I have been a Catholic for 47 years and decided to cut all ties to the Church last July.  I have always celebrated Lent & Easter with Catholic rituals and rules some of which are always going to be part of my life, like Stations & Rosary, although I am questioning some of issues of  Hail Mary right now.   \n\nMy Bibles are all King James and I have not been seriously exposed to any other at this point. I have tried to determine, on my own with other sources, an idea of what other Christians practice.  Jewish Passover seemed the correct way to me - but what about others that are not Jewish?  \n \nPlease do not respond with insults or vents in this question - email them to me if you want. This is very important to me and I am hoping to learn something. Thank You,
119896
I don't celebrate either one. I choose as Paul said not to " esteem one day above the next." I treat each day as a day to love and praise my Father for sending Jesus to show me the Way! The days you mention are man's teachings not the teachings of The Spirit of God.
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i am a non-Christian, and would love to help. May i make a suggestion? Please go to the following web site, which has other web sites listed as well. It will teach you a lot about Judaism. I am sure through that web site, you will find someone who would be happy to answer any honest question you may have! Even all the million questions you already have, lol!
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Other people dont understand the question. Its more like this....\n"Whats the difference between Catholics and (Protestant) Christians?"\n\nCatholics pray to Mary and the Saints even though Jesus said the only way to the Father is through Him. (Catholics also use priests as a link between God and man, therefor replacing Jesus' role.)\n\nCatholics think that the bread and wine is the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ being sacrificed over and over again every week even though Jesus died ONCE so that all sins would be forgiven.\n\nCatholics have statues of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the saints despite the second commandment saying that we shall not have any image of that which is in heaven or on earth.\n\nCatholics deal with the last problem by leaving out that commandment and splitting the last one (thou shalt not covet) into two parts...thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife and thou shalt not covet thy neighbors possessions.\n\nCatholics have added books to the Bible that were viewed as erroneous for hundreds of years.\n\nThere are more but those are a few.\n\nProtestants are called Protestants because they are protesting the errors of the Catholic Church.\n\njudge by ur self
207593
dani-- I too want to do the samething. I thik I posted a very similar question a few weeks ago. And I've seen someone else post one just the same. One person said something to the effect of the catholic church takes number by who is actually a parishioner. But I think I know where you are coming from, I 've received all my sacraments and I want the catholic church to know so that they can see that there are people out there that have turned their back on the catholic church.  Usually the catholic church does not take into account the number pf people that have left and it should be time that anyone who no longer follows catholism should send a letter to their local catholic church declaring that they have walked away.\n\nOn a side note not only did I turn away from catholism but religion as a whole. I do not see the need for religion nor do I want to be part of any religion.  but that part is just me, not sure about you.\nin anycase here is an idea which I am planning on doing, just send a letter in a resignation format declaring that you have turned away from catholism and whatever else you want to say and conclude with I want my name removed from being a catholic.
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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.
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If you mean is it scriptural in the sense of, "Does the Bible lay out the church lectionery, Years A through C inclusive?" No, the Bible does not do that. \n\nBut keep in mind that Christianity is more than the Bible, and the Bible is not an idol. Yes, St. Basil's liturgy is not in the Bible, but then, neither are altar calls.\n\nThat said, you certainly can find a forty day fast in the Bible (Jesus' 40 days in the desert), and you certainly find a rather detailed description of one specific Passover circa 33 A.D. that had a rather powerful effect on history!\n\nLent evolved from a tradition of the earliest church - converts (catechumens) would be baptized on Pascha (Easter.) For the forty days prior, the converts were expected to fast and prepare themselves mentally and spiritually for their baptism. Later, people who were already Christians would join with the catechumens, in solidarity with their fast - the whole church would fast for their baptism at Pascha.\n\nNow - yes - this practice is strictly speaking not in the Bible. But neither are church bulletins, televangelism, Amy Grant songs, or church organs. That doesn't reflect badly on any of these things. It permits, rather, the church to continue to be innovative in finding new ways to praise God, whether these be 2nd century devotional traditions, or 21st century devotional traditions.
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Passover is coming.  That is where the Jews eat unlevened bread.  It's called Matzoh.  You can find boxes of it in any chain market.  It comes in large squares and is wavy like ruffles potato chips.\n\nForget all those other suggestions, they are not correct or authentic.\n\nI think 'BC' near the bottom reads more superficially than anyone here.  How can he quote a bib;e written by order of a king 1500 years after the event.\n\n\nTry and remember that Jews know their scrptures from the Jewish bible better than anyone else.  Jews were always taught to read so they could understabd the bible.  Gentiles at that time (which includes converts to Christianity) were never schooled, and had to be told what the writings said.  Gentiles did not have the education to think for themselves.  Sorry, guys, but these are the facts!\n\nTry to remmember that just because you find it on the Internet does not make it the truth!
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I agree totally with you. The Catholic Church does teach the Bible and we hear the Bible at every Mass. We have two readings and usually a psalm reading at every Mass. I really think it is a matter of jealousy with the other denominations. Just like Joseph's brothers were jealous of him they are jealous of us because we have the Mother that our Father loves the best The Virgin Mary. We love and honor her and they don't so I would say the proof is in the pudding.
