Well, perhaps my thought processes are just too slow for some, I guess....I dont apologize for that...what may appear to be so, to you, may not be so clear cut to me....what may appear to be so, with others who oppose you, may also not be as clear cut to me....
Each side says they are the ones who are right, everyone else is wrong....each side backs up their claims with Biblical Scripures, and other materials....
I assure you, there are many like me out there, searching for answers...one cannot snap their fingers, and expect those of us who are searching, to immediately agree with one side or another...
And each side, does at times, misrepresent what the other side actually does believe...if I were to believe some FR Catholics, all Protestants, spend their time in church playing with poisonous snakes, and drinking poison....If I were to believe some FR Protestants, all Catholics had literally turned Mary into God....both positions, are things said, perhaps in anger, but still, they are said, and as such, the reveal what the opposition thinks of the other side....
So I really do not understand, what the problem really is, with cautiously considering what everyone has to say...I sift out what I consider to be nothing but worthless posts, and try to concentrate and consider the worthwhile posts, which actually present points worth study and consideration....
Perhaps my methodology is not the way others would chose to go about things, but there you have it....I am doing the best I can, and for that I will not apologize...
Ultimately none of that matters. What matters is what God says in Scripture and makes come alive in your heart through the Holy Spirit.
May God lead your study.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:63
I can’t tell you how many years it took me to make my decision because I don’t really know when it began because it was so subtle, I think it began long before I realized. It took me an additional 5 years of study and prayer after the firm decision before I actually took the big leap.
There were people who were pressuring me both ways and I ignored them.
Just read your Bible for yourself and see what God has to say about all of this.