Catholic vs. Christian

[rinnie]

That’s my experience exactly. I they agree with what I say I believe, they think I don’t properly understand what the Church teaches. They can’t accept that they are mistaken about the CC.

You know what they say, To know us is to love us

I think that if they admit they are mistaken about us, then they will have to accept the Sacraments. And they HATE them.

Confession I believe is number one on the hate list. But yet thousands of Protestants and Catholics alike will spend thousands of dollars and confess thier sins to a marriage therapist, Dr, etc. Go figure. When God gives it for Free.

There is nothing like a clean soul. And thats why confession is good for the soul.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

Yes Catholics and Orthodoxs are Christians. I wince every time a fellow Protestant says the Catholic Church is not Christian and I think next time I plan to correct them. Gee what nonsense

 

[Geaux_LSU]

Evangelicals do seem to have a monopoly on the word “Christian” here in America, as if it were a denomination. If they only knew what we believed in, as well as the 1000 years of history before the Reformation, they’d probably refer to us as Christians, too.

But it runs both ways, though. Coming to the Church from a non-denominational background, many Catholics said I “converted to the Catholic faith.” I didn’t really like this, as I thought I was already Christian beforehand. I prefer “reconciled to the Catholic faith” better , because “convert” makes it sound like other denominations aren’t Christian.

 

[Miriam1947]

Evangelicals do seem to have a monopoly on the word “Christian” here in America, as if it were a denomination. If they only knew what we believed in, as well as the 1000 years of history before the Reformation, they’d probably refer to us as Christians, too.

But it runs both ways, though. Coming to the Church from a non-denominational background, many Catholics said I “converted to the Catholic faith.” I didn’t really like this, as I thought I was already Christian beforehand. I prefer “reconciled to the Catholic faith” better , because “convert” makes it sound like other denominations aren’t Christian.

I am a convert because baptism is what makes me Christian and I was baptized into the Catholic Church.

I only thought I was a Christian before and that was only because I knew I wasn’t Jewish or any other religion. And since I occasionally as a child went to a church, voila, Christian!

 

[Incomplete]

But it runs both ways, though. Coming to the Church from a non-denominational background, many Catholics said I “converted to the Catholic faith.” I didn’t really like this, as I thought I was already Christian beforehand. I prefer “reconciled to the Catholic faith” better , because “convert” makes it sound like other denominations aren’t Christian.

This is just a matter of some people not understanding terminology. Often Catholics (and others) use the word “convert” anytime someone moves from one denomination to another…so if you went, for example, from Baptist to Lutheran, many people would use the word “convert”.

But you’re right, that’s not a correct term. You were already Christian, so you were received into the Church, not converted.

 

[juan_e_flores]

acts 11:26 was the first time followers of jesus were called christians.In mexico if you call a roman catholic a christian they will get offended, hardcore catholics do not want to be included in the christian denomination.Roman catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning read real catholic history they were loyal to the pope more than to the study of scripture.But not all catholics agreed thats how you got people like Martin luther to me one of the greatest catholics of all time.

 

[GraceSofia]

Just today, for the umpteenth time, I heard someone refer to “Christians” (meaning Protestants) and Catholics as if they were two completely different categories. So yet again, I explained, patiently, that Catholics are indeed Christians. Has anyone else experienced this? I assume it comes out of the 1980’s evangelical explosion, which kind of came and went, but it seems to persist. Whence comes this public perception that only “Protestants” qualify as “Christians?”

It depends on the historical usage of the words, I think. So in English, it goes back (as someone else already said) to the post-Henry VIII times. It got entangled with political power, and the new Church of England wanted to stigmatise Catholics and promote themselves. Then, most of the American colonists were Protestant so the idea became very strong in the States that Catholics weren’t Christians.

It’s different in different countries. In Italy, “Christian” means means “Catholic” and Orthodox or Protestant are called something else.
In Greece, “Christian” means “Greek Orthodox” for all practical language-usage purposes and Catholics and Protestants are specified something else.

 

[cath4alltime]

acts 11:26 was the first time followers of Jesus were called Christians.In Mexico if you call a roman catholic a christian they will get offended, hardcore Catholics do not want to be included in the christian denomination.Roman Catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning read real catholic history they were loyal to the pope more than to the study of scripture.But not all Catholics agreed that’s how you got people like Martin Luther to me one of the greatest Catholics of all time.

So where is it that we are to follow the Scriptures only?

 

[JustaServant]

acts 11:26 was the first time followers of jesus were called christians.In mexico if you call a roman catholic a christian they will get offended, hardcore catholics do not want to be included in the christian denomination.Roman catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning read real catholic history they were loyal to the pope more than to the study of scripture.But not all catholics agreed thats how you got people like Martin luther to me one of the greatest catholics of all time.

