Paganism and Catholicism.

[phipps]

Just in case you are interested, a classic book that explains how the RCC started leaving the narrow path. Large print, shorter than first impressions give. Vigilantius tried to prevent the church from from worship of saints + adopting many other errors. Unfortunately he failed.

https://archive.org/details/vigilantiusandh00gillgoog/page/n8

It is what the Catholic Church added over time that makes it no longer Christian. Like the curtain fig tree**, the Roman Catholic Church grew on the original (small c) catholic church, slowly overtook it and then strangled all spiritual life out of it.
The RCC (church) has many superficial similarities to other churches, its true nature is different from the early church of the bible.

It doesn't matter how moral or Christian the RCC looks to outsiders, its nature is not Christian.
Its extra doctrines add to, distort and even contradict the original Nicene Creed. https://carm.org/roman-catholicism
When forced to choose between the RCC and the bible, the true Roman Catholic will choose the church and its teaching/s every time.

Non-Christians/ Pagans often feel way more compatible with/ positive towards RCC church because RCC embraced pagans when the church became an official religion. Paganism is in the RCC's DNA.
To believe in Jesus, you must be born again. A born again believer i.e. Christian leaves the RCC when they realise they believe in a different Jesus to the RCC's version.

----
** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtain_Fig_Tree To the outsider who knows nothing about trees the Curtain fig looks like a strange tree, but they assume it is a tree like all other trees. It isn't - it is a parasite that kills its host tree.

P.S. will be my only entry as I only want to give my position here.

I know your post was to someone else, but I'm also interested and thank you for you entry.

 

[phipps]

Paganism and Catholicism: Sun Worship Symbols

Summary: Read about some of the pagan sun worship symbols that are displayed in Catholicism.

Virtually all symbols of sun worship exist in present-day Roman Catholic cathedrals.

St. Peter’s in Rome has one of the greatest collection of pagan symbols in the world. The main altar at St. Peter’s, Bernini’s Canopy, has the symbols of the serpent, sun and moon worship, and male and female forms of sun rays. The altar has Pope Joane (the only female pope in history) depicted in pains of childbirth representing the birth of the sun god.

Other symbols of sun worship found in Catholicism include the solar wheel dating back to the time of the Chaldeans. It is found on virtually all cathedrals today. The square of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome consists of the largest solar wheel in the world. The square is circular and the wheel has eight spokes.

Moreover, in St. Peter’s Square, there is a wheel within a wheel, which is a counterfeit of the mobile throne of God, as described by the prophet Ezekiel. As a counterfeit, it represents the throne of the Dragon who gives the Beast his seat and great authority. In the center of the square is an obelisk, a phallic symbol dedicated to the worship of the sun. The Vatican is built on the hill where the temple of Janus the sun god stood. Alongside St. John’s Lateran, which is the church where the Pope is crowned and where he speaks infallibly, is the obelisk of Tutmoses III, which was dedicated to Reharakti, the sun god.

Many other symbols of sun worship are used in Catholicism, such as halos, pagan crosses, lightning bolts, hand-signals from sun worship cults, tridents, the fleur-de-lis, and sexagesimal triangles with the eye of Horus.

Coptic shells, which in paganism served as a symbol of the cosmos, were also used, along with astrological signs. Globes serve as symbols of rulership of the universe, and pagan gods carried the globe. The largest globe in the world is on top of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The Catholic Church also uses sacred heart symbols, sacred animal symbols, and fertility symbols such as pine cones. Pagan deities wore the pine cone on their crosier just as the popes do today. Catholics also use prayer beads for repetitive prayers, even though the Bible admonishes, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).


Pagan Catholic Architecture



An ancient pagan place of worship built into the hillside in Syria where the monastery of Saydanaya is located. The pagan worship cave is sealed with the black iron door. Triple arches were common in pagan worship and are also used in Mary veneration. On the top of this hill is a monastery containing a painting that drips oil. Catholic structures are often built over ancient pagan sites.



In the garden of a Roman Catholic Church in southern Germany, a statue of they call "David" carrying the sheep around his neck. Is this really David or a representation of Pan? This figure is holding a pan flute—an instrument that David never played. Page 37 of Catholic historian Theodore Maynard's The Story of American Catholicism says, "Catholicism is overlaid with many pagan incrustations. Catholicism...is ready to accept that accusation—and even to make it her boast...The great god Pan is not really dead, he is baptized." Pan was the god of the groves and the god of fear (from which we get our word "panic"). Pagan gods had a good or evil side. He is worshiped either as a beautiful young man who carries the sheep, or as the one with the goat’s feet, depending on which aspect you are looking at. The dark and the light are one and the same.



Golden door in the chapel of St. Ignatius in San Francisco showing the peacock, phoenix, dragon-fish, unicorn, pagan mitre and staff, and a P with crossed feathers (a 666 symbol also used in freemasonry).



Winged lion on a Catholic baptistry.



In the same Roman Catholic Cathedral as the statue of statue of "David", we see the reverse version of Pan depicted as well. Here we see him with goat's feet along with the dragon bird, which are both symbols of Lucifer. Pagan gods had a good or evil side. You could worship the dark or the light—they are one and the same.



You will often find Mary depicted in a cave setting when you visit the gardens of Catholic churches. This is just like the ancient goddess of the grove. Here is a statue of Mary in a grotto in a Catholic monastery in Germany. Arches, grottos, and caves are common in Mary veneration. Watch our ADtv video about the Wine of Babylon for more information.



On the door of a Roman Catholic Cathedral is a yin yang symbol.



St. Peter's Square. Note the obelisk and eight-spoked sun wheel forming the shape of the square.



Mary statue in a grotto. Note the "Maria" inscription above the archway. The "M" is a masonic symbol. Watch our ADtv video about the Wine of Babylon for more information.



St. Peter's Basilica, topped with a sun dome. Catholic cathedrals are often built on the ancient sites where pagan deities were worshiped. The construction of Catholic cathedrals also mimics the ancient pagan structures by including features such as the sun dome, triangles, and crosses. The circular pillared structure at the top is called "the seat of the goddess." All the great cathedrals are built just as in the druidic system—a channel of pillar stones leading to a central circle—the ancient pagan sexual symbol.



