Im thinking of leaving the church

[Lazerlike42]

Additionally, the idea of patron saints is present in the Bible. In Matthew 25:23, Jesus explains that the faithful servants will be told, “I will put you in charge of many things.” The saints will be put in charge of many things.

 

[YADA]

Doberman,

Your catechesis [religious instruction] seems to have been very weak and I feel sad for that…

To say the “bible was written in greek not latin” [from your previous post] is an illustration of the weakness.

The hebrew texts [what Christians refere to as the ‘Old Testament’] was written in hebrew. Jewish people of the diaspora translated hebrew texts into greek a version of which was held in the library at Alexandria Egypt. It was this greek translation [called the Septuigent] that the early Christians used.

The New Testament scriptures were indeed written in greek. Both the Septuigent Hebrew Scriptures [Old Testament] and the Greek New Testament were then translated by St. Jerome into the Latin Vulgate. It was st. Jerome who told us that “ignorance of Scripture is ingnorance of Christ.”

I’ll make us guess that the ‘Bible’ you study is not in ancient greek, latin or hebrew but a translation.

It is by the grace of the early church fathers and the Church through the ages [what is very recognizable as the ‘Catholic’ Church] that you have that “Bible” to study.

Please find and receive some knowledgable instruction in Christian history…as John Newman found to be steeped in history is to be catholic [as in cease to be protestant].

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Im a protestant my only concern is you keep Christ central in your life if you stay or go. And just so you know if you do find a protestant church if they are correct in their teachings they should encourage you to reconcile to your old church before becoming a member of theirs. ( a member not just attending to be clear)

Keeping in mind something else if you leave because you dont like the saint statues, you will probably find something you dont like at say a baptist church, (possibly a band playing modern praise songs) then you could leave the baptists. I fear for you to potentially get into a pattern.

You mention protestants follow the bible then Id suggest to dig into it and seek what bothers you. There is probably a book in a christian store written by someone about most topics, read that. Discuss what you find with your family and friends and those at your church and here if you want.

What you are really after in my opinion is to grow closer to God. You can do that and should do that before you make any decisions on what church to attend. (catholics listening here?)

We all want and long for the Masters touch, He has promised to those who seek His face, and ask the door will be opened. Try reading the book of John and going over again the life of Jesus, focusing on Him.

Decide to dedicate some time each week to sit away from others and simply pray to Christ, just tell Him your frusterations and worries about the statues and other things. Keep doing all these things for awhile then you will slowly find yourself getting closer to God, When you finally move near Him things will be clearer what to do, where to go because you will be secure with Christ.

Hope that makes sense,

 

[water]

Kitty Chan, thanks for the very wise advices.
God bless.

 

[Michael_Howard]

I am in the church, im not saying that the church doctrine is about other gods but idols. Remember when Moses went down from the mountain after he had made the 10 commandments? He saw that the people had made a statue of a calf, statues or other forms of idols to glorify God is forbidden.

And isnt saints idols? People to look up to like if they where something bigger than us?

And remember: God also commanded Moses to create a serpant of bronze. He then conveyd to Moses that anyone who would look up at the serpant on the pole would be “healed”. Consider the Ark of the Covenenat which had to large cheribum on each side, or the temple which had images of animals, fruit and so on…

Your reasons for leaving to me sound like you’ve been duped by someone brother, please do the hard research before you consider the “shell” of the truth for the fullness. Peace brother.

 

[VociMike]

And isnt saints idols? People to look up to like if they where something bigger than us?

But saints in heaven are “bigger than us”.

Matt 11:11 “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

 

[slyboots]

Doberman doesn’t sound as if he knows the teachings of the Catholic Church. Perhaps he needs to study Catholic teachings before leaving the church Christ gave to Peter (and us) and joining one of the numerous protestant churches who don’t have the fullness of the Gospels.
I say this in charity. Our separated brothers and sisters of the protestant churches may love Christ as much as any Catholic. I came from a fundamentalist upbringing and traveled through the maze of nondenoms to mainstream.
My fundamentalist mom said many times I was a closet Catholic even as a small child. And I had no idea what a Catholic was. So I truly feel the Spirit patiently moved me urging me always towards the Catholic Church. And here I will stay.

 

[spini_boys]

The Bible is a Catholic book! There is nothing in it that goes against Catholic teaching. The Catholic Church doesnt teach anything that goes against the Bible!

 

[Doberman]

Looking up to somebody is NOT worship.

Saints are in Heaven (by definition). We SHOULD look up to that. They are powerless to help us by themselves, but can pray to God to help us. So we ask them to do that. It is not worship to ask the saints to pray to God for us.

How do we know they are in heaven? God is the only dudge, only he can say who went to heaven or not, If a man such as the pope unites the church its good, no cult becomes created.

But when he play God and say that a special persion is in heaven its blasphemy

 

[VociMike]

How do we know they are in heaven? God is the only dudge, only he can say who went to heaven or not,

We know because God reveals it to us. The whole history of Judeo-Christianity is about God revealing things to us. Why should His revealing of some (a very few) of those who are in heaven be such a surprise?

