I need answers please!

[wonderinguser]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible?

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?

Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man?

Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

 

[the_phoenix]

“Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.”

No. Because there’s a difference between “repetition” and “vain repetition.”

Example. Jesus Himself, when praying in the Garden of Gethsamene, asked three times for His Heavenly Father to let this cup pass, but if not, Thy will be done.

That was repetition, but certainly not vain.

Another example. How many times would you like to be told, “I love you.” ? Is once in a lifetime enough, per person? Because more than once would be repetition, after all …

A Rosary, well said, is not vain repetition. It is only if the person saying it is not really paying attention that the prayer becomes less than what it was meant to be. So basically, a Rosary said individually is only as good as the amount of effort that the individual is putting into it. Meaning what you say is a good thing!

In fact, I read a story somewhere about three nuns in the Middle Ages, each of whom said the Rosary for a number of years. Mary appeared to the first nun in rags and said, “This is the garment you’ve made for me out of the Rosaries you’ve said, because you prayed carelessly.” Mary appeared to the second nun wearing a modest and pretty green linen dress and said, “This is the garment you’ve made for me out of the Rosaries you’ve said. Thank you.” Mary appeared to the third nun wearing a magnificently beautiful dress of pure gold and said, “This is the garment you’ve made for me out of the Rosaries you’ve said. You’ve dressed me in this beautiful clothing based on the extra love and attentiveness you showed when saying your Rosaries. Thank you.”

Hope this helps.



~~ the phoenix

 

[Miriam1947]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers.

The Catholic Church was here before the Bible and the Bible was canonized from the Church so there is no way that Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate.

Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

Your partner, who is that?

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

This is a discipline, not a dogma. Will it change?, maybe.

Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible?

The Hail Mary is from Luke. It is in the Bible. Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you. (Archangel Gabriel talking to Mary about the Incarnation of Jesus) Blessed are thou among women and Blessed is the fruit of your womb, (Jesus). (Elizabeth greeting Mary when she visited)

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?

Catholics and Lutherans, Anglicans, and others have closed communion. Receiving in the Catholic Church means you agree and believe what the Church teaches. Amen means truly. Do you believe in Catholicism?

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

We have no idea who goes to Heaven, but I surely hope that I do.

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

I don’t believe we do believe that. God decides not us. If you know the truth and deny it that is a whole other issue.

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?

Jesus

Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.

Vain repetition is not thinking or meditating on the prayer. Was Jesus guilty of vain repetition when he asked his Father three times: "Remove this cup. But not my will but yours be done.

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man?

Why did Jesus say: The sins you forgive are forgiven, the sins you retain are retained? How do you know what sins to forgive if you don’t hear those sins?

Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

Well since the Bible came through the Church and the Church was here for almost 400 years before the Bible was canonized, of course Catholicism is Bible based.

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.

Well, if there are really bad translations which teach against the truth, of course the Church would discourage reading those. The Church encourages reading the Bible and in fact at every Sunday Mass, we have a reading from the OT, the Psalms, the NT and the Gospel. You will hear more Bible reading at a Catholic mass then at most Protestant churches on any given Sunday.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?

Go to a Mass. You may be very surprised. At least open your mind to look.

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

Why on earth would you want to join the Church Christ founded and yet know nothing about it?

I am a convert and I appreciated that I needed to go to RCIA before I converted. This goes back to the very beginning of the Church.

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

 

[Catholic1954]

Peace be with you and welcome to our forum! I’ll be willing to bet that a great deal that you have ever heard about Catholicism is error. “Catholicism for Dummies” is a great book, easy to read and will answer most of your questions. To answer one of your questions: No. Catholics are not discouraged from private Bible study. We are discouraged from private interpretation of the Bible, that is up to the Church. Keep asking questions, but you might get more satisfactory results if you limit them to one or two at a time.

 

[Angela77]

Hi!
First off, I just want to say that I think it’s wonderful that you’ve thought of all these questions. It’s the smart thing to do.
I do not know how to answer all of your questions because I have grown up Catholic and haven’t done a lot of questioning. (I omitted the ones I was unsure about.) Additionally, I am not all that old, relatively speaking, so I’m not as knowledgeable as some, but I do love the Catholic faith. So here’s what I have to say as far as answers go. Hope I can be of some assistance.

