Catholicism........?

Question

is not a true christian belief system. And before anyone gets their nickers in a twist, I will explain. The catholic religion is a hodge podge of many religions due to the need to convert "pagans", which inturn IS a Pagan religion in the since that they have multi deities, a mother goddess (which they had made lesser due to the times when women were considered a little more than a slave to men) a son of the two and the Father God. The 12 diciples are prayed to as messengers of God.
In the many religions that were prevalent of the times, such as Hinduism, Nordic, Celtics, and Greek and Roman gods, it follows the same pattern. Male dominant God, his wife, the favorite son of them, their devoute followers given presidence in their sky kingdom and the rituals observed for each season and need. I am not saying all Christians, I am saying that the Catholic church persecutes and denounces all Pagan religions and if so they denounce themselves. What is your take on this?

I see these facts that coinside with too many religions when the church was in its infancy.
Burning of Incense - Middle Eastern, Asian, and Hinduistic uses. Not only was it to give a pleasant scent unto the deity, the prayer would rise with the smoke, it also made a great air freshener (since bathing was usually a sporadic occurence)
Lighting of candles for prayers, tolling of bells, each "saint" has a specific use (as in multi deity religions), the Mother Mary (the christian version of the mother goddess which is prayed to for help more so than any other icon) the son of God- a prophet, and then God. I am not putting it down I am just saying that it's rituals are very much like the Pagan rituals of then and now.

ec and Talis_man - I appreciate your answers and am glad that you can take the info provided in a rational matter. I am making this comment because I live in the "Bible belt" and many of the Catholics I have come across say we Pagans are satanic and are witches, but how can that be when we believe in a higher power as they do (we do not refer to him or her as God persay) but we are a peaceful belief and have the same rituals as they do. I wish we had more people like you here, it would make our lives easier. :)

Answer 1

It's never been any debate that Catholicism has roots in pagan rituals. No kidding. While I see your point about some things, like someone else said, just because it has roots in pagan rituals and beliefs doesn't make it pagan. Catholicism was first, then the great schism happen and protestant happened. So...how is Protestant different than Catholicism? They started at the same place. I realize there are differences. The "saints," as you called them, are walking examples of how to live like a christian. So then they are looked up to. "Help me to be like you so that I may be one with the Lord" or however you want to put it.
Also, many of the pagan religions have a strong female influence. Not just a dominating male, as you like to put it. Yes, catholics have a dominating male figure. However, many pagans look up to a female figure. There's a balance between the male and female energies.
Again, I understand what you're trying to say, but it just looks like you're trying to skew facts so they fit your argument. Catholics believe in 1 God. They consider the God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (formerly the Holy Ghost) to one in the same. *shrugs* Think what you will. It doesn't do me any harm. Again, I understand what you're saying. How can they persecute pagans when many things are copied from paganism? Because they can. lol It's just not the same though.

I'm not Christian, but I was raised in a Catholic house. *shrugs* then I turned into a hippie intuitive and healer. It happens sometimes. lol

Answer 2

:) As a pagan I disagree with you. (Yes, I read that you also are pagan; read on, please.)

The essence of Christianity is not eclectic, just its expressions; the essence is the belief in Abrahamic monotheism and Jesus Christ as the Only Son of God whose death and Resurrection redeemed humanity. Pagans do not think redemption is necessary. Christians believe they need to be and can be forgiven; pagans believe they are individually responsible for their choices and consequences. Christians believe theirs is the only way; pagans do not believe any way is the only way.

Catholics no more than any other Christians are polytheist or duotheist or pantheist. Saying Catholicism is somehow a form of paganism is a misrepresentation of its fundamental belief, and leads to the absurdity that all religion is actually paganism or even neopaganism, because after all didn't every culture start as pagan?

As a pagan, I say we do NOT have the same rituals as they do; the theology is different, and the coincidence that we both MIGHT have incense or candles does not have nearly as much significance as differences in how we perceive Deity-human relations and this world.

To get along we do not have to be somehow the same. Diversity is not a threat to life or harmony; on the contrary, it may be essential for it to flourish.

Answer 3

I'm not sure I know what a pagan religion is. I do know that all religions, including yours, is a system of beliefs, not empirically provable facts. That being true, you might be wrong. Would that shake up your day?

The Roman Catholic Church is not the one true church. It is the original Christian church from which all the rest evolved. I am not so sure of myself that I will judge anyone else's religious view as right or wrong. I will let God sort that out when He is ready.

Try to be a bit more loving and forgiving and less self righteous.

Answer 4

Buddy, Catholic is the first and true Christian religion...it is teh one that Peter and Jesus' other disciples started. Yes we have lots of converts becuase people see that.
Your comparison would reneg all Americans being 'American' (which is ridiculous) because their ancestors came from elsewhere (except Native Americans of course).
BTW Catholics are taught to love and serve all people regardless of their faith since those acts and that love will be an example of Jesus' love.
You got it all wrong.
As far as the prayers to the Trinity - the 3 persons in one is a mystery - that is what we are taught - we are not capable of knowing all like God - so we will trust him (and our catholic teachings) with our faith and our lives , here and eternally.
The disciples and saint are our heros. We remember them and pray that we can be more like them.
Check it out on http://www.catholic.com/
ps my knickers aren't in a twist (lol) if we are faithful we can answer questions about Catholicsm without getting upset.
God bless you.

Answer 5

Following is part of the creed that is professed at EVERY mass:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

I'm sorry, but that sounds pretty Christian to me.

Answer 6

You are using facts about customs and practices to define the belief system of Catholics. That's like using an apple to prove that an orange must exist. Just because catholics adopted pagan practices into thier customs does not make thier belief system Pagan in nature. That is silly.

Answer 7

I agree I used to go to a catholic church and there customs and religious doctrine are not from God or the bible. Many of there teachers don't line up with the word of God and most of the time they do exactly what God says not to do. No where in the Bible did God say that I am going to make a pope and his word is as good as mine. No where does its say pray to Mary of disciples. Also the catholic has a habit of calling there priest Father and I know in the bible it says call no man Father.

Answer 8

Okay but I have to tell u many Catholics will disagree with this especialy my practicing Catholic Uncle who is too stubborn to argue with. With him it would be like arguing with a wall.
As for my younger Catholic cousins well they have pretty open minds to this sort of thing I don't know about my youngest cousin she practices her religion and would possibly be stubborn about it.
All in all this was interesting. The rest of my family is Protestent except for me I'm athiest.

Answer 9

The Catholic church is full of flaws and superstitious beliefs. They believe in the impossible. The whole church is based on stupid superstition , just like all the other churches and religions .

Answer 10

The fact is, christianity ( the christian church ) began in 33 A.D . This was ONE faith , one belief, etc.. Catholicism branched off of this original faith because the Pope of Rome believed he was greater than the other popes established by the 12. So 2 divisions were created, Catholicism and Orthodoxy.. From those , all other branched off.