Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - God Doesn't Taste Good.

 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." ... Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. - [John 6:51, 53-54 NKJV]

 The Roman Catholic Church teaches the context of John chapter 6 is a literal interpretation, thus in John 6:53, Jesus is saying that unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not have eternal life. In other words, giving absolute and unconditional requirements for eternal life and forms the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation -- the miraculous changing of bread and wine into the living Christ: His body, His blood, His soul, and His divinity. When the lifeless wafer is raised and the priest whispers "Hoc corpus meus est", he is calling Jesus down from heaven to become the Eucharist, in which all in the mass will worship and consume.

What Does The Bible Teach?

If this truly were a miracle and that Jesus' body, soul, spirit, and divinity became the Eucharist...then there would be an outward evidence to indicate a miracle had taken place. For instance, when Jesus changed water into wine at the wedding in Cana recorded in John 2 -- the water not only tasted like wine, but had the same consistency, feel, and look as wine. Why? Because it WAS wine. Those who drank of it said it was the best wine (John 2:9-10). It was a noticeable, physical change that was verified by others. Therefore, if the wafer and wine became Christ's body and blood, it would have the same properties and taste as flesh and blood. 

Also, drinking of blood was forbidden in the bible. Mosaic law forbade Jews from drinking blood (Leviticus 17:10-14). If Jesus was teaching that we were to literally eat His flesh and drink His blood, He would be violating God's law and would be worthy of death. Thus His death on the cross would have been justified and Christians would still be unforgiven and under the penalty of sin. 

There were many times in the bible when Jesus spoke of Himself in spiritual, figurative terms. Metaphors if you will -- in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which is not litterally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance.  Just in the gospel of John alone, Jesus declared of Himself that He was: 

1. "The bread of life" (John 6:48). 
2. "The light of the world" (John 8:12). 
3. "The door" (John 10:9). 
4. "The good shepherd" (John 10:11). 
5. "The resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). 
6. "The way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). 
7. "The true vine" (John 15:1). 
8.  Referred to His body as the temple (John 2:19). 

The bible also spoke in metaphors concerning other things: 

1. Jesus said of His disciples, "You are the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13). 
2. David said of the cup of water that his mighty men brought back for him as a gift, was the cup of their blood. (2 Samuel 23:17) He didn't mean that it was literally the cup of their blood, but that they risked their own lives, and their blood, to get it for him. 

Jesus declared in John 6:63 that His words were spiritual. He also informed His disciples that there were many times He spoke figuratively (John 16:25). This was no surprise to the disciples, and was actually confirmation that what they were believing was from God (Matthew 16:17, Matthew 11:25).

Several times in scripture the reading of God's Word is described as eating God's Word.

1. "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every [word] that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
2. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary [food]. (Job 23:12)
3. How sweet are Your words to my taste, [Sweeter] than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)
4. "Your words were found, and I ate them...(Jeremiah 15:16). 
5. as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. (1 Peter 2:2-3)

Communion was done as a remembrance of Jesus. He even said regarding the purpose of communion: 

• "Do this in remembrance of Me," (Luke 22:19). 
• "Do this in remembrance of Me," (1 Corinthians 11:24). 
• "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me," (1 Corinthians 11:25).
• "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes," (1 Corinthians 11:26). 

Therefore, communion was not about salvation, but about remembering Christ and proclaiming His death. 

How Do We Get His Life In Us?

So how do we get the Christ in us, and His life manifested in us? The life in us, the Holy Spirit, is given to us for both as a comforter, helper, and as a down payment, or promise, of the life to come. 

Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - The Worship of Saints

 Earlier this month I was blessed to be accepted as a Staff Writer for Got Questions Ministry. This was a website that I used frequently to get questions answered when I first became a new believer over 17 years ago. The ministry and website was small, but it has grown into an amazing resource for Christians and unbelievers wanting to know more about Christianity, cults, and other religions. As a Staff Writer, I will be answering personal questions; some difficult, and others easy. A ministry I was hoping Honest Answers could have become, and I am ecstatic that I am a part. 

With that said, my latest question I received, Who Is Francis Xavier, even though is an easy question, but difficult on a personal level, and brought me again to the memories of being a Roman Catholic, and one of the many reasons why I left. I knew who he was right away, and am knowledgeable to an extent to carry on a conversation about who he was and what he did over 400 years ago. But it wasn't really his life that disturbed me, but those who "follow" him, and in many ways worship him. 

