Today is my last day

[Brent]

Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. Why is it that priests are priests for life? I hope and go by the assumption that modern popes are good people. A religion, if it believes it is true, should have a different standard than other institutions. Just because true christians are supposed to be unified, does not mean that those who claim a belief in Christ are. We are to become one. it is a process. If you lack wisdom, ask God (James 1:5). They that be whole need not a church, but the sick. I know there are good people who are Catholic, as with any church on the earth or practically any religion. The church of the devil is not any specific church on the earth.

By the way, what ever happened to the Jedi Order?

[Dis]

Originally posted by Mrs. Tuberski
I always find it entertaing how one whole relegion is judged soley on a few bad apples. These priests actions were not good and should be punished but to punish the whole relegion for that. I dont get it. I dont practice my relegion which indeed is catholic but have been raised in this faith all my life.
More positive note good luck ben I hope you find more then you are seeking with this.

these guys are hopeless, they keep living in the past.

Sure the church has done some bad things in the past. But everyone did bad things back then. The world was a horrible and savage place.

The only thing that upsets me is the church's stance on family planning/condoms etc. (and of course covering up for molesters)

[Brent]

Everyone did bad things back then because the pure truth was not on the earth at that time. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Amos 8:11.

[Capt Dizle]

Originally posted by Brent
Everyone did bad things back then because the pure truth was not on the earth at that time. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Amos 8:11.

I am a little concerned with your timeline here.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

Most important is there such a thing by pure truth. From what I have learned we believe the bible is the truth but nobody can prove it right or wrong.

[Ben Kenobi]

Actually, the first protestant churches, the Lutheran and Anglican denominations, generally have all the features you're attributing solely to the Catholic church

As poor imitations. Their heirarchy doesn't work the same way, and gives much more authority to the local congregations.

[Berzerker]

Start a thread when you convert to Christianity

[Ben Kenobi]

@ M. Webster

[PLATO]

Ben,

Did you never read Dante?

[Ben Kenobi]

Start a thread when you convert to Christianity

shouldn't that be convert back?

[Ben Kenobi]

Plato:

My education is lacking in the classics.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Plato:

My education is lacking in the classics.

Dante exposed many of the ills of the Catholic church in a rather captivating journey through hell. He was branded a heretic and ex-communicated. History is literally littered with reasons to "protest" the Catholic church.

That being said, what was it that particularly captivated you to make the switch?

[Berzerker]

shouldn't that be convert back?

cant we all just get along?

[Agathon]

How long before he commits a mortal sin?

[JimmyCracksCorn]

Good luck Ben, and welcome to the fold

I'm a non-practicing Catholic, but as I've always said... if you're going to be a Christian, you may as well be a Catholic.

Catholocism is steeped in ritual, symbolism, ornamentary and hierarchy, something that non-Catholics hate us for. They say its too worldly, and that all you need is God and Jesus, not some fancy church and a bunch of rituals. But they make one mistaken assumption - that God actually exists! What is a religion without rituals, symbols and all other kinds of worldy crap? Nothing! At least Catholics address this and fill in the empty space.

Plus, the religion has changed alot. Back in the day a Catholic church goer would have essentially been put into a trance like state throughout the mass... having it culminate in consuming the body and blood of christ - essentially assuming the role of Jesus and taking on his qualities. And under such an altered mental state, you literally would have. This is a essense of Christianity... something that Protestants have completely veered from. They just bible thump now, like they always have.