An article about Roman Catholicism...

A while back someone brought up that Catholicism and Christianity are one in the same. Why? Because they both believe in the same God, and they claim that Jesus is the center of their faith. Here's the problem with that though. While the Catholics claim to worship the same Jesus as the Christians - they do everything but that. They bow to statues, they confess their sins to a mere man, they offer up prayers to dead saints and angels, Mary, but not Christ.

Below is an article I have that was written by a former Roman Catholic priest names Bartholomew F. Brewer, PH.D. All scripture used was taken from the Catholic Bible (To further prove that their rules and traditions are no where to be found in THEIR OWN BOOK)...

The article is quite long, but not as long as some of the things I've posted here. It's about 6 pages in Word (Times New Roman, 12pt). There's also a list of Roman Catholic Inventions that I will post in the next post. That's about a page in Word.

It's not as in-depth as I would have liked, but it goes to point out some of the major Catholic traditions, and that none of them are to be found in Scripture. In fact, MOST of them actually go AGAINST scripture.

Well... Enjoy...

<blockquote>All Scripture quotations and references are taken from the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Translation of the Catholic New Testament and the Douay Version of the Old Testament.

THE TRUE CHURCH

The Roman Catholic Church claims to be God's true Church and all members are to promise obedience to the Bishop of Rome, whom she claims is successor to Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of Jesus Christ.

The Roman Catholic Church is built on the assumption that in Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus appointed Peter the first pope and so founded His Church and established the papacy. If this is true, then all true Christians must become Catholic. If it is false, the whole Catholic religion is false and cultic and no true Christians could be identified with such a system. We must, then, search the Scriptures in order to know what is true. The Scriptures are not merely the writings of men, “But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:21). “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproving, for correcting, for instructing in justice: that the man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work:” (II Timothy 3:16-17). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words (the bible) shall not pass away) Matthew 24:35. Both Scripture and history testify to the authenticity, reliability, efficiency, and sufficiency of the Bible. Though some translations are better than others, all are reliable enough for general study.

When Jesus, in Matthew 16:18, said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” He used the demonstrative “this” (taute), pointing to Peter's confession. “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God” as the rock. Jesus said, “Thou are peter (petros, a stone – all believers are stones, see 1 Peter 2:5 and Ephesians 2:21), and upon this rock (petra, a huge rock foundation – the confession that Jesus is the Christ), I will build my church”. He did not promise to build His Church upon Peter. Jesus would not have trusted such a precious possession as His Church to the leadership of even one fallible man must less a whole succession of them. The pope of Rome is called the Vicar of the Son of God (Vicarius Felii Dei). In the Bible we find that the Holy spirit, not a pope, was sent to take the place of Jesus on Earth. That is what Vicar means. The Holy spirit was given to guide us into all truth (John 16:7:15) and the Scriptures were given for teaching, for reproving, for correction, and for instruction (II Timothy 3:16). Christ did not leave His Church to human leadership. Jesus Himself is still the Head of His Church. He speaks to us through His infallible Word, the Holy Scriptures, by His ever present and infallible Holy Spirit.

Let us remember that Christ is the Rock and only Head of the Church I Corinthians 3:11. For other foundation no one can lay, but that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 10:4 - The rock was Christ.
Ephesians 1:22, 23 - Head over all the Church.
Ephesians 2:20 - Christ Jesus… the chief corner stone.

Around thirty-four times in the Old Testament God is called a Rock or the Rock of Israel. You see, the Bible clearly teaches that when Jesus founded His Church, He was to be the only Head, the Holy Spirit the Vicar and Guide, and the Bible the only authority for faith and practice. All true Christians constitute THE TRUE CHURCH (those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, who believe and obey Christ's teachings). True believers were called “Christians”, not “Catholics”.
Acts 11:26 - Disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 26:28 – Persuade me to become a Christian.
I Peter 4:16 – Suffer as a Christian.

