What teachings would the Catholic Church have to drop for you to be a catholic

[1beleevr]

Except, that we do’t have statues of Mary, or recite hail, Marys, etc.

 

[ralphinal]

Well, of course, Christ’s church is relevant and important!!!:thumbsup:He established it for all of His followers and believers!(and please don’t say,"yes, but only if you are catholic)

Well, which Church did he establish? You said he established one

 

[guanophore]

Jesus, Himself, states that He is the way, the truth and the life, and no man can come unto The Father, but by Him. It is our belief in Jesus (His life, death and resurrection) and the following of the 10 commandments, plus the one given unto us by Him (Love your neighbour as yourself), etc. that determines our eventual fate.

It is very Catholic of you to say this!

Mary has nothing to do with it. She was not even allowed to touch Jesus after His resurrection, because He had not yet ascended up to His Father in heaven.

Thor,you have your Mary’s mixed up.

Mary,the Mother of Jesus, is the first Christian,and our role model of the life of faith. If you think Mary has nothing to do with what you have written here, it is like the mouth saying to the womb “I have no need of you”. God designed the Body so that all the parts depend upon one another.

(I do not believe that doubting Thomas touched Christ either. Ask yourself, would you have dared to ‘not believe Christ’, after what you had just witnessed, as Thomas had witnessed?)

If the stories of Mary and Thomas had “nothing to do” with our faith, they would not be contained in Holy Scripture!

 

[guanophore]

In the greater scheme of things, it is not important how the Jews use the Psalms for worship,1) because we are not Jewish,2)we should concentrate on how we worship:thumbsup:I have always enjoyed watching the different styles of worship, throughout the Christian community, although never having been to a catholic mass, I cannot say that I have seen catholics worship, or not, for that matter;) The dictionary defines worship, as not only reverence(which you seem to espouse), but also great praise; expressing admiration for the goodness and glory of God!

Don’t you think it is important to worship as God wants?

I was listening to the news reports on that minister that was shot during the service. The congregation referred to the place where he was standing as a “stage”. I this is a common perception in non-Apostolic worship forms.

 It's kinda like other differences we have with you; not recognizing the pope as the evangelical leader for all Christians(just catholics),

What is an “evangelical leader”?

What does it mean to recognize the Pope as the “evangelical leader for Catholics”?

Mary not being a perpetual virgin(no proof either way, just assumptions)

No, beleevr, the Teaching of the Church is not “assumptions”. If it were, then you would have to throw out your whole new testament.

and having statues(Exodus 20:4)

Having a statue is not a problem. Worshipping one is.

 or eating meat on Friday

Does your faith tradition not involve any fasting?

You seem to have a lot of erronous ideas about the Catholic faith.

 

[guanophore]

Good. Then we agree. I don’t need Mary for my salvation. God chose Mary in order to do a task (be the mother of Christ). He could have chose any woman. He simply chose Mary.

Thorwald Johansen

It seems to me that is quite presumptious to say you dont’ need something that God has given you. If God himself chose to “need” Mary, who are you to abrogate her role in His plan of salvation?

 

[Lothair]

For me to even begin to consider becoming Catholic, the idea of a “sacrificial” priesthood that has the “power” to perform rituals on my behalf before God to obtain “grace” would need to be dispensed with.

So, for you to become Catholic, the Church would have to abandon its Sacramental system? Very interesting. Actually, some of the Church have done just that. They are called ‘protestants’.

 

[w_stewart]

The ‘souls’ that you are speaking about (Revelation), are the souls of saints that have died (just like Christ) carrying out God’s work. They were slain (beheaded). Was Mary beheaded? Secondly, how do we know whether or not, they are in paradise or heaven? It depends how you interpret the passage in Revelation.

At least we agree on one thing: there are human souls in heaven.

BTW, I don’t know beheading was ever a requirement to enter heaven.

Jesus Christ, as Son of God (Lord of Hosts), has no mother. As Son of Man, Mary is His mother. As Son of Man, He was born ‘below the angels’. As Son of God, He was begotten ‘above the angels’. He has always been ‘I AM’. Remember, Mary was chosen by God to give birth to Jesus Christ. She had not requested this. God chose her. Read the other comments that I made (above). I’m repeating myself.

