Why do people think they can find salvation through a medieval political institution, the Catholic church?

Question

As far as I can tell, the church's main functions are to promote mysogyny, overpopulation, ignorance, poverty and the church's own wealth and power. Having studied the Bible for some years, and read many other authorities on the Bible, I am fairly certain that if Jesus came back today, he would condemn the Church. It is exactly the kind of heirarchical, ritualistic, hypocritical institution that he criticized while he was on earth. How can anyone be Catholic, unless they are stupid, ignorant or evil?

Answer 1

Name calling, darling. I"m Catholic and I am not stupid, ignorant or evil. Many of the priests in my church are educated men who went through college and got doctorites. One priest was even in the FBI and still teaches there. They promote the need for education. And those in religious life are the poorest people in the church. They give up everything and live off of a measley salary that you'd never be able to.

Answer 2

When you look at many religions you'll find the same foundations. Religion was the original tool for societal control, and it was needed at the time. How do you keep control of a populace? Tell them that there is this power that sees everything at all times. That power will treat your 'sin' with the most vile punishments that will last for 'eternity.' We don't need this anymore with the existence of capable police forces utilizing forensic tools based on knowledge, not superstition.

Consider how many religions state there is only one path to heaven, and they control the toll-booths. Once you look beyond the major religions you'll see it even more. All have you pay at some point, and all place controls on your life.

As for the Catholic Church, I can argue both ways. For stupid or ignorant, the Catholic Church accepts "The Principle of Evolution in Life." Look up the Papal Bull, how refreshing is it that a religion can accept facts so clearly laid out. Of course this was done only a decade after Galileo had his ex-communication lifted for daring to teach the hearesy of the earth revolving around the sun.

That leads me directly to your question, how can someone be a Catholic? For the same reasons they are any other Christian faith, or Jew, or Muslim, or Zorastrian, or Druze, or Sikh, or Hindu, and the list goes on.

Answer 3

The catholic church believes salvation comes from believing Jesus was the son of God plus the good things you can do to merit entering heaven (check the vatican web page for details). Therefore faith + works which is nowhere found in the bible since you cannot earn salvation no matter what you do, it is a gift. All the rituals are man created and have nothing to do with salvation. By the way, that Jew (who was) hanging on a stick is God and that is why worshiping him does bring you to salvation.

Answer 4

I was born and raised Catholic. I am not anymore. I'm not condemning anyone that is, but I felt and still feel repetitious prayer is not good. A memorized prayer sometimes doesn't come from the heart. One thing I don't get is in Louisiana, they party like crazy, get drunk and stupid, then go get ashes on their forehead the next day on Ash Wednesday. We are to try to refrain from bad behavior, not think "oh, I'll do this then ask for forgiveness and it'll be ok". I hate to have to agree with you, but I do feel it's a hypocritical institution. They teach acceptance, yet when visiting their Church, I never felt so uncomfortable in a Church.

Answer 5

Apparently you've never tackled Thomas Aquinas G K Chesterton, or Pope John Paul II (For just a few examples out of many). No one can say that any of these were stupid or ignorant, whether they agree or disagree with them. My observation is that you've taken a very poor study, that is lacking in in depth substance. To describe the Church as a Medieval political institution today, just doesn't square with reality.

Answer 6

Hey Amelia, Well that is 2 publications of eschatology (salvation theology) readily, so probably that is anything to preserve by way of e mail on my avatar. There's plenty of misconceptions, so I'll pass with the fundamentals: a million) You ought to be born once more by means of water and spirit. two) You ought to consider and profess religion (in the event you reside to that age) three) You ought to repent of your sins (in the event you reside to that age) I'm now not tracing by way of Scripture or Catechism (statement at the Scripture) when you consider that all people else will do this. What I desire to do is factor out the principles, and that confrontation comes into play over whilst those 3 ought to occur, in the event that they ought to occur whilst, and in the event that they ought to occur in any order. a million) Jesus is apparent that every one ought to be born once more of water and spirit, aka Baptism. It is thought that Baptism is a conferring of saving grace, the motion of the pouring of the water and the consecration of the Baptized within the Name is adequate, accordingly why babies are allowed to be Baptized (notice that the Catholic Church considers little one and grownup baptisms to be an identical). two) The career of religion needs to be public, and it needs to be believed (or else you are simply mendacity). The Catholic Church follows the Nicene Creed, and respects the baptism of any Christian church that baptizes within the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and adheres to the Nicene Creed. three) If you sin, you ought to repent. Repentence is by means of confession, to God instantly for small sins, to a clergyman for critical ones. Everything else could fill VOLUMES. Please notice that if now not all catholics comprehend Catholic theology (in its 2000 years of growth), fewer Protestants do, so I desire you'll be able to flip to a reliable supply such because the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or a Catholic research bible. The wording is cumbersome and normally antiquated within the Catechism, nevertheless it expresses the message such a lot instantly. Also, I can ahead extra special inquiries to theologian peers of mine. Peace of Christ, V17

Answer 7

I think people are afraid of change, even if the dharma that has been preached to them (and devolved) for centuries is wrong. Why did the Church hate Martin Luther so much? He shifted control over the people from the Chruch to the Bible. Paying for dissolvement of sin? What was that all about except control. The Catholic church is, and has been for centuries, a cult. "You will believe as we tell you...", so when they say that they can absolve sin by talking to a priest instead of G-d, people believe them.

Answer 8

I have to assume that you have studied the Bible, but it is very obvious that you have not studied Catholicism. Otherwise you would not be making "stupid, ignorant, or evil" statements.

Answer 9

Mother Teresa was neither stupid, ignorant nor evil but she was Catholic.

Answer 10

I think you figured it out. I know several Catholics, I believe for most people that stupid is thr right choice, and maybe so for some in the clergy, but evil has a place there too.