There were no Roman Catholics until Christianity was merged with paganism into a state religion around 315 A.D. The true Christians obeyed God's Word, they never joined in the pagan corruption. The gates of hell have never prevailed against the true believers, they are few, their way is narrow, they would rather suffer martyrdom than compromise the Word of God or deny their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Go out from her, my people, that you may not share in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues” (Apocalypse 18:4). Believers must not be identified with compromising or counterfeit Churches!

THE POPE

The Pipe is called “Our Holy Father”. See encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII in the Douay Version of the Bible. He is also called “Our Most Holy Lord”, Pope Pius X. See Cardinal's Oath. Moreri, a famous historian said, “To make war against the Pope is to make war against God, seeing the Pope is God and God is the Pope”. Decius said, “The Pope can do all things God can do”. Pope Leo XIII said of himself, “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 Pius X said, “The Pipe is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ himself hidden under the veil of the flesh. Does the Pope speak? It is Jesus Christ who speaks.” Pope Pius XI once declared, “You know that I am the Holy Father, the representative of God on earth, the Vicar of Christ, which means that I am God on the earth.” All this is blasphemy!
Isaias 44:8 – Is there a God besides me?
Matthew 23:9 – Call no one on earth our father.
Ephesians 4:5 – One Lord.
Philippians 2:11 – Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father
I Peter 5:3 – Nor yet as lording it over your charges.
I Peter 5:1-41 – Your fellow-presbyter.

Peter called himself a presbyter (pastor), not a pope. He refused honor (Acts 10:25, 26) saying “Stand up for I myself am a man”. The apostles argued regarding who was greatest in the kingdom (Matthew 18:1), which indicates that even they did not accept Peter as head of the Church. The wealth and power of the Roman Popes could have come to Peter or any of the apostles. They had charisma, they could heal and raise the dead and perform many other miracles. They could have accumulated gold and land and conquering armies, but they gave away all that was placed at their feet (Acts 4:37, 3:6). They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 5:41). How could anyone be so naïve as to think that the papacy evolved out of such humility and simplicity. The office of Pope is of pagan origin and cannot in any way be substantiated in Scripture. Because of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit, such an office is not necessary or even desirable.

THE PRIESTHOOD

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Jesus Christ ordained the twelve apostles to the priesthood at the Last Supper and that the powers of the priesthood were handed down during the past two thousand years. This teaching is clearly contrary to the Word of God.

In the Old Testament the work of Christ was prefigured under the three offices of prophet, priest and king. The nation of Israel had each office. With the coming of Christ each of these offices found its fulfillment in Him. Thus in the New Testament there is no need for a human sacrificing priesthood.
John 19:30 – It is consummated.
I Timothy 2:5 – There is one God, and one Mediator… Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 7:17 – Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but likened to the Son of God, he continues a priest forever.
Hebrews 7:12 – For when the priesthood is changed, it is necessary that a change of law be made also.
Hebrews 7:24 – Because he continues forever, has an everlasting (not transferable, intransmissible [Gr. Aparabatos = without successor]) priesthood.
Hebrews 7:25 – He lives always to make intersession.
Hebrews 7:27 – He does not need to offer sacrifices daily.
Hebrews 9:12 – Having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 10:10 – We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ one for all.
I Corinthians 12:28 – God indeed has placed some in the Church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers… (No mention of sacramental priests).
Ephesians 4:11 – He Himself gave some men as apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers… (Again no mention of sacramental priests).
I Peter 5:1-3 – I, your fellow-presbyter and witness… (Nothing about being a priest).

The office of priest is not the same as minister. The concept of a mediating, sacrificing priesthood originated and developed under Cyprian, the theological authority in the West until the time of Augustine, and was part of the merger of paganism with Christianity. Nowhere in the Scriptures will one find evidence of a mediating, sacrificing priesthood after Christ.

