Any Catholics Here?

[Mar]

hey everyone, i was just wondrering if there were any catholics here on the forum? i myself am one and i would like to know who else.

thanks ;)

Mar

[WiseEdmund]

when last i checked, there were lots of us around. Even a few of the mods are Catholic if i'm not mistaken.

BTW- I'm a Catholic myself :p

[Mar]

when last i checked, there were lots of us around. Even a few of the mods are Catholic if i'm not mistaken.

BTW- I'm a Catholic myself :p
wow! thats great to hear! i wish they would post here. lol.

[inkspot]

Welcome, Mar! I am not Catholic, but several of the members are. Many of us are believers in Christ.

[Johnny_Depp_Luver_90210]

i am step catholic... my step parent is catholic so sometimes we go to the catholic church!!!!!

[Naydiss]

i am a catholic and last time i checked catholics were christians, am i right?

[Johnny_Depp_Luver_90210]

You are 100% right... lol

[Naydiss]

i glad someone seconds that, i've always known it but my friend, who is christian/evangelist, me and her are always arguing over that

[Mar]

wow thats great. yeah i know alot of people are christan here..yeah catholics are christan!

[Emily1213]

Hey! I am Catholic! that is cooleo!

[Mar]

Hey! I am Catholic! that is cooleo!

ohhh really! great what is the two people now! yayy...oh yeah and one has a step parent thats catholic hehe. :D

[Kitanna]

I'm Catholic and I used to be an alter server until I was considered too old to do it any more.

[CinderellaBabe]

I am also Catholic! Why?

[Mar]

oh wow thats great you were an alter server.

oh yeah well im just asking to see how many are here on the dancing lawn. cuz i know there are alot of christans but i wanted to know who were catholics :)

[Naydiss]

yay! i've never actually met anyother ppl who were catholic unless u count the regular ones u see at church

[Mar]

yay! i've never actually met anyother ppl who were catholic unless u count the regular ones u see at church
huh? lol thats weird youve never met a catholic outside of church?

wait are you catholic yourself?

[Naydiss]

yes I am, but it's never been like oh i'm catholic or something like that, i go to school with tons of Brazilian ppl and mostly all of them go to does God Assemblies and stuff like that so i haven't really met one all cathilic person

[inkspot]

Welcome, Mar! I am not Catholic, but several of the members are. Many of us are believers in Christ.
Sorry, yes, I believe Catholics are Christians -- I meant that a lot of people on here are Christians, including all the Catholics and Protestants.

[Wills_dream_Gf]

I'm Catholic!! And you already know that Mar cuz we were praying together the other day!!! hehehe...I just came home from church like a couple of hours ago...

[TimmyofOz]

Sorry, yes, I believe Catholics are Christians -- I meant that a lot of people on here are Christians, including all the Catholics and Protestants.
I thought you were Catholic Inky. You know a lot about Saints. :)

[Mar]

yes I am, but it's never been like oh i'm catholic or something like that, i go to school with tons of Brazilian ppl and mostly all of them go to does God Assemblies and stuff like that so i haven't really met one all cathilic person
oo wow lol yeah theres alot of catholics in the world lol.

yeah go wills_dream_gf!


im glad there are so many catholics here!

[Giselle the Ethereal]

I am a catholic and proud of being one. Most of us here are catholics in the Philippines. But in this place where I live in, there are also muslims, protestants and other sub-catholic religions, etc.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

I'm Catholic, though I've had lots of exposure to other traditions, both Christian and non-Christian. I'm learning more about other Catholic rites (e.g. Syro-Malankar) and the Orthodox traditions.

[Inklet]

You can add me to your list, too.

Catholic..and loving it!

[High King Peter]

yo, catholic in the house!

[Seravian]

I am Catholic as well, and I participate in the movement of Schönstatt. It's great to see many Catholics around! :-)

[Specter]

Hey everyone, I'm Catholic, too! And I know my stuff really well.

When I do apologetics type stuff, I tend to send people to three places:

www.ewtn.com
www.newadvent.org
www.phatmass.com

Because those three places will give you the Catholic answers for any questions about the Catholic Church that anyone might have. Plus, it's the logical thing to do. Would you ask a farmer to teach you about creating a Nintendo game, or a math teacher how to perform open heart surgery successfully from start to finish? No, you'd go to someone that is in that field, just as you should go to someone that is actually practicing their faith and knows what they're talking about. I even say, don't listen to an ex-catholic, because they probably didn't understand what we Catholics believe in the first place.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

In my experience, most ex-Catholics are ex-Catholics because they never learned what the Church is all about, and drifted away before they could.

btw, newadvent.org is a wonderful resource for all orthodox Christians seeking to understand their own faith. Lots of works from the Church Fathers, and theological explanations of things like the creeds and various heresies. Part of our common heritage!

[inkspot]

I thought you were Catholic Inky. You know a lot about Saints. :)
My sister is Episcopalian, and she is all about saints, I don't know why. I think it's because she wants to be Catholic. She tells me all kinds of stuff about saints -- did you know St. Bibiana is the patron saint of hang-overs?!

Hey you Catholics, I am thinking of becoming Catholic, because my church rarely has communion, and I know you have eucharist for every mass. Is it difficult to become Catholic as an adult?

[holyboy]

Hey you Catholics, I am thinking of becoming Catholic, because my church rarely has communion, and I know you have eucharist for every mass. Is it difficult to become Catholic as an adult?

No, not at all. You will have to learn about the Catholic faith, because we want you to know what you are getting into. Also, when you are ready to become a Catholic, you will be Baptised, and most likely have your First Holy Communion and Confirmation on the same day. I can't explain the process, because I do not know it off-hand, but I suggest going to the nearist Catholic Church and inquire on the religion. The priest will be able to give you more information can I ever will.

[inkspot]

Thanx, HB. When I get home, I will check it out. I imagine the llinks Paul gave above might shed some light, too.

[Specter]

If you have been baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, then all that is needed is confirmation and holy communion. There are classes that many people take. It's called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation in Adults). If you have questions about things, you can ask me anything you want. I am fairly knowledgable about everything, but there's so much to learn that even I am still looking into things and learning more. In fact, the amount of stuff to learn about is downright overwhelming at times.

Those three sites that I gave are excellent keys to learning the history of the Catholic Church, and in fact, christianity in general. They have many very wise people that know their faith very well.

I have attended 14 years of Catholic school, plus three different youth groups, and remained involved as a leader. I've been very busy lately because right now, I'm leading the skit team for our next retreat, that is the last weekend of this month. I've also given a few talks at the retreats as well as read quite a few books and actually own a ton of books that I want to get reading.

Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton
The Theology of the Body by Pope John Paul II
and many many more.. haha

Edit: Thanks for deleting candleman's post. I read through it, and my oh my.. it is full of contradictions with the truth as well as ignorance, lies and assumptions. Basic generalizations usually learned because from the outside (and sometimes from within, if someone doesn't know the reasons behind some things) it can almost look like that to people.. but with the true knowledge of what we actually believe, from valid sources (i.e. someone who is either a good priest or doctor of the church or a great website or catholic theologian, etc) you can stand to learn about all of that, and realize that the post really doesn't hold water. Ah well. Such things could be learned in time.

If you ever want to talk about stuff, or learn about things, you can do it whenever with those sites.. Take your time. Whenever you are ready to learn things. There is quite a lot, and to learn it all at once would be incredibly difficult.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

I'd also recommend two excellent books: What Catholics Really Believe (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=476&SKU=WCRB-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dwhat+catholics+really+believe) by Karl Keating and Fundamentals of the Faith (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=623&SKU=FOF-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dfundamentals+of+the+faith) by Peter Kreeft. The Kreeft book really helped me understand what I'd never been taught as a cradle Catholic, and the Keating book is what I recommend to anyone wanting to know about the Catholic tradition.

As Cardinal Newman put it, there aren't two hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they mistakenly believe the Catholic Church to be.

(and no, I'm not just shilling for Ignatius Press, even though they are my publisher...)

[EveningStar]

RECOMMENDATION

That we herewith appoint Specter as the Archbishop of Narnia. And once he settles in to office perhaps he can get the Parish Priest at St. Edmund's off my back. He can never keep in enough Turkish Delight and Tea for communion. I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with the way he always enters by the large double doors at the back of Commons... :rolleyes:

In all seriousness, it's good to see how much interest in faith (versus religion) that the recent movie brought up. Don't worry, Specter, I'll appoint Prince of the West as your Curate and you can send HIM off for supplies....

[Specter]

---That we herewith appoint Specter as the Archbishop of Narnia.

---Turkish Delight and Tea for communion.
hahaha, nice...

The first part doesn't work because I have a girlfriend, and if we cannot get married, she'll be heartbroken (as that's the three year goal.. possible 2008 or 9 wedding).

As for the second part, that would be a heresy, lol.

-------------------
Yep, and in all seriousness, it's always been about the faith for me. The faith requires the religion and the religion requires the faith. It's a beautiful marriage that is hard to see, hard to describe and when you do see it, you are blown away.

[inkspot]

Congratulations, Paul! You are a young man already to be planning marriage. Best wishes to you.

Thanks, everyone for the information! I will look into the information provided and get back to y'all with any questions.

[Specter]

Thanks... I've not really proposed as of yet, but we have talked about things and things seem to be going fairly well so far. :)

[underthefryingpan]

*raises hand*
i'm a practising roman catholic.

yeah if you want to learn about the faith, don't go to other churches to find stuff out. they'll tell you a bunch of hooey.

