Do catholics even know what they believe?

Question

How come in my questions, and even other questions regarding catholic beliefs, there are no straight forward answers, with scripture backing it up. is it that there are no real catholics on this board? or is it because they just dont have any idea why they do what they do, and its purely tradition?

yah probably phoenix but that leads me to believe brainwashing is the cause. robots who do without thinking.

jenny if u knew what u believed, how come u dont answer the questions at hand? cmon thats kindergarden stuff there.

Answer 1

You don't have to know why. You just have to know when to stand, sit, and kneel.

Does anyone really know why? See my question about the fairytale nature of religions.

Answer 2

What do you want to know?

I am now an ex-Catholic (ex-Christian entirely, but that change didn't have anything to do with Catholicism) but at one point in time I was a teacher in my church. All my answers are bible based and I also show where the tradition in the church represents this.

How about instead of bashing Catholics and claiming that they don't have any idea, you try listening? And asking nicely for scriptual references if that is what you are after?

And by the tone of your question I am assuming that the primary reason why you ask is to gain information to later turn around use against them. If you are really and truely interested in learning about Catholicism go to a local parish. They can answer your questions and give you Catholic resources to help you understand why Catholics are the way they are.

*edit*


" I have had cathoic after catholic tell me they do not need to study, even their bible, because the priest tells them what to believe. And the priests tell them to never read anything about the God stuff that is not approved by them. "

Honestly in all my years I have never heard a Catholic say this. Never have heard a Catholic say that they do not have to study their bible or really do anything.

Now - I have heard Protestants who parrot their pastor without any thought, I meet them all the time. Especially with view on Catholics. Doesn't make these followers bad people what so ever, just horribly misguided. Same with the supposed Catholics that you've met that have said the same thing. Doesn't represent the entire faith. Generalizing is never a good idea.

Answer 3

Almost all of my answers are backed up with Scripture. But ...

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I was raised Catholic and No I did never learn what they believe fully until I was born again Christian. Being Catholic is very much like being born in America, in politics we are Americana's and in religion we are Catholics, you do not have to know any more about it as a church member as long as you pay money to the church. And even in many poor countries the Priest does go around collecting money from people that did not pay at church because they do not care if you go as much as if you pay. My family in Mexico can testify to many wrongs done by the church for the love of money. Teaching men and women never to be married, not families, calling a man father when the Bible says not to do that, worship of Mary and Idols, killing 68,000,000 recorded deaths in the name of the church during the dark ages,Inquisitions to steal land and money, Popes children becoming the next Pope, Popes being killed for having sex with other Men's wives, study history and see all of the horrible things the church has done. Joan of Ark was killed as a witch for cutting her hair and wearing pants by the Catholic church then 200 years latter the Chruch decides she was a saint, and makes it all right by throwing the bones of the Priest that killed her in a river. The Catholic church did support Hitler during World War II and has just in last few years did recognize Israel as a people and a Nation. But any person that can over look all the things this church has done is totally blind. Here is what Jesus said about them; John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
My motto is this--- a Catholic will kill for what he believes, but a Christian is willing to die for what he believes and that is the difference between the two religions

Answer 5

Personally, I have found that there are a lot of people who say they are Catholic and know less about it than I do. Those who almost brag that they are "Roman" Catholic seem to be able to quote doctrine and "scripture" very well and thus are a computing machine or really know their stuff. That does not mean that they are better or better off than others. I grew up in a denomination that uses the Catholic Catechism and I now more about that than most "Catholics". I do believe that most denomination goers are in the same boat or they might not be at the church they are at. Such is life. We are to try the spirits whether they are of God. Not many people know what that means let alone practices it.

Answer 6

Please don't listen to 'I'm a Catholic'
The ONLY reason he's been chosen for so many best answers is by math alone. There are over 1 billion misled Catholics on earth. Of course many people will agree with him because of the simple fact there are so many that follow this cult.
Jesus said 'Wide is the path to destruction(hell) that many will take. Narrow is the gate to heaven that so few choose'
Just take Islam and Catholicism. This represents over 2 BILLION misled people. That sounds like a mighty wide path,indeed.



Please click this link for the truths about the false teachings and doctrines of catholicism:
http://www.contenderministries.org/catholicism.php

Answer 7

I'm guessing it's because there are few here who identify as Catholic AND know their stuff. The majority of people who say "I'm a Catholic" or "I'm a Protestant", or "I'm a [whatever]" really mean "I'm taking after the label of my parents' religion, which I only believe in 50% of".

It's not like answers.yahoo.com is the only religion forum on the internet. Find a place that's better moderated and more focused on one subject, and I'm sure you'll find more constructive answers.

Answer 8

What do you claim to believe?

Assuming you believe in some form of Christian doctrine, the reason I am asking is because you seem compelled to rag on Catholics? Is this part of your doctrine of belief?

If so, I'd be second-guessing it if I were you.

I doctrine that requires the knocking of others in order to build itself up is a doctrine that leaves much to be desired.

Answer 9

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22 &23 NASV

Answer 10

Jesus said, "Why should I burden of the chip in my brother's eye and ignore the plank in my own eye."

The wise person fulfills his own obligations and corrects his own misteaks. He does what he has to do and doesn't expect anything of others. He acts without expectations, and doesn't think he is better than anyone else.

Stirituality begins with self-examination. If you look for other's misteaks - yes, you'll find them because everyone makes them. That won't improve where you're at yourself.

Answer 11

You are so right. How could a religion that is over 2000 years old, older than any other Christian religion in the world know what they are talking about? Doesn't it scare you that your religion was once a part of that?