spiralwedge:
Catholicism keeps its relevance by making itself complex, keep members from reading/meditating on the Bible by themselves and for lazy people who just want to be religiously content.

If you ask me, Catholicism is not Christianity, its a syncretized Roman religion made to like Christianity.

This same Catholicism compiled and canonized the Bible.

Did syncretism create the Christian Bible?

Hahaha!

Lsofdk:

sorry i jumped in late. if your estimates are based on baptized alone then it's so flawed.

Majority of Catholics are baptized into the church when they are kids.

My sister (nt tryn 2 famz). What or rather who u r looking 4 is exactly where u r. As d saying goes "wetin u dey find 4 sokoto dey ur sokoto". I once was @ a similar situation u were in.
During my 100 level days, I started attending a Pentecostal church around my hostel. D fact was dt it was fascinating @ first. D melodic singing u cld dance 2, lively praying, speaking in tongues etc. I felt lyk finally dis was where Jesus was. It was reminiscent of wt was written in d acts of D apostles. I was determined 2 quit d Catholic church, which I saw as a non - Bible believing church. I even got baptized in my new church telling myself dt my infant baptism was fake. I saw prayers lyk d "hail Mary" as satanic & started 2 c Catholics as worshippers of idols.
When my mom heard about my 'conversion', she went ballistic & in her usual way tried 2 intimidate me in2 submission. However, I was adamant & counted her Intolerance as persecution. Finally she reported 2 a priest temporarily residing in our parish. I was instructed 2 go & c d priest which I did albeit reluctantly. Anticipating further antagonism 4rm d priest, I had 'armed' myself wt parts of Scripture 2 discredit d Catholic faith. As I arrived d priory of my parish, I called d priest (fr. Ralph I think) on his line & informed him of my presence. He directed me 2 a little room where I awaited his arrival, going over d finer point of D argument I anticipated. He soon joined me & after d normal salutations, did something I didn't expect. In a calm, friendly voice, he asked me 2 explain myself. Dis totally took me by surprise bt I did as he asked. After I finished speaking, he kept quiet 4 sometime & inwardly I was already anticipating a reprimand or something similar 2 my mother's words. I mentally went over my argument once again 2 make sure dey were still intact (which dey were). He then spoke & complimented me saying dt he sensed d hunger 4 d truth in d search of God in me, which was rare 4 most youths of my age. He then said dt it wld b wrong 4 him 2 tell me wt 2 blv in or nt. He then asked me if I had a bible, which I replied affirmatively. He asked again if I liked reading, which I also replied "yes" to. He then excused himself 4 a moment & went 2 his room. When he returned, he came wt some books on articles of D Catholic faith. He asked me when I would b able 2 finish dem all. I gave a date & he then instructed me 2 first ask d Holy spirit 4 true enlightenment & read wt an unbiased mind referencing it wt d Bible & dt I shld report back 2 him @ d appointed tym & then we wld discuss any doubts I had abt d Catholic faith, . D most touching part was when he told me dt he trusted dt my hunger 4 d truth wld lead me 2 it.
As I got home, I immediately delved in2 d books he lent me cross-referencing dem wt d Bible. Book after book I devoured hoping 2 find d falsehood in d Catholic faith. I was disappointed when I finished d books & I cldnt find anything significant!
I even discovered dt d pillars of Martin Luther's schism (fide Sola, scriptura Sola & Gracia sola) were wrong. I went back 2 D priest a 2nd tym having no doubts 2 raise wt him. He gave me another set of books dis tym most of dem were in a q & a format abt reservations & doubts abt d Catholic faith. In these books, I found some of D questions earlier plaguing my mind as well as their answers wt scriptural backing. I went back 2 D priest humble in my newfound knowledge & appreciation of D Catholic faith. He then told me he went through a similar phase in his early lyf in d search 4 truth even delving in2 d followership of mystics lyk Harry Krishna b4 he was led by his insatiable quest 4 d truth back 2 D Catholic church. He then spoke more about d Catholic church. By dt tym I needed no more convincing dt I was in d ryt church & if Eva I left, it wldnt b because Jesus wasn't present in her.
I compare most xtians nowadays 2 D prophet Elijah @ mount Horeb. We r too busy looking 4 God in d fire, wind & earthquake often ignoring d soft, still voice dt resonates in d peaceful, meditative sections of our mind. D Jesus we seek in d speaking of tongues & oda manifestations in Pentecostal churches is present quietly in d Eucharist day & nyt calling silently 2 us. Do u nt feel him in d meditative mood of adoration? D anointing dt most of us r running helter skelter 4 & even toadying up 2 some general overseer, pastor, or bishop 4 is present in d poor, sick, downtrodden & less privileged among us. After all as our Lord said in d parable of D sheep & goats, dey r "d least of My brethren". Most Pentecostal churches nowadays teach their followers 2 regard odas nt belonging 2 D same church as dey r with suspicion instead of dt beautiful prayer said afta d magnificat in my parish by d Legion of Mary (which u claimed u belonged 2)dt urges us 2 c Jesus in our fellow men. U speak abt d Catholic church condoning iniquities lyk in (ur words) clubbing, drinking, cheating, premarital sex etc as long as u go 4 confession. First some of these things u mentioned r nt sins eg drinking of alcohol as long as one doesn't bcom drunk (aftarall Jesus turned water in2 wine & don't let anybody deceive u dt it was non-alcoholic) & as 4 clubbing, didn't Jesus eat, drink & party wt tax collectors, prostitutes & sinners? A lot of Pentecostals r lyk d pharisee in d parable dt exalted himself whilst praying "I fast, I pray, I pay my tithes, I read my bible" instead of dem 2 b lyk d tax collector dt asked 4 mercy in humility. Actually d church doesn't blv in condemning any sinner who ask 4 4gvns. D sincerity of D individual is btw himself & God. So no mata hw many tyms 1 stumbles, she is always ready 2 accept her children in2 her fold as long as dey r washed in d showers of grace channeled by our Savior thru d sacrament of D confessional. Do u want 2 compare dis 2 D Pentecostal notion dt dey r above sin & therefore do not transgress against God when it's clearly written in d 1st letter of John "if we say we have no sin in us, we make God a liar"? U think d Catholic church instructs her children 2 sin 2 their fill? No, she isn't happy when any of her children fall in2 sin bt her love 4 Dem can't let her cast dem away. Even God himself doesn't give up on any sinner. He is always searching 4 a way 2 bring dem back 2 himself. If u were 2 b privy 2 D sordid details of D lyf of some of those pple u tnk r nt sinning, u wld shudder & if care isn't taken, lose faith in God. Nobody is perfect be it pope, pastor, priest, bishop, G. O, or whoever. Dey r men just lyk us so r liable 2 stumble 1 tym or anoda. I once witnessed an exco member of 1 Pentecostal fellowship in my skul (campus pastors) caught stealing my friend's BlackBerry. So d grass isn't greener on d oda side in dis case. Find out more abt d faith u were born in2 b4 deciding 2 go elsewhere. FYI I'm nt perfect, I'm wt most Pentecostal wld call a hell bound candidate bt dt is no fault of D Catholic church. By d grace of God, I wld keep on struggling Sha 2 b a beta xtian. Everyone is given freewill by God. Wt d church doesn't do is infringe on dt will of urs. God wants us 2 choose him bt he doesn't force us. We have 2 make d decision 4 ourselves. No mata hw much someone else forces u 2 observe God's commandment, if it doesn't come 4rm within u, u r wasting ur tym.

