Christianity - accepting 'all' (Jesus, priest, reject, homosexuality, doctrine)

[Melody]

Originally Posted by michel

I have, in the past (perhaps naively) assumed that Christians follow the dictates of the Pope; that there is no room for differences. That, if you commit yourself to a credo, you cannot 'pick & choose' what seems palatable to you, and yet have ideas that are not in accord with those of the Church of which you are a part.

How do the Christians on the forum 'cope' with this ? - if indeed you do find some parts of your Religion which you think are ones that you feel strongly about, that you cannot accept?

Michel,
That's why I don't follow a "religion".

My aunt has not attended church since she graduated from high school (catholic) and yet had her children baptized, attend catechism classes, take communion and confirmation. When I asked why, if she doesn't believe in what the church teaches, she said she accepted some but not all. She just picks and chooses. I don't understand either.

[Terrywoodenpic]

For me there are three Types of truth in Christianity.
the teachings of Christ. These I believe
The teachings of Paul and the apostles. These in the case of Paul were not directly received from the mouth of Christ. But all the apostles had to teach a wide range of people coming from differing beliefs, so they had to temper their words to be understood and believed.
It is these later teaching that I sometime have difficulty with.
There is a third set of teachings that have grown through legitimate agreement by the churches leaders. These I can find the most difficult of all.
I try to believe all the teachings that have come down to us. but if I have a problem in groups two or three I can live with my own faith.

Terry
_______________________________
Blessed are the merciful, mercy shall be shown unto them.

[Uncertaindrummer]

theres this one point where all these catholics start singing to them and give one of them a bible - these people cannt read english so they look at the pictures (this bible has pictures ) and they just so happend to be looking at one of the gospels about the death and ressurection of christ - that is all they understood and i was sat there thinking - thats all you reall need to understand - that is the fundamental part of our faith - the fact that christ died for us and our sins and yet still came back

You will get no argument from me there. In fact, Catholics tend to be much more tolerant of other Christian groups than many. For instance, Fundamentalists think we are all damned because we don't believe EXACTLY what they blieve even though we hold that Christ is God and died for our sins. I believe ANYONE who holds that Christ is God and died for our sins on the cross, and who truly attempts to do His will is a Christian--but I will still attempt explain and defend the Catholic Faith agaisnt those with questions or misconceptions about it.

[michel]

Thanks for your input guys; I am obviously not alone in this.........

I have always felt a hypocrite by picking and choosing, somehow I find that is 'cheating' . I am much in the same position as you Terrywoodenpic, and, Melody, I understand perfectly where you come from....... I suppose, until I manage to understand the latter teachings, I will have to call myself a 'Christian' - as in 'A follower of Christ' - which I certainly am, and always have been, to some extent.

Thank you for your help.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Uncertaindrummer

You will get no argument from me there. In fact, Catholics tend to be much more tolerant of other Christian groups than many. For instance, Fundamentalists think we are all damned because we don't believe EXACTLY what they blieve even though we hold that Christ is God and died for our sins. I believe ANYONE who holds that Christ is God and died for our sins on the cross, and who truly attempts to do His will is a Christian--but I will still attempt explain and defend the Catholic Faith agaisnt those with questions or misconceptions about it.

sometimes in debates or discussions its easy to forget that we all believe in the same fundamental event and significance of christ's life on earth

-yes people argue over doctrine and scripture - is homosexuality wright or wrong? - debatable
-are there seven sacraments - are there only two - are there any?
-is the eucharist consubstanciation, transubstanciation - or just symbolic and an act of rememberance?

all of these are debatable both between denominations of churchs and within the members of each denomination - but we all believe in christ - and that is the context i use sola fide in - that we are all justified in our faith in christ on a fundamental level - that is teh common ground that is unifying of all of christs church - but of course our sins get in the way of our relationship with christ and so we are not worthy of his mercy.

sorry everyone this turned into a little mini essay on christianity and probably not all that helpful to michel who started this thread lol

but anyway
God Bless you and Keep you

amen