Can't we give Protestants SOME credit???

[RomanCrusader]

I give certain Protestants a lot of credit. Many denominations are full of knowledgeable people who can quote the Bible well and practice good morals.

Protestantism is a lot closer to the truth than Islam or Talmundic Judaism.

While some demoniations are of the devil (Calvinism), others are quite decent and I consider them Christian.

 

[dessert]

Hi

I am neither a Catholic nor a Protestant, I am an Ahmadi a peaceful Muslim, yet I would say it is a rational and reasonable approach. Personal relationship should be maintained yet the problems discussed in a respectful, peaceful and honourable way.That is the only solution.

People in the Western society have benefitted most from the fruits of the secular tolerant culture, so I think they have a greater responsiblity to be open minded.

Thanks

This is oneof the first things I say when we discuss(my dh and I )
let’s be peacefull about this.

And not tooooo emotional.

Barbara

 

[dessert]

I know this thread might start World War III in here, but, here goes…

I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.

I left out most of your post because it had a sense of judgementalism. I think we all get lofty sometimes and we Catholics keep each other and the Protestants down on the ground where we are all suppose to be. So that may begin the
war My dh and I have a challange sometimes I say PETER and he says PAUL and we go back and forth but it is not hostile like a war. All in spirit of compassion.
Barbara

 

[gardenswithkids]

…I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. …

I married a Protestant, (who is now Catholic, but that’s besides my point.) Yes, many Protestants do far more with far less than what Catholics have. Protestant Christians who regularly read and meditate on the Scriptures, who have a strong prayer life, and who sincerely seek Truth put the average Catholic to shame. That’s one thing that attracted me to my formerly-Protestant husband.

I know some* really* wonderful Protestant Christians. I gladly give credit where credit is due. But since you seek intellectual honesty, I point out the Catholic Church doesn’t have the corner on market for the luke-warm. I know some really wonderful, sincere, faithful Protestants *and *Catholics; I also know some luke-warm Protestants and Catholics. Sincere, faithful people share more in common with each other than they share with those who are luke-warm.

 

[He_Man]

Maybe it is just me, but I don’t see nearly the ansgt towards Protestants that I do from Protestants towards Catholics.

I got ANOTHER letter in mail highlighting how the Catholic Church is the whore of Babylon, and a false religion of satan, etc. Seems to happen every few months. luckily, it is winter, and I need kindling.

I don’t see a lot of ripping on Protestants here, so I am not sure what the TC is referring to.

 

[wanner47]

You know, it’s funny. I’ve yet to hear a Catholic convert disparage his/her former Protestant faith, but I can’t ever recall hearing a fallen-away Catholic say anything positive about his/her Catholic faith after s/he’s become Protestant.

This is just my personal experience, from things I’ve read on this and other forums as well as things I’ve heard on CA Live or during Catholic/Protestant debates.

I was a Protestant for 22 years and I’m grateful for the upbringing I did have in the Lutheran Church. There were a lot of positive things about it. I no longer agree with all of the ELCA’s theology, but it was a pretty decent Protestant religion to grow up in. I do think Protestants have a lot of great things, and there are things we can learn from them (and vice versa).

 

[MarcoPolo]

But I notice a constant venom spewed at Protestantism and a real burying our heads in the sand as Catholics. We don’t want to acknowledge that there MUST BE SOMETHING GOOD about Protestantism in a Christ-like way that makes Catholics leave and join up with them.

I don’t agree at all. There is no “constant venom” on this board from one side or the other or Catholics “burying our heads.” You may find certain people who have these tendencies, but I have seen plenty of examples of Christ-like exchanges.

 

[lak611]

There is no “constant venom” on this board from one side or the other or Catholics “burying our heads.” You may find certain people who have these tendencies, but I have seen plenty of examples of Christ-like exchanges.

I agree. There are a few posters, Catholic and Protestant, who are uncharitable; but the number of charitable posters, both Catholic and Protestant, is far greater.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I only mention the things that drive me nuts about Protestants to be fair to both sides. I think Catholics have:
poor education in catechetics, a low morale, lack of motivation at times, poor understanding of their faith, and they often don’t follow the Magisterium. Protestants also have a ton of quirks and I mentioned those. Equal press. lol

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

gurneyhalleck1

Since I have started researching religion I have developed this opinion:
Protestants have shaky beliefs and doctrine but, have the utmost best character.
Catholics have solid beliefs and doctrine but, lackluster character.

