Christians, stop this beckering and put aside your difference, so we can be one faith!

[Cominghome89]

I am Catholic and believe that the Catholic Church is the True Church and contains the fullness of Faith but this thread seems a bit arrogant.

You want unity, so do I, you want unity on your terms, I want it on the Church’s terms (those two may be the same thing), but you are telling others to forget what they believe when it is different from what you believe (and most likely what the Church Teaches).

I do not see this happening, people are not going to just stop believeing what they believe to have unity.

They might as well argue that we would have unity if we Catholics would drop all the dogmas that they do not believe in.

Would that sort of unity be acceptable to you? If not then how can you think that the reverse would be acceptable to them?

Maybe I am misreading the OP’s statement, but I see this thread as more of a request for people on this forum, especially Catholics, to tone down the argumentativeness of the posts. Discussion is good, resolving differences is necessary, but, IMHO, a lot of the “apologetics” going on here seem to be heated, proud arguments that go around in circles and do not promote unity or understanding.

I understand what you mean, though. It is extremely important to understand that these differences in faith, however misguided they may be, are sincere and need to be respected if we are to achieve any unity.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Maybe I am misreading the OP’s statement, but I see this thread as more of a request for people on this forum, especially Catholics, to tone down the argumentativeness of the posts. Discussion is good, resolving differences is necessary, but, IMHO, a lot of the “apologetics” going on here seem to be heated, proud arguments that go around in circles and do not promote unity or understanding.

I understand what you mean, though. It is extremely important to understand that these differences in faith, however misguided they may be, are sincere and need to be respected if we are to achieve any unity.

Well this is a Catholic Forum… If one does not wish to deal with Catholicism and our beliefs and what the Church Teaches then one should not come to a Catholic Forum.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Well this is a Catholic Forum… If one does not wish to deal with Catholicism and our beliefs and what the Church Teaches then one should not come to a Catholic Forum.

The best way to understand a Christian from another tradition or christian community is from those from the other Chrisitan communities. Do you want me to understand the Catholic Faith from a Protestant Forum site? In all honesty, I find a mix of Cafeteria Catholics and orthodox Catholics on this Forum site. Actually, the orthodox Catholic Faith is pretty good from my perspective. I don’t like some of the views from Cafeteria Catholics, in which I can understand why Protestant believe what they do about Catholics. I thnk my second link is insightful in trying to get into the mindset of many Evangelicals about Catholics.

 

[Lynxdk]

I understand what you mean, though. It is extremely important to understand that these differences in faith, however misguided they may be, are sincere and need to be respected if we are to achieve any unity.

I find it sometimes almost intolerably frustrating that every denomination that claims itself Christian can state that very same thing…

 

[Lynxdk]

Well this is a Catholic Forum… If one does not wish to deal with Catholicism and our beliefs and what the Church Teaches then one should not come to a Catholic Forum.

If all the non-Catholics stayed out… what would you guys have to talk about?

 

[2nd_Adam]

I find it sometimes almost intolerably frustrating that every denomination that claims itself Christian can state that very same thing…

Are you coming from the Emergent Church perspective? I noticed that you consider yourself to be a liberal Christian.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

The best way to understand a Christian from another tradition or christian community is from those from the other Chrisitan communities. Do you want me to understand the Catholic Faith from a Protestant Forum site? In all honesty, I find a mix of Cafeteria Catholics and orthodox Catholics on this Forum site. Actually, the orthodox Catholic Faith is pretty good from my perspective. I don’t like some of the views from Cafeteria Catholics, in which I can understand why Protestant believe what they do about Catholics. I thnk my second link is insightful in trying to get into the mindset of many Evangelicals about Catholics.

If all the non-Catholics stayed out… what would you guys have to talk about?

You both misunderstand what I said. My reply was to a given post. The post was quoted in my reply. You can not just read my reply with out reading the quoted post that the reply was to.

Here it is again.

