This isn't a question it is a comment. How do you feel about it?

Question

I am an exCatholic, and my reasons for dropping my religion is as such.

I don't understand why I was taught to bow down to a dead Jesus on a cross and to pray to the saints.

I don't accept that they call a Priest father and that they have to tell their sins to the priest.

And then the priest tells them to say ten Hail Mary's and twenty
Our Fathers.

This is seriously sending out a wrong message and this is why Catholics get it in to their heads that once they commited a sin all they have to do is say ten hail Mary's and Twenty Our Fathers, and all is forgiven.

It doesn't work that way some body who is truly repented does not repeat the offence again.

Answer 1

I am glad that you have seen Catholics for its "truth" and I agree with your reasoning...it is wrong to "confess" to another HUMAN and then think that all is forgiven, it is wrong to worship saints and bow down to statues...I hope you turn to Jesus and accept him into your heart so you can start your spiritual journey towards eternal salvation.

Answer 2

Jesus bowed to God in prayer, it is a sign of respect we call a priest father due to the fact that in the bible Jesus is referred to as father and he lead the twelve apostoles in training and teaching and said do as I do and spread my word as I have and now we refer to the priest as father because they are the apostoles of our time. The gift of confession is for us to be accountable for our sins. The penance is for us to pray and reflect on our sin and ask Jesus and the virgin Mary for help. We as Catholics, true Catholics don't believe that by saying the hail mary's and the our fathers will keep us from sin, or right all our wrongs, we do this as a way to meditate on God's word and make a true internal change. I am sorry you are no longer catholic, but I do pray you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. God Bless, Adem.

Answer 3

Very Good Tribble!

Jade, as with any relationship, you have to be involved.

Suppose I had a friend who, instead of talking with them, I set them on a chair, went about my daily routine never acknowledging their existence. That person sitting alone may get to know me by listening and watching, but how would I get to know them? Well, I could take some time and talk with this person or perhaps I could read what others have written about the person who I have invited into my home/life. Does God desire a relationship or religion?

Religion is just that - I religiously brush my teeth every day.

A relationship as you know, is much more.

Much success as you seek a relationship with the Creator!

Ask. Seek. Knock.

Answer 4

I tell you these, Catholic its formed by symbols, flex ion and genuflection. everything its taken by the bible as you can noticed in too many different chapters talked about it.
nothing its invented somtehings came from the bible and some are inspiration from God.
the Saints, that word exist in the Bible , Peter, John and Paul
called saints to the the people from some cities.
Paul called Timothy as his son in the faith.
besides you are not boww down to a dead Jesus, the cross is a sign and symbolized to remain us what Jesus did for us.
but in any other place where you had found Jesus its fine for you, go for it! the saints are example for catholics.
like Peter was an example for the people.
ciao.

Answer 5

For starters, religion is not what gets you to heaven. It is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Concerning the cross, we serve a risen Savior, not a dead one. Matthew 23:9 instructs us not to call anyone our father, except our Father who is in heaven. When it comes to confessing, the only one you need to confess your sins to is Jesus. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Greek word for "confess" in that verse means "to be agreed." In other words, it doesn't imply that we should literally confess every sin we've ever committed. (Who could do that anyway?). It just means to agree with God that you've done wrong, and ask Him to forgive us. Remember it's all about Jesus, and not religion.

Answer 6

It is a long question and to to try to offer you something on all your points, I will have to be brief.

If you are like me when I was at school, you probably missed a lot of what went on in CRE classes. I was not particularly interested then, but I have remembered a lot since and learnt a lot more.

Bowing to a crucifix has to be understood. Where you not taught that the crucifix itself nor any other religious symbol, statue, etc, cannot help you nor do they contain any spiritual power. It is just an expression of faith in Jesus (who lives), to have one or an aid to prayer to have one before you when you pray. Bowing is a sign of respect, not to that piece of wood or chalk, but to Our Lord.

Catholics pray to the saints (they are by no means the only ones) because they believe in the 'communion of saints', which is one of the 12 articles of the apostles creed, which predates the reformation by far. Don't think of it as something introduced by Catholics, but something continued from earlier christians. The communion of saints mean that although they have passed from this life, the 'saints' are still part of the church. We can ask our church members here to pray for us, so why not the church members up there? We assume that the saints are close to God and are in a position to help us with their prayers. I also hope that you learned that they have no POWERS, but can ONLY help us with their prayers, just as, in the story told by Jesus of the rich man and Lazarous, the rich man was praying to Abraham for help for his brothers, who were still living.
Jesus no doubt referred to Abraham as 'father'. Again you can refer to the story of the rich man and Lazerous to see this, and other places. St Paul stated that Abraham was the 'spiritual father of all Jews'. For catholics and others who address their priests in this way, they consider their priests as spiritual fathers, but not in any way to replace God himself.

Well, I am sure you tell your sins to somebody, especially the person from whom you want forgiveness and want to hear the words, "You are forgiven". Remember that many, many, people find the sacrament of confession spiritually uplifting and strengthening. If it does not help you, then it is up to you.
You definitely got a different idea than me from your teachers about the prayers of penance that we said after confession. I can clearly remember being taught that what brought us forgiveness were sincere sorrow and a firm purpose of amendment.
I wish you all God's blessings, but please, do not slag the Catholic church because of your own mistaken ideas about its teaching.

Answer 7

Christ never dies. A true saint never dies. When you worship a saint it is catering to the urgent need of the soul.

But if you are praying just to satisfy the rituals of the church, that prayer is not accepted. It is the heart and soul that is important in the God's area.

So don't drop out. Follow the essence of the true religion.

A saint only can explain that. He is always available. You need to be serious. And keep every thing related to God in your heart.

Answer 8

The Roman Catholic system is NOT of God, and He says, "Come OUT of her, my people".

However, Jesus is alive and not dead. Never pray to the saints - this is not of God.

The priest is not the one that should be forgiving the people - that is for God alone to do. Confessing WITH someone responsible is good, but that person cannot forgive you or tell you to do something to be forgiven. It is rubbish that the priest can tell you to say so many of this and that and then be forgiven. It is anti-God.

Yes, I agree with you.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to God the Father except through Him.

The Roman Catholic system is man made and not of God.

Answer 9

Good comment.
All organised religious groups (except perhaps the Buddhists?), but particularly the christians - who all learned from the Catholics - like to use similar strategies as the Catholics do:

1. Carrot and stick - "Everything will be good if you do what we say you should, and if you don't then there will be hell to pay"

2. Tactics keeping people distracted from accessing their full potential so they remain in their current situation and don't move forward lest they start to think for themselves.

3. "Give us your money as well."

Answer 10

I agree with Tribble, It sounds to me like you have found the truth, but have you asked Jesus into your heart. Sounds to me like you believe what born again Christians believe.

I like what Tuberoot said too.