I Do Not Believe in....

[Chris12]

Hello. I do apologize, but I must say,

I do not believe in the holy catholic church.

The rest of the Apostles Creed is fine... I cannot abide the believing in a church.

Why are we supposed to believe in a church?

I am slighter calmer now... but I do not understand why we are supposed to say we have faith in a building, and putting this building inline as if that building is alike to God???

 

[BryanW92]

The word "catholic" is from the Greek word "katholikos" which means "universal". When we say "the holy catholic church", we mean the universal Christian church that spans all denominations and is the people, not the church buildings.

The word "church", by the way, comes from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means "assembly". A church is not a building. The building is just where the church meets.

Don't confuse that with the Roman Catholic Church. When they named themselves, they were the "universal church".

I know that the "holy catholic church" part is a problem for many. I hope this helps. Because, when I say the Apostles Creed, I say it with boldness that I do believe each line and I hope that you can too.

 

[Chris12]

Thank you for taking the time out to answer the question. With the additional clarification of "universal" that you made, I do completely understand.

This makes sense...

 

[Skala]

The word "catholic" is from the Greek word "katholikos" which means "universal". When we say "the holy catholic church", we mean the universal Christian church that spans all denominations and is the people, not the church buildings.

The word "church", by the way, comes from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means "assembly". A church is not a building. The building is just where the church meets.

Don't confuse that with the Roman Catholic Church. When they named themselves, they were the "universal church".

I know that the "holy catholic church" part is a problem for many. I hope this helps. Because, when I say the Apostles Creed, I say it with boldness that I do believe each line and I hope that you can too.

Excellent answer. Thank you for pointing out that in the creed, the phrase "catholic" refers to universal, not the Roman Catholic denomination.