Thread: Catholic, why are you such?

Hi. I'm Catholic. Proud. Here's why:

The American Catholic community is deep and rich in the betterment of its surrounding society as a whole (examples = Loaves and Fishes, food/money for poor, communal congregation and protection against passive aggressive like the OP). I find great satisfaction in donating my time, money, and effort to better the lives of those around me. That's the quintessence that most protestants I meet lack ; self-sacrifice and duty to fellow man and an absence of green.

Indeed, Catholic ministries and reverence are more endowed in communal service and patronage than having a strong faith based on the Bible. My community is not just united by our faith in the Bible, but also our diligence to better everyone else's lives, Catholic or not.

Secondly, the rich community and people that are part of the Catholic church is one of few places where I can find such a united atmosphere. There exists no exclusion (catholic means 'universal') nor elitism that exists. Compare that to Southern Baptists, baptists, methodists, seventh days, assemblies, and everyone else who calls us 'pagans'.

My Catholic church and community provides the nurturing conviction we all seek to fill certain voids in our conscious and spirits. Where others try to fill this gap with drugs, money, vice, sports, hobbies (I use hobbies too), or depression, I have found a personal conviction and courage that helps me prosper from what I believe is my soul in action. This makes me a better person (in a Catholic/Christian light) everyday.

Catholics are not defined by the Pope or Vatican. We are not willing slaves to its mandates. To believe that is ignorance, but there's no problem in not knowing the truth.

Growing up Catholic in the South, I have seen plenty of discrimination, mistreatment, and cold-cheeks. I'm so happy other Christians are willing to branch out to those of a familiar faith.

There is a very familiar Catholic prayer I use to encourage and move myself. It's also a Christian one, but you hear Catholics using it as a core 'self-motto'. "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Sorry to get religious. Hope that illuminates the Catholic psyche a little.

Originally Posted by 4Horsemen

Do you know what's the root of Catholicism? I hate to inform most of you Catholics but it's not backed by the Bible on iota. but you knew that right?

So Why Catholicism?

It's quite obvious you do not know what you are talking about. We do not accept the Bible as the only source of auhtority, but in no way does the Catholic Church refute or disagree with anything the Bible says. As matter of fact Protestants do disagree with a lot of what it says and they claimit to be the only authority, yet they cannot agree on anything else. Who compiled the Bible?, who told you it was infallible?, why accept the book from the Church but not accept the Churches teachings. Who had the authority in the 1500's to remove seven books from the Bible?. Why did Protestants all of a sudden decide to remove books?. Because it did not fit with Martin Luthers theology.

Originally Posted by Sean Michael

It's quite obvious you do not know what you are talking about. We do not accept the Bible as the only source of auhtority, but in no way does the Catholic Church refute or disagree with anything the Bible says. As matter of fact Protestants do disagree with a lot of what it says and they claimit to be the only authority, yet they cannot agree on anything else. Who compiled the Bible?, who told you it was infallible?, why accept the book from the Church but not accept the Churches teachings. Who had the authority in the 1500's to remove seven books from the Bible?. Why did Protestants all of a sudden decide to remove books?. Because it did not fit with Martin Luthers theology.

So you're all in favor of obeying Leviticus chapter 20?

Originally Posted by Durandal

So you're all in favor of obeying Leviticus chapter 20?

Catholics are not Christian fundamentalists. We have opinions of the Bible, which might be mortal sin for any other protestant.

Originally Posted by Durandal

So you're all in favor of obeying Leviticus chapter 20?

I do not believe all the books in the Bible are to be taken literally. That is the point I am making the Bible needs to be interpretted through the wisdom of the Church. I suggest you ask a Protestant they claim the Bible can be interpretted by ones self, they say it is quite clear, yet there is over 35,000 forms of Protestantism. So I think it is not quite as clear as they make it sound.

Originally Posted by Sean Michael

I do not believe all the books in the Bible are to be taken literally. That is the point I am making the Bible needs to be interpretted through the wisdom of the Church. I suggest you ask a Protestant they claim the Bible can be interpretted by ones self, they say it is quite clear, yet there is over 35,000 forms of Protestantism. So I think it is not quite as clear as they make it sou isnd.

So if leviticus is not meant to be taken literally what purpose does it serve?

Originally Posted by Vicariously I

So if leviticus is not meant to be taken literally what purpose does it serve?

It has a meaning, it tells us what is wrong. Death does not always mean literal death. It can mean death from society, excommunication. It can mean a spiritual death, your soul could be dead. Parts can be refering to suffering hell. Also the in the OT God did use punishment to help people keep His law, before Jesus came and expounded on the law of God. The truth is I am not able to interpret it accurately, I can derive meaning from it and use the Bible for my personal edification. However if my interpretation is contrary to the Churches then I am wrong in my conclusion. This is why we need the light of the Church to extract the full meaning of the passages.

Originally Posted by Vicariously I

So if leviticus is not meant to be taken literally what purpose does it serve?

Something does not have to be literal to be true in a philosophical sense.

Basic mythology.

LOL! Well, Horseman...

Since Peter is our first Pope, perhaps you have more knowledge about such things than he does. Somehow thought, I doubt what is bound to you on earth is also bound in heaven.

Just sayin'

Originally Posted by JoanofArc

LOL! Well, Horseman...

Since Peter is our first Pope, perhaps you have more knowledge about such things than he does. Somehow thought, I doubt what is bound to you on earth is also bound in heaven.

Just sayin'

People respected James more than Peter.