I'm a sister.I didn't take it that way at all. All good brother.

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I'm a sister.I didn't take it that way at all. All good brother.
You're RIGHT! I completely agree!How do you know they didn't?
Well....in the bible, Jesus referred to himself as The Way. Whether Saul knew that or not isn't in the bible. I mean, he got the 'inspiration' from SOMEWHERE.Do you believe that Saul coined the term in spite of the apostles and not Saul hearing Jesus call himself "The Way"?
Referring to Catholicism...with 1.3 billion followers as a "cult" has me a bit...wrangled. And yes, I am Catholic.
There is no "cult of Mary" in Catholicism.
If you look at it that way, then satan also could have deceived the millions of other non-Catholic Christians. Not even including Muslims.So then, if im following your Logic ??...........if 1.3 Billion Catholics are not a Cult, because Satan could not possiby deceive that many people.......then 1.9 Billion Muslim, are definiately not a cult, because how could that many people who all believe the same thing......all be deceived.........
Ok, got it.
Thanks for showing us how you've seriously given it a lot of thought.
And you think that you actually know WHAT he's praying about..or thinking?The "Cult of Mary" is the Catholic Church.
Look.. where is JESUS on this STATUE of MARY ??????????????? that the POPE is worshiping in public, before a large audience filled with cameras.
Oh that's right.....its the "Cult of Mary"..
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If you look at it that way, then satan also could have deceived the millions of other non-Catholic Christians. Not even including Muslims.
Do you even know that some Muslims can look at YOUR non-Catholic Christianity as a "cult"?
I HAVE given it a lot of thought. And my conclusion is that as much as SOME of want to believe we're "saved" and that we'll go to heaven...
because we 'believe' in Jesus, even without practicing what Jesus TOLD us to do...
Sorry, but I believe that some atheists are getting into heaven
And you think that you actually know WHAT he's praying about..or thinking?
My goodness....I guess if I kneel at my bed and pray, I'm praying to the BED!!!
I'm not disputing you. I'm just asking if you know which prominent denominations preach non-Biblical doctrines so that I can look into it further. Thanks in advance.
I usually enjoy your posts but THIS one...eh.
Referring to Catholicism...with 1.3 billion followers as a "cult" has me a bit...wrangled. And yes, I am Catholic.
Now, before you roll your eyes at me, let me say that even as a Catholic I do NOT believe in ALL of the Catholic practices. But I also see that many non-Catholic Christians really have no understanding of WHY some adhere to Catholicism. Have you tried to figure that out?
There is no "cult of Mary" in Catholicism. Yes, I can see how it may appear to some (ha) that's what we do. But that's not the truth. Again, how deeply have you delved into the history of Catholicism and how they feel about Mary?
Again, what's with the insults? Why say that their beliefs are "bizarre" or "demonic"? Why not simply say that you don't understand them instead of judging without knowing?
If you take what the bible says literally (in reference to Christ's "brothers and sisters"), then yes, Mary did have other children.
But if you take what Christ "48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
So because pointed to his disciples, and referred to them as his "brothers", does that mean that Mary birthed them all?
Where in the bible does it say she died?
I think @Grailhunter is trying to say to knock it off with the INSULTS as well as to know what you're talking about BEFORE you (that is, you plural) go spewing off about something you know little about.
I usually enjoy your posts but THIS one...eh.
Referring to Catholicism...with 1.3 billion followers as a "cult" has me a bit...wrangled. And yes, I am Catholic.
Now, before you roll your eyes at me, let me say that even as a Catholic I do NOT believe in ALL of the Catholic practices. But I also see that many non-Catholic Christians really have no understanding of WHY some adhere to Catholicism. Have you tried to figure that out?
There is no "cult of Mary" in Catholicism. Yes, I can see how it may appear to some (ha) that's what we do. But that's not the truth. Again, how deeply have you delved into the history of Catholicism and how they feel about Mary?