[-Forever_Young-]

yeah, I'm a true Catholic. Jesus (God too) is the best thing I know. BTW, anyone want to be friends?? :o

[Naydiss]

yeah sure why not, apart from my family members i don't know many catholics, and if anyone wants to add on MSN feel freem just say who you are so i wont get confused :)

[Driad54]

As for the second part, that would be a heresy, lol.



Hah the bishops would have to call another council lol....I am also a Roman Catholic but not roman hah american

[underthefryingpan]

*Starts singing veggietales*
i can be your friend....lalalalala....
:)

[MyChEmIcAlRoMaNcE_rOcKs!]

Im roman catholic too!!!!!!!!!!!! but im not roman as well.im gettin my confirmation this year.

[Naydiss]

im doing my comformation later on this year, i don't know what its really about, anyone care to explain?

[Specter]

im doing my comformation later on this year, i don't know what its really about, anyone care to explain?
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04215b.htm
http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/47

here are a couple of links that should explain any question you might have about the sacrament of Confirmation.

[♣Teh Deviant♣]

As far as the question of this topic goes.....I really havent decided my religion yet (tho I am going for Christianity so far) but my grandparents are SUPPOSED to be Catholic, and so is the rest of my family....but somehow they converged....without even doing anything about it. Just...changed their mind, and now we are "Christian".
But I often label msyelf as Catholic/Christian, though I am not sure if there is such thing. :o

Sofia

[Prince]

Im done with my 4 sacraments

[Mar]

I'm Catholic, though I've had lots of exposure to other traditions, both Christian and non-Christian. I'm learning more about other Catholic rites (e.g. Syro-Malankar) and the Orthodox traditions.
soo that means you still are right??

[Mar]

Hey everyone, I'm Catholic, too! And I know my stuff really well.

When I do apologetics type stuff, I tend to send people to three places:

www.ewtn.com
www.newadvent.org
www.phatmass.com

Because those three places will give you the Catholic answers for any questions about the Catholic Church that anyone might have. Plus, it's the logical thing to do. Would you ask a farmer to teach you about creating a Nintendo game, or a math teacher how to perform open heart surgery successfully from start to finish? No, you'd go to someone that is in that field, just as you should go to someone that is actually practicing their faith and knows what they're talking about. I even say, don't listen to an ex-catholic, because they probably didn't understand what we Catholics believe in the first place.
my dad works for the order of perists calle "The Legonaries Of Christ"...and he knows tons of people at ewtn.

[Mar]

My sister is Episcopalian, and she is all about saints, I don't know why. I think it's because she wants to be Catholic. She tells me all kinds of stuff about saints -- did you know St. Bibiana is the patron saint of hang-overs?!

Hey you Catholics, I am thinking of becoming Catholic, because my church rarely has communion, and I know you have eucharist for every mass. Is it difficult to become Catholic as an adult?
PLEASE become catholic! look into it!

[Mar]

hey! now i have to go to church!!!!! bye guys :).

[PrinceOfTheWest]

my dad works for the order of perists calle "The Legonaries Of Christ"...and he knows tons of people at ewtn.Your dad works for LOC? That's way cool! Tell him I'm an Ignatius Press author and see what he says.

[Mar]

Your dad works for LOC? That's way cool! Tell him I'm an Ignatius Press author and see what he says.
haha oh really!? humm sounds familiar.
i dont know if he'd aproove me talking to older men though hehe
yeah he works a the development office.....what book did you write?
this is cool!

[PrinceOfTheWest]

haha oh really!? humm sounds familiar.
i dont know if he'd aproove me talking to older men though hehe
yeah he works a the development office.....what book did you write?
this is cool!The Last Ugly Person (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1968&SKU=LUP-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dLast+Ugly+Person). It's been a while since it was published, but I've got another one I just completed which I hope they'll publish. You can reassure your dad that I'm okay - I've got four daughters of my own, and I can give him Fr. Joseph Fessio as a character reference.

[Charn_Tim]

The Last Ugly Person (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1968&SKU=LUP-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dLast+Ugly+Person). It's been a while since it was published, but I've got another one I just completed which I hope they'll publish. You can reassure your dad that I'm okay - I've got four daughters of my own, and I can give him Fr. Joseph Fessio as a character reference.
Wow! that's really cool. I'll have to check it out sometime :).

[Mar]

The Last Ugly Person (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1968&SKU=LUP-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dLast+Ugly+Person). It's been a while since it was published, but I've got another one I just completed which I hope they'll publish. You can reassure your dad that I'm okay - I've got four daughters of my own, and I can give him Fr. Joseph Fessio as a character reference.
haha okay! how do you know about the legion?

[Holly]

i'm a roman catholic!

[Specter]

Awesome Holly! :)

[rainNluv]

im catholic, and i go to a catholic school as well
actually on my avator, thats me in my uniform (ew).

ive always been confused between catholic and christian.
(i may go to a catholic school, but religion is taught like 2-3 times a week)
to me christians are a bit more open about their faith

[Naydiss]

well for me, catholics are christians, but there is different types of christian, my best friend is evangelist but she is alway calling heself christian (which she is) and is very open about it, really open when we argue about catholics being christian, which she says isn't so

[Gamegoofs2]

I'm Catholic!!!!!!! :D :D :D

[PrinceOfTheWest]

I think we've seen enough of this propaganda, haven't we? On this forum even Christians and Muslims are able to treat each other with dignity & charity - shouldn't we of the Body of Christ be able to do even moreso?

[Naydiss]

yes i agree

[Charn_Tim]

Though I'm not Catholic myself, I do (obviously) consider Catholics to be Christians and I have nothing but respect for those who choose to be Catholic Christians over Protestant Christians. I also would like to apologize to the Catholics on this thread for that link and I think it is wrong...

[rainNluv]

Though I'm not Catholic myself, I do (obviously) consider Catholics to be Christians and I have nothing but respect for those who choose to be Catholic Christians over Protestant Christians. I also would like to apologize to the Catholics on this thread for that link and I think it is wrong...

that is so nice of you! even though you weren't part of it!

[holyboy]

yeah really dude, its not like i go around making fun of your religion!! :mad:

I don't think the comment was directed at you, but at the lovely member who posted the "lies" of the Catholic Church

I took out the link because I know that would cause too much of a ruckus. But what upsets me more is that I was called in here specifically to settle this. Don't post things that are specifically meant to make other members angry.

Don't make me come in here again.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

John Cardinal Newman once said that there were not a hundred people in the nation (i.e. the United States) who hated the Catholic Church - but that there were millions who hated what they falsely believed the Catholic Church to be. I believe my brother diddl to be one of those millions - even if he does not consider me his brother. I followed that link once and found the usual assortment of just plain falsehoods - so many lies that one doesn't know where to begin answering them. If anybody's really interested in learning what Catholicism teaches, I'd recommend What Catholics Really Believe (http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=476&SKU=WCRB-P&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteri a%3dwhat+catholics+really+believe), by Karl Keating. It's a book I wish every Catholic in the world could read, because I'm sure everyone would learn something.

There's always the question of how well Catholics live by what they profess. That, I assure you, is a bigger problem - and I am one of the worst offenders. But as many say, admitting that there is a problem is the first step toward addressing it. With Christ's help, I will continue to grow in His image.

[LadyEm]

well for me, catholics are christians, but there is different types of christian, my best friend is evangelist but she is alway calling heself christian (which she is) and is very open about it, really open when we argue about catholics being christian, which she says isn't so

It is so - Catholics *are* christians. My best friend is Catholic and I'm Pentecostal - a version of Evangelical. We do not agree on every point of theology, of course, but she has been a great encouragement in my faith. We learn from each other and my respect for her faith has grown through our talks. I really appreciate and respect what she has to say.

The reason why Evangelicals say that Catholics aren't Christians, is greatly due as Prince of the West said, to a lot of misunderstandings about what Catholics believe.
When I first got to know my best friend, there were a lot of things I simply didn't understand about the Catholic faith, but the more we talked about it openly, the more I discovered that we were saying the same thing - only we were saying it different ways.

You see, in different Christian circles they have their "inside lingo" (or what I call Christian E's). Basically it's words like "born again" or "saved," for example, which are North American coined phrases to describe the salvation or faith experience. For example - if my friend was asked by someone "are you saved?" Her answer would be "No, I'm Catholic." To the Evangelical, it was saying she had no faith, and was therefore saying she was not a Christian.
To her she was saying "I have faith. I am a Christian. But I don't know what saved means, because we don't describe it in the same way."

This is a very simple explanation, I know there is a lot more to it than that, but perhaps that will help you with understanding your friend. It is likely that her church, or leadership in her church, have told her that Catholics aren't christians for a lot of similiar reasonings.

Also, in every church, there are those who have true faith, and those who don't - those who do what they believe (for the most part, we are human), who are Christlike, and those to whom it is empty religion. This applies to all Christian denominations, Protestant, Catholic, etc.

Prince of the West - I would really like to read that book - What Catholics Really Believe - it sounds like it would be very helpful in having a deeper understanding of the faith. There are a lot of things I don't understand that I have wished I could understand in my talks with my friend.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Those are very good points, LadyEm - many times misunderstandings hinge on such matters as terminology. For my part, I have greatly benefitted from the prayers and encouragement of my evangelical bretheren in my walk with Christ. Interestingly, it began in high school, when some very loving and concerned Baptist friends asked me if I'd "accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour". Of course, that was unfamiliar terminology, so we talked about what it meant - and I assured them that I had. They, in turn, encouraged me to explore the Scriptures more and grow in my faith - a (sadly) rare encouragement in the Catholic environment. I know they prayed for me, and it made a great difference!

