Catholicism

[YesImAFreshman]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

[chestertonrules]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

You need to do a little research before posting again.  Your are providing misinformation.

Don't bear false witness.

[winsome]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

You need to do a little research before posting again.  Your are providing misinformation.

Don't bear false witness.

He needs to do a lot of research and be less insulting.

Alternatively he could ask questions politely.

[desertknight]

Unfortunately they have no intention of doing any "research", because the truth is of no interest to them.  They, like almost every other non-Catholic who comes to this forum since I've been here, are only interested in attempting to drag God's Holy Church through the mud and insult their brother Christians.   The very fact that the Church exists and has for 2,000 years, irritates them and they pathetically use any and every means possible in some attempt to deal with it.   It has been so throughout history.

[marie69]

YesImAFreshman,

First and foremost, Catholics are Christians. There is no difference. We believe in one true God that gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. The biggest holidays in the Catholic Church are Christmas and Easter because we celebrate the birth and Passion of Christ with great reverence.

Secondly, I find it sad that you choose to post such a topic knowing full well that your only intention is to get a rise out of the Catholic family on this forum. That is very immature and uncalled for.

If you have any questions, most of us on here would not mind answering them. But please be more mature in your topics and please make sure the information you provide is truthful.

God bless!

[Banditkat]

Because pastors also have issues... I am tired of it always being one sided.... Read this article.



It has statistics from Richard Newman form Fuller Theological Seminary that did some valid research. See the research in the article.


Your Christian Catholic Friend,
Mary

[link removed per forum rules]

[YesImAFreshman]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

You need to do a little research before posting again.  Your are providing misinformation.

Don't bear false witness.

Can you please let me know where I beared false witness.

[YesImAFreshman]

YesImAFreshman,

First and foremost, Catholics are Christians. There is no difference. We believe in one true God that gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. The biggest holidays in the Catholic Church are Christmas and Easter because we celebrate the birth and Passion of Christ with great reverence.

Secondly, I find it sad that you choose to post such a topic knowing full well that your only intention is to get a rise out of the Catholic family on this forum. That is very immature and uncalled for.

If you have any questions, most of us on here would not mind answering them. But please be more mature in your topics and please make sure the information you provide is truthful.

God bless!

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians. And I'm not dragging Catholicism through the mud, I just am trying to inform people that Catholics and Christians are different.

[YesImAFreshman]

See who you are following:

[link removed per forum rules]

[chestertonrules]

Can you please let me know where I beared false witness.

Here:

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians.

You might be just ignorant or stupid, but you are still bearing false witness.

The majority of Christians in the world are Catholic.  You may be a Christian too, but no one could tell from your posts.

[winsome]

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians. And I'm not dragging Catholicism through the mud, I just am trying to inform people that Catholics and Christians are different.

What is your definition of a Christian?

How do you think people become Christians?

[k-pappy]

Can you please let me know where I beared false witness.

Here:

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians.

You might be just ignorant or stupid, but you are still bearing false witness.

The majority of Christians in the world are Catholic.  You may be a Christian too, but no one could tell from your posts.

Not that I am defending the OP author, but your post is not very Christian in nature either.

Bond

[chestertonrules]

You might be just ignorant or stupid, but you are still bearing false witness.

The majority of Christians in the world are Catholic.  You may be a Christian too, but no one could tell from your posts.

Not that I am defending the OP author, but your post is not very Christian in nature either.

Bond
[/quote]

Feel free to elaborate.

I won't let the Church be lied about.  How is that unChristian?

He came onto a site discussing the Catholic Church then proceeded to lie about the Church.

[ex cathedra]

none of us know how many protestant are christians how many lutherans are christians or how many catholics are christians .


Most Lutherans and catholics and protestants WHO READ THEIR BIBLES are well aware of the fact that only God knows who truly trust his Son's merits alone for their salvation .
only God knows these who are his true christians people.

only God see's the heart lets not for get that fact.

[k-pappy]

Feel free to elaborate.

I think the post I quoted is quite enough elaboration

I won't let the Church be lied about.  How is that unChristian?

The manner in which you confronted and verbally assualted the young man is unChristian...not the possible motive behind the attack.

He came onto a site discussing the Catholic Church then proceeded to lie about the Church.

If you believe that to be the case, there are other ways to go about correcting the young man.  Winsome had a very nice, Christ-like approach.

Using a firehose on an oil fire only spreads the flames and increases the heat.  There are better, more subtle ways to put it out.  If you still do not understand what I am saying, please feel free to PM me.

