Are sins really forgiven when you confess them to your priest?  And do you worship the virgin Mary?  I just like to learn about others religions from an honest point of view. Thanks.
136079
you don't worship as a catholic...you "pray to" and "honor Mary, the mother of God"..............
386237
It is a matter of God. If you choose to confess to a priest or other religious leader they can/should/will tell you that you are forgiven because scripture says God forgives all who confess and repent but it is God that forgives not the religious leader.
618758
Yes. That is correct. For those who say they only pray for Mary's intersession, Jesus Christ is the only one true intercessor. Mary can do nothing for you. I would like someone to show me in the Bible where they get this from. This is a product of man not God. Someone told someone to start praying to Mary so they did. That is just like worshiping another God. Why don't catholics read the Bible and not just take the word of a human, a priest.
129136
Ok I have been reading these catholic questions for the past few days. Funny ppl who are not catholic seem to know everything on the faith. I am a catholic , no I don't know everything about my faith. Think about it . It's over 2000 yrs old. To answer your question. Yes we are CHRISTAINS. We belive GOD comes first before anyone else. We DO NOT worship mary or the saints. We DO Not pray to statues.We DO NOT worship the POPE either. He is the churchs leader. You know how others faiths have rev,minsters etc.  \n\n  Yes we have had some bad popes, priest etc. But if you research it theres other faiths out there that have had some rather questionable leaders. \n\n  Also I have never heard any priest, decon in the catholic church say that ppl from other faiths are going to hell. My own personal opionon is this, you must belive in Jesus Christ that he is our savior and died on the cross. Do your best during your life time to be a good person and follow the 10 commandments. ( if you break them then ask for forgivness ) and do good works charitys, helping those who have less then you and so on. \n\n  I'm not saying the Catholic church is perfect. But really think about it what faith is? We are all human beings. We are NOT perfect. \n\n  So before anyone feels the need to pass judgement on the catholic church . Remember we are not here to judge one another thats GODS job. Before anyone pass's judgement on the catholic faith. Take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself  am i perfect? , is my church perfect? Do sin against God ? \n\n Sorry not trying to come off nasty or mean. Just makes me ill when i see so many pass judgememt on something the really have no clue about. \n\n  God Bless ......
520858
because the catholic religion is all about tradition. \nand nobody in leadership has bothered to look at what the bible says, instead, they go by the ritualistic traditions which are actually un-biblical.\n\nconfessing to a priest will do nothing for you, coz God says to confess to Him. \nthey sometimes use the excuse of the scripture that says "confess your sins one to another".. but if you read that passage, you will realise its talking about discussing your sins honestly with others in order to be accountable to someone to change. but its only God that we get forgiveness from.\n\nas far as Mary goes? again, they dont read the bible where it says that you are only to pray to the Father in heaven in Jesus name. they also obviously missed the spot where it forbids you to talk to the dead. mary is dead. she was awesome, but she is dead at the moment, in heaven and unable to hear them. it says nowhere that she and only a selected special few are saints. we are all saints when we are saved into Christ Jesus. thats what God calls us, saints.\n\nif any catholics dont believe me, take a look at all of the epistles, alot of them start with "to the saints of (insert place like ephesus or corinth here)". He addresses the people of the church, as saints. so unless that church is full of corpses of great men and women of God... He is writing to alive people. \n\n"My people perish from lack of knowledge".\n\nits just a lack of knowledge of what the bible says..so, what God says.\n\nits sad :-(
289430
Catholics are Christians through and through--in the very fullest sense.  \n\nPeople like to give (and make up) all kinds of reasons why Catholics are not Christians, but the one thing that truly sets Catholics apart most is the Eucharist.  Together with members of the Orthodox Church (the Catholic Church's "Sister" Church), Catholics are the only people who receive the Real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Lord Jesus.  You don't get any more Christian than that!\n\nReceiving the Eucharist literally transforms us spiritually into true sons and daughters of God.  That was the entire purpose of Jesus's Incarnation--He died so that we could be true children of God again.\n\nThat said, in order to receive the Eucharist, we must be in a state of grace (proper disposition, no mortal sins on our souls).  Unlike many Protestants, who think their salvation is guaranteed just by saying they believe in Jesus (regardless of their sins), Catholics care a great deal about making ourselves as worthy as possible, and we often go to great lengths.  This is because we know we are truly, completely, receiving Lord Jesus into ourselves through the Eucharist.  You wouldn't want to invite a guest into a messy house--we *definitely* don't want to do that to Lord Jesus!\n\nIt's no surprise that lots of Christians don't understand Catholicism--there is so much to learn, and not everyone likes to learn.  But no argument against Catholicism can stand up to Scripture or any other element of Sacred Tradition.  After all, the Bible is a Catholic Book (despite some Protestants thinking that the King James Version just fell out of the sky one day).  Protestants claim that Catholic Sacred Tradition "adds" to the Bible, but the fact is that the Bible IS Catholic Sacred Tradition.  \n\nFinally, I'd like to address Catholics' veneration of Mary--which Protestants claim to mean that we worship Mary (and therefore, we are not Christians).  Veneration does not mean worship--it means honor.  As a good Jewish man, Jesus honored His parents (both Mary and St. Joseph).  Before His death, Jesus told St. John to regard Mary as his mother--which meant that Jesus was asking St. John to honor her as well.  So... who are we not to honor her?  Are we above Jesus and St. John?  Venerating Mary is one more way in which Catholics show obedience to Lord Jesus.  It should also be noted that at least some of the earliest Protestants (such as Luther) also venerated Mary and believed in her perpetual virginity.
