From: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
Newsgroups: soc.couples
Subject: Re: Religious Dilemma
Date: 12 Dec 1992 02:21:36 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ce293@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Gail E. Brookhart)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, mlee@post.RoyalRoads.ca (Malcolm Lee) says:

>
>The soc.religion is probably more appropriate for this discussion, but I'll give
>you an answer to some of your questions from my viewpoint.  I'm a Protestant,
>Pentecostal to be specific and I know a little bit of what they preach in
>Catholicism.  In my experience, I've encountered people who say they are Catholics
>but not 'practicing' Catholics which translated means that as babies they were
>baptized by a priest but have grown up not believing that CHRIST is LORD.  I am
>in no way degrading those who are Catholics who are fervently seeking to do God's
>will.  As Protestants, we view things a little differently.
>   To answer some of your questions:
>   1 > How can my daughter be born with sin?
>       Well, everyone is born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam.  Sooner
>       or later, we all succumb to it and must be forgiven of our sins through
>       repentance.
> 
>   2 > If one believes that Christ died for all sins . . . why is original sin
>       excluded?
>       True, Christ did die for ALL of ours.  It is for us to recognize the fact
>       that we are sinners and need His saving grace to be forgiven.  There is no
>       other way.
> 
>   3 > Why do I need someone to approach God on my behalf?
>       This is strictly a Catholic view in that normal people like you and me
>       are not worthy to approach God.  I don't agree with it but, hey, that's
>       why I'm Protestant.  I believe God hears all, sees all and knows all.
>   
>   4 > Is the Bible perfect in that it's God's word?
>       I believe so.  In Revelations, God makes it very clear the punishment that
>       befall anyone who would alter His words as written in the Bible and so,
>       therefor, I would conclude that the Bible is His word.
> 
>   5 > Should women be pastors?
>       The fact that all of the Twelve were men is used as an arguement against
>       this but I, myself, have no problem with women pastors.  Our church has
>       women speakers every now and then with no ill-effects.
> 
>   6 > Should clergy be allowed to marry?
>       We let our pastors marry and have kids, why not the clergy?  I think it
>       might have to do with what Paul wrote in Corinthians that says that it is
>       better to be single in order to be able to devote all of one's energies to
>       serving God.  A married person has other concerns to do with their spouse
>       and would otherwise be distracted from doing God's work.  Not necessarily
>       true since our Assoc Pastor is married, has two kids, attends university
>       and still manages to preach on Sundays.  And yes, he is still very 
>       effective.
> 
>   7 > Could a loving God deny an infant entry into heaven b/c he isn't baptized?
>       Baptism means something different to Catholics than it does to Protestants.
>       For Catholics, it is a ritual performed on an infant.  In a sense, it is
>       supposed to be a dedication to God.  For Pentecostals, baptism is a 
>       public declaration of new-found faith in Christ Jesus once that person has
>       made the conscious choice to accept Him.  A baby who dies at birth goes to
>       Heaven by God's saving grace.  You may question this logic but you must
>       remember that Heaven is, by far, a better place than Earth.  Better to 
>       live an eternity with God than have to go through the trials of mortal
>       existence.
>  
>   8 > When do you distinguish between a rite and a ritual?
>       I don't understand the question.
>  
>   9 > Fasting, why are dietary restrictions necessary?
>       Most of the dietary restrictions were outlined in the OT back when the
>       Israelite nation was roaming through the desert.  When living the nomadic
>       life, there were certain practices that had to be upheld.  That is why
>       there is so much discussion about cleanliness and uncleanliness.
>  
>  10 > Should communion be open to all who believe in Christ, regardless of
>       denomination?
>       I believe so.  Communion is not something to be taken lightly and it is
>       something that all believing Christians should share in.  It is a renewing
>       of that convenant Christ has made with us.
> 
>I hope this provided you with some of the answers you might have been looking for.
>I also apologize to the other netters in this board for this long post but here 
>it is for what it's worth.
>

Gotta but in here.  I was raised Catholic and this is not going
to help anyone understand Catholicism.

My advice to anyone who wants to understand the Catholic faith is
to consult with a priest.  There are many priests who will
provide answers to questions and are quite open about the whole
concept of multiple faiths being equally valid.  (This is to 
squash ideas that Catholics are critical and dogmatic.)

Second, this is a religious question and has a better place on 
religion newsgroups.  There is really no problem with your
relationship, it sounds like a problem with religion.

Sorry to call it like I see it.  If you feel the need to 
flame me, please address them to me in email.

Gail Brookhart
ce293@cleveland.freenet.edu

Newsgroups: soc.couples