I understand. I have always been interested in Trinitarianism, because it was when Jesus became God that Jews began to be accused of deicide. I've read several books on the subject. I probably know far more about it than any Jew should know. LOLOLOL I know all about homoousios and how difficult it is to translate that word into English. My only point is that it IS CLEAR that the intent is to say that Jesus IS GOD, as the portion of the creed I quoted says point blank.
But "is God" in which way? Logically, using scripture, that cannot be the case. Even though my father is my father [what a profound statement, eh?
], my "essence" is more like my mother. But your point is valid, as a great many Catholics today take Jesus as sorta being God.
So, why the confusing statements from and of the Church? IMO, a key is Jesus' statement "The Father and I are one". Now, one can take this different ways, but then that begs the question that, if they're entirely the same, why does Jesus say "the Father and I..."? That indicates at least a degree of separation, right?
So, how does "true God" fit in? Again, the only logical position is that Jesus is of the "essence" of God, and just a reminder of what "essence" implies philosophjically:
es·sence
[ˈes(ə)ns]
NOUN
- the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.
BTW, I truly welcome your input on this but also another reason: you may know that I'm a student of the Holocaust who has studied it here, in Poland, and in Israel [twice], plus I taught a three-week unit on that and other incidents of genocide. So, the rampant anti-Semitism in the Church cannot be overstated, no doubt. Fortunately, that has largely been corrected [took damn long enough!!!] or I would not have rejoined the Church.
Take care my friend, and thanks.