Why are people so illusioned about Catholicism?
406571
i ve been asking this for so long. thank god i am not alone. i am so sick of this anti-catholic bs that has no validity whatsoever.\n\nyou would expect this kind of garbage from the secular world, but i have no idea what these protestants are thinking sometimes.\n\nhere's an idea protestants...why don't you actually learn about the catholic church first. as opposed to just blurting out a bunch of nonsense like we worship mary, and the pope ,etc.  give me a break already. still goin with those arguments?? don't even waste my time then.
628037
You nailed it!\n\nThe fact that there is more opposition to the Catholic Church, and less opposition towards the other Christian denominations, proves the Divine Origin of the Catholic Church.\n\n"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. \n"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. \nRejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
3682
because the Catholic church used the bible to control the masses. If the people actually read the bible, they would have learned that the church was twisting the scriptures and the Catholic church would have lost its stronghold. To think, the catholic church didnt just burn bibles, they burned people alive! just for having one in their posession. Nowadays, the catholic church tends to not refer to the bible, preferring to teach dogma, this way they can say whatever they want and if you are catholic you have to believe it because according to their teachings they "conveniently" have the authority granted to them to teach whatever they want regardless of whether it agrees with scripture and it is as though it was stated by God himself. Can you believe the arrogence?!
99839
Basically because the Catholics blindly believe their religion without studying the Word of God.  I used to be a catholic until I read the Word of God for myself and saw all the contradictions that the catholics do.\n\n The Catholic Church gives honor and adoration to Mary that the Scriptures do not; she is readily referred to as "holy," the "Mother of God," and has been dubbed the "Co-Redemptrix," thereby making her an object of idolatrous worship (e.g., the rosary has ten prayers to Mary for each two directed to God). In 1923, Pope Pius XI sanctioned Pope Benedict XV's (1914-1922) pronouncement that Mary suffered with Christ, and that with Him, she redeemed the human race. And Pope Pius XII officially designated Mary the "Queen of Heaven" and "Queen of the World." Catholics claim not only that Mary was perfectly sinless from conception, even as Jesus was (doctrine of Immaculate Conception, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854), but that the reason she never sinned at any time during her life was because she was unable to sin (cf. Lk. 1:46,47; Rom. 3:10,23; 5:12; Heb. 4:15; 1 Jn. 1:8,10). Catholics also believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin (cf. Ps. 69:8; Matt. 1:24,25; 13:54-56; Mk. 6:3; Jn. 7:5), and that she was assumed, body and soul, into heaven (doctrine of Assumption of Mary, declared ex cathedra by Pope Pius XII in November of 1950 -- that Mary was raised from the dead on the third day after her death, and anyone who refuses to believe this has committed a mortal sin). The consequence of all this veneration of Mary, in effect, establishes her authority above Christ's -- Rome says, "He came to us through Mary and we must go to Him through her." All this is so obviously idolatrous, one wonders why Catholics take offense when their religious affections are called cultic.
887639
surprisinly enough there are some liberal so called catholics, they put shame to our faith, and as far as Im conserned most are catholics in name only, meaning the can and should be excomunicated.
45746
The catholic church, in order to acquire as much power and authority for itself, convinced the masses that no one could know God except through its doctrines.  Through fear, persecution, and the influence of a far-reaching empire, this concept became a reality for anyone in the sphere of influence of the political boundaries of the church-state.  You don't seek God through us, you're going to hell, and we'll see to it that you'll get there in a hurry.
1115120
Personally I think both religions are generally misunderstood by many people.  For the most part people with prejudices for Catholicism or Mormonism (or any religion) come from a "he said she  said crowd".  If you pick up a book (non-biased) on Mormonism or Catholicism you would learn what its true Dogma and beliefs are.\n\nAs far as Catholicism goes; its the oldest and largest Christian denomination.  It has a strong history, theology and church heirachy with many ups and downs throughout its existance.\n\nMormonism is a real newcomer to the sceen, and its unusual since it has its own prophet (joseph smith) and unlike the other denominations its has added books to the Bible.  Added to the fact its strict rules and polygamy (which most do not practice) it might seems very bizarre to those outside the religion.
