A general comment for non-Catholics

[Tormentd]

The point of defending the Faith is to keep people from being drawn out of it. Part of defending the faith includes explaining why false churches are false. If you’re not a Catholic and you don’t understand what is going on in these forums, or why people are so adamant about defending the Church it is not because we like the sight of huge impenetrable walls being erected between people it is because once you have found the pearl of great price you will do everything in your power to obtain it and make sure that you never lose it. If the most important thing is getting along with other people and not fighting or ruffling any feathers then, hey, dudes, let’s all go smoke some weed and sing Hare Krisna down by the river in my van. Many people seem to conveniently forget the fact that Jesus called people hypocrites and he called them hypocrites to their face because speaking the truth is more important than making fake friends. Religious indifference is a sin. However, if you’ve never experienced true religion being rather indifferent to it all is forgivable, but those who know better can never condone anything except 100% truth. Christians who understand that God’s will is for us to be unified are drawn to the Catholic Church, Christians who think that something else is more important generally end up leaving the Church and forming organizations that suit their own fancy and they label these organizations “church”. There is one Christ, anyone else who calls themselves Christ is a false christ. There is one Pope, anyone else who calls themselves pope is a false pope. There is one Faith and One Church, any other creed or community that calls itself church is a false church. Is it really that difficult to understand? You cannot be for the Body of Christ and against it at one and the same time. If you leave Church you are not in Church. For those who don’t have faith but are looking for it I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to what you need, but this forum is probably not it.

When non-Catholics help lead people to Jesus they are acting on behalf of the Church (even though they may not realize it), when non-Catholics lead people into heresy, immorality, and disunity they are acting on behalf of a lord that is not Christ (though they may not realize it.) This is why Catholics can be ecumenical to an extent but must draw the line when it comes to compromising dogma.

 

[Ricardo_Gomez]

Does the Vatican II said anything over this matter?

 

[Mirdath]

Defend away, but it doesn’t give you license to denigrate others’ beliefs or think that because you consider them erroneous they aren’t as meaningful to them as yours are to you.

I think you’re all wrong, but I can still recognize that in a very deeply personal, individual sense something fits for each of you theists, and respect that. Can’t you do the same for each other?

 

[Allweather]

I think you’re all wrong, but I can still recognize that in a very deeply personal, individual sense something fits for each of you theists, and respect that. Can’t you do the same for each other?

Probably not. For you, there are few structures of faith and morals. For us, the structures are well-defined, and we consider them to be very important.

When we argue, mostly we’re arguing over the nature of these structures. If we minimize our disagreements in favor of peace and quiet, then we lapse into a wishy-washy sort of faith where, eventually, anything and everything goes.

 

[Peregrino]

Probably not. For you, there are few structures of faith and morals. For us, the structures are well-defined, and we consider them to be very important.

When we argue, mostly we’re arguing over the nature of these structures. If we minimize our disagreements in favor of peace and quiet, then we lapse into a wishy-washy sort of faith where, eventually, anything and everything goes.

Translation: tolerance for each other’s faith and a desire for peace makes some unhappy because it means that I can no longer assert the primacy of “my tradition” at the expense of others.

As long as we aren’t hurting or killing each other, there is absolutely no reason why we cannot fervently and passionately believe what we believe yet tolerate each other’s differences. Ultimately, God will sort it out.

 

[Eileen_T]

Translation: tolerance for each other’s faith and a desire for peace makes some unhappy because it means that I can no longer assert the primacy of “my tradition” at the expense of others.

As long as we aren’t hurting or killing each other, there is absolutely no reason why we cannot fervently and passionately believe what we believe yet tolerate each other’s differences. Ultimately, God will sort it out.

We can’t keep quiet if we believe someone is in error, just to keep things sweet. And, God gave us a commission to speak the Truth and to correct those who are in error.

Three of the Spiritual Works of Mercy are:
» Convert the sinner

» Instruct the ignorant

» Counsel the doubtful

By virtue of baptism, every Catholic has a duty to evangelise. Eucumenism comes down to the goal of having only One religion in the World, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which alone was founded by Jesus Christ.

**“One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” ** (Eph. 4:5-6)

 

[Mirdath]

Probably not. For you, there are few structures of faith and morals. For us, the structures are well-defined, and we consider them to be very important.

I am quite aware of that. I may have comparatively few, but they are extremely well-defined and I consider them just as personally important as I am sure you consider yours.

When we argue, mostly we’re arguing over the nature of these structures. If we minimize our disagreements in favor of peace and quiet, then we lapse into a wishy-washy sort of faith where, eventually, anything and everything goes.

I’m not saying silence your debates. I’m saying have basic human respect for your opponents, because even while we disagree with you, we are not your enemies. We’re all in the same boat here; can we not respectfully disagree without demonizing each other? What’s so hard about that?