Tired of religion being a barrier within our society and between families and people

[cathgal]

jennifer101:

All I can think to say to people like you is ~ thank God, you’re not God. Catholics like you give the religion a bad name. Salvation, btw, comes from GOD, not the Catholic Church. Is being a Catholic the easiest way to God…? In my opinion, yes. But some people chose a different path and often times, that path is a lot rockier, bumpier and scarier. Maybe their determination to get there anyway, despite the greater difficulty is something God considers. I believe God is more compassionate, more forgiving, more everything than I’m capable of. So, if I’M moved to compassion for someone outside of the CC, then I can only imagine God’s moved far more than I can comprehend. You really shouldn’t go around quoting Pope’s for proof of anything. Jesus spelled it all out for us. All of these churches outside the Catholic Church are more than likely just other avenues to God. He wants all of us there, not just the Catholics. Yes… even Muslims and Jews…gasp!

After all the explaination, you still don’t get it. You called yourself a Catholic, but you REALLY don’t know what it means. What I’ve been telling you is not my opinions, UNLIKE you. They’re the Church’s teachings. You are badly catechized.

 

[jennifer101]

cathgal:

After all the explaination, you still don’t get it. You called yourself a Catholic, but you REALLY don’t know what it means. What I’ve been telling you is not my opinions, UNLIKE you. They’re the Church’s teachings. You are badly catechized.

That makes me laugh. Thank you for the concern. Again, I’m glad that God, and not you, is in charge of judging me. Pray for the Wisdom to know what God really wants from us and to know His personality. He’s really not the Bad-*** you and others view him as being. The world is full of beauty, humor and children with all their quirks. He’s the creator of it all. He desires “mercy and not sacrifice”. If you understood what that meant… as Jesus said… You’d understand your Lord far better. Just keep repeating that… “I desire Mercy and not Sacrifice” It will change your perception of God.

 

[Rachel_Malloy]

please edit your posts for tone and charity before hitting submit.

Thank you.

Rachel

 

[jennifer101]

I posted earlier and see it’s been removed. My final thought is this… God desires Mercy and not sacrifice. No one’s going to Hell without really making an effort to get there. God’s working harder than anyone can even imagine to keep us all. It doesn’t matter what religion you attach yourself to. Jews are getting in to heaven, Muslims are getting in to heaven and even some Catholics are going to squeek on in. There is a battle going on for our souls. I don’t believe for one minute God’s sitting there letting satan have the Catholics who miss Holy days of Obligation or the Born Agains who flirt think Catholics might have a point but don’t commit to the Catholic faith.

 

[cathgal]

jennifer101:

I posted earlier and see it’s been removed. My final thought is this… God desires Mercy and not sacrifice. No one’s going to Hell without really making an effort to get there. God’s working harder than anyone can even imagine to keep us all. It doesn’t matter what religion you attach yourself to. Jews are getting in to heaven, Muslims are getting in to heaven and even some Catholics are going to squeek on in. There is a battle going on for our souls. I don’t believe for one minute God’s sitting there letting satan have the Catholics who miss Holy days of Obligation or the Born Agains who flirt think Catholics might have a point but don’t commit to the Catholic faith.

Right, God is merciful but He is also JUST.

I wouldn’t go into detail about what you don’t know about Catholicism and you REALLY don’t. I rather converse w/ someone who knows at least the basic of the faith so that I don’t need to have long conversation that doesn’t bear fruit. Unfortunately, I don’t think you have it. All I can say, to make it short and simple, is that the main message of your post has no truth to it. You need to read up on the Catechism of CC.

 

[cathgal]

jennifer101:

I posted earlier and see it’s been removed. My final thought is this… God desires Mercy and not sacrifice. No one’s going to Hell without really making an effort to get there. God’s working harder than anyone can even imagine to keep us all. It doesn’t matter what religion you attach yourself to. Jews are getting in to heaven, Muslims are getting in to heaven and even some Catholics are going to squeek on in. There is a battle going on for our souls. I don’t believe for one minute God’s sitting there letting satan have the Catholics who miss Holy days of Obligation or the Born Agains who flirt think Catholics might have a point but don’t commit to the Catholic faith.