Watch this short video from CBC Canada Public Broadcast and ask yourself, "Would this be considered worship?" "Would God be pleased with this form of veneration?" 

Roman Catholic idolatry and the worship of saints was one of the main reasons why I left Catholicism. I knew from the moment I understood my sin, is that what I did showing any veneration towards other human beings, alive or deceased, was an abomination of God. 

Some may argue that this is just veneration towards a person's life or body. But according to the Merriam-Webster definition of venerate: to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference. To honor (an icon, a relic, etc.) with a ritual act of devotion -- how is this not idolatry? 

Even according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, idolatry is condemned in paragraph 2113 and 2114:

2113 Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.

2114 Human life finds its unity in the adoration of the one God. the commandment to worship the Lord alone integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is a perversion of man's innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who "transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God."

Paragraph 2112 concerns about venerating other gods and divinities, so it may not exclusively work in this context. 

This is also backed up with the textbook, United Stated Catechism for Adults. On page 347 it reads: 

"Based on our faith in the Incarnation of Christ, we venerate images of Christ, Mary, the angels, and the saints. We do not worship the images themselves, but in venerating the image, we venerate whoever is portrayed -- Jesus Christ, Mary, a saint, or an angel. This in turn can lead us to a deeper contemplation of God himself." 

So here is a dilemma for a Catholic. What if you venerate a body part, or the entire body of a saint himself? While Francis Xavier's arm is touring Canada, the rest of his body is in Goa, India being venerated by Catholics there. This isn't the image of the saint. This is the saint himself! Same for other saints that are incased in glass for the world to see: St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy; St. Robert Bellarmine in Campo Marzio, Rome; and St. Francesca Romana of Rome are just to name a few. These disturbing images of cadaver worship can be seen here.  

I implore you, before it is to late, to repent and run from Catholicism and turn to Christ. Worship Him. Pour your devotion on the only One who is worthy of honor and glory!!!

Some Things In The Works

For the past few weeks I have been wanting to write and blog more on Honest Answers and Iowa Seed Sowers, especially on a more consistent basis. Like anything we want to do for a career or hobby, life always seems to get in the way. I like my part time job [still not telling you what it is] that it gives me some income and allows me to be flexible so that I can pursue my dreams of being a writer and author. It's been good too that I can spend time witnessing and sharing my faith before or after I get home from work.

Why I'm Not Roman Catholic Any More

It was mentioned on Facebook a few times that I should elaborate more on why I left Roman Catholicism. Some of the quotes were:

"You should give examples as to why you left Roman Catholicism."

"What part of the Catechism contradicts the bible? Please be more specific."

 Looking back in the Honest Answers blog, those were some of my most viewed and read posts. Some of you probably wonder why I didn't pursue it more and get into even more detail as to why I left. To be honest it is a hot-button issue with some of my family. Some of my cousins took it as being divisive and attacking Roman Catholicism. In my mind I was just telling a story as to why I came out of it. But I realize now this is important. Since so many people read it, and have asked me to elaborate, I've decided to make an exhaustive list of the reasons I left, and a comparison between the Catechism and the Holy Bible. No matter what, I do maintain that Roman Catholicism is in no way, shape, or form, a denomination of the Christian faith. It is not Christian. But it is really important that I state why. So stay tuned and I hope to have a downloadable copy soon.

Book Writing

The books have been coming around, but writing has been slow. I am really good at coming up with new things to write about, but when it comes to fleshing them out...it takes a lot of time. Especially since I've never done this before. The book on conquering fear has been gaining ground and cutting through the first draft has been good. Conquering apathy book has hit some roadblocks, but with some experience I am gaining lately at my church, and praying through it, those hurdles should be minor.

As a side issue with the book writing, I am in the process of creating an author website in which I would feature my writing, and talk about points in the books. Talking with author friends of mine, they feel this would be a good time to start the process. Not only to let people know of what I am doing, but it would also help me be more accountable to my readers and writing. If this were to happen I would probably transition out of Honest Answers and push all my material to the new site.

Witnessing and Evangelism Events

Ankeny Summerfest in Ankeny, IA has started today so I will be out there after work to share the gospel. I do plan on being off Saturday and Sunday to make the most of my time there. Last weekend at the Des Moines Farmers Market, a friend from church went with me to pray as I shared. It was really eye-opening for her being that people who we were witnessing to prayed for us. It was a good time, and I think she feels the process isn't as painful as it may seem.