Not sure what kind of Catholics you know, but every one I have met calls themselves Christian.

 

[JustaServant]

Hopefully he’ll come back and explain himself (more coherantly maybe).

 

[GraceSofia]

Well, I suspect that
is the most suitable response, :D but I am a little curious about how "Roman catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning" since we were all one Church for the first thousand years.

 

[Kristin234]

Not sure what kind of Catholics you know, but every one I have met calls themselves Christian.

Actually, a lot of the Catholics I know do not call themselves Christian, but then again they also do not read the Bible often nor do they really go to church.

I had a boyfriend who was Catholic. His family were cafeteria Catholics and they usually went to church only for the holidays. His mom would get so mad anytime someone called her Christian. She would always correct people and tell them she wasn’t Christian but Catholic.

I think some really think that Catholics and Christians are two different denominations and that you cannot be both.

 

[onemangang]

acts 11:26 was the first time followers of jesus were called christians.In mexico if you call a roman catholic a christian they will get offended, hardcore catholics do not want to be included in the christian denomination.Roman catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning read real catholic history they were loyal to the pope more than to the study of scripture.But not all catholics agreed thats how you got people like Martin luther to me one of the greatest catholics of all time.

I will NEVER call myself a “Catholic Christian” because of it’s redundancy! Catholic is Christian! To say Catholic Christian is like saying Catholic Catholic, or Christian Christian, it is redundant!

There is a lot of stuff many un-catechized people profess to be “Catholic” tenets of faith, when in fact, they are not. Especially in the Latin American countries. You have bishops and priest SCREAMING that the Worship or Intercession of “Santa Muerte” is satanic, yet uninformed, un-catechized people insist that what they are doing is Catholic. That does not make it Catholic, just because some un-catechized people claim it is. The same people are no longer following the Deposit of faith and are going against the Pope and their own bishops, so what does that make them If they now PROTEST what the pope and bishops, have decreed, what are they exactly! Non-Catholic now in PROTEST= Protestant!

No “Roman Catholic” wants any separation, but unity! That is why you have the Latin Rite and many Eastern Rite Catholics, all of which are in full communion with the Pope! It is the PROTESTANTS that have split from full communion with Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church is not a denomination, She is the bride of Christ and Protestant factions are deviations from the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. Therefore a Catholic is right to stand up and say don’t try to roll me in to some invisible Church whereas we are just a denomination among many. I belong to THE CHURCH which Christ founded, not one founded by Luther, Calvin, Knox, Ellen G White, Chuck Smith or some dude that lives down the street that started a “church” here in 1967.

Here is an excerpt from Theological Highlights from Vatican II that was written by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI

“It was note-worthy that on the first day of the Council two Latin American bishops requested that the schema on the Blessed Virgin be incorporated in the text on the Church. They explained that a danger existed that their populations would regard Marian piety as a completely independent thing and that they would cease seeing mary in relation to Christ.”
Theological Highlights from Vatican II Page 87.

As you see. I have provided documentation, I would ask that you would do the same when you make claims like,

“Roman catholics wanted to be separated from christian followers from the beginning read real catholic history they were loyal to the pope more than to the study of scripture”

Each individual has a responsibility to explore their faith and many don’t. That is the fault of the individual, not the Church especially when the Pope, Bishops and Priest are Screaming “Santa Muerte is Satan worship”, yet the people continue to practice it! The people in that case are at fault, not the Church!

 

[jfdemars]

Just today, for the umpteenth time, I heard someone refer to “Christians” (meaning Protestants) and Catholics as if they were two completely different categories. So yet again, I explained, patiently, that Catholics are indeed Christians. Has anyone else experienced this? I assume it comes out of the 1980’s evangelical explosion, which kind of came and went, but it seems to persist. Whence comes this public perception that only “Protestants” qualify as “Christians?”

I hear you, all the time this is still going on, and even catholic say , I’m a catholic christian.
The other term that drives me crazy is “Born Again” meaning catholic are not.

 

[onemangang]

I hear you, all the time this is still going on, and even catholic say , I’m a catholic christian.
The other term that drives me crazy is “Born Again” meaning catholic are not.

Or how about the “I’m a bible believing Christian”

When ever I hear someone say “I’m a born again, bible believing Christian” I respond with “Praise God, so you’re Catholic too!”

 

[Miriam1947]

Or how about the “I’m a bible believing Christian”

When ever I hear someone say “I’m a born again, bible believing Christian” I respond with “Praise God, so you’re Catholic too!”

That is awesome. :thumbsup:

 

[CopticChristian]

Just today, for the umpteenth time, I heard someone refer to “Christians” (meaning Protestants) and Catholics as if they were two completely different categories. So yet again, I explained, patiently, that Catholics are indeed Christians. Has anyone else experienced this? I assume it comes out of the 1980’s evangelical explosion, which kind of came and went, but it seems to persist. Whence comes this public perception that only “Protestants” qualify as “Christians?”