Original triple yin yang symbol with sun blasé on floor of a Roman Catholic cathedral in London.



The Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu emerges out of the cave with her face painted white in a Shinto ritual dance. Source: Wikimedia Commons.



Monastery of Saydanaya in Syria devoted to Mary. Both Catholics and Muslims worship here. It is built on a hill once devoted to ancient Greek deities. Copyright Amazing Discoveries. Read about unity among religions.



Original triple yin yang symbol with sun blasé on ceiling of a Catholic cathedral in Germany.



Symbols of the Zodiac are found on the floor of the Vatican.



The so-called symbol of St. Mark, which is really the Babylonian winged lion facing the symbol of the sun god.



Symbols of the Zodiac are found on the floor of the Vatican. This originates from the culture of the Chaldeans.



St. Peter's Basilica. Note the pagan symbols all around the room.

 

[phipps]

The Mother-Son Sun Worship System

Summary: Pagan sun worship systems focus on a family of deities: the mother, father, and son. This system is repeated in the Roman Catholic veneration of Mary.

The pagan system of sun worship had three main aspects: the father, mother, and the son. In ancient Chaldean times, these were the god Bel or Merodach, Ninus the son who was also worshiped as Tammuz, and the female goddess Rhea who was also worshiped as Ishtar, Astarte, or Beltis. She was also referred to as the “queen of heaven,” and the “wrath subduer.” Mary has received these same names in Catholicism.

Mother and child worship was the basis of the ancient religions. In the various religions of the world, the same system of worship was perpetuated under different names. In Egypt , the mother and child were worshiped as Isis and Osiris or Horus, in India as Isi and Iswara, in China and Japan as the mother goddess Shing-moo with child, in Greece as Ceres or Irene and Plutus, in Rome as Fortuna and Jupitor-puer, or Venus and Adurnis, and in Scandinavia as Frigga and Balder. The mother and child were worshiped in Babylon as Ishtar and Tammuz, and in Phoenicia, as Ashtoreth and Baal. Moreover, the child was worshiped as both husband and son of the mother goddess.

The male component is a counterfeit of Jesus Christ. The Biblical names used for Jesus were also used for the child in ancient religions. Zoroaster was referred to as the seed, Mithra the Persian sun god was referred to as the Saviour, Dionysus as the sin-bearer, Bacchus as the branch, Vishna as the victim-man, and Osiris as the king of kings.


Mother-Child Worship System


A statue of Mary and Jesus at Westminster Abbey. Notice the globe Jesus is holding. Source:Flickr. Watch The Wine of Babylon on ADtv for more information.



In the Papacy, as in occultism, there is a black and a white side to every god or goddess. In paganism, Osiris was worshipped either in black or white depending on what aspect of the deity you favoured. The contrasts of black and white feature prominently in secret societies as well. Here we see the black Madonna and Child. They are the same as any other, but are worshiped in their opposite form. The black and white are interchangeable in the androgenic pagan system.



Here we see a father and child in black and white. It is not uncommon in pagan religions to have the male and female interchangeable, as is the black and white. The pagan system was an androgenic system in which the deity was both male and female.



Hindu mother and child deity. British Museum.

Indian deities Isi and Iswara.

amazingdiscoveries.org

 

[Todd]

A born again believer i.e. Christian leaves the RCC when they realise they believe in a different Jesus to the RCC's version.

So the same could be said that a born again believer should leave the protestant church when they realise they believe in a different Jesus to the Protestant's version, correct? Aren't all the hundreds of protestant church denominations just incremental steps taken away from the RCC one doctrine at a time?

It's absurd to think that every person who is truly born again while a member of the RCC would automatically choose to leave the RCC. I have known many born again RCC members who disagree with much of the RCC doctrine and teaching and choose the Bible over the doctrine of the RCC without actually leaving the RCC.

Many of them choose to stay in the RCC because they feel lead to share their revelation of Jesus and being born again, with as many Catholics as possible, because they love the people. It doesn't matter whether I agree that's a smart decision or not. Who am I, or you, or anyone else, to judge their salvation or relationship with God based on that decision. If I find anything doctrinally wrong with the church denomination you belong to, does that give me a right to judge your salvation or relationship with God?

 

[Artful Revealer]

How can a Christian remove sin without Christ? We can't save ourselves from sin through our own effort (Christians and none Christians alike). Why else did Jesus come to this sin-infested planet to endure abuse, shame, and death on the cross? It was because it is the only way we can be saved from sin forever.

You're talking about Sin with capital S. If your son surrenders to gluttony, will you make him stop eating? If your daughter surrenders to hedonism, will you not set her straight? If you see a group attacking a defenseless person, would you not intervene? If you recognize your own sinfulness, do you not try to purify yourself?

I'm not saying we can become sinless, but that doesn't mean we need to remain indifferent. That was the initial question: in the face of sin, his own or another's, must a Christian do nothing?

The subject in Matthew 15:1–20 is eating without first washing the hands (verse 2). The focus here is not eating, but washing. The scribes taught that eating any food without a special ceremonial washing defiled the eater. Jesus said these ceremonial washings were meaningless. In verse 19, He listed certain evils: murders, adulteries, thefts, etc. Then He concluded, “These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (verse 20). That's what I said to you before isn't it?

Yes, I figured you were going to bring up the washing of hands, but that reasoning makes no sense whatsoever. Does the washing or not washing of hands change anything about the fact that what goes in your mouth ends up in the privvy? No. Therefore, completely irrelevant.

You are misinterpreting scripture again. That's not what 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 3 mean. I can't explain what they mean in detail because I don't have the time, but biblically bread represents the Word of God, John 6:35, 51, 52, 63. In the Bible, leaven (yeast) symbolises sin or error. It causes fermentation. The Lord said to His disciples "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15). In addition, the apostle Paul warned the Church at Corinth that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6). He was saying that just a small amount of sin could destroy us. Leaven does not symbolise "the old law, the ministration of death engraved in stones, the letter that kills." This is not biblical.

Yes, you are also right. The smallest of sins could destroy us because of the law. They are intrinsically tied, since we are flesh and are unable to be sinless, therefore the law kills us. Paul confirms this in Romans 7.

