n my opinion, i think the weakness in the older catholic
structure (this is not a critique, but my personal observation) is
that the church focuses much on pulpit ministry, ie attending mass
etc etc. In the past I have never heard of catholic Bible studies,
or cell groups. Perhaps it may be because the church have never
encourage the individual to read the Bible for themselves, or to
study into the concept of discipleship.
Hence the resulting congregation are people who will piously go
to service, but are still entrenched with many of their
earthly habits.
I do not deny that dumb2's examples strike a chord in my heart.
Perhaps it may be changing with folks like mrlim.
However to balance it up, I have heard many dubious and
ridiculous sermons from protestant pastors myself.
This is the other extreme of the balance where a church focus
very very much of the spiritual aspect of Christian living to a
point where the church raises pantang Christians, cannot watch this
show, cannot eat this food, cannot listen to this music - all
because they are afraid of offending God.
dumb2, all I can say is, don't judge the individuals by your
past experiences.
some Catholics I know personally are the nicest people I have
come across,
some protestants I know are the biggest s-holes that I seen.
so one bad apple don't spoil the whole basket.
I share your opinion on what you tell dumbdumb....
As for the Catholic Church, the long history means many screw up
before etc...it's a fact.
I do not know why but most protestant seems to think that the
Catholic Church do not encourage reading of the bible......maybe
because Catholic do not use bible verses in our daily talks as much
as the protestant.
But if you look at the Catholic Mass, you will notice that we
have 3 bible readings...so it is not true that they disocourage
reading the bible...in fact they are encouraging.
Earthly habits? I don't understand on this....Traditions? I also
don't care much. All I know is that all prayers and things we do at
Mass are all in the bible as per teachings of Jesus and all
Catholics churches does the same.