Sacluxpaint:
I was like you before @speechless. I did everything catholicable ( if there is a word like that) . But I felt trapped and confused, most of the scriptural interpretations of the catholic church didn't make sense. As in for instance, how can you be in bondage of confessing to a priest who might be much more sinful than yourself? Catholics use James 5:16 to justify confession, if thats the case they should confess to me. Catholics like holding onto 'tradition ' and Jesus clearly told the pharisees that they are putting traditions before God's commandments. Speechless3, Jesús loves you. Accept him as your personal lord and saviour before it's too late, and he would definitely give you the holy spirit. And if you are confused, ask(according to James 1:5). Ever since I left the catholic Church, my faith became stronger. I feel free, I am no longer under any confession bondage to a priest, no more virgin Mary ritual and hope for purgatory. Jesus is Lord.

It's obvious dt u didn't know wt u had hence u were quick 2 lose it. So instead of u 2 contemplate ur own sins, u r busy regarding d sins of anoda. U 4gt when Jesus said in Matt 7:1 " judge nt so u won't b judged". Isn't it St Paul dt said dt God uses d foolish things of this world 2 astound d wise? So u feel too superior 2 humble ur self b4 a men who's a representative of Christ. Beware pride was d sin lucifer committed dt got him cast down 4rm heaven. Y did Christ give d apostles d power 2 forgive sin & y were we urged 2 in d epistles 2 confess our sins 2 one anoda? U didn't understand ur Catholic faith well so I don't blame u. It's ignorance I disdain in all this.

Speechless3:
If someone had told me i will be making a life changing decision like this many years ago i would have been enraged, not at he or she but at the force that would dare cause that.

Was born a catholic, baptised by a priest and cofirmed by the state bishop. I annexed to this by becoming a member of the legion of mary (tho left at one time) i was still faithful to the blessed virgin mary with my bead ritual.

The truth is i only had to do this and that and then the other and relax. By relax, i mean do what ever i wanted. Club, have sex, drink, curse, lie, cheat, disobey other authorities, go nude etc as long as i came back for confession all the time and obtained mercy from God through the priest, i was fine. Maybe they didnt think it was fine i.e my lifestyle but the silence and indifference they showed, gave me the wrongest impression. After all i was always encouraged to go for confession like my life was hanging on it.

This is something that all catholics will understand. After confession we feel a bit unburdened with guilt...for a while. I dont know about others, but mine was not always more than an hour and i would be back to square one (or may be i never left there but thought i did). I was not freaky about the sunday communion thing like others cos i didnt think i was worthy.

Going to the university exposed me to other religious groups. I didn't like the way they shouted while praying but i admired the way they reverred the bible and talked about Christ more.
I thought the catholic church was doing little in the teaching of biblical truths but was still a good model for other churches, mushroom churches.

There were times i made resolutions to turn a new leaf but they always never came to a fruition.
Up till now. I couldn't, i cant keep them. All the rules of right living get lost on me. I just cant change. Talked with our priest every day about this after our doctrinal classes (joined the Opus dei) He suggested i read books of saints who had lived and overcame evil and of course by following the many laid down rules and rituals of the church. I read about mother Theresa, Pope John Paul the II, Saint José maria. Still nothing. It only made me feel unworthy but no power in them.

