Ask a catholic

Hi holdencaufield, There are true Christians among the Protestant Evangelicals as well.In fact, what I have witnessed after being in the Catholic Chuch for over 55 years is that few Catholics are really Christians. Most do not read the Bible; they get a mixture of teachngs and dogmas from their priests both in the Mass homilies and in personal discussions. Dogmas are made up by churchmen and popes and passed on through the generations . . . they aren't Scripturally sound, however. In fact, dogmas usually contradict God's word. Praying the rosary is a good example of a dogmatic teaching. Men and women are supposed to pray to God alone. Mary is a human being like us. Saints are only people whom the C.C. has decided to elevate to almost Divine status. That is dangerous teaching by the C.C. We don't pray to people. That's idolatry! God alone is God.Your understanding of the Catholic Church is strongly influenced, I see, by your believing what they tell you rather than believing the Bible.Spend time in the Bible every day for the good of your growth in the knowledge of God's Truth. You won't get it completely from going to Mass and listening to priests, believe me. waynemlj

Waynemlj,If you wish to discuss Catholic teachings and beliefs then you need to address actual teachings and beliefs of Catholics. Otherwise the title of the thread should be Wayne's opinion and beliefs about Catholics. I know you feel entitled having spent so many years in the Church, but as nothing you claim is fully true that experience is apparently not reflected in your current expression of our faith. Again, I do not doubt that many Catholics have no clue what the Church really teaches in any detail on many issues, but in my own experience that is just as true in any Church membership. Will say that in general the practice of a regular Sunday school attendance from a very young age tends to produce at least a fundamental understanding. The lack of such practice in Catholic Parishes and a sharp decline in Catholic k12 attendance (and quality) naturally results in a less uniform understanding of fundamentals among many Catholics. But even in Protestant circles, Sunday school alone will not build a depth of knowledge, which only comes if the individual takes it upon the themselves to pursue it. As a Catholic did you ever read a Catechism?None of the things you present are true representations of our beliefs, so you are also committing slander against fellow Christians. Not that we care or mind that you have such opinions or low regard for us, but at least do not hide it behind a pretense for wanting to DISCUSS what Catholics believe. You are just making claims and repeating them, that is not a discussion.

Well don't get mad at me for poking my head into this thread because every time I have spoken out against religion the thread gets closed; last time I was not even told why and it’s been over a month now with no reply, but I think I’ve found the common theme. So I will not say a lot, apparently I’m not suppose to. You know I got to be a “good” Christian.All I am going to say is that salvation has zero, nothing, not a thing to do with religion. It’s ALL about your relationship with The Son - Jesus Christ and with the Father in Spirit and Truth. Plain and simple religion is man’s doing. The catholic church is an amalgamation of pagan rituals and superstitions.

(BearingChristaHammer;36559)
Well don't get mad at me for poking my head into this thread because every time I have spoken out against religion the thread gets closed; last time I was not even told why and it’s been over a month now with no reply, but I think I’ve found the common theme. ................................................................................................... The catholic church is an amalgamation of pagan rituals and superstitions.
Maybe I can help you here. When you enter a thread titled "Ask a Catholic" and rather than asking a question instead decided to make a claim/voice your opinion that would be considered rude and likely to lead to responses and behavior that could lead to a thread being closed. Perhaps you could rephrase and ask why something is not a pagan ritual or supersition.

(DrBubbaLove;36577)
Maybe I can help you here. When you enter a thread titled "Ask a Catholic" and rather than asking a question instead decided to make a claim/voice your opinion that would be considered rude and likely to lead to responses and behavior that could lead to a thread being closed. Perhaps you could rephrase and ask why something is not a pagan ritual or supersition.
No actually that is truly arrogant of you DrBubbaLove. You have no knowledge of the prior threads I am in reference to. And I have no fear of you or what you consider “appropriate” for this thread. If Denver gives this the boot then that is between him and God and probably would be due to somebody else's inability to control themselves or his own personal agenda. I am not flaming this thread. I am entitled to try to influence those reading here as much as those who opened this thread.People have a right to believe what they will and I have a right to state what I will. This is no crusade on my behalf or inquisition. You even want me to ask a question from a position already in agreement with you. Wow, truly amazing and sad at the same time. I don’t even know what to say to that, except that I expect more even from myself.

