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I have, personally, had some totally non-religious "senses" or "knowing" that absolutely floor even someone like me, about my future and I often wonder about them.
I simply cannot get over it. It's like a premonition of my very own future. It's inexplicable. An inner knowing.
You say that your ephipany was not religion-based, yet you DID have Catholic parents. And you are now a believing Catholic? Or just not an atheist or agostic?
I am a follower of Christ. That makes me a Christian . . . but not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know we were saved from eternal separation from God by Christ . . . but again not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know Christ epitomizes the TRUE NATURE of our loving Father and that God IS Love. I do NOT accept the OT descriptions of God believed by our ignorant savage ancestors. I do NOT believe in any magical thinking, sacraments or rituals of any kind. I believe that communion is simply an act of remembrance of Christ, period. The only description for me would be a pure Christian follower of Christ . . . NOT Catholic or any of the many denominations of Christianity out there.
I am a follower of Christ. That makes me a Christian . . . but not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know we were saved from eternal separation from God by Christ . . . but again not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know Christ epitomizes the TRUE NATURE of our loving Father and that God IS Love. I do NOT accept the OT descriptions of God believed by our ignorant savage ancestors. I do NOT believe in any magical thinking, sacraments or rituals of any kind. I believe that communion is simply an act of remembrance of Christ, period. The only description for me would be a pure Christian follower of Christ . . . NOT Catholic or any of the many denominations of Christianity out there.
It would be good if you researched the miracles around the Eucharist. I believe it is the body. blood, soul and divinity of Jesus because Jesus told us it was.
It would be good if you researched the miracles around the Eucharist. I believe it is the body. blood, soul and divinity of Jesus because Jesus told us it was.
I understand . . . and I respect your beliefs. I also am reminded of His perfect love and divine nature. But I believe it is just an act of remembrance. We must never forget that His body endured scourging and shed His blood in love for us all . . . including His torturers and murderers. There is no ambiguity in such love . . . so it amazes me that anyone could believe God required it as punishment or payment for ANYTHING . . . let alone to appease His Holiness or justice! I particularly despise the fact that so many Christian churches retain the ancient savage beliefs about God . . . especially a hell of eternal torments . . . which makes our God of love out to be an evil merciless torturer. It boggles my mind.
I am a follower of Christ. That makes me a Christian . . . but not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know we were saved from eternal separation from God by Christ . . . but again not for the same reasons so many Christians espouse. I know Christ epitomizes the TRUE NATURE of our loving Father and that God IS Love. I do NOT accept the OT descriptions of God believed by our ignorant savage ancestors. I do NOT believe in any magical thinking, sacraments or rituals of any kind. I believe that communion is simply an act of remembrance of Christ, period. The only description for me would be a pure Christian follower of Christ . . . NOT Catholic or any of the many denominations of Christianity out there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by janelle144
It would be good if you researched the miracles around the Eucharist. I believe it is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus because Jesus told us it was.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticPhD
I understand . . . and I respect your beliefs. I also am reminded of His perfect love and divine nature. But I believe it is just an act of remembrance. We must never forget that His body endured scourging and shed His blood in love for us all . . . including His torturers and murderers. There is no ambiguity in such love . . . so it amazes me that anyone could believe God required it as punishment or payment for ANYTHING . . . let alone to appease His Holiness or justice! I particularly despise the fact that so many Christian churches retain the ancient savage beliefs about God . . . especially a hell of eternal torments . . . which makes our God of love out to be an evil merciless torturer. It boggles my mind.
And mine, as well, for:
"A special kind of beauty exists in a single language that is not isolated called Love."
I understand . . . and I respect your beliefs. I also am reminded of His perfect love and divine nature. But I believe it is just an act of remembrance. We must never forget that His body endured scourging and shed His blood in love for us all . . . including His torturers and murderers. There is no ambiguity in such love . . . so it amazes me that anyone could believe God required it as punishment or payment for ANYTHING . . . let alone to appease His Holiness or justice! I particularly despise the fact that so many Christian churches retain the ancient savage beliefs about God . . . especially a hell of eternal torments . . . which makes our God of love out to be an evil merciless torturer. It boggles my mind.
God is a God of justice and He does not send us to hell, we do. Plus if there is no hell than there is no heaven. Jesus lived in a savage time, no getting around that. He was punished as many in His day were punished. The Romans were brutal to people.
God could have used many ways to atone for our sins but He chose the way of the cross. Jesus came to earth as a man and felt everything we feel and died as a human to show us just how much He loves us.
Most priests don't make money, they take a vow of poverty. Actually, this problem has caused the Church to lose millions of dollars and has shut down parishes to pay the law suits.
Of course. I attended Catholic high schools and colleges run by sisters and the president of my college took a vow of poverty, just as in high school.
But the Church, historically, has had more money than the lay people. Did you read Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes" where the local charity (always run by the Church) picked and chose who got help? Look at the orders in Ireland who had the slave labor young women in monasteries and convents throughout Ireland?
Look at the vast holdings (this includes money, not art) of the Vatican.
Yes, they get their money from the laity,but nevertheless, there is a lot of money floating around. They were able to pay off sex abuse lawsuits simply by selling off extremely valuable property.
Most priests don't make money, they take a vow of poverty. Actually, this problem has caused the Church to lose millions of dollars and has shut down parishes to pay the law suits.
The Boston Archdiocese had very expensive property not being heavily used (St. John's Seminary in Brighton, being one) that they didn't even need and they sold it for millions to pay off lawsuits.
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Michael Voris IMO explains it perfectly---
