I'm not a bible expert, never said I was. There are a lot of things in the bible that don't make sense, are probably against the law now, are contradictions, etc. If I choose to believe in God it's through FAITH.
I think it's more about faith than anything @Chrissy Page and somedays I don't have any at all. At other times, I seem to feel better have some. Like I mentioned before, believing/hoping there is something better to come. I remember that song "Is that all there is" lol. Gads, I guess if I'm dead and in the dirt it won't matter, but if there is an eternity where we live forever in new bodies?? I'd like that, this one is wearing out fast.
My daughter answered this to a friend a few years ago in the best way I've heard. The person was going on about "nothing being there after life"... and my daughter simply said "Well, if there's not, there's nothing to lose.... but what if there is?" What if there is? I started writing a song with the phrase soon after... I'll have to dig it out!
this has always made sense to me Mari, I do worry I am not faithful enough to go to heaven if it is really there. I certainly don't want to go to hell. I think that fear drives me to get on my knees and ask God to help me. If he is real, and I understand some folks can say He is without blinking an eye, then I do want to go to heaven. I do not worship, or pray to anyone else, or try not to have idols anyway. Money is a popular idol imo, and I'm glad I've realized a lot of it is not necessary for me. In fact, I feel more free now than I ever have, and I have way less now. I don't think there is anything wrong with having, and enjoying "stuff", but for me, I never want to get hung up on it, or too spoiled lets say. I am easily spoiled. I was born greedy, and then got spoiled
I'm one that doesn't worry about it either way. If there is a God, he knows my thoughts and I will go to Heaven. If there isn't then it will be just like before I was born. Even that I exist depended on just the right sperm and the right egg to unite. Pretty slim chances and all in the timing. It's something I don't worry about, all I worry about is method of death. I want to die in my sleep but who knows how it will happen. Depending on which religion you believe, there are other possibilities besides heaven and hell, one being reincarnation....I'm not crazy about that idea.
I also don't think money has much to do with it either. Rich people can go to heaven just like poor people can go to hell. I always liked the Beatitudes.... Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. I live by the Pure in Heart one and strive for that.
To get back on topic, I think the diet restrictions were Jewish ones in the old testament. In the new testament, Jesus said it is not what goes into your mouth that corrupts you, but rather what comes out of your mouth. Matthew 15:10-20 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[d] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
Sounds like everyone is going to hell, and I'm only talking about what comes out of people's mouths. @Joe Riley. Of course as a Catholic, I can confess those venial sins and not worry.
Yes, Chrissy.... as long as you confess them to Jesus and not an earthly priest. Uh... Yes, I did that on purpose, don't pinch me!
Confessing them to a priest is the same, he represents God. That is why we call priests, "Father". Ok, forget about food, that's not really a biggie...how about these? If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die. Deuteronomy 21:18-2 Like I said, I'm not an expert on the bible, so where is this interpreted to mean something else?
Question for ya, Chrissy... in all sincerity. I'm not being flip, and I'm sure not an arguer, but... do Catholics not believe in the New Covenant? It's mentioned in the Bible, about going to God through Christ and not through man so... I know that some people would ask this to pick an argument, but I'm truly not doing that.... if it's in there that the New Covenant (the sacrifice of Jesus) will be the bridge to God without the earthly go-betweens, I assume that's one thing that's not in Catholic doctrine? Or...???? I really don't know, so I'm asking.
All I know is that Jesus gave his apostles the power to forgive sin. Why would he do that, if it's not needed? Here is an explanation. For sins committed after baptism, a different sacrament is needed. It has been called penance, confession, and reconciliation, each word emphasizing one of its.aspects. During his life, Christ forgave sins, as in the case of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11) and the woman who anointed his feet (Luke 7:48). He exercised this power in his human capacity as the Messiah or Son of man, telling us, "the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Matt. 9:6), which is why the Gospel writer himself explains that God "had given such authority to men" (Matt. 9:8). Since he would not always be with the Church visibly, Christ gave this power to other men so the Church, which is the continuation of his presence throughout time (Matt. 28:20), would be able to offer forgiveness to future generations. He gave his power to the apostles, and it was a power that could be passed on to their successors and agents, since the apostles wouldn’t always be on earth either, but people would still be sinning. God had sent Jesus to forgive sins, but after his resurrection Jesus told the apostles, "‘As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’" (John 20:21–23). (This is one of only two times we are told that God breathed on man, the other being in Genesis 2:7, when he made man a living soul. It emphasizes how important the establishment of the sacrament of penance was.)
Thanks, Chrissy. I looked this up in the meantime and found a good website explaining why Catholics believe as they do, and what that scripture means by Protestant interpretation. It predicted what a Catholic response would be, and I'm sure there are Catholic sites that would predict what a Protestant would say. That said, thank you for answering my question. I appreciate it. I'm not equipped theologically to get into a deeper discussion, but I *have* wondered about that. I'll leave a link if you *want* to learn the interpretation Protestants use, and... well, stuff like that. Bottom line is that I know you're not going to go to sleep a Methodist tonight, and I'm sure not going to wake up Catholic tomorrow. I have read your interpretations of scripture, and if you want to read "the other side", it's here. If not, that's fine, too... I need to sign off now because I'm three hours behind in my work schedule. I'll check for any questions you may have tomorrow, or maybe someone else will jump in and answer in the meantime. Here's my link
I'm by far not an expert on religion and have forgotten many things. What's left for me basically is faith. I either believe in God and what I learned as a Catholic or I am an atheist or agnostic. Those are my 3 choices. If I start reading the bible, I won't believe it. I have the hardest time with Born again Christians, I don't want to offend anyone or their religion so I won't go into why.
I just looked at your link, Mari...I guess that's the difference. Maybe that's why I have a hard time understanding other religions because I feel catholic traces back further and would be closer to the truth of God. New Testament and more modern religions start to interpret differently and to me that means change to what you want to hear. It's kind of like the Chinese telephone in my opinion. Catholics heard it straight from God and then each newer religion changed the words more and more. This is my point of view and nobody else's and may not even be right but that is how I see it. No matter how much scripture you quote, I won't change my mind. I think most Catholics will stay catholic or become atheist or agnostic. Not all, some will convert to other religions for different reasons. Mostly because the Catholic Church is probably the least fun church to attend and you have to kneel during some times at mass. They usually only have boring Bingo and not fun stuff like some of the non Catholic Churches. I have actually enjoyed going to other churches when invited because they were more social places. I saw no wrong in doing it because I wasn't really listening to the pastor but they do sing funner songs I've never been to a black church but those look the most joyful. I'm going by what I've seen on TV or in movies so don't know if it's accurate. Most are Baptist I think but again I may be wrong.