RELIGION....(part 2)

[bfg9000]

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I read the articles and find them amusing... according to the 1st article you posted, anyone who does good, even though he worships another God(s) i.e. Socrates (who was used in the article as an example) still goes to Heaven, Roman Catholic version? What about the commandment that "though shall have no other Gods..."? Ok ra diay to break the commandments AND the teachings of the Catholic Church as long as you do good? So when someone who devoutly prayed to Zeus/Buddha/Vishnu/Mithra/etc. dies, he meets Jesus? Wouldn't he die again of shock? (Who are YOU?!!! I want Buddha!)

As for the second article... it was very long and I just skimmed thorugh it since most of it didn't seem to pertain to my previous question. But it does clearly state:

Three conditions are requisite for a man to be a member of the Church.

1. In the first place, he must profess the true Faith, and have received the Sacrament of Baptism.

Just from that first condition... wouldn't that exclude everyone who hadn't had baptism?

[mannyamador]

Human chain for Life, Decency & Morality on Feb. 15

Pro-Life Philippines will lead grassroots communities, family and life ministry groups, schools and civic
organizations in a show of support for life-affirming measures being formulated by some of the
country’s legislators. In the same way, the Human Chain for Life, Decency & Morality -- which
happens on February 15 at 4 pm -- protests against proposed bills such as House Bill 3773 or the
“The Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Act of 2005,� which pushes for a
two-child policy and increased budget allocation for intensive promotion of abortifacient drugs and
methods of birth control.

Immediately after a 3:00 prayer rally at St. Peter Parish in Quezon City, people will be lined up one
meter apart on the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue. Pro-Life’s executive director Jimmy
Leornas says the starting point will be the parish façade, with the expected thousand participants
forming the chain all the way to Batasang Pambansa.

The Human Chain for Life, Decency & Morality is part of the Pro-Life Month celebration, which has
American and Canadian pro-lifers flying in to hold training seminars, speaking engagements and
discussions with pro-life legislators. Molly White, Denise Mountenay, Karen Bodle and Luana
Stoltenberg represent the groups Living the Redeemed Life-USA, Canada Silent No More, and
Operation Outcry and are all post-abortive women who are now involved in the healing ministry
and advocacy work for women.

Caribbean pro-life activist priest Rev. Fr. Linus Clovis is also in the country to speak before various
groups on life issues. Fr. Linus, co-founder of Family Life International, led the resistance to the
legalization of abortion on the island of St. Lucia in 2003.

For details, call 421-7147 or 911-2911.

[mannyamador]

I read the articles and find them amusing... according to the 1st article you posted, anyone who does good, even though he worships another God(s) i.e. Socrates (who was used in the article as an example) still goes to Heaven, Roman Catholic version? What about the commandment that "though shall have no other Gods..."?

The may POSSIBLY be saved. But they are on their own as far as getting it is concerned. Catholics are NOT on their own because of the Sacraments.

Three conditions are requisite for a man to be a member of the Church.

1. In the first place, he must profess the true Faith, and have received the Sacrament of Baptism.

Just from that first condition... wouldn't that exclude everyone who hadn't had baptism?

Of course they wouldn't be formally members of the Church. But formal membership isn't the issue your raising, is it?

[bfg9000]

The may POSSIBLY be saved. But they are on their own as far as getting it is concerned. Catholics are NOT on their own because of the Sacraments.

So if I'm good but don't believe in the Catholic or any other church, I still have a chance to be saved? But if I join the Catholic Church so I can perform these rituals called "sacraments"... I have a better chance? Is that official Catholic doctrine?

Of course they wouldn't be formally members of the Church. But formal membership isn't the issue your raising, is it?

No, I'm just confused as to why someone needs to join the Church, if he can still be saved otherwise by doing good. How important is being baptized, joing the Catholic Church, etc. with regards to salvation, if, as the article implied, even Socrates (who I'm sure worshipped Greek Gods and was not a Catholic or even a Jew or Christian) could be saved?

[mannyamador]

So if I'm good but don't believe in the Catholic or any other church, I still have a chance to be saved?

Yes. But I can't tell you how good a chance it is.

But if I join the Catholic Church so I can perform these rituals called "sacraments"... I have a better chance? Is that official Catholic doctrine?

Well, no. You don't become a Catholic just to perform rituals. One should join the Church because he wants to believe in the truth and promote it. The chances for salvation, however, are better (in fact, pretty certain) if you really practice the Faith.

No, I'm just confused as to why someone needs to join the Church, if he can still be saved otherwise by doing good.

I can give two personal reasons:

1. To know/affirm/advocate the truth;
2. To be more certain of my salvation.

[bfg9000]

@mannyamador

Thanks for your answers. I've always been hesitant to post religious questions because too often I've seen them lead to endless arguments. Now at least I know I can ask and there's a chance it won't lead to jihad.

[Sovabon]

Just for curiosity; why there are now a hundred of sects/religions protesting the RCC doctrines? If the RCC religion and its doctrines are the real one, then why is it that they are center of controversies. I guess this is not because of money and power!

[tolstoi]

^^human nature

[dacs]

Just for curiosity; why there are now a hundred of sects/religions protesting the RCC doctrines?

Because it does not agree with the world.Â* The prince of this world could not tolerate her presence, and sought to destroy her.Â* Unfortunately, not even her own bishops and priests (i.e., those who live lives unworthy of their office) are able to do that.Â* Glory to God!

If the RCC religion and its doctrines are the real one, then why is it that they are center of controversies.

As predicted by Christ, actually (and biblically).Â* Many will come and claim to be of God, and one Church stands up against that claim time and again.Â* Guess who?

I guess this is not because of money and power!

[hemybel]

people should respect each others' beliefs di ba para walang away.