THE MASS

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It also teaches that the Mass is the same sacrifice as that of the Cross. Both are against God's teaching.
Hebrews 7:27 – He died once for all.
Hebrews 9:11-15 – He entered once for all.
Hebrews 9:26 – Once for all.
Hebrews 9:28 – Christ offered once.
Hebrews 10:10 – Once for all.
Hebrews 10:11, 12 – One sacrifice for sins.
Hebrews 10:14 – For by one offering.
Hebrews 10:15-20 – There is no longer offering for sin. (v. 18 shows a historical present tense, in other words, Calvary continues unfettered by time or space).

If Christ is offered again by Roman Catholic priests as they claim, then the above Scriptures are not true. There are more than 100,000 Masses said all over the world every day. Jesus suffers the terrible agony of Calvary at least 100,000 times every twenty-four hours instead of “once for all” as the Scriptures teach. We must believe the Scriptures. If we truly love the Lord Jesus Christ and seek to follow His Word, we will have no regard for the teaching that the bread and wine are “changed” into the body and blood of Christ and then presented to God as a sacrifice by which God is appeased and atonement of sin is made. When Jesus said, “This is my body” or “blood”, He did not “change” the substance, but was explaining that He is the one “represented” by the Passover bread and wine. Jesus did not say touto gignetai, this has become or is turned into, but tauto esti, which can only mean this represents or stands for. Just as the Passover was a remembrance, so is Communion of the Lord's Supper a remembrance until He comes. The Roman Church, in advocating the doctrine of transubstantiation, departs from the literal sense of Scripture. May we be able to say with the Apostle Paul: “We at least, are not, as many others, adulterating the Word of God.” (II Corinthians 2:17)

CONFESSION OR THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that her priests exercise the power of forgiving sins by hearing confession of sins and granting pardon for them as ministers of God and in His name.

This teaching is not from the Bible.

I Esdras 10:11 – Now make confession to the Lord the God of your fathers.
Mark 2:7 – Who can forgive sins, but only God.
Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other.
Acts 8:12 – Repent… and pray to God. (Peter did not hear his confession and forgive him, but said, “pray to God”.)
I John 1:7 – If we acknowledge our sins. (To God, not to a priest – automatic confession and absolution.)
I John 2:1 – If anyone sins we have an advocate (Jesus) with the Father.

Throughout the bible remission of sin and salvation are connected with faith in Christ, nowhere with priestly absolution. In order to support her tribunal upon earth, the Roman Catholic Church misinterprets Matthew 16:19, “I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound also in heave; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”. And John 20:23, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained”. First of all, the “keys of the kingdom” refers to the authority to proclaim the terms of salvation in Christ. This is the privilege and duty of all Christian believers. The authority to bind and loose is first and foremost the commission to proclaim the gospel with liberates those who believe it, and consigns to bondage those who reject it. The Roman Catholic Church misinterprets this text in order to support the practice of confessing sins to a priest. The Biblical context clearly indicates, however, that the words of Matthew 16:19, 18:18, and John 20:23 were not only spoken to the apostles but also to those believers who were with them. Christian ministers are to preach repentance, but nothing is said about hearing confession and granting of absolution (forgiveness of sins).

JUSTIFICATION

The most important question pertinent to religion is, “how may a man obtain the forgiveness of (his) sins?” Here is where the most significant deviation occurs. The Bible teaches that “faith” secures the remission of sins (Acts 10:13) while Roman Catholicism teaches that the “sacraments” (in addition to faith) do. We must be very precise here for the Apostle Paul said that any different way of salvation, even if given by an angel, would be accursed. Jesus said that the seed sown on good ground “understood” the way of salvation (Matthew 13:23). We urge you to embrace the Lord's way and let go of the former way. The Scripture says, “Having been justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). One Catholic writer in defending his Church made a statement that we all should heed. He said that if faith alone saves “The whole traditional structure of Christianity is a needless empty show, the Mass, the sacraments, the sacrificing priesthood, the teaching hierarchy, the papacy, practices of penance, asceticism, habits of self-restraint, prayer. Nay, these things are a hindrance, an enormous sham, a terrible system of lies, and therefore to be utterly swept away and destroyed.” Philip Hughes, A POPULAR HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, p. 176. True Biblical Christianity rejects the notion that salvation is a moral process, that the sinner is “made” just, or “works out” his salvation by his own deeds.