But leaven doesn't strictly refer to sin. Leaven of the Pharisees also refers to their hypocrisy, glorifying themselves in the flesh while being poor in spirit, and their doctrines and laws; their interpretation of scripture, including the laws concerning sabbath. As long as you don't come to terms with this Pharisaic aspect of the old law, you won't see the truth of the Gospel.

The meaning of Passover as I posted using scripture has always been about Jesus' death. That is why a lamb was offered to God on Passover. The Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken just as Jesus’ bones were not broken when He died on the cross for our sins. John the Baptist had prophesied in John 1:29 about Jesus Christ becoming the Lamb that bears the sins of the world, just as the Passover lamb bore the sins of the sinner. The Passover offering of the lamb was a shadow of the true offering of "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

I'm going to say this for the third time to you in this forum because you keep ignoring it. Jesus is God, and I showed you scripture from the Bible that tells us God does not change. Just because you ignore that fact won't make it less true. The Passover was fulfilled by Jesus when He died on the cross. That's the truth of the Bible.

So the Jews of today are wrong? They seem to disagree that Jesus is the passover lamb.

Lets get one thing straight. God does not take from any tradition. God always existed. He existed before this World was created. He is also all knowing. So how could He take from a tradition that celebrates infanticide? You're reaching here and this is lying against God because infanticide is against the law of God. The one of thou shalt not kill. Yes I deny it and its not biblical.

Exodus 11
4-5 So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave"

You're saying this was not infanticide and this was not the will of your god?

Jesus is God and He did not break any Sabbath commandment. Remember He created the Sabbath and is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). The Jews had thousands of man made rules about the Sabbath and other religious duties. Why? Because of their history. One of the reasons for the desolation of Israel when Babylon took Israel captive for 70 years and destroyed the temple was because they disobeyed the Sabbath commandment. God sent prophets to warns them about breaking the Sabbath commandment. (Jeremiah 17:19-22, 23, 27, 25:11, 2 Chronicles 36:21). If the Jews would not keep the Sabbath Day of God, then He would CAUSE the land to keep His Sabbath, by making it desolate. After the 70 years of captivity under Babylonian rule the Jews were able to return to their homeland but were scared of ever breaking the Sabbath commandment again because of what happened to them. So they made so many man made rules about the Sabbath thinking that would protect them from breaking the Sabbath commandment. All it did was make the Sabbath so legalistic and a burden to the Jews that they didn't look forward to it any more. The Sabbath was not a joy to keep. That was never the intention of God when He instituted the Sabbath. The sabbath was instituted for the benefit of man. The Pharisees were also always looking for ways to trap Jesus.

Luke 6:6-11, "Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus."

What kind of spirit is it that would make you angry at a man who had just given another man the use of his hand back and made him whole? Wouldn't you think that's cause for rejoicing? But they were angry. They were so bound up in what their beliefs were and that He was countermanding their opinions that they wanted to destroy him just to preserve their opinions. Obviously, that's not the right spirit. How dare God do this and break His Sabbath? Of course He never broke the Sabbath commandment.

I can't help you further. You write how Jesus willfully broke the sabbath and conclude He did not break the sabbath. That is called cognitive dissonance.

The Gospel of Thomas isn't scripture.

Because Rome said so?

 

[phipps]

Mary

Summary: Catholicism has declared Mary the sinless queen of heaven. This is not Biblical doctrine, but instead reflects pagan goddess worship.

As we have already seen, Catholic customs stem from ancient pagan practices and beliefs. Pagan priests were celibate, tonsured, and received the power of sacrificing for the living and the dead. The same power is given to Roman Catholic priests. Pagan celibate priests are dedicated to the mother goddess, and Catholic priests to Mary the mediatrix.

Elevating Mary

In 1854, the Papacy declared Mary sinless, and in 1951, they declared that she had ascended unto heaven, where she was crowned as the "Queen of heaven." This was called the Assumption of Mary. Since then, the complete system of Babylonian worship, with Mary taking the role of the mediatrix, has thus been established within Catholicism.

The goddess in ancient religions was worshipped as the life giver and nurturer and, as such, this religion was full of sexual undertones. Phallic symbols, as well as symbols of femininity and divine intercourse, were common in ancient temples, as they are in modern temples, particularly in India. These symbols are equally common in Roman Catholic cathedrals.

The breasts of the goddess formed a prominent part of the goddess cult, goddesses often being depicted with many breasts to nurture the world. Even the sun god was depicted nurturing at the goddess’ breast.

Catholicism carries the same mythology. Take for example the Magharet Sitti Mariam, or “Milk Grotto” as it is commonly known, where Catholic tradition has it that Mary spilt milk from her breast while feeding Jesus. This milk supposedly squirted onto the walls of the cave and formed white markings. The grotto has become a shrine, revered today as a place of pilgrimage for healing and fertility.

"The sinner that ventures directly to Christ may come with dread and apprehension of his wrath; but let him only employ the mediation of the Virgin with her Son and she has only to show that Son the breasts that gave him suck and his wrath will immediately be appeased." Catholic Layman, July 1856.

Pope John Paul II believed that Mary intercedes for the faithful who honour her during mass:

"As they listen to the word proclaimed in the Sunday assembly, the faithful look to the Virgin Mary...From Sunday to Sunday, the pilgrim people follow in the footsteps of Mary, and her maternal intercession gives special power and fervour to the prayer which rises from the Church to the Most Holy Trinity." John Paul II, Dies Domini (July 5, 1998).


The Worship of Mary

Summary: Some of the names Mary is given by Roman Catholicism place her on the same level as Christ, when in reality Jesus is the only one exalted to the highest place.

Philippians 2:8-11, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The Catholic Church has elevated Mary to the level of mediator, advocate, and co-redeemer of humanity, in direct contradiction of the Scriptures. In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared Mary “immaculate,” or sinless, thus giving her the position of mediator.

Mary takes the place of Jesus in Catholic teaching. Instead of the faithful looking to Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith, they look to Mary. In Mary they find access to God. In her the Church is all holy and can learn obedience to God.

