The following is a very simple and rudimentary guide to what Catholics actually believe. It is written by a Catholic, a trained catechist (teacher of the Catholic faith), and apologist defender of the Catholic faith). However, this work will be very unapologetic. It's just going to be very simple, yes or no answers, with very... Continue Reading →
I've grown rather weary of the "what would Jesus do?" cliche because everyone is using it now. I would rather ask "what did Jesus do?" I think that's a better question, because it helps to prevent us from injecting our own personal feelings and prejudices into the speculation. To be sure, the Jesus most people... Continue Reading →
Are Catholics considered Christian by Evangelical standards? You've probably heard different things from different people. The best way to determine this is to take a good look at the most commonly-agreed Evangelical Statement of Faith and see where Catholics stand in relation to that. The following is from the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). This... Continue Reading →
Living in the Bible Belt of the United States can be a bit amusing at times, especially when some Evangelicals refer to Catholic statues and icons as "idols." At the same time, however, I have sympathy for these folks, because I too was once as confused as they are. I have to admire their zeal.... Continue Reading →
Before I begin this essay, allow me to give full disclosure. First, I am not a priest. Second, I am married. Third, I don't want to be a priest -- ever. Fourth, I will probably never be a priest and that's just fine with me. Truth be told, I enjoy my freedom as a Catholic... Continue Reading →
A video chronology of the decline of the Catholic Church. Living in the Ozark Mountains, deep within the Bible Belt, I am immersed in a Baptist/Pentecostal (Evangelical) culture that is, for the most part, ignorant about the Catholic Church and what's going on therein. The Catholic population of the Ozarks is between 3% and 6%,... Continue Reading →
Living in the Ozarks, which is deep within the Bible Belt, I tend to get a lot of questions from local Evangelicals about Pope Francis. Lately, I've been hit with many, in rapid fire, and they're not the good kind of questions. Much of this has been brought on by news reports concerning the Holy... Continue Reading →
The short answer is NO. Catholics do not worship Mary. Now here's the long answer. In spite of the constant yammering of anti-Catholics who claim that Catholics do worship Mary, the simple and undeniable fact is we do not. It's the height of arrogance when one religious group (such as Muslims or anti-Catholic Protestants for... Continue Reading →
This is probably the most misunderstood doctrine among non-Catholics. Even some Catholics don't understand it. To be clear, let's define it. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is a dogma, meaning that is is a required belief of all Catholics. In other words, if you don't believe in the Immaculate Conception, then technically speaking, you're... Continue Reading →
