IMHO, if people who disagree with particulars of Catholicism used their valuable time to try to convert atheists, their time would be better spent.
This is why I rarely post on any religion threads, because the criticism of different sects and denominations gets so bad that I know it is not good for the criticizers; and there are so many atheists or people who supposedly believe in God but have no real faith and need help. Why not spend energy outreaching to them?
I’m not even a Catholic but I respect any sincere Christian and am 100% sure that God does not care one way or another if someone prostrates before a bishop or not. But I am 100% sure that He is not pleased by people spending a lot of energy criticizing the practices of other religions, rather than trying to enlighten those in darkness.
In fact, the strong negative feelings about the Catholic faith really surprised me when I came to FR. I had no idea such existed. It is distasteful in the extreme and does no one any good.
Yes God does care...You don't spend much time in the bible, do ya???
Actually last night I wanted to amend my comment that “God does not care” about whether one prostrates before a bishop or not. That was not my real meaning. Here is what I meant:
There are many ways to sincerely express humility and surrender to God, and I have no doubt that He accepts and is pleased by any sincere expression.
Just as a good father in this world is pleased by any sincere attempt by his children to please and serve him, in love. A grown son with a good job might give his father an expensive watch as a gift, and the toddler may pick a handful of wildflowers (complete with roots and a bit of dirt) and both gifts will please the father’s heart, when offered with love.
Is a good father in this world pleased when two of his sons argue and fight and say the other son’s gift is no good? Or if one son tells the other son that he should not offer his gift to their father? Or if one son tells the other - “I’m his favorite son and you’re not because you don’t do things for him my way”? Even a loving and wise (albeit imperfect) father in this world is very unhappy when sons and daughters argue about such things in this world.
How much more so is the Supreme Father displeased when those who believe in Him criticize another believer for worshiping slightly differently than they do.
I’m far from a Bible scholar, but did not Jesus say “In my Father’s house there are many mansions”?