what is the truth about the church?did mary magdelene truly exist?
112366
She is mentioned in the Bible and I believe that she was a real person.\n\nShe is called "the Penitent". St. Mary was given the name 'Magdalen' because, though a Jewish girl, she lived in a Gentile town called Magdale, in northern Galilee, and her culture and manners were those of a Gentile. St. Luke records that she was a notorious sinner, and had seven devils removed from her. She was present at Our Lords' Crucifixion, and with Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and Salome, at Jesus' empty tomb. Fourteen years after Our Lord's death, St. Mary was put in a boat by the Jews without sails or oars - along with Sts. Lazarus and Martha, St. Maximin (who baptized her), St. Sidonius ("the man born blind"), her maid Sera, and the body of St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin. They were sent drifting out to sea and landed on the shores of Southern France, where St. Mary spent the rest of her life as a contemplative in a cave known as Sainte-Baume. She was given the Holy Eucharist daily by angels as her only food, and died when she was 72. St. Mary was transported miraculously, just before she died, to the chapel of St. Maximin, where she received the last sacraments. \n\nMore about this saint: St. Mary Magdalen (Feast day - July 22) Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped His feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary's heart, and He said: "Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved very much." Then to Mary He said kindly, "Your faith has made you safe; go in peace." From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the foot of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: "She has loved much." After Jesus' body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the Sacred Body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was the gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the person spoke in a voice she knew so well: "Mary!" It was Jesus, risen from the dead! He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentent sinner. \n\nI would caution you about believing "The DaVinci Code" as being 100% truth.  It is full of misinterpretations and one sided arguments.  A good book and piece of fiction, but VERY bad for accuracy.
929009
It sounds like your head is in the right place, but your heart is not.  Despite the uneducated repetition of some anti-catholics on this forum, the Catholic Church was the church founded by Jesus Christ.  As much as they try to point out the sins of churchmen or misinterpret scriptures to their own destruction, the facts - as you stated - still remain.  The true church CANNOT apposticise - Jesus promised that it wouldn't.  And the sins of some clergy doesn't make doctrine untrue.\n\nAll this being said, you can't come at people with attacks.  It turns them away so that they will never listen to your arguement.  If you charitably answer their objections, maybe they will see the truth.\n\nFor those of you who think that the Catholic Church is not the original church - please visit my website.\n\nhttp://www.geocities.com/orthodox_doctrine/
1019817
Which story?\n\n* The story of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu?  They're fictional characters, the invention of the author.\n\n* The story that Jesus and Mary of Magdala were married and had children?  It seems unlikely -- although the Bible doesn't specifically say that Jesus was *not* married, (1) it would be a strange thing to omit considering that even Simon Peter's mother-in-law gets a mention, (2) none of the early church historians say anything about it in their writings, and (3) the Gnostic books that imply the possibility of romantic relationships between Jesus and MM were all written, at the earliest, 120 years after the fact.\n\n* The story of the Priory of Sion?  I think it's been fairly well established that, at the very least, Dan Brown (as well as the authors of /Holy Blood, Holy Grail/, one of his major sources ) was duped by the hoax -- see Wikipedia's entry on Pierre Plantard for more details.  Based on Brown's own statements and writings, however, I get the impression he's trying to talk out of both sides of his mouth on this one, so I'm having a hard time imagining him as an innocent victim of Plantard's ruse.
732045
it is the catholic church man. we know this because no other church has 4 marks that state it is the true church.\n\na. all other lack essential unity. they recognize no authority in religious matters vested in an individual who is the vicar of Christ.\nin the worship of god many christian sects are guided more by sentiment and personal conviction than by the objective truths given to the world of our lord.\n\nb. the founders of christian sects were not saints and generally not holy or edifying men. the sects have not given saints to the world. their truths are but fragments of the doctrines of the catholic church . the holiness of their members is due to the means that the sects have salvaged from the catholic worship . moreover these sects cannot point miracles wrought in their favor.\n\nc. not one of the christian sects is universal or catholic : that is, not one has universality such as that of the catholic church.\n\nd. not one of the christian sects can trace its or gin to the apostles.
1013045
Jesus did build his Church, the Catholic Church, and the powers of death have not and will not prevail against it. The Catholic faith has millions of followers all over the world and the Church is growing every day. I'm sure some Protestants believe that their modern day church is the true Church but there are a lot of misinformed people out there.
785220
Hi, the Virgin Mary has indeed been seen many times throughout Christian history and not only by Catholics, in fact a famous apparition site was in Eygpt (zeitoun) and many muslims,coptics and protestant people witnessed this along with unbelievers,also the press, you can check it out on the web.\nalso the famous apparition at Knock in Ireland, and thousands of sightings have been reported at Medugorje in the former Yugoslavia.
