Question from protestant

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Hi Egg;

Let me start by saying that I think your father gave you good advice. It is true that in apologetics you can win the battle and lose the war if there be no charity in your heart.

To your comment about knowing that you have found God “distinctly”, my question to you is: Are you referring to just a feeling that you have way down in your soul, or is it more than that? Some religions will tell you that their way is the truth because after reading their scripture you will feel a “burning in the bosom” that they believe is the Holy Spirit “convicting” you with the truth. But as you have already found out, Catholics and Protestants can both have very strong “feelings” about their faith.

My point is that “feelings” alone are not a proper basis for accepting Truth. There has to be more. If all you have are your feelings about your faith, then you are building on quicksand because feelings change - sometimes dramatically. So, keep searching. Keep asking questions. Use your mind as well as your heart on these matters of doctrine and you will find your way to the truth.

Peace and charity,
 
Robert in SD:
To your comment about knowing that you have found God “distinctly”, my question to you is: Are you referring to just a feeling that you have way down in your soul, or is it more than that? Some religions will tell you that their way is the truth because after reading their scripture you will feel a “burning in the bosom” that they believe is the Holy Spirit “convicting” you with the truth. But as you have already found out, Catholics and Protestants can both have very strong “feelings” about their faith.

My point is that “feelings” alone are not a proper basis for accepting Truth. There has to be more. If all you have are your feelings about your faith, then you are building on quicksand because feelings change - sometimes dramatically. So, keep searching. Keep asking questions. Use your mind as well as your heart on these matters of doctrine and you will find your way to the truth.
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Yeah, that is an excellent point robert. did you know the puritans would force their members to prove that they were guaranteed eternal life(then again, they had other problems stemming from Calvanist Theology.) It’s true, the christian who can only prove his salvation through feelings, may change his mind if his mood changes. Especially in teens, there has to be a more solid founation than this. And there is. In addition to feelings there are things that happen in my life. There are spirtual gifts that are given to me and my friends. I wonder if my youth pastor needs help with something and call, the same day he needs help setting up. I have a quiet time in the morning where i feel God telling me to drop an issue, At night when i glance over my journal i realize that i didn’t listen, and that i hurt someone because of it. I read a curios article on tongues, and no more than a minute later a friend who i know to be gifted with tongues contacts me. I’ve wanted to be a pastor since the third grade, and i find out in high school that i have several of gifts that are needed for that role. God spends a week long mission trip 16 hours from home, telling me “I love you, I love you, I love you”, and on the last day i find satan attacking me there most. I read a passage in quiet time, and for some reason find it awesome. the next week, youth pastor teaches on the same passage. the night of that message i feel frusterated wtih fake christians. Go home, read a DIFFERENT passage in quiet time. Next week’s message is centered both on that passage and fake christians. For some reason, i work well with kids, but can’t for the life of me figure out why.
Yes, i know feelings. I can verify in my heart with feelings. but i can also firmly say that God has blessed my life far to much, and walked with me too closely for my entire basis of salvation to be wrong.

JackPaul, as for your problems with the “once saved always saved” concept, i have personal views on that, i don’t know if any church supports them. I believe in once saved always saved. God is a loving God. To often we get held up the minute details, as if God is some sort of computer. If you don’t have the exact right “salvation password”, he’s gonna kick you out. And if you do just one thing wrong, you’re out. I look at God rather as a nice teacher. He sees us struggling, and can tell now that we are going to fail the class he calls life. Does he laugh at us, or point fingers and remind us it’s our own fault? no. He tries as hard as possible to bring us in. If he has to let some things slide, and if we didn’t deserve a perfect grade, he is still gonna work hard as heck to get us into heaven anyways. **He wants to see us pass. **Now granted, this does not mean that everyone gets into heaven, wether or not they love God or not. That’s why it is the gift of salvation. There are those who accept it and those who reject it. And even if maybe you don’t understand his grace when you accept it, i think God will take it anyways.
Granted, i’ve never looked up scripture to back this up, but i believe it aligns with the heart of God.
 
Hey Egg,
you say that you read or think about some issue and the next week you pastor brings it up. my theory is that someone is reading your journal and getting some good ideas!
 
Howdy, Egg,

You are welcome in this place. Hope you’ll hang around.

