Why do catholics do the things they do?

Question

Why do cathloics impose more rules than what God has set forth? The road is tough enough and yet here are catholics omposing more things upon us such as: Chruch every sunday, the bible and Jesus never said to do that. They follow the Pope who is a mere mortal and nothing more, on average I've recognized that catholics know very little to nothing about their faith, after asking a Catholic why they said " the bible is not something that we have to read," Why wouldn't you read the only cited document of your faith? DOesn't make sense. Anyway i know it looks bad but I'm not harping on catholics mainly looking fo answers, As long as you know Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the light then it's all good. But why catholics? why make it harder? O ya Murder doesn't cut off your connection with God. Moses killed a slave in the dessert, years later God helped him lead his people.

Answer 1

+ Keep the Lord's Day Holy +

The Bible is very clear about the Commandment to keep the Lord's Day holy. It describes Jews including Jesus and the Apostles keeping the Sabbath (Saturday) and going to Temple or the Synagogue.

Although Christians believe that Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday changed the Lord's day to Sunday, we still follow Christ's teaching to keep the Commandments in Mark 10:17-19.

http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/mark/mark10.htm

+ The Pope +

John 21:15-17 states:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Matthew 16:17-19 states:

Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.

The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880

+ The Bible +

Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: The Church forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,' by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.'

Although some Catholics that do not read the Bible on a regular basis, we all listen to the Word being proclaimed and explained in every Mass.

In every Sunday Mass there are at least four Bible readings
+ First Reading - usually from the Old Testament
+ A Psalm is prayed by all
+ Second Reading - usually from a New Testament Epistle
+ Gospel Reading
+ then the priest bring them all together and helps us apply them to our lives in the homily

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#131

+ Mortal Sin +

You can choose to cut yourself off from God. This is called mortal sin. God will respect your free will decision.

Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.

A mortal sin is a grave infraction of the law of God that destroys the divine life in the soul of the sinner (sanctifying grace), constituting a turn away from God. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be present: grave matter, full knowledge of the evil of the act, and full consent of the will.

Most of the sins we commit are venial sins. Venial sin is a sin which does not destroy the divine life in the soul, as does mortal sin, though it diminishes and wounds it. Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of the moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent.

However consistent unrepentant venial sins can slowly destroy your relationship with God and become mortal sin.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect1chpt1art8.htm#1854

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Catholics are the original spoiled "rich kids" of the Christian faith.

They have all God's truth, all God's grace, and the most practical and perfect method of worship.

They have the Bible (including ALL the original books ... not the CHEAP version).

They have all seven valid sacraments, the splendid example of all the saints that came before, and the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God.

And of course, every Catholic is privileged to be able encounter the risen Christ, in the flesh, on a daily basis.

They even have the Vatican, which is the last absolute monarchy on the planet ... and a literal "city of God."

They truly lack for nothng.

Catholics read the Bible. They just aren't obcessed with it like most protestants are.

When you compare the two, the Bible doesn't hold a candle to the the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ, which Catholics experience daily, in the authentic Eucharist.

You complain that Catholics don't seem to know much about their faith.

Since when has salvation ever been a matter of works?

Faith is faith.

And most protestants I know don't have enough faith to believe that Jesus really meant it literally when he said. "This is my body." and "This is my blood."

Even BABY Catholics have enough faith to understand that!

So far as the law goes, most protestants still mistakenly attempt to observe portions of the old law, for reasons that they cannot cite from scripture (because the reasons aren't in there) while Catholics observe an authoritative new covenant form of the 10 commandments, plus half a dozen precepts of the church, most of which are just basic common sense.

To be a true Catholic is to enjoy the fullness of God's peace, and freedom from sin through Jesus Christ, and through the work, worship, sacraments, and devotions of the only church he ever founded for our salvation.

Finally, Jesus gave virtually unlimited power and authority to the Catholic church to bind and loose, both on earth and in heaven.

Jesus also promised to remain the head of his church, and to bless and keep it, forever, no matter what.

The Pope, along with the other bishops, are the successors of the original apostles, and they are the men who are responsible for teaching, and providing the visible leadership for the estimated 1 billion Catholics around the world.

Jesus set that system up himself.

If you don't like it, take it up with the boss!