Bond

[chestertonrules]

Feel free to elaborate.

I think the post I quoted is quite enough elaboration

I won't let the Church be lied about.  How is that unChristian?

The manner in which you confronted and verbally assualted the young man is unChristian...not the possible motive behind the attack.

He came onto a site discussing the Catholic Church then proceeded to lie about the Church.

If you believe that to be the case, there are other ways to go about correcting the young man.  Winsome had a very nice, Christ-like approach.

Using a firehose on an oil fire only spreads the flames and increases the heat.  There are better, more subtle ways to put it out.  If you still do not understand what I am saying, please feel free to PM me.

Bond

You are probably right.  I'll try to be more charitable next time.

[LightHammer]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

Dude youre embarrassing us! Ahh!! What nonsense is this.


Wait, as a free thinking protestant I would like to say that this guy doesnt have a clue about what hes talking about. There are protestants who genuinely seek the truth as I hope I have proven in my debates with you fellow christians.

Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told.

[LightHammer]

YesImAFreshman,

First and foremost, Catholics are Christians. There is no difference. We believe in one true God that gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. The biggest holidays in the Catholic Church are Christmas and Easter because we celebrate the birth and Passion of Christ with great reverence.

Secondly, I find it sad that you choose to post such a topic knowing full well that your only intention is to get a rise out of the Catholic family on this forum. That is very immature and uncalled for.

If you have any questions, most of us on here would not mind answering them. But please be more mature in your topics and please make sure the information you provide is truthful.

God bless!

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians. And I'm not dragging Catholicism through the mud, I just am trying to inform people that Catholics and Christians are different.

Gosh you're so wrong its sad. Please all protestants aren't this misguided. We are just a bit skeptical about some of the habits of the Catholic Church. Any person who has a 101 knowledge knows that Christianity is the faith with Catholicism and Protestantism being mere denominations.

Dude Im not even on page two yet. Please tell me you didnt post anymore nonsense. Gosh this is so humiliating.

[winsome]

Dude youre embarrassing us! Ahh!! What nonsense is this.


Wait, as a free thinking protestant I would like to say that this guy doesnt have a clue about what hes talking about. There are protestants who genuinely seek the truth as I hope I have proven in my debates with you fellow christians.

Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told.

Gosh you're so wrong its sad. Please all protestants aren't this misguided. We are just a bit skeptical about some of the habits of the Catholic Church. Any person who has a 101 knowledge knows that Christianity is the faith with Catholicism and Protestantism being mere denominations.

Dude Im not even on page two yet. Please tell me you didnt post anymore nonsense. Gosh this is so humiliating.

Sadly there are some protestants out there who believe the stuff he is posting.

I have come across one "Christian

[pointmade]

LigtHammer: "Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told"

Well said, as a youth I was told by the Catholic Church "not to eat meat on Friday." Then, Rome changed the rules. My father went to his grave believing that eating meat on Friday was a mortal sin. The Mass was only read in Latin in our little Catholic church along side of the road in Sandgap, Kentucky. By the time I became familiar with some Latin, Rome changed the rules. Peter said in Acts 2:23 that "You men of Israel, by wicked hands of lawless men have crucified and slain Jesus of Nazareth." Along comes Pope John Paul in the 20th century and said "the the Jews did not kill Jesus." So, I can see where Freshman has a point. He may not be the only "amateur" on board. When does "repeating what you are told" become subconscious feed back?

[Amo]

Gosh you're so wrong its sad. Please all protestants aren't this misguided. We are just a bit skeptical about some of the habits of the Catholic Church. Any person who has a 101 knowledge knows that Christianity is the faith with Catholicism and Protestantism being mere denominations.

Dude Im not even on page two yet. Please tell me you didnt post anymore nonsense. Gosh this is so humiliating.

You are obviously not familiar with the writings of the Protestant Reformers.  Many people use the word Protestant very loosely.  Most of the Protestants of today have already rejected much of what their forefathers believed in relation to the church of Rome.  They should perhaps reject this title, which does not really apply to them.  In fact, the thing has already been done in the past.  Perhaps LightHammer it is time for you to do the same.  You do understand don't you, that Protestant stands for those who protest the teachings and usurped authority of Rome?

[chestertonrules]

LigtHammer: "Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told"

Well said, as a youth I was told by the Catholic Church "not to eat meat on Friday." Then, Rome changed the rules. My father went to his grave believing that eating meat on Friday was a mortal sin. 