Here’s a wee bit of a history lesson. Christians who lived in the first and second century were taught personally by the Apostles or by the Apostles’ disciples – men who sat at the Apostles’ feet and who had the words of the Apostles still ringing in their ears. Early Christians didn’t get their beliefs out of a book – the New Testament didn’t yet exist.

The last ‘book’ of the New Testament wasn’t written until the end of the first century. There were lots of early Christian writings that were circulated among the local churches and read at the liturgy (the Mass) during the early centuries of Christianity. The 27 writings we now know as the NT weren’t collected, assembled, and canonized until the end of the fourth and beginning of the fifth century. Until then no one knew for sure which writings were “Scripture” and which were not. Some of the 27 books were “recognized,” others were “doubtful” right up to the time the Catholic Church decided the issue.

So when you’re studying doctrines, the question needs to be asked, “Are these the same doctrines believed by the early Christians who were taught by the Apostles themselves?”

While you’re looking at doctrines, you might want to check out what the first Christians believed. If you decide to make that comparison, we can recommend some books for you. To be a good Christian takes some study. But how else will you know what to believe?

Also, you should study the history of the Bible. But most Protestants have no idea where it came from, other than it’s “from God.” (I say this as a former Protestant.)

Catholic Answers has a little book available at their website that’s quick to read and gives the basic facts. It’s called Where We Got The Bible by Henry G. Graham.

Every Christian should know where we got the Bible! How can anyone be a Christian and not know the answer to that question?

Peace be with you and with all who post at Catholic Answers.

JMJ Jay
 
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Egg4christ:
I have so many questions,

Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it. .
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Welcome Egg4Christ,
Remember, the purpose of this forum is to discuss our differences. I'd suggest you try the Spirituality, Morality, or Family Life forums on this board for a more spiritual look at our Faith. May God bless and guide you in your faith journey.
 
I posted some of this on another thread and I’m offering this to you.

Most of us here on this site are more frustrated with our Catholic brothers and sisters who don’t read scripture or live the life Christ is calling us to than we are with our separated brethren.

Most of us here know non-Catholic Christians who have inspired and called us to a deeper faith. There is a true mystery to the faith that binds us that will be revealed during the last days.

When those days come, and are already here, that side by side we shed blood because of our faith in Jesus, how significant will be that which separates us?

In my personal walk with Christ I used to believe that all I needed was my bible.

Since I’ve been reconciled to the Church I know that it would be impossible for me to continue to grow in personal holiness as I have without the Church.

My friend tried to explain this to me two years ago but I just didn’t get it.

Now my love for Christ, my hunger for his Word, my desire to serve Him, my need to worship Him, and my yearning for His presence is beyond what I could ever have imagined.

At the center of our lives is the Eucharist. To be true Catholics we must believe all that Jesus tells us, even those things which we don’t understand. We follow Jesus Christ because he has the words of eternal life. To us his words are spirit and life. By taking the body and blood of Jesus into our own bodies “we abide in Jesus and He abides in us and he will raise us up on the last day” Jn 6:54-56

Once one truly believes and has faith in Jesus and his promises that person can be raptured in the Holy Spirit every time one partakes this holy blessed sacrament.

This is why we can be guarded at times. This is why the early church never printed the liturgy of the Eucharist or let non-believers enter when it was celebrated.

This is when we can be like Mary of Bethany and just sit at the feet of Jesus, totally oblivious to all that is happening around us.

I will pray the the Holy Spirit continues to bless you on your journey home.
 
Hey Dude…what’s up? I’m from New York, and I’ve once been a “non-denominational Christian” for about a year…then an agnostic after that…then I actually came back to being Catholic…stronger and more fortified than ever. I totally appreciate your honest search for the true Church, and I suggest you keep at it. There will be a time where confusion will definitely cloud your mind…plus you can’t deny the fact that your ideas will definitely be influenced by the people around you.

I am Catholic, proud and true…I have a girlfriend, who’s also searching for truth, and I let her be on her own, and I just wait on the sidelines if she asks me anything. I am also stubborn…during my search, what I’ve learned was that, if I have to compare “Churches”…it will take me more than my lifetime if I compare based on Doctrinal differences. It is useful, but I can’t find the “answers” there. One thing I’ve learned from Apologists and Evangelists both Catholic and non-Catholic is this: IF YOU HAVE TO COMPARE TRUTH AND CHURCHES…COMPARE BASED ON THE BEST THINGS AN IDEOLOGY OR A CHURCH CAN OFFER.

