Since the Pope speaks for God, how can God change his mind.  To be a heretic means to be against God and a Saint means absolutely this person is in heaven.
129290
I agree that the Pope cannot speak for God. The Catholic church has changed it's mind on many things in the past- look it up- and while you're at it, look up the story about Darwin's deathbed. Thanks!
13723
A lack of faith. The feeling that they have time to decide. Not wanting to change their lives. Deception of false beliefs. The thinking that they really can't be that bad--that God will accept them with their sin( Sin is sin to God. it doesnt matter what it is). That they can do it themselves. rebellion against God. A hardened heart against the truth of God's Word. Thinking that it really can't be that simple.  The freedom of choice that God freely gave to all man. Peer pressure to think that this is foolish. These are some of the reasons that I can think of that people reject Jesus as the way.  It is so sad that so many people think this way. Because the punishment for our sins is death. Nothing we can do will ever be good enough to appease the wrath of a Holy and sinless God. Thankfully He is loving, merciful and gracious, and allowed a way out and that is through the gift of His Precious son in our place. Then it is up to the individual to believe this and accept this wonderful gift.
392198
I agree to some of your points. Jesus taught that everyone is equal, hence the lesson he taught his disciples when he washed there feet, so why is the pope treated so special? He should be treated on the same level as everyone else.
118735
I went back and answered both of your questions.  I hope that helps.\n\nBut understand this, the arguments and thinking of men are not to turn you to God, they are to cause you to open your heart and mind and turn yourself toward God.  Only you can make that choice, not only for today but for eternity.
510010
There are some interesting verses in the bible.  God says these things:  "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will harden the hearts of those also whom I choose".  God also likens Himself to a potter, and we are the clay.  He speaks of how He, as God...has the right to choose what to do with that clay.  I don't know why certain people are found of God and certain others are not.  But there is one thing I believe with all my heart:  that God is perfectly just, righteous and holy.  So I do not give up my faith in Him for those things I do not understand.
376496
as a catholic seriously confused with his religion and life...i would not worship God if there was no heaven. the reason i wouldnt worship Him is because if there is no heaven he doesnt exist. everything that i was FORCED FED as a child would end up being the biggest pile of $hit ever read and believed.
403113
The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times.\n\nThe Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as true.\n\nThis comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops),  "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).\n\nAt all other times the Pope can be just as sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness.\n\nCatholics have always believed the Pope was infallible in these closely defined times. They just did not get around to actually writing down that belief as doctrine since relatively recently.\n\nWith love in Christ.
607663
Who could possibly believe in a God who would condemn the unknowing to eternal damnation because they never had a chance to serve him?  That's not my definition of a God.  That's a dictator.  That's a madman.  Nope, the Christian God is a loving God who would take into account a person's background.  All those unknowings are safe for eternity.
459502
I was born as a catholic christian.  It comes a time that I personally asked God and it is also the time that I am losing belief in God and siding to belief that God was only a figurative thing.  Until, I was fed up one day with my problems and I raised my head and uttered to God that He is not real, to my surprise He answered and shown me a vision up to this time I can vividly recall.  His voice is the one described by the prophets, gentle, forgiving and powerful.
101405
Others have done well describing blasphemy as: speaking against God (either His character or works), and/or acting in a way that contradicts God's character while claiming to represent God.\nTo answer the other half of your question, people often refer to any belief that they disagree with as blasphemy, but just because something is called blasphemy does not make it so.\nJesus was called a blasphemer by the religious 'authorities' of the time, yet He was not.\nAs for religious beliefs that are not true, heresy is a better word to use than blasphemy, even though heresies are blasphemous. So, while it is not totally inappropriate to use the term 'blasphemy', it is not the best choice of words possible in most situations.\nPeople often use words that they do not know the precise meanings of, so they are often misused, especially in regards to spiritual/religious teminology.
282159
Yes I like this... it just sounds more...TRUE somehow. Nobody who currently professes to be a Christian is truly Christ like...we all have our own prejudices, phobias, hatreds.... SINS. We can only aspire to be like Him and therefore Christianism fits the circumstance better. You should call the Pope or something.
674248
He is said to have a direct line, so to speak, with God.\n(I am not Catholic, but was raised as one.)
284799
My guess is that the saying evolved from the expression "Holy Lord!" or "Holy God!".  Over time, language has become more coarse and somebody felt like tossing in the ol' S-word instead of "God" and it stuck.
599177
God chose us to be a holy people (separate, apart).  His people would not do certain things other peoples do.  \nHis people would not worship any other God.\nHis people could continue to make sacrifices like other peoples, but NEVER a human sacrifice.\nHis people would not murder.\nHis people would not judge without written laws that apply to all -- including the leaders -- and appointed judges to determine guilt.\n\nand so it goes on and on for 613 laws.\n\nIn other words His people were, and still are, the dissenting voice when the majority has gone awry.  Where was the dissenting voice during the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust?  \n\nWhy would anyone want to be God's holy (separate/apart) people?
75550
God IS Love! But as a whole, mankind has rejected God( and His love). \n\nGod DOES NOT send people to hell. He's not willing for ANY to perish. He's simply waiting for you to ask. Is that really so hard!
514423
No idea whatsover. Good point! The key word there is PROTEST. \nCatholic means universal. The Church is spread throughout the entire world and is UNITED.\nProtestant means protest.\nProtestants all claim to use the Bible alone, yet they all teach radically different things.\n\nSomehow, I don't think this is what Jesus wanted when he prayed for us to be ONE.
250624
Heaven and Hell are imaginary as described by Popes!  dont believe in them.  Believe in the heaven you can make on this earth by your good work.\n\nHelping Moother Nature in her manifestation, with love kindness and justice, is the only virtue rest is sin