The_Unknown_Banana

Thanks EstherRose & Magus, that's the sort of stuff I'm looking for

Artemus

You forgot James 2:24:
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

You do you reconcile that with 4) Protestants believe that belief in Jesus is all we need to be saved.

Magus55

The word justified. It doesn't say by works a man is saved.

KnightWhoSaysNi

EstherRose,

Have you considered a formal debate with a Catholic on II? We just set up a "Debate Challenge" forum if you're interested. Some Catholic posters I can think of are stretch, PaladinChrist, Gemma Therese, Sabine Grant, and Amos.

Anyways, though most of us are heathens, we would likely find a Protestant/Catholic formal debate at II quite fascinating.

Nightshade
Moderator, II Formal Debates

Mageth

Too many differences to explain. Some specifics about Catholicism that go against the Bible and most mainstream branches of Christianity are: the Pope's infallibility on matters of faith and morals,

Instead, many Protestants believe the Biblical authors were infallible on "matters of faith and morals".

Mary is the Queen of Heaven, Co-Redemptix, perpetual virgin,

Whether Mary ever had sex or not seems a bit of a silly thing to argue about.

born sinless and remained that way ( Immaculate conception), she was assumed into Heaven ( never physically died - she was just brought up to Heaven),

Actually, Catholic tradition holds that Mary did physically die, and the Assumption occurred afterwards (either the physical body or her heavenly "transformed" body.)

Also here.

See here.

From the latter:

Further, the bible teaches that Elijah and Enoch were snatched up (apparently while still alive), and many believe Christians will be snatched up in a similar way at the Rapture. So the concept of the Assumption doesn't seem that far "out there" in regards to Biblical teaching.

the Sacraments are required to be saved, as well as other works. Praying to the dead is acceptable,

Do you pray to Jesus?

they bow to statues and idols,

But they don't worship the statues and idols; that's a Protestant misconception. See here for a brief response.

Is there a cross in the church you attend? Or religious-themed pictures?

the Pope kissed the Koran, which orders the killing of Jews and Christians, confession to a priest cleanses you of your sin, infant Baptism can save, the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church,

I assume you believe there is "one true church" of some form or another. You sure seem to want to exclude at least some Catholics, among many others, from it.

and anyone not Catholic is hell-bound, etc.

They do make some exceptions....perhaps you'll be one of the lucky ones. And I gather from your time here that you too believe that those that do not believe and "do the right thing" in regards to your particular interpretation of the Christian religion are hellbound.

Artemus

James 2:14-20:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?


The chapter Is clearly speaking of salvation (even using the term "save" in 2:14).

Even Martin Luther recognized that this is clear contradiction of the protestent doctrine of salvation by faith alone.

Bill Snedden

Mageth noted a couple of errors, I'll note a couple more:

As a sign of respect only, and not of adoration or worship, and it's not at all limited to the RC church; I've been in Lutheran and Episcopal churches where similar acts are regularly seen (bowing to the Cross, kissing the feet of a crucifix, etc.). There's nothing here that conflicts with Christian orthodoxy...

Not even to mention that this particular belief is well supported by scripture, the reality is that confession is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by true repentance. Again, no conflict with Christian orthodoxy...

No longer, not since Dominus Iesus:
Not true. The RC doctrine is complex, but cannot be so reduced. Faith is the primary requirement, but as noted, "faith without works is dead." RCs believe that works are required as a sign of a lively faith, however, it is Christ's sanctifying grace that saves, not any work of Man. You can read Dominus Iesus at the link I posted above for further clarification...

Regards,

Bill Snedden

MortalWombat

So I take it you never ask any living people to pray for you either?

Mageth

While Catholics may pray to God, oftentimes they pray to saints asking them to intervene and ask God. While they don’t see anything wrong with that, the bible tells us not to.

Do you pray to Jesus, or to God in Jesus' name?

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

NOGO

All Biblical concepts are man made.
The idea that Jesus is God is man made.
The idea that one human sacrifice saved all of mankind is man made nonsense.
The idea that people are possessed by demons is man made.
The idea that people are sick, deformed, blind and others because they have sinned is man made nonsense.
Heaven and hell are man made concepts.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.

Purgatory is sheol in the OT, another man made concept and very Biblical. The Greeks called it Hades.