Answer 3

I used to be Catholic until I started reading the Bible myself. You see , the Catholic Church (there are variations of Catholic churches) but for the most part hold to"Traditions" in higher authority. If the Pope or a Holy Council says ... "new revelation... Mary is the Co-Redemtptor with Christ", it is so. There is a lose of authority to most Catholics when it comes to the Bible because a new law has been laid down on how to "get to heaven."

When I started reading God's Word I saw things contradictory with the Catholic Faith instilled in me and I had to choose... do I believe the Bible or these Traditions that I'm used to.

Well, they don't call the Bible, the "Canon" for nothing... Canon means standard or rule .. and that's just what it does... it sizes up the practice of religions to what God's perspective is...

Answer 4

It does say in the Bible to engage in fellowship with other Christians, we do it in the form of Church, since we also incorporate the command to worship. We want to be like Jesus, and He had a genius (obviously) command of the scriptures, so by studying His words, we can attempt to become at least somewhat knowledgable in them.

I am not Catholic, but when I took Catholic doctrine for teachers, they said that in the Catholic religion that have Traditions and traditions. Essentially Traditions are super important rules that are requirements in the church, where as traditions would be more like, having pews in a church or lighting candles in mass. Either way, Tradition in the Catholic church ranks right up there with scripture.... they actually feel that Traditions can be more authoritative than scripture. Also, they aren't trying to make it harder, they are just helping people have an "extra manual" to live their lives by. Especially with controversial issues, many people will look to the Church to help them form their opinions.

Answer 5

That Catholicism is the actual Christian religion. The Papacy has been passed down for 2000 years from Peter to Benedict XVI making the Catholic religion the one Christian religion to hint itself again to Peter Jesus' Apostle. The Pope is infallible (whilst he's talking of the ones pertaining issues) Mary was once a virgin whilst she conceived Jesus by way of the Holy Spirit, and remained a virgin her complete existence. At Mass the bread and wine is modified into Jesus' Body and Blood. Saints in Heaven. Purgatory Mortal sin (If you've mortal sin, you move to Hell, when you've got venial sin and no mortal sin you move to Purgatory, if you're freed from sin you move immediately to Heaven) The record is going on and on. EDIT: Our religion is very similar to the Orthodox religion so hold that during brain to. Also im including Confession, and the 7 sacraments

Answer 6

I'm an adult convert to Catholicism. You are right that many Catholics know little about the faith, sad to say. I disagree with you that "the rules" make it harder. Some rules are intended to help keep us close to God (Mass obligations, Easter duty, etc.), others are intended to protect the rights of the faithful, and others are intended to keep the Church running smoothing. Saying 'it is tough enough, let's get rid of the rules', is like saying 'the commute to/from work is tough enough, let's get rid of traffic rules'! It wouldn't be easier, it would be virtually impossible because of chaos.

Answer 7

Catholic does not only imposed more rules, but mostly catholic replaced the gospel of christ with their catechism doctrines, such doctrines opposite to the teaching of Christ. Biblically speaking, Catholic leaders are not really particular to the holiness of their members, whether catholic members do adultery of not, murder or not, rape or not, they are still catholic with no disciplinary actions; and that they are more particular of their membership propulation as their inevitable source of power, connections and money.

Thats why they do what they want to do, as the scripture said in Romans 1:32

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

To catholics reading my answer, sorry to say this, but this is the reality inside the catholic community, I am a witness to this, because I am a former catholic.


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Answer 8

I'm catholic and have read the bible several times, and know many catholics that have, too. Maybe you talked to catholics that weren't very involved in the church. We do things because we do....just like you and your church do things just because you do. Why do some "christians" walk around with snakes in their hands? Why do some "christians" fall in into spells and roll on the ground? .....

Answer 9

not to be hateful but why does it bother you, i dont get the feeling that you are catholic so whats the big deal. catholics do what they do because they do! just like the sky is blue because the sky is blue and the grass is green... you get the point.

anyway, if it concerns you so deeply and you really feel like you need some answers, find a priest or nunn and they will be happy to answer any questions you have.

note: yes i am catholic however am not as devout as many others who are veiwed as extreme catholics.

Answer 10

Two simple words: Power and Control.