Non catholic christians

[Pete E]

The catholic church is the major church for sure in Colombia.They are an institution that has alot of power,they are a big part of the culture.Most people are catholics,but I would say a good percentage are what I will call social catholics.They were born catholic,wouldn't consider another church,but are not really very religious.Its just part of their culture.
There are alot of non catholic christians.The number is growing even though it is still a small percentage.The Mormons are very active their and their views about Christ in the new world have appeal to latinos.
My wife was a catholic her whole life untill about 6 years ago.Now she has nothing good to say about them.She says "I am Christian,not Catholic".I tell her,"sweetie,Catholics are Christians."Not to her they are not.When we were in Cartegena our driver took us to a historical site.Part of it was a church like building.She would not go in.She said"I am not catholic".I said "neither am I but this is history."
She just looked over my shoulder and read this and said"corruption".There is resentment about the control the church has and her view is alot of it is about money.She said some of the priests are big sinners.
My wife belongs to a very interesting Christian church founded in Bogota about 20 years ago.The couple who founded it are said to have asked god to speak to them and it is believed he did.These original persons were told to start the church.The unique thing about the church is they have people who are specially selected to give you a "phrophisy".Its is believed when they speak to you you are hearing the actual word of god.I have had it done several times,in english and also in spanish that was interpreted.It was a very positive message but some of the details I was told are still in the "we shall see" catagory.But some people get amazing thgings told them that come true.Both my wife and my mother in law were told that my wife would marry an American and I would be very important to them.When we were engaged my wife got this prophesy that said she would get a new vehicle.She was thinking,will I buy a different motorcycle?Actually I bought her a car but hadn't told her yet.
For the people who have had the experience of phropisies coming true they have no doubts about the church.It is called Inglesia de Dios Ministerial de Jesuchristo.They have  churches in all significant cities in Colombia,in other latin countries including Mexico,several in the US,Florida,Georgia,New Jersey plus some in Europe.My wife reads the bible and prays daily but will attend no other church.When I first met my mother in law they were asking if there was a church here(San Francisco Bay Area,California).I said if not I 'm sure there is something similar.My mother in law says"there is nothing similar,our church was started by god,other churches were started by man."I'm thinking isn't that what they all say,but of course didn't say that.
Actually we are part of their plans to start a church where we live and I think we will be hearing from them eventually.
My take on the church is it is very possitive and there is something to the prophisies.Too much correct imformation comes through.But I worry that since the imformation comes through people it could be tainted by their beliefs or just not always true,and it can be a mistake to think it is always 100% true.Also I have a big problem with the Bible.Even though I think alot of it is divinely inspired I think alot of it is stupid people inspired.I am told to just read it with an open heart,not a critical mind.Its on my list of things to do some day.Funny,I was looking for and old book in my garage the other day.Going through boxes I didn't find the book but I did find 5 Bibles.Maybe there is a message here.
There are many non catholic christian churches in Colombia and they are growing and I think more serious about their beliefs than much of the Catholic population.For guys looking for a non catholic christian girl you might consider checking out these churches.

Pete

[pastilla100]

... in response to Non catholic christians, posted by Pete E on May 4, 2002

For the benefit of the men out there who want a good Latin Woman, and are not particularly religious but are concerned about religious issues interfering with their getting a wife, I suggest the following approach and presuppositions based on my own personal experience.  Others may have come to different conclusions based on their personal experiences.  That's fine.  We live in a complicated world and I don't know everything.  But I am confident if you follow this approach you will be successful.  Experiment for yourself and add on to what I tell you and change things that don't work.

1.   Most Latin Women are spiritual or deeply interested in spirituality, but not necessarily religious.

2.  Some Latin Women are religious and want a Catholic husband because they believe in the beliefs or they enjoy the culture surrounding Catholic traditions and they want their children raised Catholic.  If you are not Catholic move one.