Thorwald Johansen

But St. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, called her the mother of the Lord. Do you think St. Elizabeth and the Holy Spirit that guided her were both wrong? If his being Son of God, Lord of Hosts, has no mother, why did the Holy Spirit allow St. Elizabeth calling her the mother of the Lord?

 

[w_stewart]

Well, of course, Christ’s church is relevant and important!!!:thumbsup:He established it for all of His followers and believers!(and please don’t say,"yes, but only if you are catholic)

So the Church is not after all “unnecessary” for our salvation contrary to what you alleged earlier. Am I correct?

 

[guanophore]

So sorry, but I can’t believe that the church that Christ founded is necessary for salvation

This has got to be one of the most bizarre statements I have ever read from someone who claims to be a Christian.

Jesus is Head of His Body, the Church. If you are a member of Christ, then you are a member of His Church. Since there is no other name under heaven by which we may be saved, then all who are saved are members of His One Body, the Church. That is why there is no salvation outside of the Church.

 

[guanophore]

Your own scripture tells you to ‘respect no man’.

Thorwald Johansen

Actually, our scriptures do not tell us that. They tell us that what we do unto the least, we do unto Christ. All honor we give to His mother glorifies Him, for He chose her, consecrated her, and drew from her flesh that which He clothed Himself in humanity.

 

[guanophore]

I have found not one person who believes what I have told them. I guess that this is the way that it is supposed to be. I am only doing what I have been asked to do.
Thorwald Johansen

Well, thanks be to God that you are not successful in drawing anyone into your errors.

Please do us all a great courtesy, and take your anti-Catholic drivel elsewhere. CAF is here to answer sincere questions about the Catholic faith, not as a venue for you to pander such silliness.

You have provided an excellent example of why Holy Church teaches us not to chase after private revelations that are in contradiction with the Teaching of the Church. I think your work here is done.

 

[guanophore]

I am not a Catholic, let me state that right out of the gate. I was raised and baptised Lutheran, but as time continues to pass I find myself thinking more and more along the lines of what I perceive Catholic doctrine to be.

One of the points I have some trouble with (and if any Catholic would be so kind as to help me understand why this is so, I would be eternally grateful) is the prohibition on contraceptives. How is it an affront to God if I’m in a stable, loving marriage but neither my wife or I believe that we’re quite ready for children? In fact, it’d seem to be the better part of responsibility to me.

I’m sure others will come to me as I think about it, but that’s about the only one I can think of right off the top of my head.

This is a good question, but outside the scope of this thread. I suggest you read in the library, then use the “search” link to find some threads on contraception.

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Believe what you will. I simply follow what little scripture is left for us to follow. I have seen what I have seen. When I have a problem with the understanding of scripture, I go to God for wisdom…not man.

The Trinity and the Godhead consists of four figures, not three, as all of Christianity believes. I have been in their presence. I have seen Jesus Christ and His Father, the Lord God Almighty. I could not see The Father or The Holy Ghost, but was made aware of their presence.

The Trinity is The Father, The Son (The Word) and The Holy Ghost. The Son (The Lord God Almighty) created His redeemer (The Lord of Hosts), before creating all else. This is why Jesus glorified His Father rather than Himself. Jesus was created as the first Son of God. The angels came second (as sons of God), followed by Adam (son of God) and Eve (daughter of God). If you note, Eve was created by God, but ‘begotten’ of Adam (Adam’s rib). Isaiah chpt 43 and 44:6, Rev 1:6 and Rev chpt 4 & 5, backs this up. Jesus Christ was created in the ‘express image’ of The Lord God Almighty. This includes His Father’s Word. This is why He is The Word in the flesh, as Son of Man. The writings/teachings found in the N/T contain errors. Jesus Christ has ‘replaced’ His Father, The Lord God Almighty…our creator…our God…our Father.

The above has been taught to me by God, Himself. He called His Word, “broken” and asked me if I would ‘fix’ this broken Word. I said that I would. He asked me if I thought that I could handle it. I told Him, “Yes.” This is what I am now doing. I asked Him ‘who or what I was’. He simply told me, that ‘I am who I am’. I have been asked to leave many churches. I have found not one person who believes what I have told them. I guess that this is the way that it is supposed to be. I am only doing what I have been asked to do.

