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DNS
Guest
If you are a non-Catholic, please designate whether or not you believe Catholics are Christians. If you do not believe Catholics are Christians, please state why so that the issue(s) can be discussed.
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BrianH
Guest
Well…they sure aint Buddhists…
From a secular perspective, anyone who self-identifies as a Christian, I would call them such.
Now to the heart of what I think you are really asking.
Are they saved?
**Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. **
If they have done such, and the Lord is faithful(has I know he is) as given to his servant Paul, they will be saved.
On a side note, I greatly appreciate the term non-Catholic.
Come soon Lord Jesus and put an end to the suffering!
Amen.
BrianH
From a secular perspective, anyone who self-identifies as a Christian, I would call them such.
Now to the heart of what I think you are really asking.
Are they saved?
**Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. **
If they have done such, and the Lord is faithful(has I know he is) as given to his servant Paul, they will be saved.
On a side note, I greatly appreciate the term non-Catholic.
Come soon Lord Jesus and put an end to the suffering!
Amen.
BrianH
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Libero
Guest
Yes, however I do always make a point of saying that I am a Catholic rather than a Christian, there is a difference - and an important one at that!!!
Proud to be Catholic
Proud to be Catholic
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answers
Guest
What is a Chrisitian? From my experience I’ve
been around alot of people,cathloice,baptis,ect.And of all of these people i’ve seen talk to Catholics has more faith in God than any one I have talk to.Most other churches puts down the Catholic Religion.For what reason I don’t know.
I 'm starting RCIA InJanuary 2006,I talk to our local priest and one thing that he told me was that no matter what church i belong as long as I put God first in life I was going to be ok.In my life time I have always heard come to my church you will go to heaven.I think as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing you have a place in heaven.Maybe i’m wrong but who’s to say who is right .I will do what I fill is right and ask God to guide me in my new direction.And hope I will be able to say in 2006 that i’m a Catholic
been around alot of people,cathloice,baptis,ect.And of all of these people i’ve seen talk to Catholics has more faith in God than any one I have talk to.Most other churches puts down the Catholic Religion.For what reason I don’t know.
I 'm starting RCIA InJanuary 2006,I talk to our local priest and one thing that he told me was that no matter what church i belong as long as I put God first in life I was going to be ok.In my life time I have always heard come to my church you will go to heaven.I think as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing you have a place in heaven.Maybe i’m wrong but who’s to say who is right .I will do what I fill is right and ask God to guide me in my new direction.And hope I will be able to say in 2006 that i’m a Catholic
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Mickey
Guest
smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_8.gifWhat is a Chrisitian? From my experience I’ve
been around alot of people,cathloice,baptis,ect.And of all of these people i’ve seen talk to Catholics has more faith in God than any one I have talk to.Most other churches puts down the Catholic Religion.For what reason I don’t know.
I 'm starting RCIA InJanuary 2006,I talk to our local priest and one thing that he told me was that no matter what church i belong as long as I put God first in life I was going to be ok.In my life time I have always heard come to my church you will go to heaven.I think as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing you have a place in heaven.Maybe i’m wrong but who’s to say who is right .I will do what I fill is right and ask God to guide me in my new direction.And hope I will be able to say in 2006 that i’m a Catholic
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Paris_Blues
Guest
First I want to answer your question. Yes, Catholics ARE Christians.
Congratulations on coming to the RCIA program! Hope you’ll enjoy it because I sure did
answers:
Congratulations on coming to the RCIA program! Hope you’ll enjoy it because I sure did
What is a Chrisitian? From my experience I’ve
been around alot of people,cathloice,baptis,ect.And of all of these people i’ve seen talk to Catholics has more faith in God than any one I have talk to.Most other churches puts down the Catholic Religion.For what reason I don’t know.
I 'm starting RCIA InJanuary 2006,I talk to our local priest and one thing that he told me was that no matter what church i belong as long as I put God first in life I was going to be ok.In my life time I have always heard come to my church you will go to heaven.I think as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing you have a place in heaven.Maybe i’m wrong but who’s to say who is right .I will do what I fill is right and ask God to guide me in my new direction.And hope I will be able to say in 2006 that i’m a Catholic
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DNS
Guest
I am glad you are becoming Catholic :yup:; however what your local priest said bothers me a little.
