Originally posted by NUKE
Actually I was replying to Grunhurtz, who was trying to frame an argument that I did not believe people should pray on behalf of others.
And yes, you answered my questions and it confirmed to me my opinion that the Catholic church has incorporated rites and rituals into their teachings which have no relation to the bible or the teachings of Jesus.
Go ahead with your personal attack style of argument though, if you want.
Take the bit of my last post about talkin' to your preacher to heart. Hopefully they will be able to discuss this with you, and help you find answers to your searching’s. It seems like, from what I have read from your posts, you really, REALLY need the help. Possibly join a bible study fellowship like
http://www.bsfinternational.org/ Nobody has all the answers. Nobody is 100%. The bottom-line is faith. If the millions of Catholics find salvation through their church, well God bless 'em. If the Baptist find it in their preaching, God bless them. Not a single denomination has cornered the market on "the one and only true path". We are all searching, and hopefully we find it. BUT to knock another’s religion, just because you were raised differently, or hold different opinions, is against EVERYTHING Jesus taught. How could you possibly say another Christian denomination is wrong? Just silly. They all spring from the same well. MAN changed them. What is the difference between a Calvinist, and a Lutheran? What some MAN said. The interpretations of MEN make the diff. In the Protestant denominations, that is the separation. The opinions of some guys at some point in history. You can not say that one denomination is "divinely" inspired. That’s just silly.
One thing I really dig about my preacher, is in his sermons, he takes scriptures, and reads them in Hebrew and Greek. He gives us the various translations on what they could mean, and then tells us what HE thinks it means. (Which is to say he could be wrong, and he admits this) How cool is that? Be careful when you start spouting "the Bible says this" or that, because the Bible is not the same book it was 1000 years ago. That isn't to say it is not divinely inspired. I feel it is. I also understand what translating words into a language, and then another language does to said words. The Bibles has changed over the years. It has been edited, translated, and butchered by many. Don't use "the bible says so" as an excuse for ignorance. A learned Theologian wouldn't.
Quick story. My ex (may she burn in hell *cough*) was raised Freewill Baptist. They are only 2 steps removed from David Koresh's Branch Dividians. Anyhow, she asked her preacher if cursing was a sin. He said yes, if you curse, you are damned to hell, unless you ask forgiveness. She asked, "if you were about to be hit by a train, and lived a righteous life, but the split second before that train hit you said a curse word. Would you go to hell” and that preacher replied "yes, yes you would, because you never asked forgiveness".
REALLY pathetic. No wonder the chick was screwed up. I know that preacher. I attended many of his services when I was newly married. Had to quit going to 'em 'cause I would interrupt his sermons, and start debating with the guy. All he would spout was guilt, and fear, and IMHO Christ is love. He never did win a Sermon argument with me. He would take scripture, and give HIS interpretation of it to the church like it was law. THAT is where most go wrong. People are far too willing to accept whatever is spouted out of a guy’s mouth in a church, and consider it law, when it is usually just some guys’ opinion.
You are reminding me of that preacher. Don't loose sight about the whole "Christ is love" part. Don't dog the Catholics just because YOU don't understand them. Have faith in God that he knows what he's doing. Just love them. Accept them. Show some faith.
(sigh) oh well I tried.
FYI I'm not Catholic, and attend one of the most biblically based churches in the world. How can I say that? We take care of our fellow man, as Jesus taught us to in the Bible. So following Jesus’ example, we provide 100% free medical, and dental care to anyone. Now THAT'S biblically based. We practice what we preach. Not many churches do that.
http://www.hhbc.com/MOJ/(now the Sikhs, now THEM some crazy fuggers....)