Eating meat on Friday was never a mortal sin.

Fasting is part of Christian tradition and it is biblical and effective for sanctification.

The Catholic Church often changes disciplines and rituals, but it never changes dogmas.

Your ignorance is typical but disappointing.

[Macrina]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not.

"Catholic" means "universal". If you believe in the universal unity of Christianity, then your catholic.

The Roman Church began to be called The Catholic church because most of western Christianity isn't familiar with the whole of the ancient church, of which Rome is only one part.
In other words, their popularity grew in the west because westerners were ignorant of the whole of church history.

The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems.

Maybe you mean a "worldly" view. Most mature Christians know he is only the head of his diocese according to the canons (rules/guidelines) of the churches.

To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on.

On this subject you need to study some history. Both the eastern and western (Rome is considered a western church) churches survived because of the converted Frankish/Germanic barbarian peoples defending them against the Muslims and Mongolians. Had this not occurred, it is possible everyone could be Muslim by now. Both Muslim and Mongolians were overrunning all the lands in the middle east and European lands.

But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins.

God doesn't "pay" for sin.

We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me.

It makes no sense to you because you do not understand that holy things are for the holy.
Eze 22:26  ...... and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy  and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, ....... and I am profaned among them.

I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

Blessed are they who are persecuted for Christ's sake.  Christians suffer persecution, that is a fact. Whether they be Roman Catholics, Protestants, or Evangelicals, all will suffer persecution from the world just as our Lord did.

[LightHammer]

Gosh you're so wrong its sad. Please all protestants aren't this misguided. We are just a bit skeptical about some of the habits of the Catholic Church. Any person who has a 101 knowledge knows that Christianity is the faith with Catholicism and Protestantism being mere denominations.

Dude Im not even on page two yet. Please tell me you didnt post anymore nonsense. Gosh this is so humiliating.

You are obviously not familiar with the writings of the Protestant Reformers.  Many people use the word Protestant very loosely.  Most of the Protestants of today have already rejected much of what their forefathers believed in relation to the church of Rome.  They should perhaps reject this title, which does not really apply to them.  In fact, the thing has already been done in the past.  Perhaps LightHammer it is time for you to do the same.  You do understand don't you, that Protestant stands for those who protest the teachings and usurped authority of Rome?

Brother, although I appreciate the extnesive pysch evaluation of my faith, I do not answer to you. Or any man for that matter. Im not upset just a little offended that my fellow protestants on this site,who have an incomplete knowledge of history and still try to act as though they know what they're talking about.

I seek only the Truth. I dont care about the corruption of a few as protestants do. The past of the Catholics is stained with theautrocities of the Inquistion just as the past of Protestantism is stained with the injustices of the Salem Witchtrials and sound doctrine that enslaved my race. Are both of these establishes rendered false because of the mistakes of a few? David slept with Bathsheeba. Noah was accussed of drunkness. Peter denied Christ. The disciples abandoned Christ. Every great patriarch of our faith has sin at their feet or blood on they're hands but that does not make their sacrifices any less glorified by God. OPEN YOUR MIND. Im not saying that the catholics are right but in all the deabtes Ive witness I havent seen one protestant at least attempting to understand their points of view. You crush and crush their defensesas blasphemy before you even evaluate them. I dont care aout a few bad apples. I want solely to be filled with God's COMPLETE Truth. Now although I keep an open mind, my heart is still just as guarded as ever. I acknowledge the possibilty of the Truth of catholicism. I have not submitted to it.  I seek to find the faith that is complete through God. I have found no Protestant faith that fits this requisit.

You are closed off. You are limited by what you can realize because you refuse to open your mind. In that ignorance you attempt to judge me. How sad. You may experience God's forgiveness and we may share steps on the golden roads of heaven but in this life you will never reach the full potential of your faith because of your lack of willingless to accept that you may not have everything figured out.

[Macrina]

LigtHammer: "Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told"

Well said, as a youth I was told by the Catholic Church "not to eat meat on Friday." Then, Rome changed the rules. My father went to his grave believing that eating meat on Friday was a mortal sin. The Mass was only read in Latin in our little Catholic church along side of the road in Sandgap, Kentucky. By the time I became familiar with some Latin, Rome changed the rules. Peter said in Acts 2:23 that "You men of Israel, by wicked hands of lawless men have crucified and slain Jesus of Nazareth." Along comes Pope John Paul in the 20th century and said "the the Jews did not kill Jesus." So, I can see where Freshman has a point. He may not be the only "amateur" on board. When does "repeating what you are told" become subconscious feed back?

