Definition Of heretical Groups

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Protestant101,
If my understanding is correct, Cannon Law defines (loosely) heresy as rejection of part of the truth of the Christian faith, but not abandoning it all together (which would be apostasy). Therefore, Adventists would technically be considered to be Heretics, but still Christians. The Second Vatican Council refers to protestants as Seperated Bretheren, as in we are united in Christianity, but separated from full communion due to heretical beliefs.
 
Protestant101 said:
Yes, I noticed after I posted above that it was only one poster who said that; but in other threads here, there are more.

I have many questions about all this; but one has to wonder, why the burnings at the stake EVER ocurred anyways.

I know that some misled “Protestants” have done their share of “tit for tat” on this one; but I am trying to investigate this from a Catholic perspective.

What Catholic laws or doctrines would support the ones who did these heinous things of the past? What, in their belief system, would tell them it was OK to "use/allow civil authorities to do such things to people who would not “repent;” The true character and history of Romanism; has such a strange blend with Catholicism.

I don’t talk just from an Adventist point of view. There are a lot of people who have thought about it and wondered what The Catholic Church might do again; should political conditions pave the way again in the future. The continuity of the rule of Rome, in it’s double aspect of Pagan and Papal influence has me puzzled about the whole question concerning heretics, and how Roman Catholics officially view us.

I do feel the love and the warmth from a few on this forum; and I appreciate that; but with others here, I don’t experience that at all.

I would like to see Catholic statements regarding some of their persecutions and such of the past. Why they did it; what they think of it now; etc. I appreciate all comments here; but am hoping to uncover official Catholic writings on my questions.
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Well, first of all, we must set things straight. During those times there were no Protestants. So indirectly all Protestant denominations were involved in the heinious actions of the past. In other words, a Protestant cannot use Sacred Scripture that was written, acknowledged and maintained during those same times and be proud to call that good yet find the actions of some of those same Christians horrifying and try to separate from them. The Christian Church that you evolved from did those actions. Unless you are Mormon and believe in the great apostacy, which meant that your Scriptures were repeatedly copied and maintained by heretics which makes no sense. The Roman Catholic Church withstood the test of time and has been around for 2000 years. It would be easy to come along a mere 200-300 years ago and then throw stones at those who made the same mistakes that Protestant denominations would have made given the same circumstances. Pope John Paul II made many apologies for the actions of some in the past. Our Church is made up of human beings not unlike yourself, who sin. The latest sex abuse scandals were committed by those few who hid themselves in priests’ clothes and molested children. Why?? The same reason that Peter denied Jesus three times and Judas betrayed Jesus. What the Church officially teaches and what some individuals do within the Church are two completely different things. I would bet my bottom dollar that the Seventh Day Adventists have leaders who molested children at one time or another. I would also bet that there are those with so much animosity against the Catholics that drastic actions might be taken minus the consequences.

There are no “official” documents written by the Catholic Church directed specifically at the Seventh Day Adventists. Many apologetic organizations may have rebuttals to your claims but there is nothing, to my knowledge, that comes from Rome condemning SDA in particular. We believe in definitive doctrines and dogma that we hold to be truth. Any deviation or deletion of these would be noted as heretical by definition because it is simply a false gospel and cannot be accepted.

So, in closing, if you are looking for SDA bashing on an official level you probably will not find it here. Catholics, in general, are very comfortable in our own skin and do not need to resort to mud slinging to uphold our faith. We have 2000 years of history dating back to Christ and unless we are directly attacked we have no need to concentrate on the false teachings of the 30,000 different Protestant denominations. Don’t misunderstand that to mean that we don’t see much truth in other faiths. We see it as incomplete where the fullness of truth lies within the original Catholic Christian Church.

This is about all I have to offer. I’ll let others take over but please do not realize your existence without the 2000 year lineage to Christ. That’s where we come in and continue to exist. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail…God Bless…teachccd:)
 
teachccd said:
There are no “official” documents written by the Catholic Church directed specifically at the Seventh Day Adventists. Many apologetic organizations may have rebuttals to your claims but there is nothing, to my knowledge, that comes from Rome condemning SDA in particular. We believe in definitive doctrines and dogma that we hold to be truth. Any deviation or deletion of these would be noted as heretical by definition because it is simply a false gospel and cannot be accepted.

So, in closing, if you are looking for SDA bashing on an official level you probably will not find it here.
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Actually; I did already know this and was not looking for anything “Adventist specific” at all. I am looking at the teachings on “heretics” based upon the past, and potentials of the future. I know that from the Catholic perspective, “heretic” includes many different brands; so rather than slinging up any particular denomination; I would like to continue research on my questions about Catholic views on heretics and apostates, both past, present, and potential future.

As I mentioned in the first post; Catholics are publically labelling Adventists as “heretic;” and so of course their is this more personal aspect I wish to explore more. For eg., if Catholic leaders think of us as “heretic;” has any Pope ever publically said so? If not, do you think they should?
 
Protestant101 said:
As I mentioned in the first post; Catholics are publically labelling Adventists as “heretic;” and so of course their is this more personal aspect I wish to explore more. For eg., if Catholic leaders think of us as “heretic;” has any Pope ever publically said so? If not, do you think they should?
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No and no…
 
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