Why did you leave the Catholic Church?

[Mommyof02green]

I dont have a quarrel with you people.

Same here

I find a number of topics humorous

Yep some are humorous; some are not; others are just “why”.

and every once in awhile I will post (meaning a few times every couple of years)…like the example I listed when this diluted person thought that protestants were sitting back doing nothing and enjoying the da vinci code as it was ruining catholics’ faiths. I tried to reason with him and a few others, but it was a circus.

I post a little bit more often. Personally if the topic is “da vinci code” I don’t even bother looking at it. There are many topics I don’t even bother looking at…

I thought that I could simply post the reasons why I left the RCC and that would be it. Maybe a “wow, tell me more” response from someone. I thought maybe these guys would run those reasons up the flag pole and start having this stuff taught to the congregation.

Having what taught to the congregation? Your reasoning for not being Catholic is that you do not agree with the many of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Maybe Non-Catholic Church will teach your reasons to a non-catholic congregation. However the Catholic Church is not going to change her teachings.

I firmly believe through my research that the RCC is wrong and I listed some of my reasons. I could spend countless hours going back and forth with people here outlining specific scripture references here and there and doing this and that, but the “apologetics” that I have seen so far are an embarrassment to your church.

The same is true for the other side.

I just wish that you all would sit back and actually think about what you write. Do you honestly think that protestants are as ignorant of scripture as you make them out to be???

This is a general statement… Many of us here do take time to think about what we write before writing it.

Do you really think that the only interpetation of matthew 16:18 is what your church said it is?

Yes I do and it’s my free will to do so!

I prefer education, not indoctrination. I am not saying to take my opinion that RCC is wrong. I am saying to collect all the data YOURSELVES and make an informed decision. If after you review what the different minds have said on something (and have thoroughly reviewed the scriptures), make a decision. If after all is said and done you still hold to your position, then great. You will own it and wont be repeating what someone else told you to say. You will (as I will) stand in front of God someday. I may be wrong…but it wont be from a lack of research.

Many of us here have done that… Many of the poster here are “converts” to Catholicism.

 

[Chancellare]

1. I dont believe that the pope is the vicar of christ
2. I dont believe that Mary, although highly favored, was bodily assumed into heaven
3. I dont believe that Mary remained a virgin her entire life
4. I dont believe that baptism removes original sin…I do believe that baptism is something that you should do in obedience to JC, but that it is not required for salvation. And when I say required, mean I am a 34 yr old, believe in JC to pay for my sins and NEVER get baptised, not the whole deathbed confession thing
5. I dont believe that the RCC is what the original church fathers had intended
6. I dont believe in mortal/venial sins in the way that the RCC has characterized them as it relates to salvation
7. I believe that JC paid for all sins, past/present/future, not that he opened the gates
8. I dont believe in transubstantiation
9. I do believe in the 5 solas in that I mean that it is in faith alone, grace alone, for God’s glory alone, in Christ alone, by scripture alone
10. I believe in eternal security (I am still working on some aspects of this)
11. I do not believe in a magesterium that way the RCC has it set up

Very good indoctrination.

 

[eliasaph99]

Old testament tradition (and Peter wanted to build one, too) of altars. Have one in your home? I do. If they can make an altar out of a pile of rocks, I can use my bed.

No you can’t.

An altar made in the OT tradition would have to be made of unhewn stone. You should read the Bible more carefully.

 

[kujo313]

When a person prays the rosary, do they just repeat the “Hail Mary” over and over? Is that all it is?

I think it’s like 53 times. Who made that up? Who’s idea was it to repeat it that many times? And why not John 3:16 instead?
The rosary was brought up over a thousand years after Christ. I don’t think Paul was meaning about “traditions” to make them up as you go.

 

[kujo313]

No you can’t.

An altar made in the OT tradition would have to be made of unhewn stone. You should read the Bible more carefully.

