[normbal]

I blew off catholicism when I was around 14. I was last confronted on this by a catholic priest, brigade level chaplain one time on a field deployment when I used my coined phrase "recovering catholic." He said "we need to talk about that" and I said, "no, we don't." He had plenty of opportunities to bring it up but never did. I had a catholic priest pathology professor in med school who insisted we call him father. Jews, Mormons, born-again christians and atheists alike. "Father is from God and doctor is from the state" he would say. I and a double handful of other students flatly refused this request no matter how many times he would remind us. Much later, around the time I was baptized, accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I read a line from the bible I KNOW was never ever discussed in catechism class: "Matthew 23:9 "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Catholicism is NOT a biblically-based faith; a catholic who actually reads the bible is a rare creature indeed. Catholicism is a MAN-based pyramidal religion (from the Latin: re- again, or again and again+ ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament) and the pope is at the top of the pyramid, trying desperately from his little 100 acre kingdom to control, to bind us to his will. God is at the top of the pyramid in my faith, and I communicate with him through Jesus, He speaks to me through His spirit. And I've got His word available for reference (2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness"). Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Catholics, get some. I have no use for a pope.

[Lonely Bull]

"Matthew 23:9 "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

It's really disheartening to see all this talk of "sons" and "fathers" infecting the church at such an early date. I wonder what a teacher would say.

[BlackFemaleArmyColonel]

BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY! GOD BLESS YOU!

[maine-iac7]

AMEN and Amen

[The Working Man]

I appreciate your post. Thank you.