Again, what's with the insults? Why say that their beliefs are "bizarre" or "demonic"? Why not simply say that you don't understand them instead of judging without knowing?
If you take what the bible says literally (in reference to Christ's "brothers and sisters"), then yes, Mary did have other children.
But if you take what Christ "48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
So because pointed to his disciples, and referred to them as his "brothers", does that mean that Mary birthed them all?
Where in the bible does it say she died?
I think @Grailhunter is trying to say to knock it off with the INSULTS as well as to know what you're talking about BEFORE you (that is, you plural) go spewing off about something you know little about.
Ummmmm, where did I make this claim in my post?Anti-Catholic…shouts out a Catholic…LOL
Never did the Lord Teach “His Church” was, is, Called “The Catholic Church”.
Christ Jesus taught “His Church” is His and His Spirit With-IN a man, and Christ the Head of His Church.
But if you call her demonic or these events demonic you might find yourself damned on Judgment Day.
Really - half??"No. Jesus was sent to reconcile the world to the Father, not the universe. And as I previously stated, that word isn't used in the Bible and so it's quite a leap to claim that the Apostles were the original founders of the Universal Church when, according to the scriptures, they referred to themselves as "The Way". The Catholic Church's problem is that about half of what they do and teach is unbiblical or in direct contradiction to Jesus."
According to Strong’s Greek Concordance – which is used by Protestants AND Catholics alike – Acts 9:31 is translated as:These misled Dispensationalists are so lost and on the wide road, it’s not even funny.
No one said Jesus came to reconcile Pluto.
“Universal” means global — as in, every tribe, tongue, and nation. You’re twisting semantics because you got caught on the wrong side of history and scripture.
Let’s remind you:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...” — Matthew 28:19
“This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations...” — Matthew 24:14
“...in your name, repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” — Luke 24:47
So yeah — Jesus absolutely intended a universal Church.
Not limited to Jews. Not locked to a temple.
A global, unified body made up of whoever believes.
That’s what “Catholic” originally meant before Rome hijacked the term — it meant “according to the whole” — the entire body of Christ.
Not Roman. Not political. Biblical.
And His Church IS Universal. His Apostles appointed other men to SUCCEED them and their office (Acts 1:20, 2 Tim:22) to teach others.And about “The Way” — yes, the early Church referred to themselves that way (Acts 9:2).
But what was The Way?
A Jewish sect? No.
A rebrand of Mosaic law? No.
It was the new covenant body of Christ, open to Gentiles, filled with the Spirit, called to the ends of the earth.
Paul didn’t die preaching “The Way of National Israel.”
He died preaching Christ crucified, to the whole world,
founding churches across Asia Minor and Europe.
So stop splitting hairs over word choices to dodge the point.
Jesus did want His Church to be universal.
He said it. The apostles lived it.
And your Scofield notes can’t erase that.
I don't see any of what you listed as necessarily "Satanistic".Here is how to look at it.
Satan has created many Religions and Doctrines.
Here are a few.
Mormons
JWs
Catholics
Islam
Satan's Masterpiece Theology... that has deceived more people then even Islam
A.) Calvinism
I dunno. I mean, what is an "unbeliever"? An atheist (for example) might not believe that Jesus rose from the dead AND YET practice ALL of Christ's teachings. Meanwhile, a "believer" can claim to believe that Christ rose from the dead, and yet spew off all the hate in the world toward others who don't believe as 'he' believes.Im not concerned with how an unbeliever, views anything, as they are decieved by the Devil, until they are enlighted by the Holy Spirit and turn to Christ for Salvation.
Atheists are no different.
Plenty of Catholics believe that "Jesus is in them". Plenty of Catholics have had religious experiences. Plenty of non-Catholics have had them too.Noone is saved by following Jesus or imitating Jesus or trying to be like Christ, or by being water baptized.
Salvation is Jesus on The Cross.
Jesus is Salvation.