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?
I remember reading some part of the Bible one time that said something about how it is best to remain a virgin, but if you couldn’t resist the temptation, then you should get married to remain sin-free. It was somewhere in Corinthians, I think.

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?
Catholics believe protestants go to heaven as well. At least, that’s what my friends and I believe.

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.
I don’t know about the past, but they definitely encourage it now. For instance, just a couple months ago, I heard the priest at my church say that reading the Bible is one of the ways to grow closer with God.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?
Well, it’s true that some of the Mass is very ritual-based, so a lot of it may not make a ton of sense to someone off the street. The second half in particular may not make a ton of sense (parts involving the Eucharist). But the first part of Mass should make sense. This part includes readings from the Bible and the priest or deacon’s homily (a speech about how the passages relate to life).

Well, I hope the little bit I felt confident enough to answer helps you in your decision.
I wish you best of luck in your decision making process!
God Bless!

P.S. Have you ever attended a Catholic Mass before? It may be helpful to go to one in order to make your decision. Catholics are pretty welcoming, so you’ll fit right in! No one will notice if you don’t say all the right words or do the right stuff. Just play along and you’ll be fine.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible?

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?

Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man?

Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

I think your questions were superbly answered by some members. So I will add other insights.

The Protestants interpret personally the Bible, the Catholics interpret it according to the the Tradition of the Church. So, you do not need to know all the details otherwise you would have to spend 24/7 studying theology. You simply say that it is Tradition approved by the Popes. Period. If you are trying to see in the Bible every bit and piece, you are falling into a trap.

Now, you can ask: “If ture interpetation is individual, how come there are so many Protestant Churches? Is God divided?”.

Moreover, which Catholic would be willing to accept Henry the VIII as the Reformer? Even the worst Pope is an angel compared to him.

Next week, there will be 1 or 2 millions young people in Madrid with an 80 year old frail German Pope without the bright appearance of BT John Paul the II and shy to crowds. How come? Which Protestant Leader (or political leader) would attract such a crowd of young People? The question is not only who is right and wrong but where does the Holy Spirit blows?

 

[pablope]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

You have too many questions indeed…my suggestion is to use the search engine of this website, type in a subject you wish to learn about.

Or get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (available online) and look up specific subjects you need answers to.

I will give brief answers to your questions below:

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

 

[Erethorn]

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

Just them. Here the infailible teaching of the Church:

“No one remaining outside the Catholic Church, not just pagans, but also Jews or heretics or schismatics, can become partakers of eternal life; but they will go to the “everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41), unless before the end of life they are joined to the Church… And no one can be saved, no matter how much alms he has given, even if he sheds his blood for the name of Christ, unless he remains in the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church” - from the papal bull Cantate Domino, the Council of Florence.

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

Yes, and, again, here’s the teaching of the Church in the Council of Basel:

“Also, the souls of those who have incurred no stain of sin whatsoever after baptism, as well as souls who after incurring the stain of sin have been cleansed whether in their bodies or outside their bodies, as was stated above, are straightaway received into heaven and clearly behold the triune God as he is, yet one person more perfectly than another according to the difference of their merits. But the souls of those who depart this life in actual mortal sin, or in original sin alone, go down straightaway to hell to be punished, but with unequal pains.”

Note that only baptism removes original sin; therefore, unbaptized children go to Hell, to be punished.

Read this topic, where I have voiced the same concernes, especially from page 9 onwards: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=577973&page=9

 

[converting2024]

Here is an answer to one of your questions

*Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible? *

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women
And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death
Amen

It is in the bible… Gospel of Luke. Chapter 1. Verses 26-48.

