Catholics: Can you explain why God does this?

[Annie_B]

I get a sense from your post that you do not correctly understand the Catholic understanding of Ecuminism.

You use the words, “…so wrong…”, what is your understanding of how the Catholic Church sees non-Catholics as “so wrong”?

All you need to do is look at many posts in this “non catholic” forum and you can see that many of the “Catholics” here have more than a passing dislike of those of other religions and they do not believe that anyone else’s church is right. Therefore, the “so wrong”. Many posters here insult and degrade the beliefs of other churches; especially the LDS, SDA, JW etc. The Catholics who post like this say that the Catholic church teaches what they are stating.

Annie

 

[Annie_B]

What would be the LDS answer? Am I correct in saying that they too believe to be the one true Church?

My answer would be that He is sovereign. He does what He wants.

God bless

The LDs answer is simple; there is some truth in every church and ALL PEOPLE are children of God - reagardless of church affiliation or baptismal status - and therefore a loving Heavenly Father blesses all his children!

Annie

 

[KathleenGee]

Annie,

Alot of these people were taught errors by their teachers, and a number of those teachers did so deliberately.

Our fullness of revelation of God is Jesus Christ and it ended with Him, public revelation. Private revelation is that which comes privately to believers…many times great insights have come to us from the saints, but always the same message and fruit of Christ.

Our Lord called us to be one, to be holy, to be universal because He did for all, and Apostolic.

I cannot uphold something that is not true about Christ or about the Church. He gave us only one.

 

[Annie_B]

I just started with the Mormons within a week.

I think they need to take a foundational class on Catholicism that has no ties to LDS so they can understand better. Taking out 1800 years of history, may be more, is too much.

You have the early Church fathers, the bishops, deacons, priests, saints…documents, history…too much.

Better take a class. Any answer I give is always not the full one. Historical documents…and seeing the universality of the church…all the different dioceses, countries, languages, cultures…and how they all work through time to become universal with the same message.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all Catholics took a “foundational class” in Mormonism? Then maybe there would be more understanding on BOTH sides!

Annie

 

[Annie_B]

Why does God allow bad people to become wealthy and care free?

Life is about discovering in what rules to place ones faith. Nothing at all happens anywhere without God’s permission. Our job is to find out who to believe, who to follow, and to where they will lead, even if it is only ourselves.

The consequence of doing something that mostly works, is that you gain the benefits from what was almost right. But “What can go wrong, WILL” and “What cannot go wrong, WON’T”.

God, in every instant of time allows only what is right. No matter who you are, no matter where, when you do something that is actually right, you gain what such a right action brings. But seeing through God’s eyes as to exactly what will lead to distant consequences is not so easy. Thus faith is a choice, your choice of within whom to place your soul and spirit. Where it ends up, is the consequence of your choice.

I was not asking why God allows “bad” people to have good things. I was asking why people thought he answered the prayers of othere beliefs/denominations. But thanks for your response!
Annie

 

[Annie_B]

How do you know he does?

Personal experience
Annie

 

[KathleenGee]

I did study somewhat…

I asked a question to a Mr. Fades, a former Mormon, referring to another thread and post about authentic Mormon beliefs.

I have worked with Mormons and found them wonderful people and I had a sharing with some of them which surprised us that we had some common ground and perceptions.

The Mormon Church is constantly updating its materials, and it is good to dialogue. It is just that it invalidates anything happening after the Apostles and this alone is an issue.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

All you need to do is look at many posts in this “non catholic” forum and you can see that many of the “Catholics” here have more than a passing dislike of those of other religions and they do not believe that anyone else’s church is right. Therefore, the “so wrong”. Many posters here insult and degrade the beliefs of other churches; especially the LDS, SDA, JW etc. The Catholics who post like this say that the Catholic church teaches what they are stating.

Annie

I think what Catholics dislike about others visiting these forums is, most of those come here to tell us how wrong Catholicism is, some with intentions of pulling Catholics away from the Church. Now, please don’t ask me what came first…

In response to your original post, I have been reflecting on a ‘few’ verses that seem to fit.

Mar 9:38 (9:37) John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us: and we forbade him.
Mar 9:39 (9:38) But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name and can soon speak ill of me.
Mar 9:40 (9:39) For he that is not against you is for you.

 

[ricmat]

I am just wondering what the Catholics here think of God answering the prayers of people in other denominations and religions?

If the person is praying for things which are good for their salvation, then I think it is wonderful that Godis answering their prayers.

If the RCC is the one true church, then why would He see fit to answer the prayers of those of other churches and religions? If everyone outside of the RCC is so wrong, why does God bless them?

Being part of the one true church is not a required qualification to be blessed by God. Those outside the RCC may not have the “fullness” of the faith, but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love them, or refuse to hear their prayer, or to bless them.

Maybe He sees past the lines of division of faiths and chooses to bless His children because they are His children!

It rains on the good and bad alike. How we respond to God’s blessings is what is important.

Do we only bless our children if the love us? NO! We bless them and care for them because they are our children and it is our place in life to care for them
Annie

Agreed.

I think you are assuming that the RCC teaches that God only blesses those in the RCC. That is not correct. As the only valid continuation of the church Christ founded, the RCC has the fullness of faith and truth, and has the most tools and teachings which allow us to become holy. We will all be judged on how we respond to “what we know”. Those who have much will be given much more. Those who have little will be given little more. The RCC gives one the opportunity to have much, so that much more can be given.