3.  Some Latin women are converting to the new protestant faiths.

4.  The majority of Latin women were raised Catholic, are Spiritual, but their bond to any particular Dogma is WEAK.  But, with these women saying that you are an atheist does not work.  They still want a man who believes in God.  When they ask you your religion, say that you practice the new age beliefs.  This will work for you since the new age beliefs are metaphysical with a belief in a higher power or God, but are tolerant and broad enough to cover anything you believe and anything she believes.  And from my experience, when you say this they are highly interested.  So go to a book store and read up on it.  You can lead her to a position more to your liking.  

In conclusion, DON'T BE INTIMIDATED BY RELIGION.  Go for the Latin Woman you want and be a little flexible and creative.  I currently have a Colombian girl friend who I consider serious wife material and this approach worked for me.  

 

[Craig]

... in response to Re: Non catholic christians, posted by pastilla100 on May 6, 2002

Yea in other words don't be totally honest just feed her a line of bull to you get what you want. Wow is this the kind of social castoffs that are traveling to Colombia?

[pastilla100]

... in response to Re: Re: Non catholic christians, posted by Craig on May 6, 2002

I don't agree. Your the one who is on the loosing side of history.  The intelligent people are tending to gravitate to the new age stuff and there will be a lot of support for someone who brings over a latin woman.  A lot of this stuff is created by women, and its very female friendly.  And if you saw my Lady, her total high quality may cause you pause to think.  And she thinks I'm socially just fine thank you (although a little “timido”).  I didn't see many servile young women in Latin America who want to be lorded over by a patriarchal religious type.  Although if that's what a few of them want I hope they find somebody too.  I just want guys on this board to know they can pick a belief system which brings people together in love instead of tearing them part and abusing them like the old crud.

FOR THE BEGINNERS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET STARTED and want something simple:

 I recommend bringing a copy of "Las siete leyes espirituales del éxito" by Deepak Chopra.  It's a small book that fits in your suit case.  You can give it too your Latin Lady and tell her this is what you believe.  While you are on the plane to Colombia you can read the English version which is "The seven spiritual laws of success".  It will take you about an hour on the plane to get through it.  You can get both copies at Amazon.com.  For spanish books I go to the International section (I also order my girlfriend other books from here).  I am sure there are many other book sellers out there too.  I am not endorsing any particular vender.
 

[Colonialjd]

... in response to Non catholic christians, posted by Pete E on May 4, 2002

Pete,

As a Catholic I found your post to be accurate and your intentions pure.  

I must respond to Catholic Bashers out there however.  

I feel that their vitriol stems from from jealosy over a couple of unrefutable facts.  

Fact 1:  Catholics play better football.  Travel to any Metro area in the United States and High School Football is dominated by Catholic Schools.  Often regional championship games pit one Catholic institution against another.  This drives the Catholic Haters Crazy.  Add to this that legendary success of the University of Notre Dame and their anger boils over.

Fact 2:  Catholics have better parties and can drink other religions under the table.  I like to think of Catholics as "Christians that Drink" and occasionally fornicate.  Other denominations envy the fact that we can go to confession and be forgiven for occasional lapses in our moral code.

By the way please advise me if you ever have a No. Cal get-together for those of us who are fans of Colombian Culture.

[Pete E]

... in response to Pete on Catholics, posted by Colonialjd on May 5, 2002

I intend to do a Party at my house in San Jose as soon as our buddy El Diablo gets back.Should be late May.I will post.

Pete

[Craig]

... in response to Pete on Catholics, posted by Colonialjd on May 5, 2002

Really now, it's wonderful how you think Pete's comments on the Catholic church, and Colombian women are on target. Could you tell us since you seem to have an expert opinion what it's based on? First how many times have you visited a Catholic church in the last decade? ..How many times have you interacted with a Colombian female in the presence of a priest?   Have you ever been to a church in Colombia? How about..  Tell us how many times have you ever been to Colombia? Now remember surfing the net looking at Colombian marriage sites, and fantasizing about a place you will never visit doesn't count.