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”*
35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
37 for nothing will be impossible for God.”
38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth.
39 During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord* should come to me?
44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

The Canticle of Mary.
46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

At the end we are asking her to pray for us. The old English meaning of pray is to speak. So we are speaking to her asking her to speak to God for us. Look at the wedding feast at Cana. They run out of wine and who did they turn to? Mary, who then directs them to Jesus. All Mary wants is to lead us closer to her Son. She was good enough to conceive in her womb the Savior of the world, shouldn’t she be viewed with respect and loved as Jesus loved her?

 

[Iron_Donkey]

Just them. Here the infailible teaching of the Church:

“No one remaining outside the Catholic Church, not just pagans, but also Jews or heretics or schismatics, can become partakers of eternal life; but they will go to the “everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41), unless before the end of life they are joined to the Church… And no one can be saved, no matter how much alms he has given, even if he sheds his blood for the name of Christ, unless he remains in the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church” - from the papal bull Cantate Domino, the Council of Florence.

…

Note that only baptism removes original sin; therefore, unbaptized children go to Hell, to be punished.

Read this topic, where I have voiced the same concernes, especially from page 9 onwards: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=577973&page=9

This is misleading for several reasons. It is good to beware of individual interpretation of Church documents, much in the same way is we must be careful of individual interpretation of Scripture.

I don’t want to derail the thread so will not try to go into a point for point argument, but I do think that it is worth putting some other information out there on the subject. From the Catechism:

[After saying that heresy and schism are sinful (and that the sin is often on both sides)] 818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."272

819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."274 Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,275 and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."276

It is also worth noting that opinion on the salvation of infants has varied over time and has not been infallibly defined. A recent (but now less popular) idea was the idea of Limbo. The more common thought now is to hope and pray (and strongly suspect, though not to claim certain knowledge) that God in His mercy will allow unbaptized infants into heaven.

Topics worth examining on this subject include baptism by desire, invincible ignorance, and a perfect act of contrition.

 

[Tomcmaj]

Celibate priests is a relatively recent thing, given the span of Church history, and hopefully won’t last much longer. St. Paul had this strange notion that all Christians should be celibate. Well, that’s not going to work very well in the long term, is it?



The Bible, it’s history and how it’s used today is very interesting. I just finished reading Karen Armstrong’s “biography” of the Bible. I highly recommend it. Puts things in amazing perspective, and you can draw your own conclusions from it.

 

[KFRaymond]

Erethorn
Re: I need answers please!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wonderinguser
Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?
Just them. Here the infailible teaching of the Church:

“No one remaining outside the Catholic Church, not just pagans, but also Jews or heretics or schismatics, can become partakers of eternal life; but they will go to the “everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41), unless before the end of life they are joined to the Church… And no one can be saved, no matter how much alms he has given, even if he sheds his blood for the name of Christ, unless he remains in the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church” - from the papal bull Cantate Domino, the Council of Florence.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wonderinguser
Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?
Yes, and, again, here’s the teaching of the Church in the Council of Basel:

“Also, the souls of those who have incurred no stain of sin whatsoever after baptism, as well as souls who after incurring the stain of sin have been cleansed whether in their bodies or outside their bodies, as was stated above, are straightaway received into heaven and clearly behold the triune God as he is, yet one person more perfectly than another according to the difference of their merits. But the souls of those who depart this life in actual mortal sin, or in original sin alone, go down straightaway to hell to be punished, but with unequal pains.”

Note that only baptism removes original sin; therefore, unbaptized children go to Hell, to be punished.

Read this topic, where I have voiced the same concernes, especially from page 9 onwards: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthrea…=577973&page=9

C’mon, Erethorn … your religion says just searching. If you truly ARE searching then it was easy to find in a SEARCH engine (approximately 30 seconds total) that the Cantate Domino from the Council of Florence was written prior to 1445 and that the Council of Basel was closed in 1449. At this point in history, in the West until the Reformation there was no other church besides the Catholic Church. So of course, anyone outside of the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church wouldn’t be saved. We have the wisdom of an additional 600 years to understand that our separated brothers and sisters in other Christian faiths living the tenants of the Gospel can achieve heaven as well as Catholics. Your post is really misleading.

