Well said, Christian55. I myself have lately been trying to participate more on “christianforums” – although ironically I’m not much into One Bread One Body (which is their Catholic forum), because it has little or no Protestant (name removed by moderator)ut.
1. **Authority**. I'm simply not ready to turn my brain over to a church or to a book, which also explains why I am a liberal Protestant and not one who embraces "sola scriptura". Religion is a major divider in the world because too many people are convinced that their way is the only way. I want religion to be a bridge between people rather than a barrier.
2.** Transubstantiation**. Try as I do, I can't believe that the words of consecration turn bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. I see that as primitive, probably borrowed from mystery religions. I believe in the 'real presence' in that Christ is present everywhere at all time. I also can't see the Mass as "the sacrifice of the Mass" - rather like a sacrificial offering already completed 2000 years ago.
3. **Mary and the Saints**. Obviously I revere Mary as the mother of Christ, but do not pray to her and cannot bring myself to believe in her Immaculate Conception (defined in 1854) or the Assumption (defined in 1950). I can't even find Anne, said to be her mother, anywhere in the Bible. I have searched the writings of Paul in vain for the name of Mary, even once, but without success. Paul sent many epistles to early Christians, outlining the doctrines and practices to be accepted among early Christians - and no mention of Mary. As for the saints, I'm sure that most of the, were great people, but there is so much mythology about so many of them. This even includes modern ones like Padre Pio, who is said to have the power to levitate and to bilocate - among other wild powers. Sorry. Sounds like pious superstition to me.
4. **Confession**. To God, of course. To a priest, not required.
5. **"One True Church". **There is no one true church. We all are pilgrims, seeking to better understand this amazing journey we call life. None of us has the answers. But I try my best to respect those who believe different things, travel a different route, etc. And I believe that the God of love looks at our hearts and not at our creeds or church connections.
God bless the whole world - no exceptions. I do admire much that the Catholic Church has done re education, medicine and the poor. CAF postings, however, indicate that old-fashioned religious bigotry still is alove and well within the RCC.You should read Faith and Reason by JPII.
FYI, if you were ever to become Catholic, you would be required to agree with the dogmas of IC and Assumption, but you would not be required to pray to Mary. (At least officially you wouldn’t be required to. I can’t deny that a lot of Catholics would be a tad less likely to welcome you with open arms, if they found out that you didn’t pray to Mary.)
You say “To God, of course”, but what did St. James say? “Confess your sins to one another.”
To be fair, Branch Theorists do speak of “the One True Church” as well, although not meaning what we Catholics mean by it. (Don’t ask me why I’m speaking up for Branch Theorists, when they are “the enemy”.
)There Peter, I fixed your Bible quote.
I can relate.
Peter J:
I can help you understand a view that is all inclusive of all religions and yet be on a solid foundation which Jesus Christ has laid.
Hmmmm … maybe you should read the passage again.
I think that was his way of telling you to read the passage again…emphasizing the fact that it doesn’t say “to a priest”. It was a clever little retort to refute Catholic teaching, but unfortunately, he is mistaken. Or should I say, fortunately.Hmmmm … maybe you should read the passage again.
Good point. The Bible doesn’t say confess directly to God, AND Jesus gave Peter and his Apostles the power to forgive sins. If we were to go directly to God, why did Jesus give that power and authority?
Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Yeah, AJ. You might title it:
Getting yourself into? you are entering god’s true church, the one he promised the gates of hades will not prevail against, the one he said he will be with even until the ending of the world!
Haha easy now
. To be sure, I meant to be ironically casual about entering God’s True Church. I would have said “Mine eyes doth long for the heavenly, celestial, grace-filled souveniers which, hitherto, were unknown! And lo! Thy True Church supplies them all!”hehe, i get excited when i see someone considering the catholic church! because once the truth has been revealed them nothing else matters! Trust me, you’ll know what i’m talking about.Haha easy now
Suffice to say, I wanted to know: “What is the Catholic Church and what does it believe?,” as God has several-times prompted me in regard to this institution.