quote:

---

Originally posted by: Maria
" matthew...you are not going to bait me into a bible thumping contest...i cannot quote scripture like you can...i have quite a full life...no time to memorize the book... anyway...i did pay attention in ccd...and to be forgiven of your sins...you go to confession and do penance (and you are truly sorry)...it's a catholic rite...perhaps it is or it isn't WRITTEN in the bible - if it's part of our doctrine it's somewhere...you let me know...and upon your death bed you are given last rites... original sin is wiped away at your baptism...we are born with this sin...it then it is cleansed from us when we are welcomed into and accept (our parents/godparents) g-d and turn away from sin... it's funny - you answer nothing - just keep questioning everyone else..."

---

Maria,

Do these beliefs come from some where?  The Priests tell them to you and you have believed them without checking them out for yourself?

You don't know if the Bible agrees with what you have just said, yet you accept it simply because a Priest told you it was that way?

I have asked questions because the answers you and others here have given only lead to more questions.  They are not complete answers.  I am simply engaging in dialogue to find out what you really think.

I will pause my questions for a moment.

Here is what I think:  If I attend a church and follow its rules, then I will find out what those rules are based on and examine them to see if they are valid. I will not blindly follow simply because it's what my parents did or it's what everyone around me is doing.

I will not post the Bible verses the support (or dispute) your beliefs.  If you care to know if they are really true, then you can look them up.  There are many websites that make Bible study extremely easy.

Matthew