Catholic or "Christian"?

[maryjk]

Are you Catholic or Christian?

Yes!!!

It throws them. I generally then explain that Catholics were the 1st Christians.

 

[ibneahmad]

Isn’t anyone else annoyed by the question “Are you Catholic or Christian?”

I’ve been asked this several times by both Protestants and shockingly Catholics. It’s been especially annoying when I tell them “Catholic is Christian” and they say “No! Christians sing and have bands and pastors” :doh2:

:dts: Anyone else encountered this problem or was asked this question?

I think one should attach more importance to see on an issue whether it is according to the teachings of Jesus or Mary; that is what a Christian should be more concerned and focussed to.

 

[Izdaari]

Visiting the Assembly of God church, I have remained silent while the congregation prayed for the conversion of Catholics. Conversation after the service centered on the resurrection and the revelation that I am Catholic. What has the response been? “I didn’t know Catholics believed that.”
Evangelization comes from how we live our lives. Normal conversation can reveal the truth of what the Church teaches more than argument. I always begin with what we share in common.

I’m an AG member. Something you should know about AG is that it has only a very loose central organization, and congregations vary widely. There are certain agreed doctrines found on the AG website, but other than that… well, there’s a lot of difference between AG congregations, and some subscribe to things I’d call heretical (WoF) and some just do things I’m very uncomfortable with. My congregation would never have a corporate prayer for the conversion of Catholics, as our pastors are well aware that Catholics ARE Christians, though their beliefs aren’t the same as ours on some points.

 

[Kristin234]

One of my really good friends is Catholic and he always says “well you are the Christian one not me. I’m Catholic.”

He was very shocked when I told him that Catholics are Christian.

My sister is Catholic. I am not. One time we were talking to someone and he asked what religion we were. We both said Christian. He said he was Catholic. My sister told him that she was also Catholic. He actually told her she should be calling herself Catholic and not Christian and that it isn’t right.

 

[CopticChristian]

One of my really good friends is Catholic and he always says “well you are the Christian one not me. I’m Catholic.”

He was very shocked when I told him that Catholics are Christian.

My sister is Catholic. I am not. One time we were talking to someone and he asked what religion we were. We both said Christian. He said he was Catholic. My sister told him that she was also Catholic. He actually told her she should be calling herself Catholic and not Christian and that it isn’t right.

I am sure that I will get lots of flack for this however:

Abortion is murder
Contraception is in violation of Natural Law, an attempt to control God. Protestant Provon wrote a book on the Bible and Birth Control, yet many Protestants and even ill informed Catholics perform this.
There is no alternate lifestyle and yet we hear it all the time
Reveren Al Sharpton, Protestant Christian pastor, is defending birth control as women’s health care. The news reports that 100% of evangelicals are in favor.

We are surrounded by misinformation and this is an area where if you do not speak up and say what you believe then you get drowned out. I posted before that I routinely reframe the conversation to Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant as it comes to this understanding as a means of explaing the rationale, historical understanding. The more often this is done the more likely this information will be known.

 

[CopticChristian]

I’m an AG member. Something you should know about AG is that it has only a very loose central organization, and congregations vary widely. There are certain agreed doctrines found on the AG website, but other than that… well, there’s a lot of difference between AG congregations, and some subscribe to things I’d call heretical (WoF) and some just do things I’m very uncomfortable with. My congregation would never have a corporate prayer for the conversion of Catholics, as our pastors are well aware that Catholics ARE Christians, though their beliefs aren’t the same as ours on some points.

I appreciate your honesty. Your discomfort may be more than that. I can say without doubt that I have never been to, ever heard, ever read anything that is trash talk or anything like what you have heard in the Catholic Church. I tried to start an apologetic group at my Church and the pastor just did not feel that was necessary. The Churches I go to are interested in family, youth, prayer, building up the faith and no where do I expereince what it is you are describing as variance in the Churches.

This may be the start of your looking for something else.

 

[CopticChristian]

I think one should attach more importance to see on an issue whether it is according to the teachings of Jesus or Mary; that is what a Christian should be more concerned and focussed to.

