Luvtosew

I believe in that a man named Jesus walked the earth and had a following. I no longer believe in the virgin birth, as ISA 7:14 Is not about Jesus. After over 50 some years of being a RC, I now look at the bible as a huge metaphor, The virgin birth is the virgin birth of us all as we become more spiritual in our walk, and the virgin birth is the birth of a new way of looking at God, our creator and source of all, through the teachings of Jesus , the parables, etc. I believe Jesus was very enlightened and got himself killed bringing us his message. Then we get the mean God back in Rev, which sends all these curses on the earth. I find that so odd. I believe the Hellinestic Jewish wrote under Ptolemy and the inserted Greek and some Egyptian beliefs in the OT , and the book of Rev sure has a lot of Greek overtones, and then then Rome was in charge so then they messed with the NT and put their spin on it. So the Bible to me is more about human nature and how humans viewed God, also about the culture of the time, whoever was in charge. Ptolemy wanted his copy of the Bible, Constantine did, and then King James. I think Jesus message was one of peace and we are all one, but different.

I agree, it was man who said those things and did those nasty things in the name of God. Moses had to also use the fear of God to control the masses in the dessert. So the bible tells us more about man and how they viewed things and how they views and worshiped God. I cringe when on the Christian message board with other Christians telling other how they are going to hell. I think when Jesus said we all need to be one, I think in my mind he meant all tolerant of each other and live in peace.

Enjoyed all your views. I think John turn Jesus into God, and I the part in John 6 about eating his flesh and drinking his blood was over the top, I'm sure you realize RC really believe they are consuming his flesh and blood, literally, not all of them of course. I like John when I see Jesus as a man of God, full of the Spirit of God, but not to read it as though he is God himself.

Oh I understand, it is crushing, For me after over 50 years of total belief (a born and raised RC) I believed it all, and now I realize the the OT is a lot about astronomy and the NT is about creating a new God. I don't know if Jesus is historical or not, but I still believe in God. I see the crucifixion as kind of the death of the old religion Judaism and birth of Christianity , and also end of the age of Aries and beginning of Pisces. When I actually starting reading the Bible with no preconceived ideas , it was clear as day. It became so obvious. Like soma said though there are many great inspirational lessons in the Bible, and I feel people so miss out on the spiritual lessons to be learned when reading it so literally.

I read that Buddhist monks and RC monks get along well.(most anyway). They are more spiritual and less about doctrine and dogma. Welcome.

Yes that is the truth , thanks for the link on To Know is not to know romansh

Catholics and Muslims have more in common in some areas than RC's and other Christians. I have no issues with non radical faiths. I do remember growing up , RC were not allowed to marry non RC or even Irish Catholics. There is much squabbling on the Christian message boards among Christians, and don't even talk about interfaith esp among non RC. The Muslims even have a book in the Koran all about Mary and believe Mary was like a vestal virgin visited and impregnated by the HS and had baby Jesus even tho they believe he was a profit and didn't die on the cross. So Mary is the most imp woman to them, I mean look at Fatima. Catholics use to pray 3 times a day as well, and faced the east. Also the Muslims have prayer bead, and make a trip to the black rock, pilgrimage, they have a works type of worship same as RC. I am all for interfaith, but not one faith, and it will be a sad state of affairs if the RC and Muslims got together, really together. The both have a history of violence and power abuse. In my opinion which means nil, we need to keep or individual religions and respect each others and live peaceably.

Welcome Teddi, I'm rather new also. There is a huge difference between organized religion and spirituality as you know. I'm sure your son will go through changes over the years like all of us. This would be a great place for your son.

William, Welcome, I do hope you'll like it here, I'm rather new. I find it a breath of fresh air. I like your avatar also. We really need to take care of our young minds of the future.

I question it as well, if one reads Josephus you will also find 3 men hung on crosses and one survived, Josephus had many similarities of Paul, did he read the gospels, write the gospels or what. So many coincidences. Also Julius Caesar was stabbed a lot and by whom Brutus, he knew there was no way out and he pulled his robe over his head they say. They made a clay man of Caesar and put him on a cross to adore at his funeral , and they say they sacrificed a lamb in honor of him at the funeral. He was known as a God, and had adopted a son and denied the son he supposedly had with Cleopatra who some say is Jesus. We will never know as the rCC and Constantine burned so much history, and the convient fire at the library at Alexandria. I believe the Vatican knows the truth and has it hid but one day it will be known.

Sean, Hi, I'm new also, and I was born and raised a RC, and was one for well over 50 years. I am non practicing now, I can say I don't know anymore. Its very difficult I know, I became home bound due to illness and joined a RC message forum and after two years I said this is not what I believe, and so then I went to regular Christian forums and well I no longer believe in the virgin birth or trinity, or a God that destroys, I now believe the killing in the Bible was man, and man saying it was God. I feel it was wrote by man and their views of God and is full of stories, myths and fables. My whole family is Rc and I have no one to talk to so I'm here. I think this is a good place as we can believe but not believe all the stuff, like transubstantiation and all the Marian dogmas. I believe in God, and we all worship him differently, and I do believe in an afterlife. All ancients people believed in a God or Gods. I have been able to tell no one how I feel, and its been a very difficult few years for me, its been hard realizing all this stuff and I just thought everything the RCC taught was truth. So your not alone, I understand.

Joseph, Thank you, I'm so glad I stumble across this forum. Finally a place I can feel more at home and not be afraid to post my thoughts.

HI Kathy, I was born and raised RC and was one for over 50 years, the last several years I said I need to know where the Bible came from and where Christianity came form, know more about God ya know, to my horror I discovered what I believed in was not true. I still struggle, its like my hearts been torn out, but I do still believe in God and follow the golden rule. Now I know why the RCC didn't want anyone to read the Bible or question the Church. I do feel truth , no matter how hard it can be to be the best, but I am unable to discuss this with family or friends cept my husband.