JACQUES, here is my response

Submitted by IQ (Peru), Jan 7, 2011 at 02:06

Let's put it this way: if I say I am a communist but I defend and support a free market economy, defend and support the right to freedom of expression, I'm against government control of the economy, and argue that any form of dictatorship is ethically wrong, am I really a communist? I think I am rather a capitalist disguised as a communist.

Likewise, if I say I am a Christian (follower of Christ) but I worship idols, pray to the dead, and put the authority of men (popes and councils) over the authority of the Bible, will I be a true Christian? Will I be following the example of Christ? I think not. However, as an ex-Catholic I can tell you that the practices I have mentioned are the normal practice of a Catholic. Of course they will never accept that they worship idols, they're going to say it is a veneration, but in practice is the same thing.

You are wrong to think that at first the Christian church was the same as the Catholic Church. We understand that the church born at Pentecost, shortly after the resurrection of the Lord, while the Catholic Church was founded with the Emperor Constantine in about 325. And since that time there were Christian groups who did not join the mega-church founded by Constantine, and survived under various names until the time of the Reformation. As an example I give you the name of one of these groups, if you want to check what I say: the Waldensians (or Valdenses).

Christianity is really a religion of peace, our example, Jesus Christ is the prince of peace, there is no comparison whatsoever between him and the warrior / caravan robber / rapist who was the prophet of Islam. No wonder that with such a bad example Muslims have given birth to the most dangerous terrorists groups of our time.

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