In the past I have invited church-goers to come with me sometimes to my church and every Catholic I invited said the same thing. They told me it was against their religion to go to any other church than theirs.
It is my belief that God merely wants us to serve Him I don't think it matters where since He knows our hearts. And anyway any religion that dictates ones own choices is a red flag for me. I am Christian and my religion has never put constraints on me. There are things I no longer do simply because they no longer interest me or feel right but the only rules set in stone in my faith are the Ten Commandments. Why would something like that be against religion? What would be the motives of preaching thou shalt not go to any other church? What are they afraid of?
2007-04-08 17:08:25 · 10 answers · asked by kwazeeme 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi Tawna;
Catholicism is a controlling religious belief, with penalties for straying away from "the church" that extend beyond this life according to that belief system. There are Christians within that belief system who are trying to change it just as Marin Luther did when the reformation came long ago. It is very doubtful that will ever happen before the Lord comes.
There are many rules set in stone in Christianity, but we are never compelled to believe in them because God has given us free choice to obey or disobey Him. The two greatest commandments in all of scripture are we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as
ourselves. The ten commandments are the law that convicts us of sin and helps us to see the need of Christ in our lives. There is not one person living on earth who has not broken at least one of the Ten Commandments so the entire world is guilty of sin. This brings up another commandment which is that we are to repent of our sin. You and I know that when we do this we find peace with God.
As far as churches go - the Bible says we are the body of Christ. The church is not a building or a system of beliefs, but a living organism of believers who love and serve God.
The only church Christians should attend is those that preach the gospel of salvation through the blood of Christ. Paul said,
if any preach another gospel let them be accursed!
The spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. If our spirit doesn't bear witness with the spirit of a church we attend we need to find one that does.
Its not a matter of preaching we shouldn't go to another church
but the discerning that God has given us deep within to know whether they are preaching about and exalting Christ there.
If not - we should leave, unless God has sent us there to reach
out to someone who does not know the true gospel.
2007-04-09 03:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that is probably pretty much true. I agree with you that God knows are hearts. Keep those red flags handy, in these last days I believe that we will be using allot of them!
I say go where you are comfortable in the Christian realm, stay away from anything that tells you it is the only church that is right and without them you cant go to heaven.
1st sign of a false religion is guilt, by choose us or you wont go to heaven!
2007-04-09 01:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by carpentershammerer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Considering that some protestant churches teach that the Catholic Church is the Anti-Christ, I don't blame them. Protestant churches are no more tolerant then Catholic.
BTW all religions dictate choices, some just do it to a much higher extreme then others
2007-04-09 00:19:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
EVERY church, no matter what denomination has saved and unsaved sitting in it EVERY Sunday.
Here is a quote from a very good book (one that many churches wanted banned) called Waiting for the Galactic Bus: "Religion is what you sing on Sunday, faith is what you practice during the week.".
2007-04-09 00:13:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are correct Brother. The reason a lot of ministers say they do not want their people to go to another church is insecurity, they are afraid that you will like another church better and go there.
2007-04-09 00:34:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their is no dictatorship on their refusal to go with you in your church. They do not like your church.The teachings in your church and that they do not like to be converted from their religion to another religion. It only prove that they are true to their present religion.
Nobody is prohibiting them to go to your church. Just a plain they do not want to join you in your religion and that is their right.
jtm
2007-04-09 00:39:50 · answer #6 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What they tell you is true. You do not understand the Catholic faith and this is not the place to teach you. Suffice it to say if you wish to know look it up instead of trying to get your friends to violate the rules of their faith. This would be similar to "shoving down their throats" I guess. What are they afraid of? Error in doctrine.
Now if you don't like that answer, remember, you asked.
It is our practice. quit your bitchin'. Nobody asked you to change.
2007-04-09 00:15:45 · answer #7 · answered by Arnon 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Um...It's not against the Catholic faith to go to a non-Catholic Church. It is to take a different communion. I think the Catholics you talk to are mistaken. If the Catholics are all right with their faith, you should be all right with it too.
2007-04-09 00:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Je veux changer le monde 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
christianity isn't the only religion
2007-04-09 00:13:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are afraid of broadening their minds.
2007-04-09 07:02:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