A few questions for those who think Catholicism isn't Christian?

Question

1) Do you know any Catholics personally, other than those here on R&S?

2) On what do you base your judgment of Catholicism? (Cite specific sources, please: "My pastor," "The book (fill in the title)", etc.

3) Have you ever listened to what Catholics here have told you about the Faith? If so, why do you reject what they have told you?

Thanks in advance. I'll be interested in the answers.

Answer 1

I have to laugh at people who say Catholics aren't real Christians when the only "rule" is to accept Jesus as your savior and as Gods son, which Catholics do.
That and most doctrine, traditions, and theories with in the theology are based on Catholicism since they all branched from it no matter how they delude themselves.
Catholics are still going strong after 1600 years because they are not a divided house. I'm not Christian, but I respect Catholics a great deal. They are the ones I see in the soup kitchens in the ghetto while the Southern Baptist head to missions in Jamaica.
I was raised Catholic and never once was I told good works saved me. I was told Jesus saved me. Good works helped spread the word of God and encouraged humbleness. I never understood why people got so hung up on the "good works" part, like thats a BAD thing???

Answer 2

1. Depends on the rabbi and the laws where you live, but 17 should be old enough. 2. Walk into any temple (or synagogue if you prefer the word - they mean the same thing) and ask to speak to the rabbi, explaining that you're a Christian (Jews make little differentiation between the different sects of Christianity) interested in converting to Judaism. First, though, examine Judaism. Are you interested in Orthodox Judaism, Conservative? Reform? 3. You'll be going to services on Saturday (and holidays other than the ones with which you're familiar). If you feel the need to confess, you'll be confessing directly to God, not to a person. And you won't be worried every second that you might inadvertently commit a sin. 4. Other than by some Orthodox (mainly in Israel), Jews will accept you as a Jew if you convert. (Some Jews won't accept converted Jews as "real Jews" no matter which rabbi oversees your conversion. "Jewish" doesn't mean either "rational" or "nice". There are idiots and bigots in all religions.) But converting to Orthodox Judaism with the intent to be a Reform Jew? Does Catholicism teach dishonesty? Talk to a Reform rabbi if you want to convert to Reform Judaism. You may decide that Reform isn't religious enough for you. Be aware - conversion to Judaism isn't something you do over a weekend, or in a month - it;s a longer process.

Answer 3

Catholics worship more visually compared to other Bible believing Christians.


I just don't like the fact that the Vatican has removed the second of the Ten Commandments. In the Catholic Catechism (part 3) you'll read the following words of blasphemy:

"2132 The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it."[70] The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone: "


Not bowing to a graven image is the 2nd command, not the first. The evil men who wrote the Catholic Catechism deceitfully split the 10th commandment into two to make up for the missing 2nd commandment. Why are there two commandments telling us not to covet? Seems kind of strange don't you think?

Answer 4

I really don't care how they feel.
I'm sure that's why my last 2 questions were reported.

Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be;
even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church'' Ignatius of Antioch, 1st c. A.D

Answer 5

Yes I know many Catholics. You might enjoy reading "Falling Away" by B H Roberts, or "The Great Apostasy" by James E. Talmage. The early Christian religion was very simple with few rites, like faith, repentance and baptism. The Catholic church has a lot of fancy rituals, don't baptize by immersion and so on. The Church of Jesus Christ was not meant to be wealthy and pompous.

Answer 6

I thought the definition of "Christian" was anyone who believed that Jesus is the "Son of God" who came to die for humanity's sins?

So what? Every group has their little "things"

I don't understand the no meat on Friday, is that still around?

Answer 7

No. 1: I have known Catholics throughout my life. I don't consider the people on R&S to be people I know. I only read, answer and ask questions. I am not interested in getting to know the people personally.

No. 2: I Timothy 4:1-3. The Catholics give heed to seducing spirits (sightings of the so-called virgin Mary); they forbid priests and nuns to marry; they use to not eat meat on Friday. Matthew 23:9 tells us to call no man father, yet they call the pope holy father. I Timothy 2:5 tells us there is one mediator between God and man, Jesus; yet they confess to priests.

No. 3: I answer questions and ask them based on facts, I reject all unsound wisdom, so-called.

Answer 8

1 I was married to one and unfurtunatly the shaked up with another. I have had to muslim relation ships since and maybe they were closer to christian although I would not convert.

2 my father said when I was younger catholics are worse than athiests I did not understand at the time he was a preacher and this was not in a sermun but to his future wife. but after living with 2 I can understand what he ment they do not want to know about the bible or Jesus all they care about is thetraditions of the church.

3 yes I have read what meny have said that the catholic church is teh only true church and that is the first thing to put me off. we are told to worship God only not to pray to mary or saints. the term saints means sanctifide by Jesus and should aply to all christians who have accepted Jesus onto their heart unfortunatly catholics dio not seem to understand that.

Answer 9

I invite all to read this link:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/PILLAR.htm

And to listen to this:
http://www.bringyou.to/ScottHahnBAM1990.mp3

TO bibliophile1954: Here is a link to the Catechism: Show me where it teaches salvation by works:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

Answer 10

I was raised a Catholic for my first 18 years of life.

Catholicism teach salvation by works, which is NOT Biblical, according to:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Version)

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Their very belief negates the importance of Christ's sacrifice. That Is why I left the catholic church.