I wish all Catholics could have the kind of passion and fervor I see so often among our Reformational brothers and sisters. May God draw us all closer to Him and each other!

[rainNluv]

Mar, I'm am majorly confused; were you agreeing or disagreeing with me?
__________________________________________________ _______________
hey everyone, i was just wondrering if there were any catholics here on the forum? i myself am one and i would like to know who else.
thanks
Mar
im catholic, and i go to a catholic school as well
actually on my avator, thats me in my uniform (ew).
ive always been confused between catholic and christian.
(i may go to a catholic school, but religion is taught like 2-3 times a week)
to me christians are a bit more open about their faith

So first off, you started this thread because you wanted to find other Catholic people like yourself and so on page 6 I said I was Catholic...
__________________________________________________ _______________
yeah really dude, its not like i go around making fun of your religion!!

You obviously (hopefully) couldn't of meant me because we're both Catholic, and in my comment of ".. please do it elsewhere.." I was defending our religion, so I assumed you were meaning diddl.
__________________________________________________ _______________
I don't think the comment was directed at you, but at the lovely member who posted the "lies" of the Catholic Church
I took out the link because I know that would cause too much of a ruckus. But what upsets me more is that I was called in here specifically to settle this. Don't post things that are specifically meant to make other members angry.
Don't make me come in here again.

Finally, who brought him in here and made him think that I was directing my Pro-Catholic comment to you? Was what I wrote so controversial that he had to delete the whole thing? :confused: (I really wanted to show my teacher, he was a priest-or whatever at one point)
__________________________________________________ _______________

[Mar]

yeah of course i meant diddl!!!!

[xovermyheadx]

hey everyone, i was just wondrering if there were any catholics here on the forum? i myself am one and i would like to know who else.

thanks ;)

Mar


so we meet again with this feud
Jk...im catholic though

[Mar]

so we meet again with this feud
Jk...im catholic though
sorry, but catholic doesnt mean you go to church every 8 years like you said. sorry i had to say it!!

[rainNluv]

(that was fast)

So Mar... can you answer the rest of the questions please?

[xovermyheadx]

sorry, but catholic doesnt mean you go to church every 8 years like you said. sorry i had to say it!!


noooo..not again
Oh well...believe what u wanna believe
I have been to church in between there
Just not full time
Im catholic :rolleyes:

[rainNluv]

noooo..not again
Oh well...believe what u wanna believe
I have been to church in between there
Just not full time
Im catholic :rolleyes:

i think my religion teacher told me, Catholics are obligated to go to Church at least once a year during lent... i think lent... i'm just sure on the once a year thing.

[TimmyofOz]

What do good Catholics traditionally eat during Lent? fish and vegetables?

[inkspot]

I think during Lent you don't eat meat on Fridays, but otherwise it is a personal choice what you will forego for the season. But I am not Catholic, so what do I know?!

Everyone who is celebrating Lent, please go over to my Lent Begins Thread ... Thank you.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

The only official Church guidelines are that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fast days (defined as only one meal, with two lighter snacks allowed), and Fridays are days of abstainence (no meat, ideally no treats either). In days of yore, when meat was a special rarity but some seaside towns literally lived on fish, that's when they made the fish exception.

My wife and I still roll our eyes at the modern American interpretation: "Lenten Special! All You Can Eat Fish Fry! Delectable battered fish with golden fries or onion rings! Salad bar and rolls!" Somehow missing the spirit of sacrifice, one thinks...

I'll check out the thread, Ink!

[Mar]

i think my religion teacher told me, Catholics are obligated to go to Church at least once a year during lent... i think lent... i'm just sure on the once a year thing.
THANK YOU!

[PrinceOfTheWest]

You're right about the once a year, but it's during Easter season - the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost.

However, Catholic moral teaching holds that unless there's a grevious reason (e.g. being imprisoned for your faith, or in a country where Mass is illegal), Catholics are obligated to attend Mass every Sunday in obedience to the 3rd* of the 10 Commandments ("Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.") To disobey this is a serious sin.


*Some numberings would have this as the 4th Commandment

[rainNluv]

You're right about the once a year, but it's during Easter season - the 50 days from Easter to Pentecost.


Well... this shows how much i pay attention in class.

[Specter]

I'm pretty sure that Catholics need to go to Confession at least once a year, and Mass every Sunday (at the very least)

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Well, the technical requirement for Confession is "All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year. (Can. 989 )" This is a minimal requirement; more frequent confessions are recommended - in fact, the older I get the more I appreciate the "old school" of frequent confession.

[inkspot]

Tell me more. Confession to a specific person is something outside my experience as a community Christian church type.

[Specter]

Alright, allow me to explain it the way I did last weekend. This will be highly summarized, but that's okay, I guess. "What you bind on earth is bound in heaven, what you loose on earth is loosed in heaven," is where we were given the reason for having confessions apostolically. Now, when we sin, we not only hurt God and our relationship with Him (because we are turning our backs on Him when we decide to do something contrary to what is right. We also hurt the entire body of Christ, because we are all one body in Christ. So... the reasons we go to confession are two fold. First, we confess to a priest so that we can be reconciled with the Church on earth, and it heals our entire body some.. second, we pray for God's forgiveness. Thus going "straight to God" which is a common misunderstanding among most protestants. They don't know that we do pray for God to forgive us. During confession, it allows us to get advice from the priest that has both heard it all, and has a clear vision on sin and how to remove it from our lives. Therefore, we can get help, we're acknowledging our failures, and striving to overcome our shortcomings.

[inkspot]

Thanks, Paul!

[Specter]

You're welcome! And that's just a simplified explanation.. I have to get ready for Ash Wednesday Mass at noon. That's how I explained it to a girl at the retreat last weekend.

[oliverandanna]

im a catholic and proud of it!!!!!!!!
god bless all people who like NARNIA ! ;)

[Mar]

im a catholic and proud of it!!!!!!!!
god bless all people who like NARNIA ! ;)
good thats great!!!

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

I am Catholic and proud of it. There are so few that understand what it means to be Catholic. And especially now with Lent upon us, it is nice to be able to chat with others.

I actually am in a Youth Catholic Group that meets every other Saturday night and we go over apologetics, talking about the saints, Mary and all the other things people might be mistaken about.

[longliveaslan]

^^^^^cool!!!!!! I'm Catholic and mighty proud of it too! :D i'm giving up chocolate for lent...o man its' so hard!!!

[Naydiss]

ok i know this is going to sound non-catholic but what excactly is lent??

[umbrellaxscenexcore]

wat's the difference between catholic christian and protestants?????

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Never a problem in asking.

Lent is the 40 day period leading up to Holy Week. It starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts until the day before Holy Thursday (the day that the Last Supper is specially commemorated), which is followed by Good Friday (commemoration of the Crucifixion), Holy Saturday (day Jesus lay in the tomb), and Easter Sunday (Day of Resurrection).

One model for the 40 days of Lent is the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. Therefore some Christian traditions use this as a time of either sacrificing some good thing that they love (e.g. I give up soda pop, another guy I know gives up coffee) and/or doing something extra for love (e.g. reading a chapter of the Gospels each day, or serving someone else.) The idea is to meditate and focus on the Holy Days that are coming, and examining ourselves to see how well we're living up to our goals as Christians.

Something that gets less press is the Easter season, which starts on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days. In the secular world, often the "season" of a holiday is the period leading up to it, such as the mercantile "Christmas season" which begins sometime in November and lasts until Christmas Day. In the Christian calendar, a season starts with the feast day and goes from there. The Christian Christmas season begins with Christmas and lasts for twelve days until Epiphany (Jan 6th). Likewise the Easter Season is 50 days of feasting beginning with Easter and lasting until Pentecost. So don't let the 40 days of fasting and denial fool you - we follow it with 50 days of parties!

In the Christian calendar, Easter is the greatest feast of all, surpassing even Christmas.

[Naydiss]

thanks, hmm what can i give up, i think chocolate

[PrinceOfTheWest]

wat's the difference between catholic christian and protestants?????That's a long answer. Here's part of a condensed version: in the 1500s The Church (there was only one in Western Europe) had gotten itself enmeshed in many worldly things and in some regards had lost sight of her mission to lead people to Jesus Christ. The Church had vast wealth, and was meddling in politics, and many non-spiritual men were entering the Church with an eye to worldly advancement rather than serving God. (There were also many devout servants of God within the Church, as there have been in every age.)

Some people started clamoring for change, for a return to the core of the Church's teachings. Names like John Hus, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin were on this list, as were many others. Some, like Hus and Luther, originally started what they intended to be reform movements. They and many others ended up deciding that the Church could not be reformed, was hoplessly corrupted by worldliness, and they had to break away to return to earlier, purer forms of Christianity. This is an important point: they did not wish to "start a new church", but to return to what they believed was an earlier, purer state of the Church's life, from which the Catholic Church (they believed) had gone astray.

The Catholic Church responded by condemning these reform-efforts-turned-schisms and demanding the reformers and their followers return to the Catholic Church. Rome actually started a reform movement of their own, the Counter-Reformation, which had the dual purpose of cleaning up the Church and reclaiming souls "lost" to Protestantism. Unfortunately, a lot of secular politics also got involved, and various nobles took one side or another based on what they deemed would help their interests, not because of spiritual conviction. For instance, Henry VIII of England broke away from Rome and formed the Church of England. The surface reason for this was a desire to get a divorce which the Pope would not grant; the real reasons also ran deep into politics and economics.

