Baptist Communion?

[Gorgias]

I agree, that if your priest said it’s not a sin to partake in the Baptist “communion,” then it isn’t a sin.

Right… but that answer is incomplete. It’s like saying “having a drink or two after a tough day of work isn’t a sin”, but it leaves out the rest of the issue: “… but it’s not a good example to give others, either”…!

Receiving ‘communion’ at a Protestant denomination could have three negative effects:

• first of all, it creates the impression that ‘inter-communion’ between Protestant denominations and the Church is acceptable. (It isn’t.)
• second, it might make Protestants in attendance think, “well, if she can receive here, then I should receive at her church!”
• third, if other Catholics witness your reception, they might think, “well… she’s a Catholic, and a good one at that – I guess that it’s OK to inter-commune!”

So, really, it mostly comes down to setting a good example to others. That’s what we’re supposed to do as Christians, right?

 

[Gorgias]

How about kiddush in a synagogue? … would it be all right to eat the bread and drink the wine that have been blessed by the rabbi, served in the synagogue hall after the end of the morning service?

Apples and oranges. No one at that service would presume that the bread and wine there is equivalent to the Eucharist. Therefore, it’s a different situation.

(And no, I’m not getting into the details of describing what that situation might be. It’s just not applicable to the present question.)

 

[semper_catholicus]

I wouldn’t partake in their communion. You can’t actively participate in services and ceremonies of false religions.

 

[bassmansteiny]

It is forbidden to receive Communion in a Baptist or any Protestant Church.
Why? They do not believe in the Real Presence and for a Catholic to participate in their Communion is an affirmation that the Baptist Church (or any Protestant Church) is correct and that Catholic teaching is false. To receive Communion in a Protestant Church would be a sin of grave matter.

Rather it is forbidden or not I don’t know, but you are right, it would be an affirmation of what our non Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ believe. So I definitely would not partake in it, for thathat reason alone. And if it is forbidden and a sin, then that is all the more reason not too!

 

[bassmansteiny]

I’ve been in your shoes on many occasions. Simply explain that as a Catholic, communion represents assent to all aspects and doctrines of faith, so without being Baptist, you do not feel comfortable partaking, as it would indicate a false allegiance.

This might be the best response if she is pushed into it. I would think that our Baptist brothers and sisters would understand that, even if they don’t believe in the real presence.

 

[bassmansteiny]

Love you my sister in Christ. Great answer!! God Bless you

 

[Dlee]

First, I can’t imagine anyone (other than my family!) asking why I didn’t partake of communion. It’s between me and God only - and no one should be noticing what others are doing. As a former Baptist, my priest said no to Baptist communion. When it presented itself, I knew I couldn’t partake as it wasn’t the body and blood of Christ. So, if someone were to ask - you can always say “it’s between God and me,” or “it’s personal” and leave it at that. Best to you.

 

[TheOldColonel]

Yet, many converts have been made through such unashamed truth telling. Indeed, I’ve seen such conversion many times over in my life. For the Gospel, by its very message, is radical, challenging and redirects the hearer. No doubt, some considered Jesus rude.

But who was ever converted by appeasement, ecumenism, moral equivalency and timidity? Who among us was ever inspired by the lukewarm, the overly-polite, the apologetic or the relativist in matters spiritual?

The Lord, himself, says “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’” There is, indeed, no greater bluntness than truth. Truth always offends those who do not wish to hear it or see it shared.

 

[lilypadrees]

Just tell the truth. You’re Catholic and your beliefs about Communion are different from theirs.

A firm “No thank you” will also suffice.

And despite your priest saying it isn’t a sin to receive in their church, remember that if you do, the message you send is that you believe as they do. So don’t do it.

 

[ajg]

when I was in this situation, albeit I was rather young, I simple stated that as a Catholic I was not allowed to partake in other denominations communions. My friends mom attempted to coerce me into receiving and I walked out.

I believe I would handle it similarly as an adult. First time, politely say I cannot. If they push back, as an adult I’d add this step, more firmly decline. If they insist again, walk away.

I stopped going to church with them because they disrespected my belief. If I remember correctly, I asked my dad and/or mom to talk to her about it because she wouldn’t let me hang out with my friend anymore lol

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Right… but that answer is incomplete. It’s like saying “having a drink or two after a tough day of work isn’t a sin”, but it leaves out the rest of the issue: “… but it’s not a good example to give others, either”…!

I agree with you. If you read all of my posts, you’ll see that I don’t think she should partake, at all. However, I am not going to publicly speak against her priest and say that he is wrong, either. If he said it’s not a sin for her, then it wouldn’t be.

(I don’t think I would say that it’s a SIN for anyone, but I think it can cause scandal and the wrong impression, certainly. However, only God knows our hearts and intentions.)

To go a little further, I completely agree with the points you brought up. Why would we partake in Baptist communion when they are not allowed to participate in ours? As the OP said, the symbolic Baptist communion is just a pale shadow of the true Eucharist, and she shouldn’t feel coerced into participating against her will or through peer pressure.

As a Protestant my whole life until recently, I have participated in many, many such “cracker and juice” communions, and I did it as reverently as I could. Now, I wouldn’t participate because it would feel like I was being false to Christ.

When I was Episcopalian, we thought we were receiving the Body of Christ. Now, I wouldn’t participate at an Episcopalian communion either, because I do not agree with all of their doctrines and disciplines.

And as an aside, not once in all those years as an evangelical protestant did I ever see anyone point out or ask why someone else wasn’t participating in the communion. It was assumed they had their reasons, like they probably weren’t a Christian. No preacher ever said to not partake if you were in sin, so I agree that’s not on people’s minds there. But the people at the OP’s husband’s church do seem rather nosy.

 

[Gorgias]

I don’t think I would say that it’s a SIN for anyone, but I think it can cause scandal and the wrong impression, certainly.

But… that’s precisely the definition of the sin of scandal!

And as an aside, not once in all those years as an evangelical protestant did I ever see anyone point out or ask why someone else wasn’t participating in the communion.

Right. Typically, I wouldn’t expect anyone to talk about it… at least at the service, and in front of the person…

 

[HeDa]

Or you could get into some heavy theology and explain that as a Catholic you follow what the Catholic Church believes, teaches and professes that the ecclesiastical communion/unity and sacramental communion/unity are one and the same and therefor you are not receiving communion in a Baptist service.

Learn the Theology of the Catholic Church regarding Sacraments and especially Holy Communion and the Priesthood so that you can describe it for non Catholics in a way that they understand. At the same time you will appreciate the Eucharist more.

 

[AlNg]

If your priest says it’s not a sin, then go and don’t worry about it.

Yes.I agree.

 

[concretecamper1]

Regardless of what any priest says, a Catholic recieving communion at a protestant service is blasphemous.

 

[TC2]

And you as well!

 

[joeybaggz]

You might explain to your husband that, if you are being harassed in the Baptist church, you may not be able to attend there in the future.

Actually this thought is partially what came to my mind. Here I think you need to explain your situation to your husband, and if he wishes you to attend his service, he takes the responsibility to explain/justify your position/action as a caring and loving spouse.

 

[Reuben_J]

Yes, I agree. Her connection to their community is her husband.

 

[Wannano]

BoomerangToo:

If your priest says it’s not a sin, then go and don’t worry about it.

Yes.I agree.

Who do you listen to if next week a new priest is assigned to your parish and you ask him and he tells you it is a sin?

 

[poche]

When Hafaz Al Assad died I saw part of the funeral on CNN. I noticed that several ambassadors and other mourners who were Catholic made the sign of the Cross and said a quick prayer for the repose of his soul.