If Jesus is in you, then you are born again, and have received God's 'Gift of Salvation"
An atheist is someone who denies the existence of God or Gods. Not necessarily CHRIST.An Atheist is a Christ Rejector, never born again..., literally.
So? What's he thinking? What's he praying about?They are this one.
John 3:36.
The Pope is bowing before Mary, the Statue.
Oh such nonsense. I have a picture of my kids in my wallet. I haven't seen them in a while. Sometimes, I 'bow my head' out of sadness from not seeing them.So He's showing Catholics and the world his devotion to Mary......as this is what you do, when you are the leader of the "Cult of Mary".
As if Protestant churches don't have the same exquisite buildings. Sheesh. I was at a protestant church that had several THOUSAND 'guests' there...with a 'rock' bank and a light show...while passing out grape juice and crackers. Don't even start to tell me that *your* traditions are so different...or 'better' than Catholics!Listen, if you are going to defend something on a public "christian" forum, then pick something that isn't a cult.
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Really - half??
Can you back up that claim with actual FACTS?
While you're at it - can you show me where the Bible teaches the non-Catholic teaching of Sola Scriptura is found?
According to Strong’s Greek Concordance – which is used by Protestants AND Catholics alike – Acts 9:31 is translated as:
“The true Church throughout all Judea . . .”
Here is the phrase in Greek:
η μεν ουν εκκλησια καθ ολης της ιουδαιας
The Catholic Church gets its name from the Greek for “according to the whole” and “universal” - εκκλησια καθ ολης, which is pronounced “katah-holos”.
Εκκλησια (ekklesia) - A gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly; CHURCH
καθ (katah) - Through out, according to
ολης (holos) - All, whole, completely
"ekklesia Kata-holos" = CATHOLIC CHURCH
I absolutely agree. I seems to be that so many believe that God's spoken word in the bible is the ONLY spoken word...and that God has not revealed Himself either THROUGH Himself or THROUGH others...including Mary...sorry Miriam.Well I have to tune in here….Because I love my Protestant friends I have to warn them about Miriam….Yes her name is Miriam not Mary. Is she a virgin? As a Theologian I know that the term virgin and pure are nearly interchangeable. So I am not going to get into the debate if Miriam is still a virgin BUT….
There are Over 20,000 Miriam aberrations or appearances or visitations worldwide. Over 2,000 documented witnessed events….some appearances occurring over weeks with tens of thousands of witnesses seeing her and or the miracles associated with her. Dozens of church recognized appearances where they more or less torture the witnesses to say it is not true. It is a horrible thing to go through with that interrogation. About 2500 shrines to Miriam that commemorate visitations. And when she speaks she calls herself the Virgin Mary....Mary? And what does she mean by virgin...
So something has been happening since the 5th century pretty consistently. And there is absolutely no doubt that something is happening. If you are a Protestant and do not believe in the missions of Miriam….that is OK. Call these visitations and events just something. But if you call her demonic or these events demonic you might find yourself damned on Judgment Day. Just becareful my friends.
I don't see any of what you listed as necessarily "Satanistic".
I dunno. I mean, what is an "unbeliever"?
Personally, I'm not about to judge.
Plenty of Catholics believe that "Jesus is in them".
WHO is to say who's right...or wrong?
Oh by the way...Catholics believe that THEY are "born again".
So? What's he thinking? What's he praying about?
If I bow in front of a mountain am I praying to the mountain?
Only GOD knows our hearts and minds. YOU don't.
Jesus prostrated himself on the ground while praying. My goodness...I guess he was 'worshipping' the ground! See how ridiculous this stuff can get?
As if Protestant churches don't have the same exquisite buildings. Sheesh. I was at a protestant church that had several THOUSAND 'guests' there...with a 'rock' bank and a light show...while passing out grape juice and crackers. Don't even start to tell me that *your* traditions are so different...or 'better' than Catholics!
Whoa. Before you go on, how about starting with WHERE in the bible does it say that ONLY scripture we should pay attention to?Claim: The Catholic Church teaches things that are unbiblical or in direct contradiction to Jesus.
