Doesn't seem to be bad, I mean the fact that he wants to stay with his family. =) We don't go to church, but my father also once went with us on Easter. He didn't like the church, but at least he's seen something other than his church. But I wouldn't dare to insult my father because of religion. Somehow he's not very interested in religion, so there were no problems. And to be honest: We don't talk about religion in my family. It's just there, no need to talk about it. (Okay, but I also have to say that nobody is really into religion in my family ^^") Sometimes I discuss about it with my mother, but it's rare. Is religion a strong point of discussion in your family? oo
Well my dad is just a very quiet man to begin with. I think women are more in touch with the whole spiritual, non-material thing anyway. Dad is more likely to teach me how to fix a puncture or something lol. Yeah, he explained lots about the differences, but mainly about the history (he's Scottish Presbyterian). He told me about how John Calvin (I think it was Calvin, it could've been someone else), pronounced death over all Catholics. Strange how times have come, eh? Once upon a time we would've been trading insults. Though that still happens, unfortunately. He never goes to the local Presbyterian church, and only goes to services at all on Christmas and Easter (to the Catholic church that the rest of us go to). Don't know what is up with that honestly. He gets really embarrassed around Communion. Thing is, we wouldn't care if he went to the Presbyterian one. I think he just wants to be with his family.
Haha, that's interesting. I think it's normal that your mother teaches you about religion. Somehow it seems to be normal, at least. I haven't heard of someone yet who was taught by his/her father about religious stuff. Did your father at least tell you something about the Protestants? =)
Wow, my mother is Catholic, and my father Protestant. Everything you said applies to me, but in reverse!
It always depends on what you were taught when you were young, I suppose. My mother is Protestant while my father is Catholic. So I saw both sides, although my mother influenced me more. She told me about religion first, my father didn't bother much about that. ^^" And of course my grandma also played a big role. She taught me some prayers (she's Protestant, too) and such stuff. So I didn't see much about the Catholics in my life. Unfortunately. We had one teacher who wanted to show us the differences in the religions but somehow there was nothing but small details. No real differences, mostly he told us what signs and symbols each had and such stuff. That's a bit sad, but I'm lacking motivation to study by myself. ^^" I wouldn't call it strange. It was just stupid. XD" You shouldn't get VMs like that... that's just childish. :/
Well, there is a connection to God from everyone, but if one person is said to be in greater communication with God, than doctrinal disputes can be settled. It's a means to institutionalism, in my view, which does not have to be a bad thing. Hah yeah that was a strange VM tbh.
Ah, I heard about that one - Catholics are known to have no direct connection to God, but... kinda use the Pope to communicate. It's different with Protestants - we pray directly to God and confess our sins in front of him. I always felt better that way, as I know that God is next to me and not far away. I think I'd be quite embarrassed to confess all my sins to a man. :/ Still, I hope you'll find your own path soon. =) Oh, that's a misunderstanding. I didn't mean that YOU've done something wrong. I meant a very... erm, stupid VM you received. *cough*rydia*cough* XD" As I said, I came to discuss important things and saw that you were treated badly by another person who... I think is not very... intelligent... hopefully she won't read this. ^^"
Oh, and what did I do to make you "disappointed" and "angry"?
Well Catholics see the Pope as divinely inspired, i.e., influenced by the Holy Spirit. That may or may not be a hard sell, but it's surely a requirement of Catholicism. I see the Pope as in greater communication with God than other people, as it was an institution appointed by Jesus upon St Peter, the first Pope. I'm all for self-interpretation, but if the basis of this is the Catholic Church - the source of doctrine - then I kind of feel like a supreme contradiction :/ Meh, I'll just keep thinking about it. Thanks for your help yo!
Oh lol... I came here to talk about important matters of faith with you and I just skipped through the last few VMs of you... and I was... disappointed? Angry? I don't know, put it as you like it to be, but I was not amused. xD" "So if I decide not to follow a certain teaching, does that mean I can't be a Catholic?" This is something I also had to struggle with. I somehow created my own belief, but I always knew that the roots of all the things I believed were from the religion I chose. I think if you really choose a religion then it's okay like that. My teacher back in school once told us that many people tend to pick various elements of different religions and kinda "build their own religion" - she disliked it. I understood her, as she is a religious person. But for me, it's important to interpret things on your own. There are so many people who claim to be atheists just because they don't think about religion. Many don't even know what the Bible tells you. And as long as you know the Bible and know how to interpret it, you're a religious person. I'm afraid that's all I can say. I'm Protestant, so there is no Pope for me who could tell me how to see things. It's not that I dislike him, but sometimes I doubt that a man can possibly be infallible. He's just human, after all. How can he be on the same level as God? :/ I think I just can't understand that because we didn't learn much about other religions in school...
"If the church says that God was a woman (I know, totally exaggerated ^^"), then you wouldn't have to believe that. If the church says that only Christians will be accepted in heaven - you don't have to believe it." Actually, as a Catholic, wouldn't I/we? I mean the Pope is infallible on matters of doctrine right? So if I decide not to follow a certain teaching, does that mean I can't be a Catholic?
I just read your journal and I hope you don't mind that I say something about it. The way you describe everything you feel I have the feeling that you're one of the best Christians out there. You care about the others, also about people who have different beliefs. I think this is what makes a Christian a Christian. Hadn't Jesus tought that we should care for each other and love everyone? This is exactly what you're doing, so I don't see why YOU of all people should think that you'll go to hell because of that. I think it's very important that we all respect other religions. And also other ways of interpreting the Bible. This is now my very own opinion, but: There is no way that God is the same for everyone. Some may say he's a vengeful God, some may say he's a friendly and caring God. I think there are many ways to see Him. And I'd recommend you to not let the church or other people shatter your belief. If the church says that God was a woman (I know, totally exaggerated ^^"), then you wouldn't have to believe that. If the church says that only Christians will be accepted in heaven - you don't have to believe it. I hope you get my point, I'm struggling with words on this one. :/ I kinda know what you're going through, I also had to find my very own way of believing a while ago. I needed a really long time to reach the point I am now. So I agree with Hellfire: Give it more time. I suppose that you'll find the answer to all your questions soon and I really wish you good luck!
It wasn't nice. It was the truth.
Haha that was very nice!
