[Sister Noddy]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

They don't worship Mary and the Pope as God(s) though, just important figure. Mary is obvious because she was the mother of Jesus Christ, while the Pope is supposed to be the closest man to God on Earth, at least as far as I know, I could be wrong. I'm not a Catholic so forgive me if I misconstrue things.

The Catholic Pope is the Vicar of Rome and the successor to St. Peter the Apostle (who knew Jesus and was one of the twelve apostles)

The Roman Church is the founder of Christianity under Emperor Constantine, 325 CE (AD) with the Council at Nicea (this is where we get the Nicean Creed); the holy scriptures, histories and stories of old were collated and thus the original verson of the Bible came into being; and has been subsequently translated and edited a number of times since then, both from the Hebraic-Greek to the Latin, and also into the many vernacular languages of Europe, and around the world.

The Roman Church and its original three protestant successors --- the German Lutheran, the Scottish Presbyterian, and the Church of England (Anglican) --- are what we call 'mainstream Christianity' or apostolic ---

--- but more recent successors such as the American breakaway denominations (including the Baptist) are 'fundamentalist' evangelical churches --- evangelical, meaning to evangelize --- their members evangelize (preach) with the singular intent to convert the 'unsaved' ---

But in the original Catholic and Protestant apostolic churches with their European roots, one baptism only (in water and the Holy Spirit) was considered necessary to save souls in the name of Jesus; and traditionally babies and children were baptized as soon as possible, to become Christ's own for all eternity.

[Father Thomas Martin]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Can I get an AMEN, sister?

[Sister Noddy]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Can I get an AMEN, sister?

Of course, Reverend --- AMEN

[Pastor Ezekiel]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

THE WORSHIP OF MARY

This doctrine is peculiar to Catholicism. It has its foundation in the pagan Greek/Roman concept of an immortal soul that maintains that Mary is still alive in heaven. The church has blasphemously invested Mary with priestly powers of mediatorship and, adopting the Trinity (in the 4th century AD), proclaimed Mary the "Mother of God" at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD

In 1850 AD, Pope Pius IX declared that Mary had been "immaculately conceived", and 96 years later, the church declared that Mary was taken to heaven, "body and soul" after her death.

Mariolatry is on the increase, particularly as the present Pope has made Mary his personal "saint". Current developments institute Mary as Co-redemptrix - that every grace granted through Christ is also granted through Mary's intercession.

Nothing of this is mentioned in the Bible. The Scriptures present Mary as a humble but spiritually perceptive Jewish maid, obedient to the cause of God. She prophesies of her illustrious son, the Lord Jesus, as one who will further God's purpose with Israel (Luke 1:54-55). Later, under family pressure, she falters in her understanding of her son's mission, but is seen at the foot of the cross on Golgotha, and, in the days following, takes part in the work amongst the believers (Acts 1:14).

[Sister Noddy]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

THE WORSHIP OF MARY

In 1850 AD, Pope Pius IX declared that Mary had been "immaculately conceived", and 96 years later, the church declared that Mary was taken to heaven, "body and soul" after her death.

Mariolatry is on the increase, particularly as the present Pope has made Mary his personal "saint". Current developments institute Mary as Co-redemptrix - that every grace granted through Christ is also granted through Mary's intercession.

Nothing of this is mentioned in the Bible. The Scriptures present Mary as a humble but spiritually perceptive Jewish maid, obedient to the cause of God. She prophesies of her illustrious son, the Lord Jesus, as one who will further God's purpose with Israel (Luke 1:54-55). Later, under family pressure, she falters in her understanding of her son's mission, but is seen at the foot of the cross on Golgotha, and, in the days following, takes part in the work amongst the believers (Acts 1:14).

This is true, as far as I know, Pastor Zeke.

[Joo (Quarantined)]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

The Catholic Pope is the Vicar of Rome and the successor to St. Peter the Apostle (who knew Jesus and was one of the twelve apostles)

The Roman Church is the founder of Christianity under Emperor Constantine, 325 CE (AD) with the Council at Nicea (this is where we get the Nicean Creed); the holy scriptures, histories and stories of old were collated and thus the original verson of the Bible came into being; and has been subsequently translated and edited a number of times since then, both from the Hebraic-Greek to the Latin, and also into the many vernacular languages of Europe, and around the world.