As young as we are…we are idealistic…and we sometimes get disillusioned by the faults of those priests and other “religious” figures whom we expect to live up to certain moral standards. We forget they are human too, like us. Sometimes we know…but we forget to FEEL that God came for those who are sick. One great facet about the Catholic Church is this: SO MANY OTHER "CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ATTACK US, AND CALL US ‘WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING’, but at a certain point, it seemed like it was the other way around. Why? Because as far as doctrines are concerned…the Catholic Church has always encouraged its faithful to PREACH by EXAMPLE…USE THE BIBLE WHEN YOU HAVE TO…MAKE YOUR LIFE THE TESTIMONY…Do not Pound down the “doctrines”…teach in love,and let the Holy Spirit do it’s thing (which could take days, or years to convert someone, but that’s up to the Holy Spirit).

As a Non-denominational Christian, there was always an “inner-talk” about how many bad and faithless, and nominal Catholics there were. How many Church leaders were bad spiritual examples. But if you have to use that passage in Matthew that Jesus says something like: “You will know a tree by its fruit”…then you have to look for the best fruit bearing tree. Doesn’t mean it’s gonna be all nice and peachy (since realistically, we live in a harsh world anyway, and the devil’s always out there to make the “real” church look bad)…it’s just a matter of bearing the best fruit…the “best fruit” analogy lead me to Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. As far as charity and love of neighbor goes…no ONE in this earth beats these two. Not to mention all the “sainted” people who have died in the name of the Catholic Church.

As a Catholic, I’m also lead to believe that every Christian Church has a piece of the truth. God’s so full of love, that even when Martin Luther broke away from the Church, He’ll somehow find a way to still offer a road of salvation to those who are not member of the Catholic Faith.

From God’s perspective, does it matter if we’re Catholic or not? Hmm…since God’s LOVE Himself, He can always extend His mercy to EVERYONE. That’s His call.

From our perspective as His Creations, I would think we have the responsibility to serve our Lord in the Best Way we know how. God images His Church…and the Church should Image God…that’s what a perfect “marriage” would look like. Two become one. God has always spoken to man in terms man can understand, and that’s through tangible objects. Symbolism may be trivial to some of our Christian brothers and sisters…but only in the Catholic Church can you find an “elevation” of these symbolisms into “Sacraments.” God speaks in terms that we can understand…and Sacraments are there to help us understand God more in a tangible way.

I guess that’s it for now. I haven’t even touched on Mary yet…=). Egg, I apologize for the lengthy read, but I was just on a roll. However, I do hope you’ve acquired some level of “enlightened perspective” (no matter how small) on what the Catholic Church is all about. God be with you on your search. It may take years or days…but stay as sincere as you are now in your search, and God will just open new doors of understanding into you heart, mind and soul.
God be with you and your family, dude!
 
okay, this response has to be short. Last night i stayed up late and had difficulty focusing during a quiet time.
Vincent078, you bring up many good points. Let me just refine my search here. I’m not looking for the “right faith”. I believe i’ve found it. for some reason, God still compels me to learn about other faiths and beliefs. call it a gift.
I’ve got a day off school tommorrow. I was thinking of dropping in on a local priest(actually, just showing up to a church and hoping there’s a priest there.) to ask some of the more tough and pointed questions. I find it’s easier to do in a one on one setting. Your typical catholic priest should be able to answer questions on doctorine and such, right?
Catholic Dude; you may be right. i’ve gotta see if my pastor is sneaking peaks at my journal. cheater 🙂
 
I would suggest calling, and asking what a good time would be, as most are very busy. If you want to divulge a general location, I’m sure someone here knows of a good church near there for you to visit.
 
Egg4Christ…cool dude. Well…as suggested before, just call the priest first. A priest’s day could be really hectic (baptism here, hospital visit there, etc. etc.). Generally, they know a great deal about doctrine. They went to school for it, hehehe. Just in case you’re not satisfied…you can always look it up in the Bible, which I’m sure you’re doing. If you wanna feel satisfied, just talk to ask many priests and nuns and pastors and religious leaders.

And as any Christian routine, do pray first for enlightenment and guidance whenever you discuss Christian stuff.

Good luck, have fun, and continue the Zeal. May God bless you and your “gift!”
 
