I agree with you on a few of the points, but not all of them.
- Baptism of infants doesn't make any sense. Infants are innocent and, therefore, perfect. They don't need baptism.
- Transubstantiation is when the sacrament bread and wine LITERALLY turn into the flesh and blood of christ as you consume them. Which also doesn't make sense.
- Saints are a huge issue. People in Mexico hold the virgin Mary in higher regard than Christ. They pray to her instead of God. We shouldn't be praying to anybody other than God. And don't get me started on memorized prayer.
- And I think that celibacy - which was never taught by christ - is one factor causing the widespread pedophilia.
Baptism of infants doesn't make any sense. Infants are innocent and, therefore, perfect. They don't need baptism.
Catholicism is really old. Some of its quirks come from ancient times. Infant mortality was really high in the past, people wanted to make sure their dead babies went to heaven. It’s not really that bad.
Transubstantiation is when the sacrament bread and wine LITERALLY turn into the flesh and blood of christ as you consume them. Which also doesn't make sense.
It’s more about becoming one with God in that moment. You are the blood and flesh of God.
Saints are a huge issue. People in Mexico hold the virgin Mary in higher regard than Christ. They pray to her instead of God. We shouldn't be praying to anybody other than God. And don't get me started onthe memorized prayers.
The Catholic religion is based on the holy trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the Father, he sent his only son to die for us, and his spirit works through us. When you pray to a saint, you are praying to the Holy Spirit, not the saint. You are not worshipping an idol, you are worshiping God, the part of God that performed miracles through a saint.
And I think that celibacy - which was never taught by christ - is one factor causing the widespread pedophilia.
Totally agree. Celibacy was not always a part of the church, priests could marry in the past. It was only Monks who took a vow of celibacy. It is still contentious within the church.
You did some mental gymnastics there with the Saints issue, but ok. I believe in the trinity too. But, I believe we should be praying to god the father in Christ's name. Like christ taught in the bible.
EDIT: And transubstantiation is (or was) a thing taught by the catholic church. Look it up. The LITERAL consumption of Christ
You did some mental gymnastics there with the Saints issue, but ok.
That’s the dogma I was taught. Most religion contains mental gymnastics, so that’s not a fair rebuttal.
And transubstantiation is (or was) a thing taught by the catholic church. Look it up. The LITERAL consumption of Christ
Yes, I know what it is. I don’t see the problem with it. If you can believe in an all powerful being you can believe he turns water into blood and the sacrament into flesh. You are arguing points of faith. If you have faith in an all powerful God you can faith in transubstantiation
You might get some value out of reading or listening to The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop, particular the chapters that document the origin of each of the practices OP mentioned.
Not really, I stopped believing in any of it 20 years ago. Just having a debate because I'm bored and OP said he wanted a genuine discussion.
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