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Let us take you questions one by one. I am sorry if this is long but your question is long.\n\n"The Bible says to worship and pray to Jesus Christ because He is the only one that can save you." - Catholics believe that Jesus died on the cross for ours sins.\n\n"Catholics pray to Mary the mother of Jesus. Don't you think that that's against Christ?" \n- No, Jesus talked to his mother, why can't we? Catholics believe that all Christians are part of the body of Christ and thus are intimately related to each other. This friendship or family relationship does not end at death. I may ask you to pray for me, or I may ask my deceased grandmother to pray for me, or I may ask a saint to pray for me, or I may ask another saint, the only person in all the Bible who was addressed as "full of grace" by an angel of God, to pray for me. We worship God. We honor people who have truly followed God's will, our parents, grandparents, Mother Teresa, and the saints including Mary.\n\n"Who came up with rosemary beads?" \n- There are different theories of who came up with rosary beads. Prayer counters have been used in many religions for thousands of years. It is thought that early religious monks, most of whom did not know how to read, used prayer counters as they daily recited all 150 psalms to help them keep track of where they were.\n\n"Their baptism is in the title words, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Bible plainly states to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38)"\n- Jesus' last words to the apostles in the Gospel of Matthew (28:19) were "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."\n\n"Also, they sprinkle the water on people's heads. The Bible also clearly states to be submerged underwater to be baptized."\n- I am sorry but I cannot find the word submerged in relation to Baptism in the Bible. People were baptized in a river but beyond that I not sure. Please give me a verso to look up. When Jesus talks about Baptism, he talks about it being with water but not how.\n\n"I do not mock the Catholic faith, but just clearly see Truth. Truth is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us for our dirty rotten sins."\n- We are all looking for truth and, Catholics agree, Jesus did die on the cross to save us form our sins.\n\n"Mary, the mother of Jesus, did not die on the cross. Mary cannot save us, so why pray to her?"\n- See above. To ask for prayers only.\n\n"Why does the Pope never marry? The Bible said that if a man find a wife, he has favor with God."\n- Jesus and John the Baptist did not marry. It is a long tradition in Judaism and Christianity that some people dedicate themselves entirely to God and remain celibate.\n\n"Also, where is the pope in the Bible? Not in there. Hmm.. "\n- Matthew 16:17-19 states, "Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This is the main passage that Catholics believe that Jesus made Peter the first pope.\n\nThe similarities between Catholicism and other Christian denominations are greater in number and more important than a few differences.\n\nWith love in Christ.
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I am at work (watching 138 undergraduates take an exam) so I can't provide citations, however, Lent was not originally a "Church," practice rather it was a practice of the laity like the Rosary.  Because fasting can endanger bodily health and spiritual health the bishops began regulating it very early.  It's start date is not exactly uniform throughout the Church due to differences in counting days.  My Lent started two days earlier than the Roman Lent, for example.  \n\nAll early catechumens fasted for 40 days prior to baptism, except in emergencies of course.  Other members of the laity joined them.  This was the beginning of lent.  Because the Church did not provide a framework, some people endangered their health by eating too little.  Some people endangered their spiritual health by thinking too much of themselves.\n\nThe early bishops required three things: prayer, fasting from animal products because until Noah scripture says man could not eat animal products and hence when paradise is restored there will be no eating meat, and finally almsgiving.  There is an early historian who reported that something on the order of 50,000 people in the City of Rome per day were fed from the Christian donation of their reduced food to the poor.\n\nFish was later permitted in the Roman Patriarchate due to poor nutrition in the Western Empire.  Also, fish is a symbol of Jesus so symbolically you are free to consume Jesus.\n\nStrict fasting was done on Wednesdays, the day Judas arranged payment and Friday, the day of Jesus' death.\n\nThe bishops did this on their authority as the successors to the Apostles to hold Christians according to Jesus words, "what you bind on Earth is bound in Heaven and what you loose on Earth is loosed in Heaven."\n\nThe Church grants dispensations to those who should not fast for any reason.\n\nThe purpose of Lent, like everything else in Christianity can be found in Easter.  The Easter homily of John Chrysostum may best describe the result of this season.\n\n"Are there any who are devout lovers of God?\nLet them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! \n\nAre there any who are grateful servants?\nLet them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! \n\nAre there any weary from fasting?\nLet them now receive their due! \n\nIf any have toiled from the first hour,\nlet them receive their reward. \n\nIf any have come after the third hour,\nlet them with gratitude join in the feast! \n\nThose who arrived after the sixth hour,\nlet them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed. \n\nThose who have tarried until the ninth hour,\nlet them not hesitate; but let them come too. \n\nAnd those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,\nlet them not be afraid by reason of their delay. \n\nFor the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.\nThe Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,\neven as to those who toiled from the beginning. \n\nTo one and all the Lord gives generously.\nThe Lord accepts the offering of every work.\nThe Lord honours every deed and commends their intention. \n\nLet us all enter into the joy of the Lord! \n\nFirst and last alike, receive your reward.\nRich and poor, rejoice together! \n\nConscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!\nYou who have kept the fast, and you who have not,\nrejoice, this day, for the table is bountifully spread! \n\nFeast royally, for the calf is fatted.\nLet no one go away hungry. \nPartake, all, of the banquet of faith.\nEnjoy the bounty of the Lord's goodness! \n\nLet no one grieve being poor,\nfor the universal reign has been revealed. \n\nLet no one lament persistent failings,\nfor forgiveness has risen from the grave. \n\nLet no one fear death,\nfor the death of our Saviour has set us free.\n\n\nThe Lord has destroyed death by enduring it.\nThe Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it.\nThe Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh. \n\nIsaiah foretold this when he said,\n"
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Have you read the words of the "Hail Mary" prayer? The first half of the prayer is God's words to Mary, delivered through the angel. Completely scriptural. Surely you have no problem with that? The second half of the prayer is simply a request that Mary pray for us. How does this conflict with the idea that no-one gets to the Father except through Jesus? Don't you ask other Christians to pray for you? Don't you pray for other people? Does such prayer deny that salvation is through Christ alone? Prayer of intercession, whether through you or through me or through Mary, has absolutely nothing to do with the truth that Jesus is our only Mediator and the means of our salvation - which, by the way, you would never have heard of, if it were not for the teaching of the Catholic Church.
