Posted on 07/12/2014 8:50:54 AM PDT by Legatus
I’m not usually one to post something so inflammatory but I’m trying to work this out for myself and can’t.
In before the flamethrowers and jellied gasoline.
I read somewhere that the different Churches were for the different people.
I generally try to stay away from deep theology. No one seems to agree with anyone on all the details.
I picture evangelists, such as the first apostles, going to a land like India and spreading the gospel. Were some people saved? I sure hope so. Did those people understand with great precision all about baptism, confession, communion and other sacraments, purgatory, contraception, etc? Probably some of that stuff went over their heads or didn’t interest them.
I’m thinking that 2000 years ago, people could be saved without getting all the details “right”.
I am a sinner. I know it. I try to be better. My only hope is in Jesus because I don’t deserve to be in heaven, but perhaps through Grace I’ll make it there.
Why fight over divisive doctrine?
I became a Catholic because I believed what I thought the Church taught. I believed I had to enter the Church or face eternal hellfire for crying out loud. My father is a retired Nazarene minister, do you have any idea what my conversion did to my parents? (rhetorical) Now it sure looks like if I’d just waited 20 years I could have stayed where I was with papal approval.
We were told not to date them...and come prom time...don't even think about bringing a non-Catholic.
Is that like "different strokes for different folks"?
Extremely well put.
For your perusal: St. Thomas Christians
Is that like “different strokes for different folks”?
Don’t be talking strokes to us over 60.
Lol. Looks that way.
I'm sure your parents were devastated, appalled, disappointed and very sad at your conversion. But, I'm sure that they continued to pray and hope for another change of heart from you.
They will always be your folks and you are a product of their genes and upbringing. Since you are HERE they did a WHOLE lot right.
It was a steadfast rudder that guided me FLAWLESSLY.
Lol, I know what you mean. I am looking at 70 right between the eyes.
I did have both of my lenses replaced, due to VERY EARLY onset of cataracts. However, I was once blind-as-a-bat and still have 20-20 vision. Thank the Lord for Kaiser and its fabulous health plans. Been with'em for DECADES, even when they weren't popular.
Truth is important. If you don’t know the truth, you don’t know Jesus. The sword that comes out of his mouth is the truth, because it both penetrates and divides.
I was taught as a teen to not date Catholics because they were going to hell while you were being taught that I was going to hell and not date worthy as a protestant...
Religious experiences can really suck eggs.
“In my Fathers house there are many mansions.” Mr. Jesus H. Christ.
Regardless of what we would like to believe in our secular society. Marriage is NOT for the benefit and happiness of their adherents. It is for the benefit of the children that a sexual act often produces and for the further benefit of the greater society. Often times nonreligious people become religious and even strongly so once they have children.
When people have differences as intimate as their beliefs in God and the idea of eternity and how to gain Paradise, undo pressure is applied to the union often leading to a dissolution of said marriage and a society that has children from broken homes with whom to contend.
The good sisters spoke quite wisely as to whether it was a good idea to date members of other religions as the reason to date is to find a mate.
Look I don’t disagree that dating someone with a different religious background can be difficult and that is a legit reason to avoid that.
But as a protestant I was taught that Catholics were going to HELL. As were Orthodox, and probably Lutherans. Jews were famously condemned to hell by Pastor Bailey Smith of the Southern Baptist convention.
I think I will leave condemning to hell to Jesus.
The whole fascination and certainty of hell for other people is not what Christians should be thinking about. Pretty sure that Christians should focus on themselves and not worry about the spiritual status of their neighbors.
Years ago, my wife and I attended a Serra club dinner for vocations. It was in a gymnasium at a Catholic university and packed with over 1200 faithful. The keynote speaker was a relatively well known, crusty old orthodox priest who pulled no punches. He said in the times we are living, you keep one eye on your local bishop, and the other on the Pope. If the local bishop goes against the Pope, close that eye. The local bishop was in attendance and was not known for his orthodoxy. He was visibly irritated.
I guess the corollary now is, we have two Popes. Keep one eye on each, and if one goes against the teachings of the perennial Church, close that eye.
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