Response: “Really — half?? Can you back that up with actual facts?”
Absolutely. Let’s go fact by fact.
Unbiblical Catholic Teachings (Backed by Scripture)
Oh, ok. Guess calling my own father "father" would make me a sinner. You're taking this too literally and not understanding or accepting the INTENT behind it. I'm willing to be that you don't even know WHY the title of "father" is used by priests.1. Calling Priests “Father”
Catholic Practice: Priests are called “Father.”
Jesus’ Teaching:
“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” — Matthew 23:9
Direct contradiction.
O.k. Well...Jesus was a MAN too. So apparently HE also fell short of the 'glory of God'. eyeroll2. The Immaculate Conception of Mary
Catholic Teaching: Mary was conceived without original sin.
Biblical Teaching:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
“None is righteous, no, not one.” — Romans 3:10
There is zero biblical support for this doctrine — it was officially invented in 1854.
Depends on WHICH bible you go by.3. Prayers to Saints and Mary
Catholic Practice: Believers are told to pray to saints and to Mary for intercession.
Biblical Teaching:
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5
Praying to any other "mediator" violates that clear instruction.
You think the 'vicar' doesn't submit to Christ? With the thoughts YOU have, Christianity should have died out after the death of John at around 100 a.d.4. The Pope as the “Vicar of Christ”
Catholic Claim: The Pope is the visible head of the Church and the “Vicar of Christ.”
Biblical Teaching:
“He [Christ] is the head of the body, the church.” — Colossians 1:18
No human shares that office — not Peter, not a Pope. Christ never delegates His headship.
Again, WHICH bible are you using?5. Purgatory
Catholic Doctrine: Souls go to a place called purgatory to be cleansed of sins before entering heaven.
Biblical Teaching:
“The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8
No biblical support for a middle-place where believers suffer to “earn” purification.
These are just 5 major examples — we could go into indulgences, mandatory celibacy for clergy, transubstantiation as literal flesh, infant baptism regenerating the soul, and elevation of tradition above Scripture and on and on and on..
You said:
"ekklesia kata-holos = Catholic Church"
Nice try. But no.
That’s a linguistic sleight of hand. You’re conflating a descriptive Greek phrase with a later institutional identity that didn’t exist in Acts 9.
Let’s break this down:
1. Yes, the Greek phrase "kata holos" means "according to the whole."
Acts 9:31 says the church throughout (καθ’ ὅλης) Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was being built up.
This just means the entire church — all local gatherings in that region — were unified.
BUT:
This is a descriptive phrase, not a title.
No one in Acts 9 was saying, “Welcome to the First Catholic Diocese of Samaria.”
2. “Catholic Church” as a proper name didn’t exist yet.
The first known use of the term "Catholic Church" as a label for the global Christian body comes from Ignatius of Antioch around 110 A.D.
That’s almost 80 years after Acts 9 and long after all Scripture was written.
So no — Acts 9:31 isn’t calling the Church “Catholic” in the Roman sense.
It’s saying the church — as a body of believers — was united across a region.
That’s a totally normal use of Greek. You don’t get a papacy from grammar.
3. The actual Church in Acts 9 had none of Rome’s distinctive doctrines.
Let’s look at what that “ekklesia kata holos” was doing in Acts:
No pope
No Marian dogmas
No purgatory
No transubstantiation
No prayers to saints
No bishops wearing fish hats and swinging incense
Just Spirit-filled believers preaching Christ, breaking bread, and getting persecuted for it.
So don’t retroactively slap a Vatican label on the Church of Acts just because you like the sound of “kata-holos.”
Trying to equate "kata holos" with Roman Catholicism is like saying every time someone uses the word “awesome,” they’re quoting The Lego Movie.
Yes, the Church is universal — we agree.
But Rome didn’t invent that. Christ did.
You said:
“Gee – WHICH Church does that sound like…?”
It sounds like the early Church — but it doesn’t sound like Rome.