The Roman church has been in schism because of it's reforms. But glory be to God that the ancient church which holds to Jesus and the Apostles teachings still exists unchanged in the eastern churches.

The Eastern Orthodox received many converts from Roman Catholicism after Vatican 2.

[desertknight]

The Catholic Church received many converts from other traditions after Vatican II as well.  You should be aware that one of the stated goals of Vatican II was repairing our fractured relationship with the separated churches of the east...

"A major event of the Second Vatican Council, known as Vatican II, was the issuance by Pope Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras of a joint expression of regret for many of the past actions that had led up to the Great Schism between the Western and Eastern churches, expressed as the Catholic-Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965. At the same time, they lifted the mutual excommunications dating from the eleventh century."

[chestertonrules]

 

The Roman church has been in schism because of it's reforms. 

Rubbish.

1.2 billion strong and growing rapidly. 

A few disgruntled nut cases is not a schism.

[Macrina]

The Catholic Church received many converts from other traditions after Vatican II as well.  You should be aware that one of the stated goals of Vatican II was repairing our fractured relationship with the separated churches of the east...

"A major event of the Second Vatican Council, known as Vatican II, was the issuance by Pope Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras of a joint expression of regret for many of the past actions that had led up to the Great Schism between the Western and Eastern churches, expressed as the Catholic-Orthodox Joint Declaration of 1965. At the same time, they lifted the mutual excommunications dating from the eleventh century."

Oh you mean the "Byzantine Catholics".  I've perused those canons, have you? They are not the same ones the Roman church adheres to. False unity is false unity no matter how you slice it. One could just as well say the EO Byzantine Catholics sold their birthright for a bowl of soup.
Or were you referring to the patriarch of Constantinople trying to save his skin....? Seeing as how much of Eastern Orthodoxy isn't in communion with him, how can there be unity.

I am a descendant of the Frankish peoples. We know very well the deception that can come from both sides.

While I don't mean to sound contentious about this subject, what is the big deal to unite everyone to the pope anyhow? You know as well as I do that the Apostles Canons state that a bishop (such as the pope is) is not to go into other bishops jurisdictions claiming authority there.

[Macrina]

The Roman church has been in schism because of it's reforms. 

Rubbish.

1.2 billion strong and growing rapidly. 

A few disgruntled nut cases is not a schism.

Ah, the numbers game. How "protestant" of you.

You do understand that in the end times there are more deceived Christians (in apostasy) than true Christians (ones still following the original teachings). Boasting of numbers has an opposite effect in our time.

And you know it's not a matter of a "few disgruntled nut cases". It's a matter of ecumenical council among the bishops.

[desertknight]

The Roman church has been in schism because of it's reforms. 

Rubbish.

1.2 billion strong and growing rapidly. 

A few disgruntled nut cases is not a schism.

Ah, the numbers game. How "protestant" of you.

You do understand that in the end times there are more deceived Christians (in apostasy) than true Christians (ones still following the original teachings). Boasting of numbers has an opposite effect in our time.

And you know it's not a matter of a "few disgruntled nut cases". It's a matter of ecumenical council among the bishops.

Like Second Ephesus?   

[Macrina]

The Roman church has been in schism because of it's reforms. 

Rubbish.

1.2 billion strong and growing rapidly. 

A few disgruntled nut cases is not a schism.

Ah, the numbers game. How "protestant" of you.

You do understand that in the end times there are more deceived Christians (in apostasy) than true Christians (ones still following the original teachings). Boasting of numbers has an opposite effect in our time.

And you know it's not a matter of a "few disgruntled nut cases". It's a matter of ecumenical council among the bishops.

Like Second Ephesus?   

Hey, I'd be among the first to state that many "ecumenical" councils were one sided when it comes to numbers. But you know that Rome having lost it's former glory (hence the low numbers of bishops), then seeing Constantinople with such glory, was just plain coveting it. Such power plays were typical when politicians were involved.

You just can't mix political government with religion. Such things always wind up in a bad way. ie. a pope believing he could crown someone as an emperor, when he had no such authority (just take those ignorant barbarians in medieval times and have them believe all manner of madness)

To be clear I am not taking sides. My bishop isn't in communion with any patriarchs for good reasons (this is not to say he/we aren't in communion with other bishops). He has a legitimate succession and synod, and that's good enough for me.