 

[Doberman]

We know because God reveals it to us. The whole history of Judeo-Christianity is about God revealing things to us. Why should His revealing of some (a very few) of those who are in heaven be such a surprise?

THIS! this is what makes me doubt the church. he reveals it thrue the popes.

 

[VociMike]

THIS! this is what makes me doubt the church. he reveals it thrue the popes.

In the first place, that’s not accurate. Do some research on how the saints have been canonized throughout the ages.

In the second place, why do you have such a hangup about the popes? When changed Simon’s name to Peter (Rock), said he would build his Church on that Rock, said he would give the keys to the kingdom to Peter, and said that Peter would have the power to bind and loose heaven itself, don’t you think Jesus was giving Peter any special authority at all?

It seems clear that some Protestants have been whispering in your ear trying to undermine your faith. The only antidote to that is to actually learn the history and teachings of the Catholic Church, which you seem to be very weak on at this point. But if you stick around you will learn more.

 

[maryj]

THIS! this is what makes me doubt the church. he reveals it thrue the popes.

The successor of Peter, an unbroken line of Apostles. One whom the Holy Spirit guides in all matters of faith and morals (that was a promise from God) Do you doubt God?

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

God bless!

Doberman before you leave the Church please learn about it so you know what you’re leaving. But because you came here I assume you do want to lean about it to which I congratulate you! It’s a good feeling to know more. Feel free to ask your question because I can assure you, they have answers. Also try looking at what the ancient Church taught. I don’t assume you will grab the text right away so going to the home page of CA is a good start. There are also other good resources such this: staycatholic.com/early_church_fathers.htm

Think it this way, do you want to join one of the thousands “churches” that were created after in the last 500 years (many in the 20th century even) and whose private interpretation of Bible is ahistorical (and is moving from it all the time) or would you rather stay in the Church that holds to the teaching of the apostles and whose dogmas have never (and will never) change?

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

Ups, I didn’t read over the last post. Sorry for the silly errors.

 

[buffalo]

Im thinking of leaving the catholic church for the protestant, iv done a lot of thinking. We have statues of Jesus and saints that we pray to when we have issues. THERE IS EVEN ONE FOR BALDNESS!

Maybe its cause the roman catholic church is roman. The romans accepted God, but they couldnt let go of polytheism and several Gods, maybe thats why we have saints?

Protestants uses the bible, Gods word. All arguments for catholism seems to come from other catholics.

Never ever leave Catholicism until you know all of that which you are leaving. Seek the truth.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

We all want and long for the Masters touch, He has promised to those who seek His face, and ask the door will be opened. Try reading the book of John and going over again the life of Jesus, focusing on Him.

Reading the Gospel of John is what made me Catholic.

 

[angelusm]

Im thinking of leaving the catholic church for the protestant, iv done a lot of thinking. We have statues of Jesus and saints that we pray to when we have issues. THERE IS EVEN ONE FOR BALDNESS!

Maybe its cause the roman catholic church is roman. The romans accepted God, but they couldnt let go of polytheism and several Gods, maybe thats why we have saints?

Protestants uses the bible, Gods word. All arguments for catholism seems to come from other catholics.

We WORSHIP God only and we VENERATE Mary and the saints. It is not polytheism. There’s only one God in Trinity. We ask Mary and saints to pray for us and there’s nothing wrong about it. They are not dead as protestants say, they are alive in heaven. Mary asked to say the rosary in Fatima (amazing story) and it works! Jesus will not refuse to give us what we need when His mother asks Him.
Arguments from the Bible abou the CC:
God wants us to live in unity - while protestants left the CC and don’t want unity. Jesus gave the “keys” to the first pope - Peter (and all next popes), He didn’t give the keys to protestants. It’s the pope who decides - this is the will of God.
Catholics use the Bible - it’s obvious! Not only the Bible, because God gives US (not protestants) other messages as well - Faustina, Pio, and Fatima that I mentioned before.

 

[NotWorthy]

Ask yourself why you should stay with the Catholic Church.

The answer is that it is the One True Church. Period.

The rest is just details.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

Im thinking of leaving the catholic church.

To leave the Catholic Church, folks have to be in it in the first place. Anti-Catholic thought is rooted in strong opinion and weak information. The remedy for that is an open mind, hard work, and a true love of Wisdom. But hey, if it ain’t broke why fix it? And obviously anti-Catholic thought works for some.

For folks who like the sound of anti-Catholicism but who think it helps their case against Catholicism to claim that they are Catholic: ask yourselves where the credibility of the Catholic Church came from that even folks who oppose the Church should seek out Her credibility.

For folks who are not yet members of the Catholic Church but like the sound of saying that they are leaving, here’s a thought: register in an RCIA course, study and pray really hard, and then leave. Who knows? Folks could learn something on their way out. Know something is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all.

God bless and have a great day!