I decided to read the bible at last after so many procrastinations. I started with John and i have not seen any slight resemblance with the Church. I will continue with Matthew, Mark and Luke this month.

So many things in this old boring book are startling me.

My sister (nt tryn 2 famz). What or rather who u r looking 4 is exactly where u r. As d saying goes "wetin u dey find 4 sokoto dey ur sokoto". I once was @ a similar situation u were in.
During my 100 level days, I started attending a Pentecostal church around my hostel. D fact was dt it was fascinating @ first. D melodic singing u cld dance 2, lively praying, speaking in tongues etc. I felt lyk finally dis was where Jesus was. It was reminiscent of wt was written in d acts of D apostles. I was determined 2 quit d Catholic church, which I saw as a non - Bible believing church. I even got baptized in my new church telling myself dt my infant baptism was fake. I saw prayers lyk d "hail Mary" as satanic & started 2 c Catholics as worshippers of idols.
When my mom heard about my 'conversion', she went ballistic & in her usual way tried 2 intimidate me in2 submission. However, I was adamant & counted her Intolerance as persecution. Finally she reported 2 a priest temporarily residing in our parish. I was instructed 2 go & c d priest which I did albeit reluctantly. Anticipating further antagonism 4rm d priest, I had 'armed' myself wt parts of Scripture 2 discredit d Catholic faith. As I arrived d priory of my parish, I called d priest (fr. Ralph I think) on his line & informed me of my presence. He directed me 2 a little room where I awaited his arrival, going over d finer point of D argument I anticipated. He soon joined me & after d normal salutations, did something I didn't expect. In a calm, friendly voice, he asked me 2 explain myself. Dis totally took me by surprise bt I did as he asked. After I finished speaking, he kept quiet 4 sometime & inwardly I was already anticipating a reprimand or something similar 2 my mother's words. I mentally went over my argument once again 2 make sure dey were still intact (which dey were). He then spoke & complimented me saying dt he sensed d hunger 4 d truth in d search of God in me, which was rare 4 most youths of my age. He then said dt it wld b wrong 4 him 2 tell me wt 2 blv in or nt. He then asked me if I had a bible, which I replied affirmatively. He asked again if I liked reading, which I also replied "yes" to. He then excused himself 4 a moment & went 2 his room. When he returned, he came wt some books on articles of D Catholic faith. He asked me when I would b able 2 finish dem all. I gave a date & he then instructed me 2 first ask d Holy spirit 4 true enlightenment & read wt an unbiased mind referencing it wt d Bible & dt I shld report back 2 him @ d appointed tym & then we wld discuss any doubts I had abt d Catholic faith, . D most touching part was when he told me dt he trusted dt my hunger 4 d truth wld lead me 2 it.
As I got home, I immediately delved in2 d books he lent me cross-referencing dem wt d Bible. Book after book I devoured hoping 2 find d falsehood in d Catholic faith. I was disappointed when I finished d book & I cldnt find anything significant!
I even discovered dt d pillars of Martin Luther's schism (fide Sola, scriptura Sola & Gracia sola) were wrong. I went back 2 D priest a 2nd tym having no doubts 2 raise wt him. He gave me another set of books dis tym most of dem were in a q & a format abt reservations & doubts abt d Catholic faith. In these books, I found some of D questions earlier plaguing my mind as well as their answers wt scriptural backing. I went back 2 D priest humble in my newfound knowledge & appreciation of D Catholic faith. He then told me he went through a similar phase in his early lyf in d search 4 truth even delving in2 d followership of mystics lyk Harry Krishna b4 he was led by his insatiable quest 4 d truth back 2 D Catholic church. He then spoke more about d Catholic church. By dt tym I needed no more convincing dt I was in d ryt church & if Eva I left, it wldnt b because Jesus wasn't present in her.
I compare most xtians nowadays 2 D prophet Elijah @ mount Horeb. We r too busy looking 4 God in d fire, wind & earthquake often ignoring d soft, still voice dt resonates in d peaceful, meditative sections of our mind. D Jesus we seek in d speaking of tongues & oda manifestations in Pentecostal churches is present quietly in d Eucharist day & nyt calling silently 2 us. Do u nt feel him in d meditative mood of adoration? D anointing dt most of us r running helter skelter 4 & even toadying up 2 some general overseer, pastor, or bishop 4 is present in d poor, sick, downtrodden & less privileged among us. After all as our Lord said in d parable of D sheep & goats, dey r "d least of My brethren". Most Pentecostal churches nowadays teach their followers 2 regard odas nt belonging 2 D same church as dey r with suspicion instead of dt beautiful prayer said afta d magnificat in my parish by d Legion of Mary (which u claimed u belonged 2)dt urges us 2 c Jesus in our fellow men. U speak abt d Catholic church condoning iniquities lyk in (ur words) clubbing, drinking, cheating, premarital sex etc as long as u go 4 confession. First some of these things u mentioned r nt sins eg drinking of alcohol as long as one doesn't bcom drunk (aftarall Jesus turned water in2 wine & don't let anybody deceive u dt it was non-alcoholic) & as 4 clubbing, didn't Jesus eat, drink & party wt tax collectors, prostitutes & sinners? A lot of Pentecostals r lyk d pharisee in d parable dt exalted himself whilst praying "I fast, I pray, I pay my tithes, I read my bible" instead of dem 2 b lyk d tax collector dt asked 4 mercy in humility. Actually d church doesn't blv in condemning any sinner who ask 4 4gvns.... C full post on page 7 of ur post.