What I see in this post are if we had 100 Catholics facing this issue in a group, some would pray and walk away, some would show their cross, pray and walk away, some would correct to an extent, some would spend more time and some would use these opportunities to catechize. These are all great approaches for the individual as they perceive the error.

This is what I see. 1600 years of Christianity. The Orthodox just call themselves Orthodox. Everyone knows where they stand. In my understanding and reading Protestants do not fare well approaching the East. In the West the new religion started by Knox, Zwingli, Calvin and Luther have caused this problem. If you some of the documents from this schism you will see as in the synod of Dort, that these guys call themselves the holy catholic church and also call themselves christians.

What has happened is that these upstarts took the name Christian for themselves, defining Catholics as a cult but anything other than Christian because the schism was intended to bury or destroy Rome. Did not happen guys and in fact 500 years later as Protestanism is on the fall and Rome got bigger not smaller we are stuck with this perverted mind set.

Baptists do not see themselves as Protestant. Quakers do not see themselves as Protestants. We too have generalized somewhat as a result of the many confronting the Church. This is like a wayward child that leaves home and denies that his parents had anything worth talking about, since they know everything. It is adolescent behavior on the part of the Protestant community as I see it.

 

[ConsciousCoward]

I personally have never differentiated between Catholic and Christian. I’ve always known that Christians are simply followers of Christ, and that Catholics meet that criteria.

I have, however, had Catholic friend’s differentiate while speaking to me. I had someone tell me that they thought of themselves as Catholic before Christian, which they explained to mean they would trust the Church even if God himself appeared and told them otherwise. My girlfriend once also said she thought of herself as Catholic more than Christian, but I later found out she didn’t mean it in the same way.

I have met anti-Catholics before, however, and I simply don’t understand. I’m not Catholic, nobody in my family is, yet I’ve always thought of Catholics to be my brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[CopticChristian]

I personally have never differentiated between Catholic and Christian. I’ve always known that Christians are simply followers of Christ, and that Catholics meet that criteria.

I have, however, had Catholic friend’s differentiate while speaking to me. I had someone tell me that they thought of themselves as Catholic before Christian, which they explained to mean they would trust the Church even if God himself appeared and told them otherwise. My girlfriend once also said she thought of herself as Catholic more than Christian, but I later found out she didn’t mean it in the same way.

I have met anti-Catholics before, however, and I simply don’t understand. I’m not Catholic, nobody in my family is, yet I’ve always thought of Catholics to be my brothers and sisters in Christ.

If you don’t understand then you may want to study the history of origin of your own beliefs and from whence they came. You may want to study the documents from the Synod of Dort, With like favour our faithful Saviour hath given a testimony of his gracious presence at this time to the long distressed Church of the Low-Countries. For this Church being by God’s mighty hand set free from the tyranny of the Romish Antichrist, & from the fearful idolatry of Popery, so often wonderfully preserved amidst the dangers of a long-continuing war, and flourishing in the concord of true

and know that there are 6 points of Calvinism

historicism.net/readingmaterials/sixthpoint.pdf, this declares the Pope to be the anticrhist and redifines the Protestant as the Christian Church.

This sentiment is in the back of the mind of every Calvinist and overflows into all Protestant thinking.

 

[Kristin234]

I am sure that I will get lots of flack for this however:

Abortion is murder
Contraception is in violation of Natural Law, an attempt to control God. Protestant Provon wrote a book on the Bible and Birth Control, yet many Protestants and even ill informed Catholics perform this.
There is no alternate lifestyle and yet we hear it all the time
Reveren Al Sharpton, Protestant Christian pastor, is defending birth control as women’s health care. The news reports that 100% of evangelicals are in favor.

I’m sorry but what does this have anything to do with what I said? So are you saying that Catholics should say they are Catholic and Protestants should say they are Protestant and not Christian? Christian means to be a follower of Christ. Both Catholics and Protestants are followers of Christ so what is wrong with using that term? I always say I am Christian and when someone wants more information I explain.

By the way, I don’t know what you are trying to get at by saying abortion is murder, but not every Protestant is for abortion. I am very against it and I have never said abortion was okay. So when someone asks what religion I am should I say “Oh I am Christian - Protestant but not the type who believes that abortion is okay.”