I hope he was not saying that it does not matter to which church you belong, because it certainly does matter. If you know in your heart that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church established by Christ and join another group of Christians, that would amount to sin. Also the Catholic Church teaches that it is the surest means to salvation. However we do recognize that non-Catholics can be saved if, through no fault of their own, they are ignorant of the fact that the Catholic Church is true. (Please let me know if I am misinterpreting what he said. I do not want to cast doubt on it without need :nope:!)
I agree that “as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing” you will probably be saved. I just want to make sure you understand the Church’s teaching, which says that the surest way to salvation is by coming to, and following, the Catholic Church which teaches the doctrines of Christ unblemished. In other words, it is telling us that we can not look upon other religions as equal vehicles of salvtion that are looked upon by God as favorably as the Catholic Church. (Again, please correct me if I am misinterpreting what you said. The content of the post seemed as if it was advocating a sort of indifferentism as to which church we associate ourselves with, something the Catholic Church doesn’t want us to fall into.)In my life time I have always heard come to my church you will go to heaven.I think as long as you serve God to the highest and do the right thing you have a place in heaven.Maybe i’m wrong but who’s to say who is right .I will do what I fill is right and ask God to guide me in my new direction.And hope I will be able to say in 2006 that i’m a Catholic
May God guide you in your journey home to the Catholic Church
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mikew262
Guest
Huh? A Catholic is a Christian.Yes, however I do always make a point of saying that I am a Catholic rather than a Christian, there is a difference - and an important one at that!!!
Proud to be Catholic
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answers
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Then what church is right the catholic,baptis,church of God please shed some light on this?. this is one of the reasons that I have stayed out of church because everyone thinks there is right.The Catholic Church is the only one that I fell is being honest to me. I’m 
Is there a right answer
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HELP**!!!
Is there a right answer**
HELP**!!!
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RCCDefender
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The Catholic Church believes (and correct me if I’m wrong) that all Christian churches have some of the truth in them. However, The Catholic Church has preserved the fullness of truth given by Christ to his Apostles and to Peter, whom he chose to lead his Church. The Catholic Curch does not deny God the ability to save anyone in or outside of the Church. I have several books you should read, namely The Bible and The Catechism of the Catholic Church, but also Why Do Catholics Do That and Surprized By Truth.Then what church is right the catholic,baptis,church of God please shed some light on this?. this is one of the reasons that I have stayed out of church because everyone thinks there is right.The Catholic Church is the only one that I fell is being honest to me. I’m
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HELP**!!!
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Ignatius
Guest
I am Catholic, however I want to state that, yes, Catholics are Christians. Why, because The Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ. We can trace the Church leadership all the way back to St. Peter the Apostle. The first use of the term “The Catholic Church” was by St. Ignatius of Antioch who was born in 50 A.D. and was the first Martyr in the Colleseum. He said “Whereever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
Now, when is the first mention of any other Christian church?
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Ignatius
Guest
??? I hope you mean Catholic and Christian. All Catholics are christians, not all christians are Catholic.Yes, however I do always make a point of saying that I am a Catholic rather than a Christian, there is a difference - and an important one at that!!!
Proud to be Catholic
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NotWorthy
Guest
What our OP is getting at is there are numerous Christian Churches that do not include Catholics among what they would call Christians. I think the feeling is predominant among Church of Christ, Assembly of God, and others of that vain.
A little clue I’ve found is if they ask, “Why do you follow the Pope? We should all follow Jesus”, it usually means they don’t feel we are Christians.
One thing I found out recently, the term, “Christian Church” simply was not used to the late middle ages. We were called Christians, but church was never called the Christian Church.
Notworthy
A little clue I’ve found is if they ask, “Why do you follow the Pope? We should all follow Jesus”, it usually means they don’t feel we are Christians.
One thing I found out recently, the term, “Christian Church” simply was not used to the late middle ages. We were called Christians, but church was never called the Christian Church.