Let’s break it down.
1. Yes, Ignatius used the word “Catholic” — but that didn’t mean “Roman Catholic.”
“Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
— Ignatius of Antioch, ~110 AD
The Greek word καθολική (katholikē) simply means “universal” — the full, united body of believers across all places.
It wasn’t a brand name, a denomination, or a Vatican headquarters.
There was no pope.
There was no Rome-based hierarchy.
There was no Marian dogma, no purgatory, no papal infallibility, no transubstantiation, no Latin Mass.
This was decades before any of that developed.
So let’s not pretend Ignatius was wearing a mitre and waving incense.
2. Acts 1:20 and 2 Timothy 2:2 do not prove apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic sense.
Acts 1:20 refers to replacing Judas, a unique apostolic role.
Not proof of an unbroken papal line — it’s a one-time event to restore the Twelve.
2 Timothy 2:2:
“And the things you have heard from me... entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
That’s discipleship, not dynastic priesthood.
Paul is talking about passing on sound teaching, not ordaining a Vatican-style institution.
3. The early Church structure was functional, not imperial.
“Follow your bishop… Obey your clergy… Celebrate Eucharist with authorized leaders…”
Yes — Ignatius strongly emphasized unity and local church authority in response to early heresies.
But what he described sounds more like modern biblical elders and overseers than the imperial papacy that emerged centuries later.
What you're quoting is a snapshot of the Church guarding truth in an age before a full New Testament canon existed — not a blueprint for a Rome-centered hierarchy that would later:
Sell indulgences
Launch crusades
Burn heretics
Forbid the Bible in native languages
Declare Mary “Co-Redemptrix”
And claim infallibility for a man in a gold chair
4. The “Catholic Church” of 110 AD ≠ the Roman Catholic Church of 2025.
Let’s be real.
The early “catholic” Church was:
Pre-Nicene
Persecuted
House-church based
Bible-teaching
Christ-centered
Operating without creeds, councils, or Cardinals
That’s not Rome.
That’s not even Vatican 0.5.
That’s just the Body of Christ doing its job before religion started dressing it up in robes and rituals.
The word “Catholic” meant universal, not Roman.
Ignatius used it in 110 A.D.
But Rome didn’t declare supremacy until hundreds of years later — and even then, the other ancient churches (Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople) rejected papal claims.
So the question isn’t:
“Which Church does that sound like?”
The real question is:
“Which Church kept Christ at the center — before Rome made it political?”
Spoiler: it wasn’t the one selling forgiveness for coins.
Oh, ok. Guess calling my own father "father" would make me a sinner. You're taking this too literally and not understanding or accepting the INTENT behind it. I'm willing to be that you don't even know WHY the title of "father" is used by priests.
O.k. Well...Jesus was a MAN too. So apparently HE also fell short of the 'glory of God'. eyeroll
You go ahead and support the cult of Mary, and continue to make vain - ignorant - NT rejectig comments about "damnation" being related to not believing in "visions of Mary".
You do need something to believe in, and the "cult of Mary" is happy you are aboard their delusion.. Mr self appointed "Theologian".
Wow. Maybe you better re-read what I wrote......If you’re so theologically bankrupt and clueless you can’t grasp that Jesus was clearly rebuking spiritual titles of authority like “Father” for holy men on Earth, then there’s no point in reading your garbage further.
You really think He was talking about your biological dad?
No — He was calling out religious leaders who exalted themselves with titles that belong to God alone. Wake up
You really need to read what I wrote again. You are so prejudiced against ANY Catholic because of your HATRED for "them".And your follow-up?
You just accused Jesus — the sinless Lamb of God — of falling short of His own glory?
You didn’t just miss the point. You threw a heresy Hail Mary and hoped no one would notice. Get help
James 3:13 KJVIf you’re so theologically bankrupt and clueless you can’t grasp that Jesus was clearly rebuking spiritual titles of authority like “Father” for holy men on Earth, then there’s no point in reading your garbage further.