I imagine this answer is already overlong. For more information you could look up these sources: here (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12700b.htm) is a Catholic perspective on the Reformation, and here (http://www.newgenevacenter.org/west/reformation.htm) is a more Protestant view.

[Lawrence]

I am new to the Dancing Lawn and am a Catholic. One of those cradle catholics that stumbled into the CoN in fifth grade. (I now teach at a Seminary).

Xaipe,
L

[Nene]

I am!!!And proud!!!! :D

[an aslan's friend]

i m Catholic too and i m happy for this and i thank my parents. Are there any Calvinist?

[an aslan's friend]

Hey! I am Catholic! that is cooleo!
I m Catholic and i m happy. The chronicles made me sure more than before. Lucy in my opinion is the one we have to follow in our own way to the santification.
Can I ask if there is any Calvinist here in the forum?

[Mar]

I m Catholic and i m happy. The chronicles made me sure more than before. Lucy in my opinion is the one we have to follow in our own way to the santification.
Can I ask if there is any Calvinist here in the forum?
whats a calvinist?

[peter4ever]

i dont know what a Calvinist is but i am a catholic and proud to be one!!! ;)

[PrinceOfTheWest]

whats a calvinist?One who follows the teachings of John Calvin, one of the reformers. Many of his followers took his teachings further than he ever did. The big debate between Calvinism and Arminianism is one of the more firey theological disputes of some Reformational Christians.

As Catholics, we're a bit apart from the whole thing. We're not Calvinists (by any stretch!), but neither are we Arminians. One reason we're not Calvinists is that our teaching rejects "double predestination" - i.e. the belief that God creates some men destined for heaven and some men destined for hell, and that nothing can be done to change that (fairness note: I've talked to Calvinists who claim that Calvin never taught this). In a nutshell, we Catholics believe that God elects those who go to heaven, but those who go to hell choose to do so themselves and in defiance of God's calling them to turn from their sinfulness and embrace the new life in Christ. There's a lot more to this, but that's the quick summary.

[Mar]

One who follows the teachings of John Calvin, one of the reformers. Many of his followers took his teachings further than he ever did. The big debate between Calvinism and Arminianism is one of the more firey theological disputes of some Reformational Christians.

As Catholics, we're a bit apart from the whole thing. We're not Calvinists (by any stretch!), but neither are we Arminians. One reason we're not Calvinists is that our teaching rejects "double predestination" - i.e. the belief that God creates some men destined for heaven and some men destined for hell, and that nothing can be done to change that (fairness note: I've talked to Calvinists who claim that Calvin never taught this). In a nutshell, we Catholics believe that God elects those who go to heaven, but those who go to hell choose to do so themselves and in defiance of God's calling them to turn from their sinfulness and embrace the new life in Christ. There's a lot more to this, but that's the quick summary.
ohh okay so were not calvanists?

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Can I ask if there is any Calvinist here in the forum?You might find a few over in the Predestination (http://www.narniafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796)thread. Just make a post like, "I'm Catholic but willing to be enlightened", and they'll probably come out of the woodwork :) !

[PrinceOfTheWest]

ohh okay so were not calvanists?Nope. We're Catholics. The whole Calvinist/Arminian thing, as well as many other disputes, is a Reformational thing (not that we don't have our own disputes - just ask the Dominicans and Franciscans!)

[Mar]

You might find a few over in the Predestination (http://www.narniafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796)thread. Just make a post like, "I'm Catholic but willing to be enlightened", and they'll probably come out of the woodwork :) !
oh okay! thank you PrinceOfTheWest (a.k.a really smart guy ;))

edit: okay! ill make sure and ask.

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

I am glad to see there are so many questions here and the such. Even Catholics do not always understand things and I am glad that non Catholics come here and look around. They learn that we are not "statue worshiping, evil heathens" (a name I have been called before). I was doing the rosary daily for Lent, though due to a death in my family, there was a pause in that for a few days. I felt spending time with my family as much as possible was important. Lent has helped more than just over 40 days in my life though. Once I gave up drinks that had caffeine in them and while it was hard, since then I have never had caffeinated drinks (nothing like Mt. Dew, coffee, etc) except maybe a sip or two once in a blue moon if there is no other choice.

What has everyone here given up? Or what has everyone done differently for Lent this year?

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Here's a bit of history on the Rosary, which many Catholics don't know. A "standard" rosary is 5 "decades" - 50 total beads. A "full" rosary, of the type that nuns used to wear hanging down from their sides, is a full 15 decades. The point of either is to be able to do the "mysteries" - meditations on events in salvation history. Classically there have been three sets of mysteries: the Joyful, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious, but John Paul the Great added a fourth set: the Luminous. For example, the Joyful Mysteries have to do with the birth and youth of Jesus: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, etc.

Here's the part most people don't know: the reason why there are 150 beads is because there are 150 psalms. Those who entered the monastaries memorized the Psalms (in Latin, chanted) as part of their training. Most ordinary people couldn't memorize them (being mostly illiterate), but wanted to be able to pray as the monks did. They were taught simple prayers that could be memorized such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apsotle's Creed, etc. That's the origin of the Rosary.

[QA48]

Are you catholic 'Prince'?

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Are you catholic 'Prince'?Indeed. (10 thingy)

[QA48]

Indeed. (10 thingy)

just wondering... :rolleyes: by the way what does 10 thingy means? i never got that

[PrinceOfTheWest]

I had to ask myself. The forum wants each post to contain at least 10 characters (I think this is to prevent spamming). When posting a very brief entry (e.g. "yeah"), they got in the habit of typing that to fill in the word count.

[QA48]

I had to ask myself. The forum wants each post to contain at least 10 characters (I think this is to prevent spamming). When posting a very brief entry (e.g. "yeah"), they got in the habit of typing that to fill in the word count.
ohh ok got it!

Now back to the topic.......

[Mar]

I am glad to see there are so many questions here and the such. Even Catholics do not always understand things and I am glad that non Catholics come here and look around. They learn that we are not "statue worshiping, evil heathens" (a name I have been called before). I was doing the rosary daily for Lent, though due to a death in my family, there was a pause in that for a few days. I felt spending time with my family as much as possible was important. Lent has helped more than just over 40 days in my life though. Once I gave up drinks that had caffeine in them and while it was hard, since then I have never had caffeinated drinks (nothing like Mt. Dew, coffee, etc) except maybe a sip or two once in a blue moon if there is no other choice.

What has everyone here given up? Or what has everyone done differently for Lent this year?
wow...thats awesome.

i gave up the internet for lent (the hardest thing for me)

[DeplorableWord]

wow...thats awesome.

i gave up the internet for lent (the hardest thing for me)

Uhh, then why are you on Narniafans? :)

[Mar]

Uhh, then why are you on Narniafans? :)
LOL cuz its a sunday of course!! (im suprized alot of peope dont know that..)

[Lawrence]

Nope. We have RCIA, the right of Christian initiation for adults. All you need to do is contact a local parrish, speak to a priest, and start the process. It usually takes four - six months, depending on the time of year. We usually welcome people into the church around Easter.

Good luck, my friend.

L

[longliveaslan]

Here's a bit of history on the Rosary, which many Catholics don't know. A "standard" rosary is 5 "decades" - 50 total beads. A "full" rosary, of the type that nuns used to wear hanging down from their sides, is a full 15 decades. The point of either is to be able to do the "mysteries" - meditations on events in salvation history. Classically there have been three sets of mysteries: the Joyful, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious, but John Paul the Great added a fourth set: the Luminous. For example, the Joyful Mysteries have to do with the birth and youth of Jesus: the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, etc.

Here's the part most people don't know: the reason why there are 150 beads is because there are 150 psalms. Those who entered the monastaries memorized the Psalms (in Latin, chanted) as part of their training. Most ordinary people couldn't memorize them (being mostly illiterate), but wanted to be able to pray as the monks did. They were taught simple prayers that could be memorized such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Apsotle's Creed, etc. That's the origin of the Rosary.
wow that si a awesome expination!!! yeah I'm part of this group called the legion of mary...so my family trys to pray the rosary daily...but it's nto always possible...anyway yeah good job! and (LOL) i never knew what 10 thingy was before either...LOL thanks for clarifying it LOL

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

I didn't know about the psalms, though I should have. It is cool! and yes, they just added that 4th mysteries. I am still trying to keep track of that one.

[giselle]

Hi! I'm catholic, but I have so many doubts.

I can't say I feel proud of being catholic; I've been trying to find the truth in my own ways. There are so many things surrounding the Catholic Church, that I can't feel good about it.

I've been raised in a country where Catholicism is 'strong.' All my family is catholic and so I am. But there are so many discrepancies between words and practice (of my whole family and the Catholics in general).

I think that Catholicism is a religion full of symbols that most of the human beings don't understand. I'm surprised (in a good way) that most of you are interested in learning more about this religion and truly believe in everything related to it.

I've been asked if I 'feel' catholic, and my answer has been 'no.' I don't feel represented by a community that says one thing and does something very different.

As I mentioned, my family is one close example for it. I don't mean my parents; I mean my grandmother and uncles (from my dad's part). They go every Sunday to the mass, they pray so much, and they encourage us, the young ones, to believe in God.

