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That's not what I said.
So, if I don't focus on it, it's not there?
That's interesting.
That's not what I said.
Just because your mom hasn't memorized the verse does not mean that she does not believe what it contains. I think you would find that Catholics believe John 3:16 as much as you do.
Catholics also believe we are ALL saved by the grace of God.
As for intercession- have you ever asked someone to pray for you-- have you ever prayed for someone else. It is the same thing- just because the person is dead does not separate them from you and you can still ask them to pray for you as you did when they were alive. Wouldn't you ask the mother of your Savior to pray for you?
As to the original poster- my very sincere advice. Go to the classes and get ACCURATE answers to your questions. The worst thing you can do is listen to a bunch of people who think they know what the Church teaches when they really have no clue.
If you agreed to be a Godchild at a Catholic baptism, it should have been clear that you were agreeing to support him or her in a Catholic faith upbringing. You are asked that at the baptism.
He is already a god parent, before thoughts of changing religions.
He made a promise when he became a Godparent. That promise does not go away. Whatever it was he agreed to within whatever faith it was, he should keep.
Going to Church does not obligate you to 'guide' anyone. But if someone needs it, I do believe Church is the right place for them.
The way I have always seen it is that by going to Church, you are admitting that you don't know everything, and are opening yourself up to knowledge. Now, if that knowledge comes from the scriptures being read, a psalm or something like that then yes- you can learn those things w/o going to Church. However, you will be surprised how much you can learn from the homily or your fellow Churchgoers, and therein lies the beauty of a Mass- when people with a common thread (their religion) are brought together in a loving way like that, you can always learn and relate. We are constantly learning, are we not?
In other words- I have always felt that going to mass expands your relationship with God, not defines it. But that is just this little Catholic's opinion.
Differences between Catholics and Protestants are far more than having a Pope or not.
It's surprising Catholicism is not even stranger than it is given that Catholics have had Popes for so long.
Jesus himself ins uted the Papacy. It's only logical that we have had Popes for 2000 years. That's who He wanted heading His Church. Unfortunately, 500 years ago, the first Protestants decided to change parts of Catholicism, which was equivalent to Christianity since 400 AC, and sewed the seeds of what Protestantism now has become.
Once you have a sequence of authorities from before the Dark Ages whose pronouncements can't be questioned or changed except with great soul-searching and gut-wrenching, any outsider is going to find a lot of "tradition" difficult to accept.
Popes by themselves don't come up with "pronouncements" that change Catholicism. They simply rule on traditions that have been part of Catholicism for hundreds of years but, in the past, were unclear because they were not explicitly stated in the Bible, such as Mary's assumption. By the way, the Pope makes his "pronouncements" in agreement with the Bishops from all over the World, not in an authoritative manner all by himself.
The Protestants have the opposite problem as they are all over the map.
This I agree with.
I Agree
Chapter and verse, please.
Martin Luther was a Catholic priest and was fed up with the corruption and decidedly un-Christian behavior of the Church; Including the Pope; we reap what we sow.
aaahhhh; there's the rub.
While I understand what you are saying throughout your post, I disagree with this part. I don't think it's unfortunate at all that Martin Luther chose to go and nail his opinions on the church door. The way I look at it is that no matter what form of Christianity or any religion for that matter that people choose to be a part of is a good one because they all teach love and respect for others as well as God.
What's the rub?
If the Catholic Church now believes strictly in a "Saved by Grace" doctrine, you let me know when that happened. I discussed this specifically with TWO priests not 2 and a half years ago, as my dad was on his death bed; he thought, after 60 years of Catholic worship (including St. Gerards & St. Mary's) that he might end up in because he had done bad things.
According to my Bible, you don't end up in because you did bad things, nor do you end up in heaven because you did good ones.
If it's not gospel, it ought not be taught that it is so. Catholic churches (I was an active, practicing Catholic for 32 years of my life - and I have sent my children to Catholic School; I'm not speaking from anything other than experience), don't explain what IS in the bible, and what is not. Catholics are taught to follow ALL teachings, without ever explaining that, hey, some HUMAN BEING made some of this up (albeit with the best of intentions, usually), and it isn't actually the word of the Son of Man.
Anyone???
You forgot the Eastern Orthodox.
Some people want to have others helping to guide them. They are interested in the insights and experiences of others regarding religion and faith. Are you saying that they should not be allowed to receive that guidance?
I am glad that my fate will not be decided based on my works, for I, like everyone else am imperfect and full of sin -- no matter how 'good' I want to, think I am, or claim to be.
GOD is a JUST GOD and His justice cannot overlook my inadequacies and shortcomings; were spiritual communion with GOD based on my deeds alone, I would never be able to reach Him. Because of His Grace, however, manifested through Jesus' atoning sacrifice I can enter His presence. Were it not for Christ's redemptive act of Love -- our ability to interact with GOD would not even exist.
Eternal communion with GOD is one of the wonderful 'gifts' we receive once we choose to acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for us. Eternal separation from GOD however, is what the future holds in store for those that reject Christ's redemptive act. Exclusive.... yes. Unfair... no, not by any stretch of the imagination. GOD's offer is extended to everyone.
Being a Catholic, I can honestly answer this question with a resounding "I have no ing clue". It's one of the many things I disagree with the catholic church about, but I'm still catholic and will continue to be.
Well said.
Fair enough. To me, it's just a another man-made tradition...
Being a part of a particular faith means you have to have just that, faith. I have faith that the catholic church is leading me in a the correct direction to get where I hope to get.
What's wrong with that?
maybe the celibacy stricture was something reinforced by the augustinian school of thought, but i am not sure where it came from exactly.
See 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 - 32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. NIV
As Paul says above, a celibate priest would be able to give more attention to his prayer life and the concerns of his congregation. Jesus does discuss this practice in Matt 19:11 - 12 and does not condemn it. Matt 19:11 -12 - 11Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." NIV
I totally agree, but I think every tradition regarding any religion is more then likely man made. Am I to believe that a human being was actually born from a virgin mother and then created all these miracles throughout his lifetime with the biggest one being coming back to life after being dead for a couple of days when something like this had never happened in the history of mankind before or after it happened to him. Sounds pretty far fetched, but that is what "faith" is.
Nothing wrong with it if it leads me down a better path in life and teaches me how treat others.
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