I believe you should only pray to one god, yet catholics pray to mary? both say you should read bible to find the truth. yet when I do the other form of christianity says they are wrong(catholics say protstants are wrong and vice versa). cant i just go to both churches and do what i want?
2007-02-17 05:38:12 · 24 answers · asked by aroundworldsports 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have decided to follow what Jesus spoke about and believe that the Comforter He says He would send once He'd returned to heaven has come. I accept the words put into the mouth of that Comforter.
2007-02-17 07:49:49 · update #1
The Protestants are more responsible as far as getting you directly linked with God. They tell you to pray to God and give allegiance to Christ. It is 'God, through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Catholics give you a little statue of Mary and tell you to say your prayers to the dummy. The dummy receives a chant from a priest and passes the prayer on to pope-pee. Pope-pee has a box of prayers that he slings his Holy Water onto. Then Jesus is supposed to gather the prayer from the pope-pee's fire. Then, finally God gets the prayer. Of course all your words are edited.
http://nazipope-pee.org/sweet.cath-lickmens
With more love in Christ
Imnotacatholic2 but truths are like white clouds within the blueness of God's heavenly sky.
2007-02-17 18:10:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you go to both churches and do what you want? Technically, yes. But you said you want to be Christian, which implies following Christ, the will of God and seeking the Truth as fully revealed by Jesus Christ.
To correct one serious misconception. Catholics have a broader use of the word "pray" than is commonly used by Protestants. To pray to God implies worship that is due alone to the Divine. To pray to Mary, or any of the other saints, does not involve worship, but rather a continuation of the communion that begins here as brothers and sisters of Christ.
If I may recommend, read early Church history and the writings of the Church Fathers. You will see a consistency from the beginning to the present day. Things like doctrines, beliefs, practices, etc. Compare those things to the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church (you may have to select a couple of denominations).
The answers to the questions you raise are going to be a process. It will take time and prayerful consideration. Best wishes to your journey!
2007-02-17 06:13:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
catholics don't tell you you have to pray to Mary. while catholics do ask Mary and other saints to interceed withtheir prayers - we know fully and wh olly that God alone (as the Trinity) is the only way. one of the main differences is the Eucharistic celebration. i recommend reading & studying both and seeing in which you are able to fully come into communion.
Good luck and God bless!
PS - one posted added about the traditions of the Rcc -- this is correct, they have many traditions and here is where that too is scriptural....
all Rcc beliefs can be found in the bible, some plainly others indirectly indicated. Scripture itself points out an authoritative church & tradition. St Paul points out in his second letter to the Thess – stand firm & hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or letter. Here are some scriptures to check out 2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor 11:2, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Tim 1:13-14 & 2:2. When the first Christians had disagreements they didn’t open their bibles – they didn’t exist – they held councils and held binding decrees – these councils were those who knew more then the others and they came to an agreement/understanding and thus made a binding decree (acts 15:1-29). The very books of the bible were determined by the Church (Rcc) and didn’t even happen until the 4th century – centuries of oral tradition
2007-02-17 05:42:41 · answer #3 · answered by Marysia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus prayed that we would be one, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. That's great that you want to be a Christian. I would encourage you to pray about which church to go to. Personally, I don't understand a lot of what Catholics do, including praying to Mary and pergatory and such. I know Bible churches exist that base their teaching solely on the Bible, so I would encourage that. I would make sure the church you're looking at has good fellowship and people who really want to serve God and help you grow. Have fun!
God bless
2007-02-17 05:57:46 · answer #4 · answered by trace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you are ready, ask Jesus to come into your heart and when He does (right away) He will lead and guide you into all truth by His Holy Spirit for He is The Way The Truth and The LIfe...He's not a denomination He is The Son of God; when you invite Him in and give your life to Him, God will be your Father and His Holy Spirit will lead you. Read the book of Acts, (New Testament) and if you don't see the power of God like that as recorded in the book of Acts, that isn't the place to go...seek and you shall find; talk to your Heavenly Father every day and be still and listen to Him...you will soon recognize His Voice ~~~~~~~~~~~ sent with God's Love
2007-02-17 05:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by sego lily 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot be a big help with Protestant denominations --- But the big thing is the authority of the Pope..
Catholics pray to everyone "Pray that my bothers and sisters", "Pray for me", "Pray for leaders", "Pray for the sick", and "Mary Pray for us that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ". Basically Prayer means to ask good for.
As a Catholic, I understand that Jesus gave Peter the "keys" to heaven --- bestowing upon him the power of authority, forgiveness, Eucharistic powers, and casting demons out (The Seven Sacrements). This authority has matured and the successor to Peter is the Pope. The Pope then appoints Bishops, and the Bishops appoint the Priests. This allows each to use the gifts bestowed by Jesus (authority, forgiveness, Eucharist, & casting demonds out).
My public school history class taugh about how "Henry the Eight" didn't like the Pope telling him to stay with his wife (1600's), and this was the first break from Catholosism. Then the Calvins went, then the Baptists. Each spinning their desires to do as they saw fit, by-passing authority (the Pope).
As a Catholic, I'm taught to respect all Christains as they too are members in the Body of Christ upon Baptism. It's just they don't get the true "Eucharistic" and forgivness powers since they aren't aligned with the Church (Catholic) and her authority. I do enjoy supplementing my Catholic faith with stuff like "Joel Olsten" and his spreading of the gospel --- but I could NOT receive confession or the eucharist from him.
The Eucharist is the sacramental consummation of the marriage between Christ and the Church. And when we receive the body of our heavenly Bridegroom into our own, just like a bride we conceive new life in us - God’s very own life. As Christ said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (Jn 6:53).
2007-02-17 05:53:02 · answer #6 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only those who come to God in The Way He prescribes will receive His free gift of Salvation. Those become The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. These are the ones of The True Christian Faith. Only those of The Church will enter Heaven.
The Roman Catholics do not teach or follow The Way prescribed by God... they are not True Christians...
If you have an honest question concerning the basics of The True Christian Faith you may email me. One honest question will receive one honest answer to the best of my ability... I will need a valid email address to reply to... I do not spam.. I dont have the time... it is just me..not some big orginization.. and I do not know it all.. but will share what I do know about God.
God dose not deal with man invented "denominations". God deals with individuals.
2007-02-17 05:48:02 · answer #7 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your personal relationship with Christ offers your salvation. Stay in the Word and you'll be doing great. Sometimes I visit a church on Sunday, but I keep the Sabbath as God Commanded.
PS: There are many nice folks in the catholic church and I have a couple uncles who are priests, they are really nice Christian men but I would never choose a catholic church.
2007-02-17 05:46:02 · answer #8 · answered by rezany 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can become a Christian by trusting Jesus. You don't have to be in a church to be saved i.e. become a Christian. Yes, a Christian would want to fellowship with other believers in a local congregation. I would encourage you to find one where they believe the Bible & believe the only way to be saved is through Jesus, & Him alone. If there was anything we could do to save ourselves, Jesus wouldn't have had to die for us on the cross. But he did, because he loves us & wants us to be saved & spend eternity with him.
2007-02-17 07:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by critter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anything that does not portray the Holy scriptures and is not accurate in jesus teachings is what you should stay away from.
over time people have replaced the church that jesus founded and replaced it with a building. jesus is the only church that you are to follow as a christian. as jesus warned about religious deception, which it is a complete mess now.. you must only look for those who let the holy scriptures intrepet themselfs. if you dont read, and learn,
and study for your self you will fall subjected to what others say and think that might not add up to the accurate truth of its origin.
2007-02-17 05:57:19 · answer #10 · answered by lovin_livin_laughin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