Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | reilly1041 | 87103 | ||
The Catholic Church most definitely still holds the doctrine of purgatory, where one pays the price of the *punishment* for their earthly sins, becoming cleansed and ready to meet God (we will become like Him when we see Him, 1 John 3:2). Whether one can be a Catholic and not believe in purgatory is an interesting question. As I talk to more and more Catholics (which I am currently one) about their beliefs, I find that there is a wide range of acceptance of the RCC doctrine. Yet they all fully consider themselves Roman Catholic. My experience has been that this is especially true with RCIA Catholics (adult converts), the many with whom I have spoken fully consider themselves Catholics, but do not believe in many of the RCC-unique doctrine such as purgatory, praying to saints, the rosary, etc. At first, I thought that this was appalling - how can one be a Roman Catholic without believing in all of the Roman Catholic doctrine? Shouldn't those people find a church in which they can believe all of its doctrine? I am softening my thinking now, as I learn and read more, I become more and more confused. reilly |
||||||
2 | Have we chosen freely? | James 2:19 | Emmaus | 87110 | ||
Reilly, I too have noticed the adult converts who are "cafeteria Catholics" although not all fall into that category. I think a big part of the probelm is that often the lay people who run the RCIA classes are also cafeteria Catholics who pick and choose what they believe. I think this is a problem of integrity on the part of those individuals. The other problem is that when a baptized Christian of another denomination joins the Catholic Church, they are not re-baptized, but they do make a profession of faith that states they believe "all that the Catholic Church teaches." Does anybody take their own words seriously anymore? I tend to agree with EdB that many Churches of all denominations are so fixed oon increasing their numbers rather than nurturing disciples, that they compromise on the teaching and defense of doctrine and tolerate this phenomena of people picking and choosing what they believe in the face of the authoritative teaching of Scripture and Tradition. But that is a whole other subject really not suited to this forum which is centered on Scripture study not necessarily Church governance. Emmaus |
||||||