Religious question

[timNms]

Let me begin by saying that I'm not trying to offend anyone by this question.
I'm an independant baptist and am curious to know a little more about catholisism.
Why is the pope called the "holy father"? Is he not human just like we are?In the Baptist denomination, we are taught to pray directly to the Lord thru Jesus. I've been wondering if Catholic people do the same or do you have to pray thru the pope or mary or a saint??

Again, I'm not trying to offend anyone by this post. I'm just curious to know a little more about the religion.

I was reading the article on fox about the movie "The Passion of the Christ" and they mentioned that some of the Jewish people thought the movie was blaming the Jews for Christ's death. I also read that the pope had not endorsed the movie..and that got my curiousity roused lol.
I know Jewish people don't believe that Jesus was the messiah, therefore, they don't pray to him. We had a guest at our church a few years ago that demonstrated how the Jewish people celebrate the passover. It was very interesting!

[hurricanedude]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

[stormraiser]

HD, are you a catholic? Maybe we should hear from one of them. I can give a rant about any Christian denomination that is different, but it will always have my bias.

[stormchazer]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

Pardon me...but you are clueless...no offense. I was raised Catholic and it isn't like you are saying.

The "man" is fashioned after the idea of the Apostles. When you confess to him, you are in effect confessing to God with the Priest as your witness. He then presents to you a prayer to God asking for his blessing and the absolution of your sin. He then instructs you to say a list of prayers to God as a penance. A priest, can be both a witness and one seeking absolution as they attend confession as well.

The Pope is the designated head of the Church. This is symbolic of Jesus statement to Peter as "the Rock upon which I will build my church." The Pope confides in God and leads the Church based on his faith in his relationship with God and his faith in God's will. There have been fine Popes and not so fine Popes but they are men who have practiced the utmost faith and work for God and the Church.

I am not a devout Catholic Church goer and have definate problems with the Church, but do not insult me and other Catholics about our religion or anyone elses, thank you very much.

[hurricanedude]

Its exactly as I said it!!!!
Believe what you want.......

[streetsoldier]

The Pope (from the Italian papa, "father") is, in the Catholic tradition, the Bishop of Rome by direct succession from the first Bishop, St. Peter. As such, he lays claim to the "Keys of the Kingdom" given St. Peter by the Word of Christ, and therefore is the "Vicar of Christ and Head of all Christians on Earth"...which was undisputed until the 16th Century at the beginnings of the Reformation

It should be noted that in the very early Church, bishops often wrote to the Roman bishop for counsel, as the holder of that diocese was considered particularly anointed to judge such matters...long before Gregory the Great assumed the power of "Pope" in the 6th Century and demanded celibacy of all clergy (in violation of the Scripture mentioned below).

This doctrine is called "Apostolic Succession"...a direct link to the 12 Apostles who "laid hands" upon their successors, etc. etc., down to the present day. The Protestant Episcopal, or Anglican Communion, confirms this belief, but recognizes the Pope as merely the "Bishop of Rome"...one among many.

See 1 Timothy 3, which details the qualifications and ordination of episcopos (bishops, or overseers), presbyteros (priests, or elders) and diakonos (deacons, or servants), in accordance to instructions given by St. Paul.

You asked...there it is.

[mf_dolphin]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

I'm a "retired" Southern Baptist and have had a lot of fun joking around with my Catholic frieds but I have to take exception to your characterization of the Catholic religion. While I disagree with a lot of the views of the church I don''t see how you can say they have re-written the ten commandments. It's just not born out by facts. As far as the Pope goes, he's the leader of the faith on earth. He's not a god and isn't treated that way in my views. As far as the confessional, what is different from a protestant church member going to their pastor for guidance and support. As far as I see it's only in the details and the structure, not in the essence of confessing and repenting for your sins. Religious intolerance is a dangerous and slippery slope. Remember, that's why this country was brought to life. A little respect and understanding goes a long way...

