non-Catholics: defend your faith--please

[Wesley7]

My faith is based on the veracity of the truths found in Scripture. Biblically-based sound Christianity ~ Do we recall the scene when the Roman Solider stabbed Jesus’ with a spear on his left side? Also, there can be talk of the catholic church and its membership. The 3 Synoptic Gospels Matthew,Mark,Luke, and the 4th John. And the epistles of John 1,2,and 3.

St. John the Divine Theologian pray for us. (pray for us in Russian)

I have a orthodox icon of St. Michael the Archangel over my door. (Pray for us)

~

 

[michaeldaniels]

I am sorry and I know this is going to sound awful, and I will get flamed for this…but seeing how there is but One Holy Spirit…the Spirit of Truth…The Paraclete…I find it rather impossible…and oxymoron if you will, that The Holy Spirit would lead someone to error and heresy…I could be wrong though…they say The Lord works in mysterious ways, but to purposely lead someone into error, is not a mysterious way…it is a fallacy. Perhaps The Spirit was leading you, and you made a pit stop along the way. I will pray for you on your journey and hope you make it Home.

ElisabethM;6368850:

I didn’t choose this faith. I was led into it by the Holy Spirit. .

 

[michaeldaniels]

1968? 40 Years is a lot of tradition

UMC

It has the nice blend of tradition, Bible, and social action.
.

 

[cheese_sdc]

I’d be interested in reading why you have chosen and remain in the faith you profess–NOT why you’re “not Catholic” buy why you ARE pagan, LDS, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. Oh, and please avoid simplistic statements like “I am {blank} because it’s the true religion.”

I’m not really any religion. About two years ago I “de-converted” from Catholicism when I understood that I could only honestly say the first line of the Creed “I believe in God”.

Since then, I’ve been trying to understand what I understand about Divinity and become more authentic to myself. Hence, I’m not Catholic, pagan, taoist, etc. I’m simply trying to be me - “Cheesian”.

 

[MyRdmrLvs]

1968? 40 Years is a lot of tradition

So much for respecting the intent of the OP.

 

[Eris_Discordia]

I am Discordian. I was led there by Eris, Goddess of Chaos, thanks to the wonders of Stumbleupon. Quite fitting to randomly find for me a website about a religion that worships Chaos. I am Discordian because I believe that Chaos is just as important as Order. I am Discordian because I don’t believe in any false dichotomies. I am Discordian because I can choose my own path, and follow my heart. I have been Discordian for about 2 years or so, and I have never felt better. I also mix meta-physics into my beliefs as well. I believe in the spiritual world or worlds, and I practice energy manipulation, and I do consult spirits of all kinds through meditation. I follow this path because it feels right to me.

 

[BrianH]

1968? 40 Years is a lot of tradition

Traditions dating back the last two thousand years. Too numerous to really list.
All Christians have tradition, just not the same ones. ON the other hand, probably more alike than a lot off people realize

 

[Dokimas]

I’m 58 and have struggled with God my whole life, at best, our relationship is adversarial, at least on my side. I seem to question everything. Everything.
Scripture says that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Well, either that is true, or it isn’t PERIOD And, in order to do what the scripture said, He (the Lord) has to be GOD.
Therefore, those that call upon Jesus Christ are saved, because Jesus Christ is Lord, GOD. Then, I believe the Holy Spirit enters into the life of the one who called upon Jesus Christ and leads that person into truth.
I once was looking out the front door and asking the Lord why all the churches, why all the denominations, and my focus was brought to the tree in our front yard. The trunk split into two huge branches which in turn divided into many branches, then the fruit appeared.
The fruit appeared where the weather was, where the sun, rain etc. hit the tree. There was no fruit on the trunk, yet the trunk was necessary to provide nutrients for the production of fruit and to provide support. And it didn’t struggle to bear fruit, it just did. Right where it was planted and growing. Slowly but surely.
I think the Holy Spirit is fully capable of leading those who call on the name of the Lord where they need to be planted, and if they are already planted, to cause them to bear fruit. God gives the increase.
The only criteria necessary to be known as a disciple of Jesus Christ is a demonstration of love for one another. By that all will know we are His. The first will be last, the last first. To be the greatest is to be the least. Serve.

Great analogy in the tree; for what-ever it’s worth, I love it. God knows what (churches/denominations) are His and who are His.​

Thank you.

 

[Dokimas]

What commandments are other Churches not keeping?

Sitting here wondering if this is the spirit of the OP?

 

[Dokimas]

I think this person is just ;look for answer and is very nice in her asking.
.

Me too, Bill. It’s pleasing to be in agreement with you. God bless.

 

[Dokimas]

I’m sorry . . . I think my quoting an unnamed source led to some confusion. Please re-read the original post . . . I quoted someone from another thread (I believe he said he is pagan). I liked what he said about about each offering an honest perspective on what they believe, and that those of us with open minds can listen to each other. It seems to me that might be helpful in understanding one another–something I would like. By my post, I was offering the floor to non-Catholics to offer a defense for their chosen faith. And, no, I am not looking for Catholic rebuttal and do hope my Catholic brothers and sisters will refrain from argument here. I really want to know why others believe as they do.

I was hoping for some non-threatening expressions of “This is why I claim the faith I do.” Thank you to those who have so far offered sincere responses. I’ve already learned a lot.

