Why a atheist is defending the Catholic Church?

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As reported in the latest issue of Catholic News Vol 60, Bernard-Henri Levy has come to the defence of the Catholic Church and the Pope.


Levy said in an interview with ABC: "The Pope's voice is extremely important, and we are very unjust to this Pope. I am not Catholic, but I think there is prejudice and especially major anti-clericalism that is taking on enormous proportions in Europe."

Further, he also said that : "We have the right to criticise religions" but he said that he scale of the criticism was "out of proportion".

Read more aboyt the work of Bernard-Henri Levy at www.bernard-henri-levy.com

Religious groups agree tolerance is vital in multi-racial society

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The church may not water down its stand on homosexuality but hopes for better understanding when engaging the issue with other groups, according to the Bishop of the Anglican Church in Singapore.

Why did he has to say this? Well, this was a continuation from one of his senior pastor who used the pulpit to garner support for some of his church members during the recent AWARE saga.

The Bishop of the Anglican Church, John Chew, said there needs to be some fine tweaking of the way it is handled.

He said: "We have to recalibrate our perceptions, our understanding of the common space and how should we engage and how should we address one another. But the most important thing is that in the sense we are uniquely Singapore."

You can read about it here.

Well he is certainly right as many Christians has been pushing their own agenda without regards to truth and faith they preached. And more importantly, with no regards to feelings of people from other faith.

After all, all Christ wants from us is love each other as He has love us. And hopefully, Christians will heed the call of the bishop.

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• Anglican Church and AWARE (searching4god.blogspot.com)

Why is going to church necessary?

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Why do we go to Church?

To proved that we believe in God?

Here's what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

2177 The Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life.
"Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church."[110]
"Also to be observed are the day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Epiphany,
the Ascension of Christ,
the feast of the Body and Blood of Christi,
the feast of Mary the Mother of God,
her Immaculate Conception,
her Assumption,
the feast of Saint Joseph,
the feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of All Saints."[111]

2178 This practice of the Christian assembly dates from the beginnings of the apostolic age.[112] The Letter to the Hebrews reminds the faithful "not to neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but to encourage one another."[113]
Tradition preserves the memory of an ever-timely exhortation: Come to Church early, approach the Lord, and confess your sins, repent in prayer.... Be present at the sacred and divine liturgy, conclude its prayer and do not leave before the dismissal.... We have often said: "This day is given to you for prayer and rest. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."[114]


2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."[117] "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."[118]

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.[119] Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

2182 Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2183 "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."

Our Lady's Assumption Church - Bunbury WA

This is the Church where we spend our last Sunday of Ordinary time celebrating Mass. This is a beautiful Church as you can see from the pictures below. Is it a coincidence that the reading that week is about MT 25:31-46? Ha..Ha..Ha..

The front view of Our Lady's Assumption Catholic Church



Inside the Church looking at the alter from the Church entrance



One of the thing that makes a Catholic Church very beautiful is the stained glass art which you can see lining both sides of the wall of this Church.

St Mary's Catholic Church - Denmark WA

Also pass by St Mary's Catholic Church in Denmark WA.

Is mega churches related to size?

Image via WikipediaI am just wondering why some non-denominations charismatic church called themselves mega churches? They usually bragged about their 15,000 - 25,000 attendance as a sign that God is with them and given them so much success....

Is that so?

Then how about the Catholic Church in Singapore? We have about 340,000 parishioners and what will that make us - Super Mega Church?

I am sure many if the other main stream Churches have more parishioners than any mega church.

Can someone explain to me?

What is a diocesan priest?

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeCatholic priests in Singapore are either diocesan or religious (e.g. Redemptorists, Franciscans, Carmelites, Jesuits and Dominicians). However, they sahre a common identity as "Alter Christus" (Another Christ) and exercise common ministerial functions.

Diocesan priests:

- Commit their lives to serving the people of God in a diocese (a geographical area under the jurisdiction of a bishop).

- Make promise of celibacy and obedience (whereas priests from religious orders take an additional vow of poverty).

- Live life like their parishioners - they can buy their personal things and plan their own recreation.

- Render pastoral care to parishioners from cradle to grave, administer the sacraments, lead in prayer and worship, give faith and moral formations

Above source : Catholic News 9 Nov 2008.

Additional information:

- Priests live in Churches.

- Have no salary or CPF and current allowance is about $ 500 per month.

- A priest goes through 7-8 years of training in a seminary before they can be ordained as priest.

Hope this help to give a better understanding of a priests.

Does God return you hundred folds?

