[PugetSoundSoldier]

Does denying the Catechism leave one a Catholic? Accepting that Jesus had brothers and sisters born of Mary is opposite the Catechism.

[delacoert]

If we went through the entire list of Papal Bulls, when all is said and done, it still would not establish the assertion that a Catholic believer is not allowed to interpret and receive from scripture in his own life.

If a Catholic were to look at Gen. 8:1 and believe that it assures him that God remembers him and his whole family in the midst of a great trial, he is not prohibited to interpret and have faith that it is so, even though no theologian may have interpreted it precisely that way.

On the other hand, Catholics, like Protestants may run into some difficulties with the authorities in their church if they proclaim an interpretation of scripture that is counter to accepted doctrine. In either case, it is likely that they will be told to hush up and repent. And again, in either case, excommunication would not be the first response to error.