Catholics ARE Christians !!! please read below

[Stuey]

I think we are looking at the speck in the catholic church's eye while ignoring the plank in our own. There are far more important things for us to worry about both inside our church's and outside. Including incorrect teaching in some protestant church's!

Having said this, Mary Worship = bad. But I really don't know how many people in the cath church do this. Also Songster are you sure that doctrine is still accepted by the Catholic Church?

 

[SebastianKeats]

It is hard to take anyone seriously or not take offense when they mock the title of my thread ie when you said "Christians are NOT Catholics"

You said "At least thats how i see it if you pray to God & ONLY God, read the bible then i consider you a christian"

How dare you even say that to me you don't even know me... in my thread i said my church is centered around Jesus, i can see how people would have a problem with statues and the bad rep the catholic church has gotten,but I can only represent my church and my community. I don't always agree with everything the church has done, but i try my best to be the best Catholic I can be. I know it has a very spotty past, so what i should break away? Spirituality is personal.

Catholicism is more diverse than people think it is. (I could go on fo rdays how it varies from community to community, especially in my old irish ward)

So when I said Catholics Are Christians I wanted to say that we are followers of Christ.

...I'm not an idol worhipper i pray in my own time, i pray all day, i dont need a statue. I pray to Jesus. Just cuz we have a statue of Mary and Joseph doesnt mean we think they are some golden calf.

You see I am trying to be someone who unites all christians, but when I am treated like a second class Christian, i take offense. And i won't sugar coat my words. If you have a problem with it then deal with it. And in the mean time i'll always be here to defend my faith.

 

[SebastianKeats]

Hello Sebastian,

The way that you have worded your post, would certainly make anyone hesitant to comment on your belief, not wanting you to feel unwelcomed, or unaccepted in the Church. But to point out the errors of Islamic doctrine, Mormon doctrine, and the doctrine of Jehovah's witnesses, (as many have in other posts), without also pointing out the grave errors in Catholic doctrine, when such doctrine becomes an issue, as it has here, would be somewhat discriminatory and biased.

My friend, if you have fully accepted the doctrine of your church, you believe considerably more than what you've stated here concerning Mary and your church.

In the Councel of Ephesus in 431 AD, your church determined that Mary was the mother of the whole person of Jesus Christ, making her not only the mother of Jesus in the flesh, but also the mother of God, which also serves to support the Catholic belief that Mary is the mother of us all.

It is also known that Mary was a virgin at the time of her conception, but continued to have children after the birth of Jesus. This is well supported in the scriptures, however the Catholic church has made her a 'Perpetual Virgin', claiming that she never lost her virginity.

It is also Catholic belief, that Mary was sinless. The only thing that remains a matter of debate in circles which support this claim, is exactly when she became sinless.

According to the Ad Caeli Reginam, by Pope Pius Xll, Mary is the "Queen of Heaven". This is a belief based on the assumption that because Jesus is a King, Mary certainly must be a queen.

Friend, I agree that no one is in a position to judge the salvation of another, however, this belief system is certainly not consistent with the fundamental beliefs of the bible It cannot be said whether these serious errors in doctrine could prevent someone from being saved, but, I believe that anyone choosing to question this doctrine is wise to do so, as scrutiny is definately warranted.

Hi,

thanks for your reply, yes the church has a lot of things I dont agree with, I can't elect the pope, but I can control my own struggle for spirituality, and it is a personal matter not dictated by events in the past or by the words of some pope. So am i just supposed to leave my people and my community because of this...no that would be cowardly. I would convert and nothing would change for me on the inside. I pray to Jesus he is my savior. And i do question my leaders but not the spriituality and strength i have found the people who raised me and exemplified jesus in their own lives.

Thanks,

John

 

[songster]

Hi,

thanks for your reply, yes the church has a lot of things I dont agree with, I can't elect the pope, but I can control my own struggle for spirituality, and it is a personal matter not dictated by events in the past or by the words of some pope. So am i just supposed to leave my people and my community because of this...no that would be cowardly. I would convert and nothing would change for me on the inside. I pray to Jesus he is my savior. And i do question my leaders but not the spriituality and strength i have found the people who raised me and exemplified jesus in their own lives.

Thanks,

John

Your welcome John. I just wanted to make sure you knew what your church was teaching regarding Mary. I certainly don't want you to leave your people, although I'm curious, what did you mean by "am i just supposed to leave my people and my community".

