sounds like you have been on quite a journey. i commend you for getting to where you are today.I can tell you how I came to similar conclusions about the CC so long as its clear that my views have softened a great deal. When I was seeking God, I first read the Bible cover to cover. Then i began reading about different religions and cults, Christian and non Christian. At this time I was being criticized by an atheist at work for my belief in God and he used Christian history to assail the Bible and Christianity. At the conclusion of my search I determined that the CC had strayed from Biblical Christianity and adopted some pagan ideas: Eoster, mother worship etc. In doing so the church also lost the guidance of the Holy Spirit and this was how she became involved in holy wars and the inquisition. Therefor I became a protestant. I now know that Mary is not worshiped and that Catholics love Jesus (still not sure about naming the day of our LORD’s reurection after a fertility godess:shrugI believe the CC is a PART of the Body of Christ but not “THE body”.
I think that part of why I came to a negative view of the CC is I had never met a devout Catholic. Only people who said they had been catholic. In my D&A treatment I heard people joke that they were recovering Catholics as if being Catholic was something that had damaged them. No Catholics reached out to me while I was in my addiction, I was however treated with great compassion by protestants and told I needed Jesus by evangelical Christians. Where are all the Catholics?
I grew up in the Baptist teachings and just like Catholics can think that those of other Christian TRADITIONS are wrong in their methods, so do the Baptists believe much the same way of those who turn to Catholicism. Whilst I agree that Catholicism is most in keeping w/ the traditions of the original “church/teachings/traditions” of Rome, I find Christianity as a whole to be separated from the words/traditions/objective of the People of the Tanach by such a HUGE gulf that I would not even say it is a “far departure” from Judaism …
It is strange, from my now objective perspective, that so many of these two branches of the same idea really follow the same ultimate belief and yet, do not recognize it AT ALL … that being the blood sacrifice of a Jewish man perceived as a demigod who was born of God and a virgin could be justification for the human condition in which we all were created. Then, I can’t help but to see the irony within the dispute between you all when I go back to the words of the original People of the original “faith,” which is Judaism. Exodus 23:7-8; Ecclesiastes 7:29 What is the difference between you all really that you deny the other of understanding? Do you not all believe with the same amount of faith in the very same way which is opposite of what it is taught by the great teachers of Judaism … only ever differing in the traditions to which you carry out that faith?? (mind you … the “you’s” in this post are generic and not directed to any one person and/or side) 
Sorry, even if St. Patrick were a baptist he was surely bound to hell. At least that’s what us church of Chrysters were taught.
Your pastor has made himself his own pope and his own authority that why he does not like the pope! Authority has always been a big problem for those outside the catholic church. The bible is open to anyones interpretation.Ok I told my paster about this thread and asked for his thoughts on the CC and on Catholics He first pointed out that that is two different questions implying that he had different thoughts about the laity and the leadership. He disagrees with the position of the pope, the worship of Mary but that he believes many Catholics are born again. Yes I did attempt to explain that Catholics dont worship Mary but he has a meeting to go to.
I’ve heard some Baptists claim that John the Baptist was a Baptist…seriously.
Is that different than calling Peter the first pope?
Yep. Baptising was John’sjob. Poping was not Peter’s,Is that different than calling Peter the first pope?
he actually answers to the elders of the church so there is still an authority that he is under. I dont think he meant he didnt like the pope so much as the office he holds. my paster believes in servant leadership
Where did the elders get their authority?
Anyone can reject the authority of the Pope because they feel like it, but doesn’t the Pope still have power over a lot of things that any regular Pastor can’t do? Wasn’t it the Pope who picked the dates of Christmas and other religious holiday’s that are now even celebrated by Protestants who reject the power of the Pope? And didn’t the Pope have a lot to do with authorizing canons of the bible? If this is so how can someone say that the Pope has no power if even Protestants today are doing what the Pope set up years ago?
That’s a great point. Also, where do people get the authority to elect elders? The early leaders, who were chosen by the Apostles and their successors chose the elders, correct? Also, based on that, people choose their pastors which does NOT match what we seen in the NT and in the Early Church.
We had this discussion last year and went into quite a bit of detail.
Well, it’s only in English speaking countries that it’s called “Easter”. Everywhere else, it’s some form of “Pascha” (for Christ being the Pascal Sacrifice). Since Catholics are in every nation, you can hardly say the “Catholic Church” named it Easter. It was English speakers that did that.still not sure about naming the day of our LORD’s reurection after a fertility godess:shrug
Yes; thanks for pointing this out.
I have it on good authority that St Patrick was an SDA…At least what they claim.Sorry, even if St. Patrick were a baptist he was surely bound to hell. At least that’s what us church of Chrysters were taught.
How is your relationship with the members of your family that you spoke of above? Be honest; I believe I know the answer.