Not really, since it’s the closest thingCrazy the number of people who chose Orthodox, isn’t it?
.Thus my answer to become non-denominational. As a Catholic, I believe in the role of the Bishop of Rome. That being said, in the spirit of the thread…to stop being Catholic would be admittance that somehow the Papacy is flawed.
Scripture comes from the declaration of an infallible Catholic Pope; if the Papacy doesn’t exist, then that declaration was fallible and probably incorrect - meaning that we have no Scriptures.
If there is no such thing as the Pope then there has been no such thing as the Christian Church since at least 80 AD.
The thread is “If you stopped being Catholic…” not, “If there wasn’t a Catholic Church”
Or that God accomplished his purpose in a supernatural means and did not need an infallible person.
The only way I’d stop being Catholic is if I had incontrovertible evidence that the Catholic Church’s teachings are false.The thread is “If you stopped being Catholic…” not, “If there wasn’t a Catholic Church”
As it turns out, though, God in fact used the Pope, and gave him the gift of infallibility in order to make it known to the world what the Scriptures were.
AmenYeah, if Catholicism is wrong, then it is Orthodoxy (Eastern then Oriental). If both are wrong, then it is the Assyrians and then the Protestants. If none of those are right, then it is Islam and then Judaism. If both of those are wrong, then it is…how about Zoroastrianism?
Seriously, though, atheism isn’t even an option (just my opinion, of course)…
And, since jmcrae showed interest, I have indeed studied Sikhism–put that after Zoroastrianism, OK. I recently acquired the Writings of the Guru at the bookstore–something the bookstore wasn’t supposed to sell in the US
Prayers and petitions,
Alexius
Only the location. I chose EO because it was closer. There is no difference in the faiths of the two groups. They accept each others baptisms and marriages and they frequently intercommune.Not really, since it’s the closest thing
I just wish their was an EO option and an OO option–I’m always interested in why someone would choose one over the other, especially given recent joint Christological statements.
It reminds me of the story of the French philosopher who announced that he was leaving the Catholic Church. Immediately, the members of the press surrounded him to ask him which version of Protestantism he was converting to: he replied,
“I have lost my faith. Not my mind.”
I didn’t say that there was no such thing as the pope. Obviously there has been a bishop of Rome who is called pope for a long time. But you’re saying that if that bishop’s role was exagerated then you will repudiate Christ. Again, I respect your opinion but I think that’s a pretty weak foundation for faith in Jesus Christ. No offence.
Yeah, I know the answer is “I’ll never stop being catholic” or “the catholic church is the one true church founded on Peter” etc, etc.
But I’m just curious as to where you think the other religions stand as far as “runner up” in Truth. So loosen up. You won’t have to go to confession for voting who takes 2nd place.
In fairness, I’ll divulge that I am a catholic converting to Orthodoxy.
Next after that in order: Presbyterianism - perhaps.If He didn’t keep His promises to St. Peter, then He is not the Christ, and not worthy of worship.
Jesus Christ did not promise that St Peter would be an infallible supreme pontiff. That is Rome’s eisegesis.
Jesus did promise Peter would be infallible in doctrine and morals when he said “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”
LOL. That is not a promise for supreme infallibility. That was Jesus Christ affirming that St Peter’s confession was revealed to him by the Father. If you confess that “Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God”, then you too will be like St Peter.