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Most churches do, yes. I'm sure there are exceptions here and there. In fact, it may be that the church you are enquiring at does not have it and that's why they're not getting back to you...??? I would check with the next closest church as an alternative. As far as the "right" time to start...

Marcia, there is no "fault" in this instance. Jesus was 12. Same thing as modern day 18, if not 21. He was an adult and made an adult decision. Though an adult, he was still a young adult; a "new" adult, if you will. Mary and Joseph reacted the exact same way any other parent of a "new adult"...

I know....? Greg

Because Mary and Joseph left a child to fend for himself and were therein negligent, is how Wall sees it. The posts above more than address all that, though. Greg

It would depend on the circumstances, Wall. If someone I knew left their seven year old child in downtown New York consciously - yeah, I have to open up a can of WhoopA** on them. This particular scenario is far different, though. It looks as if the adult Jesus decided to go to the temple...

Accidentally? Obviously not. And, in fact, at Jesus' age at that time - intentionally? Not a sin either since 12 was today's 18 or 21. Jesus was no longer considered a "kid" at that time. Well, seeing as how mothers and doctors are not currently charged with murder when they have and perform...

Um........No........ ^_^ Greg

Mary didn't have any sins to forgive because she was prevented from being a "victim" of original sin in the first place, but, yes, this of course was by grace and, yes, all jives with Tradition. Greg

That might be a good one. You didn't get your info on the Catholic Church from there, though, it's rather obvious. Others have expresesed their concerns about trolling and you've responded in kind, so I won't bother repeating the process. You are welcome to post as many questions as you...

Wally, where'd you get your information on Catholicism from? Greg

Next!!!

Yup. Plenty. First off, there is no "bowing down" to statues that goes on in Catholic churches. (Except maybe by rare eccentrics. ;) ) At most, someone may kiss a statue's feet or hands, for example. Why? For the same reason you yourself might kiss a photograph of someone you love dearly -...

Depends on who's in office... Pope John Paul liked art, so it was statues under him. Benny tends to appreciate food a little more, so he's given us...er, em...:scratch: ...baked beans...:scratch: ^_^ :preach: Greg

A good question. As MT points out, circumcision was a sign of belonging to God, but I don't believe that that OT sign effected what it symbolized the same way baptism does. There are some who believe that, essentially, there was no such thing as regeneration in the OT since Jesus had not yet...

ROTFL... Oh my goodness...^_^ I too came in here expecting a "fiery debate" and obviously got something very different. I'm actually in tears at this point. Many thanks to those who have already made my day, Shelly, of course, coming in at the top of the list. ^_^ :thumbsup: Greg

*bump*

Oh. So, Balance, you were answering my question by explaining that by "free from sin" you meant completely and permanently free from all of its spiritual effects and consequences, basically? Greg

:scratch: :confused: Greg

I'm tempted to answer the same way Flame did. Free from sin in what sense, brother? Greg

Which is what? (Almost done. ;)) Above, you define it as, "right standing with God. Sinless, nothing missing, nothing broken." Right standing with God would be a positive definition (the rest is all "negative"), but it still lacks. (For the purposes of my enquiry anyway.) Catholicism would...