[presently no screen name]

I’m born and raised Catholic, as were my parents/grandparents/great grandparents, and on to as far as anyone can remember.

Me, also.

Mark 10:29,30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

I fully accept that they have as much claim to the gates of Heaven as I do. That’s how I’ve been raised and that’s what I believe is the the best way for a Christian to think.

Our best way doesn't mean diddle squat. It's what God's Word says. We don't get to make up rules about HIS KINGDOM. Jesus provided ONE WAY and that is through Him alone. We can't claim anything for we are nothing without Christ.

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing".

[MarineBrat]

I respectfully request the right to withdraw from the conversation.