You also do not know where I stand with birth control, so I’m guessing I’m going to have to add that in there when I speak to a Catholic. “I am Christian - Protestant I do not believe in abortions or birth control.”

What about the Catholic that believes that birth control is okay? When asked what religion they are should they say “I am Christian - Catholic and I do believe in birth control so I am that type of Catholic.”

 

[ETEXAS]

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

LOL…hey it is a SIMPLE answer but not a “SIMPLISTIC” answer… Really thats about all I will give them …UNLESS…they are true seekers or confused…other than that…I stick to the Trusty Guns of Cross and Revealed Christ in the 4 Holy Gospels!

 

[jwder09]

Drawing a distinction between Christian and Catholic is a bit of unitentional laziness on our part that grows out of familiarity. We know we are Christians first, and that our demonination is Catholic; but, our group identity tends to stand in the forefront. This is simply due to a lack of effort on our part. Stating that we pray to saints, as opposed to saying that we ask that the saints pray for, or with, us is a similar point of confusion (or contention, depending on one’s disposition) outside the Church.

This is not an occurance relative only to Catholicism, however. How often have you heard human beings referred fo as “miracle workers”. Again, no Christian, regardless of their demonination, could belive a human being is capable of a true miracle. The Holy Spirit is the true catalyst; but, that is what is understood, not what is spoken.

 

[MillTownCath]

Isn’t anyone else annoyed by the question “Are you Catholic or Christian?”

I’ve been asked this several times by both Protestants and shockingly Catholics. It’s been especially annoying when I tell them “Catholic is Christian” and they say “No! Christians sing and have bands and pastors” :doh2:

:dts: Anyone else encountered this problem or was asked this question?

I don’t really like the term Christian as much anymore, it’s too general and all encompassing for lots of weird and sometimes unholy denominations.

 

[CopticChristian]

I’m sorry but what does this have anything to do with what I said? So are you saying that Catholics should say they are Catholic and Protestants should say they are Protestant and not Christian? Christian means to be a follower of Christ. Both Catholics and Protestants are followers of Christ so what is wrong with using that term? I always say I am Christian and when someone wants more information I explain.

By the way, I don’t know what you are trying to get at by saying abortion is murder, but not every Protestant is for abortion. I am very against it and I have never said abortion was okay. So when someone asks what religion I am should I say “Oh I am Christian - Protestant but not the type who believes that abortion is okay.”

You also do not know where I stand with birth control, so I’m guessing I’m going to have to add that in there when I speak to a Catholic. “I am Christian - Protestant I do not believe in abortions or birth control.”

What about the Catholic that believes that birth control is okay? When asked what religion they are should they say “I am Christian - Catholic and I do believe in birth control so I am that type of Catholic.”

The post is Catholic or Christian and what do you do. You can say anything you like. I usually say Coptic Christian and the response is usually, Huh. Say whatever you please. Catholics should say whatever they please. I believe that if there is a discussion or objection then, in my opinion, it is an opportunity for catechesis and evangelization. This is my opinion.

Abortion by any other name is murder. Naming it something else does not change the nature of what it is. To say that you are Christian and not know the history of what it is to be Christian is to suggest that as the so called Reformers did by starting a new religion, to name themselves Christian does not make them Christian. If you look back at my posts I pointed out that for clarity there are 3 choices in Christianity, ie Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant.

My point in the understanding of Abortion, contraception and alternate lifestyle is there is only One Holy Catholic Church that has an unwavering position on these issues. There is no Protestant authority, for if you recall that was a tenet of the new religion, no authority except the bible, that speaks for all Protestants, therefore we have “Christians” like Al Sharpton professing contraception and news reporters stating Evanglicals are for contraception, despite books like Provons. Oh, yes there are Catholics that do not follow their Church teachings. You throw out the baby with the bathwater.

The Catholic that believes in Birth Control and Abortion should say, I am Catholic, not well catechized and my Church teaches it is wrong, but since I know better than my Church and I don’t understand what it is to be Catholic, I give people the impression that it is up to me and my conscience. What they forgot is “well formed conscience”.