gemale:

It's obvious dt u didn't know wt u had hence u were quick 2 lose it. So instead of u 2 contemplate ur own sins, u r busy regarding d sins of anoda. U 4gt when Jesus said in Matt 7:1 " judge nt so u won't b judged". Isn't it St Paul dt said dt God uses d foolish things of this world 2 astound d wise? So u feel too superior 2 humble ur self b4 a men who's a representative of Christ. Beware pride was d sin lucifer committed dt got him cast down 4rm heaven. Y did Christ give d apostles d power 2 forgive sin & y were we urged 2 in d epistles 2 confess our sins 2 one anoda? U didn't understand ur Catholic faith well so I don't blame u. It's ignorance I disdain in all this.

Did u mention ignorance? Omo if my ignorance is knowing that Jesus Christ died for me to live. I rather remain ignorant than to follow Roman paganism. And again you humble yourself before God not man, upon after all the confession you will still be hoping for purgatory instead of heaven. Be free my brother. My advice is for you to pray to understand the scripture and seek Jesus in truth and in spirit. Peace.

KingEbukasBlog:


Yeah ! That's what the Catholic Church gets you , the church is facing an exodus in every part of the continent . There are great bible teaching Churches : The Lord's Chosen , Deeper Life , The Living Faith and some other good ones . I suggest she goes to these three if she she wants her problems solved though .

Which Bible?


The one brought to you but Catholic?


Guy, stop being mischievous, if there're any church that teaches Christ the way it should be, it's the Catholic church!!!.


The church is organised, standard and the Same all over the globe!!!


We Catholic teaches Christ and all that he commanded not all that "Ye shall not die,Ye shall be rich churches "

Sacluxpaint:


Did u mention ignorance? Omo if my ignorance is knowing that Jesus Christ died for me to live. I rather remain ignorant than to follow Roman paganism. And again you humble yourself before God not man, upon after all the confession you will still be hoping for purgatory instead of heaven. Be free my brother. My advice is for you to pray to understand the scripture and seek Jesus in truth and in spirit. Peace.

Were you truly a Catholic



Hoping for purgatory instead of heaven? Is that all you've got?

dalaman:


Oga plaetton, see the list of names our man dropped as great bible teaching churches.

A Roman catholicise thread,i don't dear intrude,why?,i once consciously watched their members as they closses from sunday's services in one of their biggest cathedral church in makurdi,non of those in the congregation had a bible coppy.instead i saw most of them with a bulletin.

Sacluxpaint:


Did u mention ignorance? Omo if my ignorance is knowing that Jesus Christ died for me to live. I rather remain ignorant than to follow Roman paganism. And again you humble yourself before God not man, upon after all the confession you will still be hoping for purgatory instead of heaven. Be free my brother. My advice is for you to pray to understand the scripture and seek Jesus in truth and in spirit. Peace.

Ur ignorance & pride is dt instead of u 2 c past d human face of D priest 2 behold Jesus Christ in d confessional, u c a human being d same way a lot of Pentecostals c only bread and wine instead of Jesus Christ present body and blood, soul and divinity in d blessed Eucharist. U speak abt humbling ur self only 2 God & nt man. Have u ever seen God? D same way u can't love God wt out lovn ur fellow man is hw u can't b humble 2 God wt out being humble 2 ur fellow man. Jesus himself was humble b4 men. He even humbled himself 2 D point of washing his disciples' feet & afterwards, He instructed dem 2 do lykwys. Ur snide shot abt purgatory further reveals ur deep ignorance abt d teachings of D church. D aim of every true xtian is 2 make heaven bt our frail efforts most tyms r insufficient. Purgatory serves 2 purify us of minor impurities lyk 4gtn sins, unnoticed sins, sins we committed dt we were nt even aware of. These r situations dt even d most righteous xtian cld find himself eg do u know dt everytime u c anyone in need (no mata hw little) & u don't assist, it's a sin? Imagine if 1 dies in ignorance of such sins even though he/she made a zealous effort 2 pls God. D fact is dt nothing impure or imperfect (no mata hw little d level of imperfection) can enta heaven. So purgatory serves 2 cleanse us of such minute impurities so dt we r totally spotless. Wt out dt, almost if nt all of us wld wind up in hell.

payosehtor:
A Roman catholicise thread,i don't dear intrude,why?,i once consciously watched their members as they closses from sunday's services in one of their biggest cathedral church in makurdi,non of those in the congregation had a bible coppy.instead i saw most of them with a bulletin.

Do you know content of bulletin ? What of people who have bible in their phone?

RapLawd:




Were you truly a Catholic



Hoping for purgatory instead of heaven? Is that all you've got?

