Catholicism..

I thought I’d start a new thread on the subject of Catholicism, highlighting some direct contradictions with Scripture that this "church" has introduced into the minds of its believers.

Nearly all early denominations were breakaways from Catholicism as people discovered the truth, a movement spurred when the Bible became more accessible to everyone. Originally, the Catholic Church restricted people’s access to Scripture, keeping them in the dark.

Heresy during the Middle Ages was treated as a serious crime, and the Inquisition was often involved in investigating and punishing heretics. Those found guilty of heresy—including unauthorized Bible reading or distributing vernacular translations—faced severe punishments, including imprisonment, torture, and even execution by burning at the stake.

This thread aims to expose the mainstream church—a church that has strayed from the true teachings of Scripture. There’s much to reveal here, and one thing is certain: the evidence shows that the Spirit of God does not dwell in this church. It’s clear where the power of darkness resides.

The reason I’m creating this thread is to give anyone who’s caught up in the RCC (Roman Catholic Church) an opportunity to see some of the serious issues, not only with its foundations but also with its teachings.

Let’s start this discussion by pointing out some clear contradictions to Scripture, where they blatantly go against biblical teachings.

Here’s a detailed examination of some key Catholic beliefs and practices that are viewed as contradicting Scripture, using Bible verses for comparison:
1. Calling Priests "Father"

Catholic Belief: The Catholic Church refers to priests as “Father” and also gives the title to the Pope as “Holy Father.”
Biblical Refutation:

• Matthew 23:9 – "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
• In this verse, Yeshua (Jesus) specifically instructs His followers not to give spiritual leaders the title "Father." Some interpret this as a prohibition against attributing spiritual authority to any man, which contrasts with Catholic tradition of calling priests and the Pope “Father.”

2. Observance of Sunday as the Sabbath

Catholic Belief: Catholics observe Sunday as their day of worship, which they call "the Lord's Day," instead of the biblical Sabbath (Saturday).
Biblical Refutation:

• Exodus 20:8-11 – "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God."
• The seventh day (Saturday) is commanded to be the Sabbath, and nowhere in the New Testament is there a directive to change the Sabbath to Sunday. The Catholic Church admits that it changed the day of worship to Sunday, a move not based on Scriptural authority but on church tradition.

3. Idol Worship (Mary, Saints, and the Cross)

Catholic Belief: Catholics venerate statues and images of Mary, the saints, and even the cross, sometimes bowing or praying in front of them. Many view this as a form of worship, though the Church defines it as veneration or honor rather than worship.
Biblical Refutation:

• Exodus 20:4-5 – "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."
• Deuteronomy 4:15-16 – "Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves... lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure."
• Catholics argue that veneration differs from worship, but many find the practice of bowing, praying, and lighting candles before statues to resemble what the Bible prohibits as idol worship.

4. Praying to Mary and the Saints

Catholic Belief: Catholics pray to Mary and the saints, believing they can intercede with God on their behalf.
Biblical Refutation:

• 1 Timothy 2:5 – "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
• This passage clearly states that Yeshua (Jesus) is the only mediator between God and man. Praying to Mary or the saints adds additional mediators, which contradicts the direct access to God through Yeshua.

5. Immaculate Conception of Mary

Catholic Belief: The Catholic Church teaches that Mary, the mother of Yeshua, was born without original sin, a doctrine known as the "Immaculate Conception."
Biblical Refutation:

• Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
• Romans 5:12 – "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
• According to Scripture, all humans, except Yeshua, are born with original sin. The doctrine of Mary’s immaculate conception contradicts these biblical teachings on the universal sinfulness of mankind.

6. The Assumption of Mary

Catholic Belief: Catholics believe in the Assumption of Mary, that she was taken up bodily into heaven at the end of her earthly life.
Biblical Refutation:

• There is no mention of Mary’s bodily assumption in the Bible. This belief stems from Catholic tradition and was only declared as official dogma in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
• 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 speaks of the resurrection of the dead at Yeshua’s second coming, implying that no one (except Yeshua) has yet been resurrected or taken bodily into heaven.

7. Confession to a Priest

Catholic Belief: Catholics confess their sins to a priest, who acts as a mediator to provide absolution.
Biblical Refutation:

• 1 John 1:9 – "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
• Psalm 32:5 – "I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin."
• The Bible encourages believers to confess their sins directly to God, not through a human intermediary like a priest. Yeshua is our high priest, as per Hebrews 4:14-16, providing direct access to God.

8. The Pope as the Vicar of Christ

Catholic Belief: The Pope is seen as the "Vicar of Christ" on Earth, acting as the supreme spiritual authority.
Biblical Refutation:

• Colossians 1:18 – "And He (Yeshua) is the head of the body, the church."
• Matthew 28:18 – "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
• According to Scripture, Yeshua is the head of the Church, not any human. The position of Pope, as a supreme earthly authority, is not supported by the Bible and contradicts the notion of Yeshua's unique role.

9. Purgatory

Catholic Belief: The Catholic Church teaches the existence of purgatory, a state where souls are purified before entering heaven.
Biblical Refutation:

• Hebrews 9:27 – "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
• Luke 23:43 – Yeshua says to the thief on the cross, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
• The Bible emphasizes that judgment follows death, and believers go directly to be with the Lord, without an intermediate purgatorial state for purification.

10. Indulgences

Catholic Belief: Catholics can receive indulgences, which are said to reduce the punishment for sins in purgatory.
Biblical Refutation:

• Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
• Salvation and forgiveness come through Yeshua’s sacrifice, not through works or indulgences. The concept of indulgences contradicts the biblical teaching that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace.

Summary:

While Catholics rely on church tradition alongside Scripture, these examples illustrate where Catholic beliefs and practices diverge from biblical teachings. The Bible emphasizes a direct relationship with YHWH, through Yeshua, without the need for man-made doctrines or intermediaries such as priests, saints, or indulgences.