Are we liking other religions too much?

[brgregmack]

Being Catholic is not assurance for salvation…being Christian, and a faithful Christian at that, is. Those who do not hear, I leave up to God’s wisdom…those who hear, yet reject, I think Scripture is plain on the fate of such people.

True, but there’s also some gray as to exactly why they reject Him, such as being abused etc.

 

[Inishfree]

No, it is good to question, but the questioner needs to be open to the possibility of acceptance of the answer, and if they do not accept after getting their answer then they need to accept that they need to pray about it until they can accept it. What is unacceptable is to reject the answer or to think that they know better than the Church.

I agree. When I was recieving instruction for becoming Catholic. I was told it was good to ask questions and was encouraged to do so. In order to gain more knowledge and thus becoming more devout with your faith.

 

[wisdomseeker]

yes, yes, i am fully aware of those differences, but how do protestants preach a different Jesus? They believe in the Apostles Creed, the Incarnation, the Resurrection, the reason Christ came and died, etc.

So, you can deny all these and still say it is the same Jesus? did not the Jews did the same?

 

[t68ware]

So, you can deny all these and still say it is the same Jesus? did not the Jews did the same?

Protestants still believe in the same core beliefs as Catholics when it comes to who Jesus is, and His mission. They dont deny His Lordship as the Jews. They believe in 100% of the Apostles Creed and I would say about 95% of the Nicean Creed. They are baptised (for the most part) in the name of the Triune God, therefore are Christians, according to the RCC, just seperated.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Protestants believe in the same Jesus, who came, died, rose and is coming again.

Everything else you listed makes Protestantism different from Catholicism but Protestants believe in the same Jesus.

Disclaimer: I’m only speaking from the perspective of the evangelical churches I grew up with which believe in the trinity.

Are you allowed to reject most of what Jesus teaches and still claiming it is the same Jesus? dosnt God requires us to believe evrything Jesus teaches? unless you doubt that these are True i dont see how can anyone say this is the same Jesus…

Are you allowed to deslief any of Jesus teachings?

 

[wisdomseeker]

Protestants still believe in the same core beliefs as Catholics when it comes to who Jesus is, and His mission. They dont deny His Lordship as the Jews. They believe in 100% of the Apostles Creed and I would say about 95% of the Nicean Creed. They are baptised (for the most part) in the name of the Triune God, therefore are Christians, according to the RCC, just seperated.

Please tell me what teachings of God are not important.

 

[TrueLight]

Are you allowed to reject most of what Jesus teaches and still claiming it is the same Jesus? dosnt God requires us to believe evrything Jesus teaches? unless you doubt that these are True i dont see how can anyone say this is the same Jesus…

Are you allowed to deslief any of Jesus teachings?

There is a distinction between Tradition and Scripture. Obviously, Protestants don’t have the fullness of the faith because they don’t accept a lot of Catholic tradition.

Don’t quote the immaculate conception as a proof of Protestants not believing in Jesus. It may not be the fullness of the faith, but Protestants believe Jesus was born of a virgin.

There are different scriptural interpretations as well, but it is still the same Jesus, the Word,the Alpha & the Omega, who is part of the Trinity.

By the way, I am not advocating that Protestants and Catholics are the same. I do believe it is important for Catholics to understand why attending a Protestant church is not the same as attending a Catholic church. I believe too much ecumenical mixing can cause Catholics to convert to Protestantism.

But Protestants are Christians.

 

[Seamus_L]

I think the question we need to ask ourselves (and I’m not asking anyone to respond) is, Is this what the Church has always taught ?

 

[Bezant]

I am becoming increasingly aware of the Catholic Churches acceptance of the other world religions, esp Islam, since it is considered one of the great monothestic religions. My book Catholism for Dummies speaks of the commonality we share, and I have noticed how the Church will not call Muslims or Jews unbelievers, but will focus on their belief in God, even though the Muslim belief in God is very different than ours.

As far as His Character is concerned – not to presume anyone fully understands Divine Nature – we believe in the same God. We all believe God capable of anger, compassion, mercy, that He’s One, etc.

Our perceptions of what God did, what are his plans, and why it’s this way – very different.

By the way, the Jewish perception of God is quite different, more so than Christian God minus Jesus. In fact, the Jewish and Muslim views of God are closer than the Christian and Jewish views.

