Are Christians growing closer or further apart today?

[strngrnrth]

What do you think and why?

 

[cyberjacques]

I think Christians are growing closer, due to a combination of the two factors sharing the vote above, but I think most of it is due to the challenge of facing an increasingly anti-Christian secular world. However, this process results in two inseparable effects. The Christian faithful is indeed becoming closer, at an ever-increasing rate. False doctrines are being discarded, and the Truth is gaining ground. At the same time, those who continue to cling desperately to false doctrines are discarding even what little Truth they have left in a vain attempt to make their beliefs attractive to a broader range of people. The few “converts” they manage to get cannot compare with the people who are leaving in droves for more traditional, conservative churches. And the ones who stay have compromised themselves to the point where they can hardly call themselves Christian any longer. The world is polarizing, and Christianity is polarizing right along with it. But I think this is actually a good thing.

 

[strngrnrth]

I think Christians are growing closer, due to a combination of the two factors sharing the vote above, but I think most of it is due to the challenge of facing an increasingly anti-Christian secular world. However, this process results in two inseparable effects. The Christian faithful is indeed becoming closer, at an ever-increasing rate. False doctrines are being discarded, and the Truth is gaining ground. At the same time, those who continue to cling desperately to false doctrines are discarding even what little Truth they have left in a vain attempt to make their beliefs attractive to a broader range of people. The few “converts” they manage to get cannot compare with the people who are leaving in droves for more traditional, conservative churches. And the ones who stay have compromised themselves to the point where they can hardly call themselves Christian any longer. The world is polarizing, and Christianity is polarizing right along with it. But I think this is actually a good thing.

Do you think churches that change their doctrines are deliberately changing them to attract the crowds, or do you think members who already held different ideas are coming into power due to the newer generations’ replacing the old? Or are boomers less traditional than the generation befoer them? It looks like it to me, but I’d like to see some stats.

 

[cyberjacques]

Do you think churches that change their doctrines are deliberately changing them to attract the crowds, or do you think members who already held different ideas are coming into power due to the newer generations’ replacing the old? Or are boomers less traditional than the generation befoer them? It looks like it to me, but I’d like to see some stats.

That’s a good question. I’d like to see some figures on that too.

 

[Steadfast]

Mostly further apart and as long as there are websites and “ministries” like CA the trend will continue.

 

[vocatio]

No offense, but I find this a useless pole in that it doesn’t show anything except our opinions. This is too difficult to guage. However, I understand the curiosity of it. It will be interesting to see people;s response. And some of them that hate CAF …then why are you even here if not to derail progress? Progress is bringing people home from where they are at today.

 

[mrs_abbott]

I think Christians are growing closer because whenever I meet someone new and get to know them, I find it very refreshing to find that they have a belief in God. That belief is what ties people of various faiths together and I think that is just remarkable.

 

[vocatio]

I wish I had the spot light for several hours to convey the message of what I’ve learned first handed. But since I don’t have that here’s the quick answer.

Southern Baptists
non-denomination
Church of Christ [beleive they are non-denomnation]
Methodist

Theres are all Ecclesial communities that I have much experience in over the coures of my life. I find that they are breaking further and further apart every year. I do not see them coming closer together. I’ve spend much of my life studying other faiths. I only see tolerance, not coming closer together. Though there is a move from among the varioius older Protestants to start their own mega type church trying to get the loving feeling I guess. The big push is for “small groups”. We initially liked this idea that we first saw developing in the church of Christi, but later discovered where it actually came from and ironically even went to that church where that misinsiter/pastor used to preside. I’ve found in practice this to be quite shallow in that group in particular. But in the Church of Christ it seems better, more genuine and bibilical study oriented. Of course the CAtholic Church wouldn’t concede to their bible teachings to be true…and for good reasons too.

I see more disunity in fact. BUt I do see some realizing some of the history of the Church and have failed to come up with rational explanation to explain their perpetuated lies and misinformation about Catholicism for years. Our last COC preacher conceded that the Nicene Creed is more profound than Acts 2. That is good news since we recited it in 2004…they professed to be catholic, I said as I grinned at my wife.

