It's true that Lord Jesus' teachings are for Catholics too. But what are we supposed to do when they insist on worshiping "Queen of the Universe"? Their religion is not from God, it's backwards. And they get offended when we point it out.
They talk about men as authors and quote them, when it has nothing to do with God.
It's like Muslims and their idol worship, what are we supposed to do about it? How do you convert someone that their parents raised in that religion who has no interest in the truth?
How are we supposed to tell Catholics that we have a relationship with God when they do not have this frame of reference? They look at the words but they don't understand. They want to know why we don't revere the pope or follow their strange pagan religion.
Notice his initial posts in this thread, he said he can't understand why we don't agree with him. Well I can't understand why people worship idols and put the words and traditions of men above God. *shrug*
You certainly cannot do it the way some here try to.
it turns the person totally to the off position.
And you call Catholicism pagan. That's terrible! We may not agree with their doctrine, that does not make that Church pagan.
Let's see if I can go through your question since you seem serious.
If Jesus was God, and the first Church was called The Way (Acts) and then called Catholic (in Antioch) meaning Universal since it was the only Church and was being spread thought the known "universe" (world) could we not safely assume that this universal or Catholic Church believed in GOD? Was Jesus God or not??
We really should learn about apostolic succession. We may not agree with it, but it's A HISTORICAL fact. It cannot be denied.
It makes us look DUMB to deny it.
Mary came on the scene later and was not really a part of the beginnings of the Church. By this I Always mean PRIOR to Constantine declarin it the State Religion. This is when all the trouble began. It was very pure before that.
So they wanted to Honor Mary. They still Honor her much more than we do and maybe tooo much. So? It's the mother of our Lord. He loved her as His mother. They go over board, I agree, so are we to say they're not Christian?
Christian means one believes in CHRIST. Cathlics believe in Christ.
I was at a bible study of theirs just a few weeks ago and Galatians 2:16 was brought up by the Deacon to explain to some older folk that it's not our WORKS that save us but our belief in God. The older folk are having a bit of a problem understanding this because it was never taught before. However, salvation was still theirs if they loved Jesus because it's Jesus that saves, not some doctrine.
Priests KNOW that it's not enough to be "good". They know we have to have a relationship with Jesus. They know God is love.
There is not enough teaching in the Catholic Church. This is a problem.
If you want to witness to someone Catholic, just tell them about Jesus and the plan of salvation. No need to put down the Church they were raised in. And if they STAY in the Church? There's a prominant Protestant, can't think of his name right now,
that became Orthodox about two months ago. Should we ssend him to hell too? We're all brothers in Christ, and we should treat each other as such.
As far as the Pope goes, this could use its own thread. In a way, it's not wrong. He keeps the religion together. Look at us...
33,000 churches, incl the non-denominationals. It's becoming rediculous.
Catholics do not worship IDOLS. Please let's stop saying this.
There are some here who have had bad experiences in that Church and cannot forget them.
Jesus said to forgive each other and our enemies.
We should be doing this.
No Church is perfect...
