Where in Scripture does it say you must kiss the ring of a certain man?

I was raised as a Catholic, and you'll get no argument from me. But the Church hierarchy (which is all male) and the rest of the Catholics (laypeople and nuns) inhabit two entirely different worlds. The second group can be godly people; the first group is, I believe, mostly corrupt.

I think it's a power and influence thing. The Pope still can sway a lot of people, so he has to look the part, I suppose. I'm sure there are political reasons for all the trappings of wealth and power. He rules his own little state in Vatican City.

"Where in Scripture does it say you must kiss the ring of a certain man?"

It doesn't but it does say this, which another issue along those same lines that has puzzled me for years.

Matt 23:9 - And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Your observations are correct.

One answerer implied that Catholicism (Roman) has adopted a lot of pagan ways. Yes, indeed, far more than the average Catholic believer realizes (this is true of Eastern Orthodoxy as well, and equally so). Even Protestant churches have a number of aspects that have come down to the present time from pagan origins. It merely takes some honest historical research to learn this, but not in church historical works that have a way of avoiding information that's a bit too derogatory.

The key, to me, is the faith is a personal thing. This does not mean that it's wrong to worship in a group that is Christian and gather there to give and receive encouragement. But the Church or a church is not the SOURCE of salvation, God is. Period.

You make a very good point. The scripture doesn't say alot of the things the Catholic church says. No offense Catholics.I am talking about the church in general, not individuals. Some people may think they are doing the right thing. But, I assure you, that the Catholic church is wrong.

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The bible study talks alot about the Catholic church in the advanced section (#14-27).

About kisses ---

''Greet one another with a holy kiss.'' Rom. 16:16

''Greet one another with a holy kiss.'' 1 Cor. 16:20

''Greet one another with a holy kiss.'' 2 Cor. 13:12

''Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.'' 1 Thess. 5:26

About ''over-indulgence in grandeurs, wealth, jewels and finery'' ---

''Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.'' Heb. 12:28

So tell me, where is the ''reverence and godly fear'' in these happy clappy fundy churches? All this and I'm not even Roman Catholic. Just having fun with you.

Peace,

Drew

It doesn't have to say it in scripture. Where does it say in scripture that everything Christians do has to be in scripture? C'mon!!

The Pope's ring does not belong to him, but to the Church and to the next Pope.

God has routinely desired for His Holy things to be gilded with gold, and treated with great reverence, he commissioned statues of angels to be made for the temple and the Ark of the Covenant to be inlaid with gold etc. It was to be treated with great reverence and kept in the holy of holies. Only the priests were ever able to enter there and that was once a year.

God has no problem with expecting respect, honor and reverence for His holy objects and His appointed representatives.

The Scriptures teach us to be humble. And humble people are impressed by shiny, glittery things. ;)

In all seriousness, though, a laborer is worthy of his wages, as St. Paul said, and God has ordained that he who is to preach the Gospel, should live by it. The robes, the rings, the gestures--these things are for our sake. I for one am tired of the banal, the boring, and the ugly. God wants us to use his creation to glorify him, so lets do it! Lets to it by making magnificent buildings, gorgeous clothing, and profound gestures of reverence towards our ministers and our kings. Let us compose glorious music! We are free in Christ, after all. We are no slaves!

You don't. It's a holdover ritual from the (pagan) Roman Empire. Doesn't make it pagan, but it is a little too much for me.

It's somewhere right after the part that says you should go to church on Sunday instead of Saturday.

The New Testament is way different from the Old Testament aspects on marriage.