I’m glad you brought up Padres’ post. My earlier response to it wasPadres1969;13640268:
I know, right?
but now I’m wondering: Would any of y’all care to contribute on the specific question of Christians who refuse any adjective in front of “Christian”? (It seems to me that bear some similarity with Catholics who decline any adjective in front of “Catholic”, but is more extreme.)
Peter, in the OP you included the adjective “practicing”. Did you not include the adjective “non-practicing” because it’s the same as “nominal” or “lapsed”? So so many adjectives.An add-on to my Original Post (please read … although I guess you wouldn’t read “please read” unless you were reading in the first placeuch
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Several people have said that they don’t want any adjective in front of “Catholic”. This isn’t precisely what I was seeking to learn with this thread, but I now think it should be included, especially since it is closely related. In retrospect, I probably should have expected this, considering that over the years I have encountered numerous people who don’t want any adjective in front of “Christian”.
When I chose the options for the poll (and also the suggestions that didn’t make it into the poll, but that I put in the OP) I mentally noted, but didn’t indicate, that some of them are (shall we say) generally agreed upon terms, whereas others are more argumentative.
Really I should say I mostly avoided argumentative adjectives – particularly ones of the “good Catholic vs. bad Catholic” or “real Catholic vs. air-quotes-Catholic” variety. Mostly but not completely. (“Cafeteria Catholic” being the glaring exception – I nearly omitted that one, but decided at the last moment in keep it in. I thought one or more Catholics might choose that, especially since the poll is anonymous.)
Anyhow, thanks to everyone who has voted and/or commented thus far, whether about a particular adjective in front of “Catholic” or about not wanting any. I hope the discussion will continue.
I’m one who changes what label I throw out there depending on who I’m talking to and at what level. It’s sad because “Christian” should suffice, and honestly it normally does. But, there are times when I’m a “nondenominational Christian,” or a “non-liturgical Christian” or a “Protestant.” I’ve been called quite a few things too.
I think it depends.
I think that last sentence sums it up. So many possible adjectives.
Systematic study to be taken too seriously, got it.Types of Catholics of which I am aware:
This list was not a systematic study to be taken too seriously, guys.
- Nominal Catholics: They participate in occasional ceremonies and may have cultural practices that are rooted in a Catholic culture.
- Liberal Catholic: They seek to bring Catholicism into partial or full conformity with the secular values espoused by liberal democratic societies.
- Charismatic Catholic: They syncretise elements of Pentecostal/Charismatic Protestantism into Catholicism.
- Evangelical Catholic: They have a strong emphasis on scripture and may not be very into the veneration of saints, though they don’t object to it. Religion is very personal for them. It’s a “personal relationship with Christ” and all.
- Conservative Catholic:They follow all the rules. Quotes the Catechism like a Baptist quotes the Bible. Very into the Pope, often in a way reminiscent of a teenage “fangirling” over a celebrity.
- Traditionalist Catholic: They love Latin and pre-Vatican II customs. Often critical of the condition of current Catholicism.
- Traditional-Folk Catholic: They are pious, and worship God how it was passed down from the elders. May have a very ethnic flare to their practice. They aren’t necessarily ones to squabble with other types of Catholics, or argue about highfaluntin things. They know the way the do thing. Leave them be and they will leave you be.
- Orthodox-cum-Pope Catholic: Member of Eastern Churches who is very traditional and often is just like his EO or OO counterpart, except for the allegiance to the guy in Rome.
- Eastern Latin: Eastern Catholic who is very into showing that he is Catholic. Probably loves at least some Latin devotions. Rolls eyes at the Orthodox-cum-Pope.
- The Hedge-My-Bets, or Paganism-Weren’t-So-Bad, Catholic: Cult of “Saint Death,” Santeria, New Age, etc.
Not sure where that fits in your polll. Does Roman Catholic mean you must be a member of the diocese of Rome or does it refer more to the rite by which one was baptized?
It fits in Peter’s list in his OP. He had to limit the adjectives for the poll.Practicing Catholic.
In the English speaking world, it originated as an insult. Then again, in the Syriac/Arabic speaking world, so did Melkite. The difference is I don’t hear people talk about “Melkitism” when trying disprove Catholicism.
Which one though there’s several that would work for me.
Personally, I say I’m “Catholic In Communion With Rome (ICWR)”. (I’ve sometimes said “In the Roman Communion”, but I’ve gotten complaints about that.)
Yes, I know what you mean. But I thought it best to let each person select only one.
ha ha ha
ha ha ha
For me, depends on my audience, the point I am trying to make:
Conservative Catholic
Vatican II Catholic
Serious Catholic
Traditional Catholic
My personal favorite:
Christian