Verified answer

you are obviously educated. You write well. Go buy a New International Version of the Holy Bible, red letter edition. It is not a catholic bible. Pray for understanding, read and God will lead you.

The bible does not teach us to worship mary or the saints. Neither are we to chant using beads like the catholics.

Mt 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions [ie. chanting], as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Email me for specific doctrines and I will answer.

Let the Bible be your guide and not man's opinion.

How can we tell a right answer from a wrong?

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. ~ Isaiah 8:20

+ Always pray before you read the Bible.

Catholics have some issues like praying to saints which no where in the Bible does it say to do. Same goes for making idols (see Exodus 20) etc. Seems like you already know the truth about baptism :)

So my answer is go by the Bible.

Here are some good Bible resources...

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Free online Bible study

http://www.bibleuniverse.com/

Free sermons...

http://www.amazingfacts.org/

Find a church near you...

http://www.adventistdirectory.org/new/FindByType.a...

God bless!

The original christian religion is roman catholicism which has been the state religion of Rome from around 325AD. It was around before that, but only got momentum after Emperor Constantine 1 converted.

However, Judaism, Christianity Islam and some elements of Hinduism are based on Zoroastrianism - hence the reference to the magi or the thrice wise men (3 wise men is a mistranslation) in the christmas story. Zoroastrians were called thrice wise men.

SO you could say that zoroastrianism is the original and correct religion, but that was loosely based on the first monotheist Akhen Aten (Aknaton) of Egypt nearly 4000 years ago. He believed that Ammun Ra was the one and only true god. He died young and his descendants reverted to polytheism.

The references in the bible to full immersion as practised by John the Baptist, simply echo the story of the Iliad, specifically the legend of Achilles. He was immersed in the Styx by his mother who held on to his ankles... you know the rest. You've got to remember that the predominant culture n the middle east at the time of christ was Hellenic - they all aspired to greek culture and philosophy.

You know the basic history now, so you can make your own mind up.

The key to deciding which is right is a matter or authority. The Catholics' claim to authority is the priesthood, which they say came directly from Peter from Jesus Christ.

The Protestants say the Catholics went astray and no longer have this authority. In fact, most Protestants, I would say, don't believe much in the principle of an authority that has been handed down by religious leaders over the ages.

So that's the key. You have to decide if the Catholics still have the authority. If they do, then they're right. If they don't, then who does? You have to find out. Or is authority not even important anymore? That's for you to find out from God.

Catholics and protestants differ in some rituals and beliefs. Chief among them are intercessory supplication. Catholics support prayers to saints (including Mary), whereas protestants do not.

The protestants are not monolithic either. Different denominations of protestantism differ on beliefs of the importance of baptism.

okay um i'll try to put this in a simple answer but you may want to contact me through my profile to talk more about it

Catholics: Seven Sacraments, belief in Intercessory Prayer, Believe the Eucharist (communion) is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

Protestants: Five or Six Sacraments, Do not believe in Intercessory Prayer, Believe Communion is only a symbol of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Following Christ is what matters not labels.

1 Corinthians 1:11-15 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.

-Till Christ Returns

God Bless

The Bible says that the only way to get to heaven is through accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and Believing that he took our sin on himself by dying on the cross for our salvation, and repenting of our sins. We are saved by grace through faith.

I don't believe that there is any way of proving correctness amongst organized religions simply because the emphasis when being taught them is that the one you know is right and everyone else is wrong. Until we reach the afterlife we will have no idea of what is there and then it will be too late to come back and tell anyone. Believe what your heart tells you to and you will be fine.

http://www.catholic.com/library/faith_tracts.asp

These are all awesome articles on the Church. But quickly, the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus, on Peter the rock, and contains all the deposit of faith an grace. Peace and blessings to Catholics, Protestants, other faiths and yes even atheists ;)