An Apology

[George]

I would like to extend an apology to those involved in the "Catholicism Debate." I have been involved in character assanation and tearing down others belief structures altogether wrongly. I apologize for that.

I am going to completely withdraw from this whole line of debate. In the first place I do not believe the Bible is open for any debate. It maeans what it says. Secondly I believe my time, which is actually God's time in the first place, could be much more well spent in serving Him by being in things that are constructive in nature.

I shall continue on in the ministries I am involved in and work towards doing things edifying to others as we are instructed to by the Bible.

Thee is nothing good to be accomplished by the continual bashing of one another in these forums.

In Christ,
George

[Jim]

Brother, no need to apologize here, to me anyway.

This is the one time I have had no conviction by the Holy Spirit of calling this catholic blasphemer exactly what he is, a fool.

Jesus was justified.

Quote:12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
12:32
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
12:33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Quote:24:25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Love you brother,

Jim

[Robert Mazar]

Jim,

You are one hundred percent correct that any Catholic who believes and follows all Catholic doctrine without questioning them is a fool. And any Catholic who does not think logically and analytically, does not think for themselves and does not decipher for themselves that there are illogical and unscriptural Catholic doctrines that should be dispensed with and that there are illogical and unscriptural parts to the Mass that should not be participated in and does not decipher for themselves that they should only adhere to the logical and scriptural Catholic doctrines and should only participate in the logical and scriptural parts to the Mass is also a fool. If I was able to think logically and analytically, think for myself and decipher for myself which Catholic doctrines are logical and scriptural and should be adhered to, which Catholic doctrines are illogical and unscriptural and should be dispensed with, which parts of the Mass are illogical and unscriptural and should not be participated in and which parts of the Mass are logical and scriptural and should be participated in only then I expect other Catholics to do the same thing and if they do not then they are either uneducated ignoramases or if they are college graduates then they are being deceived by Satan.

[candlelight]

Having grown up in the RCC, I am very blessed to have been in a "state of confusion." This is one time in my life where I actually give credit to Satan...lol. I didn't know what was going on in the RCC. Sadly, many "fall away" RCC people have too many bad memories of the RCC, and associate any church with the guilt as portrayed by the RCC. I know that is an excuse. We know that people are fearful of God's Word. I try to explain the difference between guilt and conviction to them. I didn't know myself until the IFB church pointed it out to me in scripture... years ago. Guilt simply comes from the enemy...Satan, and conviction (convincing one's soul) comes from God. Until a person is saved they do not understand that. I certainly didn't. Back in my 20's when I made the wrong choices (except the birth of my son :smile...I was just afraid to get caught by man/woman. Thankfully, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit tells me that I need to confess my sins to a righteous and Holy God. That God, being His son, Jesus Christ. God certainly speaks to us when we are not in His perfect Will for our lives. In fact, he has been speaking to me about reading and mediating on my Bible more. This came about from Brother Jim's thread, a friend, and my MIL. Also, I need to keep prayer at the top of my list!

My point. Let's not make guilt a part of our lives. Conviction should most definitely be, though. If we are "trying" to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ...then, He will most certainly show us when we need to be accountable for what we say. We may say things out of anger, when if fact...it is frustration in wanting that person to repent and come to know the Lord as Christ and Savior. A good phrase that I remember is this with regards to my lost RCC family and friends, and other people: "A lost person will never know the burden that a saved person has for their soul, until/if that person gets saved." God has the answers to all of our life situations and problems. He knows our hearts. The KJB says it all!

John 14:16-17...16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. "Promise of the Holy Spirit"

[IM4given]

The reason why Catholics must learn the catechism as small children (I was 6 yrs old when I studied my catechism) is because no sane adult would believe such drivel and tripe. The RCC never tries to convert adults as a general rule, they work for the hearts and minds of children, beginning with infant baptism. That is when brainwashing is the easiest. If they have done a thorough enough job of brainwashing, that RCC child will grow up with a very warped and distorted view of religion and the world in general.

I was very precosious as a child and I asked far too many questions ~ I am forever grateful that I was able to come to the TRUTH in spite of my RCC upbringing. I always consider myself a "rescued Roman Catholic" saved by the Grace of God and striving to Walk in the Spirit.

[candlelight]

This sad reality is, though, that the RCC does convert adults. These adults have grown up with the similar doctrine... or none at all. I know a friend who was raised Episcopalian...and, she truly believes that the RCC is the one "true" church. She tells me that she loves to pray to the saints, and she told me that she particularly loves a book called..."Rome Sweet Rome." I grit my teeth when I talk with her at times. She claimed salvation years ago, told me about grace through faith...and, now this? Her faith clearly lies with the RCC now. It is horrible when a church claims all the glory for themselves and the Pope and gives no credit to the one who deserves it...Jesus Christ. Devout Catholic people also say that the crucifix is a representation of Christ still suffering for the sins of mankind. Now...that sounds selfish to me. He paid it all, already. He said "It is finished" when He gave up the Ghost and hung His head down at the cross of Calvary. Why would the RCC people think that He is suffering still for the sins of mankind...when He has risen? The doctrine is so awful and sends billions to Hell...as we know. As far as me? I was raised in the public schools and attended CCD in the RCC. Now, it is called PSR - Parish School Religion. I have told people that it was "blissful ignorance" that kept me so far away from understanding the RCC. I was very curious, and I could not understand anything that they taught. I simply would take what they said "with a grain of salt." I needed to know the truth as it is told in the KJB.

2 Peter 1:12...Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in present truth. "Peter's Approaching Death"

[Jim]

By all accounts, I must apologize, not for my responses to Jesuit type defenses of the "Holy See" and it's doctrines and beliefs, but for the perception of my character of my true christian brethren.

I am sorry that you have to see this side of me, but I am so against this doctrine, that I can do no other.

Love in Christ,

Jim

[IM4given]

The RCC is all one big LIE. Anyone who has ever been trapped into this cult (and YES I do honestly believe it is a Satanic Cult!) deserves nothing but our prayers and our witness. There is no other way to release and rescue them from the grip of Satan without divine intervention from God and the Holy Spirit. I was born into a Roman Catholic family went through most all the rites and sacraments and rescued from Roman Catholicism - but it took a long time for me to understand what it means to truly be saved by grace, and what it means to be a Christ Following Christian. That would never had happened if someone had not prayed and remained faithful in their prayers!