Catholicism vs Protestant-does it even matter?

[oneoldboy]

each fellow ship – or church teaches it members the do’s and don’t – the catholic has hundreds of rules and ways to be a sinner-- and you need the leadership to resolve any sins you will commit-- catholic s are very sin conscience – so it requires you to obey- its hundreds of rules – to have a relationship with Jesus and God –

the sacrament’s were instituted by the Empire to control and dominate the many pagan religions that were world wide in constines time-- and you did what the Empir told you or you were killed

in the protestant religion church-- there is an emphasis of learning the biblical application of the truth contained-- so you can have a personal relationship with Jeus and God-

this is why they have recognized 2 commands-- repent from your sin=s and get water baptised-- and then Jesus will baptise you with the Holy spirit–

because the Holy Spirit is the Keys to walding in right standing with God–

and that is why the “Original sin” is not having the Holy Spirit–

and Jesus ministry was to allow us the choice of –

so if you don’t have the Holy Spirit – then you will continually walk or sin – and as in 1st john 1:9-- he will forgive us – with out having to perform some sacrafice

 

[Justmyself777]

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

 

[paulrxp]

No doubt in my mind with Protestants I’ve spoken with that not only are they devoted and love Christ. I’ll go further and say they’d be a better Catholic than I. They truly live good lives.

It’s not a particular doctrine that would lead me to think Yes, it does matter, it matters a great deal whether you’re Catholic or Protestant. What is at the very heart of it for me is that by not clearly defining Dogma, it’s inevitable, that a church will split, splinter into further denominations. Especially today, when secular forces are encroaching on religion.

I can’t see a church not united by its beliefs and teachings being able to withstand the stress it will be put under by the secular world. Not being definitive on teaching will buckle a churches foundations. Splintering divides truths and understanding of morals even further. The 12 men chosen by Christ were a rag tag diverse group, I’m sure they squabbled about things, yet it remained united even after betrayal and persecution.

The Church has it’s sinners, it’s idealogs, but there is order, the clergy know their role, the laity and faithful know theirs. For the most part, many things are clearly defined by authority. If you question something, you can at least get an answer for it, and usually the answer is definitive and substantiated with reason and wisdom, in accordance with Gods Word

This of course is the other perspective from the Holy Father I think previously mentioned: catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1301801.htm

 

[Cathoholic]

dronald. I’ve been reading the posts and there are somethings of course that we disagree on. But there is so much more that we DO agree on.

PS Thanks for defending the Church when people trash it. Many times I shamefully have not. This would be much more difficult (it would attract “heat”) as a non-Catholic, yet you do this dronald (defend the Church). You are a fine Christian dronald.

Keep up the great work brother and we will both keep praying for unity.

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[BeProfOSX]

Well… I’m not trying to be glib here…

But of course those distinctions matter, otherwise there wouldn’t be Catholics and Protestants.

That having been said, I fully expect to see Baptists and Catholics and Presbyterians and Lutherans and Orthodox and Anglicans and maybe even a few Methodists in heaven.

I look forward to and pray for the day, and that day may not come this side of Glory, when all God’s People can finally sing from the same hymnal, if you know what I mean. But until that day, when all these issues that divide us finally get settled, all I or any of us can do is to make our best effort to arrive at the truth and then to go on to defend that truth. All I ask is that, were we agree, we agree to fight together and where we don’t agree, we at least agree to treat each other with all Christian charity and respect and speak to each other instead of at each other.

PS - That Methodist thing was a joke, btw. Please don’t take offense at it.

 

[philv]

ok so i’m a college student from a Hindu background going through RCIA, and i keep hearing things from Protestants saying that Catholics are doing it wrong, and Catholics saying that Protestants are doing it wrong. my question is, does it really matter? like i know somewhere in the Bible, Jesus tells a guy that you’ll get in heaven if you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. so as long as you’re doing that, does following a different denomination make what you’re doing incorrect?

That is awesome coming from a Hindu background! Really proud of you for seeking Christ!

I came from RCIA too. The bible speaks of one faith, one flock. Last I heard, there’s 33,000 denominations now because one first protested against the Catholic Church, and now there’s protestants of protestants all disagreeing with each other. I was confused as a Protestant and went to several churches, and they all had their own beliefs.