Equally misleading is saying that unbaptized children go to Hell. For crying out loud, the age of reason is approximately 7 years old and a God so full of Mercy surely would not send an innocent child who hasn’t committed serious sin to Hell. Again, the Council you site (Council of Basel closed in 1449) was referring to a time when eveyone in the West was Catholic. More than likely, children were Baptized as quickly as they are today AND if they weren’t, see my previous sentence.

It seems as if you are putting words in the mouths of Catholics that are not true. Search a little further and uncover the TRUE teachings of the Church without trying to mislead other readers…

God Bless you in your search!

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

First things first. You must understand that where and how the Church came about and then how the Bible came about. “Biblically accurate” implies a flawed premise that exists in the protestant philosophy-that is that the Bible is the sole authority for Christians.

The problem is that nowhere in the BIble does its say that the Bible is the sole authority for Christians. Most if not all protestants will cite 2 Tim 3:16. But nowhere does the word “sufficient” appear in the verse. So the premise still fails.

The Bible does say that the Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth(1 Tim 3:15). God “breathed” on the Apostles after His resurrection, and they produced the books of the Bible, so Peter is correct when he says that scripture is “God breathed”. They are “God breathed” because of the Church which produced, protected, and proclaimed them.

Now I will argue using Scripture because I believe that there is nothing in the Bible, when properly understood, that contradicts anything that the Church teaches. After all, the Bible is the Catholic Church’s book. And it is always good to as much as possible to speak the language of teh one whom you are communicating with.

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

It is good to recognoze the distinction between doctrine and practice. Remember that the Bible does say that Jesus gave first to Peter, then to the rest of the Apostles gathered together, that whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Practices may be changed, doctrines cannot.

Secondly, the Church does not require all priests to remain celebate. In fact there are many Eastern right priests who are married, and there are many priests who have come home to Rome from the Anglican & Episcopalian churches who the Pope has given dispensations to, allowing them to remain married and still perform the functions of priests.

Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible?

1. Again, see my opening remarks about sola scriptura.
2. The lines from the “Hail Mary” are found in Luke’s Gospel.
   3)The prayer does not “resolve your sin”. Some priests assign prayers as acts of penance to do after partaking in the sacrament of confession.

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?

1. We believe the Eucharist to be the Body and Blood of Jesus(John 6). We believe that in receiving it we are receiving Him(1 Cor 10). Many if not all protestants deny catholic doctrine on this so the Church respectfully requests that if you do not believe in the Church and her teachings that you do not partake of it. The Church does so not only to protect itself from scandal but to protect non-catholics from sacrilege.
   2)So it follows that if you have received “communion” in other churches but have not received the Eucharist you are not receiving the same thing you did before, hence it is your first communion.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

I combined these two because they are basically the same question. What the Church teaches is that if anyone is saved they are saved through Jesus.

But as Jesus confirmed to Paul when Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians. Jesus didn’t say, “Why are you persecuting my people”, or “Why are you persecuting the Church in Damascus”. He said, “Why are you persecuting ME”.

From this one question Paul developed the theology that the Church is the “Body of Christ”-the Church is Christ.
So if the Church is Christ then Christ’s salvation also flows through the Church.

We allow that God has His perogatives and He can saved whomever He wants. We are bound to obey the Christ in the Church and receive His graces through the Church. But God is not bound to the Church or the sacraments.

In short, the Church does not condemn anyone to hell and it does, and cannot, restrict anyone access to heaven. The Church prays for everyone and leaves the rest up to God.

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?

From Jesus.

Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.

Is it “vain repitition” to tell your husband/wife that you love them? Is it vain repitition to tell someone “Thank You”?

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man?

1)“Does the Bible say…” See my opening argument.
2)Mortal sins committed after baptism it is required that one go to confession to receive forgiveness.
3)Jesus instituted the “middle man”.(Matt 9:8; John 20:21-23; James 5:16). You can go “directly to God”, and Jesus would say, “That’s great that you’re sorry for sinning, now go to confession and confess your sins as I commanded you to.”

Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

See my opening remarks.

Not only do I study the Bible personally, but I also lead Bible studies at my local parish.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?

