappointing me just like the Methodists.
Around here we got Methodists, Presbyterians, and people who jump up and yell during service, or snake handlers, and I ain’t picking up no rattlesnake.
I guess I’ll stay home and talk to God by myself. He seems to respond when I call on him.
Well written. Excellent post. Despite that, I hope you have your flame-proof clothing handy because the Catholic-bashers are sure to show up soon.
Where in the Bible does it say Mary was born without the sin of Adam? Also the logic of Mary needed to be without sin for her to conceive Jesus without sin implies that there is shared DNA amongst Jesus and Mary. If this is the case then Jesus cannot be 100% man and 100% God. You would also have to believe that Mary herself did not sin before the birth of Christ and if she did not sin afterwards and didn’t inherit sin she would not be in need of a Savior.
And this is the fault of Protestants? Why link it to the Reformation?
I don't ask deceased relatives to look over me and I don't know of any Protestant who does.
To one another, not a middle man.
Since these issues are disturbing you then perhaps it’s better you not read or discuss them when they are being debated...... On the other hand if you are seeking the truth of what God is saying to believers then perhaps you need to consider what’s being posted and/or in fact attempt to defend your position with the authority of the scriptures.
It is not enough to simply say that Catholic teachings are truth by the decree of the Catholic Magesterium. Like any spiritual teaching we must compare it to the Bible..... In other words, do the teachings of the Catholic church, that are often derived through mans tradition, transgress the commands of God?
When Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in Matt. 15:1-6, He reprimanded them for not understanding God’s word. They were appealing to the tradition of the elders ...those who had passed down oral and written tradition. Jesus, on the other hand, exposed their error by citing scripture.
It must be observed that the tradition of the religious leaders was always subject to the Word of God. Are the religious leaders of the Catholic Church exempt from subjection to the Word of God? OF course not.... And likewise, is their Sacred Tradition also exempt? Also not.
I believe that there are some Catholics who love the Lord and are saved. But I believe it is in spite of official Roman Catholic doctrine.
“...just as a Protestant asks their deceased grandparent/parent to watch over them.”
Never have I done this. Seems like sacrilege, to me. Christ and His angels watch over me very well, thank you very much.
I am not religious...i belive in God and the bible. I have disagreements with the theology of every religion.
I have the least disagreements with the catholic church...but it is a major one.
I disagree with confessing sins to a priest...who then passed judgement on the price to be paid for said sin. The bble clearly states judgement is Gods job. It also states that i am to clearly confess my sins to Him.
Now, that being said....i believe it important to confess sins to those who are transgressed by those sins, but i do not believe its right to confess sins to a priest who then passes judgement.
“Again, the concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9). As New Covenant believers, we do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
That would be “ELEVEN Things Catholics Are Tired of Hearing”.
#11: The Truth
I’m a lapsed Catholic.....perhaps lapsed Christian better describes me, though I was brought up Roman Catholic
I defend my Catholic brethren when these attacks occur. Not because I necessarily believe all the canon dogma, but because a faith that does not interfere with other faiths has the right to be left to their own devices.
Now a faith like islam deserves to be routed out and excised from this country.
There are so many errors in this straw man that it is not even worth point them out.
just as a Protestant asks their deceased grandparent/parent to watch over them.
I was raised Catholic, left the Church at around 19 and became a Baptist at around 30. I don’t now nor have I ever “asked” any deceased relative or any other person to “watch over” me.
Jesus is sufficient.
It’s really hard to have a discussion, on line or face to face, about what the bible says with some who doesn’t care what the bible says.
Um, no. Protestants do not ask their deceased relatives to watch over them.
3. there is biblical proof that the saints can hear our prays...
Wait. You just argued that you don't pray to Mary, but now you're arguing for praying to the saints? Please pick a side.
4. If our Blessed Mother isn’t important, then every female would have had an immaculate conception.
Please review the term theotokos. This is properly translated as God-bearer, and incorrectly translated as "Mother of God". The term is important for what is says about Jesus, not for what it says about Mary. It's always about Jesus.
5. “Catholics made up all their rules.” Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots. Not to mention the fact that Jesus was the founder of our Church. I don’t know about you, but Jesus doesn’t make mistakes.
Worst answer ever! Everything is biblical? Since when has that been a requirement? Catholics have holy tradition.
Secondly, you might as well rewrite this paragraph for the Supreme Court. Every single ruling of the Supreme Court follows the constitution. I don't know about you, but I believe in the constitution. See what I did there...
6. confess it to one another (our priests)
Really? Does that simple substitution work every time James uses the phrase "one another"? How about "Do not speak evil against one another"? So we are not to speak evil against the priests, but everyone else is okay. Sheesh. Reminds me of Catholics indiscriminately replacing Apostles with Catholic Church when they read and interpret the Bible.
7. Jesus Christ founded this Church more than 2,000 years ago, I would hardly call it a cult.
Catholicism isn't a cult because you claim it was founded by Jesus. Please tell me one cult that doesn't claim a valid origin? This answer might be worse that number 5.
Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots.
I do not except doctrine based on roots when the very words of Jesus is there to see and to teach.
Mathew 24
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The words of Jesus is the gospel, doctrine based on Jesus is not.
We don’t pray to Mary, we beseech her to pray for us
We don’t pray to Mary, we pray to her to pray for us
These things have been rebutted with scripture and facts so many times it’s impossible to count...You guys are certainly persistent in putting out false information...It might work on a Catholic only site but of course won’t fly in a public forum...