In Jesus’ name,

Thorwald Johansen

**Hi Thorwald ,

WOW I was impressed. Someone who actually was with God and came back to tell us about it! Thanks! Don’t go crying out in the desert! Go get your word out!
I have some advise for you. Go tell this to the Mormons. They believe a lot of stupid stuff! Your beliefs should fit right in with their doctrines! Oh, if I was you, I would tell them that I was the reincarnation of Joey Smith! That should get their atttention and get you their adoration. You can even write them more books. :whacky:Feel free to borrow from the KJV of the Bible like Joe Smith did. Remember to deny doing it so the Mormons will know you are the real deal!

God Bless**

 

[Realcatholicgk]

This is a good question, but outside the scope of this thread. I suggest you read in the library, then use the “search” link to find some threads on contraception.

**Hi Guan,

In my personal opinion, what A_Fletcher said wasn’t outside the scope of this thread. “What teachings would the Catholic Church have to drop for you to be a Catholic”.

Also, A Fletcher was already given an excellent response to this post. Why would you impose your “personal” opinion as if it was a fact? Your response wasn’t even informative.**

ralphinal:

**
You actually have to look at the issue itself, not the specifics. The Catholic Church has no issue with family planning. It is artificial means that she objects to. God created a natural way to do this. The female menstral cycle has days built in where pregnancy is next to impossible. So, what the Church asks is what God built in: if you have serious reason to space children, have sex on those days and abstain on the others. Artificial means of doing this are disruptive to the marital act and say to God that you could care less about His plan for creation. **

**
God Bless**

 

[1beleevr]

There may actually be some validity for Mary being the first Christian, since in Luke 1:47, she referred to God as her Saviour! But it also is not too far fetched to believe that she was not completely sinless her whole life(Romans 5:12, 3:23) I believe it says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! Mary was a chosen servant, a vessel as it were. A peasant girl, ordained by God to bear His only begotten Son! And as far as needing Mary or the catholic church for salvation; this is really stretching it One of the reasons I am a nondenominational Christian, is that many of the Protestant churches, require church membership to validate your salvation! Without going into Mary being the holy mother of God, would someone please cite scripture, where Jesus or any of the apostles tell us believers that we need Mary and church membership to be saved! And the pope; it may have been a bit of a broad statement to call him “the” evangelical leader of the entire Christian world! I am sure that he is a nice man, and like other pastors, preachers, etc., has been set aside by God to lead his flock(catholics). I for one respect the man, but do not believe he is infallible(due to his flesh) or that he speaks for all Christians

 

[1beleevr]

Someone is posting false statements in this threadThey are showing a picture of Christ, and claiming that if you aren’t a catholic, you aren’t a ChristianSo as a catholic, could you(like my friend,) get drunk every Friday, and go to confession, and make everything all right?Very arrogant, on the issue of “If you aren’t a catholic, you aren’t a Christian”.

 

[1beleevr]

When it comes right down to it, changing anything about the catholic church, to make it more attractive to non-catholics, would go against what the church stands forIf I had to make a comparison, I would use my walk with the Lord!Forty two years, follower of Christ(come May 15). So, if I have been married to and sleeping with the same “woman” for 42 years, why would I want to divorce her?Of course, the reference to marriage, is about my non-catholic walk!

 

[1beleevr]

As a catholic, if you were to meet the pope, in person, would you have to kiss his ring? Why?

 

[1beleevr]

Are there not many instances of God’s people lifting up their worship to Him? Aren’t most of the Psalms about praising, and dancing; using the lyre, the harp, and cymbals? And why do you keep insisting that if we don’t pray through Mary and the saints, that we are disrespecting her and your religion? Get over yourself, already; in the beginning, God gave us free will, the privilege to choose which path you travel in life, how you pray, etc:thumbsup:

 

[bobzills]

Are there not many instances of God’s people lifting up their worship to Him? Aren’t most of the Psalms about praising, and dancing; using the lyre, the harp, and cymbals? And why do you keep insisting that if we don’t pray through Mary and the saints, that we are disrespecting her and your religion? Get over yourself, already; in the beginning, God gave us free will, the privilege to choose which path you travel in life, how you pray, etc:thumbsup:

Mary is the Mother of God, and as the Mother of God, she will intercede for us as we pray the rosary. It is only fitting and right that we have statues and icons to show our love for Mary.