I'm not referring to the transient words of individual Catholic priests or of some unofficial statement of some guy in some department of the Vatican, but to the official doctrine of the Catholic Church. That's definite, it's not nonsense, and it was hammered out by painstaking effort over the millenia through the discourse of brilliant and God-filled men. Its premises are actually quite logical, not nonsensical. It's a solid guide.
Full disclosure: I was raised as a Protestant and educated as a scientist, so until two years ago I thought the Catholic Church was full of superstitious nonsense, too. Then I began studying the doctrines with great rigor. It was amazing to find the clear logic behind everything I'd been taught to regard as stupid.
unofficial statement of some guy in some department of the Vatican,
I know, I hear that defense every time some cocamamey document gets released from Rome. Well these idiot department are seen as important enough to spend valuable capital on. They get letter head with the word Vatican on them. They represent thinking that is going on behind all those closed doors. They represent one path the future Church could go down.
BTW, I congratulate you on finding a church home you feel comfortable in. Keep your eyes on the Prize. God bless.
“Full disclosure: I was raised as a Protestant and educated as a scientist, so until two years ago I thought the Catholic Church was full of superstitious nonsense, too. Then I began studying the doctrines with great rigor. It was amazing to find the clear logic behind everything I’d been taught to regard as stupid.”
Interesting. Perhaps you can answer the following for me. (I haven’t been able to get a clear answer from a Catholic yet.)
On what does the Catholic church base it’s claim to authority?
Serious question.
I don’t mind a nice exposition of doctrine from whatever church. While I am not a Catholic, I sent my daughter to a great Catholic High School, they were always nice and kind to us unlike the local Protestant High School that would not even let her apply even when all her friends were going there. I guess they did not want any deviations from their doctrinal stance. Mormons, really get under their skins, I guess. But, the Catholics were never that way, they were always kind to us.
Would this be why the Catholic Church altered the 10 commandments? The second commandment of not making or bowing down to graven images seems to be violated at each gathering.
Think the Lord doesn’t care about it? Read the Old Testament and see His rage against idolatry.
None of my Catholic friends even read their Bibles. Quite honestly, many of them have deeply lacked any type of work ethic.
Just for your reading pleasure, here’s the 2nd Commandment:
Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.