What do you think about Jesuits ?
490012
Some of the best Priests I know are Jesuits.\n\nThey are a Holy group of men dedicated to defending the Truth.
500422
"Do your own research...!!!"\n\nIs it not only fair to find out what Opus Dei has to say about itself?? or go just by others opinions?\n \nhttp://www.opusdei.org/
737636
If Jesus and his apostles were here today, what do you think they would be doing? They would be preaching from house to house, telling others about God and his righteous Kingdom. How would you treat them? Would you listen to their life-saving message with an open mind or would you slam the door in their faces and tell them--"sorry, I have my own religion."  Think about that the next time those who are following Jesus' command and example try to tell you about God"s heavenly government and what wonderful blessings it will bring to the earth and all meek ones who inherit it.
753168
I was kicked out of catholic preschool. \nBut I do know this much.\nWe are supposed to pray to Jesus because he was Jehovah's(God) avatar in the human form.\nAllegedly God is a being of different dimensional considerations than what it is to be human. \nTherefore, Jesus was sent to earth to mediate for man's misgivings to God's will. Jesus was not directly supposed to be God himself in the flesh, but one who was partially devine himself and also mortal in that he would communicate man's folly back to God and condone man's confessions and scapegoat man for his imperfections so that he could still conceive of God.\nJesus is supposed to be the middle man to heaven in all forms of Christianity I am aware of. God is something to respect and fear. God is something that we cannot name or judge or even begin to think we can understand his will. \nJesus is our agent to the devine.\nWhen it comes to praying to Mary?\nThat is just another hypocrisy of the Catholic church, because its not actually a monotheism because we have established so many other little deities such as Mary, and the Saints and even named Angels.  It flat out makes no sense. Its mans perversion and mans desire to create heaven in his own ideal. Thus the imagery. And the assumption that beings of devine energy are somehow related to their previous state in the afterlife. Its all a pathetic sham. \nThe only thing we really got right in my opinion is that we should have ultimate fear and respect for God. Whether we believe in the slight chance there may be some fate further in other planes of existence or whatever after checking out of this world is quite sentimental and just about anyone can buy into that or have the sincere desire to do so. But still, I just cant buy it when the words that are supposedly devine handy downs from the Catholics themselves have spawned into other religeons over the past few hundred years I really just cant buy into any of it at all. \nI say fear God and leave it at that.
342121
My immediate neighbours are lovely people. I hope they think they same of me! \n\nSomeone wanted to know 'well, who is my neighbour', and Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan who helped a man traditionally his enemy.  And then asked the questioner which of the three people was the good loving neighbour to the victim; the Jewish rabbi who passed by on the other side of the road, who could have been expected to help, or the Temple assistant who also passed by, or the Samaritan?\n'The Samaritan', was the reply (Samaritans at the time being the really despised enemies of the Jews).  In a way, Jesus was saying don't just love the people who love you....\n\nSo I try, but ain't it hard sometimes!
481875
Jesuit scholar says Gospel of Judas does not merit name 'Gospel'\n\nBy Cindy Wooden\nCatholic News Service\n\nROME (CNS) -- The Gospel of Judas was unimportant to most Christians when it was written hundreds of years ago and it is unimportant today, said a Jesuit professor who has convoked a series of ecumenical studies of the historical Jesus. \n\nJesuit Father Gerald O'Collins, a longtime professor of Christology at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, said the text, like the gospels of Mary Magdalene and Philip, "does not merit the name 'Gospel.'" \n\nThe National Geographic Society unveiled the document April 6, posting a copy of it on the society's Web site, www.nationalgeographic.com, and releasing English translations of portions of the text.\n\n"A 'Gospel' is a literary genre -- established by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- focusing on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus," Father O'Collins said. \n\nWhile including events supposedly related to the life of Jesus, the Gospel of Judas and the others really are texts "attempting to bolster the importance" of the personalities they are named after, not of Jesus, the priest said. \n\n"They are not summaries of the good news," he said.\n\nThe texts come from the gnostic tradition, a religious-philosophical current popular in the second, third and fourth centuries. The gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge unavailable to the vast majority of people and focused so strongly on the spiritual and intellectual that they despised material creation, including the human body. \n\nIn the year 180, St. Irenaeus condemned the gnostics, mentioning particularly a Gospel of Judas.\n\nFather O'Collins said the most important thing about the text released in early April is that "it shows just how right Irenaeus was in saying the gnostics were against mainstream Christianity and Judaism, they were against our God." \n\n"To give Judas greater credit," the Jesuit said, the gnostics "portray Jesus giving him secret knowledge. It was a nice try," but there is no evidence to support the claim.\n\n"It was junk then and it is junk now," he said .\n\nFather O'Collins, who between 1996 and 2003 convoked a series of ecumenical, interdisciplinary summits for scholars on the historical Jesus, said it was "ridiculous" for anyone to claim publication of the Gospel of Judas will challenge mainstream Christianity. \n\nEND
836359
I am not sure about his goal. I don't like what Pope is doing, especially there way of living. When millions of people are not able to get a piece of bread, Pope and his crew are residing in luxurious palace and I wonder because they are doing it in the name of Jesus Christ.