“The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blesses Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs.” “Devotion to the Blessed Virgin,” Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican City: Liguori Publications, 1994): 253.

"The way to salvation is open to none otherwise than through Mary. The salvation of all depends on their being favoured and protected by Mary. He who is protected by Mary will be saved: he who is not will be lost. Our salvation depends on thee. God will not save us without the intercession of Mary." David Hunt, A Woman Rides the Beast (Harvest House, 1994): 438.

Mary takes the place of God and she herself is treated like a goddess, a teaching to which the Catholic Church is not averse if we study even her modern statements on this issue.

"But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle, the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness. And so they turn their eyes to Mary: in her, the Church is already the “all-holy." “The Church is Holy,” Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican City: Liguori Publications, 1994): 220.

Here are some of the names Mary is given, from the book Thunder of Justice:

"Prophetess Of These Last Times, The Immaculate Conception, Mother Of The Church, Mary As The New Eve, Queen Of Heaven and Earth/Queen of Peace, The Assumption, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Queen and Mother of Families, Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate, Our Lady of all Nations, Ark of the New Covenant, Mother of the Second Advent." Ten Flynn, Thunder of Justice: The Warning, the Miracle, the Chastisement, the Era of Peace (MaxKol Communications, 1992).

The titles Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate in particular raise serious concerns, as they contradict the plainest teachings of Scripture. The Bible clearly teaches that there is but one Redeemer, Mediator, and Advocate, and that is Christ Jesus.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people" (Luke 1:68).

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).


amazingdiscoveries.org

 

[phipps]

Pagan origins of Mass.

Summary: Mass, one of the key traditions in Roman Catholicism, has components of sun worship rather than Christ-worship.

In the Roman Catholic mass, the Eucharist or “host” (the round wafer) is a symbol of the sun. It is normally placed during ceremonial masses on a monstrance with a crescent moon, symbolizing the plunging of the sun into the womb of the goddess. Some monstrances bear the letters “SFS,” which represents 666, as S was the sixth letter in the ancient Greek alphabet and F is the sixth letter in our alphabet.

The round disc in the crescent moon was a symbol of ancient Babylon, and is found in all the ancient religions. In Catholic cathedrals, these symbols are very prominent, often depicting a round form of mother and child within the crescent moon.

The rebirth of the sun god was celebrated by the eating of round bread in Babylonian times, and was common in Mithraism and Osiris worship. Historian Alexander Hislop says this:

"And here, in a so-called Christian Church, a brilliant plate of silver, “in the form of the SUN,” is so placed on the altar, that everyone who adores at the altar must bow in lowly reverence before that image of the “SUN.” Whence, I ask, could that have come, than from the ancient SUN-worship, or the worship of Baal? And when the wafer is placed so that the silver “SUN” is fronting the “round” wafer, whose "roundness" is so important an element in the Romish Mystery, is only another symbol of Baal, or the sun, what can be the meaning of it, but to show to those who have eyes to see that the “Wafer” itself is only another symbol of Baal." Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons (New Jersey: Loizeauz Brothers, 1959): 120-121.

Pope John Paul wrote in 1998 that mass also includes an element of Mary veneration, which, as we have seen, is also a pagan practice:

"Significantly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life"…As they listen to the word proclaimed in the Sunday assembly, the faithful look to the Virgin Mary, learning from her to keep it and ponder it in their hearts (cf. Lk 2:19). With Mary, they learn to stand at the foot of the Cross, offering to the Father the sacrifice of Christ and joining to it the offering of their own lives. With Mary, they experience the joy of the Resurrection, making their own the words of the Magnificat which extol the inexhaustible gift of divine mercy in the inexorable flow of time: "His mercy is from age to age upon those who fear him" (Lk 1:50). From Sunday to Sunday, the pilgrim people follow in the footsteps of Mary, and her maternal intercession gives special power and fervour to the prayer which rises from the Church to the Most Holy Trinity." John Paul II, Dies Domini (July 5, 1998).

 

[phipps]

Transubstantiation

Transubstantiation is the Catholic belief that when a priest blesses the bread and wine of the Eucharist, it becomes Christ's literal body and blood. Catholicism teaches that Christ taught His disciples about transubstantiation, and then gave them the power to transform the bread and wine into His body and blood. This power is then passed on through ordination to priests throughout the generations. David Pearson, "Do Catholics Worship Cookies?" envoy 7.2 (2003): 14.

Catholic catechism says this:

"Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God who indeed intercedes for us," is present in many ways to His Church..."most especially in the Eucharistic species." The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend." In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." "This presence is called 'real'...because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes Himself wholly and entirely present." It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament." "The Celebration of Christian Mystery," The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Liguori Publications, 1994): 346.

The Catholic Council of Trent in the 16th century determined this to be the truth about transubstantiation:

"But since Christ our Redeemer declared that to be truly His own body which He offers under the form of bread, it has, therefore, always been a firm belief in the Church of God, and this holy council now declares it anew, that by the consecration of the blood and wine a change is brought about of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord, and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of His blood. This change the Catholic Church properly and appropriately calls transubstantiation." Reverend H. J. Schroeder (trans.), "Transubstantiation," The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent (Rockford, Illinois: TAN Books, 1978): 75.

For the most part, the bread and wine do not seem to change in form, appearance, smell, or taste while transubstantiated. Catholics call these senses the "accidents," and say that although these do not change, the "real" substance of the bread and wine become the full presence of Christ:

"The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ." The Celebration of Christian Mystery," The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Liguori Publications, 1994): 347.


The History of Transubstantiation

Across 11th-century Europe, "discussion revolved around the meaning of the words of consecration in the mass: 'This is my body, this is my blood.' Berengar [of Tours, French theologian] held that a real and true change takes place in these elements, but that the change is spiritual, and that the bread and wine remain of the same substance."

At that time, Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, debated with Berengar, stating that while the "accidents" of the bread and wine remained the same, the underlying forms were changed into Christ's literal body and blood. "During a long and bitter controversy (1045-80) the term 'transubstantiation' emerged and took on Lanfranc's definition. Berengar was condemned and forced to disown his views." Tim Dooley (ed.) An Introduction to the History of Christianity (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002): 282.

