Bible Question:
EdB please answer... I noticed by your profile that you enjoy apologetics/ and the study of the cults... Can you please tell me why there are so few writers that will name the Catholic church as a cult. Yet in the study of cults myself, I find that the definition given for cults fully fit the Catholic church. If she is not a cult, please explain to me how she is Christian. And which definition for cults does not fit her? I was raised in the Catholic church and read my way out... and it amazes me that so few Christians will address the real issues. I never missed catechism class or mass in 33 years... yet never once was I led in the sinners prayer or even told that I was a sinner needing to be saved. The word “saved” was what I thought to be a protestant term. If she is Christian, why was I lost right in the midst of her? I was as devout as I believe I could have been. |
Bible Answer: Teragram I’m not sure why you singled me out to ask the question and I see my brother Kalos had provided some information many of you find to your disliking. Let me take a shot at the question. First let me say I disagree with much in the Catholic church and of those things I disagree with I will not and do not defend. That said, if you read the tenets of faith of the Catholic church you will see a true confession of Christianity. That fact from an apologetic point of view is what makes them non cultic. There are many within the Catholic church that have a true understanding of Christianity and make every attempt to see that is what is taught. Am I saying that all Catholic church teach Christian orthodoxy? Absolutely not many/most are focused on works and in some cases purely false theology. Your argument that you attended a Catholic church for many years and was unsaved is not proof that the Catholic church is cultic, but rather shouts of a problem with the teaching you received. There are many in the protestant churches that are equally unsaved, just as there are many in the Catholic church that are depending on Jesus Christ and nothing else for their salvation. Churches across America are filled with people lost and going to hell. My biggest concern within the Catholic church today is the sweeping effects of Maryology or the worship of the Mary the Mother of Jesus. In some diocese this teaching has gotten out of hand and Mary has become the focal point of the church’s worship. This is a rather new phenomenon, within the last century, but nonetheless one that is quickly effecting the church and moving it into non orthodoxy. I also understand the Catholic church outside the US, particularly the church in South and Central America is a horse of the a different nature. I believe from some of the stories I have heard anyone would have to call them cultic, but I also understand they do much of it in violation of decrees from Rome. I have observed many churches and many organizations and I would have to say an average Roman Catholic demonstrates a higher appreciation of things Holy and sacred than most protestants. Many would contribute that as being a byproduct of their works teaching. Whatever you contribute it to there is definitely an air of reverence, holiness and respect that is sadly missing within many non Catholic churches today. Teragram I hope I answered your question. Please do not misunderstand my position I'm not defending the many things that are wrong in the Catholic Church. I merely tried to show you why it is not considered cultic. EdB |