Heed what God teaches in the following texts.

John 3:3 – Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that those who believe in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.
John 5:24 – He who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has life everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other.
Romans 4:5 – But to him who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the impious, his faith is credited to him.
Romans 4:6 – David declares the blessedness of the man to whom God credits justice without works.
Romans 3:28 – We reckon that a man is justified by faith independently of the works of the law.
Romans 5:1 – Having been justified therefore by faith.
Romans 10:3 – Ignorant of the justice of God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to the justice of God.
Titus 3:5 – Not by reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to his mercy…
I John 5:11-13 – God has given us eternal life; and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who has not the Son has not the life. These things I am writing to you that YOU MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
</blockquote>

 

ROMAN CATHOLIC INVENTIONS

Presbyters first called priests by Lucian – 2nd Century.
Sacerdotal mass instituted by Cyprian – 3rd Century.
Prayers for the dead – A.D. 300
Making the sign of the cross - A.D. 300
Wax candles - A.D. 320
Veneration of angels, dead saints, and images - A.D. 375
Mass became a daily ritual - A.D. 394
Beginning of exaltation of Mary, term “Mother of God” first applied to her by Council of Ephesus – A.D. 431
Priests began to wear special clothing – A.D. 500
Extreme Unction (Rite of Healing) – A.D. 526
The doctrine of Purgatory by Gregory I – A.D. 593
Latin used in worship – A.D. 600
Prayers offered to Mary, dead saints and angels – A.D. 600
First man to be proclaimed Pope (Boniface III) A.D. 610
Kissing the Pope's feet – A.D. 709
Temporal power of Popes, conferred by Pepin, King of the Franks – A.D. 750
Veneration of cross, images, relics authorized – A.D. 786
Holy water, mixed with pinch of salt, chrism, and blessed by priest – A.D. 850
Veneration of St. Joseph – A.D. 890
College of Cardinals begun – A.D. 927
Baptism of bells instituted by Pope John XIII – A.D. 965
Canonization of dead saints by Pope John XV – A.D. 995
Fasting on Fridays and Lent – A.D. 998
The Mass developed gradually as a sacrifice, attendance made obligatory – 11th c.
Celibacy of priests declared – A.D. 1079
Rosary adopted (pagan) by Peter the Hermit – A.D. 1090
The Inquisition instituted by Council of Verona – A.D. 1184
Sale of indulgences – A.D. 1190
Seven Sacraments, defined by Peter Lombard – 12th c.
Transubstantiation, defined by Innocent III A.D. 1215
Auricular confession (rite of reconciliation) of sins to a priest instead of God, instituted by Innocent III – A.D. 1215
Adoration of the wafer (called the Host), decreed by Pope Honorius III – A.D. 1220
Scapular invented by Simon Stock of England – A.D. 1251
The cup forbidden to the laity at communion by Council of Constance – A.D.1414
Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma by the Council of Florence – A.D. 1439
Tradition declared of equal authority with the Bible by the Council of Trent – A.D. 1546
Creed of Pope Pius IV imposed as the official creed in place of the original Apostolic Creed – A.D. 1560
Immaculate Conception of Mary (not virgin birth) proclaimed by Pope Pius IX – A.D. 1854
Syllabus of Errors proclaimed by Pope Pius IX and ratified by the Vatican Council: condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman Church; asserted the Pope's temporal authority over all civil rulers – A.D. 1864
Infallibility of the Pope in matters of faith and morals proclaimed by the Vatican Council – A.D. 1870
Assumption of Mary proclaimed by Pius XII – A.D. 1950

 

The Catholics do more than just interpret the Bible differently. Most of their teachings directly contradict the Bible.