And you are; thank you for this thread. It’s been a blessing so far. God be with and bless you.

 

[Dokimas]

I am sorry and I know this is going to sound awful, and I will get flamed for this…but seeing how there is but One Holy Spirit…the Spirit of Truth…The Paraclete…I find it rather impossible…and oxymoron if you will, that The Holy Spirit would lead someone to error and heresy…I could be wrong though…they say The Lord works in mysterious ways, but to purposely lead someone into error, is not a mysterious way…it is a fallacy. Perhaps The Spirit was leading you, and you made a pit stop along the way. I will pray for you on your journey and hope you make it Home.
Richard Kastner;6368950:
Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t see things as we do? I’m glad He isn’t like me nor like what you’re implying here.

 

[michaeldaniels]

I am sorry, but I refuse to believe that The Holy Spirit…The Spirit of Truth will lead someone to error. It is impossible. Now I am not saying that the Spirit is not at all involved in these peoples lives and they are not trying to seek God with their whole hearts…however, due to some impediment or something, they are unable to make the complete journey to Catholicism that The Spirit is really leading them towards. I apologize, but as a Catholic, I believe…actually I KNOW Catholicism is the One, True, Church and it is not possible The Holy Spirit would lead someone into apostasy and heresy…There are two reasons one ends up outside The Catholic Church while claiming it is The Spirit which led them there:

1. They either fail to understand or just plain refuse to go where THe Holy Spirit is leading them.
2. It isn’t The Holy Spirit, but he Devil leading them away…especially the case in fallen away Catholics. You can call me a jerk or rigid or whatever, but The Holy Spirit and Christ will not desire for you to leave The Catholic Church…and to claim it was His will for you to do so is a lie. It is possible The Father of All Lies willed it to happen, but it certainly wasn’t Christ or The Holy Spirit. Just as Christ was incapable of sinning, The Holy Spirit is incapable of leading one to error, apostasy, and heresy.

***Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death. ***

michaeldaniels;6371541:

I am sorry and I know this is going to sound awful, and I will get flamed for this…but seeing how there is but One Holy Spirit…the Spirit of Truth…The Paraclete…I find it rather impossible…and oxymoron if you will, that The Holy Spirit would lead someone to error and heresy…I could be wrong though…they say The Lord works in mysterious ways, but to purposely lead someone into error, is not a mysterious way…it is a fallacy. Perhaps The Spirit was leading you, and you made a pit stop along the way. I will pray for you on your journey and hope you make it Home.
Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t see things as we do? I’m glad He isn’t like me nor like what you’re implying here.

 

[michaeldaniels]

Well…that was sort of my point…I apologize if what typed was short and pointed…I was trying to prove a point. You all hold traditions like you state that are approximately 2,000 years old…and if that is the case, you hold CATHOLIC traditions…that is all I wanted to point out. God Bless

Traditions dating back the last two thousand years. Too numerous to really list.
All Christians have tradition, just not the same ones. ON the other hand, probably more alike than a lot off people realize

 

[Dokimas]

***Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death. ***

Which one of us are heading to our destruction? Which one of us are you concerned for our souls because what we believe is so anti-Jesus that Proverbs 16:25 fits us?

 

[michaeldaniels]

My friend…I am not judging you. I am simply pointing out that Protestantism is a wound on The Body of Christ…Christ founded ONE Church…The Catholic Church. He didn’t found The Lutheran Church, The Anglican Church, etc…those are all splits from The One True Church and it is not supposed to be that way. The purpose of me posting that proverb is to say that while I know a lot of protestants that mean well and try to follow God with their whole hearts and minds, they are still members of deficient and lacking Christian denominations…and The Eucharist is of the utmost importance…You will die without The Eucharist…Christ warns us and there are martyrs who have said the same. You need it…and I just desire to have all of you with us, instead of separated from us.

Which one of us are heading to our destruction? Which one of us are you concerned for our souls because what we believe is so anti-Jesus that Proverbs 16:25 fits us?

 

[Dokimas]

My friend…I am not judging you. I am simply pointing out that Protestantism is a wound on The Body of Christ…

So were the nail prints and the thorn prints. I truely understand that my sins wounded the Savior.

 

[Dokimas]

My friend…I am not judging you.

BTW, I don’t feel judged by you. That wasn’t my point. It seemed you were trying to “throw stones” and as we know, Jesus challenged us not to throw stones unless we are perfect as He is.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I am withdrawing my questions, and unsubscribing from this thread, so that those who are concerned about the ‘topic’ of this thread going off topic can let the thread return to the topic and stop the repeated ‘corrections’.

When Catholics ‘defend’ their faith, the door is open for questions and answers, even questions that veer off topic of the thread we happen to be in.

 

[BrianH]

Well…that was sort of my point…I apologize if what typed was short and pointed…I was trying to prove a point. You all hold traditions like you state that are approximately 2,000 years old…and if that is the case, you hold CATHOLIC traditions…that is all I wanted to point out. God Bless

I hold Christian traditions. Whether they may be East or West, I cannot always sort that out. But yes,** assuredly **some are Catholic traditions like Lent for example. The 27 book canon was first put forward in the East. So did I get that from the East or West? I don’t know:shrug:

mitchdaniels, do you care that the OP asked you not to do this though?