Just because you are in the Church does not mean that you are going to be as you should. As Jesus says do as the Pharaises say, not as they do. Look at it this way, you can have a doctor give you a prescription, it’s going to work regardless of if he is fat and smokes three packs of cigerrettes a day. His health is his problem, but what he gives works because it works of what it is. The Church never promises good people, that is why we have the sacrament that is penance, reconcilliation, and confession (all the same thing).

As for salvation we keep that to the state of the soul at the time of death, atleast death of the flesh. I’m not exactly the expert on this, so hopefully someone can correct me if I’m wronge. While alive in the flesh one has the free will to decided if he wants to accept God’s grace or not. At the time of death of the flesh, there is no more chances for one to make a choice of will. So at that time the soul is suspended, either it accepts it or not. Maybe God will have mercy and if you are in sin, and ask one last time if you accept the grace or not, but thats up to God. Maybe not, so it’s important to keep repenting of your sins. It’s not really that hard, chances to repent are everywhere. By our sacrament of reconcilliation, we know that we are forgiven. Can you be forgiven outside of the sacrament, sure but it’s hard to know. But if you accept the sacrament, it would be a sin not to use it if you have the chance too.

As for the saints I doubt its needed to gain salvation, I don’t think you need others to pray for you either. But you end up missing out on a lot of help. Who knows there could be a Lot or Moses out there, who is there to interceed for you to save you. Maybe all is needed is to ask.

The other important part that saints can provide is a great example. You want to see the best people the Catholic Church can offer, check out the saints. Theologians can be excellent at figure out what scripture says, but the saints can often show it in living examples.

It seems you feel a great connection with God, and can really feel his love. That is great and shows you are on a good tract. I’m sure though this will not be around forever. One day you may feel God has left you. Never doubt your faith, though, this can be the best test of it. Maybe one day you will be crying out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” But as Jesus said that on the cross, do not forget that you need to rest assured He is near as the end of the Psalm refered too.

As Jesus says, his path is the Way. So keep to it, keep praying, meditating, teaching, debating, learning, and doing the good. Of course always keep the faith. You’ve been blessed with gifts, make sure you use them for the glory of the kingdom.

As for the priest, remember that they are just like anyone else. Each has been blessed with a different set of gifts. So hopefully the one you go to will be able to answer your questions. Some answers he may not have, since one cannot be an expert in everything. Keep in mind he might be busy too, maybe you can make a lunch appointment or he can refer to someone who is good in answering questions you have. Also remember, that not everyone is always completely faithful to doctrine as they should.

A great resourse is to get a Catechism of the Catholic Church and to read the lives and writtings of the saints. But I must say I’m trying to get a grasp on the spirtiuality of Protastants and thats tough. Like I said we have a differnt language and culter. A different point of view of looking at things. Not to say the differances don’t matter, they do very much so, but it’s also important to understand one another.
 
But I must say I’m trying to get a grasp on the spirtiuality of Protastants and thats tough. Like I said we have a differnt language and culter. A different point of view of looking at things. Not to say the differances don’t matter, they do very much so, but it’s also important to understand one another.
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Problem is, there is no one Protestant spirituality. Rather, there are thousands of variations. What one believes affects how one views the world. The Catholic and Protestant worldviews are entirely different. The Catholic worldview is predicated upon the goodness of God’s creation, including man. The Protestant worldview is based upon the Fall of man and his “depravity.” Catholicism is optimistic, Protestantism is pessimistic. It is very complex, because there are thousands of kinds of Protestants, all believing their own competing and conflicting set of doctrines.

JMJ Jay
Ex-Protestant
 
You have a wonderful gift for asking profound questions. Your observations that you don’t see love for God or neighbor here is noted. When I first found this site it turned up on a web search to a specific question I had, and I also thought some of the answers lacked charity. But sometimes the charity is in the motive of the person posting, and we can’t read what’s in people’s hearts. Please forgive me if the love never made it from my heart to my fingertips as I typed.

I also think it is wonderful that God has given you the desire to learn about other faiths. It appears clear that you do have a wonderful relationship with Him. I wish more Catholics desired to know Him as you do.

One sad reality for Catholics today is that we are attacked from both the outside and from the inside of our churches. Yes, you would think a priest would be able to answer questions about doctrine, but the good priests are often overstretched and the bad ones often make up their own stuff. I think some of us who come to this forum are weary from the battle. And we’re so used to fighting, sometimes we don’t know when to lay down our weapons.