I went to Mass as an atheist and I treated it as an academic exercise. Was I confused? Absolutely! The message is clear, people are not. People are full of their own pride, selfishness, confusions, prejudices, & fears. The only obstacle to God’s infinite grace is our ability to receive it.

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

1. The RCIA is not an “approval” panel. The RCIA is a ministry that teaches and incorporates newly welcomed people into the Church’s life. It does not “approve” of certain “prospects”. It helps people discern whether of not God is calling them into the life of the Church. Such discernment takes time.
   2)As far as it being a “man-made process”, see my remarks on the authority of the Church and the distinction between doctrines and practices.

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

I have done the best I can. It seems that you are working off of some preconceived notions as to what you think the Church ought to be. It is probably not your fault. You have surely been fed a healthy dose of protestant tradition that is pervasive in your questioning. Instead try to remove those protestant colored glasses and open your mind. Become docile(that is teachable). Follow the truth, no matter where it may lead you.

 

[CEM5]

I am in dire need of some answers,

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate? .

Hello wonderinguser,

At first there were some Priests who were married. The Jewish tradition allowed marriage among Priests, however, Jesus was not married. Nor was Paul. Peter was once married, but there is never a mention of his wife – only his mother-in-law (his wife was perhaps already deceased). There is no mention of any of the Apostles having wives: they went off to spread the Gospel in other lands. The Apostles were the first Bishops of the Church.

If a priest married and his wife died, he was’t permitted to remarry – that is in the Bible.

Scripture teaches that it is better to remain unmarried (therefore celibate) and serve God completely, for a man that is married divides his time and attention between his spouse and God (and I would add, of my own opinion, that one cannot serve masters!)

1 Cor 7
7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. 9 But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion…

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord…

38 So then, he who marries his fiancee does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.

No one is forced to become a Priest – God calls them into the Priesthood, and if they hear and say “yes” to God’s calling, then it is their choice, and one not lightly made.

Deacons are allowed to be married still, however, they can only have been married once, and if their wife dies, they are not permitted to remarry. This, too, they accept before becoming a deacon.

1 Timothy 3:2
Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher,

1 Timothy 3:12
Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well

Jesus also taught that there were “eunuchs” (celibates) for the sake of the kingdom…and to “let anyone accept this who can”, and this, our Priests today, do and accept.

Matthew 19:12
For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."

Blessings,
CEM

 

[CopticChristian]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

I find it odd that you have been given so much misinformation. I do not find it odd as to the source. You may want to study the history of Christianity. Before you join anything don’t you want to know where it started, what does it believe, how long have they been doing what they are doing?

People put time into studying Colleges they are going to attend, which Swim teacher I am sending my child to, which Karate is the oldest, which computer does what and how much. Just be a good consumer.

We do not believe that the Church is man made. You mentioned the Bible many times and so I would assume you have read the Gospel of Matthew. This is the Gospel of the Church. Protestants like to direct their listeners to the Gospel of John. Don’t know why. The Bible says that Jesus was going to found a Church. Paul says that the Church is the Body of Christ and that there is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and one can conclude that the Bible teaches that Jesus only established one Church. So the Church was founded by Christ, not man made.

As for RCIA. You may want to look into the history of Catechesis or instruction. The Catechumens as they are called were taught before they made a committment. Since you have encountered Protestants, there is no catechesis until after you make a committment to Protestant thought. The bible is declared to be “true”, the word of God, then the Protestant leads someone to a few verses, confess and believe and you are a Protestant. You are then asked to get a bible, read it, join a bible believing Church, join a bible study and ignore the world while you are taught/catechized in Protestant theology. It may take about 5 years before you get around to understanding the history, the differences, but by then you are steeped in Protestant thought.

RCIA educates before you commit. Your questions would be better served by looking at the tab at the top, Faith and enter your questions. I took the liberty to search a few for you here.

Vain Repetition
catholic.com/thisrock/2006/0603fea2.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0405sbs.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9409fea3.asp

Unbaptized

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0101fr.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/2007/0710fea4.asp

Celibacy

catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0104sbs.asp

Confession

catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9101frs.asp

 

[CEM5]

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?.

