False. Catholics RESPECT Mary as Jesus' mother, just as they RESPECT Joseph as Jesus' father. No one is held in higher regard than Jesus.
I recommend sticking to being non-denominational. It gets complicated (and quite ugly) when you get into all the different denominations. The most important thing is to live a good and righteous life, no matter what traditions or rituals you believe in.
I believe in miracles. <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-agl0pOQfs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_-agl0pOQfs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
Yeah, man, you tell 'em! All they did was "create" the Bible, move a small mystery cult into the mainstream and powerful Christianity that we recognize today while hundreds of other Christian-type cults faded and died, produced hundreds of years of philosophy and interpretation that colors every Christian denomination to some degree, and was basically the exclusive steward for ~1200 years. I am not nor have I ever been a catholic, I just love it when protestants and "non-denominationals" try to claim they are not Christians or that their denomination is more true to the essence of the bible, etc. - when the Catholics formed the text, interpreted, translated, re-envisioned (through marginalia and the like) that "pure document" that they think they are holding, free of Catholic stain. To make the ever-busy twhy77 happy, I will also assert that on a philosophical basis I don't understand how something as absolute as religion can be followed where everyone is allowed to interpret it as they see fit. Maybe a Catholic can help me but surely there has been some kind of post-Barthes appropriation whereby - if it is asserted that there is no "one true" novel that is written due to everyone interpreting it differently (the book is dead), then it follows that if there is no "one true" dogma because everyone can have a personal relationship and interpret as they see fit...and anyone can be an expert and - slash slash slash - Protestants just killed God? What the Catholic Church has going for it is that they are the constant link to the original dogma that they brought forth to the world (you have to ignore Vat II a little bit...dumb hippy church leaders of yore!). If I were to believe in such absolute faith and, specifically, the Christ story, I would want to go with the interpreted religious dogma throughout history, the thousands of years of scholarship and expertism (I made up a word because I felt like it so get off my back) and not some guy named Joel who started talking about a happy self-help God because his daddy started a church franchise. Now you made my knees hurt.
I agree. I think that's what Paul meant when he said, "All I claim to truly know is Christ and Him crucified." The rest is just fluff. However, non-denominational churches are funcitionally Baptists, whether they realize it or not.
Jesus Christ told the Apostle Peter to begin His church! Which is the Catholic Church after his death on the cross! he told his apostles to scatter & preach his gospel to the world, so they can be save from death (spiritual)! I'm have a strong Catholic faith, but I enjoy other Christian off-shoots as long that they are sincere in the teachings of Jesus Christ!
WOW! Another anti- Catholic! I'm sure you don't know anything about this religion! You probably just heard only it's problems, in which, other religion has also! The Church was started by Jesus Christ, in which he told his apostle Peter to build, & today it has over 1.1 billion members, over 17% of the worldwide population! And you don't have to be a Catholic to be save! It clearly states in the Holy Bible that WHO EVER BELIEVES IN ME, which is Christ & the FATHER, God- will be saved from spiritual death! WOW imagine that! Pls read up on this religion before you attack it! Just google it!
my new favorite quote -- I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. Mohandas Gandhi
Church is a group of people commemorating Jesus PBUH. So what you're saying is that Jesus PBUH told Peter to start gathering people to reflect on the teachings. This was the first church and it did not have a denomination. Jesus PBUH did not detail any of the following to Apostle Peter: - The name. - To segregate opinions where facts are not definitive. - To build a physical structure that will forever be called a church. - What should go in the bible that this church should follow. Based on that, I don't see your argument holding much weight. Do you know for a fact that more people weren't told to start a church? Maybe Apostle Peter was the only one who was able to tell the tale of being asked by Jesus PBUH? I'm not Christian, so excuse errors if I've made any. I'm just trying to understand your point of view.
You have to remember Peter along with another apostle built the first Church in Rome! And this is where Catholism was born! This is based on the teachings that Christ, HIMSELF -told his disciples how to spread/teach his words! The Catholic Church has been in existence after the death of Christ bcuz this is what He wanted- to spread the word of God to people around the world! He teaches hope, forgiveness, & ultimately salvation. You know there are over 1.1 billion Catholics around the world, about over 17% of the world population.! And the "off shoots" of other Christian denominations like Baptist, Mormons, Seventh day, Lutherans, etc., came from the Catholic Church! So, the Catholic religion is the first Christian religion!
Well now you are mixing things up. What existed in the 1st century looks nothing like Catholicism and there is no evidence of organized worship until the middle 3rd century and that is only in private homes and apartments. The Catholic Church was truly established when it merged with Roman Imperialist hierarchy, organization, and leadership and when the Bible was thought about, put together, and "being Christian" was defined, etc.
A church is a group of people. What they built in Rome was a place for the church to meet IMO. Can you show me where Jesus PBUH says to Apostle Peter to build a large building/structure which will be called a church and will follow what is now known as Catholocism? Also, you shoot yourself in the foot a bit here. You call it the Catholic religion. You call it the first Christian religion. According to what you're saying, Jesus PBUH asked Apostle Peter to create a church. Was Apostle Peter told to create a religion which would immediately divide people of different opinions who all believed in Jesus PBUH the same? Why do you believe it's a religion? Your position seems to belittle denominations greatly IMO.