Is your adherence to Catholic doctrine, the result of cultural influence, a devotion to your family and community?? I can tell you that there are those who left a bit more than that for Jesus.

 

[Sharp]

Let me know what you think ! If you do not agree that Catholics are true Christians then please leave a comment below or if you have any thoughts I would love to hear from you !!! I will not and have not responded to anyone who believes that I am not a true Christian with any rancor. I just want to hear what and why you believe what you do !

I don't have the right to say whether catholics are true christians, but, and I don't mean any offence by this, I would have to consider them in the same way that I consider jehova's witnesses and mormons in that they have completely unbiblical practices and completely misinterpret scriptures.

Things like having an infallible pope to be Christ's sole representative on earth who alone can interpret scripture, transubstantiation, indulgences, Mary worship (praying is a form of worship, more than just 'veneration'), saint worship, priestly celebacy etc. are either unbiblical or unnecessary.

So, these are my thoughts! I don't want to start an argument, just responding to the thread in the way you asked for!

Cheers.

 

[MahogonySnail]

Catholics rock. Well, the charismatic ones..

 

[songster]

I think we are looking at the speck in the catholic church's eye while ignoring the plank in our own. There are far more important things for us to worry about both inside our church's and outside. Including incorrect teaching in some protestant church's!

Having said this, Mary Worship = bad. But I really don't know how many people in the cath church do this. Also Songster are you sure that doctrine is still accepted by the Catholic Church?[/quote]

Yes, it most certainly is still very much a part of the Catholic church. Because of the Catholic church's influence, some countries are practicing idolatry and abominations with a great deal of devotion. My fiance', who is slowly being deprogrammed from the Catholic doctrine, and who has also accepted Christ into her heart/life, practiced Roman Catholicism for years as part of the Philippine culture, resulting from Spanish influence.

A friend of mine, (not my fiance), about 3 years ago, would tell me of the idolatrous Catholic beliefs and the spiritual bondages which occurred as a result, within her own home, as she converted to a more biblically based form of Christianity, much to the dismay of her family.

In my second trip to the Philippines I saw the golden crowns upon the statues of Mary, signifying her royal status as queen. My fiance', began to actually experience visitations from who she believed was her deceased sister, which made her very afraid, but this only caused her to seek Mary's help all the more. I am finding more and more that some Catholics are neither aware of the contents of the Christian bible, nor what their own Church leadership believes.

I believe that mainstream Christianity wants to believe that the Roman Catholic Church has put away all false doctrine, in the hope of considering it a church with just a few minor doctrinal problems, while still maintaining a belief in the basics of the bible. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus said, a little yeast causes the whole lump of dough to be leavened. If the practices of the Catholic church are in fact heretical, then they are no different from the claims made by Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons or any other religion which may bare a resemblance to Christianity, but in fact has little biblical foundation. I am no stranger to going against the grain. What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular.

As I have said, I cannot determine whether these doctrinal errors, which are far greater than any I have found in any Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist or Non-denominational church, will prevent anyone from being saved, but I can say with great confidence, that they are unbiblical.

 

[Grey]

No one has any right to say a group or person is not Christian, it just creates more hate.

 

[MahogonySnail]

Catholics are christians but many are on the edge. The ones I've talked to love the writings of the Pope more than the bible, they are confused in their theology and I don't believe catholic churches teach the gospel or the truth in their services which is why the average catholic doesn't know much at all. Some I've talked with hold onto the Pope in one hand and Buddha in the other. Twelfth centuary catholicism was closer to the mark than modern catholicism which is more like pantheism I believe.

 

[NoTearsShed]

It is hard to take anyone seriously or not take offense when they mock the title of my thread ie when you said "Christians are NOT Catholics"

You said "At least thats how i see it if you pray to God & ONLY God, read the bible then i consider you a christian"

How dare you even say that to me you don't even know me... in my thread i said my church is centered around Jesus, i can see how people would have a problem with statues and the bad rep the catholic church has gotten,but I can only represent my church and my community. I don't always agree with everything the church has done, but i try my best to be the best Catholic I can be. I know it has a very spotty past, so what i should break away? Spirituality is personal.