Transubstantiation was affirmed officially in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran Council. At the Council of Trent in 1563, the doctrine was reaffirmed:

"If anyone says that in the sacred and holy sacrament of the Eucharist the substance of the bread and the wine remains cojointly with the blood and body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and denies that wonderful and sinular change of the whole substance of the bread into the body and the whole substance of the wine into the blood, the appearances only of the bread and wine remaining, which change the Catholic Church most aptly calls transubstantiation, let him be anathema." Reverend H. J. Schroeder (trans.), "Canons on the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist," The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent (Rockford, Illinois: TAN Books, 1978): 79.

Transubstantiation Today

Roger Oakland tells us that many contemporary Catholics do not believe in transubstantiation, "However, the Church's position on this is clear. Anyone who denies any aspect of the Church's teachings on the Eucharist is to be 'anathema'!" Roger Oakland and Jim Tetlow, Another Jesus? (Silverton, Oregon: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007): 48.


According to a brochure by the Knights of Columbus, "Recent polls indicate that a significant number of Catholics do not have a complete understanding of the Eucharist and specifically the real presence of Christ in the Blesses Sacrament. Whatever the cause of such misunderstanding of the faith, all who approach the table of the Lord need to recognize the significance of their action and the importance of their spiritual preparation." Father John A. Farren (ed.) "Questions and Answers on the Eucharist: Proclaiming the Faith in the Third Millennium" (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, 2000): 13.

A recent edition of the Catholic magazine envoy featured an article about the Eucharist called "Is this God?" In it, author Dave Armstrong reaffirms the importance of transubstantiation to Catholicism:

"Eucharist is a supernatural transformation, in which substantial change occurs without accidental change. Thus, the outward properties of bread and wine continue after consecration, but their essence and substance are replaced by the substance of the true and actual Body and Blood of Christ. This is what requires faith, and what causes many to stumble, because it is a miracle of a very sophisticated nature, one that doesn’t lend itself to empirical or scientific “proof.” But, in a sense, it is no more difficult to believe than the changing of water to ice, in which the outward properties change, while the substance (molecular structure) doesn’t. The Eucharist merely involves the opposite scenario: the substance changes while the outward properties don’t. Can anyone reasonably contend that one process is any more intrinsically implausible than the other, where an omnipotent God — particularly One Who took on human flesh and became Man — is concerned?"Dave Armstrong, "Is this God?" envoy Magazine (2000).

It seems that hundreds of years after the doctrine was first affirmed, transubstantiation continues to be an issue close to the Catholic Church's heart.

Is Transubstantiation Biblical?

1 Corinthians 11 is a key passage used in support of transubstantiation. But do Scriptures really say that Christ's blood and body literally appear during communion? Read verses 23-29:

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body."

A Remembrance
Ralph Woodrow reminds us that Christ tells us to take the bread and wine in remembrance of Him. But, "If the elements of the communion become the actual flesh and blood of Christ, how could we take it "in remembrance...until he comes" if he thus becomes present in body, blood, soul, and deity?" Ralph Woodrow, Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern (Riverside, California: Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association, 1970): 127. In other words, why would Christ ask us to participate in a ritual of remembrance until His return, if He was going to appear every time the custom was performed?

Drinking of Blood
In both the Old and New Testaments, God's people are told to avoid consuming blood (See Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:12; 1 Samuel 14:34; Acts 15:29, 21:25). God never contradicts Himself, and therefore would not tell His people to drink blood.

Symbolism
Christ constantly used symbolism to describe Himself and His Kingdom to His followers. He called Himself a door, a vine, and even the bread of life. In the Old Testament, God was referred to as a rock, a horn, and a bird. These descriptions were clearly symbolic, used to help us humans understand God's character. When Christ said "this is my body" and "this is my blood," He was not speaking literally, but rather was again using elements of the natural world as teaching tools.

Worship of Physical Objects
God has made it clear that we are not to worship idols or any physical object. However, in order to participate in Catholic communion fully, adherents must not only believe that the bread and wine are Christ's body and blood, but they must also worship those objects as they partake:

"Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration to the Lord." "The Celebration of Christian Mystery," The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Liguori Publications, 1994): 347.

"During the adoration of the Holy Sacrament, the consecrated host [bread] is presented to the faithful in a monstrance (from the Latin word monstrare, "to show"). It consists of a piece of gold or silver plate, decorated with an ornamental motif, centred on a circular base...The monstrance very often creates the effect of a gleaming sun around the Holy Sacrament." Dom Robert De Gall, Symbols of Catholicism (New York: Barnes and Noble, 2003): 96.

"The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers the cult of adoration to the Sacrament of the Eucharist, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving Consecrated Hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to solemn veneration, and carrying them processionally to the joy of great crowds of the faithful."Pope Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei—Mystery of Faith (September 3, 1965).

So, is transubstantiation Biblical? No. As Roger Oakland reminds us, Jesus does not "tell His disciples to institute a priesthood that will consecrate bread and turn it into His literal flesh. Nor does He teach here [John 6], or anywhere in the Bible, to worship His body and blood under the appearance of bread."Roger Oakland and Jim Tetlow, Another Jesus? (Silverton, Oregon: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007): 21.


amazingdiscoveries.org

 

[phipps]

The Rosary

The rosary is a tool for Catholic prayer. Similar to the mantra beads used in Eastern religions, the rosary is a string of beads which represent various prayers that need to be recited. The "Hail Mary" and "Our Father" prayers are repeated the most often.

History of the Rosary

The Catholic New Advent Encylopedia says this about how the ritual of the rosary began:

"...when the Albigensian heresy was devastating the country of Toulouse, St. Dominic earnestly besought the help of Our Lady [Mary] and was instructed by her, so tradition asserts, to preach the Rosary among the people as an antidote to heresy and sin. From that time forward this manner of prayer was "most wonderfully published abroad and developed by St. Dominic whom different Supreme Pontiffs have in various past ages of their apostolic letters declared to be the institutor and author of the same devotion." That many popes have so spoken is undoubtedly true, and amongst the rest we have a series of encyclicals, beginning in 1883, issued by Pope Leo XIII, which, while commending this devotion to the faithful in the most earnest terms, assumes the institution of the Rosary by St. Dominic to be a fact historically established." Kevin Knight, "The Rosary," New Advent Encyclopedia.

