— Well, I thought that we 1) decide by what is plainly read in the scriptures and 2) decide what is correct by the fathers.—
According to what authority? Jesus does not lay these commands down for us as a way of settling disagreements.
(And again, aren’t most Protestant groups following these principles? How then can their disagreements be resolved?)
I do see Jesus commanding us to take our disagreements to His church, the same church which the gates of hell would not prevail against. This church must necessarily be visible, otherwise His command would be practically impossible to carry out, thus making His command vain or useless.
Can't Catholics do something or make any decisions without someone doing the thinking for them?
Scripture is the authority and the Holy Spirit guides us.
You know, people are not so stupid or spiritually blind that they need some self-appointed leaders to do it all for them.
Just for the record, how do you know that the authority you choose to put yourself under is right?
Which Church? The Orthodox? The Roman Catholic Church? I find Catholics tend to play rather loosely with this “authority” model. And I’m sure we would both agree that just because the President and a Democratic Congress was in absolute power two years ago, that doesn’t make Obamacare good policy.
The only real authority is scripture because it is the only thing without error.