Anyway, I hope you keep asking questions here.
 
Egg:

Ok…a lot of your analysis on the nature of God sounds more “Catholic” than you might think. GOD DOES WANT US ALL TO PASS and I totally agree with that. He does have requirements, and those requirements are perhaps what we human beings “concretize” into doctrines. Makes sense? Dear brothers and sisters…to be honest, one of my stumbling blocks in going back to the Catholic Faith and comparing it with other Christian denominations/groups was doctrine. Doctrine can be sliced and diced into a million pieces, and if you follow-through logically…depending on your orientation to “logic” it may cause a deeper dilemma instead of enlightenment. I think on that aspect Egg, I can say I can relate with some of your “dillemas” as well. After doctrine I went to look for “signs” based on people: a true blue loving Christian compared with a true blue loving Catholic. As mentioned in an earlier post, after years of “looking” I realized I took for granted the fact that a certain Mother Teresa existed. I may not know her personally, but the WORLD can attest to her generosity and charity. There goes my criteria on “good people.” Her image became so commonplace that it’s easy for some people to overlook her. BUT, given that her NAME has become COMMON, is a TESTAMENT in itself! That just means Mother Teresa is someone that can’t be hidden!

** 1. Salvation:** Yes, salvation is important, but it only becomes the crux of one’s mindset if there’s a deep fear of damnation. This is just an opinion. It could be totally different for others. Yes, Damnation in Hell has to be feared, but MORE than that, Christians should emphasize God’s power in LOVE. As my dad once told me: “I wouldn’t be surprised if I see Hitler in Heaven.” When a person dies…it’s Him and His God, and no matter how good a Christian you are, that’s a domain between the dying person and God Himself only.
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** 2. Jesus is THE way and THE truth**. I believe all Christians, regardless of affiliation or denomination will be able to experience God’s Love. That’s because God is LOVE Himself. Now, given that there is JUST ONE TRUE CHURCH, that One TRUE Church is God’s Family. The “Other” Churches are likw fallen away children. God is a Loving Father. Even if one His children run away…wouldn’t He still worry about them? Given that GOD is all powerful…He can always shower his blessings and gifts to there “separated” sons and daughters. You are sincere in your faithfulness to the Lord, and a lot of your brothers and sisters are as sincere as well…so it’s no question that God will definitely walk with you.

** 3. As for the ONENESS of the CHURCH**: my enlightening Bible passage was the whole of John 17. Particulary, verses 20-21: “I pray not only for them, but also for those who WILL believe in me through THEIR word, so that THEY MAY ALL BE ONE, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in US, that the world may believe that you sent me.” I have learned from being a protestant that a prayer of a righteous man is powerful. I have also learned that a prayer of a dying man is commanding and powerful. Given that this was Jesus’s prayer before he died (a perfectly righteous holy man’s prayer before death)…this “litany of Wish lists” has to have some great power. The Nature of God…His Oneness…and most especially His Faithfulness…may have been exemplified in John 17. The nature of the Church, should then reflect that ONENESS. In the end…my search was not a matter of doctrine anymore, but a matter of “AUTHORITY.” Who has the authority to teach what they teach, and have the assurance that what they teach comes from the apostles themselves?

** 4.PEOPLE in the Church**: No one seems to practice what they preach…many leaders succumb to sins of the flesh. If I had to base my judgement of Christianity based on it’s people and it’s people’s actions, it seems that I’m better off as a Buddhist. However, God came for the sinners. Therefore, His Church caters to sinners too. The Devil knows where the real church is. Given that Heaven and Hell are in an eternal war against man’s soul…then I’d guess the Devil would send His best cohorts to the best kind of Church, and take down as many Christians as possible. He could care less about the “lukewarm” believers, because they’ll be easy prey anyway. The Devil knows he’s losing the fight, so he’ll take with him as many souls as he can to Hell. Given this, I somehow realized the “true” Church would be the one that would be suffering the most scandals. The best way for the devil to make more cohorts is to let others believe that there’s no true church…or that the true church is non-existent. As far as spy tactics are employed in war…this is somehow the very thing that the devil is doing (re: Art of War by Sun Tzu).

I guess that’s about it for me…=) GOD BLESS, Egg!! Keep the ZEAL!
 