The Catholic encyclopedia and other sources suggest a more organic introduction of the rosary into Catholicism, and do not deny its inherent connections with Eastern meditation practices.

In more recent history, Popes Pius XI, John Paul I, and John Paul II, among others, have commended and even commanded the use of the rosary in prayer.

The Rosary and Spiritualism

Catholics disagree with Protestants who say that rosary recitations are "vain repetitions" as condemned in Matthew 6:7, "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words." Their argument is that "the spirit of the exercise lies in the meditation upon the fundamental mysteries of our faith," in which the words prayed in the rosary "form only a sort of half-conscious accompaniment." Ibid.

Half-conscious repetition of words is common in Eastern meditation and is a dangerous practice that opens the mind up to spiritualistic experiences. "Buddhists and Hindus practice the repetition of a word or phrase in their attempts to empty their minds and reach higher states of consciousness that reveal their own divinity" (emphasis in original). Roger Oakland, Faith Undone (Silverton, OR: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007): 113-114.

The Rosary and Mary Worship

Another key element of the rosary is the veneration of Mary. Without Mary, Catholics believe the rosary loses its power:

"The Rosary thus joins the human race to God through Mary whom God chose from all time for the specific purposes of mother and intercessor."Holy Cross Family Ministries, "Rosary: Explanation and History"

According to Catholic tradition, three young Portuguese children were visited by an apparition of Mary several times throughout the early 1900s. They were told to pray for forgiveness for "sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary." Mary is reported to have also said to them, "I am the Lady of the Rosary, I desire here a chapel in my honor to be built, that people continue to recite the Rosary every day." "Apparitions at Fatima," The Holy Rosary.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states this:

"The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship...The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," expresses this devotion to the Virgin Mary." "Devotion to the Blessed Mary," Catachism of the Catholic Church (Liguori Publications, 1994): 253.

Rosary praying is an unbiblical, and even a pagan practice that pulls people farther away from God rather than drawing them closer. Instead of glorifying God, it exalts Mary, who, although an important historical figure, has no power to answer prayers. Mary should never be worshipped or regarded as anything more than a humble human who was willing to be used by God during her life for His purpose and glory.

 

[phipps]

The Title Pontifex Maximus

Summary: The title Pontifex Maximus began as a name for ancient pagan rulers, but has since been adopted by the Papacy.

The papal title Pontifex Maximus can be traced back in different forms to the ancient Chaldean times. When Medo-Persia conquered Babylon, the Babylonian religion was maintained, but after a revolt of the priesthood, the priests of Babylon were driven out of Medo-Persia, and established themselves at Pergamum, taking with them their titles and vestures.

What did the Pontifex Maximus do?

The main duty of the Pontifices was to maintain the pax deorum or "peace of the gods." The immense authority of the sacred college of pontiffs was centred on the Pontifex Maximus, the other pontifices forming his consilium or advising body.

The last pontiff king of Pergamum was Attalus III, who bequeathed his title to the emperor of Rome in 133 BC. In the fourth century AD, Christian emperor Gratian refused the title, and in the year 431 AD, the title was taken over by Damascus, bishop of Rome.

The present-day college of cardinals with the Pope at the head is identical to the college of pontiffs with the Pontifex Maximus at the head.

The keys that the Pope wears around his neck are not the keys of Peter. Rather, they date back from Babylonian times, when it was supposed that this representative of God had the power to unlock heaven or hell.

A statement about the Pope’s position is found in William Barry's The Papal Monarchy:

"The Pax Romana (Roman peace) has ceased; it is a universal confusion. But wherever a Bishop holds his court, religion protects all that is left of the ancient order. A new Rome ascends slowly above the horizon..."

"The Emperor is no more...but the Pontifex Maximus abides; he is now the Vicar of Christ, offering the old civilisation to the tribes of the North. He converts them to his creed, and they serve him as Father and Judge supreme" (emphases added). William Barry, The Papal Monarchy: From St. Gregory the Great to Boniface VIII (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1911): 45-46.

The official papal title Pontifex Maximus, meaning "the Bridge-Builder" on the floor in St. Peter's...

amazingdiscoveries.org

 

[phipps]

The Pope Claims to be God on Earth

Summary: Read proof that throughout the Roman Church's history, the Papacy has often claimed that the Pope is divine.

Throughout the centuries of Rome's existence, the popes have regularly claimed to be divine. As the supposed successor of Peter, the Pope claims infallibility, the position of God on Earth, and ability to judge and excommunicate angels.

Cardinal Sarto, who became Pope Pius X, said this:

"The Pope represents Jesus Christ Himself..." Cardinal Sarto, as quoted in Publications of the Catholic Truth Society Volume 29 (Catholic Truth Society: 1896): 11.

This belief has so assimilated into society's thinking that it is believed by many beyond Catholic circles. According to TIME, Pope John Paul II's assassination attempt prompted a young Jewish man to say, "shooting the Pope—It's like shooting God." George J. Church et. al, "Hands of Terrorism," TIME (May 25, 1981).

Further Quotes from Vatican Documents show the Papacy's belief in Papal Infallibility:

In 1512 Christopher Marcellus said this to Pope Julius II:

"Take care that we lose not that salvation, that life and breath which thou hast given us, for thou art our shepherd, thou art our physician, thou art our governor, thou art our husbandman, thou art finally another God on earth (emphasis added). Find the original Latin version here.

Just recently, in 2004, Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland said this:

"It seems that Pope John Paul II now presides over the universal Church from his place upon Christ's cross." "Auckland Bishop Says Pope Presides From the Cross" (Zenit, September 20, 2004).

The Gloss of Extravagantes of Pope John XXII says this:

"But to believe that our Lord God the Pope the establisher of said decretal, and of this, could not decree, as he did decree, should be accounted heretical" (emphasis added). View extracts here.

Words from the Popes themselves:

In 1302 Pope Boniface said this in a letter to the Catholic Church:

"Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff." Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam (Rome: 1302).