986268
I would like to comment on the fact about Mary or the other saints being worship. They where servants of God and shouldn't be worshiped like some people do. \n\n\nYou can get on your knees and kiss the statue of St.Peter and still not get to heaven because Jesus is the only one to forgive you of your sins. \n\n\nAs for the images I too once thought nothing of it. However it is commanded  that we not make any image or likeness of God in earth or the sea beneath. So after searching my own heart I found it to be wrong.\n\n@martha I just got done reading and your right we shouldn't judge. But the bible does tell us to save our brothers from death(Translated from the hebrew word sheol which means hell).
562877
The "church" as an institution I think has really used spirituality to hype the political agenda of it's rulers (witness the Inquisition). But the confirmation of rules that really help a society work (don't steal, murder, cop another person's spouse or property) I think would be something that a "God" would be all in favor of.  I think that there are God ordained humans whose life's work is to remind those of a lesser spiritual bent that "to treat others as you would be treated" is the ideal.  These people SHOULD be "the church" but like you say there are those who for milllineums have used the claim that they have a "direct line to God" to control whole populations.  I figure if there IS a God, and He created me, why wouldn't He care what happens to me and if I am living a worthwhile life or not. I'm not sure about a heaven or hell type of judgement, but once again, if there IS a God/Creator then I figure he cares if I am a hurter or a helper and when I go back to Him He will care about an accounting that I have for my actions while I passed through his Creation.
197457
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.
275796
I think Jesus was the drug dealer of his day and he had that good sh^t that had everyone thinking he was the Son of God because he had some good drugs.  It sounds like they were all high at times but they did have some philosophical ideas.
584589
i'm catholic and i feel the same way!\ni think that theres way too much emphasis on ritual (church practices, sacraments, masses, etc.) and whether or not the bible is word for word true in a literal sense, and not enough emphasis on just being a good person on a day to day basis. i could go on, but i'm betting you already think the same way about a lot of this stuff.
401241
I found the presentation on NGC interesting. While the jury is out on the authenticity of the document, it does present a different perspective held by Christians of the time. Diversity in beliefs and expressions is nothing new to the Church, and we should be open to new ideas based upon new information coming to light.\n\nThe idea of Judas acting on behalf of Jesus is also nothing new, and has been present throughout Christian history.\n\nNew ideas do not threaten my beliefs or weaken my faith.
93507
They are well-intentioned but misled in my opinion.\n\nOne of my favorite bumper stickers is those "What Would Jesus Do?".  Those that proudly display them seem to me to have no idea what He was all about.\n\nJesus hated evil, but loved everyone.  I don't doubt that should you and he meet, he would say the saame thing, but His genuine compassion for you would be at the very heart of it.\n\nThere is no doubt that He means "I am the Way", but his Way is filled with love, not hatred.
260876
I think there are some who are good. I think, as a people, they're back ward from us. I think they're antisocial and maybe a version of the Italian Mafia.
672666
Without sitting down and looking at all the specifics, I think I'm already doing what he commanded.  The beatitudes and golden rule are fairly good descriptions of how I live my life.  \n\nI'm highly skeptical of the supernatural claims of Christianity, but I agree wholeheartedly that Jesus was a wise man with very good ideas.\n\nEDIT:\nJeff, the text of the KJV is styled in medieval verse (no I don't believe that the translators were divinely inspired).  The beatitudes in particular are poetic in form, and not subject to strict interpretation.  By saying that the poor are blessed, Jesus identified with their suffering and said that it would be recognized.  The beatitudes as a whole are an exhortation to live well and love one another, with specific examples.  They are an example of how the world could be if we lived in peace: a beautiful concept and one I attempt to live.  (Occasionally I succeed, though not often).\n\nAs far as dying in order to live (I assume that you're referring to John 12:24), I've already stated that I'm skeptical about the supernatural aspects of Christianity.  I'm sure that Jesus and I differ on many matters of religion and theology.  That doesn't change how I feel about his philosophical and social ideas.  He's not my savior, but he's a very good example to the world.  I don't worship him, but I'd definitely buy him a beer and listen to what he had to say.\n\nHonestly, I'd probably do the same for you, if we ever met.
1116932
I think the way to God has been chosen to be the way of the in-sanes by the army of the visitors.What a compliment they deserved to be eulogised for this. I  like the Eucharist way.My wish is  eugenics for the visitors forever praising us as in-sanes.\n\nTHE CLOUDS ARE NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL but colourful for me .The clouds carry the message of love for Humanity,and disperse there water without distinction on every body. They carry the message of lovers to their beloveds and soothe the hearts of the torched ones. To understand the philosophy of clouds, read a Great poem mammoth named 'megh- dutam" by KALIDASS , a poet par excellence.\n\nYour love for the clouds has wonderfully struck me.\n\n God through the clouds. A RESEARCH TOPIC for me indeed.