I don't understand why Catholics after human man to forgive them for their sins?

Uh, we call Catholics Christians for two crucial reasons: 1. They call themselves Christians. 2.

(More importantly), they fit every tenet of the Nicene creed, just as do all official protestant doctrines, as well as Mormonism. You can claim they don't fit your definition of Christianity, but your personal definition is meaningless with regards to communication with the outside world. Edit: Oh yeah, not to mention they freaking invented Christianity.

If you want to separate yourself from them, call yourself protestant, or whatever you are, and don't try to steal a term they called dibs on.

Catholics believe that humans can forgive sins because Jesus gave that power and authority to some people (not all). John 20: 22 - 23. " Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Forgiving sins was Jesus' idea, not the Apostles. It is not a Catholic invention, rather obedience to Christ's command.

Why be harsh on someone for doing as Jesus commanded? I agree with you on the Mary thing. I always thought they gave her too much importance but she definitely has a role to play in God's plan to redeem mankind.

And the churches being decked out in gold...I don't feel comfortable in them but I guess if God wanted Solomon to build Him a finely decorated Temple, why shouldn't we do likewise?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.