Do you think the credibility of the Catholic Church was hurt by the canonizing of Juan Diego of Guadalupe?
488214
Not at all.Why would it.This is not a myth.Is the Lady of Lasalette? What about our lady of Noch Ireland or Medrgorjorie Yugoslavia.The Blessed Virgin is appearing world wide to warn the world and to spread the news that her son is coming soon. The lady of Guadalupe Mexico is another example be ready.
687084
Well apart from being Jesus' love, Mary was a disciple and she was one of the inner circle. She was extremely intelligent, and many considered this unusual and didn't like her for it. I think much injustice has been done to her. The Catholic church has admitted that calling her a prostitute was an error (bible doesn't say this either), and now she's a saint. But she must be more than a saint and time will set things straight.
668961
I'm an open minded person, so it didn't really strike me as either. I do think that a huge colossal amount of it is fabricated, not bull$hit, just fabricated, and what got me the most is how many people actual take this book as real...as a real cover up. And I think parts of it were believable, I think Mary was more than a friend, but way less then a lover...because Jesus did not have a sex drive, and I was shocked at how many Christians and Catholics and the such, could actually take this in as anymore then a fabrication.
863204
Analogous or parallel to the phrase "miscarriage of justice", it is similarly AND GLARINGLY clear that there has been an obvious "miscarriage of religion" in both cases that you cited.\n\nSuch is the work of the GREEDY LEADERS who have misled the BLIND FOLLOWERS with all kinds of deceit, lies and falsehoods.\n\nBut if you objectively study and understand "The Message" that religion brings, it is undoubtedly one of Peace...\n\nPeace be with you.
176498
You know I was thinking the same thing a couple weeks ago. My father is Catholic and he disagrees with just about every other religion. I told him that he better be careful or else he may look pretty stupid if he dies and god turns out to be Alluh. I try to keep an open mind about religion, I mean they were all made by humans and humans make mistakes. So I would be shocked a little, but not completely surprised.
648900
There is a lot of bigotry out there. If people admitted that the Catholic church was the source of the protestant denominations, they'd be acknowledging that perhaps the bigotry they hold onto in their heart is not entirely justifiable.
403903
Yes if any indian did not want to convert into catholicism they were killed, tortured and so on.  \nthat is the reason why so many people today are catholics because they were brainwashed into converting and so on!
1061340
You are very correct and I agree with you.  The splintering away is a result of people who did not accept the teachings of the Catholic church.  Some did not believe Jesus was truly the Son of God, only a prophet because He didn't meet their hopes and ideas for the promised Messiah.  Some do not accept that the Blessed Trinity is God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and actually came to understand that the Catholic church was worshipping a false God in their understanding of the Triune God.  Many had problems with Catholics "worshipping Mary" and putting her above Jesus Christ which is not true but there are many things that factor into this splitting off from the Catholic church, and then due to some really bad abuses by the Church during the time of the reformation, Martin Luther tried to correct and change things and so splintered off.  There have been many wonderful Saints who fought against heresy and schism and Thank God, the Church pulled through these trying times.  I wouldn't worry about this because it is God who is in charge and He fills His Church with the Holy Spirit and God can and does make so many good things happen through even the worst of situations and people and times.  I even might mention that there are many "so called" Catholics today who are not truly Catholic because they pick and choose just what they will believe and what they will not, not accepting of all the teachings of the Magesterium.  Some do not accept the teachings of the "Real Presence" in the Most Holy Eucharist, some do not follow the teachings of the Church in regard to many of the modern day social issues, are pro abortion, pro gay rights, etc so there is still today much needing to be done within the Church to bring it (and everyone) back to the one true Church.  What I believe is not good is for people to give up and go elsewhere due to all these things, rather than stay within the Church and pray and do all they can to change things from within.  God has His Holy Spirit guiding our Holy Mother Church and all will be well.  God Bless You in the name of The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit and may our Blessed Mother keep you always in her prayers that you may be brought ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen
1185375
I believe that it is possible that more people would consider being catholic if they didn't believe everything they see on tv or read in the printed media.
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.
210999
Your assertion that he was murdered may not be the case although it's possible.........  \nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagius\nMany of the early Saints were not necessarily saintly and several popes had blood on their hand during the inquistion.  Power uaually corrupts, it doesn't matter the religion. Note the executions in Iran under Islam after the fall of the Shaw.
633460
I'm a catholic and you know i never even thought of that. Glad you did and pointed it out. As far as Don up there maybe the reason he didn't go see it. Is because he's to much of a chicken, he would realize what kind of person he really is. He claims to be a christain but is always bashing the catholics. Calling us a perverted & cult like religion. A true christain doesn't bash another for their beliefs and religious practices. They are kind and understanding. If you are a christain and honestly feel  that some other religion is wrong the best  thing to do is pray for those ppl, not bash them . Thats the true christian way.
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.
1156340
The Catholic church have come a long way.  During the Middle ages there have been many corrupt popes, however there have been always good folks within the faith.  The Church have acknowledged their mistakes and today they take the lead in trying to resolve world problems.  Many historians marvel that the Catholic Church have survived; I guess that God has used the catholics to spread his Good News.
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.
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/
106105
Early leaders of the church tried to make everyone feel welcome, even pagans. In doing this they incorporated many pagan practices into the church by mixing them with Christianity. Because of this, A lot of Catholic ritual has obvious pagan aspects. This by itself makes Catholicism open to criticism by those who think theirs is the ONLY religion. And then of course the pedophile priests don't help things either. When I was growing up in a Catholic part of New Orleans, every kid knew of some other kid that had been molested by his priest. My friend got all of his buddies fraudulent baptismal certificates from the priest that was molesting him. We used the certificates to get ID with drinking ages on them. One guy even used his to join the military at 14. With stuff like this going on for decades, the religion is very open to criticism.