[timNms]

Thanks for the replies.

[GalvestonDuck]

As I've said before, I was raised Catholic, but now I attend any church with friends and family, as long as it is Christian. My mom was Catholic and my dad was Baptist, so I got influence from both sides. The last time I went to confession, I simply told the priest that I never felt any better after going to confession than I felt if I simply prayed about my problems and talked them out with friends during fellowshipping. He said, "Okay, you do what brings you peace. That's what's most important. I absolve you of all your sins, my child." Of course, he had to throw that in...but, I figured, it gave him peace. Then he finished with, "Go in peace."

Bill explained the Pope quite well. I can't add any more to that.

Now, you want to experience The Word rewritten and misused, and being told to confess to someone other than God, HD? Go to a church service at a cult that claims to be "Christian" where they try to tell you "in The Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit" is an invalid way to be baptized and it MUST be "in The Name of Jesus" because the Trinity does not exist. God came down and "put on a robe of flesh" to become Jesus. And the only Name is Jesus. When I asked about Jesus' baptism, after He rose out of the water, giving praise to His Father and feeling the Holy Spirit come over him (proof to me of all Three in One), they told me that wasn't in their bible and it was a lie. They believe God wasn't in Heaven when He was down here as Jesus, which sounded to me like their god wasn't my God and wasn't very powerful. They also told me that if I didn't speak in tongues, I wasn't saved. I had to have the gift of tongues to go to Heaven. But the Bible says there are many gifts and tongues is just one of them. Finally, I couldn't cut my hair (not that I'd want to anyway), had to wear a dress at all times (men couldn't wear shorts), and had to ask the pastor for permission to do just about everything.

Now, I'm sure there are some members on here who aren't Christian. Or some who may believe in some of those things I mentioned. I don't mean any offense to those who do. But when I dealt with these people, I was facing serious religious intolerance against my own faith. I didn't like it and refused to talk to them again. If they wanted to discuss their faith and help me understand it to a point, that would be a different story. I met a couple of Mormons who did that. They didn't push, they didn't tell me I was wrong and they were right, and they didn't force me to think or act or do anything. They talked, I listened. I thanked them. That was it.

I can deal with that.

You want to learn about someone's faith and try to understand something that you don't quite get? Ask, listen, ask again. Don't attack. Don't tell them they're wrong.

Like Marshall said, a little respect and understanding goes a long way...

[GalvestonDuck]

BTW, Tim...Your questions weren't offensive at all (IMO). Glad you felt you could ask, so you'll understand.

[ColdFront77]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

I have difficulty as it is being a Catholic... so putting it this way makes my views on the Catholic Church even worse. Makes my feelings on the issue with my parents (and some family members even worse). I end up having to keep the issues to myself.

[stormchazer]

Its exactly as I said it!!!!
Believe what you want.......

Its as a bigot who said it. Ignorance is not an excuse to discriminate or insult.

Did you receive your omnipotent knowledge from the Good Lord himself?

[Suzi Q]

Great question and discussion! I was raised as a methodist, first husband was a Baptist preacher, my daughter was baptised in a Baptist church, attended a Lutheran private school and my current hubby is a non-practicing Catholic who was an altar boy. His family is still devoutly Catholic and OH so want to convert me so any questions I have about the Catholic faith I have to kinda keep to myself lest they become overzealous. This thread was a great way for me to learn more and I think Tim for the question and all those who replied with actual facts!

