catholicsphere

Several years ago, I had a discussion on a Christian message forum about religion.  The person I was discussing with made the statement that I was “under a religious system” because I was a member of the Catholic Church; whereas he was under the grace of Christ Jesus.

Here is just a snippet of my reply to him:

That is why I do not want to be overshadowed by the religious system.

And yet you are, without recognizing it.  I hear all the time how so and so has a “relationship” while Catholics are part of a “religious system.” That is so much hogwash, and such a self-righteous attitude.  The man who gets up everyday at the same time, goes to work, comes home, eats dinner, watches TV (or reads or whatever), and goes to bed is a religious man, by definition.  The man who goes to church each sunday is a religious man.  You and others portray “religion” as this dark, bad thing when in fact it is a part of our human nature.

I’m sure you would agree that it is what is in the heart that matters, and a Catholic can have just as much of heartfelt faith and devotion and “relationship” as a non-Catholic - in fact, I would venture to say that the possibilities become even moreso because of a deeper understanding of God available to be known through His Church.  (However, I’m sure that there would be those who would argue with such as statement about the Catholic Church being Christ’s Church - but, of course, that is another discussion altogether.)

I see the Church as “making known the manifold wisdom of God”.  I believe that through the Church we come to know more fully the which God revealed in Christ Jesus, and who leads the Church still through the Spirit; guiding the individual in conjunction with the whole Body.

In other words, we know God through faith in the knowledge that we receive through His Church that He established.  This in turn gives our faith solid reason, that our religious practice be not in vain, but have strength and heartfelt knowledge.

Next time someone accuses you of being part of a “religious system” because you are Catholic.  Remember what I’ve said, and respond with your heartfelt faith and devotion to God.

[tags]faith, catholic, religion, catholicsphere, apologetics,  church, christian, jesus, christ, Scripture, protestant [/tags]