abqfriend

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  1. In ages past-early Christianity-there were many views circulating on who Jesus was and on such views as Trinity and non-Trinitarian views. There was no easy agreement. Such was the subject of many council's debate. Creeds of the early church were one way to summarize and codify church beliefs in one way. If you went to some remote Island that never heard of Christianity-and gave 100 people a Bible-and asked them to read it-then asked them about the concepts of Trinity or Godhead in simple terms-what would be their response?-I doubt you would have agreement. So the LDS Church has it's prophets to clarify such things and more in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants and the proclamations of past and current prophet. The Catholic Church has the Teaching Magesterium of the Church and Church Councils and the Pope to clarify such things in a different way. The Catholic Church believes it's leaders are guided by the holy spirit in all truth. -so-no easy answers-we believe differently. Let us work together where we can to a world hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. We each have the same Heavenly Father -who loves each of us very much. -Carol
  2. Thankyou for giving the LDS position without blaming the Roman Catholic Church for every wrong that has ever affected Christianity till the "Restoration" as you believe it which happened less than 200 years ago. Needless to say-our views on church history are vastly different but- We have the same Loving Heavenly Father. May our Hevenly Father bless each of us. Carol
  3. As a Catholic-we have a slightly different view of when apostolic succession continued-I would agree with the Apostle -Peter-and then onward. I also believe in it very literally. Our different views on Church History bring us to different conclusions. -Carol
  4. The English Standard Version (ESV) gives it this way: "While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled." Even in the case of Judas-I would leave his ultimate destination up to a loving and just God. -Carol
  5. I am a Roman Catholic and I deeply respect the LDS focus on a 2 year mission. I only wish my own Church did the same. Theologically-and spiritually-I guess as Christians-our mission never ends. Sharing our Message of Hope and Love to a hurting world should never end. Each of us have high's and lows on our spiritual journey of life. Some churches that I know-have near their main exit in the back of their church or signs as they exit the parking lot the following: "You are Now Entering the Mission Field." How appropriate! May our Heavenly Father bless each of us on our Mission. -Carol
  6. Can you give a specific OT or NT reference for this? I am weak on the OT and more versed on the NT-but an OT reference would be best. -Carol
  7. As a Roman Catholic -I would disagree with your premise-which makes apostate nearly 1800 years of Christianity and it's message and messengers. That- among other things are reasons why each of us may think and believe differently. May our Heavenly Father bless each of us. You are Loved and so am I. -Carol
  8. Sacramentals are distinctive to the Catholic Church and some other churches such as Orthodox. They are different than Sacraments. A Rosary blessed by a priestly prayer is considered a Sacramental. A special medallion-such as I have which has been blessed by a priest and has a piece of cloth in it that touched the remains of a specific saint-St. Anthony-in my case--is considered a sacramental. "Sacramentals are instituted for the sanctification of certain ministries of the Church, certain states of life, a great variety of circumstances in Christian life, and the use of many things helpful to man. In accordance with bishops' pastoral decisions, they can also respond to the needs, culture, and special history of the Christian people of a particular region or time. They always include a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands, the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water (which recalls Baptism). " Here is a detailed link on the meaning and purpose of sacramentals in the Catholic Church: CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
  9. The Catholic Church has several different "Rites" or parts that make up the Church. The Roman "Rite" is by far the largest. There is also the Byzantine Rite and others. In the Byzantine Rite-Men may be married before entering the Priesthood. As married priests-they cannot achieve Bishop status nor can they re-marry should their wife die. In the Roman Catholic Rite-Deacons can be married when entering the Diaconate-but should their wife die-they may not re-marry. Such is the same for a very small number of Priests who have entered the Catholic Church after converting from Anglican/Episcopal backgrounds. The celibacy rules of the Church are teachings and not doctrine-which means that such a rule may be changed in the future. Doctrines do not change, but rules can be changed. So-a future Teaching Magesterium of the Catholic Church acting in council with the Pope's blessing-could change such a rule-although this is unlikely-at least in the near future. -Carol
  10. I would encourage anyone with an interest in Islam to read the Holy Qur'an as I would encourage anyone who has an interest in the LDS Church to read The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants-and draw your own conclusions as the Spirit guides you. -Carol
  11. The same could be said for the need for a second husband. One is just right for me. -Carol
  12. Christmas gets it's name from Christ-Mass-the Catholic mass that celebrates Christ's birth-this evolved into Christmas. In the Catholic Church-going or not going to Mass on Christmas for the Christ-Mass is not an option. It is a requirement of our faith tradition and considered as a Holy Day of Obligation-which means it is considered a "sin" if we do not attend church this day--that is the importance the Catholic Church puts on the Christ-Mass. Santa Clause-comes from the Catholic/Greek Saint Nicholas Saint Nicholas ::: Origin of Santa St. Nicholas - Saint of the Day - American Catholic "Both the Eastern and Western Churches honor him, and it is claimed that, after the Blessed Virgin, he is the saint most pictured by Christian artists. And yet, historically, we can pinpoint only the fact that Nicholas was the fourth-century bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia, a province of Asia Minor. As with many of the saints, however, we are able to capture the relationship which Nicholas had with God through the admiration which Christians have had for him—an admiration expressed in the colorful stories which have been told and retold through the centuries. Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man’s window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint’s feast. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus—further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop." The Christmas Tree has a combination of Pagan and Christian traditions associated with it: Origin of the Christmas Tree We live in a multi-religious and multicultural society. I would like to see the birth of Christ celebrated as a religious holiday. I have no problem with a Winter Break, etc-but keep the religious significant separate. The Jewish faith would find it insulting combining Christian/Pagan symbols with their Festival of Lights-or Hanukkah. Celebrating the cleansing of their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah - Festival of Lights -Carol
  13. The court was justified in my opinion. The problem was in the visitation rights agreed upon by both parties and a violation of those agreed upon rights. They should have set up the visitation rights agreement differently-and there would have been no legal case. -Carol
  14. If I read Paul's initial discussion right-he was concerned about his bishop always knocking the Catholic Church. He has a Catholic background. We indeed have our differences. Sharing those differences may not be helpful at this juncture. My guess is Paul has heard this all before--perhaps too much so. What Paul needs-in my opinion is Love and understanding and talking to others-perhaps outside both faith traditions. Also- If he can find a friendly Catholic Priest and a friendly Bishop of the LDS Church-that too may be helpful. Caring is important. I also agree with Prison Chaplain " you must slowly by whole-heartedly seek the face of God. -Carol