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Hi there Josh...
So, I was brought up Catholic and baptised in a Catholic Church. I don't really go there much these-days but it does make me able to speak about it honestly and with some experience behind me.
Confession has it's merits. Pride is a problem in todays world. Any man can say to almighty God that they have sinned, and name them all in Private. Confession differs because it's about overcoming that pride and saying to a brother "These are the things that I have done". He then prays for forgiveness. That's common, Christians pray for each other all the time.
To be honest, there are many things about the Catholic faith I dont quite agree with. One of those is praying to saints or mary to pass on a message to God. I still find that idea strange, and I always pray to Jesus. No-one has it perfect. My Pentecostal church once said that EVERY chirstian who has been baptised in the Holy Spirit can speak tongues. Which is a problem for two reaons, first Scripture doesnt actually say that, and secondly, as close as I am to Jesus, I can't speak Tongues.
I don't like the discord between denominations. However I know one thing, Jesus loves Catholics, just as much as he loves any other Christian.
So, I was brought up Catholic and baptised in a Catholic Church. I don't really go there much these-days but it does make me able to speak about it honestly and with some experience behind me.
Confession has it's merits. Pride is a problem in todays world. Any man can say to almighty God that they have sinned, and name them all in Private. Confession differs because it's about overcoming that pride and saying to a brother "These are the things that I have done". He then prays for forgiveness. That's common, Christians pray for each other all the time.
To be honest, there are many things about the Catholic faith I dont quite agree with. One of those is praying to saints or mary to pass on a message to God. I still find that idea strange, and I always pray to Jesus. No-one has it perfect. My Pentecostal church once said that EVERY chirstian who has been baptised in the Holy Spirit can speak tongues. Which is a problem for two reaons, first Scripture doesnt actually say that, and secondly, as close as I am to Jesus, I can't speak Tongues.
I don't like the discord between denominations. However I know one thing, Jesus loves Catholics, just as much as he loves any other Christian.
I have never minded the praying to saints. After all, if I am facing a problem, I would always ask friends to pray for me. Why wouldn't I ask Saints and Mary, also?
I, too, have some disagreements with Roman Catholic doctrines, but I think a lot of evangelicals' prejudice against Catholics is unfounded.