I’ve said this to a “Cradle Catholic” that has an awesome character and she agreed with me and said younger generations need to change that.

My theory is: Growing up without the knowledge makes us hungry for it. Growing up with the knowledge kind of sits it to the side.

A hungry man jumps with joy in the sight of food. A full man is like “I guess I can eat”.

Thanks for showing me more good “cradle Catholic” character.

An outstanding analysis! I grew up “Catholic” but only went to Mass a few times per YEAR in a lukewarm religious situation in our family. When I was a teen and became interested in Catholicism, I practically knew nothing of the faith and I was hungry for it. Still am. Good analysis!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

The only good that exists in protestantism is what they retained from Catholicism.

Think about it from a theological point of view- Catholicism is the one True Faith and all that contradicts the Church is false and of the Evil One.

I do NOT believe that a young man growing up in the Baptist or Lutheran Church who has been raised, taught, educated, and indoctrinated into that theology is “from the evil one.” A person may grow up very much loving Christ and trying to seek Him each and every day yet thinks the Catholic Church to be the Anti-Christ. Invinsible ignorance and prejudiced viewpoints early in life as well as institutions may make a person think many things. Everything that is NOT Roman Catholic is not necessarily of “the evil one.” I think Martin Luther was not a minion of Satan but rather believed everything he taught and died believing he had done the right thing.

 

[Metaron]

I do NOT believe that a young man growing up in the Baptist or Lutheran Church who has been raised, taught, educated, and indoctrinated into that theology is “from the evil one.” A person may grow up very much loving Christ and trying to seek Him each and every day yet thinks the Catholic Church to be the Anti-Christ. Invinsible ignorance and prejudiced viewpoints early in life as well as institutions may make a person think many things. Everything that is NOT Roman Catholic is not necessarily of “the evil one.” I think Martin Luther was not a minion of Satan but rather believed everything he taught and died believing he had done the right thing.

I think a lot of our Protestant brethren and bro’s in Christ are sincere, and many we’ll see in Heaven, I’m sure. Notwithstanding: I think that, Calvin, Knox, Menno Simons, Ammon, and especially Zwingli, all had full knowledge of the evils they were committing. Many were led astray (In my view) and they are not evil, just decieved. Just the originators, I say, knew what evils they were committing.

 

[trustinyou]

I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.

I love our seperated brothers to! But what are we doing to bring us all back into the fold? Prayer is really the only way. So I’m asking all who read these forums,this Sat. Dec. 8th (feast of the Immaculate Conception) to ask Our Mother to pray for us,and to say The Chaplet of Mercy(as they return to the church My Wounds Heal) for our seperated brethren… p.s. has anyone read this link, wars and how they match up with Our Mothers feast days? spiritdaily.com/pearlharbor.htm

spiritdaily.com/pearlharbor.htm

 

[snowfly]

Let’s look at one thing: MOST Catholics I know who are excited, fired-up, theologically-bright, knowledgable folks are FORMER PROTESTANTS!!! Yikes!

Yes FORMER, so with all the qualities you say they have and I’ll say many of them do, they still had something missing, that must have been the Catholic Church.

There were great learned teachers in Christs time too, the Scribes and Pharisees, but Jesus wasnt impressed by their knowledge.

Matt:7:28 **And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. 29 For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees. **

 

[Brian_C]

This is a tat off topic.
But, is not the crackers leavened (packaged in a factory and sit on the store shelves for days,weeks,may be months) and is not it suppose to be unleavened (fresh)?

Do not Catholics bake their “crackered sized” bread the day of Eucharist? And, how do they taste,from a food point of view and not the taste of Jesus’ body.

And, why not bake whole loaves and pour full glasses of wine?

I know children do not need full glasses but, you can borrow from the Protestants and give them a full glass of grape juice.

Bamm and Ihagan, perhaps reinterating something you already know or maybe not, but the standard practice at Latin Rite Catholic Churches (what most Catholic Chuches are in the US and Europe and much of the world are) is unleavened bread. This bread does not have to be made (and usually isn’t) the day of the eucharist on which it is used. Rather, typically the bread used in communion wafers is premade and packaged just like any other bread/cracker. Often parishes buy the wafers from religious orders who specialize in making these items. The only mandate is that the bread be unleavened and made from wheat. This reflects the fact that the traditional Passover bread was the same.