The Iowa State Fair will run from August 8 - 18, and I am looking forward to spending time at the Answers In Genesis creation booth in the Varied Industries Building during that time. The Gideon's will also be giving away bibles underneath the grandstand and I will be there as well. Last year there were many "Jehovah's Witnesses" out and about and I would like to engage more of them this year.

Why I'm Not Catholic Anymore - The Pope and the Papacy 1

I could go into all the reasons why I believe that the Pope is not the mediator between God and man, nor is the head of the church...but Christ Himself.  This pretty much sums it up as to why I cannot believe that the Pope is the head of the church, nor me as a Christian. 

http://youtu.be/6C1ec1yu3m4

Why Can't I Just Be A Good Muslim?

One of the most strikingly opposing views that I know the Roman Catholic Church teaches is that you can be a good Muslim and still get to heaven…even though they do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but only a good prophet.  I have to admit, when I shared this with some of my Catholic and ex-Catholic friends, they thought I was crazy. 

For sake of space and time I hyperlinked some of the core beliefs of Islam in the following for those reading this that may not know what Muslims believe, here is a comprehensive list courtesy of CARM.org. In order to be saved in Islam, a person MUST adhere to ALL (not some or even most) the five pillars of Islam which molds their thought, deeds, and society.  

The salvation of millions of Muslims is comprised in this one tiny paragraph in the Roman Catholic Catechism…paragraph 841:

The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

So, what is wrong with this?  Let’s make a list. 

ALLAH IS THIER CREATOR

For the Christian the creator is God the Father, along with Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Does the Muslim acknowledge the creator?  No.  They acknowledge Allah, who is NOT JEHOVAH GOD!!!

God as creator: Gen 1:1; Neh 9:6; Job 26:7; Psalm 102:25; Acts 14:15; Heb 11:3

Jesus as creator: John 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 3:9; Col 1:16; Heb 1:1-2.

Holy Spirit as creator: Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13, 33:4; Psalm 104:30.

MUSLIMS PROFESS THIER FAITH IN MUHAMMAD

Do Muslims profess to hold the faith of Abraham?  No.  What was Abraham’s faith?  It was in Jehovah God.  For the Muslim, thier faith is in Muhammad, thier prophet.  With that being said, do Muslims adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day?  No.  Mankind’s judge on the last day according to the Bible will be Jesus Christ.  Do Muslims adore Jesus Christ?  No. 

Most Muslims and Christians are so opposing in views that they could be considered antonyms in comparison.  But for some reason the Roman Catholic Church has deemed them worthy of salvation.  For a Catholic, salvation is based on three things:  Praying to Mary, finishing all the sacrements, and doing good works.  Why then can a Muslim, who does not do any of these things get to go to heaven is beyond me.  It does not make sense.  I dove a little deeper into this claim and found some interesting things.  Some things that Muslims have in common with Catholics is thier belief in Mary, Pilgramages, doing good works to earn salvation, and world dominion.  

Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - How Much Is Enough?

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop ^TM?  The wise old owl says, “The world will never know.”  The same is true when it comes to getting a Catholic out of Purgatory.  This was one of the most unsettling questions I had as a Catholic.    According to the two volume set, Catholicism, Volume II page 1143, “There is for all practical purposes, no biblical basis for the doctrine of purgatory.” (McBrien, 1143).  So why even believe in it?  What purpose does it serve and are millions of Catholics being deceived in to thinking that it exists on the basis of scripture. 

According to Webster’s Dictionary, purgatory is a supposed place or state after death, in which the souls of persons are purified, or in which they expiate such offenses committed in this life, as do not merit eternal damnation. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are supposed to be received into heaven.  The Roman Catholic Catechism explains purgatory in paragraphs 1030-1032 and 1472 as follows: 

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them. ( St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 41,5:PG 61,361; cf. Job 1:5.)