[Colonialjd]

... in response to Re: Pete on Catholics, posted by Craig on May 6, 2002

Craig,

I never thought about it that way.  You are probably right. Thanks for setting me straight.  Would you like me to refraim from commenting in the future or clear all comments through you before I submit them to the group.  I anxiously await your response.  

Kind Regards,

Colonial

[Craig]

... in response to Re: Re: Pete on Catholics, posted by Colonialjd on May 7, 2002

Great that's the first comment you made that actually makes sense! No offense Bolonial.

[Colonialjd]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Pete on Catholics, posted by Craig on May 7, 2002

Craig,

I'll let you have the last word.

Colonial

[pastilla100]

... in response to Non catholic christians, posted by Pete E on May 4, 2002

I am a non-catholic, non-christian, and I haven’t had any trouble finding compatible women in Colombia.  My current girlfriend isn’t catholic and she was actually a Mormon for a short period until she eventually rejected all dogma and says that she now just practices the Religion of Love and she talks to God.  She still maintains all of the sweetness of a Latin Women without the Dogma.  Although I am not religious, I do discuss New Age ideas with her and encourage her in her beliefs.    

The important issue for me is that I don’t want my children raised in a Catholic church or any other X-ian church where they are subjected to physical, sexual, psychological and/or emotional abuse.  For years the hierarchy of the Catholic Church has known about priests sexual abusing children and they choose to shuffle these priests from church to church instead of kicking them out. The only reason they are doing anything about it now is because they got caught.  Their whole emphases is on protecting their image and their actions do not come from compassion for children.  This is really the ultimate in evil.  I hope they are bankrupted by all the law suits.  The Church has billions of dollars in property and it now justly belongs to the victims of their crimes.  And it’s not a case of a few bad apples.  The whole system is evil.  In case you haven’t noticed, all the problems in the world are caused by the three Middle East hate religions  – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  They are going to fall under their own corruption and be replaced by the newly emerging non-dogmatic pre-Christian beliefs which were violently surpressed for centuries by the X-ian church.    

If you want a women in Colombia who is not catholic its not that hard to find one.  When I went to Colombia I discussed spirituality with every woman I met and found them all open to  new age and non-dogmatic ideas.  I went to two new age book stores when I was in Bogota.  All Latin women are spiritual, but not necessarily religious.  And non-dogmatic ideas are very compatible with pre-hispanic indians beliefs still practiced in Colombia.  If she is still Catholic, you can bring her back to the US and take her to your favorite new age seminar.  She will be receptive and come over to your side in a short period of time.

[stefang]

... in response to Re: Non catholic christians, posted by pastilla100 on May 5, 2002

Don't believe anything in new age Religions the best is to read Revelation it tells you what will happen to nonbelievers of God. You could be the nicest person on Earth but if you don't believe in God and Christ as your savior then he will not save you. I was the same as a lot of people, today there seems to be a lot of people turning away and that is when the anti-christ will appear. Just a few years ago I used to laugh at my friend because he felt that we were getting close but lately my eyes started to open more.
A lot of people seem to believe when it is their time for judgement that they can suddenly just claim that they believed always but it won't work. A lot of the people believe that the Catholic church will make a pack with the anti-christ which he will break just like Hitler did with Stalin. By that time the followers will have been following the wrong messiah. How many here are willing to put a microchip in your right hand to purchase goods in a cashless society? If it is between life and death would you have the chip implanted?

[Craig]

... in response to Re: Non catholic christians, posted by pastilla100 on May 5, 2002

Have you ever heard of the parable " Never give pearls to swine" It fits in you case.

[pastilla100]

... in response to Re: Re: Non catholic christians, posted by Craig on May 5, 2002


Good advice.  But I thought it was never cast your pearls before swine.  But don't worry, I won't cast my pearls before you.

[Craig]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Non catholic christians, posted by pastilla100 on May 6, 2002

You say Tomato's I say Tomato's. What diffrence does it make the comment caused a response from the swine it was intended for right? Anyway If you had any pearls they certainly would be fake. Please why don't you refer to L. Ron Hubbard I'm sure he's spewing some psycho babal you would love to here.