283366
I'm not sure which I find more hliarious, that Patzy calls your article, "bullshit facts" yet there isn't a damn thing to prove God exists that isn't strung together inconsitencies and things that are unexplainable, or the fact that MommaToldMeNotToCome has no ability to read the article and see when the article you posted in fact written.  Fact is, no one should be calling anyone elses beliefs bullshit.  \n\nAs for your question, it could be.  There is no way to tell.  Lots of people were crucified at that time and what happened to Jesus wasn't special.  He was one of many.  \n\nAnd Susenjungle, the Shroud of Turin wasn't used by mary Magdelen to wipe Jesus face, it was what was laid over his body after the crucifiction and due to the oils the body secretes during the ordeal made an stain of his face and body on it.  I have some good books on the subject if you are interested, let me know!  I love sharing books!
317934
1 Timothy 3:15 tells us that it is the Church, not the Bible, which gives us all the truth and provides the basis for determining truth or falsity (NONE OF THE CHURCH TEACHINGS ARE IN CONFLICT WITH THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.) Matthew 18:17-19 AGAIN tells us that the Church is the final authority. \n\nSt. Paul reminds us to live in accordance with all the teachings which have been given to us. We are not to be distracted by those who would try to limit the teachings if the Church. (2 Thess 2:15; 3:6)\n\nAre we saved by faith alone?\n\nThere is only one location in the entire Bible where the words "faith" and "alone" are used in the context of justification. "See how a person is justified by works and NOT by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (Jas 2:24-26).\n\n"Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works." (Jas 2:20-22)\n\nHaving said that, it is important to understand how terms are used in this discussion. Catholics use the term "salvation" to the whole process from its beginning in faith, through the whole Christian life of the works of love on earth, to its completion in heaven. Most Protestants speak of salvation as the initial step; like getting into Noah's ark of salvation, not the whole journey. By "faith" Catholics mean only one of the three necessary 'theological virtues' (faith, hope and love), faith being intellectual belief. To most Protestants faith means accepting Christ with your whole heart and soul. Thus, Catholics use 'salvation' in a bigger sense and 'faith' in a smaller sense than our Protestant brethren. Catholics and Protestants, each using our own unique definitions, are really arguing the same side of the question.
565271
We, as Catholics, refer to the Church as a her due to the nurturing that is to take place within the confines of the church.  Just like a mother, we learn from her and put what she teaches us into our everyday life.  We also believe that Mary, the virgin, was the mother of God and the mother of the Church which was founded by Jesus during his time on earth.  Does that help?
1024849
Like AMDG said, there is no proof because the Catholic Church does not teach that.\n\nThe Catechism says this in paragraph #266\n\n "Now this is the Catholic faith: We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is one, the Son's is another, the Holy Spirit's another; but the Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty coeternal"\n\nThe Catechism says this in paragraph #971:\n\nThe 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,'  . . . \nThis very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit\n\n\nThe official teaching of the Catholic Church is clear:\n\n"We worship ONE God in the Trinity"\n\n"The DEVOTION given to the Virgin Mary DIFFERS ESSENTIALLY from the ADORATION  given" to God.\n\n\nSo beware all you people who falsely accuse the Catholic Church of teaching that the Virgin Mary is God or a God or a diety or that the Virgin Mary is to be worshipped like God.\n\nWhen you say these things, you are lying and you are breaking the commandment "Thou shall not bear false witness."\n\nNow you know. \n\nYou now have the choice to stop lying or to knowingly and willingly continue to spread lies.\n\nMay God's Grace come upon you and enlighten you.
501702
I agree with flexin4uk.  To ask a Latter Day Saint if their church is the true church is like asking the pope if he's Catholic.  I'm sure many Christians of many different faiths would say their church is the only true church.\n\nYes, I do believe the LDS church is the true church.  I have also spent many hours studying the Bible and Book of Mormon.  I have done much praying to know the truth.  It is one thing to ask a question but you can't really know for sure unless you seek for the truth and sincerely ask God if something is true.  God is the ultimate expert in these matters.  Ask God.  He will help you find what you are looking for.\n\nIn The Book of Mormon, Moroni asks the readers to pray about the Book of Mormon and to ask God if it is true.\n\nMoroni 10:4&5\n   "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will  manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.\n   And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."\n\nMy definition of a true Christian religion is one that teaches that Christ died for the sins of the world and a religion that teaches the things He taught- such as: "love thy neighbor as thyself" (oops, I didn't mean to write "worlds" the first time so I edited).  My definition of a true Christian is someone who does their best to follow Christ. If someone claims to be Christian but they always say nasty things about people, I tend to see them as someone who follows Satan.  Those people aren't trying to be more Christ-like.  Christ taught us to love one another, not to argue and be mean.\n\nI think other churches have important truths to teach people.  Each church is good in it's own way and the world needs each of them.  I think people find God in their own way and I'm not about to tell anyone that they're bad just because they have different beliefs than I do.  Where ever you decide to worship is up to you.\n\nP.S.  I haven't really tried answering the second part of your questions.  It didn't make much sense to me.  I do, however, believe that God has not abandoned us as human beings.  I hope you can realize that God really does care about each of us, no matter the religion.