Why not? In the OT, the lamb’s blood was sprinkled on the altar. Jesus, God’s Lamb, His blood was sprinkled on the earth. No specific stones. His blood was spilt in several places.
The whole earth is our altar.

 

[kujo313]

In 1917 the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared in a tiny Portuguese village. Her prophecies of World War II and the rise of communism, her plea for penance, and her promise of the conversion of Russia are among the dramatic moments in this fascinating account of a modern miracle. IN saying that “**Only I **will be able to help you.” She was saying that only she was bringing prophecies that would be of help.

So you don’t believe that pray helps? You don’t believe that God answers prayers. Did He say that he will answer our prayers or not?

It’s not a prayer, it’s repetition. 53 times… why? Who set the standards. I understand that Paul asked God for the same thing three times but not in a row! Would you like it if somebody came up to you and asked you 53 times the same question all in less than an hour?
In the “Hail Mary”, there is no asking for anything in Jesus’ name like He said to pray to God.
I believe what Jesus said: to pray to God in His name. When He taught us to pray and when He went alone to pray for Himself and us, He did not say “Hail Mary”.

I’ve seen answered prayers. I’ve seen miracles. None of them happened over prayer beads and repeating a few Bible verses over and over.

 

[MariaG]

I think it’s like 53 times. Who made that up? Who’s idea was it to repeat it that many times? And why not John 3:16 instead?
The rosary was brought up over a thousand years after Christ. I don’t think Paul was meaning about “traditions” to make them up as you go.

If the Rosary is simply vain repetitions, then is does not matter which scripture one chooses to use, it is still vainly repeating, even if it is the very worthy verse John 3:16. Since you are aware that the Hail Mary is really mainly scripture? Yes? ONe could however pray the Rosary using John 3:16, while meditating on the life of Christ. Same concept, both using scripture.

As to the “newness” of the Rosary are you saying that one can not make up new prayers to God? One can only reuse old ones to God?

The Rosary is not sacred Tradtion. The Rosary is simply a form of meditative or contemplative prayer, one that Catholics are not required to pray, but are encouraged to pray for scripture is always profitable.

God bless,
Maria

 

[MariaG]

It’s not a prayer, it’s repetition. 53 times… why? Who set the standards.

Now you have decided what is a prayer and what isn’t?

I understand that Paul asked God for the same thing three times but not in a row! Would you like it if somebody came up to you and asked you 53 times the same question all in less than an hour?

Jesus prayed the same prayer, and it was three times in a row in the Garden of Gethsame.

As for “asking the same question” you clearly have no idea of what the Rosary really is. The Rosary is a tool one can use to meditate on the life of Christ. It is less about asking God for things, and more about seeking to worship Him, while asking your friend to pray for you while you do so.

In the “Hail Mary”, there is no asking for anything in Jesus’ name like He said to pray to God.

Because it is not that kind of prayer. Are you saying the only time we can pray to God is when we are asking for things? We can’t ever pray and just seek Him? You must have a very shallow prayer life if all you do is ask Him for things and never just seek to be in fellowship with Him.

I believe what Jesus said: to pray to God in His name. When He taught us to pray and when He went alone to pray for Himself and us, He did not say “Hail Mary”.

Nor did Jesus ever say the sinners prayer. Again, are you saying that the only prayers that can be said must be old ones found in the bible? Or are we allowed to Seek Him out and contemplate His sacrifice for us in other ways?

I’ve seen answered prayers. I’ve seen miracles. None of them happened over prayer beads and repeating a few Bible verses over and over

Again, the Rosary is less about a laundry list of prayers but more of a way to seek into a deep and satisfying relationship with Christ. Seeing what God has to say to us, instead of just asking for things constantly.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[guanophore]

I think it’s like 53 times. Who made that up? Who’s idea was it to repeat it that many times? And why not John 3:16 instead?
The rosary was brought up over a thousand years after Christ. I don’t think Paul was meaning about “traditions” to make them up as you go.

