HEY EVERYONE!!! I think this thread has gotten out of hand. In no way did I post this question to watch / read people fighting over their faith! I have enough of the arguing in my own relationship! My initial question is do you think it can work? Not who is right and who is wrong! But can it work? Even when both people think they are right! How do you get married? How do you raise children? If I believe in the catholic church and the teachings that go along with it, how could I ever raise my children with someone who does not believe the same? I have shown him verses in the bible to back up communion, confession, priests, and baptism, but he still isn’t seeing it! I don’t want people arguing… I really don’t. All I needed was some advice. I’m sorry I started this crazy thread…
Hi Marisa. I understand your predicament and just for clarity purposes I am a Christian. A Roman Catholic would probably refer to me as a “Protestant” but I choose to be called a Christian because that is all I am. Oh I am also “:thumbsup:Catholic” if you catch my drift. I think “Roman Catholics” and “Protestants” are always out to prove that each is right. And this always ends up in a heated debate and often we can’t even explain that rage. I had a friend who I loved and hoped to marry one day but we couldn’t be more because of “Roman Catholics” and “Protestants”.
I can’t explain the rage that crops up when two people in a relationship are discussing their faith. Sometimes I think its the devil trying to keep them apart. Think about it…even in these forums we always get enraged when discussing our faiths. Why can’t we both listen to each other and just calm down and enjoy in each others fellowship. A day will come when we will be privileged to even find someone who believes in Christ. The world will be against all Christians, we need each other, we need to stop these arguments and begin to listen and fellowship with each other.
When discussing the Bible with my friend and talking about confession and forgiveness of sins I read the relevant Bible text and even I will admit that it seems that the apostles were given the power to forgive sins. But I also know that through out the Bible only God forgives sins so now what…??? Simple, I accept the Catholic point of view and understand where they are coming from. It is always with the intention and basis of obeying God that confession happens. Jesus did say that the sins the apostles forgave would be forgiven…so who am I to judge? the Holy Spirit teaches all things and guides us to all truth. Only God can help us reconcile some of these differences and when I get to HEAVEN with my fellow Christians - “Roman Catholic” believers - we will ask God to clear some of this stuff up. “Roman Catholics” say they don’t worship Mary…and guess what I believe them. You need only to tell me once because I know not the contents of the heart only God does. So continue to revere and respect Mary. Praying to the Saints…its all on the basis of praying for one another right?
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
And “Roman Catholics” don’t pray to the Saints only right it is merely an addition to the direct prayers right? Who am I to judge that their HEARTS are misplaced??? Isn’t it only God who can judge the heart of man? isn’t every man different? Why are we so quick to judge all “Roman Catholics” and all “Protestants”?
I loved my friend very very much. We would read the Bible together (believe it or not “Roman Catholics” and “Protestants” agree on a lot also) and pray (I admit not the Rosary) but the Church ( “Roman Catholics” and “Protestants”) kept saying NO NO NO. I wonder if NO is what pleases God. I wonder if Jesus were here today would He also preach NO!
the fact that I don’t believe in Mary as being the Queen of Heaven doesn’t mean that I am Sinful, the fact that I don’t pray to Mary or the Saints doesn’t mean that I don’t pray or that my prayers don’t get heard.
Let me try and Mirror this for you:
“Jews” and “Gentiles” - “Roman Catholics” and “Protestants”. Jesus died for us all that we might ALL become children of God.
Marisa, listen to the cautions of the brethren but also remember Jesus’ prayer for believers before he was crucified
John 17:20
“20 I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me.
21 May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
22 I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.”
Please please please don’t allow yourselves to get angry when discussing these issues. When you begin to get enraged…please hold his hand and pray. You can begin by praying the Lord’s prayer.
Lets think twice and pray before we tell two people who are Christians not to be together.
For me those who said NO got what they wanted. But I wonder…is this Christ saying NO or is it our divisions and our earthly wisdom and arguments?