161641
Facts ... I believe in "God". I am not able to accept the Christian version of monotheism. I consider it illogical and it makes no sense to me. I do not lie awake at night not believing. The Bible is not perfect. It has been mistranslated by numerous translators in various translations. Christianity is not the worlds longest running religion. There was Judaism and Hinduism and several others prior to 2000 years ago that are still alive and well. You asked for facts. Those are facts. I'm not Christian. That doesn't bother me. You are Christian. That doesn't bother me either. Instead of worrying about others and their relationship with "God" or their lack of same maybe there's something else you need to be looking at? Just a thought. And that's a fact. :-)
93953
Dear Ryefleit, This is an honest question with an honest answer. The Bible makes clear that there is a heaven and Hell. The Bible say's God is a Judge who will sit on his throne and judge our sins. he has revealed this fact to us through his Holy word. How will you do on Judgement day?\n \nLet me ask you a few questions.................\n\nHave you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we’ve only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven. \nHe sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. \nYour own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could.  Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name, so pray something like this: "Dear God, I repent of all of my sins (confess them). This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."
487980
In the Catholic faith, we believe forgiveness is offered only if certain things are preseent. ( And FYI, confession to a priest is only necessary for mortal sins, not venial sins.)  God alone does the forgiving, not the priest.  The sinner must acknowledge that what he has done is truly a sin, and that it was done out of free will.  He must plan to try to not do it again.  He must be truly sorry .  He must be willing to make up for his sin in some way.  The priest, after hearing the confessor, is in a position (through the power of the Holy Spirit) to express what God has offered, forgivess.  Of course, if the confessor is lying, and doesnt have true remorse, or immediately goes out to sin again, then obviously God sees the reality of it all and forgivess was not present.  Jesus understood human nature perfectly when he instituted this sacrament: we have a need to talk to someone when we are feeling anxious, upset, and guilty.  A trained person who can listen and offer comfort and help us work through our sinfull desires, and then assure us, only after he himself is sure, that our loving and forgiving Father has welcomed us back with open arms.
455156
Well of course, you are only forgiven if you are truly sorry and repent.  If you are not truly sorry for your sin (s) then you are not forgiven for them.