When I looked into what the early church taught, I found it very different than my Protestant understandings. Joining the church has been the greatest thing that’s ever happened in my life. Our faith goes all the way back to the apostles. In Acts, the church sent representatives out to teach against false teachers, so we know it was important to stay united in the faith. St. Ignatius of Antioch, student of St. John and bishop, said, “Where the bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be; even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church.” (~107 A.D.). He was highly influential to me when I was in RCIA (and even now), and I suggest reading what he wrote. Again, he’s taught directly by St. John the Apostle, so he’s very credible. In the bible as well, Paul outlines the roles of bishops, priests, and deacons, so he had in mind a united faith that could be passed down throughout the ages. To sum it up, we need to keep together as Christians, otherwise we fall into error. God’s people are all over, and they are great loving people, but Christ also directs us to an even greater joy in the Eucharist with his holy church. I’ll pray for you! God bless you and your journey.

 

[dronald]

dronald. I’ve been reading the posts and there are somethings of course that we disagree on. But there is so much more that we DO agree on.

PS Thanks for defending the Church when people trash it. Many times I shamefully have not. This would be much more difficult (it would attract “heat”) as a non-Catholic, yet you do this dronald (defend the Church). You are a fine Christian dronald.

Keep up the great work brother and we will both keep praying for unity.

God bless.

Cathoholic

Thank you, this means a lot. These sort of messages are what helps me with my walk and many other Protestants out there.

Love and charity always have the greatest effect on others when you’re giving a message to them. One can never truly be sure what a person of a different belief set is going through so one must show complete love, which I assure you will help them come to the truth much quicker.

I defend the CC because like you, I want us to all be One; the way God intends it. The funny thing is though, is that I don’t know how God is planning to make it happen, but with much prayer and by squashing the misconceptions, God will make it happen. I don’t assume we’ll all one day call ourselves, “Roman Catholic” to be One, but God has a plan and we’ll see that plan I’m sure.

I love you all and I do hope we can all remember that despite our differences we can all love one another.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

Thank you, this means a lot. These sort of messages are what helps me with my walk and many other Protestants out there.

Love and charity always have the greatest effect on others when you’re giving a message to them. One can never truly be sure what a person of a different belief set is going through so one must show complete love, which I assure you will help them come to the truth much quicker.

I defend the CC because like you, I want us to all be One; the way God intends it. The funny thing is though, is that I don’t know how God is planning to make it happen, but with much prayer and by squashing the misconceptions, God will make it happen. I don’t assume we’ll all one day call ourselves, “Roman Catholic” to be One, but God has a plan and we’ll see that plan I’m sure.

I love you all and I do hope we can all remember that despite our differences we can all love one another.

Charity is the maximum expression of Love.

We must in love be truthful with one another.

Doctrine, Tradition, Teaching matters, otherwise it would not have been mentioned in the Bible as much:




Matthew 28:20
Acts 28:30–31



Romans 6:17





2 Timothy 4:1–5

Titus 2:1

Just to name a few

 

[rcwitness]

The Lord’s answer to this is Communion.

John 6:35-59 is the most profound Teaching the Lord gives. He does not compromise!

Who is 6:66 speaking of these days?

Certainly not genuine Protestants who cherish Jesus’ plain gospel of forgiveness and fellowship.

Neither simply all Catholics, for some eat without honor as did Judas.

Yet all must eat this bread who are washed by His grace. Here or after.

Here is the better choice.

May God’s Holy Spirit help us to come to His table worthy,
Michael

 

[spina1953]

Is it not written: that we are to’ love our neighbor as ourselves’ and to’ love our neighbor as God loves us?’ Did not St. Paul say that faith, hope and charity, that Charity is the greatest? So it seems to me that there is far less love in the world today and it is up to us to set the example of what we are taught to have charity towards all and not just to those whom we love. It is also said “What good is it to love those who love us back? we are to love those who do not love us back.” That is a tall order and not easily done due to our fallen nature. But if we try even if we fail, God knows our intent as Love and Goodness over comes all evil in the end.

 

[Kount_C]

I think the biggest problem is, what most people do not understand in this debate.
Whether it be, because they are living a comfortable life, or are ubuer content with their situation , at the end of the day, people are going to choose the church which makes them feel most close to God or, secure enough to make it through life.
How can you worry about the " True Sacraments " if for some people their only motivation in life is to get out of bed and shoot up oxy cotton. Or suffer serious anxiety, if you get healing in a Lutheran community as appose to a Catholic community whats the problem , if the operation of the holy spirit in your life doesn’t work in the RCC

 

[spina1953]

I agree with your statement up to a point. That being said, I also think that those who seek the truth, find it or think they have found it whatever Church they think meets their needs. I wish all would come to the Catholic Church, but that is a choice, not all come to the Catholic for whatever reason. One can not simply fault someone because they belong to a different Church that is not Catholic. Our seperated breathren have some of the truth, but not all. However, God works with whom He wills, whether Catholic, or not, or non- Christain. Debates between Protestants and Catholic’s should always be respectful of the others beliefs and understanding of what they believe. one should never force another into believing what they do not believe. One can only show the truth as one understands it according to our faith and our teachings as Catholic’s. Not everyone understands the CCC, yet, it has a wealth of teaching of what we as Catholic’s believe, or should believe. It can be a great tool in explaining what we believe as Catholic’s, but to force it on someone or to be disrespectful to someone who believes diffently is a no go. I do think it matters, but as a Catholic I believe we have the truth because the Church is a deposit of Faith handed down from the time of the Apostles to the present time and will continue till the end of time.

