Of course I knew that. If Catholics think that a statue contains some sort of in-dwelling spirit to be worshiped like the pagans, then it is idolatry. But say a statue or image of a saint gets accidentally broken, idolaters and superstitious people will think some sort of bad luck will befall them. Catholics who knows their Faith will just simply replace the image with a new one, no big deal. Images of the saints reminds us of the higher things. Human beings react to the senses. God could have used other non-material means of healing the people bitten by snakes, but in Scripture there are myriad examples where He made use of material things to impart graces. Why? I don't know. Ask Him. The fact that God Himself came in the flesh and is visible 2000 years ago shows that iconoclastic tendencies like yours ought to be rejected.

I am aware of many "cultural Catholics" just as there are "cultural Protestants" or "cultural Muslims" that are brought up with certain false ideas or superstitions. But nowhere can you find those superstitions sanctioned by official Catholic teaching.

If I'm seen talking to an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is because she is my spiritual mother as given to us by Jesus Himself at Calvary represented by John His Apostle. But then you will say "superstition", "idolatry", "necromancy", but sorry, I disagree, because Mary is alive with her Son in Heaven. I doubt you will accuse Protestants who lost their parents to sickness when they are seen to 'talk' in front of their grave as practising necromancy, do you?

I don't need to, let him find out for himself from neutral sources if he is sincere in finding out the truth. I will leave it at that.

My guess is Protestants are too busy finding new interpretations of their own from the Bible, which explains the sprouting of new groups with new teachings. The Catholic Church has a much much much longer history and dogma is already settled. There can be no new dogmas or revelations. At this point some of the more knowledgeable ones here will contest and say dogmas like the Assumption, Immaculate Conception, Papal Infallibility etc were late comers. Sorry, the universal belief in those matters already existed long back, through the liturgy, history of the early Church, writings of the Fathers of the Church, the saints, etc. but only defined in clearer language much later.

This post has been edited by yeeck: Apr 15 2016, 03:09 AM

I'm glad you are doing that. The writings of the Fathers of the Church will be of help too.

The Catholic Church compiled the Bible, that's why it is the higher authority than the Bible. Might sound scandalous to Protestant ears, since they have been brought up to say "Bible alone". But whose interpretation? Luther? Calvin? Wesley? Cranmer? sylar? UW?

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. " - II Peter 3:16

A Sharing of a Lovely experience with God! ...

My brothers and sisters, a few weeks ago, I shared with you an encounter with our Lord that touched me in a very deep way. I had a second encounter that I have only shared with three or four people in my life. I feel compelled to share it with others now.

My second encounter with our Savior took place in a very unlikely spot – a pizza shop. It was an unusually warm early spring day and I was working in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I had left work and had walked uptown to one of my favorite pizza shops.

As I was walking, two young females identified themselves to me by their first names. They told me that they were representatives from the Mormon Church. They asked if I was willing to spare a few moments of my time. Normally, I never entertain these people. I usually continue walking or say that I am Catholic and am not interested in their teachings. I was intrigued by their politeness, so I found myself stopping. They asked me my name and if I practiced a religion. I answered their questions while internally gearing myself up to protect my faith from their onslaught. Instead of debating religious beliefs, I found myself discussing things such as my family, the area in which we live, and life in general. Our conversation continued on for about five minutes or so when our talk started to get more focused on faith and beliefs. Finally, they posed a question to me, one that was very basic but yet intense enough to debate. They asked me if I believed that God walks among us in our daily lives and that he takes on human form to interact with us and test our faith in him. I pondered this for a bit and answered the question. I told them that I do believe that God can do this. I also stated that I believe that if you look deeply into the eyes of another human, no matter the race, sex, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic class, you could truly see the face of God. They told me that I answered beautifully and said that I had a gift. We made some more small talk and then they asked me to pray the Lord’s Prayer with them. We prayed then shook hands and parted ways. As we left one another, they told me that one day I would see the face of God when I least expected it.

Having left my new friends, I continued on finally reaching my destination. As I approached the front door of the restaurant, I noticed a young man huddled in the corner of the doorway shivering. He appeared to be in his early thirties. He was very dirty and wore tattered clothing. He just stood there smiling at the people as they entered. I said Hi to him as I continued into the shop. I got a call on my cell phone, so I exited the shop to take the call. When the call ended, I turned to re-enter the shop and found myself face to face with this stranger. He asked me if he could have a cigarette. I told this stranger that I don’t smoke as I continued to enter the shop.
The shop was very busy that day so I found myself standing in an unusually long line and my place was back by the door. While standing there, this man re-entered the shop and made his way back to me. Now mind you that the shop was full and there must have been a dozen people in line. There were a lot more people to turn to, yet this man came right up to me. He apologized to me and said that he really did not want a cigarette but wanted to ask for money for lunch but was too ashamed to ask.