581754
I am not Catholic (used to be as a kid-but now I know better)\nI learned a lot from the answers posted.\n\nI was just curious of the answers because I've always resented that catholic is catholic and EVERYTHING ELSE is protestant.\n\nI think thats highly self righteous of catholicism and overplays the validity (altho false) of catholicism. History and numbers of followers do not validate a false religion. \nFurther, from the pope on down, I believe they know the truth which they withhold from their followers. If they loved their followers they would tell them the truth.\nThey love the money. As I recall, it was a 365 days a year's worth of envelops given to followers, with bogus celebratory days noted on each envelop.\nYou realize my concerns for catholic people is that they are being led to the slaughter.\nThe pope is the only Catholic who can answer that charge. No followers of Catholicism can answer with absolute knowledge.\nCatholic or Protestant? Thats pretty lofty.
303370
It depends on if you are going to view it as fiction(which is what is intended).  But, it does make one stop and wonder if any of it is true.  Which would mean that the Catholic Church, and a lot of other important folks have kept a lot of truths from all of us for many years.  And why would they do that?  Check out the book"Demons and Angels", by Dan Brown.
182743
Because it's the best they've got?  I don't believe any religion, including Christianity, is inheriently dogmatic, misleading, or manipulative.  I do believe that some of the people who have had power and influence in the church over the years have made it so.  It's a drawback of the hierarchical setup.  I think there are many aspects of Christianity which are very valuable, and from which all people could learn - such as forgiveness or being of service to fellow human beings, (believe it or not) of being accomadating and non-judgemental.
582956
Atheists don't have enough knowledge about religion because they are not associated with any religion. I guess it's their own ignorant way of forming an opinion which ins't even valid. It's kind of like children laughing or teasing at something that they have never heard of. It's a childish way of coming to terms with something.\n\nYou're right in saying that there is a reason to believe in God. As a catholic, we don't really consider it as a "higher power" though. However, it is the only form of being that we worship (we worship no one else except God) which comes from one of the 10 commandments.\n\nOne other thing, why would God be unfair and cruel? Because of all the terrible things that happen? Let me tell you that there is a reason for everything that happens and it's all part of God's plan for each of us in the future. For example, something bad had to happen today for something more important that will happen tomorrow.
1133646
Simple people are afraid of what they don't know and don't understand. Isn't it so much easier to go to church and swallow down all that brainwashing that they feed them? \nOf course it is - it doesn't require thinking with their own heads, it doesn't require reading and learning and researching and making mistakes and developing themselves...\nThey just get taught a pretty story and told it is the only truth. What an ideal world, isn't it?! Too bad it's ot that simple. \n\nPeople have been deceived and brainwashed through centuries and millenia. We can't expect them to suddenly start thinking. Organised forms of religion have caused much too much damage by burning everyone who dared to ponder another side of truth...
