I totally apologize if you thought I was flaming your religion. I was kinda crappy last night but I reread my post didn't really think it was inappropriate. As I said, I have a great friend that is Mormon and I have a ton of respect for the church. I didn't think the whole Mormon church even fit into the conversation but you said that the LDS church doesn't frown upon other churches, as the Catholic church is being attacked for, and I thought it was necessary to point out that was untrue, in my opinion. I didn't want to start a whole debate but didn't want to leave statements that I felt weren't factual to be unchallenged.

I totally agree that everyone has the right to worship as they please.

No need to debate christianity, not that I can see. I read the article you referred to. First, I am Roman Catholic, converted about 10 years ago, after being brought up Methodist, later attending some Baptist churches, too. I had enrolled my first son in the Catholic school (preschool). The only stuff I 'knew' about Catholics was what I had seen on tv & movies! The church offered a class for those interested in learning about the faith and/or to join the church. Since my son was going to be taught the religion at the school, I needed to know what it was really all about. I got my mom to go with me (didn't want to alone!) to the class, and was 'warned' from some well meaning Baptist and Fundamentalist friends to be "...very careful....watch what I might be getting into..." For a moment they almost had me convinced 'those Catholics' might try to brainwash me or something!
Anyway, what I learned was an absolutely amazing history of Jesus, the church, how it all began, how things were passed from generation to generation. We got to ask all the 'how did...' and 'why...' questions. I did not go to be converted, just to get info, and the things I learned were undisputable historical facts.
To clarify, the word 'catholic' (lower case 'c') means "universal".
The word 'Catholic' (upper case 'C') means "a person who belongs to the universal Christian church", check it out yourself - look it up in the dictionary.
In the simplest terms, what the Pope meant was, Jesus (remember he was Jewish!) choose "Simon Peter or Cephas, the first pope, Prince of the Apostles, and founder, with St. Paul, of the see of Rome. Jesus also gave Simon a new name: Cephas, or the rock. Becoming a disciple of Jesus, Peter acknowledged him as "... the Messiah, the son of the living God”. Christ responded by saying: "... you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.... He added: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. Peter was always listed as the first of the Apostles in all of the New Testament accounts and was a member of the inner circle of Jesus, with James and John."
So,yes, you can trace Pope Benedict all the way back to Peter. The church was/is 'catholic' (universal). Also, until the Bible was written, some 400 years after Jesus came, people had Tradition (capital 'T') to rely upon as there was no written instructions on Christianity.
And this (christain) religion established by Jesus, 'handed' to Peter, has remained the same for over 2000 years.
All the other religions, Protestant, or otherwise - there are just too many to name - broke away from the catholic church (the word Protestant means "to protest") . Basically, take a look at who 'founded' other religions. They can all be traced back to men who didn't agree with - take your pick - teachings of the original catholic church, so they start 'their own church/religion.'
So, there's no need for any anger here about what the Pope said. He was simply stating historical facts. Research it yourself.
By the way, remember what you say when saying the Apostle's Creed - ".....I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church......"

There is such a tremendous amount to learn on the history of christianity!
Peace,
scarlettkb

Scarlettkb,
That was a beautifully written response. It was concise and eloquent and pretty much sums of Catholocism. Thank you.

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Yes, Benedict is a direct "descendent" from Peter, I don't think anybody is questioning that since they are both popes. But I think what Protestants and what most Catholics, at least that I know, recognize now is that 2000 years later, things have changed, unfortunately. I mean, let's face it, there were some AWFUL, cruel popes in the Middle Ages and even Pope Pius XII in the WW2 era made some questionable decisions. They did some horrible things to innocent people for no other reason than they had the power and could. It is the sinful nature of man which corrupts any religion no matter how well intended at the beginning. After 2000 years, I don't think one Christian religion can truly say, "Yes, we are the sole way to get to heaven" because all of them have mutated so much from the original intent.