I was, till I started reading my bible deeply.

gemale:

Ur ignorance & pride is dt instead of u 2 c past d human face of D priest 2 behold Jesus Christ in d confessional, u c a human being d same way a lot of Pentecostals c only bread and wine instead of Jesus Christ present body and blood, soul and divinity in d blessed Eucharist. U speak abt humbling ur self only 2 God & nt man. Have u ever seen God? D same way u can't love God wt out lovn ur fellow man is hw u can't b humble 2 God wt out being humble 2 ur fellow. Jesus himself was humble b4 men. He even humbled himself 2 D point of washing his disciples' feet & afterwards, He instructed dem 2 do lykwys. Ur snide shot abt purgatory further reveals ur deep ignorance abt d teachings of D church. D aim of every true xtian is 2 make heaven bt our frail efforts most tyms r insufficient. Purgatory serves 2 purify us of minor impurities lyk 4gtn sins, unnoticed sins, sins we committed dt we were nt even aware of. These r situations dt even d most righteous xtian cld find himself eg do u know dt everytime u c anyone in need (no mata hw little) & u don't assist, it's a sin? Imagine if 1 dies in ignorance of such sins even though he/she made a zealous effort 2 pls God. D fact is dt nothing impure or imperfect (no mata hw little d level of imperfection) can enta heaven. So purgatory serves 2 cleanse us of such minute impurities so dt we r totally spotless. Wt out dt, almost if nt all of us wld wind up in hell.

Oga Jesus died for ALL our sins, not some, not forgotten, knowingly and unkowingly. If he didnt do that one time sacrifice on the cross, it would be in vain. This is a heavy cathcolic thread, arguing with you guys is like arguing with islamists.

Sacluxpaint:


Oga Jesus died for ALL our sins, not some, not forgotten, knowingly and unkowingly. If he didnt do that one time sacrifice on the cross, it would be in vain. This is a heavy cathcolic thread, arguing with you guys is like arguing with islamists.

Broda dnt run away. Yes indeed Jesus died 4 all our sins (i neva said odawise) bt dnt we still need 2 confess All (whether knowingly/unknowingly) of dem & b truly contrite 4 Dem? So if 1 4gts, do u tnk God 4gts? U compare Catholics 2 islamists? U r very wrong. Rather it's u who has been arguing irrationally so far. All u have done is criticize & castigate d Catholic faith with baseless accusations & without facts. U & a lot of Pentecostals remind me of when in primary school we were taught dt it was impossible 2 subtract a greater number 4rm a lesser one. So if we were asked 4 example 1- 3, we wld reply "impossible" bt as we advanced 2 secondary school, we began 2 c dt it was possible so if I were asked dt same question in sec skul, I wld say - 2. Y? because I had been exposed 2 a higher level of understanding. Dts d difference btw d Catholic & Pentecostal /Protestant faith. A lot of Pentecostals r still finding it difficult 2 wean demselves off d milk of D word & start chewing its hard meat & bones. Dts d reason y majority of dem r so fixated on signs & wonder. Dey only want 2 know Jesus in d power of His resurrection & nt in d fellowship of his suffering. D Bible dt dey profess is their sole authority, dey dnt know hw or where it was written or rather compiled. I can bet dt most if not all of dem know nothing abt d septuagint or vulgate, councils of nicea, Trent or hippo. Tell me, if u claim d Bible is perfect & infallible, hw come it came 4rm d Catholic faith u claim is 'devilish' & 'pagan'? Stop contradicting ur selves. U can't love 1 & hate d oda. Either d two r gud or d 2 r evil. Finally, mature in ur spiritual knowledge because no mata hw gud a primary school child is in quantitative reasoning, he can't floor a secondary school student in further maths.

Kamxin:


Do you know content of bulletin ? What of people who have bible in their phone?

Dnt mind d dude. I'm willing to bet dt he has neva opened any of those bulletins 2 c their contents. If he had, he wld have seen dt dey contain Bible readings 4 dt Sunday & d remaining days of D week as well as prayers. Dey know little or nothing abt D Catholic faith & yet dey r d 1st 2 demonize it.

gemale:

Broda dnt run away. Yes indeed Jesus died 4 all our sins (i neva said odawise) bt dnt we still need 2 confess All (whether knowingly/unknowingly) of dem & b truly contrite 4 Dem? So if 1 4gts, do u tnk God 4gts? U compare Catholics 2 islamists? U r very wrong. Rather it's u who has been arguing irrationally so far. All u have done is criticize & castigate d Catholic faith with baseless accusations & without facts. U & a lot of Pentecostals remind me of when in primary school we were taught dt it was impossible 2 subtract a greater number 4rm a lesser one. So if we were asked 4 example 1- 3, we wld reply "impossible" bt as we advanced 2 secondary school, we began 2 c dt it was possible so if I were asked dt same question in sec skul, I wld say - 2. Y? because I have been exposed 2 a higher level of understanding. Dts d difference btw d Catholic & Pentecostal /Protestant faith. A lot of Pentecostals r still finding it difficult 2 wean demselves off d milk of D word & start chewing its hard meat & bones. Dts d reason y majority of dem r so fixated on signs & wonder. Dey only want 2 know Jesus in d power of His resurrection & nt in d fellowship of his suffering. D Bible dt dey profess is their sole authority, dey dnt know hw or where it was written or rather compiled. I can bet dt most if not all of dem know nothing thing abt d septuagint or vulgate, councils of nicea, Trent or hippo. Tell me, if u claim d Bible is perfect & infallible, hw come it came 4rm d Catholic faith u claim is 'devilish' & 'pagan'? Stop contradicting ur selves. U can't love 1 & hate d oda. Either d two r gud or d 2 r evil. Finally, mature in ur spiritual knowledge because no mata hw gud a primary school child is in quantitative reasoning, he can't floor a secondary school student in further maths.