On the other hand, they envy my family (and here I mean my parents) because they have gained so much money during the last years, but they have worked so much to get it! My uncles and aunts don't have jobs, and they haven't done any effort to get one. So they tell me to be a good girl, but a kind of materialism rules their lives?

There are times when I don't get it. I wrote so much, so I thank if anyone reads this. I'm just so pleased to see that you can proudly say, "I'm catholic."

Giselle

[PrinceOfTheWest]

giselle, I am glad you do not scorn your heritage. Do not fear questions, particularly of the Church, but I ask this of you: be patient in waiting for answers. There are reasons for many of the traditions of the Church, and there is value in learning why. They may not help you particularly, but at least you can appreciate how they help others. For instance, I do not get much value from the Rosary - I prefer to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. But many people whom I respect and admire find the Rosary most effective, so who am I to argue?

Keep seeking! Look to Christ, not the Church herself. The purest message of the Church is that of John the Baptist - "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He must become greater and I must become less!" Those who focus on the glory and honor of the Church lose both Christ and the Church. Those who focus on Christ gain both Him and His Church.

[Lawrence]

Hi! I'm catholic, but I have so many doubts.

I can't say I feel proud of being catholic; I've been trying to find the truth in my own ways. There are so many things surrounding the Catholic Church, that I can't feel good about it. I've been raised in a country where Catholicism is 'strong.' All my family is catholic and so I am. But there are so many discrepancies between words and practice (of my whole family and the Catholics in general). I think that Catholicism is a religion full of symbols that most of the human beings don't understand. I'm surprised (in a good way) that most of you are interested in learning more about this religion and truly believe in everything related to it. I've been asked if I 'feel' catholic, and my answer has been 'no.' I don't feel represented by a community that says one thing and does something very different. As I mentioned, my family is one close example for it. I don't mean my parents; I mean my grandmother and uncles (from my dad's part). They go every Sunday to the mass, they pray so much, and they encourage us, the young ones, to believe in God. On the other hand, they envy my family (and here I mean my parents) because they have gained so much money during the last years, but they have worked so much to get it! My uncles and aunts don't have jobs, and they haven't done any effort to get one. So they tell me to be a good girl, but a kind of materialism rules their lives?

There are times when I don't get it. I wrote so much, so I thank if anyone reads this. I'm just so pleased to see that you can proudly say, "I'm catholic."

Giselle

Giselle,
It is good to doubt, to question. The Roman Catholic Church which we see before us today is indeed a broken vessel, a body which has a deep sickness in some of its members to use a little imagery from the New Testament. I am a Roman Catholic, and proud to be one. I am proud for the simple fact that of the myriad Christian denominations on this planet, Catholics have the best historical claim to tracing our roots back to Jesus Christ. If you believe in the sanctity of scripture, Christ gave the keys of the Church to Peter, who we believe to be the first Pope. From Peter to Linus, and on and on until Benedict XVI. We have a body of tradition that is 2000 years in the making. It is to this tradition I turn when I see the failures of the last few years, the pain, the sin. I also know that the Church is not only the institution I see before me, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis, but also those who have gone before me and those who will come after. Those in this life and beyond. Fear not if some of your friends and family speak a good Catholic game but fall short in practice. You must live a life of witness, set an example for them. Whole countries have been redeemed through the witness of one, remember. We all fall short of leading a perfect Catholic (and by that I mean perfect Christian) life. We all fall short of sainthood on a daily basis. Through the love of God, his Son, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and all the Saints we get up the next day and try and do better.

God be with you, my prayers and the prayers of all the Saints be with you as well,
L

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

Giselle,

I must agree with the others. If we do not question things, we will never learn. There was a time when I had such doubts as well. While things are not all good in our Church, that is because humans, by natured, are flawed. None of us are perfect. It sounds like your family that you are having trouble with, are not showing you the attitude that Catholics and indeed all Christians should. I have had a similar experience appear just recently so I have at least a slight idea of how that might feel.

Do not let such people turn you away though. I have a few friends who are say they are Catholic, but do things that are wrong in any denomination and in other religions as well. As I said before, no one is perfect. It might help to join a youth group in the area, or talk to someone in the church. Or just pray about it. Even if you have doubts or problems concerning the Church itself, remember that God is still there and loves you. Perhaps you just are not in the right environment due to the pressure you feel to be a 'good Catholic'.

I know this is a lot. Basically, I just wanted to offer you support. Your family, by saying something and doing another is not showing you how Christians should be. Everyone has flaws though.

And I am curious, what ways have you been trying? Perhaps we can help.

[Ithilien]

Giselle,

I'm Catholic too and I used to go to a private Christian school. I must admit, many of my friends and their parents were far from Christian, or were even nice. You must remember that people aren't perfect and conseqently, neither is the church. Its unfortunate that we meet such people. It seems to me you make a better Catholic than some of your aquaintances!

Sometimes, its not important whether you are a Catholic or not. These denominations can sometimes be nothing but distractions that segregate a community. I think it is more meaningful to act kindly and have compassion than to say, "I'm Catholic".

I found a quote today while working on my religion assignment: "God is at home, it is we who have gone for a walk". Don't worry if you question your faith now. Everyone, including me, has gone through those phases. But God will always be waiting for you at home.

[giselle]

Hi again! Thank you so much for your words. I do really appreciate them :D

I was educated, as some of you, in a private Catholic school. I saw things happening there, it was such a bad experience. Just like I said before, people say one thing and do another. The nuns were so mean and did not portray what a Catholic person should portray. I guess that was one of the things that I saw and then began to think "hey! there's something wrong here."

I've been through hard times lately and I've found comfort in God, that has given me peace and I've learned that those things were meant to happen and I can't stop my life there. (that thing is that four members of my family have died during the last 3 1/2 years). I don't know why but I can't think of God as a person; however, I see Christ as one.

I've tried to learn and pray in my own ways. When I go to the Church (because I do every Sunday), I tend to do a little reflexion about what I've done lately. I don't pray like all the people there. The people I see there is just like babbling, not speaking to God. I don't know if praying in a different way is right or wrong, but at least I'm trying to stay close to that state peace and welfare that my religion should give me and that I can't find.

Those who focus on the glory and honor of the Church lose both Christ and the Church. Those who focus on Christ gain both Him and His Church.
PrinceOfTheWest, I loved that final part. I hadn't thought about that.

You must live a life of witness, set an example for them.
Lawrence, that's true. I can't stay motionless after those situations, I can do a lot to change it and make a better life, not only for myselg and for my family, but for everyone else.

None of us are perfect.
And perfection would do our lives pointless. If there are no difficulties, what would we have to fight for?

Sometimes, its not important whether you are a Catholic or not. These denominations can sometimes be nothing but distractions that segregate a community.
Once a friend told me that she asked a Father which religion is the 'best,' and the Father's answer was like "there's no best Church, every Church is right as long as people do not do any damage to each other."

I see things in a very different way now, so thank you again for your words. All your posts were beautiful. Long post again, :D I guess I'll stop here, take care everyone!

Giselle

[Lady-of-the-Lion's-Mane]

I have decided to post here, just b/c my father was raised a Catholic. We (my family) aren't now, but Daddy went to a Catholic school until Junior high/High school, etc. We have all heard the awful stories of the nuns there. They rather shocked me!
I admire a great deal of the traditions of the Catholic church. The beautiful churches and cathedrals, the symbolism, rosary, Christmas Eve Mass, etc. The candles...well, I could go on. We just don't believe everything that is taught.

Giselle: They are right, no one is perfect. We are here to become more Christ-like, and so on. Pray for help. I real, heartfelt prayer to our Heavenly Father. Pray truly from the heart and answers will come. Maybe not immediately. Maybe not for a while, or in the way you imagine, but keep your eyes, ears, and heart TRULY open and alert to His answers. May God and Jesus bless you that you may be comforted. :)

[Lady-of-the-Lion's-Mane]

Also, I can't remember where I heard this, and though it applys to my Church, I thought I would share it: Remember that the people in the Church aren't always true, but the Church is. (Christ is.) The people aren't always true, but Christ is. Remember that, Giselle! :)

[MyChEmIcAlRoMaNcE_rOcKs!]

did anyone eat meat today since its a friday in lent?

[PrinceOfTheWest]

No meat today, but last Friday there was plenty consumed here in the States. Any guesses what the most popular meat was?

[Nene]

I have no idea. But I can cause I'm not yet 14. But I'm fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

[PrinceOfTheWest]

It was corned beef - last Friday was March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. It's customary to grant waivers of the fasting & abstinence laws for major feast days.

[longliveaslan]

It was corned beef - last Friday was March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. It's customary to grant waivers of the fasting & abstinence laws for major feast days.
yep!!! but i don't even think we had meat...or maybe we did...anyway yeah i had samon today...no meat! how's everyone's "what you gave up for lent" going? i gave up chocolate and it's hard but i haev been trying! one time i had chocolate but i didn't have the next sunday...
do you guys eat what you gave up on sundays?

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

I've tried to learn and pray in my own ways. When I go to the Church (because I do every Sunday), I tend to do a little reflexion about what I've done lately. I don't pray like all the people there. The people I see there is just like babbling, not speaking to God. I don't know if praying in a different way is right or wrong, but at least I'm trying to stay close to that state peace and welfare that my religion should give me and that I can't find.

Giselle

There is no wrong way to pray. As long as you are speaking to God. Some people do it one way while others do it another.