When I was Protestant, you either followed Christ or you didn’t…no middle ground, but it seems the Catholic Church will not make such distinctions.

It makes some further distinctions than that (e.g., you’re simply Catholic or not a Catholic), but the implications for not being a MOT is different, and not absolutely essential to salvation.

** Christ is the only way, not just believing in God or having the same ancestor, ie Abraham.**

Your theology is in conflict with Church teaching.

Both Jews and Muslims deny Christ as the Lord…how can we cozy up with them? Is anybody else finding this unsettling?

To answer your second question, I don’t.

To answer your first:

1. So what they don’t believe Christ is God? Don’t you think they have unshallow, founded reasons for that?
2. We have to make good relations with Jews and Muslims.

We all have the responsibility of bringing righteousness into the world. The more help Christians can get, the easier it is for us to do our job.

(*Actually, some Muslims and Jews don’t feel the Church is cozying up to them. Matter of perspective.)

 

[Bezant]

While I agree with your comment, both the faiths of the Jews and Muslims believe in God, but Islam, in its founding, has denied Christ as Lord…

Again, why is your problem with Islam (which accepts Jesus at least as a Prophet) and not with Judaism?

…the Church should be trying to convert them lovingly, not giving their faith some legitimate status as worthy as Christianity.

Do you know your faith that well? In no way does the Church ever give any faith or Christian community outside of itself equal status.

In any case, evangelism to Jews and Muslims is very sensitive.

Really, we should not actively evangelise either community, but keep our doors open to potential seekers.

 

[Bezant]

Reading the Koran is a good place to start…there you will see how different Allah is than our God…Allah isnt Love, as our God is, Allah didnt send His Son to purchase salvation, as did ours, so there are quite a few differences…

I don’t think you’ve read more than certain verses of the Qu’ran.

It’s a shame that, since you seem to know very little of Islam, that you make a dismissive, sweeping judgment of the Quranic God in contrast to alternative verses, the people who actually believe in it, and Muslim theological opinions. It’s rude, actually.

(In any case, you’re contradicting yourself since “Allah” simply means “God” (Arab Christians refer to him in the same way)

 

[hazcompat]

Every preciuos soul, even those on the horizon of the abyss, are the object of Our Fathers Love. It is His will that none should perish. If you have anything it is a gift, share it.How urgent the needs of some. Be perfect as Our Father is perfect. Love one another. The angels, disputing with satan over the body of Moses did not pronounce a reviling judgement against satan himself. How deferential should I be to the servant of another. Live each day as if your future perfection had already occurred. Be patient I am a work in progress.

peace

 

[meltzerboy]

Again, why is your problem with Islam (which accepts Jesus at least as a Prophet) and not with Judaism?

Do you know your faith that well? In no way does the Church ever give any faith or Christian community outside of itself equal status.

In any case, evangelism to Jews and Muslims is very sensitive.

Really, we should not actively evangelise either community, but keep our doors open to potential seekers.

Correct: Islam accepts Jesus as a Prophet and the Messiah, though not the Son of G-d. However, Islam also believes Jesus will return, institute Islam as the true faith, and destroy Christianity. Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of G-d. However, some Jews do think of Jesus as a Prophet, though they regard Moses as the greatest Prophet.

 

[Bezant]

Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of G-d. However, some Jews do think of Jesus as a Prophet, though they regard Moses as the greatest Prophet.

Please explain. I don’t know any mainstream Jews/movement in Judaism that accept Jesus as a prophet (for Christians, or for Jews?)

 

[WFS5801]

My book Catholism for Dummies speaks of the commonality we share, and I have noticed how the Church will not call Muslims or Jews unbelievers, but will focus on their belief in God, even though the Muslim belief in God is very different than ours. When I was Protestant, you either followed Christ or you didnt…no middle ground, but it seems the Catholic Church will not make such distinctions. Christ is the only way, not just believing in God or having the same ancestor, ie Abraham. Both Jews and Muslims deny Christ as the Lord…how can we cozy up with them? Is anybody else finding this unsettling?

It’s called Modernism. Pope St. Pius X condemned it without reservation. Truth doesn’t change and the Church can not err on matters of doctrine. So we have conflicting messages – one dogmatic, one “pastoral.” Which do we accept?