 

[simspt]

Well… I’m not trying to be glib here…

But of course those distinctions matter, otherwise there wouldn’t be Catholics and Protestants.

That having been said, I fully expect to see Baptists and Catholics and Presbyterians and Lutherans and Orthodox and Anglicans and maybe even a few Methodists in heaven.

I look forward to and pray for the day, and that day may not come this side of Glory, when all God’s People can finally sing from the same hymnal, if you know what I mean. But until that day, when all these issues that divide us finally get settled, all I or any of us can do is to make our best effort to arrive at the truth and then to go on to defend that truth. All I ask is that, were we agree, we agree to fight together and where we don’t agree, we at least agree to treat each other with all Christian charity and respect and speak to each other instead of at each other.

PS - That Methodist thing was a joke, btw. Please don’t take offense at it.

what about Jews and muslims???

 

[The_Reginator]

what about Jews and muslims???

We must pray that Jews, Muslims, Protestants, and atheists/agnostics too, all become Catholic. That is the ideal.
What is God’s prime concern for us? The salvation of our immortal souls.
What is God’s prime way fo saving us? Through the suffering and death of Jesus and through the Church He established. The surest way to heaven is by being a FAITHFUL Catholic.

 

[Matt_Guitar_Man]

ok so i’m a college student from a Hindu background going through RCIA, and i keep hearing things from Protestants saying that Catholics are doing it wrong, and Catholics saying that Protestants are doing it wrong. my question is, does it really matter? like i know somewhere in the Bible, Jesus tells a guy that you’ll get in heaven if you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. so as long as you’re doing that, does following a different denomination make what you’re doing incorrect?

You have really answered your own question here! The Catholic Church is not a denomination. It is the only surviving ancient See from the time of Christ and the Apostils, all others to some degree or another are a denomination. The Catholic Church is the source.

 

[Publisher]

No, It doesn’t matter…how one treats one’s neighbor carries much more weight than if one believes angels can dance on the head of a pin.

All out various traditions is seeking to convey a Truth that must be lived before out individual and corporate myths we use to seek to define the Eternal. To loosely quote from the Tao Te Ching…“To name the Eternal, is not the Eternal”.

The incarnation is a mystery…yet many of us seek to define even the biological aspects of a mythical telling of how important this man called Jesus of Nazareth was…is…

It matters to some…to most of those called Christians…not all however.

 

[rinnie]

ok so i’m a college student from a Hindu background going through RCIA, and i keep hearing things from Protestants saying that Catholics are doing it wrong, and Catholics saying that Protestants are doing it wrong. my question is, does it really matter? like i know somewhere in the Bible, Jesus tells a guy that you’ll get in heaven if you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. so as long as you’re doing that, does following a different denomination make what you’re doing incorrect?

I guess if you want the fullness of the truth, it matters alot.

Only God can judge what you are and are not doing wrong. All the Church can do is give you the truth given to it by the Holy Spirit to guide you.

God does indeed tell you to do what you said, but also many other things.

Check out the 7 Sacraments of the RCC. I think that will tell you alot,

Prayers for you on your Journey!

 

[Isaiah45_9]

Motive (Why) and Intent (The action that follows the why) play a significant part on this.

We can, after all, do something incorrect with the best intention possible - at least in our own reasoning.

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Matt.

It is the only surviving ancient See from the time of Christ and the Apostles,

Sigh. It saddens me to see a fellow Catholic (whether Eastern or Latin) posting out of such ignorance. On a more positive note, have you considered spending some time on the Eastern Catholicism forum?

 

[Randy_Carson]

ok so i’m a college student from a Hindu background going through RCIA, and i keep hearing things from Protestants saying that Catholics are doing it wrong, and Catholics saying that Protestants are doing it wrong. my question is, does it really matter? like i know somewhere in the Bible, Jesus tells a guy that you’ll get in heaven if you love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. so as long as you’re doing that, does following a different denomination make what you’re doing incorrect?

John 17:20-23
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. **Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. **

Unity was supposed to be a sign to unbelievers that Jesus really was sent by God. The fact that Protestants and Orthodox have separated themselves from the Church weakens the credibility of Christianity in the eyes of many.