Wow.
I’ve been going through this thread trying my best to understand Egg’s dilemma.
Until I read this…
You can spend hours with someone, debating wether or not mary is worthy of anything, win the debate, and still be left with nothing but hellbound soul, who believes mary is important.
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What an insulting comment to post!
And YOU are here accusing catholics of not being loving?

Do you really believe Jesus would agree with you that his own MOTHER is NOT IMPORTANT?
Have you suggested that the catholics you encounter who DO believe Mary is important are hellbound?

How loving and kind is that?
 
I think his point of that comment is: winning the argument isn’t important if a soul is lost. We also could spend hours debating the importance of Jesus’ mother in unloving ways to the non-Catholics who visit our board and thus drive them further from the Church.

St. Paul writes “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15.) Speaking the truth is only half of it. Speaking the truth in love is the full picture. If we Catholics on this board don’t do a better job of speaking “the truth in love” we will not win our protestant brethren to the full truth of Christ in His Church.

If we do not show our love, they may never know the love that the Son has for His mother. If we do not show our love, they may never find the love His mother has for her son’s friends. And without love, souls can be lost. That’s my Catholic translation of what his protestant dad told him.
 
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Egg4christ:
I have so many questions, but on this forum, it feels like i can’t get a word in edgewise. Let me start with where i am, and we’ll move to where you are.

I am a non denominational christian(got questions, PM me). I like my church, i find no fault in it’s teachings so far. I really love God. he is so awesome. I engage in what is called a “quiet time” or “devotional Life” daily. basically it means i get up at the crack of dawn in the mornings, and read the bible, and praise God, and repent, and request, and ask him to continue to walk with me throughout the day. I’m a junior in high school, and i am looking to go into ministry for college. I’m excited about the plans God has for me.
I’ve been doing some religion study. I recently looked into an SDA forum. Although i can’t say that i agree with everything they say, they do believe in a fundamental relationship with God, and an awesome life change the occurs not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others, as a result of this relationship.
I decided to look into the catholic faith. I used to be catholic, but we changed faiths. I’ve come to believe that catholics can experience God in the same way I do, that it is very possible catholics have a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps have found a different angle than i have, that maybe i have something to learn from you people.
I have to say, i can’t find it. Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it.
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”. I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine. I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
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We are not very familiar with humble non-Catholics asking questions. We spend a lot of time defending our faith.

You need to be a little more confrontational, and maybe throw in a couple of “statue worshiper” and “bead mumbler” accusations to get the attention you deserve.

Just kidding, of course. Hope you get the help you need.
 
Hi Egg,

God bless you and your family!

Yes, it may seem that there is a lack of love, but it really is not so (Also, keep in mind that the printed word is very cold). As others have stated, the Catholic Church is attacked by so many forces, that one becomes not only defensive, but tired of the same old pretzel logic employed. I have even seen some accuse Catholics of worshipping candles! What happens is that the same old pretzel logic is passed from one to another, and you find your self fighting the same often ridiculous battles from the myopic or those who have wantonly denied basic premises, over and over and over.

The Catholic Church teaches that if you have been properly baptized, then you are Catholic. Yup, that’s right! We profess it in our Creed……“We believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins…”……Simply stated, Baptism is Catholic. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the following:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 838: "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter. Those who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.

With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist." In Ad Gentes, the Second Vatican Council stated: “Catholics should cooperate in a brotherly spirit with their separated brethren, among to the norms of the Decree on Ecumenism, making before the nations a common profession of faith, insofar as their beliefs are common, in God and in Jesus Christ, and cooperating in social and in technical projects as well as in cultural and religious ones.”

Now, please read the link at the post below, and ask yourself whether it makes good sense to worship God through the Church that Jesus founded, or whether it is prudent to gamble your soul on a man-made “church”:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=35056

God bless you,

Cub 🙂
 
You need to be a little more confrontational, and maybe throw in a couple of “statue worshiper” and “bead mumbler” accusations to get the attention you deserve.
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:rotfl:
 
I think his point of that comment is: winning the argument isn’t important if a soul is lost. We also could spend hours debating the importance of Jesus’ mother in unloving ways to the non-Catholics who visit our board and thus drive them further from the Church.
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Ahhh…but see how he described the “lost” soul?
You are a kind and trusting person.
When I read this unkind and unloving comment I decided this particular thread was a just a guise for more catholic-bashing.

Catholics are UNLOVING you see? And they’re hellbound to boot!
 
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