Question for Catholics

[mom2boys]

OK, so this may be more difficult than first anticipated...

It sounds as if you have no set belief system, and that you have basically taken everything you have ever seen or heard about religion and used it as a reason to form your own beliefs.

You say you have a great relationship with God - are you sure you do? Deep down, are you absolutely sure that you have a relationship with the God of the Bible, absolutely sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that when you die, you will go to Heaven? This is the crucial question for you right now, at this very moment. God, in His Word we call the Bible, says that "being good" isn't enough, that we're all sinners, and we can't get to Heaven based on anything WE have done, but only based on what Jesus has done for us. However, the Bible also says that there is nothing that I myself can do to convince anyone of that, that they must be willing to accept it for themselves through the Holy Spirit. Would you be willing to admit that you might be wrong about what you believe?

This is not what Catholicism teaches - at least not Roman Catholicism teaches. The OP asked about Catholicism. Sorry, but it seems to me that your responses throughout this thread are a challange to what we Catholics are in all honesty trying to share.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

This is not what Catholicism teaches - at least not Roman Catholicism teaches. The OP asked about Catholicism. Sorry, but it seems to me that your responses throughout this thread are a challange to what we Catholics are in all honesty trying to share.

That's the point. The "Mom" is going to heaven because of what God says and what Jesus did, regardless of religious legalism or "teachings."

Many posters have agreed (and many have mentioned that the Catholic Church is changing in a postitive way toward God's grace and that sin IS forgiven).

If we say yes to Jesus, God cannot say no to heaven.

 

[sodaseller]

The Catholic Church has done many good things, and based on what I've read in many posts here -- it is getting back in line with the Bible, especially in the area of God's Mercy & Grace -- that heaven is not "earned." Praise God!

I'm sure that Catholics the world round are relieved as your emerging appoval of the orthodoxy

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I'm sure that Catholics the world round are relieved as your emerging appoval of the orthodoxy

When I disagree, you say I'm bashing.

When I agree, you're not happy either.

But I'm still me, and God loves and forgives.

 

[helenabear]

Thanks Elaine! That makes it much clearer to me now! I know they were both raised Catholic and married in the church. You are correct in that neither child has celebrated their First Communion. The younger DD did participate in the service by bringing the bread down the aisle to the priest. That surprised me a bit until it was explained to me that the bread is not considered Christs body until it is blessed. Is that correct? Thanks again for the answers!

Yep, you are correct with that part, Carolyn! At one point in the service they go through the part in the Bible where Jesus said "this is my body", "this is my blood..." and such. At that point you will see the priest make the sign of the cross over the bread and wine. At that point it becomes the body and blood of Christ!

In my church it is a tradition for a whole family (all ages) to bring the Communion down to the altar. I think it's a neat way to help share the service more with the whole family (whether they can participate in communion or not)

Glad to help answer too

 

[mom2boys]

That's the point. The "Mom" is going to heaven because of what God says and what Jesus did, regardless of religious legalism or "teachings."

Many posters have agreed (and many have mentioned that the Catholic Church is changing in a postitive way toward God's grace and that sin IS forgiven).

If we say yes to Jesus, God cannot say no to heaven.

Catholics do not believe in Predisposition. Your faith apparently does & that is fine for you. You are free to believe what you choose & I wil believe what I choose. Please don't try to convince me that your beliefs are any more true than mine. Guess we will all have to wait until death to find out whether or not our beliefs are accurate.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I'm just checking out this thread because I'm either agnostic or athiest. religion fascinates me. the OP is a delicate situation. I'm enjoying the responses.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

OK, I didn't read the whole thread, but for the OP:

The church once taught that you went to hell, not because it was unpardonable, but because once you did it, you couldn't hang around to BE sorry, and so could not confess or be forgiven.

They also used to teach that un-baptized babies went to hell.

This is no longer the case. You don't go to hell for offing yourself (although it is very frowned-upon) and you don't go to hell for just having been born.

Furthermore, the church teachings never, EVER vary from parish to parish. The rules are the rules, and there are all kinds of bureaucratic steps in place to go through if you want to change them. If a priest teaches that something is OK (like, birth control), you can't lay the blame on him. If you know you aren't supposed to do it, you are as guilty as you can be. It would kind of be like walking into court and telling the judge that you did kill the Mayor's wife, but he said it was OK. The rules are the rules. NB: I am not saying people shouldn't use birth control, just using it as an example of a Church teaching that is sometimes condoned.

The good thing about being Catholic is that you can count on the fact that there will always be a rule in place to tell you what to do (no doubts).

The bad thing about being Catholic is that you can count on the fact that there will always be a rule in place to tell you what to do (no excuses).

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm just checking out this thread because I'm either agnostic or athiest. religion fascinates me. the OP is a delicate situation. I'm enjoying the responses.

Oh, noooooooo! Sylvester McBean, please, please tell me you're agnostic (you don't think there is a God), and not atheistic (you know absolutely that there isn't).

Then I can sleep better tonight (after praying for your soul) knowing there is still hope for you.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well now that's fine and dandy but the OP was asking about something specifically related to the Catholic Church. There's no need to turn this into a this is why Catholics are wrong thread.

But these are always turned into "why Catholics are wrong" threads.

