question for Protestants Options

[*kryogenix*]

To my understanding, the following are the major reasons why people are Protestant rather than Catholic

• Sola Scriptura
• Sola Fide
• The Pope
• Virgin Mary
• Confession

inform me if I am missing anything.

So my question to Protestants is: can you justify the deviations from Catholic teaching?

[richc]

oh, the Virgin Mary.

Well. We Protestants....see Mary as a devoted Christian, but not one that should be praised.

If you were sick, (and as sinners, we all are), would you go to the doctor ro the doctor's mother?

[*kryogenix*]

oh, the Virgin Mary.

Well. We Protestants....see Mary as a devoted Christian, but not one that should be praised.

If you were sick, (and as sinners, we all are), would you go to the doctor ro the doctor's mother?

Let me ask you this: If you were sick, would you rather pray on your own or have the mother of Jesus praying for you and with you?

well, in the last chapter of Matthew, i think it talks about the Great Commission. Peter, i think, is used just as an example.
the main...rock that God builds his church on his Jesus, obviously. Peter was just a prophet, or an...evangelist in modern day terms.

I read Matthew 28:16-20 and it doesn't say anything about Peter not being the foundation of the Church. It wouldn't make sense for Jesus to contradict what he said in Matthew 16:18.

basically, what im trying to say, i think, is that....there isnt a hierarchy for christianity on earth. basically, its God on top of the hierarchy, and EVERYONE on the bottom. including the pope.
...im not sure if i made sense or not...i might edit this later...but anyway

Matthew 18:15-18 demonstrates a hierarchy. Also, is there not a hierarchy in any religion? Who decides what is to be taught in your religion? Obviously, someone had the power to decide what should be taught.

gah, ive got an entire book on it. but i cant fint it! darn. well...everyone sins. I...might sin less than ...say, a prosititute. 1 sin= sinner. 2000000000000000 sins= sinner.

a sinner is a sinner is a sinner. so, again, we are all created equal in the eyes of God. Why, all the sudden, does the pope have so much power?

Do you believe there is a difference between venial and mortal sin?

The Pope has power because he is the successor to St. Peter. The Pope guides the Church.

well, im not saying the end to priesthood. im just saying..again...that everyone is equal. so...for example, no one should be able to excommunicate someone.

Well, first let's first get a good understanding of what excommunication is and why it is necessary. Excommunication is being cut off from sacramental Catholic life. A person who commits serious and grave sin can be excommunicated. This is not to say they are no longer Catholic. A person who has been excommunicated can rejoin the Church after doing penance and being absolved.

If you think about it, we excommunicate ourselves by commiting mortal sin. Mortal Sin cuts us off from God. But God is always ready to forgive, as long as we are willing to ask for forgiveness.