The New Latin American Pope

[htown]

Huh!

I got similar statements in reverse in Colombia. I.e. refering to Catholics as being the only Christians and the other type as some other unspecified religion. Both camps should get a better understanding of what a Christian is IMHO.

Only a truly uneducated dipsh*t would say "I don't like catholic mass so I only go to christian churches".


Certain people shouldn't be allowed access to the internet.

[Micky]

BenJ -

I would think most people would agree with you (I do).  People that mess with children in any form are equal with murders and the lowest scum on this earth.

I was an alter boy most of my youth,  I never had any problem,  nor did I ever know of a priest that was a piece of chit.  Has it happened,  no doubt,  I do not think to the degree that sometimes people think.  Although ONCE is too many times.

The 'Christian'  vs 'Catholic',  is to a large degree,  dependent on culture and location.  There are some nondenominational,  and denominational Christian churches/groups that have a view and belief that Catholics are NOT Christians.  Likewise,  there are areas in the world where the Catholic belief is,  the Catholic is the ONLY Christian.  That is not the teaching of the Catholic church.  People,  being all different and individuals,  come away with different views and understanding,  from the exact same teachings that most of us have had.

BenJ,  I VERY much appreciate your relating your story about the priest/s from the Catholic church next to your home.  I grew up in an Irish Catholic family,  11 children and poor (not complaining,  just saying)  and there were many times when I was at the back door of the convent with the nuns giving me a few loafs of bread to take home.

BG -

Many things are misconstrued and taken to,  and made something else.  The thing with Mary is a perfect example.  You know the prayer - "Holy Mary,  mother of God,  pray for us sinners...".  She is NOT considered,  nor is the teaching of the Church that she is Deity,  or part of the 'God head'  (Trinity).  More or less the same thing SB said about 'praying TO the saints'.  The teaching of the Church is that you are asking them to 'pray on your behalf',  the same as if I asked you to pray for me.  The reality is that people take things and make it something else.  I would not argue with you,  we both know,  there are people that DO worship Mary and think and believe that she is Deity.

I say,  when it comes to religion and religious beliefs,  each to his own.  That is between God and the individual.  Micky may need God,  God may want,  but does not need Micky.


Micky

[Stevieboy]

BenJ -

.

The 'Christian'  vs 'Catholic',  is to a large degree,  dependent on culture and location.  There are some nondenominational,  and denominational Christian churches/groups that have a view and belief that Catholics are NOT Christians.  Likewise,  there are areas in the world where the Catholic belief is,  the Catholic is the ONLY Christian.  That is not the teaching of the Catholic church.  People,  being all different and individuals,  come away with different views and understanding,  from the exact same teachings that most of us have had.

.

.
All the profiles of the women I speak to on Cupid read either christian or catholic. One of the women I speak to says her "Christian church" was founded by "gringo christiano missionarios", therefore not catholic. Same thing goes in Mexico. There's lost of non-denominational Christian churches there.     

[braziliangirl]

BG -

Many things are misconstrued and taken to,  and made something else.  The thing with Mary is a perfect example.  You know the prayer - "Holy Mary,  mother of God,  pray for us sinners...".  She is NOT considered,  nor is the teaching of the Church that she is Deity,  or part of the 'God head'  (Trinity).  More or less the same thing SB said about 'praying TO the saints'.  The teaching of the Church is that you are asking them to 'pray on your behalf',  the same as if I asked you to pray for me.  The reality is that people take things and make it something else.  I would not argue with you,  we both know,  there are people that DO worship Mary and think and believe that she is Deity.

I say,  when it comes to religion and religious beliefs,  each to his own.  That is between God and the individual.  Micky may need God,  God may want,  but does not need Micky.

Micky,
I'm sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I am very happy that I was raised Catholic and I'm thankful that I live in a country where people are free to be part of any religion. Something that very likely will become rare in the future.
I'm not telling you guys about what I believe or think is right or wrong, just about what I see. I live in a city where one of largest processions (~2 million people) to Mary takes place and here people literally worship her image. I know it is not what the Catholic Church in general teaches. Also, I guess people's decisions on who to worship is also very influenced by the other religions, like Umbanda, Candomblé, and Spiritism. In Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast, there is a lot of syncretism and almost every saint has its correspondent, and Mary has many.
Sorry if I made it sound like the whole Catholic Church didn't understand or accept. I was talking especifically about the followers that many times are also followers of the other religions mentioned above.

[Micky]

BG -

I was just trying to clarify some things,  and mostly for the non Catholics here.  You did not give any wrong/bad impressions what so ever.  I personally think that most all of your posts are full of logic and reason.  I hope I did not sound as if I was trying to correct you.

Micky

[htown]

Yea BG don't mind Mickey.  If anything he was trying to correct me.  But I'm used to it already.  Jaja!! 

[Diablo]

Wow so many replies.

My family was pretty much atheist. My parents are strong socialist/communist and are quite left leaning (I mean they see fidel castro as a hero for goodness sake). When we lived in the UK my parents sent me to secular public school (or a state school as they are called in britain). I have met many people from different religious backgrounds that i have much respect for.

As I interact with more and more women south of the boarder, I am realizing more and more that religion is quite important to many. The only reason religion began to become important to me is because of this brasilera im seeing right now. She is quite devout and she wants me to get to the catholic church and leave atheism behind. I feel the catholic religion is beautiful when practised right. on youtube i have seen charismatic style worship within the catholic church (can't remember the name but it exist). It looked like a form of pentecostalism so it wasn't as boring.

As economies grow in latin america and education becomes more available, secularism will become more prevalent. I also think the catholic church in latin america will lose more and more followers. weird as they call it the continent of hope.

[robert angel]

Coca Cola is a powerful international corporation. The only reason why the Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola didn't get the job as Pope, was they didn't want one of the most powerful men on earth having a name like Pope Scola.