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

After reading these paragraphs from the Roman Catholic Catechism, what questions come to mind?  Several questions that I asked myself, and my Priest was, “How much time do I have to knock off in Purgatory, how much sin do I have to atone for, and how much do I have to do to make that happen since it is me that has to do that?”  To further your thinking, ponder this.  An 80 year old man dies and goes to purgatory.  In order for him to get out he has to rely on his living loved ones to bail him out.  Since they don’t know how much, they would have to move rather quickly and put forth all efforts to get him out of jail into the freedom of heaven.  The ages of his family ranges from his nephew of 5 to his wife of 75.  If they die the same time as him, they have between 5 and 75 years at best to get this done (being his nephew remembers him through the years and his wife doesn’t fall to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia).  If they don’t, who would go before him by way of indulgences or prayer to rescue him if in fact they never knew him to begin with?  If it didn’t take him 75 years to accomplish this feat, the chances of the rest of his family finishing the task for him are slim.  And he is just one person.  What about the rest of his catholic family?   

So what is done to get a person out of purgatory…having masses said in the deceased name, prayer, and indulgences (RCC - 1032).  According to the United States Catechism for Adults, it states,

“The Church assists those in Purgatory through prayer and especially Eucharist in their final process of purification.  Offering Masses for the deceased is a most powerful way of aiding them.  November 2 of each year, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), is a day for special remembrance and prayer for the dead.” (154). 

Of course we are still found wanting as to how much.  How many Masses, prayers, indulgences does it take to get a Catholic out of Purgatory. 

What is puzzling to me is that according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, justification comes to us by baptism and faith in Jesus Christ. 

1990 Justification detaches man from sin which contradicts the love of God, and purifies his heart of sin. Justification follows upon God's merciful initiative of offering forgiveness. It frees from the enslavement to sin, and it heals. It reconciles man with God.

1991 Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness (or "justice") here means the rectitude of divine love. With justification, faith, hope, and charity are poured into our hearts, and obedience to the divine will is granted us.

1992 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life.

So according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, since Catholics are justified by baptism and faith in Jesus Christ for the cleansing of sin, why then is Purgatory ever mentioned if there is no need for it.  Want my opinion…save your money and be justified by God’s grace and mercy. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Though the bible doesn’t speak about purgatory, we can gain some insight into who, and where believers and unbelievers go in eternity.

Romans 3:24-26 KJV: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  (26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Romans 5:9 KJV:  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:1-2 KJV:  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

John 14:6 KJV:  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV:  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

John 5:24 KJV:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 These are only a few of the verses that speak of justification, but I challenge every Catholic out there to read their bibles and see for themselves what it says about justification, hell, heaven, who goes there, and how.  Don’t take my word for it, but seek for yourself what it says.  Ask the priest of your local parish as to how many indulgences, masses, and prayers get people out of purgatory.  Challenge them to answer the questions and don’t give up until you have the answers you are looking for.  I did the same ten years ago and am very happy I did.  I now have assurance of my salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ only, and not on any works that I can do.

Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - Somthing About Mary

This is a continuation of my blog series, “Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore”.  One thing that I never quite figured out is that thing about Mary.  After I became a Christian I was attending a mass for my goddaughter who was making her first communion and saw something startling.  As I looked ahead at the front of the church I saw Jesus hanging on the cross.  To the left, there was a statue of Joseph, and on the right, a statue of Mary.  I noticed there were flowers at the mass.  There were WAY more flowers in front of Mary than there are Jesus and Joseph COMBINED.  When I showed this to my goddaughters father all he could say was, “That’s fu@#ed up!”  Why is that?  Let’s have a look. 

Mary Is Worshipped

According to the Roman Catholic Catechism, the church gives special devotion to Mary and is part of their worship. 

“All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship. The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary – CCC 971

So according to the Catholic Church, we are to pray to Mary, and have feasts and holy days to honor her.  Also let’s list some of the titles that the Catechism calls Mary and tell me if they don’t seem like worship to you. Advocate bennefactrix, helper, mediatrix (CCC 969); The New Eve, Mother of the church (CCC 975); Mother of God, Seat of Wisdom (CCC 721); Mother of the members of Christ (CCC 963); and Queen over all things (CCC 966). 

Devotion according to Websters Dictionary, means:

1. The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.

2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.

3. External worship; acts of religion; performance of religious duties.

As I passed by and beheld your devotions. Acts 17.

4. Prayer to the Supreme Being. A Christian will be regular in his morning and evening devotions.

5. An act of reverence, respect or ceremony.

6. Ardent love or affection; attachment manifested by constant attention; as, the duke was distinguished by his devotion to the king, and to the interest of the nation.