Long ago, I made a pack(sic) with myself that if anyone ever placed me in this situation that I would not give him or her any money, but instead offer to buy them a meal. I knew that on this day, I was very short on cash. I wasn’t even sure if I had enough money for my lunch let alone his. Remaining true to my word, I told him that I could not offer him any money, but would be more than willing to buy him lunch. He happily accepted my offer and joined me in line.

As we approached the counter to order, I invited him to order first and told him to get anything he wanted. He again thanked me for doing this and then ordered two slices of pepperoni pizza and a small root beer soda. I placed my order, paid, and then moved down to wait for our food.

While waiting, we began to have a conversation. The man started to tell me that he was stabbed sometime ago. He lifted his shirt part way to reveal his stab wound. The wound appeared to be a “fresh” wound, yet there was no bleeding, was not dirty, and showed no signs of infection. He told me that he was stabbed while trying to protect another person from being harmed. He went on to say that he had a daughter. He told me that his daughter would take her fingers and place them inside the wound so that she could see if it was for real. I listened to his story while all the while thinking I was really talking to a real nut. The man told me that he really misses his daughter and weeps for her daily. He stated that he was upset on how distant their relationship had become. He said that he weeps for her future and will not rest until they are reunited. Soon our order was ready and we went and gathered our lunch. Seeing that I was going to return to my office to eat, I excused myself and wished the man well. He then got up from his seat and embraced me thanking me for all that I had done. As he hugged me, I felt an incredibly feeling of warmth embrace my whole body. With that, I left the store.

As I was walking back down the street, I saw the two young ladies that I had previously talked to. They were at least two blocks away. They waved to me and then vanished into the crowd of people walking. As I recalled my conversation with the ladies, I began to think about what they said and about what had happened to me at the pizza shop. I stopped dead in my tracts as I remembered that I was told that I would see the face of God on day when I least expected it.

You may think I’m insane, but I believe that I broke bread with God that day. It is crazy to say this, but it was too real not to believe. I was not out of the shop for more than a minute when I ran back inside. Upon entering, I looked around and the man was nowhere to be found. There was only one exit out and he had not exited. I went to the restroom and again he was not there. I left the shop puzzled, bewildered and in awe as to what happened.

I believe that this person - this very dirty, underprivileged person was our Lord in disguised. The stab wound is the wound he received on the cross from the Roman solider sent to make sure that he had died while on the cross. The daughter that he mentioned symbolizes us, his children. Our Lord is deeply moved and is very upset at our immoralist society and our turning our backs on the unborn, the poor, the disenfranchise and the lost. He wants desperately for us to return to him and open our hearts and minds and souls to his healing and mercy.

By sharing this with you, it is my hope that those who read this will come to know that God is always there for everyone, no matter the size or complexity of the situation, all you have to do is ask. All that God asks from you in return is for your love back. His arms are outstretched for you. All you have to do is surrender to the love of the Lord. Then you will truly be at peace.



Source: Catholic Friends Worldwide

+ Peace and blessings +

This post has been edited by khool: Apr 15 2016, 09:15 AM

Hey Guys, morning, I'm not a Catholic and I rarely post in here but I just want to say this;

Leave the Catholics alone, they are very much Saved, A Child of God even though you may not agree with their doctrine.

Even they though they venerate Mary in a way that offends you, that is between them and God.

You can share your opinion but don't resort to being harsh because Our Lord Jesus Christ paid a dear price to reconcile all of you in unity.

In case you don't know, the Christian Federation consist of all Denomination, including the Catholics. That is a constitution which we Christians all agreed on in Malaysia.

We all can come together (even for prayer, without fighting each other) because of the prevailing Primary Doctrine which is what Unite Us all together:

We Believe in a Triune God.
We Believe Jesus is the Son of God
We Believe Jesus is the only way to the Father
We Believe Jesus is the atonement for our sins.

Let us deal all secondary doctrine within your own denominations.


Can I ask for peace among all of you?

Amen!!!

Matthew 5:9 (NRSVCE)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

OMG ... this chap has some serious anger management issues

Then your "Holy Spirit" must be a spirit of confusion and disorder and chaos since it has brought about so many different groups with various teachings.

"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." - 1 Tim 3:15

"He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me." - Lk 10:16

"15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.
16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.
17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican." - Mt 18:15-17

This post has been edited by yeeck: Apr 15 2016, 02:31 PM

Unfortunately there is no such thing as secondary doctrine when it comes to salvation. Peace!

This is the only statement that I agree so far.

At least you are principled.

Actually you should only quote Pope messages instead of quoting bible since the church is the ultimate authority.

I could, but when presenting to you guys, I have to start at your level, right?

true. you are so high up there.

Not yet. I'm still down here in this valley of tears.

So in other words, bible reading is not required for a catholic.

that's good mah. Save time.

John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.


I guess since they have such a dim view of scripture or bible,
they also have a similar view of Jesus.