So, since I do not accept the Doctrine of Transsubstantiation, I am doomed to eternal heckfire?:cry:

 

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

Well, not if I'm able to convert you!

 

Seriously, that's not what we believe will happen to you. There's much more to the Catholic faith and our beliefs that are similar to other Christian denominations. The Church does not teach that you will burn in Heck if you don't believe in Transubstantiation.

Alright, here is what I want to know:

 

1. Lets say that a person has absolutely no idea how the Catholic Church is organized, what it stands for, and what its positions are on eternal questions.

 

2. Lets say that this same person wants to read for himself what the Catholic Church's official stance and policies on these things are, in other words, straight from the Vatican.

 

3. What are the publications that that person should read to answer about all that can be answered, and is there a compendium or Cliffs Notes that fairly summarizes them?

Alright, here is what I want to know:

 

1. Lets say that a person has absolutely no idea how the Catholic Church is organized, what it stands for, and what its positions are on eternal questions.

 

2. Lets say that this same person wants to read for himself what the Catholic Church's official stance and policies on these things are, in other words, straight from the Vatican.

 

3. What are the publications that that person should read to answer about all that can be answered, and is there a compendium or Cliffs Notes that fairly summarizes them?

 

There are attorneys out there the specialize in Canon law. :lol: We like to be specific and detailed.

 

Those sites rockmom posted from would probably be a good start though.

Then you have just enunciated, according to your understanding of Catholic beliefs (and I am not sure that you are accurate about your Church's teaching here), two of perhaps the primary principal differences between Catholics and Protestants:

 

1. You believe that you can "earn" your way into Heaven. I do not. I think I state my faith's beliefs clearly when I tell you that I believe that there is no amount of good works you can do that will get you into Heaven, and that the ONLY way you can achieve salvation and enter into Heaven is by confessing your faith in Jesus Christ and submitting your life to Him. I think I state my faith's doctrine clearly when I state that this happens only once, at an identifiable moment in time, and that it cannot be un-done. This is why my faith believes that there can be a true death-bed conversion of a lifelong axe-murderer.

 

2. You believe that "everyone is born worthy of Heaven." I do not. I believe I state my faith's doctrine clearly when I state that we believe that because of the original Fall from grace, we are all born into sin and are destined for eternal dagnation unless we act to turn our lives over to Christ.

 

:thumb:

3. What are the publications that that person should read to answer about all that can be answered, and is there a compendium or Cliffs Notes that fairly summarizes them?

Try this one:

Alright, here is what I want to know:

 

1. Lets say that a person has absolutely no idea how the Catholic Church is organized, what it stands for, and what its positions are on eternal questions.

 

2. Lets say that this same person wants to read for himself what the Catholic Church's official stance and policies on these things are, in other words, straight from the Vatican.

 

3. What are the publications that that person should read to answer about all that can be answered, and is there a compendium or Cliffs Notes that fairly summarizes them?

 

First, I would recommend beginning with a website such as Catholic.com. It's very user-friendly, and explains things in layman's terms. It also provides links to other sites, as well as titles of books that you can purchase from that site, or maybe check the local library to see if they carry the title.

 

Secondly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is comprehensive and direct. It really is a straightforwrad, if lengthy, explanation of what being a Catholic entails.

 

Here in the Archdiocese of Louisville, you can explore the Archdiocese website at www.archlou.org. Specifically, the Office of Lifelong Formation and Education handles the needs of those seeking to become Catholic, as well as those exploring their faith further.

 

I saw somewhere a Catholicism for Dummies book, too. :lol:

Hearsay:

 

Here's a link to a page from Tonini Church Supply here in Louisville. This page has all sorts of book titles that would interest someone who was looking for more information about the Catholic faith. It may give one some ideas of books to borrow (if available) from the library, or buy if one was interested enough.

 

Tonini Church Supply

Here's the Catholicism for Dummies I saw:

 

Better Together

Buy this book with Why Do Catholics Do That? by Kevin Orlin Johnson today!

Buy Together Today: $25.12

Hearsay, I can't deny that the Church's Eucharistic practices make me uncomfortable. I'm especially worried about the recent development of Catholic bishops using the sacrament to make a political statement by denying the Eucharist to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. The Catechism is clear that the Eucharist should not be recieved by those with knowledge of a grave sin, but I'm not sure if a vote against an abortion ban necessarily falls under that judgement.

 

The Catechism also makes it clear, however, that two groups in particular, Anglican (Episcopalian) and the Eastern Orthodox churches are closely related enough with similar teachings (read: they also believe in transubstantiation) that they may participate in that segment of the Holy Communion.

And finally, if you want to read straight from the Vatican what it's stand is on ANY issue: social, economic, political, ANY, just go to the Vatican's website. Type in your search words and go.

 

For instance, I typed in G8, and it returned 25 entries.

 

Message to the participants in the G8 Summit (English) ...the participants in the G8 Summit MESSAGE OF THE HOLY ... THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE G8 SUMMIT ... Date: 23/07/01 Size: 2k, Highlighted result page, Preview

Letter to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (English) ... economic powers plus Russia (G8) would continue to keep the ... the agenda of the G8; indeed, it should be given ... Date: 23/04/07 Size: 7k, Highlighted result page, Preview

ECOSOC High-level segment (English) ...London

Here's the Catholicism for Dummies I saw:

You mean there really is such a thing? :lol:

 

I thought you were talking about my version!

No but I bet if I search long enough, I'll find the IHM student's big fat pencil and eraser.

 

And I want it back!!

You mean there really is such a thing? :lol:

 

I thought you were talking about my version!

 

I honor your creativity, my friend! :lol:

I honor your creativity, my friend! :lol:

Just trying to clarify if we had experienced a psychic incident.

Hearsay, I can't deny that the Church's Eucharistic practices make me uncomfortable. I'm especially worried about the recent development of Catholic bishops using the sacrament to make a political statement by denying the Eucharist to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. The Catechism is clear that the Eucharist should not be recieved by those with knowledge of a grave sin, but I'm not sure if a vote against an abortion ban necessarily falls under that judgement.

 

The Catechism also makes it clear, however, that two groups in particular, Anglican (Episcopalian) and the Eastern Orthodox churches are closely related enough with similar teachings (read: they also believe in transubstantiation) that they may participate in that segment of the Holy Communion.

 

Of course I also have issue with the practice of not kneeling while the blessed sacrament is exposed. Really bothers me. If I am in a parish that does the standing thing I still kneel. If they look at me oddly the look at me oddly.