I have read all of the posts and for this reason choose to throw my two cents in. It has been alluded to that the reading of what are called Protestant fathers would be in order. This is true. My experience in about 2-3 years of attending Protestant services of various types, Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Evangelical, Fundamentalist and non-denominational and others as well as numerous in home Bible studies allows me to comment on why this is so. I, as an observant Catholic, found most of these services depressing, boring, remedial, and often insulting. Yes, I was constantly evangelized.

First I suggest, if you are interested, read “Virus of the Mind”, by Richard Brodie. He describes transmission of certain thoughts as “memes”…I believe he is correct as I believe that thoughts are transmitted in time, or oral tradition. If Protestants that deny oral tradition examine their own beliefs they would come to understand that they too have an oral tradition.

Second, I suggest reading the Westminster Confession…and other Protestant documents like the Augsburg confession, also a document authored by committee.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Assembly

The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland. The Assembly met for six years (1643–49), and in the process produced the documents which are the major Confessional Standards of the Presbyterian faith, including the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Larger Catechism, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and the Directory of Public Worship

spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/wcf.htm

spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/wcf.htm#chap25

VI. There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Assembly

The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland. The Assembly met for six years (1643–49), and in the process produced the documents which are the major Confessional Standards of the Presbyterian faith, including the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Larger Catechism, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and the Directory of Public Worship

spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/wcf.htm

spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/wcf.htm#chap25

VI. There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.

I suggest reading the synod of Dort…and the 6th point of Calvinism found here…

historicism.net/readingmaterials/sixthpoint.pdf

Next understand the Protestants were not trying to “reform” they were trying to destroy the OHCAC. Their writings tell you so. They failed and their fate is the fate of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that failed to worhip in the temple in Jerusalem…hopelessly divided.

In all the Bible studies, all the services, subtle undertones of “we are Christians” is sewn constantly. In all these same venues “Catholic cult” is also sewn in subtle and sometimes overt overtones. The oral anti-Catholic replacement theology as the true Christians is transmitted in every type of service, home or formal church meeting.

This is consistent with Brodie’s idea of the memed transmitted via 1. repetition 2. Cognitave dissonance and 3. Trojan horse/ideas linked with other ideas.

This is why those today that are Protestant think, believe and speak “as if” they are Christian and Catholics are of a different entity. It is part and parcel of the Western mindset. Take for instance “The World Series” not played in the World. Football that in the world is really Soccer and there is a World Cup. The biggest city in North America to a person in the United States would be New York, when in fact it it Mexico city as it too is part of North America. Take also US citizens travelling throughout Central and South America…speaking to these people saying “well I am an American” and they hear “so am I”…or consider those living in the United States speaking to a Native American Indian…telling them that they are 3rd generation german and asking them “what generation are you”…well I don’t know what you mean?

It is small minded thinking.

 

[Tyuiop411]

I prefer to say: “The name’s Christian, Catholic Christian.”

 

[hn160]

I have read all of the posts and for this reason choose to throw my two cents in. It has been alluded to that the reading of what are called Protestant fathers would be in order. This is true. My experience in about 2-3 years of attending Protestant services of various types, Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Evangelical, Fundamentalist and non-denominational and others as well as numerous in home Bible studies allows me to comment on why this is so. I, as an observant Catholic, found most of these services depressing, boring, remedial, and often insulting. Yes, I was constantly evangelized.

If you attended a Lutheran Service as you said that you did, you certainly would not find it depressing, boring, remedial, and often insulting. You were not looking or listening, if you were paying attention, you would have found it as reverent as the Mass and very similar and a Law and Gospel sermon pointing us to Christ and what He did for us on the cross as we are all sinners and to the Holy Sacrament of Communion for the forgiveness of sins , not a brief homily.

 

[Journey322]

Just today, for the umpteenth time, I heard someone refer to “Christians” (meaning Protestants) and Catholics as if they were two completely different categories. So yet again, I explained, patiently, that Catholics are indeed Christians. Has anyone else experienced this? I assume it comes out of the 1980’s evangelical explosion, which kind of came and went, but it seems to persist. Whence comes this public perception that only “Protestants” qualify as “Christians?”

Well, I’m sure it has to do with some misconceptions regarding Catholic beliefs. For instance, I was once taught that Catholics believe that Christ has yet to rise from the dead and that this is the reason for the Crucifix that is associated with the Catholic faith, as opposed to the cross that is associated with Protestant denominations. This is just one misconception that I have come across, but I’m sure you get the idea. Many assumptions are made on both sides (both Protestant and Catholic) that are often inaccurate. A lack of mutual understanding creates some unnecessary division between Catholics and Protestants.