Sounds like alot of the “mandatory” beliefs that RCC requires for salvation are not found in the Nicene Creed.
Must Catholics also believe in Purgatory, Transubstantiation, Only priests can forgive sins for salvation in addition to the Papacy and Marian doctrines?
I think the Lord only mentioned that Faith in Him for forgiveness of sin was required for the Free gift. John 3:16, etc..
Well first of all we don’t believe only priests can forgive sins. In times of emergency an act of contrition directed towards God directly is not going to send you to hell. God isn’t going to condemn you if you make every effort to come to a priest (or if none is available).
Your question is a good one though and I must admit I don’t know where to point you for an exhaustive, yet easy to read list of required dogmas, other than the Catechism, which can be dense. I was under the (mistaken) impression the Papacy and the Marian dogmas were the only stumbling blocks for you. I’m sorry that’s my mistake.
Yes Transubstantiation, the Magisterium, Tradition. Sure all these should be included as requirements. All pretty much summed up in the Nicene Creed when we say we “believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church”.
Transubstantiation being taught by the one holy catholic and apostolic church guided by the Magisterium and Tradition (and Scripture of course).
It seems to me though every denomination has their own “magisterium” and “tradition” and therefore teachings though, so in that sense it still only seems to me the only differences between Catholicism and the rest of Christianity are the Papacy and the Marian dogmas.
After all, when really pressed, a Calvinist (for example) will tell you if you believe in free will, you’re wrong. So that’s a requirement for Calvinism. (To believe in double predestination, at least some Calvies require that anyway)
Matt Slick himself says if you’re a Catholic, you’re going to hell, so that’s a “requirement” for Matt Slick-ism. (To not be a Catholic)
An AOG will tell you you can lose your salvation, so that’s a “requirement” to be AOG. (To not commit sin, or else you will lose your salvation)
All different groups of Christians have different requirements; the Catholic Church has simply some more I guess. No one really believes you “just have to have faith to be saved”. Not when one seriously starts to investigate the different Christian “flavors” out there.
I suppose that could be the faith of an individual, but I would submit even if an individual is serious about their faith in God, they would want to find out all they could about God and his plan for them, simply because they love him that much.
Who can say, in other words, “I’m satisfied in just knowing what I need to avoid hell, that’s all I want to know about God”?
Is that really satisfying? Is it really love to say to God, “Just tell me what I need to avoid hell, don’t bother me with anything else”. Really? Is that really loving God? Is that really loving yourself?
Don’t know what else to say. Hope that helps.
2. Purgatory is not a place so much as it is a state. In order to enter into God's kingdom you must be pure. Some take longer then others and it's not a place to fear at all.
3. Priests hearing confessions are in persona Christi. He is a stand in you are actually talking to Jesus. (Don't out God in a box). The priest does not forgive sins, Jesus does. The priest is the facilitator.
4. I am not going to address the Pope and Mary again. It's already been posted.
You really don't care anything about us, you just want to pick, pick, pick. I am done posting to you. Have a wonderful day. I do mean that.
I take back the not posting to you. I apologize I got you confused with someone else.