HAVE YOU EVER ASKED WHY?

...Catholic Church leaders take money from gambling proceeds?

When faced with keen attacks following media reports that the Catholic hierarchy in the Philippines had been accepting mi8llions of gambling money from the country's prime gaming agency, Manila Archbishop Jamie Cardinal Sin retorted by saying that he would not hesitate to take money even from Satan for the sake of charity:

"Cardinal Sin said, quoting St. John Bosco: 'If Satan would appear to me and give me money, I will accept the money and spend it on the poor'." (Sin Defends Use Of Pagcor Money," Manila Bulletin, October 26, 2000)

But this is the exact opposite of the conviction of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the devil tempted Jesus by offering Him all the riches in the world, He did not accept them so that He may have something to give to the poor. Instead, Jesus strongly resisted the devil's temptation and held on to what the Scriptures teaches:

"Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 'All this I will give you', the Devil said, ' If you kneel down and worship me'.

"Then Jesus answered, 'Go away Satan! The scripture says, "Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!"'" (MT. 4:8-10, Today's English Version)

...The Pope and priests are said to be vicars of Christ?

Catholic teaching state that, as vicars of Christ, the pope and priests take the place of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"The official title of the pope is: His Holiness the Pope, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ on Earth, Successor of Peter the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Church Province, and the Sovereign of the Temporal Dominion of the Holy Roman Church." (Skydsgaad, K. E.., et. Al. The Church As The Body Of Christ, Vol. 1, p. 676)

"Vicar of Christ: the Pope as visible head of the Church, acting in place of Christ," (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Catechism For Filipino Catholics, p. 154

"The priest is another Christ. " (Hire, Richard B. Our Christian Faith, p. 154)

But according to the Bible, no one can take the place of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He has a permanent priesthood. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

"But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Heb. 7:24-25, New International Version)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb. 13:8, ibid)

...Catholicism teaches that God is subject to Mary?

St. Louis Mary de Montfort said that God is subjected to Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and He receives her requests as commands:

"When the saints tell us that all things in heaven and on earth, including God Himself, are subjected to the Blessed Virgin, they mean that the authority God gave her is so great that she appears to have the same power as the Trinity, and that her prayers and requests have such an effect upon God that He receives them as commands." (True Devotion To Mary, p. 9)

But the Bible doesnt say so. It was Mary who subjected herself to God, and not the other way around. No one can be greater than God, for He is above all:

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (Lk 1:30-31, 38, New International Version)

"One God and Father of all-who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:6, New King James Version)

Does your religion really teach the truth?

Its not too late for you to find out what our Lord God really wants you to do. Make sure that your faith will not be worthless. Learn the true words of God in the Bible as upheld by the Church of Christ.

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