And while I believe that Protestants take their “Lord’s Supper” seriously (I was raised Baptist) they (in most denoms) do NOT elevate this meal beyond something symbolic. Devout Catholics take very seriously the belief that the Eucharist, once consecrated by the priest acting *in persona Christi *IS the body and blood of Christ. Indeed this is the simple, blunt truth that many Catholic apologists have used to differentiate Catholicism from its protestant peers-“We have the Eucharist.” It is not meant to be a mean spirited critique, merely a plain and simple truth.

 

[paarsurrey]

I can agree. Protestants are very smart. And I know most have good intentions in living christian lives. My parish priest has a couple minister friends. Most are kind to Catholics. We should never let our difference in beliefs affect our relationship.

Hi

The common phenomenon is that not many people of a demonination efforts of other denomination, though they are in the same Religion. This is against justice and humanity. If one says about the other denomination that it is hundred per cent wrong whereas it is say only fifty per cent, that only reflects that the person blaming the other denomination is doing no service to his faith as he had gone against love and justice to the fellow human being.

Quran

[30:31] So set thy face to the service of religion with single-minded devotion. And follow the nature made by Allah, the nature according to which He has fashioned mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah. That is the right religion - but most men know not -
[30:32] So you all turn to Him, in repentance, and seek His protection and observe Prayer, and be not of those who associate partners with Allah -
[30:33] Of those who split up their religion and have become divided into sects, every party rejoicing in what they have.
Unquote

There is nothing to rejoice if one is not doing justice to his fellow religionists or other human beings.

Thanks

 

[Brian_C]

Oh course Mohamed (PBUH) wrote that-he was a 7th century heritic.

just kidding…

 

[Cairisti]

I was raised Baptist and my family and friends are either Baptist, Methodist or Non-denom, so yes, I’ll give Protestants credit. We were always encouraged to read the bible and sing hymns. Not to mention the non-Catholic churches I’ve gone to, were always welcoming. As someone else pointed out, it seems to be the converts who are the ones singing during Mass. So yes, I’ll credit Protestants for their love of bible study, singing and fellowship.

 

[Metaron]

I am not into Protestantism or anything. I just like to be intellectually honest and give them the credit they are due. They lack the 5 sacraments, often are QUITE WRONG on many things from women’s ordination to grape juice communions with crackers to silly songs or nutty evangelical healings on TV with weird hairdos. They have an informal style that drives me nuts, man of them at least. But they do have some admirable qualities.

I love our seperated brothers to! But what are we doing to bring us all back into the fold? Prayer is really the only way. So I’m asking all who read these forums,this Sat. Dec. 8th (feast of the Immaculate Conception) to ask Our Mother to pray for us,and to say The Chaplet of Mercy(as they return to the church My Wounds Heal) for our seperated brethren… p.s. has anyone read this link, wars and how they match up with Our Mothers feast days? spiritdaily.com/pearlharbor.htm

spiritdaily.com/pearlharbor.htm

I agree, and I’m definately going to pray that.

I was raised in many Protestant communities. In the Nazarene community, we had communion biannually, in the Baptist, biannually, in an independent evangelical community, quadra-annually, and then, in the fundamentalist independent community I can only remember having it twice in four years…

So I would say they minimalize the Last Supper, and even the Scourging, Agony in the Garden, and the Cross. It seemed I only occasionally heard of the Cross and I never heard of the Scourging until I read it in an Anglican devotional booklet. But Protestants I think minimalize the Christian virtues of suffering, and it’s full meaning. I don’t know, this is just the impression I got when I went to Protestant communities.

 

[Cat]

Many Protestant Christians have been martyred for their faith in Jesus.

My former pastor was a missionary in Vietnam from the early 1950s until 1972. He, his wife, and their four young children (all four born in Vietnam under the most primitive conditions) were ferried out of the country by soldiers two weeks before the fall of Saigon.

He has written a great book called To Vietnam With Love. Here is a link to Amazon: amazon.com/Vietnam-Love-Collection-Missionary-Portraits/dp/0875095828/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2

In this book, he tells stories of fellow missionaries and Montignard people who were brutally killed by the Communists for no other reason than that they were Christians.

While we were at his church in the U.S., we heard many stories of missionaries to Vietnam who were murdered for their faith.

This is just one example. There are many more stories of Protestants killed for their faith. In fact, the current issue of Christianity Today has a small story of four Protestants in Eritrea who were tortured until they died.

So I believe that we should give Protestants credit for being willing to die for their Lord.