The Roman Church and its original three protestant successors --- the German Lutheran, the Scottish Presbyterian, and the Church of England (Anglican) --- are what we call 'mainstream Christianity' or apostolic ---

--- but more recent successors such as the American breakaway denominations (including the Baptist) are 'fundamentalist' evangelical churches --- evangelical, meaning to evangelize --- their members evangelize (preach) with the singular intent to convert the 'unsaved' ---

But in the original Catholic and Protestant apostolic churches with their European roots, one baptism only (in water and the Holy Spirit) was considered necessary to save souls in the name of Jesus; and traditionally babies and children were baptized as soon as possible, to become Christ's own for all eternity.

Alright then, there you have it.

[Father Thomas Martin]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

THE WORSHIP OF MARY

This doctrine is peculiar to Catholicism. It has its foundation in the pagan Greek/Roman concept of an immortal soul that maintains that Mary is still alive in heaven. The church has blasphemously invested Mary with priestly powers of mediatorship and, adopting the Trinity (in the 4th century AD), proclaimed Mary the "Mother of God" at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD

In 1850 AD, Pope Pius IX declared that Mary had been "immaculately conceived", and 96 years later, the church declared that Mary was taken to heaven, "body and soul" after her death.

Mariolatry is on the increase, particularly as the present Pope has made Mary his personal "saint". Current developments institute Mary as Co-redemptrix - that every grace granted through Christ is also granted through Mary's intercession.

Nothing of this is mentioned in the Bible. The Scriptures present Mary as a humble but spiritually perceptive Jewish maid, obedient to the cause of God. She prophesies of her illustrious son, the Lord Jesus, as one who will further God's purpose with Israel (Luke 1:54-55). Later, under family pressure, she falters in her understanding of her son's mission, but is seen at the foot of the cross on Golgotha, and, in the days following, takes part in the work amongst the believers (Acts 1:14).

Well, you don't treat her with any respect! How can you say you love Jesus, when you disrespect His Mother?

Even my Muslim friend, noah_ark, sees her as the most blessed of all women!-And Islam is more restrictive on women than LBC is!

That should say something, shouldn't it?

[Brother Temperance]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Well, you don't treat her with any respect! How can you say you love Jesus, when you disrespect His Mother?

Even my Muslim friend, noah_ark, sees her as the most blessed of all women!-And Islam is more restrictive on women than LBC is!

That should say something, shouldn't it?

Yes, Islam and Catholicism are both false anti-God cults. How respectful was Jesus being when He asked her "woman, what have I to do with thee?" That sounds like outright cheek to me!

[Sista Lateefah]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Well, you don't treat her with any respect! How can you say you love Jesus, when you disrespect His Mother?

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. - Luke 1:48

It be true that Mary had been blessed - ANY woman the Lord had chose fo' His vessel woulda been. But it had not been because o' anythang SHE had did, but because the Lord had chose her. Where in the Bible do it say to worship Mary? Where do it say she deserve respect?

[Sister Noddy]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. - Luke 1:48

It be true that Mary had been blessed - ANY woman the Lord had chose fo' his vessel woulda been. But it had not been because o' anythang SHE had did, but because the Lord had chose her. Where in the Bible do it say to worship Mary? Where do it say she deserve respect?

She is venerated, and a Saint in Heaven, not worshipped (there is a difference)

Her statues are not idols, they are icons in her honor (to be revered and respected)

Mary is the Mother of Christ (isn't that good enough for you?)

Catholicism is not a cult: the Roman Catholic Church founded Christianity (without it you wouldn't have any religion and no Bible, so don't knock it, Sister)

Peace in the Lord

[Homertard]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Too bad. I'm glad I'm not like you guys.

[Bobby-Joe]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Too bad. I'm glad I'm not like you guys.

Friend,

Considering that we guys are the ones going to heaven and everyone else is going to burn in hell, are you sure you are glad you are not like us. You seem a nice enough person, I would hate to see you burn in Hell next to the likes of Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton.

[Homertard]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

It is just, people on this place (not you btw) are making me feel insulted, angry, and generally annoyed.

[Joo (Quarantined)]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

It is just, people on this place (not you btw) are making me feel insulted, angry, and generally annoyed.

Get used to it mate. That or leave, since we are their guests after all.

[roserougesang]

Re: Introducing Fr. Tom

Welcome.
I'm not religious at all but Catholics seem like rather nice people apart from being against contraceptives. Also, the Vatican has some very nice artwork in it (especially partial to the Caravaggio paintings) so there's a bit of extra credit