[inkspot]

This is Day 27 of Lent, I think! If you all have been learning anything through the process, please go over to my LENT BEGINS Thread and post your insights ...
http://www.narniafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4743&highlight=lent+begins

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

This thread has gotten very quiet...

[anna.the.gentle]

I am one. And proud to be one too. ;)

[LifeMaiden]

I am not a practicing Catholic and have not been to Church in many years, but still remember the words of the Mass nearly by heart still.

I'm sort of an unusual case because both my parents allowed me to choose my own religion, you could say. My mother is Buddhist and my father is Christian. I attended Catholic grammar school ( from the fifth grade) middle and high school, and had planned to go to Santa Clara University, a very well-known Jesuit university. I was an altar girl and used to help edit the Catholic students' newsletter as well as our church bulletin. I chose to be baptized when I was 12 years old. I even seriously considered becoming a Carmelite nun a few years later.

I lost my faith and belief in God due to many reasons, but maybe I'm more Catholic than I care to admit. I've recently begun to reconsider my faith, and much of it has to do with being on this forum, believe it or not. I have a rosary from Lourdes, France, that has a drop of water from the famous site in it. I recently found out that they added another decade to the rosary which I believe is called the Luminous mystery decade.

[Lawrence]

As a Jesuit educated Catholic who dabbled with Episcopaliansim in college, I hope the current journey you are on brings you joy. I cannot think of a better way of reapproaching our faith than through the Rosary.

Buddhist and Roman Catholic origins? I assume you have read Thomas Merton's later works on the integration of the two?

We all lose our faith eventually if we are paying attention.

Pax,
L

[Mar]

wahoo im catholic!! (well duh, i started this thread..)
the holy father invited all the movements to Rome for Petecost this year!
so I'm leaving in one week for that! and my band is singing there!! yay!

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Cool!

What "movement" are you a part of?

[Mar]

Cool!

What "movement" are you a part of?
Regnum Christi

well yeah..lol! but there is also this convention thingi at Regina Apostulorum (spelling?)

[optimus]

Well, I'm a Roman Catholic from JP II country (maybe it looks silly or insolent when I often remind you that I'm compatriot of John Paul Second, but... I'm really proud of it and of Him! :) ).

And, of course, I don't eat meat on fridays... :D

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

Wow, I am glad there has been so much activity. And I am glad that there are so many people here. :)

And I agree, the rosary is a good way to find/practice faith.

[Isabel Moseley]

well i am catholic but hey is william Moseley christian or what?

[Gus-Gus]

I am an Catolic

[PrinceOfTheWest]

Well, I'm a Roman Catholic from JP II country (maybe it looks silly or insolent when I often remind you that I'm compatriot of John Paul Second, but... I'm really proud of it and of Him! :) ).Don't you mean...

John Paul

the Great!!!

?

:D

[Mar]

hes "the great" now? ohhhh, sweet! :D

[PrinceOfTheWest]

There's no official method of becoming "the Great" - it's by "popular acclaimation". In other words, the more we call him that, the more likely the name will be to stick. I've referred to him as nothing else since his death. No "JPII" for me - it's "JPG" all the way!

[inkspot]

PoTW, I read the book you recommended, What Catholics Really Believe and found it very helpful. If you recall, I was whining about the sorry state of communion in my church -- we are a "seeker" oriented church, so all old "church" forms have been dropped, and the atmosphere made very comfortable for anyone who doesn't like or is afraid of church. Sadly, this included communion, which is celebrated only rarely, and in a rather hap-hazard way.

(Like in Baptist churches, where ushers pass plates full of wafers and tiny cups of grape juice down the row.)

So I wanted a church where I could take communion during the week, and still attend my church on Sunday, cuz I love my church, but feel bad about not receiving the body and blood of Christ more often.

That's all back story! After reading the book, I was set to investigate confirmation classes, so I could attend mass and take part in the eucharist, but my husband objected. He said, perhaps rightly (at least, as I understood it in the book) that the Catholic church would expect me to attend and be a member rather than just attend now and then to receive communion, and that I shouldn't put myself in the position of just being there for the Lord's Supper, if that makes any sense? I would be a bad Catholic if I didn't intend from the start to be an involved member of the local church.

So, I didn't do it. I did find an Episcopalian church which celebrates a mid-week Mass, so I can receive communion there without taking confirmation classes. It's kind of the same thing, just dropping in there to receive the body and blood, but I can't think they would object ... maybe they would. What do you think?

[Lawrence]

There's no official method of becoming "the Great" - it's by "popular acclaimation". In other words, the more we call him that, the more likely the name will be to stick. I've referred to him as nothing else since his death. No "JPII" for me - it's "JPG" all the way!

He is indeed "The Great". Saw him a few times, once in 1979 in Chicago. Simply magical. I know it sounds cliche but he did indeed radiate.

I also like Benedict XVI, although I will miss being able to call him "Joey Ratz". Benedict and my Grandmother are from the same part of Germany. They even look alike.

Pax,
L

[LifeMaiden]

As a Jesuit educated Catholic who dabbled with Episcopaliansim in college, I hope the current journey you are on brings you joy. I cannot think of a better way of reapproaching our faith than through the Rosary.

Buddhist and Roman Catholic origins? I assume you have read Thomas Merton's later works on the integration of the two?

We all lose our faith eventually if we are paying attention.

Pax,
L



Actually no I haven't read Thomas Merton. The eastern religions, of which I considered myself to be closer to in belief than Christianity, seem at odds with Catholicism don't they? But maybe they're not.

My mother has a Buddhist rosary which is very small of course, compared to the Catholic rosary. There's this round thing that looks like an eye on it...which is located at the bottom of the Buddhist beads. You can look through the tiny glass window opening and see the Buddha seated inside it. My mother never practiced it in later years but she has some old Lotus Sutra stuff from her father, who was from Japan, and used to open up that little shrine and chant every morning at 5am when he woke up.

My father had to go to church every Sunday at his grandfather's Baptist church and attend the Sunday school that was established for Japanese Americans.

[Lawrence]

Actually no I haven't read Thomas Merton. The eastern religions, of which I considered myself to be closer to in belief than Christianity, seem at odds with Catholicism don't they? But maybe they're not.

My mother has a Buddhist rosary which is very small of course, compared to the Catholic rosary. There's this round thing that looks like an eye on it...which is located at the bottom of the Buddhist beads. You can look through the tiny glass window opening and see the Buddha seated inside it. My mother never practiced it in later years but she has some old Lotus Sutra stuff from her father, who was from Japan, and used to open up that little shrine and chant every morning at 5am when he woke up.

My father had to go to church every Sunday at his grandfather's Baptist church and attend the Sunday school that was established for Japanese Americans.

Towards the end of his life Thomas Merton was very engaged with the Buddhists and had a great respect for the way they approached prayer. He greatly respected their ability to be completely in prayer and limit distractions.

His works (and a little Christian-Buddhist meditative prayer) might be up your alley.

It is amazing how many different religions have something akin to the Rosary. My Muslim friends have prayer beads that, sans crucifix, look a lot like my Rosary.

Pax,

L

[optimus]

Well, of course I mean John Paul The Great, but in Poland usually we call Him still John Paul II (and we're "JP II Generation" ;) ) and sometimes we say only "Santo Subito"... My family is from Cracow (where JPG was, as Karol Wojtyla, an arcybishop) and they have known him before he was chosen to be a Pope and they were on every pilgrimage of JPG from 1978... My parents were terribly, unable to write, sad because they've been seeing him often on Masses long time before 1978... and without him probably I've been growing up in country ruled by red communist plague...

Today we're preparing for pilgrimage of Benedict XVI... Looking up to it.

Well, i've just realised, that we don't have any thread about JPG on this forum... or maybe i'm wrong?

„Do not be afraid, leave the door opened for Jesus Christ!”

***

Ah yes, I've found this in the internet today...

PRAYER FOR ASKING GRACES THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD THE POPE JOHN PAUL II

O Blessed Trinity
We thank You for having graced the Church
with Pope John Paul II
and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,
the glory of the cross of Christ,
and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
and has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life
and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,
the graces we implore,
hoping that he will soon be numbered
among your saints.
Amen.

GEBET UM GNADEN ZU ERHALTEN AUF DIE FÜRSPRACHE DES DIENERS GOTTES PAPST JOHANNES PAUL II

O heilige Dreifaltigkeit!
Wir danken dir, dass Du der Kirche
Papst Johannes Paul II geschenkt hast
und dafür, dass Du in ihm die Zärtlichkeit Deiner väterlichen Liebe,
die Herrlichkeit des Kreuzes Christi
und den Glanz des Geistes der Liebe
hast erstrahlen lassen.
Er hat sich ganz und gar Deiner unbegrenzten Barmherzigkeit
sowie der mütterlichen Fürbitte Mariens anvertraut
und gab uns so ein lebendiges Bild von Jesus, dem guten Hirten.
Er hat uns die Heiligkeit
als hohen Maßstab für ein christliches Leben im Alltag aufgezeigt,
welches auf diese Weise ein Weg
zur ewigen Gemeinschaft mit Dir werden kann.
Gewähre uns, wenn es Deinem Willen entspricht, durch seine Fürbitte
die Gnade die wir in der Hoffnung erflehen,
dass er bald unter Deine Heiligen gezählt wird.
Amen.


Have you ever seen this Prayer? I'm not sure is it polish and translated to english or something?

[Fuzzy_Aslan]

Yes! I'm Catholic

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

I wish I could have seen JPII before he passed. He was truly a great leader.