7. Earnestness; ardor; eagerness.

8. Disposal; power of disposing of; state of dependence.

The bible states in Mary’s own words, that she was in need of a savior, and realized she was a sinner in the eyes of God.   The power was not in herself, but in her God. 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

(Luke 1:46-49 KJV)

People will call her blessed, not worshipped.  The Greek word here for blessed is makarizo which means fortunate, happy.  In this sense I can honestly say that she was blessed.  The Holy Bible never says to honor a person, let alone Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

Pope John Paul II was known for his fascination of Mary, and has dedicated his entire life to her.  The large M on his crest was for Mary.  He said that she was the one that saved him in the first attempt to take his life, and many times we see pictures of him worshipping her graven image.  This is not simple honor, but pagan worship. 

Mary As Co-Redemptress

Let’s say that you have cancer.  A brain tumor and you need to get it out.  You call the hospital, and they patch you through to the Oncology department.  They go to set up an appointment with one of the doctors, when you tell them that you want to speak with his or her mother.  Why would you need to speak with his mother?  What can she do, that the doctor can’t do himself?  It sounds strange if you put it that way, but then again, this is essentially what the Roman Catholic Church teaches.  That Mary helps Jesus save souls. 

The RCC says that Mary is co-mediatrix, which salvation is made through Christ and Mary. 

"This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." – CCC 969

So how does this work?  According to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Catholics pray to Mary for her to pray for them.  It also says that from earliest times Christians have sought for her help, but it does not say when this started.  If it started from earliest times, this practice would be consistent with the first century church and mentioned in the gospels and, or epistles of the New Testament.  But it is not mentioned anywhere in scripture. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16 KJV)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6 KJV)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(Acts 4:12 KJV)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

 There is no salvation in anyone else but Jesus Christ.  Not Mary, the Pope, Saints, nor anyone else holds that title but Jesus Christ.  Praise God we don’t have to look for salvation in anyone else, nor look to anyone else to come close to the throne room of God.  Just in the work that was already done on the cross.

The Bodily Ascension Of Mary Did Not Happen

In November of 1950, Pope Pius XII declared what is called “The Assumption of Mary”.  It was the idea that Mary did not die, but was taken up to heaven bodily and is alive and well as Jesus is.  If you look in the previous section in CCC 969 it says Mary was, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation”.  In the award winning volume set, Catholicism, by Catholic Theologian Richard P. McBrian, he indicates that the event never took place, and that it was just an idea that had caught on and believed in the church. 

“From the beginning of the sixth century various churches celebrated Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven.  The belief originated not from biblical evidence, nor even patristic testimony, but as the conclusion of a so-called argument from convenience or fittingness.  It was “fitting” that Jesus should have rescued his mother from the corruption of the flesh, and so he “must have” taken her bodily into heaven.” (McBrien, Vol II, 873) 

And he is right.  Nowhere in scripture does it mention the bodily ascension of Mary, the mother of Jesus.   Before Jesus died on the cross he told the apostle John to take care of His mother. 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

(John 19:25-27 KJV)

Here John would have been around 18 years old, the youngest of all the apostles and outlived them all.  He wrote the Gospel of John, the Epistles of john (I, II, and III), and also the book of Revelation which wasn’t written until 70 years after the crucifixion.  If anyone would have known about the bodily assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus, John would have written about such a glorious event.  But he didn’t.  Not only that but if Jesus were planning on taking His mother back to heaven, why take the trouble of giving her to John to take care of especially if Jesus had other brothers to do so.  Not only does scripture not record the event, nor anywhere else in any historical record, but it just doesn’t make sense. 

Mary’s Prayers Don't Deliver Souls

It is also here in CCC 966 that her prayers deliver souls.

"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. – CCC 966

The Holy Bible says exactly the opposite, those prayers to the dead, or anyone else but God, is not biblical, and an abomination.

Conclusion

So why all the fuss and emphasis about Mary?  I honestly can’t tell you.  I have no idea.  All I know is that  I knew when I was faced with the decision to continue being Catholic, or becoming a bible believing Christian, that the issue of Mary, and the worship and devotion that I have given her over the years would come into play.  Though I simpithise with those who are Catholic and maybe looking at the idea of Mary for the first time may be a bit hard to swallow.  My prayer is that you would seek yourselves.  Look at your bible, and your Catholic Catechism and search them diligently.  Eternity is a long time to be wrong. 

