[packrat01]

I can't see God as debtor to man under any circumstance.

One of the first phrases I read in a Bible after I'd left the RCC, was:

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

Y'all have "Father so-and-so", yet he has no children; and his "title" is clearly anti-scriptural.

IIRC, they also claim to intercede on our behalf, to Mary and the other "saints".

Mat 23:3-10

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.

[Theresa]

"Mat 23:9 And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Y'all have "Father so-and-so", yet he has no children; and his "title" is clearly anti-scriptural."

Wrong. To call a priest Father is ENTIRELY biblical. Look up the passage by St. Paul who tells his flock that he is their "father in the faith." That is the sense in which Catholics call their priests "Father." This is so easy!!! How could you make something so innocent into something sinister? Your flaw is the result of "proof texting." As we can see by Paul's assertion that he is our "father in the faith" it seems Paul himself is being unbiblical and ignoring the injunction against calling any man your father. But we know that Paul would not preach anything unbiblical. Therefore these opposing passages only seem to oppose each other and can be harmonized.

Reading the bible can be like interpreting inkblots, you will see what you are pre-disposed to see and ignore things that don't square with things you don't want to see. That is why private interpretation is not a good thing.