That is what I have a problem with, as a Catholic. I am not saying Benedict is a bad man. In fact, he is probably one of the better ones around, but I do think he is wrong in stating this.

And, again, this is from a lifelong Catholic who took many years worth of Catechism and is a history buff. I don't think it is because a lot of us don't know church history.

I also do believe in most Catholic teaching, as long as it is biblically based, and appreciate the traditional liturgy and holiness the Mass offers us. That is one thing I find lacking in Protestant services. But, that is MY opinion.

Thank you, Scarlettkb for sharing that with us. I will admit that I am probably very lacking in my knowledge of a lot of this (perhaps why beautifulbabies called my ignorant ) and I love to be enlightened. It's people who will teach those who may not know all of this, yet have a good heart, who will bring more people to church. If from there, the church leaders could also show a kind and loving heart toward ALL people of ALL religions, not just their own, more people would be drawn to the word of God.

Like we said before, it water gets pretty cloudy when all the politics and people get involved. It makes it somewhat hard to separate the church and religion sometimes. I have wanted to attend a church for sometime. I have also wanted to have my children go to Sunday school and church services or even a simple vacation bible group in the summer. I'm afraid too after all that I have heard and read about in the news. I'm afraid to trust these people with my kids, in a church, how sad is that. I guess that is why I was so angry in some of my previous posts.

Anyway, I liked the history lesson...

Scarlett - I just wanted to say I got a smile about your comment that Baptist & fundamentalist friends were warning you about Catholicism. My mom used to warn me about them! I was raised heavily catholic and I remember being taught in school that it was the one true church & people who went to other churches would not go to heaven. In 6th or 7th grade I was very disturbed by that because our neighbor was so nice, but she was Presbyterian, and I felt she should be allowed into heaven anyway. We had an interesting discussion on religion w/ 3 other couples the other night around the firepit. Despite our lack of faith, all of our friends are actively involved in their churches. Weird thing is, my best friend Liz called herself an "ex-Catholic" the other night. I told her she wasn't an ex-Catholic since she goes to church nearly every week, the kids are in Sunday school, she rings bells in the bell choir, she's in the regular choir, her kids are in the children's choir, she does the church newsletter, etc.etc. etc.... She's a disgruntled Catholic, like most I know. I've asked her why she's raising her kid Catholic when she clearly has had issues w/ the church since before she had them. Her answer? "Because I'm familiar with it." To me, that translates into "too lazy to learn about another faith."
But I digress. I think every church thinks on some level they are the only way. The fundamentalist Christians who claim you have to be "born again" think they are the way, as do mormons or pentecostals, or muslims, etc. I'm not a fan of this Pope, but JP2 was a hard act to follow. Oh - 2 of my girlfriends, and me, all found out later that our local parish priest where we were growing up were all pedophiles. Just an interesting note.

I always thought the big point was... To believe Jesus died for your sins, accept him.Know no one can come to the father, but through the son. Read your bible follow it the best way you can and understand it to be in your heart. I think that's the main principal. If you do that I don't care what denomination you are. You are a christain. When God comes back for his bride. You'll see all different denominations going with him. God is love and no matter who you are what you are God loves us unconditionally. Even the atheists. Why waste time debating pidily issues. I think we all should be one denomination following the bible. I was raised penticostal. But I am looking a nondenominational church where all can come together as brother and sister. Reguardless of race or classifications. I know I don't know everything never claimed to but this is my opinion and makes sense to me. As far as pedaphilia crimes I don't care who you are you need to pay the price like every one else.
They belong in a cell .No exceptions. It is an illegal crime.An abuse of power. A misrepresentaion of god completley!

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Crystal Ann

I agree

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Oh boy, another thing I don't know about. Can you fill me in on this part?

I'm not Catholic - so, Catholics, can you answer:

If a lot of Catholics feel the new pope is an ineffective leader or one who does not share and spread the beliefs of the religion, does he get impeached? Any idea what happens? This man seems very divisive - do you think they would try to oust him, or is the position just too powerful?

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