Philip wrote:What about where what the church teaches, and what various popes have declared, that DIRECTLY and CLEARLY contradicts Scripture???!!!
The list of CC teachings that directly contradict Scripture is lengthy! According to the CC, those of us here whom are Christians and yet reject the Catholic Church are NOT saved because we "refuse to either enter it or remain in it":
Catholic Doctrine: "Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it. (CCC 846)
To address the above,
Does that offend you? It shouldn't, considering you believe exactly the same thing but with respect to a wider circle (maybe). You would have no problem whatsoever telling a Muslim or a Hindu if they don't belong to the body of Christ they can't be saved. Except in your case you are making a definitive, absolute statement whereas the Catholic Church makes no such thing.
What does it take to be considered in the body of Christ? Baptism, that's it. Whether or not one must do something to stay in the body of Christ is moot and besides the point. And let's not get bogged down by what baptism is, by water, by immersion, infant, etc. The Catholic church recognizes all forms of baptism as valid including baptism of the heart, by fire, and by desire. In other words the body of Christ most certainly includes those who do not profess to be members of the Catholic Church. In fact, the Church does not make pronouncements one way or the other as to the status of anyone's salvation as this is God's decision and God's alone. The only definitive positive statements the church makes are related to saints. Otherwise, the belief is that ALL can be saved including those who never even heard the Gospel because God's desire can be known through the natural light of reason.
In other words, if the Church's claims are true, then it is the body of Christ. Those who profess to be in the body of Christ are closer to the fullness of truth. Those who are in the body but are schismatic have some measure of the truth bot not all. And those who are on the outside live in the hope of God's mercy but might still attain salvation.
So before we attack a position, please be sure it is the position in its entirety, not just some small piece or caricature of it.
As for the rest of the links, I have no interest in debating such topics and even less interest in reading so-called 'sources'. If anyone has a question, ask.