Image via WikipediaThis is what "Buddhist-Lover" said in the comments on Blogpastor (you can find the link to this blog on the right hand navigation of this blog) which I reproduced here as it is interesting:

"One guest preacher was preaching a sermon to encourage people to give in faith to his ministry. After teaching from the bible verse about one reaping what one sows, the guest preacher gave his personal testimony. He told the congregation about how when he was so financially broke during the financial crisis in the 970s that he was without a home and left only with about $20 in his pocket.

He walked into a church service, and deep in his heart he prayed to God for help. When the offering bag was passed around, he put in all the money he had. On his way out, someone befriend him, learned of his problems and offered him shelter and also gave him a job.

That became the beginning of a series of good fortune that within one year, he became financially stable and in another 3 years, he actually became rich!

After sharing his testimony, he urged the congregation to give to his ministry so that God’s unlimited blessing of wealth can be released onto them. He said because he has given his last $20, God has turned him into a multi-millionaire. Then at that point, a soft voice of an old woman could be heard among the congregation: “I dare you do it again now!”

Do you think it is much more difficult for this guy to give away all his wealth now (millions of dollars in nett assets) than when he was without a home and was down to his last $20?"

Personally, I do not believe that God's grace is tied to us giving money to the Church. How about time and service that we give?

How about the poor and destitute? Does that means that God has abandon them?

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• New Creation Church or New Creation Inc ?
• Proof of God's Grace and Miracle....

New Creation Church or New Creation Inc ?

Image via WikipediaI read recently 2 interesting postings from Blogpastor (you can check them out here).The 2 articles have generated some discussions and these are some of my observations.

The pro NCC guys are saying that God point them to One-North and everything is results of God’s grace.

The not pro NCC camp is questioning why a church is getting into business, investment etc.. and are these in line with God’s teaching?

So, depending on which camp you are in, the opinions can be quite different. From the various comments by both sides, there are a few pointers that may be worth thinking…..

Why is the stewardship of the church being questioned in the first place? Perhaps it is because of the large spending of $500 million which also leads to questions of the leadership of the church.

One of the comments questions the background of Joseph Prince whose supporters have provided some insights. Prince is really not his real name but he has to changed “to protect his family who are still Hindu and his father being a ex Hindu priest”. However, why is there such a need? Is there anything wrong being a Hindu or Christian?

Do we all converts to Christians have to change our name “to protect our family” who has yet to do so? What’s the danger? Can someone shed some light? Hope to see the logic of this someday…

What I think is more important is where did Prince get his training from? Is he a trained pastor or self proclaimed one? I don’t seems to find this information from the website. Or is the training of the pastor not important? Are we then sure that his teachings are correct?

Speaking about teaching, my personal contacts with NCC members seems to suggest that tithes are related to blessings. The more one tithe, the more blessings one will received and that one tenth is holy and tithe is a commandment of God but is it really so?

Tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and the entire argument and proof can be found here.

So if tithing is not enforceable, should the church make it clear to the congregation that they do not need to tithe but give freely? Or if they disagree, can they defend the enforcing of tithes?

Personally, I hope that the impression that blessings are related to tithes is not the accurate one though it seems to have been preached as such. Most of my friends going to NCC seems more interested in gaining prosperity and giving to church seems like a “sure win” TOTO for them. God’s blessings are really not for sale and it is Free and Free to all (both Christians and non-Christians). Not tithing seems to weigh heavily on their minds.

But if tithing is not enforceable on all Christians and yet it is one of the main income of the church, is it still morally right?

NCC members also argue that it was God who point them to One-North. But is it? And are they really spending the money to build a church? Or is it a front to building a business enterprise?

According to the Strait Times forum page of 27 Sept 08, I quote “ Rock Production has provided a legal undertaking to JTC that the venue will be managed strictly on a commercial basis and will not be converted into a religious facility.”

So is this a Church building fund or a business investment fund? I think the answer is clear.

I think the undertaking says it all and that is the reason that they are raising eyebrows. As Blogpastor has given the example, NCC could have build “a few” churches with that kind of investment. Sure, the ROI of building a real church building may be little and slow as it will depend solely on the appreciation of the land, building as well as the usable commercial space (if any).

But with such facilities, the congregation benefits with a place to worship that they can call their own, they have access anytime throughout the week, cell group have a place to meet and share, lesson and talks can be held, wedding and funerals wake can be conducted and some churches even have columbarium!

Perhaps, more answers on such decision will come to light if NCC reveal how the salary of the pastor are based upon and their current takings. Is it depended on the amount of taking of the church?