"It is true that Catholics bow to statues of saints and the holy family, but so what? This out of of reverence, not false idol worshipping."

First of all, the Bible commands that we not make graven images of heavenly things, so the fact that there are statues in the churches just shows that they don't care what the Bible says. And they don't just bow. They offer up prayers to the saints, and they worship Mary on the same level as they do God. The Bible is very clear that God will share His glory with no one.

Also... If Catholicis believe the same things as Christians do regarding Christ and his resurrection and all that... Then why did they kill a million Christians during the middle ages for preaching the Gospel of Christ from the Bible? Why were they killed for encouraging people to read the Bible for themselves, as well?

This is the biggest thing that separates Christianity from Catholocism though. Christianity teaches that the only way to heaven is through the blood of Christ. In Christianity, a person must be "Born again... Not of the flesh, but of the spirit" as the Bible puts it. There must be true repentance and faith.

The opposite is true in Catholicism. The Catholics teach that one earns their way to heaven by joining the Catholic church, and following it's teachings/traditions. There is rarely a mention of the saving blood of Christ, repentence, or faith. They are told to confess their sins to a priest, and then they can say X amount of hale-mary's and their sins will be forgiven.

You should really give up on this. My entire family on my mom's and dad's side are Roman Catholic. I've been to MANY Catholic churches throughout my life. I've studied their religion deeply, and know more about it than most Catholics do. I'm telling you - Catholicism and Christianity are NOT the same thing. They are no where near alike.

The Catholic church fits a prophecy given in Revelation about the 1 world church that will be led by the false prophet (during the tribulation). The false prophet will lead the world to worship the antichrist one day. I'll come back when I have more time and put the prophecy up for anyone who may be interested. I have more stuff on why Catholicism and Christianity aren't the same, as well as scripture to back it up.

BTW, Scripture isn't difficult to understand. Did it ever occur to you that the Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. twist scripture around to fit THEIR views??? Whereas the church I go to, and the school I went to taught us to fit our to what the scripture actually says?

Take for example the JW's. They believe that only 144,000 people will be saved. They got this belief when they took a passage from Revelation out of context. There's a part in Revelation where it talks about 144,000 Jews being saved (12,000 from each tribe), and then they spread out and evangelize the world. The end result of this is a multitude of people being saved that's so great, it's innumerable. It's clearly explained. Not difficult to understand at all, but the JW's teach it as only 144,000 people will be saved from all of man-kind. You can interpret scripture by reading the context and using other scripture. It's very simple, actually.

 

Ok DaZEED&ConFuseD, when a verse says "I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh to the father, but by me" does that mean the same thing as "if you follow our traditions, confess your sins to a priest, join our church, and do the rest of the sacraments... Then you go to heaven?" Or does it mean that if you want to go to heaven, you have to go through whoever said that (in this case Jesus).

The core beliefs ARE NOT the same. That's what I'm trying to stress here. Catholics teach that you get to heaven by doing the sacraments. Not a single one of those sacraments says anything about being born again. But in the Bible Jesus says that in order to get to heaven one "must be born again".

The Catholics teach good works, when the Bible specifically says "not by works of righteousness, but by HIS GRACE he saves us"

Hempress - Maybe you should read the list of Roman Catholic inventions. It's the second post in this thread. One of them is Prayers offered up to the saints. Keep in mind that the first two posts in this thread are exact quotes from a ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST. I think he would know what he's talking about. There shouldn't be statues of the saints, angels, Christ, or any of that in a church anyway. The Bible says not to create any graven image of those things. Why? Because throughout histroy, people have the tendency to worship these images, rather than the true God.

No matter how much you try and deny it, Catholicism is not the same as Christianity. If this were not true, then during the inquisition, a million CHRISTIANS wouldn't have been murdered by the CATHOLICS.