All of them. Even the Gnostics and other heretical writings as it shows people objecting to something else, which would be the opposing view, which means there were people with the opposing view; which means there was an opposing view being defended. Not always, but both sides often claimed an Apostle’s support for their position, IOW that the teaching came to them from an Apostle. As two contradictory views cannot both be correct (assuming definitions/communication was not the issue), then only one view is truly Apostolic. But the fact either or both sides appealed to Apostolic tradition indicates ALL Christians thought that was important and that there was a body of teachings (other than scripture – extra-biblical) which could be appealed to. As time passed that body of teaching to which they would appeal began to include the thinking of notable Christian writers/leaders from earlier ages.Again my point was not "prove" the Catholic position is Apostolic or that our Traditions are True. I believe that is so, but that was not my point. It is just that a similar view was held by early Christians, that in some cases those Christians believed a particular teaching was Apostolic and that for them there was a body of teaching often extra-Biblical to be passed down, preserved and defended. As we can demonstrate those views before there was a “Roman” Catholic Church, it cannot be said these positions were "invented" by "Roman" Catholics.
Yes, this can be seen most in Irenaeus' refutation of Valentinus. What has always amazed me was the strong principle of sola scriptura woven throughout Irenaues' writings. He constantly uses the word "tradition" in his arguments, but never in the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic sense. Yet, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics both rely heavily upon Irenaeus (Justin, Clement, etc.) to establish their concept of "Tradition" with a capital T. But when one reads them, the principle of sola scriptura, the material sufficiency of scripture, etc., are established rather than disproved.He (Irenaeus) uses the term "tradition" to describe the "handing down" of Apostolic teaching to refute Valentinianism, Marcionism, etc., because of their claim that they have received the hidden mysteries that Paul did not write in his letters. With the Gnostics heritage being traced back to Valentinus of Rome, Irenaeus appealed to "tradition" because if the Gnostic teaching were truly received directly from the Apostles, then surely we should find those teachings in the churches they founded. Irenaeus argues that the Apostles delivered the message of the gospel orally at first, then he adds that by God's will the oral teachings were preserved in the written word, the Bible. My initial question was asked to see if you believed that the Bible taught or provided precedent for the Roman Catholic concept of "Tradition." Some RC's believe it does, most agree that it doesn't.

(BearingChristaHammer;36590)
No actually that is truly arrogant of you DrBubbaLove. You have no knowledge of the prior threads I am in reference to. And I have no fear of you or what you consider “appropriate” for this thread. If Denver gives this the boot then that is between him and God and probably would be due to somebody else's inability to control themselves or his own personal agenda. I am not flaming this thread. I am entitled to try to influence those reading here as much as those who opened this thread.People have a right to believe what they will and I have a right to state what I will. This is no crusade on my behalf or inquisition. You even want me to ask a question from a position already in agreement with you. Wow, truly amazing and sad at the same time. I don’t even know what to say to that, except that I expect more even from myself.
Nothing in my post suggested you do not have a right to express yourself. Would defend that right for anyone and have with my life. The suggestion was that forums have rules and common etitiuqe does as well. Would suggest a better example of arrogance would be to enter a discussion where one side has asked for question with nothing but claims and accusations. We don't need to know someone or what they have posted elsewhere to see such behaivor as both very rude and arrogant.Do you have a question about Catholicism?

(biblicalthought;36600)
Yes, this can be seen most in Irenaeus' refutation of Valentinus. What has always amazed me was the strong principle of sola scriptura woven throughout Irenaues' writings. He constantly uses the word "tradition" in his arguments, but never in the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic sense. Yet, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics both rely heavily upon Irenaeus (Justin, Clement, etc.) to establish their concept of "Tradition" with a capital T. But when one reads them, the principle of sola scriptura, the material sufficiency of scripture, etc., are established rather than disproved.He (Irenaeus) uses the term "tradition" to describe the "handing down" of Apostolic teaching to refute Valentinianism, Marcionism, etc., because of their claim that they have received the hidden mysteries that Paul did not write in his letters. With the Gnostics heritage being traced back to Valentinus of Rome, Irenaeus appealed to "tradition" because if the Gnostic teaching were truly received directly from the Apostles, then surely we should find those teachings in the churches they founded. Irenaeus argues that the Apostles delivered the message of the gospel orally at first, then he adds that by God's will the oral teachings were preserved in the written word, the Bible. My initial question was asked to see if you believed that the Bible taught or provided precedent for the Roman Catholic concept of "Tradition." Some RC's believe it does, most agree that it doesn't.
Some Catholics might but in doing so they go against the Church.My connection with Paul's writings were meant to make the connection that the Bible taught there could be things passed down that were important, to be remembered and faithfully passed on. That we would later come to call all such things 'T'raditions to distinguish them from tradition or custom does not change the notion that just as we do now, the early Christians said such extra scriptural things existed.