If I bring out my facts about the catholic faith, we would do a part 2 of this thread but I m tired of arguing because even if I show u back to back facts, u would still hail Mary. So let's agree to disagree.

Beloved, do you care for genuine salvation that gives victory over sin? Do you want to live by faith and the rest of your life till you see the Blessed Jesus? Then you need to be justified in Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to rededicate your life to Jesus now or start a new life? Then repent! Confess all your sins, forsake them all and ask Jesus to forgive, cleanse you and save you. Please click on this link and read on how to be genuinely saved and start new life in Jesus and pray as directed http://www.facebook.com/notes/revelation-of-truth-evangelical-ministries-rtem/how-can-i-be-saved/270674586372252

Sacluxpaint:


If I bring out my facts about the catholic faith, we would do a part 2 of this thread but I m tired of arguing because even if I show u back to back facts, u would still hail Mary. So let's agree to disagree.

Please educate us...u might be saving a soul(hahaha-sacarsm of cos)....u were never a true 'PRACTICING' Catholic thats if u ever were.since Jesus died for our sins then no need asking for forgiveness,let us continue sinning after all we have been forgiven thats wat u re trying to paint here.....i am sure u still worship on sunday,do christmas and easter..and mayb even do communion service in wateva church u re?...For as long as u do any of the former and do not read the 'Gnostics and other early text' and take them seriously like the Bible u are so proud of...then u my friend are not as free of the Catholic church and her practices as u think.

Are u saying catholic priests preach continual sinfulness, salvation is per head, church'll jst guide u. Read leta of paul to galatians and c hw ppl castigate paul for dat mata and dat is sin on der on own buh st paul kept advicing dem wt word of God. If church failed to deliberately throw u out of sin, den u ursef pray for d grace of God to leave sin alone. Take ur tym to mingle with charismatics dont criticise dem. Many pple overcomed his problem. There are many churches dat are hot as called dat still engage in all dis sins. Dear no church'll pull it out, buh dont deceive urself wt d wed of God u hear and pray for d spirit of God to help, Because all catholics are not sinners. So d solution is not d name of d church buh urself.

dukum:


Please educate us...u might be saving a soul(hahaha-sacarsm of cos)....u were never a true 'PRACTICING' Catholic thats if u ever were.since Jesus died for our sins then no need asking for forgiveness,let us continue sinning after all we have been forgiven thats wat u re trying to paint here.....i am sure u still worship on sunday,do christmas and easter..and mayb even do communion service in wateva church u re?...For as long as u do any of the former and do not read the 'Gnostics and other early text' and take them seriously like the Bible u are so proud of...then u my friend are not as free of the Catholic church and her practices as u think.

I started as an altar boy, went through the sacraments till confirmation. Joined the choir,legion of mary, st rita. Almost started a block rosary in my parish. I might even school you as a novice catholic.

http://www.bible.ca/cath-why-I-left.htm

Please read that article and search yourself, there is a youtube video of rev father that left AFTER 25 years of being a priest and over 40 years of being a catholic, he said he left because of his concern for his soul than observe traditions.

Organized religion. That's what Catholic is.

Sacluxpaint:


I started as an altar boy, went through the sacraments till confirmation. Joined the choir,legion of mary, st rita. Almost started a block rosary in my parish. I might even school you as a novice catholic.

http://www.bible.ca/cath-why-I-left.htm

Please read that article and search yourself, there is a youtube video of rev father that left AFTER 25 years of being a priest and over 40 years of being a catholic, he said he left because of his concern for his soul than observe traditions.

You have just proved me right man, you my friend were never a 'PRACTICING' Catholic no need sending me links to poorly constructed crap for gullible people to swallow and start wavering ......oh and u can't school me( I know my faith).As usual all i see is contradicting statements( yes i read some* of the crap there) that most of which our protestant bros and sis in nairaland have spewed countlessly. anybody can claim to be a priest and put up stuff and i doubt that guy ever was especially after what i saw.

Like i said before except you read the 'Gnostics' and other early text not included in the bible and take them seriously.....then you are still doing something 'CATHOLIC'......if you are going to quote me again,do tell me if u read the gnostics.

We are deviating from the actual topic tho.

JOACHINpedro:
My dear,the truth is that some priests don't know what they are doing,instead of increasing ones faith in God,they rather confuse u the more... I used to feel the same way until our priest that made most parishioners change to another denomination was transfered... The new priest was indeed fire... He won more souls to God...clarified the whole thing about how to make a good confession and the saints... I concluded that some priest are after the Cars,offerings and Mansions that wil b awarded to them. So my dear, 90.5% of catholics dnt knw hw to make a GOOD CONFESSION. Since you truely want to encounter christ... i wil equally support ur notion to leave the church b4 ur faith is damaged beyond repair.

So tell me....how do you make a good confession

Sacluxpaint:


If I bring out my facts about the catholic faith, we would do a part 2 of this thread but I m tired of arguing because even if I show u back to back facts, u would still hail Mary. So let's agree to disagree.