Catholicism is more diverse than people think it is. (I could go on fo rdays how it varies from community to community, especially in my old irish ward)

So when I said Catholics Are Christians I wanted to say that we are followers of Christ.

...I'm not an idol worhipper i pray in my own time, i pray all day, i dont need a statue. I pray to Jesus. Just cuz we have a statue of Mary and Joseph doesnt mean we think they are some golden calf.

You see I am trying to be someone who unites all christians, but when I am treated like a second class Christian, i take offense. And i won't sugar coat my words. If you have a problem with it then deal with it. And in the mean time i'll always be here to defend my faith.

"At least thats how i see it if you pray to God & ONLY God, read the bible then i consider you a christian"

I said that & this is your reply

How dare you even say that to me you don't even know me... in my thread i said my church is centered around Jesus,

How can you take offence to that?
Its implying that i think your a christian But you know what i DONT Get you you say your catholic then you say your christian & that catholic are christian & then you get offended when i say i consider you a christian....

You say you are praying to God & i said the same God is the father, the son (jesus) & the holy spirit.
& that i only pray to him.
I think that maybe you take things differently than what some people here posted.
I dont even know why you are angry.
If people Pray to God & center their life around Jesus then why do you get offended if they say you are christian or catholic.... you said your a proud catholic then that you are christian THEN you get offended when i say that quote above...

 

[GEORGIE]

do not confuse yourself yes God is almighty and yes he could choose any virgin to bring Christ into the world God is so loving that he is willing to forgive and renew anyone who come to him through Christ and Christ alone. The followers of Christ who set an example of what we may expect, all are due a respect but that is that. Yes if you pray to God. No if you pray to the saints.

 

[Texas_Christian]

I have heard those remarks and here is what I have to say :
Do you believe in God?
Have you accepted that Christ is the savior?
Have you entrusted your life to Christ and God?

If those answers are yes then..... YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN

I am so tired of those people saying "If you don't worship Christ in this way you are not christian" I have had the same thing said to me because of my views. I am a christian, but since I do not follow the crowd I have been called a witch, heathen, pagan and all sorts of things. I am sorry you had to go through that, it is inexcusable. I applaud your fortitude in staying with your faith. Catholics are Christians, just like Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans etc.

 

[zavok]

why does it matter what some is u all worship the same god and technically who can tell me they follow everything by the book i have seen some people say this about the relgion and agree with it and another disagre but there both christian so why are they disagreeing with each other which would also lead to whos being the true christian you all follow your relgion in your own way so you have no right to say catholics are wrong at the end of the day we all human and we should all get along and ignore petty things like this

 

[Grey]

Exactly Zavok

 

[forgivenandloved]

If you believe in Jesus, that he died, rose again and is atonement for our sins I believe you are a Christian. Ultimately its between you and God.

 

[Commendez]

hey Bro I honestly think that 'Songster' and 'Pete_Martinez' have it nailed. The generalization of Catholics comes from the words spoken from the one who represents all Catholics, the Pope. Now, just because he might say that Mary is worthy to be worshiped (Pope John Paul II "Totus tuus sum, Maria," or "I am all yours, Mary,") doesn't mean that ALL catholics then dedicate their lives to Mary instead of Jesus, but you do have to admit that many Catholics are in fact worshiping Mary, which by any standard is breaking the 1st commandment.
You, however, seem to have your belief strongly based on Jesus, so no man can say YOUR belief is wrong. Don't forget that many people like to point fingers because it makes them feel better about themselves and the same goes with our beliefs. Many have, falsely, put you in a category of Catholic believers that go against the teachings of Christ, but, "let he that is without sin cast the first stone"

 

[loeza89]

well im my opinion it all comes down to the type of catholic and christian you are referring two because my whole family is catholic but there ideology involves Jesus yes but most of there prayer and other practices are based on the Virgin Mary and the Saints and although they were spiritual people we are still not suppose to idolize them the way most not all but most of Catholics do

 

[Mordred]

Well Brother (I call you my brother because you are my fellow man), if you ever need a friend who is unbiased, and believes in non-aggressive Christianity, let me know.

 

[loeza89]

I love the Display picture XD lol sorry off topic but its awesome XD

 

[Jordan9]

"There are millions of people today who hate what they perceive the Catholic Church to be, but there are not 100 who oppose what the Catholic Church actually is." - Fulton Sheen