The catholic church is an amalgamation of pagan rituals and superstitions.
This coming from someone who has more than likely never set foot in a Catholic church. You know I am reading this kind of crap all over other places as well and it sickens the hell out of me to think that people can be so arrogant to think that one religion is so much better than the other. Tell me where it says in the Bible thou shall not be Catholic, Jew, Lutheran, Baptists or whatever. You can't because they don't exist. There is totally no call for someone to bash the Catholic faith ye of little knowledge. I have always been told you got nothing good to say then say nothing.The accusations and remarks about the Catholic faith are totally unfounded and ridiculous. Sorry did not mean to rant but this crap is absurd...........

(Two;36072)
Someone show me in scripture where God says there is one almighty religion above all others the ultimate religion. The only one God will accept has true. We know the Bible is Gods profound word no question.
AMEN! That was well said XD

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. So it is your understanding that there are no Bible verses that demonstrate an appeal to tradition for authority or doctrine?Regarding your view of Tradition based on your use of Paul, is it your position that there are two revelatory streams that have flowed from the Apostles, one written and the other oral or handed down as you say? A clearer way to ask it is, are you saying that in addition to Scripture, there was another "canon" floating along side that you are referring to as Tradition?

(DrBubbaLove;36603)
Nothing in my post suggested you do not have a right to express yourself. Would defend that right for anyone and have with my life. The suggestion was that forums have rules and common etitiuqe does as well. Would suggest a better example of arrogance would be to enter a discussion where one side has asked for question with nothing but claims and accusations. We don't need to know someone or what they have posted elsewhere to see such behaivor as both very rude and arrogant.Do you have a question about Catholicism?
Yes I have many questions, but it is all dogma to enter into such vain disputes. I am contending for my faith, but to get into such disputes when those whom you enter with already have their minds made up is futile. You and I obviously “see” a different God. Mine has many objections to the Catholic faith and practices. I hope you don’t take this as me being rude, but I don’t remember any rules of a forum for the matter to hold me to any qualification of what I can or cannot say in one thread or another specifically as to whether or not I must posit it in the form of a question.Are you telling me that if I was skimming across a thread and came across something I found objectionable that I couldn’t point this out. Obviously you are not in agreement with this, and I know that. That said I could have been much more tactful with my words and I do apologize for any offense there taken. I am sorry. That said I still do hold many objections with the Catholic religion.I have already had my questions answered by those in the faith, myself at one time included. I mean no offense to you when I say that but consider the amount of time and effort I alone have put into this matter. I have read books by many of it’s top supporters. I was confirmed in the faith, and kept read up on it as much in it as I now have and do out of it. With words of men you can make anything sound good, but none of these explanations paint away the picture and the truth that the Catholic church has fallen away. Why justify that? Why not follow God and His true Spirit instead of assuming you already have that with the Pope?It clearly states this in the end time that people will call evil good and good evil. I do not call evil good. I do not call good evil. God is good alone and alone wise. Religion cannot surmount God no matter the amount of words.Take this for example to show the differences in men’s words against being spiritually discerned.Ask me a question of Catholic faith or tradition and I will answer for you as a Catholic? Go ahead and throw one out there for me and I will answer convincingly as Catholic.

(dukester)
(Two)
Someone show me in scripture where God says there is one almighty religion above all others the ultimate religion. The only one God will accept has true. We know the Bible is Gods profound word no question.
AMEN! That was well said XD Sorry Dukester and Two. missed this one. Yes Two, good point.To any degree any one would be likely to accept, scripture does not point to God saying only Catholics, or Baptist, or Evangelicals or Lutherans or Calvinist...etc are the True Church. Very few Christian denominations make the claim to be the fullness of all that God has revealed to Man. This BTW is not the same thing as saying almighty or above all others, which would not be a Christian idea. It is saying in many senses that the Church has more to offer.However, think we would all agree that the idea all Christians should be united is a given and is expressed in the Bible, especially in the NT. Jesus prayer for His disciples, the Acts and later Paul's letters show they felt unity in teaching to be in important. But I do not think unity in today's sense, means any of us should compromise, because then we are saying the truth really does not matter as long as everywhere just gets along. Am personally happy to talk about Catholicism and do hope people I actually know would convert, but that is not something I think we accomplish in places like this. Just like witnessing to the lost must be personal, so must a conversion from one faith to another be a personal journey. Would rather someone be a really good ........whatever Christian right where they are than to become a bad Catholic.

Ask me a question of Catholic faith or tradition and I will answer for you as a Catholic? Go ahead and throw one out there for me and I will answer convincingly as Catholic.
Where does it say in the scripture being Catholic is a sin?