493397
Dear Bill, I would Like to explain why a person goes to hell and Howwe can escape the consequences of hell. I would like to ask you a few questions.............\n\nHave you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we’ve only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven. \nHe sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. \nYour own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could.  Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name, and if you will repent (turn from sin) and place your faith and trust in jesus, God will forgive you of your sins and grant you eternal life. A person dosent go to Hell because they are foolish, but raher because they have trasgressed the Law. Please, turn from sin and trust in the savior today.\nGod Bless\nWDJD
300365
I am Protestant, but I prefer to just think of myself as Christian - there are many denominations of Protestants that I do not agree with. I don't think that all Catholics are going to hell, and I can't say that all Catholics think I'm going to hell. \n\nIt's difficult to classify Catholics vs. Protestants today, owing to the fact that there are so many Protestant denominations with so many different doctrines and practices. I can therefore only offer the difference between myself and the Catholics (Roman) as I knew them at the school I went to. \n\nCatholics pray to Mary and the saints, I do not. \n\nCatholics christen infants (some Protestants do this too), I don't think that a person should be baptized until they are saved.\n\nCatholics have celibate priests and nuns, I find no basis for that. \n\nCatholics confess to priests/fathers, I do not believe I have to confess to anyone but God in order to be forgiven.\n\nCatholics believe in mortal sins and other kinds of sin (in other words, they "rank" sin), I do not believe that God ranks sin. I believe that they affect us differently on earth, but that the wages of all sin is death.\n\nCatholics have texts such as the Maccabbees that I do not follow. \n\nCatholics believe that the communion wine and bread really become the blood and body of Jesus Christ, I do not. I simply believe it to be a memorial practice. \n\nCatholics believe that Mary remained a virgin her whoe life and had no children other than Jesus. I believe she was a virgin only until Jesus was born, and that she had other children.\n\nCatholics have worship practices that differ from my own - they cross themselves, use holy water, pray the rosary, etc. Their masses, or church services, are often scripted - the priest will say something, then the congregation will reply (see the link). I disagree with the concept of holy water and praying the rosary. I don't disagree with crossig oneself, but I don't do it. Same with the statement/reply format. I worship in a different style and according to some different beliefs. \n\nThere are several more points of difference...\n\nNone of these differences takes away from the fact that both Catholics and myself believe Jesus to be the Savior and the Son of God (part of the Trinity) - and this is the most important and central belief of Christianity.
468773
Hi, just logged in and spotted your question and I think that you have a good point there, I am a Catholic and not a great one may I admit, I can be a hypocrite at times and this is my failing and my own fault.\nI try my best not to preach to anyone and prefer just to give advice if I am asked, but even this is pompous if I do not practice my faith,and for this I am no role model at times.\nI do believe in free will and choice and I do get embarrassed when fellow Christians do the Bible thumping bit,I believe that we should do less talking and more walking,for it is always by example that people are touched and so little by overbearing preaching.\nI am tired of hearing others condemn people to Hell and such talk that Jesus Himself would not do as He judged no-one, yes I am far from perfect and I tell you honestly that I to am tired of hearing the same condemnations day after day.\nI cannot apologize for these people but only for myself,they need to come down from the glorified pedestal that they perch on and behave with respect and dignity.\nto finish it is good to be able to say that not all who follow Jesus are religious tyrants and these seldom get heard.\nregards to you.
79334
I was brought up Catholic from birth and was brainwashed into believing what I was taught as teachings from the Bible. I have always believed and honored my spirituality in God, but too many years of it was not based in His Word.  \n\nLuckily, I was led to the Bible & I have been trying to sort out the Truth from the lies. It's a hurtful issue that I am working hard to overcome and find acceptance with. I am very confused, and somewhat bitter as well, but, at the same time, am I VERY thankful for the wonderful people here who share their knowlegde with beginners like me and are helping me along.  That in itself defines truth Faith in God to me and the power of believing he always there for you if you seek him.   Thank You everyone.
375028
There is no time like the present. None of us can throw stones, if we believe in God  or not and are sorry for anything we have done, and where possible make amends, that is all one can do. If we treat others as we would like them to treat us, can't be bad. By the way Catholics do not have their sins forgiven if they have no intention of trying not to sin again. Anyone should know that!
108073
Dear IChoose, The question is very sincere, i can fully understand why there would be confusion. there are many sincere people that worship in many different religions. everyone wants to know what is beyond in the afterlife and how to get there. the truth is that Religion is only mans creation, its fallible and consist of works. Religion and good works are not enough to get us to heaven. let me explain by asking you a few questions....... \n\nHave you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we’ve only looked at three of the Ten Commandments. Nothing you’ve ever done is hid from His holy eyes. Will you be innocent or guilty on the Day of Judgment? Listen to your conscience. You know that you will be guilty, and therefore end up in Hell. That’s not God’s will. He provided a way for you and I to be forgiven. \nHe sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death. \nYour own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could.  Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name, so pray something like this: "Dear God, I repent of all of my sins (confess them). This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."
425612
It only makes sense to me that if you truelly are repentant of your sins, then you would STOP PERFORMING THAT SIN instead of having to repent for it again and again every week. It is in human nature to do what Believers call "sin" - we will probably never stop doing that for as long as we exist - therefore, we will never "repent" completely. If one was a true Believer in every sense of the definition of their respective religion, then they would follow the dictates taught therein and, therefore, would never sin - but sinning is human nature, therefore they/we will not stop sinning, ever, so we cannot ever truelly repent. Yes, I'm going in circles, but so does anyone who is trying to make universal sense of such a subject as this, which should qualify in an explanation in and of itself.