Very well then, I too “I pray for God to help me understand his word, and He answers that prayer.”
If He gives me a different answer, and opposed to yours, or anyone else, then what do we do???
That was another question I asked long ago of you.
Still no answer.
Yes Catholics do think for themselves.
I’ll give you a short analogy:
The sheep (Catholics) are encouraged to feed on the rich green pasture (bible), but the Shepherd (the historical authorized Teachers) restrains them (as he must to fulfill his responsibilty) from breaking down the fence of the pasture, and feeding on loco weeds (false interpretations) and killing themselves.
He is also to banish the woves who break into the pasture for ALL times:
Matthew 7 :1
5 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The sheep are not to be:
Ephesians 4 :
14 …children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine (loco weeds) by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.(Those who persuaded you into your condition.)
That, in a short analogy is the Catholic position.
Now, prove to us that Peter is your Shepherd as the Lord says:
John 21:
17 He said to him the** third time**: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee.
He said to him: Feed my sheep.
A shepherd FEEDS and RULES the sheep. PETER: THUS SAITH THE LORD!
Tell me, how, exactly is Peter feeding you today?
After all he only wrote 2 little books and maybe not both of them, unless you can
prove infallibly that he wrote them?
If you don’t follow Peter, you are feeding on “every wind of doctrine” !