BearingChristaHammer Like the name BTW, be bold as Paul was bold. Guess I should have considered your name in light of your post. No hard feelings dude.Ask you a question. Ok.Why would a Catholic that understood Church teachings ask a question like "Why not follow God and His true Spirit instead of assuming you already have that with the Pope?"

The answer to this I gotta read. You better make it good............

(Two;36609)
This coming from someone who has more than likely never set foot in a Catholic church. You know I am reading this kind of crap all over other places as well and it sickens the hell out of me to think that people can be so arrogant to think that one religion is so much better than the other. Tell me where it says in the Bible thou shall not be Catholic, Jew, Lutheran, Baptists or whatever. You can't because they don't exist. There is totally no call for someone to bash the Catholic faith ye of little knowledge. I have always been told you got nothing good to say then say nothing.The accusations and remarks about the Catholic faith are totally unfounded and ridiculous. Sorry did not mean to rant but this crap is absurd...........
Just so you know Two; I was borne, raised, and baptized in and of The Roman Catholic Rite. I was confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith (at Holy Rosary) at the appropriate age, received my first communion there as well. Many of my cousins were alter boys. I never was, but thought this was only because I wasn’t asked to be. Attendance for Mass was every Sunday. Being ill or having to catch a ride made little difference. I went to Catechism class once a week - every week for many years. My family and I went to church on and observed almost every one of the holy days and days of obligation. Midnight mass without exception, Palm Sunday etc, etc (without exception.) Gave up sacrifices every lint. We (my family and I), or even just me and a couple of my brothers or father would go to confession on Saturday sometimes in addition to Sunday.I really don’t think its fare to assume I have nothing to say on the faith, or that I am lacking in understanding. I might even know more than you. From birth to about 21 years of age I lived and breathed in the Roman Catholic Church. One of my best friends at the time actually competed in statewide competitions held by the church. I would sometimes accompany him or his younger brothers as they contended for our common faith. You want to know the current book I am in? Its called: Why Do Catholics Do That? A Guide to Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church. By Kevin Orlin Johnson, PH.D. Originally entitled Expressions of the Catholic Faith.When I was about 19 I felt a strong calling from God. I wanted to become a priest and was beginning to make the appropriate preparations. I was so fervent and knew so much about the faith and contended so well; I actually had one of my younger brother’s friends, only a few years younger than I, seriously ask me to be his god-father. I was an on fire Catholic. What I really was, was on fire for God, and I happened to be a practicing Catholic at the time. So I used everything I knew to contend for that faith. I can probably contend as well as you can even today - the difference being that I now contend for God and not for a religion.The problem arises that sometime down the line, if you are really following after God, He is going to test you. If that day comes and comes again; you’ll eventually find that there is so much more to God than doctrines of men and their traditions. I am assured in you that given you are a human you most likely already understand this. However, when you really seek after God’s heart He will show you those things which are pleasing to Him over those things which are not. Observing of days, forbidding to marry, statues, prayers beads, etc, these may seem good and all well intentioned, but they are not things those whom spiritual discernment abides with posses or put to use.Any answer you can give me, I’ve already heard, and probably already told to many others. This is why intentions have nothing to do with it. You can defend the wrong faith or even the wrong things. You can even unknowingly call evil good and good evil. If you read through 1 Timothy there is a verse there directly aimed at the practices of the Catholic Church and concerning the end times and the falling away, the doctrine of demons, etc. Peter had a wife. Time and time again Paul says that a Bishop should be the husband of one wife. Peter had a vision from God that he could eat all things, that all was clean.1 Timothy 4:1-31 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.This is precisely the Catholic religion; they forbid to marry and they abstain from meats and observe holy days, another thing in contradiction to God's word.

(Two;36624)
Where does it say in the scripture being Catholic is a sin?
It doesn't.

(Two;36627)
The answer to this I gotta read. You better make it good............
The reason you got the answer you did is because you asked a stupid question. Think about it, is that a question in defense to the Catholic Faith or concerning it’s traditions...No. It does not expressly say this is wrong anywhere. I don’t know who would say this?If I was a Catholic and contending for my faith: I wouldn’t use this as an argument at all as it really would weaken what I considered a context for justification of my faith. I would not expect this to hold highly in others' minds I was trying to sway as it does not even hold highly in my own. I think even Dr.BubbaLove would agree with that.Ask another question if you will.P.S. Just so you know I am not mocking you I just think maybe you misunderstood, that’s all.

Quote:Originally Posted by Two Where does it say in the scripture being Catholic is a sin?
It doesn't say that explicitly. There are, however, Scriptural truths that Roman Catholicism deny, giving warranted grounds to condemn some RC teachings. Some of these are essentials, and the denial of an essential most certainly is sin.