Again, it is clear you are wrong concerning what you presume about me! As a former Roman Catholic and the daughter of a life-long Roman Catholic mother who lives with us, I understand COMPLETELY where the problem lies. It is slightly humorous that you continue to insist you know what I believe. If you really did, you would know that I have repeatedly stated that we come to know God by faith - not human reasoning - but that God DOES call upon us to reason WITH Him. Specifically He says:
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
This thread is about a dogma that has NO basis in Scripture and it contradicts Scripture in multiple ways. Almighty God says that He will both forgive our sins and "remember them no more". I was pondering this truth this morning and it made me think that, if God forgets our sins after He forgives them, then what purpose could there be for an intermediate place between here and heaven? I asked a person who believed in karma and reincarnation that, if there is no personal god, then who is keeping score? He didn't have an answer. In the same vein, if God has forgotten our sins by His grace, then who is "minding" Purgatory? Who is keeping score on how many sins we have yet to recompense for the "temporal" punishments due them? If the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin, then what need is there for any more punishments we must endure?
As a Catholic, I would have to just accept this teaching by faith because the magesterium has deemed it to be true. I could read the Scriptures and notice the discrepancy but I would be condemning myself if I refused to accept it. The same thing happened with understanding the Gospel. When I saw from Scripture that I can KNOW I HAVE everlasting life and that it comes by grace through faith and not based on my works, I knew that I had to make a choice. I could stay in the religion that told me such assurance was NOT possible or I could believe what the Bible said and leave. You view this dichotomy as choosing between my own reason or faith in the Catholic Church to teach me the truth - even when I could see there was contradiction. So, I stand by my contention that many Catholics do not know why they must believe something. Like my Mom, they believe it because they must be obedient to the Church - even when there may be that still, small voice in their hearts telling them to reason TOGETHER with God and understand that their souls can be white as snow and wool through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I continue to pray for her that the Holy Spirit will open her eyes to the truth of the Gospel - that, as she is reading Scripture in Mass, she comes to realize that she CAN know she has eternal life and she can rest in the assurance that her faith saves her.
Your assertion that "There is nothing about Catholicism I do not understand" makes it clear that it is you who is wrong about what you presume about you. Even the Doctors of the Church never had the hubris to make that assertion.
Those whose interpretation of Scripture is limited to the literal - historical sense simply cannot see things revealed in the anagogical, spiritual and typological senses. With respect to Purgatory you are arguing against yourself when you make the spiritual assertion that the blood of Jesus cleansed all of your sins but refuse to concede that the cleansing has a name. Purgatory is not a place, or a time, or a state of being, it is a process of purgation. It is there/then that any sins we have committed and not confessed are removed if we are indeed worthy. Your issue is with the limitations of English and human language, not about the doctrines of the Church.
Peace be with you