IMHO.

 

[fhansen]

The LDs answer is simple; there is some truth in every church and ALL PEOPLE are children of God - reagardless of church affiliation or baptismal status - and therefore a loving Heavenly Father blesses all his children!

Annie

Annie, most every church that split from Catholicism and formed the bases for later splits, including JWs and to a lesser extent LDS, for example, did so because they thought the Catholic Church was “so wrong”. Otherwise the Reformation would never have even happened.

 

[tweetymom]

How do you know he does?

How do you know that He doesn’t? I have had many prayers answered by God.

 

[peary1]

I am just wondering what the Catholics here think of God answering the prayers of people in other denominations and religions? If the RCC is the one true church, then why would He see fit to answer the prayers of those of other churches and religions?

Because He loves them?

If everyone outside of the RCC is so wrong, why does God bless them?

Because He loves them?

Maybe He sees past the lines of division of faiths and chooses to bless His children because they are His children! Do we only bless our children if the love us? NO! We bless them and care for them because they are our children and it is our place in life to care for them

If you have kids, you understand. It doesn’t mean that we withhold our love from them because they are on the “wrong path” now, does it? Beware of “tough love”, however.

Annie

 

[Annie_B]

I think what Catholics dislike about others visiting these forums is, most of those come here to tell us how wrong Catholicism is, some with intentions of pulling Catholics away from the Church. Now, please don’t ask me what came first…

In response to your original post, I have been reflecting on a ‘few’ verses that seem to fit.

Mar 9:38 (9:37) John answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who followeth not us: and we forbade him.
Mar 9:39 (9:38) But Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For there is no man that doth a miracle in my name and can soon speak ill of me.
Mar 9:40 (9:39) For he that is not against you is for you.

I have never told Catholic or anyone else here how wrong Catholicism is. I would suggest that if this is a problem that the non-catholic religions forum be eliminated. Thank you for your bible quotes!

Annie

 

[Bill_Pick]

I am just wondering what the Catholics here think of God answering the prayers of people in other denominations and religions? If the RCC is the one true church, then why would He see fit to answer the prayers of those of other churches and religions? If everyone outside of the RCC is so wrong, why does God bless them? Maybe He sees past the lines of division of faiths and chooses to bless His children because they are His children! Do we only bless our children if the love us? NO! We bless them and care for them because they are our children and it is our place in life to care for them
Annie

I believe Our Lord look at a person heart and not the religion,

 

[Annie_B]

i believe our lord look at a person heart and not the religion,

amen!!!

 

[Ignatius]

If everyone outside of the RCC is so wrong, why does God bless them?

The Catholic Church does not teach that everyone outside of The Catholic Church is wrong. Quite the contrary. You have been given some seriously defective misinformation in this regard. I suggest that you go back to the person who tried to feed you this lie and make them substantiate their polemics from an authentic Catholic source.

 

[kalt]

I wonder why some people assume that when they get what they want, it’s at the approval (and answered prayers) of God. Maybe sometimes when you (universal you) get what you want, it’s not what God wants.

Good luck or “success” isn’t always evidence of God’s approval. Ever wonder if he’s just looking the other way (for now), and your “success”, which you might see as answered prayers, is actually leading you in the wrong direction?

I think of all the “successful” people who probably thought that God was on their side.

On the original question. God hears all prayers. Check the Catechism.

 

[kalt]

Why does God allow bad people to become wealthy and care free?

Life is about discovering in what rules to place ones faith. Nothing at all happens anywhere without God’s permission. Our job is to find out who to believe, who to follow, and to where they will lead, even if it is only ourselves.

The consequence of doing something that mostly works, is that you gain the benefits from what was almost right. But “What can go wrong, WILL” and “What cannot go wrong, WON’T”.

God, in every instant of time allows only what is right. No matter who you are, no matter where, when you do something that is actually right, you gain what such a right action brings. But seeing through God’s eyes as to exactly what will lead to distant consequences is not so easy. Thus faith is a choice, your choice of within whom to place your soul and spirit. Where it ends up, is the consequence of your choice.

What about free will? You said that God allows only what is right. Are you saying that God doesn’t allow us to act against his will? If not, then where do evil acts come from?

 

[KingAlfred]

I am just wondering what the Catholics here think of God answering the prayers of people in other denominations and religions? If the RCC is the one true church, then why would He see fit to answer the prayers of those of other churches and religions? If everyone outside of the RCC is so wrong, why does God bless them? Maybe He sees past the lines of division of faiths and chooses to bless His children because they are His children! Do we only bless our children if the love us? NO! We bless them and care for them because they are our children and it is our place in life to care for them
Annie

**I take a primitive, triumphalist view of comparitive religion. Look at the blessings God obviously has bestowed upon Western Man. Compare them to the lack of blessings bestowed upon non-Christian societies. Can anyone honestly say the Muslim world is better off for its religion? I doubt it. **

 

[kalt]

**I take a primitive, triumphalist view of comparitive religion. Look at the blessings God obviously has bestowed upon Western Man. Compare them to the lack of blessings bestowed upon non-Christian societies. Can anyone honestly say the Muslim world is better off for its religion? I doubt it. **

This is the situation today. But was “Western Man” always at the top?

While you’re looking at Christian and non-Christian societies, look at the unfortunate Christian societies. Look at Colombia, for example. Do those people have it good? Is Colombia better off for its religion?