Pls show ur evidence & stop being sarcastic abt d hail Mary, a beautiful prayer dt makes sense 2 those who meditate & ruminate on their prayer. In D 1st Half, we say d scriptural words of God thru d angel Gabriel & Elizabeth (under d influence of D the Holy Spirit) honoring her as both God & the Holy Spirit did. D 2nd half (d part dt gets u pple screaming heresy) implores her as mother of God 2 pray 4 us sinners (intercede) both new & more importantly; @ D HOUR OF OUR DEATH. Dts d most important moment of our lives as xtians dt determines our eternity. No mata hw flawless, righteous & pleasing ur lyf has been 2 God, if u falter @dt last moment & die dt way, eternal damnation awaits ur soul & vice versa. A typical example of dis was d thief @ d ryt side of Jesus. He was able 2 achieve true contrition @ d point of death & was assured by Jesus "truly, dis day, u wld b wt me in paradise". In d Catholic church, we r taught 2 give preference 2 our souls because Jesus said "what shall it profit a man if he gains d whole world & loses his soul?" dts y we say prayers lyk "hail mary" 2 remind us of D finite nature of our lives & dt inevitable event dt awaits all of us.

Speechless3:
If someone had told me i will be making a life changing decision like this many years ago i would have been enraged, not at he or she but at the force that would dare cause that.

Was born a catholic, baptised by a priest and cofirmed by the state bishop. I annexed to this by becoming a member of the legion of mary (tho left at one time) i was still faithful to the blessed virgin mary with my bead ritual.

The truth is i only had to do this and that and then the other and relax. By relax, i mean do what ever i wanted. Club, have sex, drink, curse, lie, cheat, disobey other authorities, go nude etc as long as i came back for confession all the time and obtained mercy from God through the priest, i was fine. Maybe they didnt think it was fine i.e my lifestyle but the silence and indifference they showed, gave me the wrongest impression. After all i was always encouraged to go for confession like my life was hanging on it.

This is something that all catholics will understand. After confession we feel a bit unburdened with guilt...for a while. I dont know about others, but mine was not always more than an hour and i would be back to square one (or may be i never left there but thought i did). I was not freaky about the sunday communion thing like others cos i didnt think i was worthy.

Going to the university exposed me to other religious groups. I didn't like the way they shouted while praying but i admired the way they reverred the bible and talked about Christ more.
I thought the catholic church was doing little in the teaching of biblical truths but was still a good model for other churches, mushroom churches.

There were times i made resolutions to turn a new leaf but they always never came to a fruition.
Up till now. I couldn't, i cant keep them. All the rules of right living get lost on me. I just cant change. Talked with our priest every day about this after our doctrinal classes (joined the Opus dei) He suggested i read books of saints who had lived and overcame evil and of course by following the many laid down rules and rituals of the church. I read about mother Theresa, Pope John Paul the II, Saint José maria. Still nothing. It only made me feel unworthy but no power in them.

I decided to read the bible at last after so many procrastinations. I started with John and i have not seen any slight resemblance with the Church. I will continue with Matthew, Mark and Luke this month.

So many things in this old boring book are startling me.

if u want an in depth knowledge of d bible. Take a bible study with the Jehovah's witnesses then decide on ur own if u wanna join them or not.

Mariner007:
Organized religion. That's what Catholic is.

DO U PREFER DISORGANISED RELIGION.

@Speechless3, if you read this and you havnt made a major decision yet, I'd advice you to stay put.
Catholic church is not your problem. Your salvation is personal. It doesnt depend on your church. It depends squarely on you. How serious are you with GOD?.How attentively do you listen when the sermon is being preach.
Confession is irrelevant if there is no genuine repentance.
Confessing you sins to a priest or to GOD directly is only half the journey. There must be genuine remorse and resolve to shun sin.

Some dont go to church regularly but they leave an enviable life of righteousness.
Dont expect your church to work your salvation for you. Thats your job.

I recomend the catholic charismatic renewal movement for you. As a catholic you must have heard of dem. They are a vibrant, HOLY GHOST moving society in the catholic church. There i guarantee you will encounter GOD.
GO through their "life in the SPIRIT seminar as a new member, and your life will never remain the same.

I wish you GOD's guidiance.

Ubenedictus:
DO U PREFER DISORGANISED RELIGION.

What I mean by "organized religion is that, Catholicism is based on man-made creeds and dogmas. Nicaea Council. That's where it all began.

gemale:


My sister (nt tryn 2 famz). What or rather who u r looking 4 is exactly where u r. As d saying goes "wetin u dey find 4 sokoto dey ur sokoto". I once was @ a similar situation u were in.
During my 100 level days, I started attending a Pentecostal church around my hostel. D fact was dt it was fascinating @ first. D melodic singing u cld dance 2, lively praying, speaking in tongues etc. I felt lyk finally dis was where Jesus was. It was reminiscent of wt was written in d acts of D apostles. I was determined 2 quit d Catholic church, which I saw as a non - Bible believing church. I even got baptized in my new church telling myself dt my infant baptism was fake. I saw prayers lyk d "hail Mary" as satanic & started 2 c Catholics as worshippers of idols.
When my mom heard about my 'conversion', she went ballistic & in her usual way tried 2 intimidate me in2 submission. However, I was adamant & counted her Intolerance as persecution. Finally she reported 2 a priest temporarily residing in our parish. I was instructed 2 go & c d priest which I did albeit reluctantly. Anticipating further antagonism 4rm d priest, I had 'armed' myself wt parts of Scripture 2 discredit d Catholic faith. As I arrived d priory of my parish, I called d priest (fr. Ralph I think) on his line & informed me of my presence. He directed me 2 a little room where I awaited his arrival, going over d finer point of D argument I anticipated. He soon joined me & after d normal salutations, did something I didn't expect. In a calm, friendly voice, he asked me 2 explain myself. Dis totally took me by surprise bt I did as he asked. After I finished speaking, he kept quiet 4 sometime & inwardly I was already anticipating a reprimand or something similar 2 my mother's words. I mentally went over my argument once again 2 make sure dey were still intact (which dey were). He then spoke & complimented me saying dt he sensed d hunger 4 d truth in d search of God in me, which was rare 4 most youths of my age. He then said dt it wld b wrong 4 him 2 tell me wt 2 blv in or nt. He then asked me if I had a bible, which I replied affirmatively. He asked again if I liked reading, which I also replied "yes" to. He then excused himself 4 a moment & went 2 his room. When he returned, he came wt some books on articles of D Catholic faith. He asked me when I would b able 2 finish dem all. I gave a date & he then instructed me 2 first ask d Holy spirit 4 true enlightenment & read wt an unbiased mind referencing it wt d Bible & dt I shld report back 2 him @ d appointed tym & then we wld discuss any doubts I had abt d Catholic faith, . D most touching part was when he told me dt he trusted dt my hunger 4 d truth wld lead me 2 it.
As I got home, I immediately delved in2 d books he lent me cross-referencing dem wt d Bible. Book after book I devoured hoping 2 find d falsehood in d Catholic faith. I was disappointed when I finished d book & I cldnt find anything significant!
I even discovered dt d pillars of Martin Luther's schism (fide Sola, scriptura Sola & Gracia sola) were wrong. I went back 2 D priest a 2nd tym having no doubts 2 raise wt him. He gave me another set of books dis tym most of dem were in a q & a format abt reservations & doubts abt d Catholic faith. In these books, I found some of D questions earlier plaguing my mind as well as their answers wt scriptural backing. I went back 2 D priest humble in my newfound knowledge & appreciation of D Catholic faith. He then told me he went through a similar phase in his early lyf in d search 4 truth even delving in2 d followership of mystics lyk Harry Krishna b4 he was led by his insatiable quest 4 d truth back 2 D Catholic church. He then spoke more about d Catholic church. By dt tym I needed no more convincing dt I was in d ryt church & if Eva I left, it wldnt b because Jesus wasn't present in her.
I compare most xtians nowadays 2 D prophet Elijah @ mount Horeb. We r too busy looking 4 God in d fire, wind & earthquake often ignoring d soft, still voice dt resonates in d peaceful, meditative sections of our mind. D Jesus we seek in d speaking of tongues & oda manifestations in Pentecostal churches is present quietly in d Eucharist day & nyt calling silently 2 us. Do u nt feel him in d meditative mood of adoration? D anointing dt most of us r running helter skelter 4 & even toadying up 2 some general overseer, pastor, or bishop 4 is present in d poor, sick, downtrodden & less privileged among us. After all as our Lord said in d parable of D sheep & goats, dey r "d least of My brethren". Most Pentecostal churches nowadays teach their followers 2 regard odas nt belonging 2 D same church as dey r with suspicion instead of dt beautiful prayer said afta d magnificat in my parish by d Legion of Mary (which u claimed u belonged 2)dt urges us 2 c Jesus in our fellow men. U speak abt d Catholic church condoning iniquities lyk in (ur words) clubbing, drinking, cheating, premarital sex etc as long as u go 4 confession. First some of these things u mentioned r nt sins eg drinking of alcohol as long as one doesn't bcom drunk (aftarall Jesus turned water in2 wine & don't let anybody deceive u dt it was non-alcoholic) & as 4 clubbing, didn't Jesus eat, drink & party wt tax collectors, prostitutes & sinners? A lot of Pentecostals r lyk d pharisee in d parable dt exalted himself whilst praying "I fast, I pray, I pay my tithes, I read my bible" instead of dem 2 b lyk d tax collector dt asked 4 mercy in humility. Actually d church doesn't blv in condemning any sinner who ask 4 4gvns.... C full post on page 7 of ur post.

Please, do you remember the name of the books?

Mariner007:


What I mean by "organized religion is that, Catholicism is based on man-made creeds and dogmas. Nicaea Council. That's where it all began.

hahaha really.

Ubenedictus:
hahaha really.

Yes, Really.
Do some home work.

I need to ask some questions please about what i have observed about the catholic faith that makes me feel they are not following what the bible says.

1. Praying through/ with the rosary ; is it biblical

2. praying in front of those images (I really dont know if they are praying to them but i have seen people kneel in front of them to pray). I feel its idolatry.

3. Praying through saints e.g st Jude or better still saints should intercede for us. I once heared that in a catholic church I thought Jesus was our only mediator according to the bible.

4. why are people almost always being referred to historical books of the catholic church/books apart from the bible when trying to establish facts. I felt the bible is the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.


I have asked these questions in the past fromcatholics and their answers mostly go in the same vein.....Saying how it is in a creed/ some courses/classes they attended or how some books other than the bible have said somethings about it or tellingme the history of how the catholic church became etc. Just a clear answer please.


I have never been a catholic though I ve attended mass before (they made it compulsory in my primary school) and I dont have any intention of being one.



I just need to know how the above relates to christainity, I am curious.
I need concrete answers please