Maybe I am misreading the OP’s statement, but I see this thread as more of a request for people on this forum, especially Catholics, to tone down the argumentativeness of the posts. Discussion is good, resolving differences is necessary, but, IMHO, a lot of the “apologetics” going on here seem to be heated, proud arguments that go around in circles and do not promote unity or understanding.

I understand what you mean, though. It is extremely important to understand that these differences in faith, however misguided they may be, are sincere and need to be respected if we are to achieve any unity.

This poster is saying that we Catholics should not get into apologetics nore defend our beliefs if it causes arguments.

My reply was in light of that.

I think we Catholics need to be Catholics and start our beliefs and Church Teachings and when others disagree then we must state it again.

This is not a place for unity.

 

[Lynxdk]

Are you coming from the Emergent Church perspective? I noticed that you consider yourself to be a liberal Christian.

Well… you’ve given me one more thing to read about. I’ll have to get back to you on the Emergent Church bit.

I put my label on my name the way I did because I just wanted to figure out some here and got tired of being called to the table as a Cafeteria Catholic every time I said anything =P

 

[Kaninchen]

The EU Court overturned an Italian law saying there MUST be a crucifix in every classroom.

Just to point out that the decision had nothing whatsoever to do with the EU’s ‘Court of Justice’, it was a decision of the entirely separate European Court of Human Rights.

 

[ralphinal]

If all the non-Catholics stayed out… what would you guys have to talk about?

Each other. Oh, and non-Catholics

 

[Cominghome89]

I’m unsure how to distinguish between bickering and explaining Catholic doctrine, I’m sorry for being unclear, but there is a difference. I feel like people often bark arguments, rather than explain with love. That’s all.

 

[DeiGratia]

This is an interesting discussion.

There was a time when I used to think that unity among all Christian denominations is a good thing. I now think, however, that it’s important to understand exactly what we mean by unity, and what kind of unity God wants. I believe that God desires a unity in spirit, and that can exist irrespective of what our individual doctrinal beliefs and application are.

I also have come to understand more recently, that all division is not necessarily of the Evil One. God Himself has “divided” throughout history, even all the way back in the time of Creation when He separated light from darkness, land from sea, etc., etc. And that division was both necessary, and “good” (in His own words).

So, I think there’s two kinds of division: the God-ordained division which is the good kind; and the Jew-vs-Greek kind of division which is the bad kind. But this bad kind is what we sadly see most often among “Christian” denominations today, and it is written that Christ came to break down that kind of division (Ephesians 2:14).

Soli Dei Gratia

 

[Nine_Two]

Just to point out that the decision had nothing whatsoever to do with the EU’s ‘Court of Justice’, it was a decision of the entirely separate European Court of Human Rights.

And?

 

[rev_kevin]

Wow. It baffles me how someone can be both so indifferent and yet so passionate about that indifference, what with all the capital letters and whatnot.

You write as though “Non-Denominational” is not itself a denomination. That is not the case, so you too have made your choice. It is safe as milk and you want us all to join in your writhing mass of heresy and ridiculousness instead of sticking to our respective liturgies and traditions. I can’t see why anyone who is serious about their faith should do so. Communion is closed on the basis of doctrinal differences because such differences matter, because doctrine matters. To claim it doesn’t as many seem to be doing here is to spit in the face of the martyrs of the early church, the early church fathers, the councils, and really everything that makes Christian history and tradition important enough to continue the divisions that exist in world Christianity. Hundreds of thousands (millions?) have died in post-Chalcedonian conflicts, Muslim and other invasions, periods of Iconoclasm, etc. Are we going to say they died for nothing just because we want “unity”? No. Or at least I’m not going to. I’m eternally grateful to those who came before me who were willing to fight so that today we can worship Jesus, the Christ, the Risen Lord and Savior of all, and do so with visual imagery, with appropriate hymnody, and (most importantly) an appropriate understanding of what an absolutely precious gift we have that others may not have. I refuse to cheapen this treasure by sharing it with everyone who says “Lord, Lord”. The devil and his minions also recognize the power of God. Heck, Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, remember?