Papal coin of Pius VI from the 1700s, with the title "Pius VI Pontifex Maximus."...

A coin of the Vatican state says this about Pope Pius VI:

"Pius Sextus Pontifex Maximus." Vatican Coin of 1795.

Pope Leo XIII said these things about the role of the Papacy and the Roman Church:

"Our thoughts went out towards the immense multitude of those who are strangers to the gladness that filled all Catholic hearts: some because they lie in absolute ignorance of the Gospel; others because they dissent from the Catholic belief, though they bear the name of Christians."

"This thought has been, and is, a source of deep concern to Us; for it is impossible to think of such a large portion of mankind deviating, as it were, from the right path, as they move away from Us, and not experience a sentiment of innermost grief. But since We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty..." Pope Leo XIII, Praeclara Gratulationis Publicae—The Reunion of Christendom (Rome: 1894).

​

"But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires, together with a perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself." Pope Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae: On Christians as Citizens (January 10, 1890).

And more recently, Pope John Paul II wrote that names like "Holy Father" are applicable to the Pope, even though calling him that is counter to the Gospel:

"Have no fear when people call me the "Vicar of Christ," when they say to me "Holy Father," or "Your Holiness," or use titles similar to these, which seem even inimical to the Gospel." Pope John Paul II, Crossing the Threshold of Hope (New York: Alfred A. Knoff. 1995): 6.

In 1996 he also gave his ascent to calling the Pope "Lord" and "Christ on earth":

"we readily understand the devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi for "the Lord Pope",the daughterly outspokenness of Saint Catherine of Siena towards the one whom she called "sweet Christ on earth", the apostolic obedience and the sentire cum Ecclesia of Saint Ignatius Loyola,and the joyful profession of faith made by Saint Teresa of Avila: "I am a daughter of the Church" (emphases added). Pope John Paul II, Vita Consecrata (March 25, 1996): vatican.va.

Many Compare the Pope with Jesus

The Papacy is not the only source of papal infallibility doctrine. Many Catholics and others use the titles of Christ to describe the Pope, as seen in the video below.

The Doctrine of Papal Infallibility is UnBiblical

It is clear that "the Popes have never reproved or rejected this title"António Pereira de Figueiredo, "Tentativa theologica: Episcopal rights and ultramontane usurpations" (J. Masters, 1847): 180. of blasphemy and flattery, but the Bible does not support the belief of papal infallibility. It declares that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This includes the Pope. These boasts of the Papal State fulfill the Bible's prediction of what the Antichrist power would do:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws..." (Daniel 7:25).

"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven" (Revelation 13:5-6).

amazingdiscoveries.org


The Catholic Church has a similar position on the power of their priests as I posted under the title "Paganism and the Priesthood." It is satanic for anyone other than God to claim to be God anywhere in the Universe. We read about Lucifer wanting to be and worshipped like God in Isaiah 14:12-17. Lucifer is more highly ranked than mankind because he is an angel who once lived in the presence of God but he is a created being and is wrong to think he can be like God. The papacy is wrong to even think the popes can be God or represent Him here on earth. It is the highest form of blasphemy against God. Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:

1. Someone claiming to forgive sin. Only God forgives sin (Luke 5:21). The Catholic church claims priests can forgive sin through their system of confession that bypasses Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

2. Someone claiming to be God (John 10:33). As I've just posted above, Popes claim to be God. Here is more evidence. “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” Pope Leo XIII Encyclical Letter of June 20,1894

“The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.” Catholic National July 1895.

Do these points fit the papacy? Yes.

 

[phipps]

There are more traditions in the Catholic Church that are not biblical. That are not of God. Traditions like Christmas, Confession, Easter (I have a forum on that), Indulgences, Lent, The Paschal Mystery etc. I can't post on all of them but I have provided links if anyone is interested in reading further about these traditions. Its amazing that for a religion that calls itself Christian, a lot of what they teach is not from the Word of God and stems from paganism.

Why did I post all this?

I didn't post all this because I think I'm better than Catholics nor am I attacking their faith and Church.

There is a false belief held by some Christians, that if you are a good Christian you will not offend anyone. In fact, a Christian who offends people is sometimes considered to be just one more arrogant, insensitive, narrow-minded Christian, because it is thought that “true” Christians are sensitive and considerate, and never offend anyone.

If we look at the life of Jesus, many people were offended by the truth He preached lovingly. Some people were so offended they plotted and planned His death on the cross.

The truth always offends some people and throughout history and the generations God's people have always been persecuted for their truths.

The apostles were imprisoned and/or killed for their faith because their message offended somebody. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

If like in Jesus and the apostles' day some hear the Word of God through what I've posted here, then I pray that God leads them to more and more truths.

It is never my desire to offend anyone, but we must realise that truth, even if it is presented in love, will offend some people. We each have the choice to either love people enough to offer them everlasting life, knowing that we might offend them, or we can choose to simply be quiet and not risk offending anyone. Let’s make the same choice Jesus did and tell people about Jesus and everlasting life, and pray that we will meet some of them in heaven because of our efforts.

I have one more thing to post here before I stop. I plan to post about Paganism and Protestantism next year God willing. God bless.

 

[phipps]

I will end with the tradition of Sunday Worship in Catholicism.

I have a thread here called "Who Changed the Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday?" In it I posted about how the Catholic Church changed the Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday. I posted quotes from the Catechism and prominent Catholics that make it clear Catholicism takes full credit for the change from the seventh-day to the first-day Sabbath. They claim they have the power to change the day of worship. Of course its not biblical.

I might be wrong but I don't think I posted much on the pagan roots of Sunday worship. So I will post about Sunday worship from that perspective.

No Change Documented in the Bible

In both Old and New Testaments there is not a shadow of variation in the doctrine of the Sabbath. Saturday is the only day ever designated by the term Sabbath in the entire Bible. Not only was Jesus a perfect example in observing the weekly seventh-day Sabbath, but all His disciples followed the same pattern after Jesus had gone back to heaven. Yet no intimation of any change of the day is made. The apostle Paul, who wrote pages of counsel about lesser issues of Jewish and Gentile conflicts, had not one word to say about any controversy over the day of worship. Circumcision, foods offered to idols, and other Jewish customs were readily challenged by early Gentile Christians in the church, but the weightier matter of weekly worship never was an issue. Why? For the simple reason that no change was made from the historic seventh day of Old Testament times, and from creation itself. Had there been a switch from the Sabbath to the first day of the week, you can be sure the controversy would have been more explosive than any other to those Jewish Christians.

