alrite ummmm ok im catholic and i found out that when we do communiun that we are supposed to belive that we are actually eating the body of christ and i think that its stupid i think its a symbol of jesus not litterally eating him. so i told the priest and he said that i need to have a stronger faith and that made me mad so i need to know what you all think about this.
2006-08-27 09:30:30 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
well hun.I grew up in the catholic faith.......so I think I have earned the right to my opinions about this faith. I never knew who Jesus really was (in my heart) until i left the catholic faith. You might want to start looking into all the things they believe !!!!!
2006-08-27 09:34:30 · answer #1 · answered by coastal_cutie_2 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am an ex-Catholic and most denominations do not believe as the Catholic Church teaches. The Catholic Church teaches that the Bead and Wine literally becomes the flesh and blood. The Lutherans (Missouri and Wisconsin synods) believe that the bread and wine remain bread and wine but the body and blood are under the elements.
The bottom line is this: Do you take Christ's words literally or not.
He said that this IS my Body and Blood.
Also in Scripture there was a point where he was teaching that unless you eat my Body and Drink my blood you will have no life. Many disciples left at that time, saying "this is a hard saying who can take this". Christ did not say to these disciples that were leaving, Stop, I did not mean it literally. He let them leave, then He said to His apostles will you leave also. Peter said, to whom shall we go you alone have the words to eternal life.
There is no argument in Scripture that says that the communion is representative only that it is literal. Paul believed it, check the Scriptures.
2006-08-27 16:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by J-Artist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patrick, I am one of those horrible rebel catholics - you call them Lutherans. I have to tell you that faith is a gift and you can't just get more of it. I believe that the bread and wine are symbols, but a powerful part of a church service. I don't know how old you are sweetie, but I think your priest did you a disservice by not listening to you. Ask another priest whom you do trust. It's OK to be different, but remember that the "Holy Roman Empire" upon which the Catholic church is founded, was first and foremost a way to gain territory, riches and believers. That doesn't make this generation of Catholics evil, it does, however, sometimes make them sheep who don't think for themselves. Religion is very, very personal. I wish you the best in your quest.
2006-08-27 16:37:01 · answer #3 · answered by swarr2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL--I'm a veteran of those wars!
I had 16 years of Catholic education, and was born and raised Catholic in an extremely Catholic family. I remember getting sent to the office for asking questions of faith many, many times!
The fact is that the Catholic faith and the Christian religion, in fact, all three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) make less and less sense as you come into the reasoning powers needed to guide your adult life. The further you dig, the less sense any of it makes. However, be kind to the people who have built their lives (and livelihood) around these myths, and do your research separately from them. No matter what logic you present to them, they won't agree or admit their error, I assure you, because to give in to reason would put them out of a job as well as destroy their belief system.
So when they say it's a 'matter of faith' just say 'oh, thank you for the clarification' and realize that whatever that was, it is a boldface lie intended to continue the status quo and ensure docile, gullible people passed down from one generation to the next.
I beleive in God, because the world is here, and the universe beyond. The rest of it is hokum designed to bring in money and establish control over people.
2006-08-27 16:39:39 · answer #4 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just now found that out?!?!?! I'm a Catholic too. Yes, this is one of the major differences between Catholics from Protestants. Catholics believe that we are actually consuming the body of Christ and that we need him in us as "spiritual food" for our soles. It is not just a symbol to Catholics! Your priest is right, your belief goes against the very core of our faith. I would pray and ask Jesus to help you. Ask him to fill you with faith. Its natural to doubt, even the saints had their moments when they doubted - just look at St. Thomas. Pray on it every day and he will help you to believe.
2006-08-27 16:37:29 · answer #5 · answered by aerowrite 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really feel what you are saying with your question. It was questions like these that caused me to leave the Catholic Church as soon as I had the choice to do so. Catholocism left me so angry and empty at God because so many things just didn't make sense to me. I think you should get into the scriptures because obviously you are being drawn into another direction--the quest for truth. Please, seriously read this article written by William Schnoebelen, who was a Catholic priest for a long time until he found the truth.
2006-08-27 16:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by shybusch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Transubstantiation is the name of the belief that states that during Communion, the Eucharist literally transforms into the blood and body of Christ.
In most Protestant traditions, this is seen as symbolic; Catholicism and some Protestant faiths see it as literal. There is a line in the book of John somewhere that has led to the belief of transubstantion (I'm thinking chapter 6 somewhere, not positive).
So...yes, many see it as a symbol. Many see it as literal. It's up to you to believe how you want, I think; take it as a symbol, or follow your faith's word. Totally up to you.
2006-08-27 16:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you may need to find another religion. i too was raised catholic, but had a hard time believing some of their ways. the bread and wine/juice are symbols of the body and blood - not the true body and blood. i think if you believe in the Lord and the bible then you are in the faithful.
2006-08-27 16:39:17 · answer #8 · answered by Country Boy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course its a symbol or ritual, but what is wrong with that?
Symbols and rituals are often *more* powerful than the literal. Don't think so? How does your mind choose to communicate with the subconscious?
Dreams.
Taking communion is very powerful ritual, don't throw it away just because you've realized its not really 'true'.
2006-08-27 16:40:25 · answer #9 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patrick,
I grew up Catholic. I attended a Catholic School. I never read the Bible for myself, alone, until I was an adult.
Don't wait! Read it now! Jesus said, "Eat, drink. Do this in REMEMBERANCE of me."
That's all communion is. A rememberance of Jesus, not an eating of his flesh and drinking his blood.
2006-08-27 16:40:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your vision of eating the body of Christ is correct, because it is not litterally, but a symbol of be like Christ.
2006-08-27 16:37:56 · answer #11 · answered by Hendrik V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