xMAS and Christianity???

[Malana]

I think you are slightly misinformed. History is quite clear, the catholic church has through the centuries has been the organization doing the killing and making martyrs.

We must be reading different history books. There is no religion or denomination that does not have blood on its hands when it comes to killing in the name of God and the making of martyrs.

Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. What does this mean to you? I would not like for anyone to ever tell me that beliefs and rituals I hold dear are nonsensical and pagan. Since I am a Christian, this is something I do not do.

"Rituals" for christians have been spelled out clearly in the Bible. Adding to them (in a worship sense) is forbidden by the same Book.

That is your opinion. Have you ever attend a service in a Jewish Temple? How can rituals and traditions be wrong if they were inherited from Judaism?

I respect that a form of devotion devoid of ritual is what works for some.
I obviously experience ritual in a different way. It facilitates my relationship with God. I do not feel close to God when I attend a protestant church where the service seems to revolve most around entertaining people in an audience. This is not worship to me. It is merely community. To me it is like going out to dinner and only having dessert. Eventually, I have to go get me a nice piece of meat.

I believe that my loving God wants me to worship in whatever way works for me the best.

[metalman]

We must be reading different history books. There is no religion or denomination that does not have blood on its hands when it comes to killing in the name of God and the making of martyrs..

To say that NO demoniations are free from 'blood on their hands' is certainly not based in historical fact. It is true that other so called christian churches have engaged in killing but nearly in the extreme sense and for the lengthy history the catholic church has. Multiple millions have been slain at the papacys hands. I realize this isnt politically correct to mention but I care not for PC'ness. Such notions call for history to be rewritten. I prefer the facts even if ugly.

Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. What does this mean to you? I would not like for anyone to ever tell me that beliefs and rituals I hold dear are nonsensical and pagan. Since I am a Christian, this is something I do not do.

The golden rule is a good one to live by. It means treat others how you wish to be treated. I love catholics. Some of my own family are catholic. I can honestly say there are many honest, God fearing people in that organization...theyre just honestly mistaken or have been mislead by their priests/popes. Telling them the truth is a very kind and loving thing to do. Certainly WAY better then letting them believe lies. For example...praying to Mary for forgivness of sin. Biblically, this is blasphemy. Mary is dead. She cant hear any prayers. She cant forgive anyone. Only God can. I have seen many a catholic rejoice in knowing the teachings of the Bible as opposed to catholic tradition. It was an overwhelming relief to them in many ways.

That is your opinion. Have you ever attend a service in a Jewish Temple? How can rituals and traditions be wrong if they were inherited from Judaism?

I respect that a form of devotion devoid of ritual is what works for some.
I obviously experience ritual in a different way. It facilitates my relationship with God. I do not feel close to God when I attend a protestant church where the service seems to revolve most around entertaining people in an audience. This is not worship to me. It is merely community. To me it is like going out to dinner and only having dessert. Eventually, I have to go get me a nice piece of meat.

The majority of meaningless nonsensical rituals of the catholic church were not inherited from the jews. I have intently studied catholic theology and that much is clear. In fact, in hardline catholic theology the jew is regarded as deserving death. Obviously, I do not concur.

The jewish religion has its own nonsensical rituals.

Jesus even told the jews that they made his religion of none effect by their traditions. He chided them for substituting the commandments of men for the doctrines of God. For this they killed him.

The "habit" of prayers, meetings etc or other worship wasnt what I was addressing.

The Bible is very clear on the principle of adding/adopting pagan rituals to worship God. The Bible says the things pagans do to worship their gods "He hates" and doing such is an "abomination". The Christian is supposed to have nothing to do with such.

I believe that my loving God wants me to worship in whatever way works for me the best.

Well you can certainly believe and practice what you wish but I can assuredly tell you without hesitation that the Scripture says otherwise.
And I mean no disrespect to you at all. Nor am I questioning your sincerity.