662596
Splinterjah (sp?) has no idea what he is talking about. Not to be mean of course, but he doesn't. Catholicism does differ from the mainstream Christian denominations, but it doesn't teach anything false. Catholics do NOT at ALL worship Mary, or any of the other saints. That is just a popular belief that is spread by ingnorant people who really have no idea what Catholicism is. That kinda thing has been going on since the 1500's. Catholics ask Mary and the saints to pray FOR US, just like it says to in the bible. We belive that the during the Eucharistic celebration (communion) the bread and wine really do turn into Jesus, which it also says in the bible. \n\nI don't think anyone in the world has ever prayed to the pope. We might have prayed FOR the pope, but never to him. Thats just ridiculous. The bible (in Matthew) talks about how Jesus gave Peter (the first pope) the "keys to the kingdom" and how what ever Peters says on earth (in reference to religious/moral doctrines) will make a binding compact with heaven. In other words, that means he is infallible, because if it binds with the law of heaven (God), then it has to be infallible, because if God wasn't infallible, the world would cease to be. \n\nAfter Jesus rose back from the dead, The Catholic Church started. JESUS himself started the Catholic Church. Someone said something about the bible saying something about "Christians in Antioch". Well DUH. Who do you think they were? Batists? Methodists? I doubt it, since they (or any other Protestant denomination) didn't come into existance until 1547 (I think thats the right year). Therefore, they must have been Catholics. \n\nIf the Pope is infallible, then that means everything he says and preaches is true (religious-wise) because he is filled with the Holy Spirit, and was given authority by Jesus himself. That means that Catholic doctrine is always in accordance with God in Heaven. \n\nThe bible also says to confess your sins to one another (preists). It never ever says "hey! Don't confess your sins to anybody, and make sure you never go into a thing called a confessional. And also make sure you never follow any kind of tradition, or listen to anything that a holy man says even if he is given authority by Jesus. And definately make sure you don't ask ANYBODY to pray for you, otherwise its a sin, and yes, that does include Mary and the saints."\n\nIt never says anything of the sort. And if anybody tries to prove that different by quoting from the bibe, then they are wrong. You can't just take random verses from the bible with out first looking at the context of which it is taken from. Thats a mistake that everybody makes when trying to refute the Catholic doctrine. \n\nAnd the main that I would say the Protestant churches do that is false is try to prove Catholicism wrong. \n\nBut anyways, I diverge. There is nothing wrong with going to a Catholic Highschool. You already know what you belive in, so it doesn't matter. Of course, you should be open minded. And remember, everyone is going to answer differently in Yahoo!Answers. So my advice to you is to not take ANYBODY'S word for ANYTHING on here. Reasearch all of it for yourself, and make sure that you don't get all of your information from a single biased perspective, which is what I, and everyone else is giving you. \n\nHighschool is highschool. Its all about getting your education, and you shouldn't be worried about anything else. \n\nAnd for the record, there is NO difference between Catholicism and Christianity. There are only differences between the different denominations of Christianity.
940239
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 :-(
676114
I know exactly what you mean, I sometimes go to a catholic church and the only thing they do is say how we must all follow Catholicism because all the others are fake... one wise guy actually said that Judaism is a "false" religion, I almost stood up in the middle of his serman and told him flat out that the Catholic church and the entirity of Christianity is based off of Judaism. I mean, c'mon, the entire Old Testement is actually a translation of the Jewish Torah! I hope that anyone who you meet who says stuff like that will be quickly repremanded and corrected by you!\n\nGood Luck!
621566
First of all: I AM PROUD TO BE A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN!\n\nMost people (Catholics and Protestants alike) have many, many misconceptions about Catholic teaching. Most people only THINK they know what the Catholic Church teaches. These  people believe what some misinformed person has told them and they start bashing the Catholic Church.\n\nMatthew 15:14\n"... If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."\n\nDo yourself a favor and learn what the Catholic Church REALLY teaches, then decide whether to hate Her or not.\n\nIf you want to know what the Catholic Church really teaches, look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):\n\nhttp://www.usccb.org/catechism/\n\nMany Protestants talk about a personal relationship with Jesus and I'm sure they have something... BUT if you want to experience and enter into the DEEPEST personal relationship that you can have with Jesus, read John Chapter 6 THEN read what the Catholic Church teaches (and HAS ALWAYS taught) about the Holy Eucharist.\n\nhttp://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm\n\nIf you are REALLY searching for the Truth (Jesus), and the Way (Jesus) and the Life (Jesus), learn about the Holy Eucharist.\n\nJesus said: "This is my Body" ... He meant it.\n\n                        John 8:32
1176751
Of course there's a significant element of truth to it. Why do you think the Catholic Church is so wound up about it ? Why haven't scholars been allowed to translate the Dead Sea Scrolls in the public arena ? Catholicism has manipulated the truth for it's own ends .... it's used threats over the centuries to ensure there is no debate. The end is nigh .... if there's nothing to hide they'd happily open their vaults & show the full spectrum of religeous texts .... not just the ones they'd like us to see. Now the truth is becoming available with or without their consent - Truth Lives once more.