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I quit being catholic because of these things.. Like I have always wondered why they taught us to pray to the saints and Mary when it is made clear in the bible that our prayers are to be to God only..If you ask a priest you will most likely get a 30 minute answer that answers NOTHING...I am still looking for those answers so good luck...Just read your Bible and go by that . It won't lie to you.
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Roman Catholic and I attend mass almost every week. I do go with my friends to their Christian Fellowships, some being born again. I also attend the occasional Jehovah's Witness meeting, when friends ask. I don't try to be ignorant to other belief system and I do think the underlying theme with most faiths are similar. Everyone believes in the same God but have different versions of him :)
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Please remember that the Jewish listing of the Ten Commandments is not the same as the Roman Catholic Ten Commandments, and they are not the same as some denominations of Protestant Christianity. We all look at the same text from Exodus 20:1-17, but divide the verses up differently to make the Ten of the Ten Commandments.\n\n  p.s. 'b' is the right answer, another of the Ten that is very misunderstood, and misrepresented.........
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I disagree with tagi.  The Catholics bow down to a cement Christ on a cross.  if that isn't idolatry, I don't know what is.  If your friend was killed by a gun, would you wears one around your neck.  It is a good thing he wasn't trampled by an elephant.   We don't need physical symbols are signs to have us remember the sacrifice of Jesus.  if we do, then the level of our worship is on the surface and not the heart.  I have seen a lot of drug dealers and gang members wearing crosses.  What does that symbol remind them of?  The bible strictly forbids us to make any object in the likeness of Him or anything symbols at all.  the early Christians forbid their usage and the only reason they are used now is because of Constantine trying to unite he pagans and the Christians.  the cross was used by the pagans long before Christ.
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Wear it on your sleeve (Christian sayings t-shirts).  Wear a cross around your neck (my husband wears a cross), put one on your keys (I do this), go to a Christian club (I went to Campus Christians), etc.  Some people pass out Salvation tracks.  This is kind of annoying, though.  I do for Halloween trick-or-treaters, but not the general public.  Pray at meal time.  That always looks good!  When people tell me their problems, I say that I'll pray for them, & I do!  I am smart enough to know that studying is not enough!  I pray when I study & when about to take a test.  If I drove a car back then, I would have offered to be the designated driver.  I went out with the party kids, but I never did drink or smoke.  I really stand out, even at church.  If something is going on that I know is clearly Biblically wrong, I refuse to participate, & the others notice!  One cannot just assume that if something happens at church that it is ok.  I have pretty stong convictions!  I am not easily swayed by the crowd.  If you do any charity work, mention it.  Like, I made over 70 lap quilts & gave them out to the elderly in nursing homes.  Surely you've also done something to help out a charity or two in your life.  It doesn't have to be a Christian charity, either!  Like, I donated my hair twice so far for Locks of Love.
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^Have you read the Talmud?  Have you studied it?  Can you understand it?  Do you know what it is?\n\nLet us not forget that the Old Testament is Jewish and the christians accept it in it's entirety.  Jews have to wait until Yom Kippur for forgiveness, even assuming your premis to be correct.  Cross-kissers can simply fess up at their convenience, mumble a few incantations and kiss a ring or a  statue to get theirs.  Protestants have to earn forgiveness, except for those sects who are doomed from birth (other than the select chosen ones.\nIf your question was intended to be anti-Semitic, it was a poor effort.  If it wasn't, learn a little about racism before you open your mouth because yours is blatant. \n\nAs for other racist books, try most anything put out by the monks in the Middle Ages.