[Gamegoofs2]

does anyone want to start a Catholic Club?

[Lawrence]

GEBET UM GNADEN ZU ERHALTEN AUF DIE FÜRSPRACHE DES DIENERS GOTTES PAPST JOHANNES PAUL II

It is German.

Pax,
L

[Lucy most Valiant]

ha! this is fantastic. i was always wondering how many catholics were on this forum. i myself am a byzantine rite catholic. there are 6 other rites besides the byzantine rite, the largest being the latin or roman rite. are there any other byzantine catholic out there?

[Lawrence]

ha! this is fantastic. i was always wondering how many catholics were on this forum. i myself am a byzantine rite catholic. there are 6 other rites besides the byzantine rite, the largest being the latin or roman rite. are there any other byzantine catholic out there?


I attended a Byzantine rite Mass. Quite beautiful. Loved the incense, loved the music, loved the vestments. If there was a church near me I would attend.

Pax,
L

[optimus]

GEBET UM GNADEN ZU ERHALTEN AUF DIE FÜRSPRACHE DES DIENERS GOTTES PAPST JOHANNES PAUL II

It is German.

Pax,
L

Yeah, I know that :D I've put it here for people who prefer german not english

[Lawrence]

Yeah, I know that :D I've put it here for people who prefer german not english

"Have you ever seen this Prayer? I'm not sure is it polish and translated to english or something?"

Hence, my response.

Pax,
L

[optimus]

actually, I was trying to say I'm not sure, is it polish PRAYER or maybe it's english and it was translated to polish (and german). I didn't write what I mean, so you probably understood me wrong... Sorry for my english!!! :D


And Benedict XVI is in Poland now... I've been watching greeting ceremony on the airport and in Presidential Palace on TV and tomorrow I'm going to Cracow to be on the biggest Mass with Him in the whole Poland (sunday)...

[Mar]

actually, I was trying to say I'm not sure, is it polish PRAYER or maybe it's english and it was translated to polish (and german). I didn't write what I mean, so you probably understood me wrong... Sorry for my english!!! :D


And Benedict XVI is in Poland now... I've been watching greeting ceremony on the airport and in Presidential Palace on TV and tomorrow I'm going to Cracow to be on the biggest Mass with Him in the whole Poland (sunday)...
ooo cool! im going to Italy tomorrow!!!! im so excited i will be in Rome for Pentecost!!

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

That sounds so exciting!!

[optimus]

Well the visit of B16 in Poland is over now... it was really great but now I am really sad that it was so short...

But we've seen some amazing things! Look here:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/29052006/323/photo/rainbow-during-visit-pope-benedict-xvi-nazi-concentration-camp-birkenau.html

and a text from yahoo.com:
"Benedict walked along the row of plaques at the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex's memorial, one in the language of each nationality whose members died there. As he stopped to pray, a light rain stopped and a brilliant rainbow appeared over the camp."

I've seen this RAINBOW. It was amazing and indescribable!!! Someone said that it was a miracle - rain suddenly stopped and rainbow appeared at the moment when B16 came into the Auschwitz camp! It was magnificent!

And a meeting with Him in Cracow was great too! Standing on the Mass and shouting "Long live!" or "Stay with us" or "We love you!" with about 1 000 000 people!!! It was really amazing!!

"A Cracow of Carol Wojtyla and a Cracow of John Paul II is a Cracow of mine too!"
Benedict XVI

If anyone is interested in photos from pilgrimage - here you are (the text is in polish but you don't have to know this language to look at these pics ;) )

Welcome in Poland!
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5174,1,8,pokaz.html

Welcome in Cracow!
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5206,1,8,pokaz.html

Visit in Auschwitz-Birkenau:
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5232,1,8,pokaz.html
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5234,1,8,pokaz.html

B16 in Cracow (Mass) http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5227,1,8,pokaz.html

Meeting with 700 000 young people in Cracow: (great photos!!)
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5221,1,8,pokaz.html

Thousands of people waiting for B16:
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5211,1,8,pokaz.html

Other photos of pilgrimage:
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5210,1,8,pokaz.html

B16 in the window of Arcybishop's Palace (JPII have been standing there and talking with people) called "The Window of John Paul II"
http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/pielgrzymka/5203,1,8,pokaz.html

[optimus]

Well It looks like I've finished this thread :D :D :D

[SusanoftheSouthernSun]

Awesome pictures!! It sounds amazing Optimus!

[onlymystory]

K, I looked through the thread and I can't find quite the answer I'm looking for. Can someone tell me what exactly confirmation is? i get the order of when it happens whether you're a cradle Catholic or convert Catholic but what exactly does it mean? My bible study leader was talking about it like its some horrible thing (he doesn't like Catholics) but I've always kind of preferred a lot of Catholic ways as opposed to my more lax baptist stuff. But can someone define confirmation for me so I can tell my leader why he's wrong and hopefully keep others from being confused? Thanks.

[The First Joke]

i don't know about anywhere else, but in the Roman Catholic Church, you are confirmed when you are usually in your teens. confirmation is being sealed with the gifts of the holy spirit. after several weeks of preparation and study, the bishop will lay his hands on you with the holy chrism (oil) and holy water saying (YOUR NAME HERE, be sealed with the gifts of the holy spirit. Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were sitting in this room and all tongues of fire came down and stuff. this was to fulfill what jesus said about how he would send the holy spirit. the spirit gives you spiritual gifts such as piety, fear of the lord, counsel, knowledge, and wisdom. From these gifts, several fruits flow. if you need to know these, pm me because i can't remember them.
the Chatechism defines Confirmation as: "one of the ensemble of the Sacraments of initiation into the Church, together with Baptism and the Eucharist. Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or 'confirm' the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church" (1285)

i hope this answers your question. if you need more keep asking :) .

[arwenelizabeth]

I'm Catholic! And very glad to be one, too.

I was not baptized Catholic, but became Catholic when I had my first communion at age twelve, after my dad, who'd been raised Catholic and lapsed, went back to the Catholic Church. I spent my teenage years as a sort of lukewarm Catholic who went to Mass but didn't do much else. Then I was lucky enough to attend a really awesome Catholic college (which is closed now, unfortunately) where I majored in theology. I got a great education there, and it was wonderful to have the chance to learn so much about my faith. Now I've graduated, and while I dabble (http://ennorath.typepad.com/arwens_blog/2005/11/love_and_its_re.html) in apologetics occasionally, I think my theological education helps me most in the simple living of day-to-day life. Of which, incidentally, reading C.S. Lewis is a part. :)

Glad to see so many other Catholics here!

[Sunrise]

I am not Catholic, although I began life as one (come from a large family in southern Louisiana - it's almost a given, lol!) That side of my family is still predominantly Catholic - I even have an uncle who is a priest. My mother sort of dropped out of catholicism, taking me with her, when she married my stepfather who was methodist, and after that I bounced around, trying to find where I felt God wanted me.

My husband and I now attend a very reformist church, and I love and am very committed to it, but their attitudes toward Catholicism really get my goat when I run into them. Unfortunately, I was so young when I left Catholicism that I have not been properly equipped to correct some of the misconceptions held by my reformist brethren. This forum has been very instrumental in giving me a new understanding of some of the thornier issues, so I am indebted to all you guys for being so lucid and thought-provoking. I actually agree more with the catholic side of things than the reformist one on a few points (i.e.Predestination!), although I'm not one to make waves by spouting this around in my church! :p It's so great that we have this forum to enable a lot of us from different backgrounds and perspectives to understand and reach out to each other, and realize that our differences do not have to separate us as gravely as they historically have. (*Suddenly has wild liberal urge to sing Kum Bah Yah* and sway.)

Anyway. This was a long, rambly way to hopefully thank and encourage the true CHRISTIANS on this forum, whether catholic, protestant, and whatever in between, for bearing the love and light of Christ in all your diverse and wonderful ways.

[LifeMaiden]

As many of you know I've recently become interested in exploring my old faith and becoming ...hmm, I don't know...a born again Catholic? PrinceoftheWest and ParthianKing have been extremely helpful in guiding me in this matter. So I've started reading Scripture again, slowly, and searching for a church in my area to attend, slowly. I'd like to eventually attend a spiritual retreat and most important receive post-abortion counseling.

[echoscot]

Sunrise, to your point, I am Southern Baptist, and have found that they are pretty open to welcoming Catholics, though disagreeing on certain doctrines. The biggest problem come from the ex-Catholics in the churches I've attended. They are almost violently anti-Catholic. I'm sure a lot of that stems from family arguments that they must have had. But for the most part, the Baptists who were raised Baptist, or at least protestant, have not come off as so anti-Catholic.

[narnia+north]

I am Catholic and I go to a Catholic high school.

[Isabel Moseley]

i am catholic!!!!!! hey is will catholic....??????...... :confused:

[LifeMaiden]

I think in an interview, William Moseley was asked what religion he followed and he said Christianity, but not specifically Catholic. A lot of people in England are not Catholic but Episcopal/Anglican. ( similiar)

[broken.]

wow thats great. yeah i know alot of people are christan here..yeah catholics are christan!