 

[ralphinal]

I am beginning to think that we are like savage tribes in some jungle. We fight each other like crazy, but will join together to fight any non-Jungle folks that come in.

From a religious standpoint, we are getting closer in terms of dialog, at least the main lines. We are no closer in resolving anything, and there are issues for that.

From a role in the world, we are getting closer. Just look at where the abortion issue was in 1978 and where it is now.

 

[Syele]

I think Doctrines are actually coming closer together, while the bad attitudes against one another is increasing.

 

[rpp]

I believe that, as a whole, the rift created by the Reformation is very slowly closing.

But not for good reasons.

I believe the reason why behind the slow disappearance of the rift is simple attrition. Many of the Protestant denominations have compromised themselves out of relevancy. We can see this with parts of the Anglican denomination which seems to not merely tolerate but actually encourage a moral free-for-all. I mean they have an openly gay bishop who is about to “marry” his male partner. They support the murder of children. They even allowed a priest who murdered his wife, be a pastor at a Church after he was released from prison last year and marry in the church again.

A person looking for the one true God would have some real trouble thinking that such a Church teaches the Truth of God. Rather, many will conclude they just do not need a Church.

And that is it. When poor witness is mixed in with some of the New Age concepts about spirits and such, you get a great falling away.

Spirituality without morality is killing causing many denominations to hemorrhage members. The Catholic Church is no exception.

What I do see is a very faithful core in nearly every denomination. While I earlier pointed out the difficulties with recent events in the Anglican Church, it would be unfair to claim the whole denomination goes along with that. There are many in the Anglican that are very upset about these things and trying to solve this, we see this with many bishops in Africa.

I can only hope that faithful core believers will not become more polarized, but I am not optimistic.

While I think some denominations will disappear entirely, it will not be because they have reunited with the Catholic Church.

 

[Sepharad]

What do you think and why?

As an outsider looking in, I have noticed something over the past 25 years or so of being active in the pro-life movement, as a Jew.

Where I live, the pro-life movement is mostly Catholic, but in the 1980s had many evangelical Protestants involved too. Outside the abortion mills, both groups would protest and had sidewalk counselors.

I dropped out for a few years to raise my children and begin homeschooling, and when I returned to active involvement in pro-life work, I noticed that only the Catholics now went to the abortion mills, and when I asked what happened to the Protestants, I was told that they “go somewhere else now, another abortion mill, on another day”.

I’ve also noticed that the local pro-life newspaper lists separate dates for Catholics and evangelicals to hold prayer services outside the various abortion mills.

I’m not sure if this is any indication, but it seems to me that the two major groups in PL work have moved apart over the years, if these incidences are any indication.

I asked a local evangelical pastor about this, a man I worked with in the 1980s in pro-life work.

He said a number of evangelicals began separating their work from that of the Catholics because they felt the Catholics were using the PL movement to evangelize them to become Catholics. Plus, they felt uncomfortable because many PL events were being held inside Catholic churches (that would have been problematic for me too, since as a Jew I am forbidden from entering a non-Jewish house of worship.)

I have to say, the pro-life movement keeps saying they want to get more non-Catholics involved, but when they make every pro-life event a Catholic one, its going to be hard. To this day, I find new pro-lifers often ask me, “What parish are you from?”

 

[wisdomseeker]

What do you think and why?

I dont know if anybody agree with this but it seems to me that the goat and sheep are being separated.
those who been closer to God is getting ever closer and those who falsely speak of God is being led farther away.
Watching the signs.

I watched father Groeschel last night and he mention that protestants are getting closer to Mary and catholics are getting farther away from mother Mary. i was shocked by this.

:bowdown: :byzsoc: :nun1:

 

[JonNC]

Mostly further apart and as long as there are websites and “ministries” like CA the trend will continue.