Sunday actually made very little headway as a Christian day of rest until the time of Constantine in the fourth century. Constantine was emperor of Rome from AD 306 to 337. He was a sun worshipper during the first years of his reign. Later, he professed conversion to Christianity, but at heart remained a devotee of the sun. Edward Gibbon says, “The Sun was universally celebrated as the invincible guide and protector of Constantine.” Edward Gibbon, The history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire Volume 3 (London: 1838): 237.

The story of Constantine's conversion has become very well known to students of ancient history. He was marching forth to fight the battle of Milvian Bridge when he had some kind of vision, and saw a flaming cross in the sky. Underneath the cross were the Latin words meaning “In this sign conquer.” Constantine took this as an omen that he should be a Christian, and his army as well. He declared all his pagan soldiers to be Christians, and became very zealous to build up the power and prestige of the church. Through his influence great blocks of pagans were taken into the Christian ranks. But, friends, they were still pagan at heart, and they brought in much of the paraphernalia of sun-worship to which they continued to be devoted. They brought in customs like Christmas and Easter into the church from paganism. At the same time, many other customs were Christianized and appropriated into the practice of the church as well.

Sun Worship

You see, at that time the cult of Mithraism or sun-worship was the official religion of the Roman Empire. It stood as the greatest competitor to the new Christian religion. It had its own organization, temples, priesthood, robes—everything. It also had an official worship day on which special homage was given to the sun. That day was called “The Venerable Day of the Sun.” It was the first day of the week, and from it we get our name Sunday. When Constantine pressed his pagan hordes into the church they were observing the day of the sun for their adoration of the sun god. It was their special holy day. In order to make it more convenient for them to make the change to the new religion, Constantine accepted their day of worship, Sunday, instead of the Christian Sabbath which had been observed by Jesus and His disciples. The way had been prepared for this already by the increasing anti-Jewish feelings against those who were accused of putting Jesus to death. Those feelings would naturally condition many Christians to swing away from something which was held religiously by the Jews. It is therefore easier to understand how the change was imposed on Christianity through a strong civil law issued by Constantine as the Emperor of Rome.

The law said:

"Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday (Sabbath), but shall work on that Day: but the Lord’s Day, they shall especially honour; and as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ.." Rev. Charles Joseph Hefele, Henry N. Oxenham (trans.), A History of the Church Councils from 326 to 429 Volume 2 (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1896): 316.

Those early Christians, feeling that the Jews should not be followed any more than necessary, were ready to swing away from the Sabbath which was kept by the Jews.

So that was how a pagan day of worship came to be the day that most Christians worship on. If you want to read more on this subject, I will post links below.

https://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/how-the-sabbath-was-changed

 

[phipps]

In both the earthly and heavenly temples (the earthly temple was modelled on and was a copy of the heavenly temple, Hebrews 8:1-2, 4-5 ), the ark of the covenant was the most important piece of furniture in it. It was/is in the most holy room and it contained/contains the tablets of the Ten Commandments. On the ark were/are two angels and between them was/is the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22), where the presence of God dwelt/dwells. The mercy seat is God's throne in heaven which is located between two angels.

In the picture below the pope also sits between two angels apparently. Of course its all false and blasphemous.

 

[phipps]

This is blasphemy because the pope is claiming to do things only God can do.

Daniel the Prophet said this would happen, "He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time" (Daniel 7:25).

We are told, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4).

 

[phipps]

The teaching of the sinlessness of Mary is derived from the erroneous doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is taught that Mary was born different than you and I. In other words, Mary was sinless. Yet, the Bible states “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In addition, Mary herself admitted to her need of a Saviour, "And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47).

However, this erroneous doctrine of Mary’s sinlessness has gone from bad to worse. From the time that the Immaculate Conception was established as an official dogma of the Catholic Church in 1854, the Papacy has gone so far as blasphemously calling Mary a co-Redeemer or co-Mediatrix with Christ.

 

[M G]

Hmmmm?

 

[Flarepath]

That Pope bloke always reminds me of-

 

[ToxicFemininitySucks]

Good thread!

The most bizarre part is why do non-Christians insist on defending catholicism or insiting on conflating it with Christianity? My theory is that since catholicism has so many obvious errors they use it to discredit biblical Chrisitanity...

Speaking of biblical, so deceptive and misleading of anyone to say the catholics wrote the Bible - the Old Testament, gospels, and epistles were wrtitten long before the "catholic church" existed. Ive read some of the apocrypha and it reads like fan fiction. The pseudoappcrypha that the catholics used to derive some of their doctrine is even worse.


And that strawman of "the babylonian emuna elish preceeds the Bible" is also misleading. Yes, the babylonians wrote it down technically, but the events that occurred early on in Genesis happened 1000s of years before the Bible was written. That the babylonians wrote about a flood doesn't mean it didn't happen accprxing to th3 Bible. I remember hearing that argument in a college history class back before i was a Christian. Some people want to believe anything rather than the Bible...


About the paganism, to get back on topic, it's so contradictory that catholics get upset over their church wanting to bring in new pagan idols in modern times when they've been based on paganism all along. For some reason diana, ishtar and isis are valid but pachamama is not, makes no sense. It's all bad, and the same. I can only imagine that back in those days there was an outcry about it too, but it was suppressed.

 

[Flarepath]

..The most bizarre part is why do non-Christians insist on defending catholicism or insiting on conflating it with Christianity? My theory is that since catholicism has so many obvious errors they use it to discredit biblical Chrisitanity...

Yes, Catholicism has got satan's fingerprints all over it, for example he's convinced them to pray to Jesus's mum, and he's convinced them that women can't be priests, and he's convinced them that they can be nasty people but be forgiven if they confess to their priest.
PS- speaking of catholic priests here's one lurking outside a kiddies playground..-