[timNms]

Suzi Q, sounds like you've got your hands full

[chadtm80]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

Thanks for the slap in the face dude.. I find this post very disrespectfull to us catholics.. Just though I would let you know how dissapointed I am

[Miss Mary]

I'm Catholic and should really know more about my religion, but I don't. No excuse for that. I never thought of myself as a 'cradle Catholic' but that term came up at my first parish women's retreat a few years ago. A converted Catholic woman I made friends with actually envied me my upbringing. She said I probably feel as though I've always belonged in church, I know just what to do and when (kneeling/standing/praying). True but you find yourself going thru the motions sometimes or citing a prayer by habit. Not so sure she should envy me! I also explained that I was taught Catechism when it was believed that if you were not Catholic then you weren't getting into Heaven when you died. Yes, I was really told that by many Nun's. I looked upon all the "Protestant" kids on the way home from Parochial school each day in pity - you poor kids, you'll never get into Heaven. Now remember I was only 7 or 8 then, what did I know? Fast forward to my 20s/30s and I began to question a lot about the Catholic faith. First off, I used birth control, gasp! Yes, I did - didn't quite buy that natural family planning thing. Second, I began to look at other faith's with interest and respect, for the first time in my life. When we had children we moved to a suburb of Cincinnati with excellent public schools. Our district, Forest Hills/Anderson Township, is consistently rated in the top 5 in the Cincinnati area. Right up there with excellent private schools too. So we started our girls in PRP classes (CCD classes of old). I noticed right away the old catechism teaching ways were out - thank goodness! There have been a few times I've had my faith in the Catholic Church shaken. The abuse cases break my heart. I refuse to use that word scandal, b/c that signifies the Catholic Church is ashamed it ever happened. I say you should be! And let's focus on the victims here and get them counseling. Welcome them with open arms. But no all you hear about are cover-ups by Diocese's. That makes me so angry. I have blurted out a few times, let's just join another faith. But we haven't. We're sticking it out but I'm not exactly proud to be a Catholic at times. And oh, one final thing, I'm so glad we sent our girls to public schools. They've each had many friends of other faiths, a few were Jewish. Something I readily welcome. I didn't have any friends who were not Catholic growing up. That's sad.

Tim, I applaud you for asking questions. I don't think we need to attack one another in our beliefs, just learn to respect our individual faith's and belief's.

I realize I didn't answer your questions Tim. Sorry about that but hopefully we can get a good discussion going here. And keep it polite.

Mary

[Lindaloo]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

Thanks for the slap in the face dude.. I find this post very disrespectfull to us catholics.. Just though I would let you know how dissapointed I am

I second that.

[GalvestonDuck]

Clearly, some people have some misunderstood, preconceived notions about the Catholic faith based on something someone else told them and they chose to believe without looking deeper into the facts or without asking a Catholic about it. It happens. I hear stuff about Kentuckians (though I do a terrible job of defending them ), gays, Texans (we don't all wear cowboy hats), Catholics, Hollywood-types and on and on.

I'm glad Tim chose to ask. I'm just sorry someone else chose to use this opportunity to attack rather than educate and learn.

[Lindaloo]

I am Catholic and PROUD of it. Ignorance is all I can say to the bashing, pure ignorance.

[j]

Let me put it to you this way, The catholic has re-written the ten comandments...which is a BIG NO NO!!!! They Confess their sins to a "MAN"...which is a NO NO....only one to confess to is GOD!! Further More Catholics Look at the pope as a @ND GOD...which is THE BIGGEST NO NO OF ALL!!!! !st commandment as a matter of fact....."NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME"
Catch my drift here???

The "man" is fashioned after the idea of the Apostles. When you confess to him, you are in effect confessing to God with the Priest as your witness. He then presents to you a prayer to God asking for his blessing and the absolution of your sin. He then instructs you to say a list of prayers to God as a penance. A priest, can be both a witness and one seeking absolution as they attend confession as well.

The Pope is the designated head of the Church. This is symbolic of Jesus statement to Peter as "the Rock upon which I will build my church." The Pope confides in God and leads the Church based on his faith in his relationship with God and his faith in God's will. There have been fine Popes and not so fine Popes but they are men who have practiced the utmost faith and work for God and the Church.

I am not a devout Catholic Church goer and have definate problems with the Church, but do not insult me and other Catholics about our religion or anyone elses, thank you very much.

Very accurate summary of Parishoner/Priest realtionship. Thanks!