First let me say that I think it is great that you are at prayer at the altar of your bed. I hope when youare there, you can leave your gift, forgive the Catholic Church and all your Catholic brothes and sisters.

Prayer beads were used to pray the psalms, so there were 15 sets of ten. The rosary fit in easily because people could use the same set of beads.

You are right that Paul was not talking about devotionals such as the rosary when he referred to keeping the Traditions. He was speaking of Sacred Tradition, which is different.

It’s not a prayer, it’s repetition. 53 times… why? Who set the standards. I understand that Paul asked God for the same thing three times but not in a row! Would you like it if somebody came up to you and asked you 53 times the same question all in less than an hour?
In the “Hail Mary”, there is no asking for anything in Jesus’ name like He said to pray to God.
I believe what Jesus said: to pray to God in His name. When He taught us to pray and when He went alone to pray for Himself and us, He did not say “Hail Mary”.

I’ve seen answered prayers. I’ve seen miracles. None of them happened over prayer beads and repeating a few Bible verses over and over.

This particular type of prayer may not commend itself to you, kujo. It is effective for other people. Can you not apply the principle of expediency here?

 

[Exalt]

Again, the Rosary is less about a laundry list of prayers but more of a way to seek into a deep and satisfying relationship with Christ. Seeing what God has to say to us, instead of just asking for things constantly.

I eat lunch with my parents every saturday afternoon. What if, when I sat down to eat with them, they talked and talked and I just sat there, saying something. When they wanted me to talk back, I just gave them a piece of paper with a message on it. No matter what they asked about, I would give them the piece of paper, and sit there silent. The piece of paper never changed. It was always the same, no matter what was asked. In fact, it usually wasn’t even relevant to what my parents asked. Would you call that a real relationship? Or would you say that there is something *seriously *wrong with me?

The only difference between that and God is that God doesn’t actually show up for lunch at all. For all you know for sure, doesn’t exist at all. For some silly reason, believing in spite of a lack of hard evidence is actually valued. For some reason, whenever you sit down and try to “chat” with God, he just ignores you and hands over same old message, over and over again, no matter if it’s relevant to your situation or not. Except it isn’t God himself handing it over, but a human being, who got it from a human being, who got it from a human being - and so on, for two thousand years.

Aparently, according to you and other Catholics, the only thing God has to say to us is that Jesus died and rose for our sins, right?

 

[dessert]

I am a cradel Catholic Revert(convert) and I strayed from my faith (RCC) because I was a rebellious brat!

You can take the Catholic out of the Church but you can’t take the Church out of the Catholic.

Dessert

 

[eliasaph99]

Why not? In the OT, the lamb’s blood was sprinkled on the altar. Jesus, God’s Lamb, His blood was sprinkled on the earth. No specific stones. His blood was spilt in several places.
The whole earth is our altar.

Like I said:

In the OT, an altar was made of piled stones which had not been shaped by mens hands in any way.

Your bed is not an unhewn pile of rocks.

Therefore, it is not an altar in the OT tradition.

 

[eliasaph99]

It’s not a prayer, it’s repetition. 53 times… why? Who set the standards?

The Rosary evolved from a practice in monasterys. Monks would read all 150 psalms as a prayer to God.

Over time, the practice of allowing the illiterate brothers to substitute prayers more easily memorized in place of the psalms for their devotional prayer developed.

More time elapsed and this practice developed into the modern Rosary.

This is just a quick nutshell history, but you can find more details easily if you look.

To answer your last question, no one set the standard. In fact, there is no standard seeing as how the Rosary is not required of anybody. It is a suggested devotion which evolved over the long history of the Church.

 

[Lukelion]

Aparently, according to you and other Catholics, the only thing God has to say to us is that Jesus died and rose for our sins, right?

1 Corinthians 1: 23
but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

 

[kujo313]

No you can’t.