Here it is well to note at once that, given this doctrine of experience united with the other doctrine of symbolism, every religion, even that of paganism, must be held to be true. What is to prevent such experiences from being met within every religion? In fact that they are to be found is asserted by not a few. And with what right will Modernists deny the truth of an experience affirmed by a follower of Islam? With what right can they claim true experiences for Catholics alone? Indeed Modernists do not deny but actually admit, some confusedly, others in the most open manner, that all religions are true.

 

[meltzerboy]

As far as His Character is concerned – not to presume anyone fully understands Divine Nature – we believe in the same God. We all believe God capable of anger, compassion, mercy, that He’s One, etc.

Our perceptions of what God did, what are his plans, and why it’s this way – very different.

By the way, the Jewish perception of God is quite different, more so than Christian God minus Jesus. In fact, the Jewish and Muslim views of God are closer than the Christian and Jewish views.

It makes some further distinctions than that (e.g., you’re simply Catholic or not a Catholic), but the implications for not being a MOT is different, and not absolutely essential to salvation.

Your theology is in conflict with Church teaching.

To answer your second question, I don’t.

To answer your first:

1. So what they don’t believe Christ is God? Don’t you think they have unshallow, founded reasons for that?
2. We have to make good relations with Jews and Muslims.

We all have the responsibility of bringing righteousness into the world. The more help Christians can get, the easier it is for us to do our job.

(*Actually, some Muslims and Jews don’t feel the Church is cozying up to them. Matter of perspective.)

I agree in principle with what you say. Interfaith dialog and understanding of one another’s religious beliefs are essential if we wish to live together peacefully. Historically, it hasn’t worked out too well so far (what an understatement!); but, on the whole, at least regarding Christianity and Judaism, it is significantly better today than in years gone by. Why should we reverse the trend? I’m not saying, however, that the OP would like to do that. Rather, they seem concerned about keeping Catholics in the Church and, perhaps more important, justifying their belief that Catholicism is the true and full Word of G-d, so that being a Catholic does makes a difference and is not merely interchangeable with other Christian or non-Christian faiths. I can understand that view. Nonetheless, I think this goal can be achieved while, at the same time, encouraging Catholicism to embrace other people’s faiths, not necessarily as co-equals, but as worthy of respect.

 

[WFS5801]

While I agree with your comment, both the faiths of the Jews and Muslims believe in God, but Islam, in its founding, has denied Christ as Lord…the Church should be trying to convert them lovingly, not giving their faith some legitimate status as worthy as Christianity.

Exactly.

 

[WFS5801]

Truth is always unsettling when our minds are so cozy with deceptions and prejudices. You have to accept all of the Church’s teaching in love and trust, such as CCC 841, or don’t become Catholic.

Or you accept the dogmatic teaching of the Church, pre-Vatican II. Truth can not change or oppose itself. The Church has been infiltrated with Modernism.

Do you find that truth unsettling?

 

[meltzerboy]

Please explain. I don’t know any mainstream Jews/movement in Judaism that accept Jesus as a prophet (for Christians, or for Jews?)

While the majority of Jews may not accept Jesus as a prophet, I recall my childhood rabbi (who was Orthodox) stated that Jesus may have been so. I assume other Jews share the belief. Admittedly, I have not researched that view.

 

[TrueLight]

Rather, they seem concerned about keeping Catholics in the Church and, perhaps more important, justifying their belief that Catholicism is the true and full Word of G-d, so that being a Catholic does makes a difference and is not merely interchangeable with other Christian or non-Christian faiths. I can understand that view. Nonetheless, I think this goal can be achieved while, at the same time, encouraging Catholicism to embrace other people’s faiths, not necessarily as co-equals, but as worthy of respect.

I agree these religions should be treated with respect. Needless to say I am well acquainted with the spiritual lives of Protestants and I admire muslims for their prayers, and of course the Jews are God’s people.

I also believe there needs to be a differentiation. Otherwise, the Catholic Church will be absorbed into one big melting pot, new-age religion that offends no one.

And if that is the direction, we’re headed in, my Catholic brothers and sisters, please tell me now before I convert. In that case, I might as well stay right where I am.

As it is, the protestant church I sing with once a month has exactly the inclusive model that is being advocated by some people. " You’re okay, I’m okay."