Filled with curiousity: why would you say this? As a Lutheran, I have found that the time I have spent here has fed, for me, an already existing leaning toward the CC. Overall, it has been a very positve learning experience.

Jon

 

[Sepharad]

Mostly further apart and as long as there are websites and “ministries” like CA the trend will continue.

I agree…Offline, I would defend the Catholic church if I felt it deserved defending…often to the shock of Jews and Protestants I know.

Since being here, I don’t feel inspired to do that much anymore…until I found this forum, with very few offline exceptions, the Catholics I’d met offline were nice, unassuming, non-proselytizing people. This forum showed me a “face” of Catholicism that I thought died out with the Middle Ages.

 

[GailMac]

I said closer in some ways further apart in others.

I say this because in recent years the Church has gone to lengths to be more ecumenical and enter into serious dialog with our seprated brothers and sisters and also because of the highly visible ministries of John Paul II, the great pilgrim Pope! I also think the Church has been infused in a Marian way and thus is attracting more people to her in spite of the recent scandals, and failings, etc. This has made the folks in the pews respond by protecting her all the more. I also think since there are many more laypeople being asked to do much more visible things and take many more active roles in ministry, this has brought a sense of “this Church is mine!” to the pew potatoes and so we are all closer.

In the further apart department, I’d say the fractious way in which the protestant denominations are creating a newest, latest greatest church movement of the day folks are getting further and further apart. They go church-hopping looking for the right mix of sermon, bible, music, atmosphere, fellowship etc. etc. and never really put down roots in any one place. Also there is much polarization about differences in beliefs without dialog to find common ground. This “I’m right, you’re wrong” stuff sends people packing and off they go!

I was going to add here the dissenting folks and their own brand of Catholicism, but I think as a whole, they’ve actually brought us closer together in the long run, because again, the pew potatoes have had to wake up and figure out exactly where they stand on the “issues” the dissenters are bringing to the fore.

I also think Christians are moving further apart in the family department since abortion was legalized and contraception and divorce became more or less acceptable in protestant churchesand both are making inroads into the culturally catholic households. Now I have Christian friends who are convinced my negative assertions about homosexual behaviors aren’t Christian and I must take a passive stance to be “knid & loving,” etc. I think that has pushed many folks out the door as well.

But I think the bottom line is those who want to leave will find a reason eventually and those who want to stay will do so and the Holy Spirit will continue to call to our seprated brothers and sisters in Christ and they will come home to Rome when they are ready. Life goes on.

Peace,

Gail

 

[rpp]

I agree…Offline, I would defend the Catholic church if I felt it deserved defending…often to the shock of Jews and Protestants I know.

Since being here, I don’t feel inspired to do that much anymore…until I found this forum, with very few offline exceptions, the Catholics I’d met offline were nice, unassuming, non-proselytizing people. This forum showed me a “face” of Catholicism that I thought died out with the Middle Ages.

Somehow, I get the impression that this is not a compliment. At least this is not directed at all of us.

Yes there are rude Catholics here. Many of them get banned. Some do not quite cross the line are still hang around. Such behavior is poor Catholic witness.

And, of course, people being people, some non-Catholics can be pretty rude here as well.

For my part, I do not like the idea of proselytizing as it has a connotation of forcing one’s belief on another. On the other hand, I like the idea of informing people. Inform them about what the Church really teaches, about what *really *happened in history, etc. And to do this in a pleasant and non-confrontation manner.

Finally, I only do this when the other person asks or is open to it.

After that, it is up to the person to draw their own conclusions.

 

[vocatio]

I agree…Offline, I would defend the Catholic church if I felt it deserved defending…often to the shock of Jews and Protestants I know.

Since being here, I don’t feel inspired to do that much anymore…until I found this forum, with very few offline exceptions, the Catholics I’d met offline were nice, unassuming, non-proselytizing people. This forum showed me a “face” of Catholicism that I thought died out with the Middle Ages.

People, this is no way to judge a group of people. The internet just revealed what has always been the case. Conflct.

