Posted on 01/05/2015 3:27:43 AM PST by NYer
Freedom of speech is a great thing. Unfortunately, it comes at an unavoidable price: When citizens are free to say what they want, theyll sometimes use that freedom to say some pretty silly things. And thats the case with the 12 claims were about to cover.
|
Some of them are made over and over, others are rare. Either way, while the proponents of these errors are free to promote them, we as Catholics have a duty to respond.
2. "Christianity is no better than any other faith. All religions lead to God."
If you haven't heard this one a dozen times, you don't get out much. Sadly enough, the person making this claim is often himself a Christian (at least, in name).
The problems with this view are pretty straightforward. Christianity makes a series of claims about God and man: That Jesus of Nazareth was God Himself, and that he died and was resurrected — all so that we might be free from our sins. Every other religion in the world denies each of these points. So, if Christianity is correct, then it speaks a vital truth to the world — a truth that all other religions reject.
This alone makes Christianity unique.
But it doesn't end there. Recall Jesus' statement in John's Gospel:
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." In Christianity, we have God's full revelation to humanity. It's true that all religions contain some measure of truth — the amount varying with the religion. Nevertheless, if we earnestly want to follow and worship God, shouldn't we do it in the way He prescribed?
If Jesus is indeed God, then only Christianity contains the fullness of this truth.
Seances, use of psychics and mediums, etc. is a serious sin to us, as well. It is known as a reserved sin; the person is considered excommunicated until repentant; a Bishop then can only restore the person to communion with the Church. Each diocese has an exorcist who may be called in to assist in cleansing of this sin's effects.
Again, a real question: you said:
It makes no difference to believers. They are either asleep as some believe or in heaven as others believe. It makes no difference to salvation.
Why does it not make a difference? What of eternity? I want to understand what that means.
I sent this same post to CynicalBear, but I think it works for you too.
What’s with you protestants? If you don’t want to be a Catholic then don’t be a Catholic. If you think some Protestant religion is the true religion, then have at it. But what makes you want to prove to me, a Catholic, that the Catholic religion is wrong? I really don’t care what you think. Don’t you understand that? I don’t have thing against you or your religion, but I really could care less what you think about the Catholic religion.
But if you ever see me hit up on some post that expresses some Protestant belief that I disagree with, then come back at me and tell me how stupid I am for telling someone from another religion how wrong their religion is. And you now what, I’m sure I’ll completely agree with you. But honestly, don’t expect to see that critical comment from me anytime too soon.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Hmmm. I’d say that was a pass. But thanks for the prayers; we all can use them. I’ll say a special one for you tonight as well.
Go back and re-read your posts top me.
Thank you.
Ooops, I misread your post. And thanks for the answer. I do at least understand what drives you anyhow. But please do understand that I’m not interested in converting and I’ll probably just try to ignore what you have to say.
The scripture is quite clear that if you do not believe in the Son, you don't worship the Father either.
1Jn_2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Just because non-Christian Jews and Muslims "believe" in a god doesn't mean they believe in God. They are necessarily damned, therefore, until they become Christians.
This is kinda OT but I have a question. I am listening to Christian music on a cable station. One song really, really touched my heart. I have watched parts of some masses and their songs did not do a thing for me. Is that common or did I just come across bad songs. I go out of state frequently. I listen to CDs by the wife of a minister who stayed with us when I was a kid. If I had not been driving on the crooked Natchez Trace, I would have been holding my hands up. She touches me like very few do. I just do not see that happening in masses. Maybe they are more formal. I just do not understand but I have heard choirs who sang like they were just mouthing the words when I could understand them. Others sang like they truly believe the words they sing. Am I making sense?
And what of people who are Buddhists, Hindu, whatever, or have never been exposed to Christianity? Do you believe that our Loving Father actually created them so they could fry in hell for all eternity?
Yes you are making sense. I too have been in those places where the Spirit is missing. Some of those “ritualistic” churches simply do “mouth the words”. Generally I can sense the lack of the Spirit the moment I walk in the door of some of them. Give me those churches and places where the true joy of the Lord is. If some don’t raise their hands in praise they haven’t felt the presence of the Spirit.
Amen. As a kid, I attended churches where people did raise their hands in praise and some even started shouting. Give me a church like those over any “dead” churches. People in my SB are free to lift heir hands in praise to our Lord and Savior. I often wonder if people in Osteen’s and other churches would even consider doing that. I have even heard that it is considered too emotional. So what? It is past time to be excited about Jesus and what He has done for us. We should not just go through the motions of attending church. I can not wait until I get well enough to start back. Sometimes, I wonder if I will ever get back to feeling like I use to. I need to call my surgeon to schedule my other surgery. I have noticed I see double sometimes. I know she did not want to overdo the surgery which might cause other problems. It is kinda hard sometimes.
Thank you!
You sound like you're advocating universalism.
Let's let the Word address you concern....and it is a very serious one.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
You might want to check that again.
Pfft!
There are ways around this; Prot!
Which, by definition, is NOT found in Scripture.
Just exactly how will that happen?
Where's the beef; as Clara would say.
Where is the evidence of this assertion?
And Bust the First called Reaganomics Voodoo Economics; too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaganomics
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.