EDIT: I take a literal approach to translating the Bible. In other words, when a verse says that it's "not by works of righteousness" I don't try to change it around. I take it how the verse says it.

THINK about it for a minute. Why would an intelligent creator, give His word to his creation in such a form that they have to try and look for deeper meaning in everything? Doesn't it make more sense that He would give it in such a way that EVERYONE could understand it? So when a verse says "no man cometh to the father, but by me" that's exactly what it means...

I suggest you re-read the first and second posts in this thread. As they were written by a (former) Catholic Priest. I think he knows more about his religion than you do.

 

I'm not tryin to bash Catholics... They're welcome to believe whatever they want... In a separate thread the idea got brought up that Catholicism and Christianity are fundamentally the same. This thread was started to prove that they are not.

I can send you the pamphlet if you wish, but it's in paper format. Or I can give you the addy to write the guy for yourself and request more info...

 

Also... About the saints thing... I hate to break the news to you, but the Bible calls EVERY saved believer in Him a saint. So if you're saved, you're a saint. The ones who are dead are no more special than the ones who are still living. God commands our prayers to HIM, not to man. And no matter how much we esteem another person, the truth is, that person is no better, in the eyes of God, than the vilest sinner. The Bible compares our righteousness to filthy rags in Isaiah. The imagry that comes with a filthy rag at that time was that of leper's rag. They would use a rag to rub their pussy sores until it could no longer hold any more puss, then they would discard it. That's what God compares the righteousness of man to.

God doesn't compare us to eachother. He compares us to Jesus (or Himself so to say). And compared to a Holy, Just, God... We are no better than filthy rags.

 

I'll give you his addy as soon as I can find the pamphlet. I have it around my house somewhere, but it's MIA at the moment (LOL)... I'll look for it tonight when I'm a bit less busy though.

EDIT: It certainly wasn't my intent to make anyone feel uncomfortable... If you knew some of the things I did about the Catholic Church, though, you might understand why I have a bit of a disliking for "The Church"... It's everyone's right to believe what they want... That's the beauty of free will... But for the Catholic Church to refer to itself as a Christian church, when all of it's core believes are directly opposed to the Bible... That kinda makes me not like the church so much (not the people who believe the church, but the church, it's officials, and the ones who teach direct opposition to the Bible, but yet call themselves Christian).

 

Me either...

I think he basically stopped by to say that he wouldn't be stoppin by... At least that's what I got from it????

 

ACTUALLY The core belief of Christianity is not only believing THAT, but also believing that you must be BORN AGAIN in order to be saved. It's a 2-PART deal man. Catholicism leaves out the second half, and THEREFORE is NOT Christian. So check-mate to you brother.

The Apostles gained the names "Christians" by preaching salvation THROUGH Jesus Christ. Even the demons believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and that he died, and rose again the third day according to the scripture. Does that mean that they're Christians too? Nope! It's one thing to believe it, it's another to put your faith in the Blood of Christ for Salvation. THAT is a Christian. Someone who acknolwdges that they're a sinner ("For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God), that they can't earn their own way to heaven ("Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by his mercy He saves us, lest any man should boast"), and that Christ is the only means of Salvation ("For I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE, no man commeth to the Father, but by me"), and finally repentence ("For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotton Son that whosoever shall believe on Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son to destroy the world, but that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved.").

CATHOLICSISM doesn't teach that. Catholicism teaches salvation through good works (the sacraments), not being born again ("Nonetheless, I say to you, if any man wish to see the kingdom, he must be BORN AGAIN"). When have you ever been to a Catholic church that preached anything remotely close to salvation through being born again??? I NEVER have, and my whole family is Catholic - on both sides.

I don't see why you're trying to argue with someone who went to school for this... They're not the same man. They may claim that the center of their faith is that Christ died, and rose again... Ok... Even satan believes that. They don't teach that you have to be born again, and being born again is what separates a Christian from a Non-Christian.