Steadfast is a fallen away Catholic and I’m baffled at “exiting counselors” that hang out on this website. That is merely code for saying Cult Councelor. I knew an Exiting Counselor that dealt with member of our own faith, the Church of Christ, many years ago. I see Jews procelityzing too. I firmly hold to a beleif that even Jews step out of line here. This is a Catholic website, intended to help bring Catholics back home and answer the worlds amizingly stupid questions about our beleifs. Strong words coming from an idiot that fell away from Catholicism. I was one of those victims.

The idea is to draw closer by intelectual thought, not wishfull thinking. True ecumenism begins with truth. Heard that before I’m sure. Many Catholics got so frustrated and prideful even that they …we went on our own, breaking with the Church because we came to believe we know best…better than all of those amazing scholars we call bishops…Cardinals. I’d say priests, but its even above many of them.

Jews miss the messiah, just like in Jesus’ day. Just like the erronious development of Protestant doctrine that continues down the path of self-distruction, Jews conintue the same path in the wrong direction. There is nothing new here. We’re just trying to aproach the big questions with peace and understanding to create true ecuminism. Don’t sell out on false ecuminsism. People have become more ruthless in shoving their faith on others…even to the point of murder. But there are basic truths that can never be overlooked when it comes to Peace and Justice issues. Same Sex unions for example, abortion, even birth control is grossly disorder and inconsistent with God’s plan. It’s like slapping Him in the face. More like spitting. It is an act of hate towards God. Divorce is rampant in our society. I just talked to a woman we know in our neighborhood. She ranted at me about her ex-husband …about how he stood in front of a “church” and told the congregation that his chidlren are just going to have to accept that he has chosen a new path in life…as if that was okay… “Your okay I’m okay” thinking I guess. It’s sick. I know both of them. He even married another woman that looks like his ex. He just didn’t want to work through the problems. She was Lutheran and white, he was “non-denominational” and black. They’re both educated and smart. The Catholic Church has a great amount of experience and wisdom to drink from when it comes to marriage preparation. However, I think we need holy men and women administering the services to better prepare folks for long lasting marriages. It’s also grossly disordered to blow off the seriousness of marriage. At least in my former faith we rejected divorce period.

Back to the question then. There is such a great disparity between Catholicism and others that marriage for example should be banned altogether. It is a soar point in my life that I will not disucss here. Only time will heal it.

What bothers me is that there are far too many people that call themselves Christian or even Jewish that accept abortion for reasons. Sex has become the new entitlement of our society. Even our teens have picked up on it. And from my experience dealing with the schools even elementary school age children are at risk. Abuse is running rampid in our society. Somethings just transent religious beliefs. Supporting abortion is not a religious belief.

 

[vocatio]

Somehow, I get the impression that this is not a compliment. At least this is not directed at all of us.

Yes there are rude Catholics here. Many of them get banned. Some do not quite cross the line are still hang around. Such behavior is poor Catholic witness.

And, of course, people being people, some non-Catholics can be pretty rude here as well.

For my part, I do not like the idea of proselytizing as it has a connotation of forcing one’s belief on another. On the other hand, I like the idea of informing people. Inform them about what the Church really teaches, about what *really *happened in history, etc. And to do this in a pleasant and non-confrontation manner.

Finally, I only do this when the other person asks or is open to it.

After that, it is up to the person to draw their own conclusions.

Though I respect and believe your method of teaching truth is good I also believe that evangelization is good. Not forcing on people. but bringing up the topic. Door knocking is fine, but not for everyone. Handing out tracts and leave the questions up to the others. I don’t believe in arguing. It just doesn’t work well. People must be open to looking for the truth. Many of us are just blind. We’re complacent with where we’re at and that is why the Church is experiences such rampant dissent. Proselytizing Protestants are taking advantage of the situations. Just ask them. I used to be one. It took a convert that used to proselytize like me to open my eyes again. And then in my depiration I set out to learn the truth and God just humbled me. I fell in dispair over my dissent, even though well meaning, it was simply wrong. But there are times to stand up. In some situations it is required of us.