Replies

Haha. Amen to that!

Lots and lots get their “understanding” of the Church from their adolescent experiences and/or websites galore.

I’ve often thought and still maintain if all the anti-Catholics went to Mass regularly, with an open mind/heart and no resistance against what may occur there, they would be transformed by the sublime mystery that is the Mass. At least transformed enough to ask/seek out honest answers to honest questions.

IOW it’s nakedly obvious to me (and I dare say others here) that those who oppose Catholic teaching at LEAST don’t know what they are rejecting. They reject a distorted notion of the Church, a notion so distorted by: uninformed adolescent experiences, experiences full of sorrow because of some evil person (wolf) IN the Church, some horrible misunderstanding based upon ignorance of the Church teaching, all (or any number of the former) wrapped inside a bubble of bias of their own construction.

If that’s too “personal”, if that “offends” someone reading this so be it. We both (you reading this and I) know its the truth. If you don’t want to admit it and feign “offense” I can’t stop you.

Wanna really “Challenge” Catholicism? Go to Mass every day for a year, praying each time before it starts, “God, show me your presence here”, and MEAN it. You’ll won’t be able to deny His Presence there then.

Go ahead, do it, if you have the courage to admit you might, just MIGHT, be wrong. Because as was said, and I’ve replied to here: the truth of Catholicism isn’t ultimately found in “debate” on the Internet. It’s found in the true, honest experience as an authentic human being: in the REAL world.

The realm of reality. Precisely where God is found.

Go to Mass every day for a year

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. I've been to Catholic ceremonies. I see the statues and the priest robes and some sort of throne he sat on (like he was a king) and people looking at Mary statue when they come in and bowing and saying something. The whole thing gave me the heebie-jeebies. The hair on my neck was raised. I was sooo glad to get out of that place. I hope I never have to go to another but I have Catholic friends and am just a marriage or death away from another visit.

>> at LEAST don’t know what they are rejecting.<<

I for one most certainly do. Here’s and example.

God says.

Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God

Catholic Church says.

“We need not shrink from admitting that candles, like incense and lustral water, were commonly employed in pagan worship and the rites paid to the dead. But the Church from a very early period took them into her service, just as she adopted many other things indifferent in themselves, which seemed proper to enhance the splendor of religious ceremonial. We must not forget that most of these adjuncts to worship, like music, lights, perfumes, ablutions, floral decorations, canopies, fans, screens, bells, vestments etc. were not identified with any idolatrous cult in particular; but they were common to almost all cults” (Catholic Encyclopedia, III, 246.)

“When we give or receive Christmas gifts; or hang green wreaths in our homes and churches, how many of us know that we are probably observing pagan customs...the god, Woden, in Norse Mythology, descends upon the earth yearly between December 25th and January 6th to bless mankind...But pagan though they be, they are beautiful customs. They help inspire us with the spirit of 'good will to men', even as the sublime service of our Church reminds us of the ‘peace on earth’ which the babe of Bethlehem came to bestow” (Externals of the Catholic Church, 140).

I’ll keep following what God says and staying away from the pagan Catholic cult practices.