I'm Protestant, but I just want to tell you guys that I recently (ok, like a year or so ago) came to the realization that Catholics are Christian. I struggled with that concept for a long time, and I would get upset when people refered to Catholics as Christians. But then I sat down and actually thought about what it takes to be a Christian (belief in the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Christ, and his second coming) and had a lightbulb moment...Catholics are Christians too! So yeah...I'm glad to call you guys brothers and sisters in Christ. :)

[Lawrence]

I'm Protestant, but I just want to tell you guys that I recently (ok, like a year or so ago) came to the realization that Catholics are Christian. I struggled with that concept for a long time, and I would get upset when people refered to Catholics as Christians. But then I sat down and actually thought about what it takes to be a Christian (belief in the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Christ, and his second coming) and had a lightbulb moment...Catholics are Christians too! So yeah...I'm glad to call you guys brothers and sisters in Christ. :)

I am curious. Which Protestant denomination teaches that Catholics are not Christians and why? Are there any folks in here who adhere to that position?

Pax,
L

[echoscot]

I am curious. Which Protestant denomination teaches that Catholics are not Christians and why? Are there any folks in here who adhere to that position?

Pax,
L

I've moved through quite a few denominations, Lawrence, and found that all of the ones I have been in believe Catholics to be Christians. I think there are individual churches among those denominations that might teach otherwise, and as I've stated earlier, it is the ex-Catholics who I have met that seem to be the most anti-Catholic.

The ones I have experience with are: Presbyterian, Episcopalean, Southern Baptist (There are many types of Baptist denominations), Assembly of God, Methodist, Lutheran and some Non-Denominational types(though these vary with the wind).

[SacredSpirit]

I have a question:
Whats the difference between catholics and other christians?

[Kermit With Sword]

other christians broke away from the church.
they didn't like the way mass went and tried to make it "fun" and did stuff they're way believeing thatit was God's will.
but in the bible it says (by Jesus) "there will be others who will come saying they are for me but they are not." he means the prodenstants.
i have some good friends who are prodestants so i mean no offense to them but i'm only reapeating what i found in the bible.
(they were responsible for many believed "witch burning")

[SacredSpirit]

fun?

10 thingy

[Mar]

other christians broke away from the church.
they didn't like the way mass went and tried to make it "fun" and did stuff they're way believeing thatit was God's will.
but in the bible it says (by Jesus) "there will be others who will come saying they are for me but they are not." he means the prodenstants.
i have some good friends who are prodestants so i mean no offense to them but i'm only reapeating what i found in the bible.
(they were responsible for many believed "witch burning")
ummm okay... :confused:

anyway...when i was in italy my family and i were intervewied on vatican radio! it was really cool! and then people were talking about our interveiw on ewtn, like about how we had really good answers and stuff!

[echoscot]

other christians broke away from the church.
they didn't like the way mass went and tried to make it "fun" and did stuff they're way believeing thatit was God's will.
but in the bible it says (by Jesus) "there will be others who will come saying they are for me but they are not." he means the prodenstants.
i have some good friends who are prodestants so i mean no offense to them but i'm only reapeating what i found in the bible.
(they were responsible for many believed "witch burning")

That is a pretty harsh as well as ignorant statement.

what you "found in the Bible" and how you interpret that are two very different things.

"didn't like the way mass went and wanted to make it fun" Gross oversimplification as well as not even true.

"They were responsible for many believed 'witch burning'" not only ignorant, but cruel and nasty statement. Learn your history correctly, not in a biased manner especially before you make such vicious aspersions on others.

[SacredSpirit]

cause im not catholic...found that very rude

[Kermit With Sword]

well whats ur statement for how the other christain churches were founded and why they weree?
(not to seem rude but i'm only defending what i believe.)

[Mar]

well whats ur statement for how the other christain churches were founded and why they weree?
(not to seem rude but i'm only defending what i believe.)
wait...are you catholic? im kinda confused.

[broken.]

I am curious. Which Protestant denomination teaches that Catholics are not Christians and why? Are there any folks in here who adhere to that position?

Pax,
L


I wasn't taught that belief, it was something I came up with on my own a long time ago. As far as I know, no denomination teaches that Catholics aren't Christians.

[Saruman]

I would be very careful, Kermit, before you make such hasty conclusions on what Christ was actually talking about. There are sheep of all different types in the fold. I have yet to see where it says in the Scripture that Christ was referring to "protestants" - there certainly was no Roman church in that day and age. "Protestants" never left the Body of Christ. Many became sick and tired of the blasphemy and heresy that was introduced into the Roman church, and left that particular institution during the Middle ages. People actually started to read the Bible for themselves, instead of adhering to the traditions that were commonly accepted in those days. Martin Luther is a classic example of what happened when a person cracked open the Bible and actually began to discover that it and the Roman church were not in agreement on several points. After all, when did Christ ever preach that "when a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs"?

A Christian is, simply put, one who has received Jesus Christ in their heart as personal Lord and Savior, and therefore has become part of the Body of Christ, His Church. It has nothing to do with denomination. His Church is not a building, nor an institution ruled by men (as we learn and understand; for Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, the solid Rock upon which we stand).

I believe there are many Catholics who are truly Christians, my own great-grandmother being one of them. Then again, I believe there are many Catholics who are not born-again, because they have not received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Sure, it's very easy to go through the motions, attend church and all. Heck, that can be at any church, not just a Catholic church! It is not being part of a denomination or a "church" that will save you. Show me where the Bible teaches that. Rather, it is what you chose to do with Jesus Christ during your lifetime. Is He really the Lord of your life? Or do you feel "safe" because you happened to be baptized into the church as a baby?

I know this will make blood boil. Understand, I have nothing against Roman Catholics. There are so many wonderful Christians in the Catholic church, and so much is owed to the Roman church for keeping up ancient manuscripts and documents, for being one of the oldest institutions that demonstrate the truth of Christ in and through His Word. But I believe we need to get into the Word of God. It was not given for confusion, but for reproof, for instruction, for sound doctrine, etc. It overrules all the traditions of men, which are so prone to making the Word of God of no effect.

[Kermit With Sword]

wait...are you catholic? im kinda confused.

i'm catholic yes.

[SacredSpirit]

no mike im just asking whats the difference..catholic churches seem very different from regular churches..what do you all do different

[Mar]

no mike im just asking whats the difference..catholic churches seem very different from regular churches..what do you all do different
if im correct the only difference is the eucharist.

[Kermit With Sword]

i don't know what the prodenstant do.

first everyone is welcomed and we ask them to pray for someone who parted. we sing an opening hymn, father says hello and says a few words and asks jesus to pray for us and then we sit. the 1st, 2, responsorial hymn, and gospel go on and after the gospel father does a homily. then we sing another song as the gifts (bread and wine and the money collected during offetory) are taken up to father and the alter servers. then we pray a little while together while kneeling and we recieve communion while singing a song. then father asks jesus again to pray for us. then we sing a final hymn after father blesses us and we leave. (usually an hour. this is the answer in a nutshell)

[echoscot]

well whats ur statement for how the other christain churches were founded and why they weree?
(not to seem rude but i'm only defending what i believe.)

Exactly my point, you don't know.

Martin Luther posted 95 theses as to what he wanted to see revised in the Catholic Church ,his intent was not to leave, but he got excommunicated for questioning Church authority.

Wesley and Calvin and others also had doctrinal differences with the way the church was run.

The worst was actually the Anglican. King Henry VIII actually backed Rome in their argument against Luther, but when he wanted a divorce, Spain encouraged Rome to deny it. Henry was married to Catherine of Spain, so there was political squabbling going on.

Rome agreed with Spain, on principle.

Henry set up his own denomination, in rebellion to that.

The Anglican Church was born

The Puritans were a group of English who believed that the Anglicans hadn't gone far enough in separating themselves from Rome. Elizabeth I tried to appease them. She was known as the Protestant Queen, because she tried to eliminate all Catholicism from England. It was actually pretty cruel. When she died the throne passed to her half-sister Mary, who was still Catholic.

Mary took over and earned the nick-name Bloody Mary for her revenge on all Protestants for the first go-round. Any one who didn't convert back to Catholcism was executed publicly.

John Calvin was a Scot who believed very strongly in predestination. His doctrines were the original foundation of what is known as the Presbyterian Church.

Wesley had some different ideas and the Methodists were born

This thread is not the appropriate place to go into much more detail than that. It woud require several volumes to fill.

In short, most Christian Protestant denominations, currently accept the Bible as the word of God, they reject the Apocryphal Books as not being inspired.

They do not hold Mary or the Saints as special in any way, other than their opportunity to witness first hand the events of Christs life.

They believe that there is, as Hebrews puts it:"Only one high priest, Jesus Christ the righteous." So absolution by the church is not a necessary function.

Other than Lutheran and the Anglican denominations, they do not believe in transubstantiation.

They do hold in the doctrines of the trinity and that salvation comes by Grace through the forgiveness of sins as provided by the death of Christ on the Cross.

Some are credal, others are not. Those that are credal, accept the basic tenets of both the Nicene and the Apostles Creed.

Witch Burning incidents:

The only real burnings took place in Europe during the middle ages. This was when the Catholic Church was at its height of power.

The Salem trials, no one was burned. 19 people and 2 dogs were hung. more than 300 were jailed then released. This was over a very short period and then Parliament jerked control of the courts back, under Puritan control, and the witch episode was stopped, by Puritan leaders.

Because men are involved, every group Catholic and protestant has become infiltrated with doctrines of men, and not necessarily of God. That does not mean we should shut down all churches. It means we need to continually be in study of the word and prayer, and learning how in love to provide correction and stay true to who Christ is.

If you really want to study church history, it is far more than this thread or one person can handle. There are many, many perspectives on this. And many, many books and essays and themes written. Just do a simple Google search and read for your self. Don't just read what you agree with, but read