Read up on the Catechism of CC…enough of this…

 

[Ahimsa]

cathgal:

IF YOU KNOW that salvation comes from the Catholic Church and do not seek to be a member, you are accountable for your guilt.

True, but this knowledge is a gift from God. This knowledge isn’t a result of simply being told that salvation comes from the Catholic Church – it comes from God giving you the gift of understanding. Many people may have “heard” what the Church claims, and yet that is different from “knowing” that it is true.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Ahimsa:

True, but this knowledge is a gift from God. This knowledge isn’t a result of simply being told that salvation comes from the Catholic Church – it comes from God giving you the gift of understanding. Many people may have “heard” what the Church claims, and yet that is different from “knowing” that it is true.

Have you ever considered that the 'Gift of Understanding" could come thru merely of hearing? Jesus said: “He that hears you hears me, He that rejects you rejects me”

 

[kildare]

Catholic29:

Just as Eastern Orthodoxy says about Catholicism.

Until I find a reference for a Roman Pontiff in antiquity (pre-1054) who appointed a patriarch for Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria or Jerusalem, I may very well see things your way.

Needless to say, I now wish I knew a way to change my screen name.

I dont think the Pope appointed the Patriarchs pre 1054(i could be wrong), however a reading of Byzantine history will show that the other 4 Patriarchs did ackowledge the pope as having some kind of primacy. I guess their biggest beef is that in the old days decisions were done in Ecumenical councils, while today this is done by the Pope. Really the main reason for the Schism was the cultural difference between the Latin west and the Greek East. In a sense you have to accept that this was meant to happen.
You’ve got to remember that the Church reflects life in that it is an organic organisation. Some people get worried and dont like changing or cultural aspects and really its pointless. Jesus himself admonshed his disciples when they asked him to speak out against people who were doing things in his name in far off towns, by saying that anyone who did works in His name was with him. This is how all Christians should look upon each other.
I dont know how to react to the Muslims and Jews, but I just say, that God in his infinite wisdom, has decreed them to worship him in that way.

 

[jennifer101]

kildare:

.
I dont know how to react to the Muslims and Jews, but I just say, that God in his infinite wisdom, has decreed them to worship him in that way.

I like to believe that what I don’t understand is a “test”, if you will. So when I realize I don’t quite know how Muslims or Jews or whatever are going to be saved or be pleasing to God from my Catholic standpoint… I just stop thinking about it. I feel like I’ve passed the “test” when I push the worry out of my mind and believe instead that God wants all of us. He’s bigger than I can imagine, He loves all of us no matter what religion we identify ourselves with, and my job is to love my neighbor as myself.

I’m not being loving when I believe those outside of the Catholic Church are candidates for Hell. I’m not trusting God when I worry about someone’s salvation based on their church affiliation. I’m not saving anyone by contemplating the sin an entire religious group is commiting by being Muslim or Jewish or whatever. If the thought isn’t good, then it’s bad. I just don’t dwell on God’s business. I have “logs” in my own eyes that keep me busy everyday. I have my own faith walk to contemplate. I do more for others when I work on myself and can show who God is through my thoughts and actions. Jesus came to save the world, that’s not my job. My job is to save myself and we a witness to the people I come in contact with. I’m not going to save anyone by merely looking for who I believe is damned then pointing them out. Catholics need to chill out. Just keep repeating, “I desire Mercy and not sacrifice”. You’ll treat everyone you meet a whole lot better if you do this.

 

[cathgal]

Ahimsa:

True, but this knowledge is a gift from God. This knowledge isn’t a result of simply being told that salvation comes from the Catholic Church – it comes from God giving you the gift of understanding. Many people may have “heard” what the Church claims, and yet that is different from “knowing” that it is true.

Of course; but if one does not seek, one can never understand.

Jesus said, “Seek and you will find.”

 

[Therese_Martin]

Note:

This thread is now closed. Thanks to all who participated in the discussion.