- Joined
- Nov 3, 2012
- Messages
- 782
- Reaction score
- 225
- Location
- Buffalo NY
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Conservative
Let me explain why. I was raised as a Catholic, and was taught that the Catholic Church was the true church of god. Starting when I was about 16, I attended some protestant churches and found out that there were people that didn’t follow the teachings of the Catholic Church. I didn’t know much about those Protestants prior to that. I found out that they were Christians that believed in God, but had different interpretations of the bible. I have attended one Jewish service. I haven’t been exposed to any other religions that believe in God and follow the teachings of a book other than the bible.
I still attend Mass occasionally, but don’t consider myself a practicing Catholic. And I continue to attend services at different organized Christian churches. I also attend services at a church not affiliated with a particular organization.
My belief is, that is doesn’t matter which organized church you belong to, or which book you follow that determined your belief in God.
I cannot imagine a god that will exclude one single person from the afterlife with him based on the beliefs they learned from birth to the day they die. Why can’t good Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and others that believe in God end up in the same place? I do understand there are major irreconcilable differences between these groups.
And, I do understand and respect the faith and beliefs of all others, but would find it difficult stating that my personal belief, faith or affiliation with any church or religion is the right and only one that provides other people with a path to God.
I still attend Mass occasionally, but don’t consider myself a practicing Catholic. And I continue to attend services at different organized Christian churches. I also attend services at a church not affiliated with a particular organization.
My belief is, that is doesn’t matter which organized church you belong to, or which book you follow that determined your belief in God.
I cannot imagine a god that will exclude one single person from the afterlife with him based on the beliefs they learned from birth to the day they die. Why can’t good Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and others that believe in God end up in the same place? I do understand there are major irreconcilable differences between these groups.
And, I do understand and respect the faith and beliefs of all others, but would find it difficult stating that my personal belief, faith or affiliation with any church or religion is the right and only one that provides other people with a path to God.