Tuesday, the Vatican released a document that said the Catholic Church is the one true church and other Christian bodies shouldn't be called churches. It has been praised by some and condemned by others. I am an evangelical Christian but I have many friends and family members who are Catholic, however, I have to join the group that is condemning this document and statement.
I believe this attitude is divisive and confirms the Pope's intolerance. This isn't the first time Pope Benedict XVI has shown his intolerance. In 2000, while serving Pope John Paul II on faith matters, Benedict (then known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) issued a controversial document making the same absolutist claims. The Vatican claims the statement was to encourage "fruitful" discussions.
Looking at the Catholic Church from the outside and without much knowledge of the beliefs, personally, I think there are some things that Catholics do in the name of worship that I believe are sins and in direct conflict with the teachings of the Bible. A few of the things are kneeling or bowing to the crucifix and praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to various deceased popes and saints.
However, as an Evangelical Christian, I believe that all those who confess their sins and accept Jesus in their heart as their personal Lord and Saviour will go to heaven.
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:5-6 (New King James Version; BibleGateway.com)
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