1047015
OT14 it is lying, the church has lied to you about this to.\n\nFor example,\nScientology says upon joining that it is compatible with all other faiths.  How is the story of xenu, and the line were hubbard says jesus is an implant compatible with Christianity?  It isn't this is a lie.\n\nHiding the truth, being economical with the truth, white lies, etc, whether you define them as lying or not you are deceiving people.\n\nUpon becoming a clear, hubbard said they would have perfect memories and never get ill.  This is a lie.\n\nHubbard said he writing for a penny a word is ridiculous, better to invent a religion and make millions.  This he didn't lie about.
943849
You're right. The original church of Christ fell into apostacy and disappeared from the earth, to be restored in the last days. The Catholic belief is that Peter (head of the church after Christ died) gave his Priesthood to a bishop, who became the first Pope. However, that can't be proven and some evidence shows that Peter died a few years before the bishop claimed he was given the Priesthood. Also, Peter was an apostle and would not have given apostolic power to bishop. The man who claimed the power became the first Pope and every Pope after that was voted upon by men - never chosen by God. Some Popes were extremely evil, some forced or bribed their way into the position, and none of them ever held the Priesthood power. Many are good men, true, but they are not God's chosen, and their church and teachings are very different from Christ's church as set forth in the Bible. (Baptism by immersion, not infant sprinkling; leaders will be a prophet and 12 apostles, not a Pope; no mention of nuns or priests or celibacy, no mention of granting sainthood to men; no mention of Mary being divine or accepting prayers; no mention of a trinity, they don't believe in revelation, and where are tithing and temples?)\n\nYou're right. Faith is based on truth. Seek and ye shall find.
1034675
What is "the church" to which are you referring? The one true church described in the Bible (which BTW is NOT the catholic church, it wasn't around until about 600 AD) would condemn such based on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
672417
The problem with "The Da Vinci Code" is that is starts by claiming that the Catholic Church is portrayed accurately. The trouble is, no distinction is made between the factual elements, and the purely fictional. As a result, people might come away believing fictional elements to be totally non-fictional.\n\nSome of the bigger fallacies claimed are:\n\nJesus is not God; he was only a man. \n\nJesus was married to Mary Magdalene. \n\nShe is to be worshiped as a goddess. \n\nJesus got her pregnant, and the two had a daughter. \n\nThat daughter gave rise to a prominent family line that is still present in Europe today. \n\nThe Bible was put together by a pagan Roman emperor. \n\nJesus was viewed as a man and not as God until the fourth century, when he was deified by the emperor Constantine. \n\nThe Gospels have been edited to support the claims of later Christians. \n\nIn the original Gospels, Mary Magdalene rather than Peter was directed to establish the Church. \n\nThere is a secret society known as the Priory of Sion that still worships Mary Magdalene as a goddess and is trying to keep the truth alive. \n\nThe Catholic Church is aware of all this and has been fighting for centuries to keep it suppressed. It often has committed murder to do so. \n\nThe Catholic Church is willing to and often has assassinated the descendents of Christ to keep his bloodline from growing.\n\nAnyone with a solid understanding of Catholic Church Doctrine and history, can easily discern fact from fiction. However many cannot, and therein lies the real danger.
345469
Basically, Jesus was a man, who married Mary and had children.  His bloodline survives to this day.  The Holy Grail is not a chalice of any sort, it's his and Mary's descendants.  The Catholic Church thought it would be best to keep this hidden from the public, and to also turn Mary into a whore so that people would lose respect for her, the position she held as the wife of Jesus, and for women as a whole.  It also goes on to explain how the Catholic Church has used it's position to change actual history and have us raised to believe in stories that in fact didn't happen.  \n\nReally, just read the book.  Twice if you have too.  Besides being entertaining and a very good read, it leaves you with lots to think about.  Being raised a Catholic and having doubts about my beliefs for years and years now, this book was a real kick ..........
564084
Actually there is no credible evidence from the original Gospel texts that would indicate that Mary was a whore, prostitue, or women of ill repute.  Many of these references where translated in the middle ages, not conicidentally at the time that the Church was consolidating its power after the vacuum created by the fall of the Roman Empire.  Many theological scholars believe that Mary was in fact a close (maybe even closer than Peter) disciple.  As too your question about Mary being Jesus' houswife. There is no credible evidence, either scriptual, archeological, or historical that would indicate that Mary was involved in with Jesus in any other copacity than a close friend, disciple, and follower