In order to receive Holy Communion (Eucharist) in the Catholic Church, one must have had the Sacrament first, and not be in grave/mortal sin. Non-Catholics are not permitted to receive Communion, for they have not had this Sacrament, and they do not believe in Transubstantiation (Real Presence: Body, Blood, soul and divinity of Christ - not merely a symbol as Protestants believe). Communion also means you believe in everything that Church teaches and believes in, therefore Catholics are not permitted to partake of communion in other non-Catholic parishes because we do not believe everything non-Catholics teach.

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?.

No, of course not! The Church teaches that those who, through no fault of their own, were not taught about Jesus or God, can still get to heaven. Muslims, Hindu, etc…can get to heaven. God will judge them on what they knew and understood, and their actions on earth. Protestants are Christians, (if they have been validly baptized) and they have the same chance of heaven as Catholics. They just don’t have the fullness of truth in their teachings and do not receive the Body and Blood of Christ. What a shame!!

Matthew 25:
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?.

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?.

From the Bible: Here are a few Scriptures in support of the Sacraments. There are more, but these should suffice.

BAPTISM:

Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the end of the world.”

CONFIRMATION:

Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

to be continued…

 

[CEM5]

continued…

HOLY EUCHARIST:

Matthew 26:26-28
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

John 6 - especially the following:
47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." 52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.

PENANCE (Reconciliation):

John 20:21-23
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

EXTREME UNCTION (annointing of the sick):

James 5:14-15
14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

HOLY ORDERS (ordination of Priests):

Luke 22:19
“And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.”

John 20:22
22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

MATRIMONY:

Matthew 19:6
“Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man? .

Yes, you need to see the Priest. See the Sacrament of Penance above. During Mass we also have a general confession that does forgive venial sins, however, anyone in grave sin MUST go to confession.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It was also done in the Old Testament:

Leviticus 5:5
When you realize your guilt in any of these, you shall confess the sin that you have committed

blessings of Christ
CEM

 

[Miriam1947]

@The GreyPilgrim,

This is what I get when I click on your convert link:

dcf%20forums/

And then the dreaded, Failed to open page.

 

[CopticChristian]

I am in dire need of some answers, my partner is considering converting, and I’d like to, but I’m so confused about Catholicism. Somebody please help me. I have questions, not criticisms. I’ve heard from protestants that the Catholic beliefs are not biblically accurate, and I wish I could get some answers. Here are a few of many, and God bless you if you help me find direction (and if you don’t!).

If the bible says that the overseer of a church needs to manage his family well and treat his wife right, why are priests required to remain celibate?

Why do the priests tell you to say a certain number of Hail Mary’s to resolve your sin if that prayer is not found in the bible?

Why can’t you take communion in the Catholic church if you’re not catholic, and why do they call it your first communion if you’ve taken communion in other churches? do they not count that?

Do Catholics believe that protestants go to heaven, or just them?

Do Catholics believe that the un-baptized go to hell?

Where did the 7 sacraments come from?

Is the rosary considered “vain repetition” that the bible talks about? Explain.

Do Catholics believe you need to go to confession to be forgiven, or that you can ask forgiveness any time any place without the need of a middle man? Does the bible say you need a middle man?

Is everything that the Catholics believe bible-based?

Do or did Catholics ever discourage personal bible study? I’ve heard that they do/have.

Can just any person who does not know much about Jesus go into a Catholic mass and understand/get a message from it? Or would they probably be confused? And if so, shouldn’t the message be clear for all?

As for the RCIA, (I think that’s what it’s called), why does the Catholic church require human approval and man-made process for you to be considered in that faith/religion?

I have many more questions, but that’s all I can think of.

Please copy and paste my questions with answers below, I’d REALLY appreciate it, I need guidance.

You placed this post here and in “non-catholics why are you here”. You have not responded to any posts. I suggest that you respond with something and acknowledge that any of this information is providing you any insight, if it is going in the wrong direction, if you want something else, some sort of understanding would be helpful.

I would like to know why you posted the same post in two different places and as of this writing I see nothing from you.