An altar made in the OT tradition would have to be made of unhewn stone. You should read the Bible more carefully.

Good thing we’re not in the OT.

 

[Exalt]

1 Corinthians 1: 23
but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

My point exactly.

And… how is this relevant to me, two thousand years later?

 

[eliasaph99]

Good thing we’re not in the OT.

You claimed that your bed could be the equivalent of an OT altar.

It can’t. That’s my point.

You don’t know or understand the Bible as well as you think. You missed a very basic point in scripture and, as a result, drew a severely erroneous conclusion.

We’re not bound by the ceremonial law of the OT any longer. But we are bound by the moral law.

In the OT, it would have been severely immoral to use an altar as a bed. In fact, it very likely would have earned the transgressor a death sentence.

We are still bound morally to reverence God and those things dedicated to the worship of God. To flippantly claim that your bed is or can be an altar is to demean the sacred and violate the moral law.

 

[Lukelion]

My point exactly.

And… how is this relevant to me, two thousand years later?

Christ’s redemption doesn’t have an expiry date.

 

[dessert]

Why not? In the OT, the lamb’s blood was sprinkled on the altar. Jesus, God’s Lamb, His blood was sprinkled on the earth. No specific stones. His blood was spilt in several places.
The whole earth is our altar.

The altar you are speaking of is the cross at which He sacrificed His life for our souls.

The blood washed over the earth but is representing our persons as we are from the dust.

Remember when Cain killed Abel and God said thy brothers blood calls me from the earth.

Jesus blood washed over the earth and down into the depths of hades the underworld for the sin and our sin.

You should not use your bed as an altar because it represents when you go to sleep your unconscience state and God wants Himself to be in our conscious state during prayer.

In the garden Jesus was trying to get His disciples to unite in prayer maybe at a tree or a rock, but sit and watch and pray, He had a hard time getting them to unite, but taught them to pray as he spoke in a certain manner, this is not exclusively Catholic as it is a universal prayer.

The Hail Mary, Holy Mary is her Psalm to God for giving her the privilage of being blessed of God to recieve Jesus into her womb.

Is this so hard to understand? Dessert

**
’ Be Jesus … Share Jesus ’
Blessed Mother Teresa**

 

[MariaG]

I eat lunch with my parents every saturday afternoon. What if, when I sat down to eat with them, they talked and talked and I just sat there, saying something. When they wanted me to talk back, I just gave them a piece of paper with a message on it. No matter what they asked about, I would give them the piece of paper, and sit there silent. The piece of paper never changed. It was always the same, no matter what was asked. In fact, it usually wasn’t even relevant to what my parents asked. Would you call that a real relationship? Or would you say that there is something *seriously *wrong with me?

The only difference between that and God is that God doesn’t actually show up for lunch at all.

No, you are quite wrong. God isn’t just contained in between the pages of the Bible, although we can get to know Him through scripture.

And anyone who has ever read the bible, asking the Holy Spirit to lead them to all truth, can testify to how one can read the same passage over and over again, and some new understanding will come about.

For all you know for sure, doesn’t exist at all.

That is why it is called faith.

For some silly reason, believing in spite of a lack of hard evidence is actually valued.

Actually, what I find interesting is that things that we accept as historical fact only need two separate recordings in two separate geographic areas and this is considered historical fact.

The New testament had much more than just two

For some reason, whenever you sit down and try to “chat” with God, he just ignores you and hands over same old message, over and over again, no matter if it’s relevant to your situation or not.

No, that is not true. My God does not ignore me and is constantly new.

Except it isn’t God himself handing it over, but a human being, who got it from a human being, who got it from a human being - and so on, for two thousand years.

I disagree.

Aparently, according to you and other Catholics, the only thing God has to say to us is that Jesus died and rose for our sins, right?

No. That is not all He has to say, nor is it the only thing God has to say to us, although it is the most important for if one rejects this good news, the relationship cannot even start.