Let's talk about skeptism

[onmyknees]

We live in a cynical age and people are generally losing interest in orthodox Christianity. Also worth adding is the increase in secularism is leading the charge and people are more inclined to question the church more.

I have to agree with this. It seems that so many people now have not been brought up without any religious beliefs at all. When they hear religious people talking about going to Church, believing in God, Jesus Christ and heaven they just cannot believe it! It is kind of like a fairytale to them. I think they might even think we are out of our minds.

I think that a way to get them to believe is to have a very close relationship with someone who sees your example of love and good deeds. And of course God’s grace.

 

[PJM]

=RebeccaJ;9758700]People have a skeptical eye to any truth-claims, especially religious claims. Catholicism has a very large truth-claim, the skepticism towards it is equally large. Coming from an atheist background, my skepticism began with the existence of God. Skepticism about faith. The list was long after that. The Creed is a good guideline for what is believed, but also what people are skeptical about. Jesus a real person or legend? Jesus is divine? Faith in God is hard enough, but now we have other “unseen” things like angels? Really? The list of skepticism towards the Bible has list of its own. Add in Pope, clergy, magisterium, saints, real presence, confession, incorruptibles, eucharistic miracles. Add, as Marie already pointed out, pious legends.

Conversion of the skeptic, is nothing short of miracle.

Awesome insights,
THANKS,
Pat/PJM

 

[ExCatholicGuy]

OK, so lets address some of YOUR reason for leaving

Is your issue the finality of Catholic Truth

or the singleness of it?

God Bless you dear friend, let’s talk:thumbsup:

God Bless,
Pat /PJm

More like the truthfulness of it.

 

[BrianGular]

Sin. Yes.

Tell me that I can self interpret scripture and ignore tradition and I will interpret scripture to fit my own needs. I become King and Jury and that is very convenient. Pride takes over and onces it rules me, it’s very hard to clense.

Two points:

1. A true Reformation position neither allows an individual to self-interpret scripture nor ignore tradition. Individual interpretation of the scripture must be done in the context of the regula fide of the larger Christian church. The undocumented teachings of the apostles as described in the documented behavior of early Christians and the writings of the church fathers are all important. The distinction for the Protestant is that the traditions and teachings must be consistent with the authority of the documented teaching of the apostles as captured in the Bible.
2. The Catholic position of sola ecclesia is no less susceptible to becoming a prideful king and jury than the Protestant position of sola scriptura. Satan is an equal-opportunity enemy.

 

[Delusion]

Well, what proof do you have for Catholicism? As far as I know, there is 0. That’s why. Just my sinner perspective though

 

[Hokomai]

A skeptic in the modern sense of the world is someone who requires evidence (or tries to discipline themselves to require it) before accepting things as facts (that is, as probably true).

We need more of this, not less, and about everything, not just the Catholic Church.

 

[RebeccaJ]

A skeptic in the modern sense of the world is someone who requires evidence (or tries to discipline themselves to require it) before accepting things as facts (that is, as probably true).

We need more of this, not less, and about everything, not just the Catholic Church.

I agree, people should not accept something just for the sake of accepting it. Critical thinking is a good thing.

 

[franc1sc0]

In my area, which is about 95% hispanic, alot of the protestants are skeptical of the CC over a few of main reasons.

1. Blessed Mother- Alot of Catholic hispanics seem to worship the Bleesed Mother as a God, and tend to ask her for Graces that only God can give. They have Pictures of her allover the house and a small Crucifix in the corner. This is what my Protestant upbringing taught me about Catholics. This is a misunderstanding the protestants have and we need to help teach others our belief. This is just ammunition for the Protestants looking for converts.
2. Papal Authority - Again in my protestant upbringing I always heard that Catholics worship the Pope because we believe he is Christ on earth or something to that fact. They do not understand the office and the way Catholics cheer with such excitement when they see him gives them an uneasy feeling. I wonder why some of these people didnt mind cheering when they saw someone famous in life or on TV.
3. History and rumors - I have heard others go on about how bad some Popes where in the past. Also about evil things and practices which allegedly occurred in the Vatican. I wont mention them because they are so unbelievably insane.

These are just things I have heard growing up. The only one who said if I felt a calling to the Catholic Church that I should do it was my Uncle who is a Methodist Pastor. My other family members would say some not to friendly things about the Church and Priests…etc…

 

[Moro_Rock]

Dear froends in Christ,

Why in your opinion is there so much skeptism about catholism

God Bless,
pat /PJM

Perhaps we are now in the time of the Great Apostasy foretold by Saint Paul in 2 Thess. Ch. 2 the time which preceeds the appearance of Antichrist ?