Think I don't poke at the Orthodox on St John Chrysostom and how the western bishop (pope) saved his hide from the Empress in Constantinople.  Oh yes I do! I have a horn to toot same as anyone else. 

[chestertonrules]

[

You do understand that in the end times there are more deceived Christians (in apostasy) than true Christians (ones still following the original teachings). Boasting of numbers has an opposite effect in our time.

No I don't understand this.

That is pure speculation on your part. 

[Macrina]

[

You do understand that in the end times there are more deceived Christians (in apostasy) than true Christians (ones still following the original teachings). Boasting of numbers has an opposite effect in our time.

No I don't understand this.

That is pure speculation on your part. 

Not me speculating. We have been living in the "end times" since Pentecost and 
St Paul said it (not me) in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, falling away=apostasy (Gr. apostasia)
"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,+ ......

I'm not the kinda person to make things up from my vain imagination. Would rather get it straight from the horses mouth so to speak. It's written plain as day for anyone to read.

Or, do you think that St Paul was speculating.

[YesImAFreshman]

Can you please let me know where I beared false witness.

Here:

I'm sorry but Catholics are not the same as Christians.

You might be just ignorant or stupid, but you are still bearing false witness.

The majority of Christians in the world are Catholic.  You may be a Christian too, but no one could tell from your posts.

Wow, honestly I don't mind your blind insults but you've even gone on to question my faith. You seem very self-righteous, I am only telling the truth and if you don't like it you can go and complain to the schoolboards because it is what we are learning. It is my opinion that Catholics and Christians are different, but you do not attack me for it. I also like how you didn't even tell me where I beared false witness. You cannot deny that the Catholic chruch itself has become corrupt, meaning the pope and hierarchy of the church. Quote from John Paul II:

  "Every quest of the human spirit for truth and goodness, and in the last analysis for God, is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The various religions arose from this primordial human openness to God. At their origins we often find founders who, with the help of God's Spirit, achieved a deeper religious experience. Handed on to others, this experience took form in the doctrines, rites and precepts of the various religions. [...] Normally, it will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious traditions and by following the dictates of their own conscience that the members of other religions respond positively to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their Savior.

[YesImAFreshman]

I had quite an intruiging history lesson today on Catholicism. Even though I know that Christians and Catholics are very different, many people do not. The pope, in a world view, is the head of all christians, this leads to many problems. To start, I hear a lot of people saying that Christians were out of line in the Crusades. The pope was actually the one who authorized the Crusades and I know that any true Christian would get that even though Jerusalem has places such as the tomb of Jesus, it isn't worth killing hundreds of thousands for. I am amazed that something like that is still there but those people during the Crusades nearly worshipped the rock Jesus walked on. But that defies all that Christians believe in, we believe in God and that Jesus Christ, his son was sacrficed to pay for our sins. We worship God, not some rock his some stepped on two thousand years ago. I was watching a show on the Dome of the Rock and I saw many people who claimed to be Catholic kneeling at the rock and kissing it repeatedly. This makes no sense to me. I also heard a very cruel joke recently. Someone I know has a pastor for a father. He got picked on quite a bit and I just told him not to worry about it. One day a girl asked if his dad had ever molested a child. This shocked me, not only was that question terribly rude, but it was a mistake too. The boy began to cry. I just sat there in shock. I now realize that the girl had assumed a pastor to be the same thing as a priest. This is the kind of problem we have today. Whatever Catholics do wrong, Christians are also blamed for. Post what you think! I'll be watching! God Bless You All!
I'll post yet again on Catholicism tomorrow!

Dude youre embarrassing us! Ahh!! What nonsense is this.


Wait, as a free thinking protestant I would like to say that this guy doesnt have a clue about what hes talking about. There are protestants who genuinely seek the truth as I hope I have proven in my debates with you fellow christians.

Im sure this guy means well but he's an amateur. He's just repeating what he's been told.

You're probably right. If I could I show it to you in my history textbook. The night I posted this I was angry and had sort of a hateful encounter with a Catholic. I am sorry to anyone I offended and I thought what I was being taught at school was right. What I am trying to say is that Catholics are Christians but their beliefs sort of differ from what I have interpreted in scripture. Correct me if I am wrong but why do Catholics pray to saints? The only person I pray to is God. Such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Benedict. Yes what they did was pretty cool but Benedict wrote a rule book. This is not meant in offense, I am merely curious as to why you pray to saints.