We may all be part of God, but is a little simplistic to leave it at that. Some, having been created by Him, nonetheless use the free will He is has given them to reject Him by choosing to worship something else, sometimes even under the guise of Christianity. I want no part of that, and I want my Church to affirm that we are to have no part of that.

You have just proven the point of this post. Nobody is asking you to give up anything encluding your faith and the way you worship God. I ask you to open your eyes and look around. Can’t you see what is going on. Christians going after Christians. People who love and believe in God and all He stands for are acting like other religions except theirs is no good or the work of Satan. I guess you want unity only if they convert to your religion and your beliefs. Remember Ephesians 4:3-7 says, “Always keep yourself united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yurselves together with peace, We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and wh have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in usl all and living through us all, However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.” Galatians 4:14-15 says, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”

 

[Kaninchen]

And?

Well, how was I to know that you’re so dedicated to not knowing what you’re talking about?

 

[Nine_Two]

You have just proven the point of this post. Nobody is asking you to give up anything encluding your faith and the way you worship God. I ask you to open your eyes and look around. Can’t you see what is going on. Christians going after Christians. People who love and believe in God and all He stands for are acting like other religions except theirs is no good or the work of Satan. I guess you want unity only if they convert to your religion and your beliefs. Remember Ephesians 4:3-7 says, “Always keep yourself united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yurselves together with peace, We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and wh have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in usl all and living through us all, However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.” Galatians 4:14-15 says, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”

The bible also says not to tolerate heresy. (Titus 3:10)

 

[Nine_Two]

Well, how was I to know that you’re so dedicated to not knowing what you’re talking about?

I must have missed the part where either I, or the person I was quoting said “Court of Justice” in fact both of us said “EU court”, I suppose the issue in both of our posts was using the definite article rather than the indefinite article, since the definite article implies there is only a singular court. I apologize profusely for that and hope you will see it in your heart to forgive me.

And no, I wasn’t sure which court it was, frankly that has nothing to do with it since either way it is binding. Is there some reason you want to make a big deal about which court it is, or are you just trolling?

 

[Kaninchen]

I must have missed the part where either I, or the person I was quoting said “Court of Justice” in fact both of us said “EU court”, I suppose the issue in both of our posts was using the definite article rather than the indefinite article, since the definite article implies there is only a singular court. I apologize profusely for that and hope you will see it in your heart to forgive me.

And no, I wasn’t sure which court it was, frankly that has nothing to do with it since either way it is binding. Is there some reason you want to make a big deal about which court it is, or are you just trolling?

At the end of last week, there were several threads on the subject. In them, many posters were confused about the origins of the decision, laying it at the door of the European Union. This misconception meant that European posters had to point out, repeatedly, that the decision had nothing to do with the European Union whatsoever - so, when you repeated the error, I decided to point that out.

The European Court of Human Rights (with many members countries not in the EU) is in no way connected with the European Union so it isn’t that you were talking about the wrong European Union Court at all, you were mistaking the nature of the institution completely.

 

[Nine_Two]

At the end of last week, there were several threads on the subject. In them, many posters were confused about the origins of the decision, laying it at the door of the European Union. This misconception meant that European posters had to point out, repeatedly, that the decision had nothing to do with the European Union whatsoever - so, when you repeated the error, I decided to point that out.

The European Court of Human Rights (with many members countries not in the EU) is in no way connected with the European Union so it isn’t that you were talking about the wrong European Union Court at all, you were mistaking the nature of the institution completely.

I apologize then, I don’t think that impacts my point, but I apologize for my harsh reaction. A certain other poster making an argument out of every little thing has put me on edge.

 

[Kaninchen]

I apologize then, I don’t think that impacts my point, but I apologize for my harsh reaction. A certain other poster making an argument out of every little thing has put me on edge.

S’ok!