 

[Disney Doll]

No one's "turning" this thread into anything. All I said was that the answer behind whether suicide is a sin that will keep you out of Heaven doesn't lie with any church, but with the Bible. It is irrespective of Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc...

Don't turn it into more than it is.

I would disagree with you because the way your religion interprets the Bible may be different from the way my religion interprets the Bible.

And I woud base my beliefs about Heaven, Hell and sin on the way my religion interprets the Bible.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have never heard this. No Catholic has to go on life support.

I work in a Catholic hospital and I can tell you that there are a lot of Catholics who don't go on life support.

 

[jimmiej]

Catholics do not believe in Predisposition. Your faith apparently does & that is fine for you. You are free to believe what you choose & I wil believe what I choose. Please don't try to convince me that your beliefs are any more true than mine. Guess we will all have to wait until death to find out whether or not our beliefs are accurate.

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by "Predisposition" in this context?

 

[Disney Doll]

Oh please. Why must a question about the Catholic faith be fair game for Catholic bashing?

Because it's the DIS and Catholic bashing is like an Olympic sport here!!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm not sure we can define some disagreement over what is taught as "bashing", though it does make it sound more horrid when you term it that. When someone has an opinion, and another person states a differing opinion, that is not "bashing", that is "disagreement." There will always be "disagreement" when it comes to religion, right or wrong, don't you think?

Disagreement is one thing. These threads always degenrate into a less-than-respectful discussion about what's wrong with Catholicism, using disrespectful language and commentary.

I have no desire to convert anyone, but when people make disparaging remarks about my religion, or spout information about my religion that is not true, I feel I must defend it.

 

[Disney Doll]

OK, I didn't read the whole thread, but for the OP:

The church once taught that you went to hell, not because it was unpardonable, but because once you did it, you couldn't hang around to BE sorry, and so could not confess or be forgiven.

They also used to teach that un-baptized babies went to hell.

This is no longer the case. You don't go to hell for offing yourself (although it is very frowned-upon) and you don't go to hell for just having been born.

Furthermore, the church teachings never, EVER vary from parish to parish. The rules are the rules, and there are all kinds of bureaucratic steps in place to go through if you want to change them. If a priest teaches that something is OK (like, birth control), you can't lay the blame on him. If you know you aren't supposed to do it, you are as guilty as you can be. It would kind of be like walking into court and telling the judge that you did kill the Mayor's wife, but he said it was OK. The rules are the rules. NB: I am not saying people shouldn't use birth control, just using it as an example of a Church teaching that is sometimes condoned.

The good thing about being Catholic is that you can count on the fact that there will always be a rule in place to tell you what to do (no doubts).

The bad thing about being Catholic is that you can count on the fact that there will always be a rule in place to tell you what to do (no excuses).

Actually unbaptized babies went to "Limbo"...a place of waiting...neither Heaven nor Hell. Hence the term "I'm in Limbo".

"Limbo" kind of went away after Vatican II.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Oh, noooooooo! Sylvester McBean, please, please tell me you're agnostic (you don't think there is a God), and not atheistic (you know absolutely that there isn't).

Then I can sleep better tonight (after praying for your soul) knowing there is still hope for you.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I'll bargain with you. I'll admit I don't know if there is a god if you admit the same thing. because I believe that I don't know and you don't know either. we may find out after we die. then again, we may not. that's why I find religion so fascinating. mouseworshipin, your beliefs are so cut and dry about what I believe. whatever gets people through the night. you can pray for me, mouseworshipin, that's cool.

but in the morning I'll still believe what I believe. understand?

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Actually unbaptized babies went to "Limbo"...a place of waiting...neither Heaven nor Hell. Hence the term "I'm in Limbo".

"Limbo" kind of went away after Vatican II.

Of course, you are absolutely right.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I'll bargain with you. I'll admit I don't know if there is a god if you admit the same thing. because I believe that I don't know and you don't know either. we may find out after we die. then again, we may not. that's why I find religion so fascinating. mouseworshipin, your beliefs are so cut and dry about what I believe. whatever gets people through the night. you can pray for me, mouseworshipin, that's cool.

but in the morning I'll still believe what I believe. understand?

OK, I can't give you absolute proof about God. That is the cornerstone of faith - belief without proof.

It is just that I always enjoy your posts so much and "atheism" drives me absolutely up the wall (like they have some special proof that there isn't a God). I can live with agnostics all day long, you don't believe in God, you don't. No big deal. My beliefs aren't cut and dry about your beliefs. I was kind of teasing, hence the .

FYI, we were taught that you'll go to heaven, too. If you don't believe in the teachings of the "One True Church" you are off the hook and don't have to follow them. As long as you lead a good life, you're in. (I always thought this was wicked-unfair as a kid.) This applies to all people of all religions. There are a lot of Christians who believe that if you don't follow their teachings (or don't believe in Christ) you go to hell, but we aren't one of 'em.

So believe (or not, as the case may be) what you wish. I'm going to sleep, and if you are very lucky I'll pray for you. (again with the ).

 

[Sylvester McBean]

So believe (or not, as the case may be) what you wish. I'm going to sleep, and if you are very lucky I'll pray for you. (again with the ).

give me a double dose of those prayers, sweetie. I may or may not need them. (i guess it never hurts to ask ) sleep tight.