Hope this is not a case of LK 8:14 “As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.”

And for all temptations, remember Jesus too was tempted by devil in Mt4:1-11 :
8 Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 And he said to him, 'I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.' 10 Then Jesus replied, 'Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one to whom you must do homage, him alone you must serve.'

Hope some light will be shed soon.

Proof of God's Grace and Miracle....

Just to share with you guys that God's grace and miracle do happen. This may not be the latest news but there are many who are not aware.

In March, we have the first Christian Church opened in Qatar!

Who would have imagined that with current tension between Muslim and the Western countries, a Christian Church is allowed in Qatar?

Sorry guys (non-Catholics), it has to be a Catholic Church!

Well, it is only possible with God's grace and God's will. Of course, the good works of the Christians that make that happen through plenty of prayers and intercessions. The Church is a great news to the many migrant workers there.

Click here to see the news.

Negotiation is under-going for a Church to be build in Saudi Arabia and all Christians should pray for it's success.....

God Bless you!

More on tithings....

In case you do not have the chance to read everything in the forum about tithings in my last post, here are some interesting links that you should read with regards to tithing:

Should the church teach tithing?

Will a man rob God?

Biblical model of giving

Pastor cannot defend tithing?

No more tithing!

What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?

Does God require me to tithe what I earn?

The truth about tithing

Should all Christian tithe ?

I came across this interesting forum where the discussion on "Should Christians tithe?" was thoroughly discussed.

There are many quotes, misquotes and quoting out of context from the bible.

In the end, the truth prevail and all mis-quoting and quoting out of context was explained and exposed. More importantly, they are debunk using the bible.

I strongly encourage all to read through all the posts (I know it is very long - 9 pages at this time of my posting) but you will learn a great deal.

Find out the truth about tithing HERE.

If you believed that you must tithe or you are in sin, you must read this thread.

God Bless All Of You!

Story from Aunty Helen......Christians are heartless

A friend I call Aunty Helen told me a story about her relative which I think will ring a bell to many of us.

Her relative lost a grandmother and they were mourning over their lost. Their hurt was magnified by the absence of 3 grandchildren. All 3 grandchildren are brought up by the grandmother since they are a baby (as their parents are working).

Now in their young adults years, they have become Christians and they cannot attend the wake which is conducted by another faith. They do not attend the funeral as well.

The family are very upset by this and wonder why Christianity taught the 3 grandchildren to do what they did.

This is also one of the reasons that I heard from many friends that is a stumbling block to them becoming Christians. Their aged parent (non-Christians) are afraid that there was be no one to send them off of their last journey.

How sad that can be. Anyone who bother to search the entire bible will never find any teaching to support such actions (of not attending wake / funerals conducted by another faith).

In fact, one of the 10 Commandments says to "Honor your father and mother" but it does not limit just to your parents but it simply means respect and honor all your elders.

So, can Christians attend the wake and funeral? Of Course they can!

The common reasons that Christians used is that they cannot hold joss sticks as they believe in 1 God and will not worship any idols etc....

They do not want to use the wisdom that God bless them with to know that holding joss sticks is not even close to worshiping anything....

On top of that, a wake and funeral is a simple act of respecting the dead person and sending them off on their last journey. It is a sign of respect and not worshiping any idols or another god.

Another point that Christians says is that it is more important to honor them when they are alive (which I whole heartedly agrees) and when one is dead, it's only the body left.

God, where did they get this idea from.....it is clear to all Christians that our body is the temple of God and must be treated with respect!

Therefore, any church that teaches this is flawed and the bible does not support that. Jesus does not support that teaching too.

So why follow?

** Need to clarify that if one is to hold joss stick and pray to another god then, it is not acceptable because we believe only in 1 God. But, we do respect all other religions although we do not participate in their worship **

The Truth About Catholic Priests

Hi,

Found a interesting video about the truth about Catholic priests......enjoy it.

Christian's Unity ?

Image via WikipediaDespite all the mud-slinging among Christians, it is very heart warming to know that some of the so called "main stream" Christians denominations are doing otherwise.

On 23 January 2008, ministers from the Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches gathered as part of a global ecumenical movement to encourage Christians to live out their God-given unity in Christ through prayer, and to promote greater dialogue among churches and Christian communities.

This year’s movement celebrates its 100th anniversary and wonder how many Christians is aware of this....

So for those who are still arguing, why not pray for unity in the name of Christ?

CLICK HERE for more information of the prayer session and photos.

God Bless you.