Say what you like, believe what you like, this is a post on Christian vs Catholic and if you read this and all my prior posts you will understand my position. If you want clarity, do as you did here and I will clarify.

You stated that you are not Catholic and that would indicate that you do not understand the issue as well as I and others do because you have not had to confront this. You stated that you are against Birth Control and abortion and for that you should be praised.

This is Catholic answers and the question is Catholic or Christian.

 

[CopticChristian]

Drawing a distinction between Christian and Catholic is a bit of unitentional laziness on our part that grows out of familiarity. We know we are Christians first, and that our demonination is Catholic; but, our group identity tends to stand in the forefront. This is simply due to a lack of effort on our part. Stating that we pray to saints, as opposed to saying that we ask that the saints pray for, or with, us is a similar point of confusion (or contention, depending on one’s disposition) outside the Church.

This is not an occurance relative only to Catholicism, however. How often have you heard human beings referred fo as “miracle workers”. Again, no Christian, regardless of their demonination, could belive a human being is capable of a true miracle. The Holy Spirit is the true catalyst; but, that is what is understood, not what is spoken.

I disagree with you and Milltown utilizing and applying “denomination” to Catholicism. Denomination is applied to the peculiar evolutionary actuallity of Protestant thought. Catholicism has Rites. Denomination is and should strictly be applied to denominations in my opinion.

 

[LinuxUser]

I have been thinking about this thread. I think it can be said that Protestants and Catholics of all stripes are Christians but not all in both groups are, it takes more than a label to be a Christian. Now I hope that makes sense.

 

[CopticChristian]

I have been thinking about this thread. I think it can be said that Protestants and Catholics of all stripes are Christians but not all in both groups are, it takes more than a label to be a Christian. Now I hope that makes sense.

No disrespect my friend. You are suggesting that there is a definition of Christian that you accept and can be applied as you believe. The problem arises as I have posted elsewhere, who decides that definition?

I believe, as does the Church, that Baptismal regeneration, a sacrament causes entry into the Church as a Christian. You are reborn a Christian. You are then taught and catechized in the OHCC as to what it is to be a Christian. You are justified by grace through faith, so that you can do works by grace pleasing to God, not on your own and be able to follow the Moral Law. Some do this imperfectly.

The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church allows for anyone baptized in the Trinitarian formula to be called Christian. It is their for whatever reason, choice not to partake of the riches of Christ through the Church that causes them to be separated.

You will find that when you attempt to get a definition from a Protestant it may be different depending on who you speak to and their definition does not allow lattitude to allow those outside their profession of faith to partake of what it is they offer. It has been this sort of thinking that I have found to be the genesis of athiesm. If what they are taught is to be the one truth and everyone else is wrong, and when they discover the history of belief, they leave all of Christianity.

So, then how do you define someone to be a Christian?

 

[jwder09]

I disagree with you and Milltown utilizing and applying “denomination” to Catholicism. Denomination is applied to the peculiar evolutionary actuallity of Protestant thought. Catholicism has Rites. Denomination is and should strictly be applied to denominations in my opinion.

Point taken. My intention was to exemplify Catholics as Christians while distinguishing the Lord’s unified Church from Protestant groups and there attempts at exclusion. Peace be upon you. Vivat Jesu!

 

[CopticChristian]

Point taken. My intention was to exemplify Catholics as Christians while distinguishing the Lord’s unified Church from Protestant groups and there attempts at exclusion. Peace be upon you. Vivat Jesu!

In the Byzantine the greeting on entering the Church and meeting prior to and after mass or at various and sundry times you will hear…

Slava Isusu Christu

and the response is

Slava na v’iki

And this I offer to you to figure out what it means.

 

[LinuxUser]

I have been thinking about this thread. I think it can be said that Protestants and Catholics of all stripes are Christians but not all in both groups are, it takes more than a label to be a Christian. Now I hope that makes sense.

To clarify if one stood in a garage that does not make that one a car and even if said person called himself a car he would not be one. Many in the Protestant denominations and Catholic denomination are believers but not everyone is. As Paul said you will know them by their fruits