Stay tuned for the next segment, “Why Can’t I Just Be a Good Muslim?”.

Why I Am Not Roman Catholic...Anymore (Intro)

One of the purposes of this blog is to show that you should always test the things that you believe. When I go to the streets witnessing, I find more often people are a certain belief because that’s what their parents are, or how they are raised. I may ask, “Why do you believe this?” and they will say, “Well that’s what my parents are.” To which I reply, “I asked you what YOU believed…not your parents.” I hate to say this…but I stopped putting faith in other people a long time ago. The fact is that when you die you will face God on judgment day ALONE, so you best be finding this stuff out on your own to make the best choice.


For the blog series, why did I pick Roman Catholicism? Well, I used to be a Roman Catholic, and what better religion to start with than my previous one. There are a lot of religions out there, but I don’t know any one better than Roman Catholicism. I lived it. I was an Acolyte (Altar Boy) for 9 years, I wanted to be a Eucharistic Minister (which I was turned down), become a priest, and then ultimately become the first American Pope (to which was a long shot…but I could dream). Some childhood friends called me Father Frank, and when I was a boy I used to hold mass for my sisters stuffed animals. I loved being Catholic. I went on retreats, daytrips as an Alter Boy, got paid for serving weddings and funerals, it was great. But as I got older, I was found wanting. I was discontent, and really didn’t know much if not any of the bible. I started asking priests questions and I got multiple answers. In time, found that the Catholic Church couldn’t give me what I longed for…no matter how good the intentions were.

I am not here to bash Catholics. Not in any way. Now I must say I love Roman Catholics. They are some of the most devout, committed, spiritual people I know. In fact on the front line of fighting abortion…I have to say that Roman Catholics take the cake. This blog isn’t about so much against the individual in the pew. It’s against the system that leaves those in the pew guessing, wondering, and ultimately lost. I hope they read this, but it’s to show that their belief system falls way short. In the next few blogs I will uncover some of the things that I believed, in comparison to the bible, and also uncover some of the things that you may find shocking that you never knew about Roman Catholicism. But I ask that you please keep an open mind, and email me here.

If you have any questions, want to correct me, or just yell at me and call me nasty stuff. It’s cool. If you have a problem…I ask that you email me, and we can discuss it as adults privately.

My Sources

I wanted to things the right way, and not just write something from hearsay and then say it’s from the Catholic Church. The sources for Roman Catholicism I will be using is the the Official Roman Catholic Catechism, Vatican II, as my primary Catholic source. It is stamped with the official insignia of Pope John Paul II,
and is written by Joseph A. Ratzinger, who is Pope Benedict XVI, the current Pope today. A fine standard of Roman Catholic doctrine…wouldn’t you agree. If you do not have a copy of the Catechism, you can find this online from the official Vatican website.
Other sources may be used as I see fit as I will be dealing with historical evidences, and such, but will be sited so you can look at them for yourself.

The sources for protestant Christianity I will be using is the Authorized Holy Bible King James Version. It is regarded by all Christian churches and denominations as the primary source of faith and doctrine. Other sources will be added when needed, but primarily, these will be used most. If you don’t own a bible, you can find one online at either here or here.

Closing

I understand that many will be upset with me over this. The reality is you are not mad at me, you are mad at what the Roman Catholic Church has said in their own writings, and what the Holy Bible says. Have you ever wondered what makes different religions different? I agree with some things that the Catholic Church teaches. I believe that abortion is wrong, that a baby is human from conception, and that God is made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Trinity). But it’s in the differences that make us different. In the end…one has to win. As you will see…you cannot believe both.

Still not convinced? Answer to yourself these questions:

1. Do you own a bible? If you do, when was the last time you read it, and what did you read?

2. When was the last time you were taught the bible in a Catholic Church? Are you taught the bible every week? If you were…name the chapters and verses.

3. When you went to mass last week…what did you learn?

4. What is the point of standing, sitting, and kneeling in different parts of the mass?

5. Where do you find the word “Catholic” in the bible?

6. Where do you find the word “Purgatory” in the bible?

7. Are you born again?

I’m not here to ruffle feathers over this issue. I just want you to know the reasons why I became a Christian, and left Roman Catholicism. To answer some of the questions that I have had over the years, and that you would know some of what your religion believes. Isn’t it important to examine what your religion teaches and believes? I think so, and so should you.