[Faith-talk] Informal poll on different religions

[trising]

We believe that you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt if you are going to 
heaven by trusting that Jesus died for your sins and rose again because He 
loves us so much he wants us to be in heaven with Him. It is by grace alone 
that we are saved, and not of works. I think that Catholics believe that one 
has to do good works in order to be saved and fulfill certain obligations. I 
do not go to church because I am obligated, or because I believe it will 
earn me points toward salvation. I go to church because I know I am going to 
Heaven and I am filled with gratitude for the sacrifice Christ made for me 
to get me there. We do not believe that any human being is sinless. All have 
sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I believe the Catholics teach 
that Mary was sinless. We believe that you can go directly to God with our 
praise and prayers. Catholics often speak of praying to saints for their 
requests. Hopefully I have not offended anyone by saying any of these 
things. The question was asked about how Lutherans and Catholics differ. I 
tried to answer it to the best of my knowledge. Also, we believe that we go 
directly to Christ to ask for forgiveness for our sins. Catholics are 
encouraged to confess sins to a priest who then offers certain prayers to be 
said for forgiveness.