Notworthy
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mikew262
Guest
I am catholic and the Catholic Church is where I feel most comfortable worshipping God. Having said that, if you consider yourself a Christian (accepted Jesus Christ and trying to live your life as he instructed) then go to the church where you feel most comfortable, whether it be catholic or some other denomination.Then what church is right the catholic,baptis,church of God please shed some light on this?. this is one of the reasons that I have stayed out of church because everyone thinks there is right.The Catholic Church is the only one that I fell is being honest to me. I’m
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HELP**!!!
In the end, I think God is more concerned about how you lived your life and the strength of your Christian faith, versus what church you went too.
However, it’s just my opinion.
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flameburns623
Guest
So are you asking for a theological definition or a sociological one?
Sociological: Yes they are Christians, in the broad sense of the world.
Theological: No they are NOT Christians if they are simply relying on church affiliation and generally-good behavior to get them to Heaven. Even if the Pope and the entire college of cardinals administer them the last rites at their deathbed. To be a Christian is to have a particular relationship to God through Jesus Christ. Not through the Sacraments and not through one’s mere human goodness. I do believe the Sacraments, particularly Baptism and the Eucharist enable and nurture that relationship. But it is something which the individual, at some point, must seek out for themselves, by the power of the Holy Ghost and the grace of God.
In other words, I don’t think being Roman Catholic excludes one from being Christian, but I also don’t thing it necessarily assures that one is Christian–in actual fact–either.
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april_hosen
Guest
Catholics are greeat Christians!
Yes, I’m protestant, Baptist even. I can see the pitchforks and torches coming after me now with all the angry protestants screaming"Burn her at the stake". Hehe. Catholics are just different branch of Christianity. It also comes down to the definition of a Christian. I believe a Christian falls under a disciple or a follower of Christ. And considering the Catholic Church does follow Christ, in my mind, every single Catholic that takes up their cross and follows Jesus, is a Christian in my mind.
Yes, I’m protestant, Baptist even. I can see the pitchforks and torches coming after me now with all the angry protestants screaming"Burn her at the stake". Hehe. Catholics are just different branch of Christianity. It also comes down to the definition of a Christian. I believe a Christian falls under a disciple or a follower of Christ. And considering the Catholic Church does follow Christ, in my mind, every single Catholic that takes up their cross and follows Jesus, is a Christian in my mind.
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NotWorthy
Guest
Wow! That’s a handfull.
Last Rights? Are you faulting us for following what James taught in his Epistle?
Church Affiliation and Good Behavior? Are you referring to what Catholics teach or what some misbegotten Catholics feel? Big difference.
Personal Relationship with Jesus? I share Him - Body, and Blood, Soul, and Divinity nearly everyday. I keep Him in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I’m not sure how much more personal you can get.
Notworthy
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MonicaC
Guest
You do understand that up until the 1500’s all that you mentioned was done by all christains?!
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estesbob
Guest
This moring I held Jesus in my hands. Cradled him for a few seconds and then I followed his instructions to eat His body and drink His blood. I did the same yesterday and will do the same tomorrow morning. How can one have a more personal relationship than that.?
I feel sadness for you because , as a seperated bretheren , you can not have that direct, physical relationship with Jesus Christ. Your relationship wth the Lord is just a pale shadow of what is avaialbe to those who can experience the Real Presence of our Lord and Savior Jsus Christ.
I suggest you visit your local Catholic Church and see about getting into RCIA. Just think-by next spirng you too can have the unparallled experience of holdng the Lord in your hands and worshiping in the One True Church he founded during his time on earth.
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flameburns623
Guest
I’ve touched a nerve and probably need to make something clear here. I actually am NOT saying anythng much different from what one could read in Thomas a’ Kempis or Francis de Sales. 'T’wouldn’t take me long to find the references, but I think most of you here realise this if you will move off dead center and not assume that my prior post was some sort of attack against Roman Catholicism.
Church membership of itself does not save, and one has no right to profess oneself Christian if one declines to live as one. If one does not actively seek to live a life of grace while one is able, one cannot be sure that one will have the grace to seek or to receive God’s grace at one’s end. Hence my point previously.
estesbob:
Over and beyond this the problems involved would be more complex than you imagine them: I am a divorced man married to a divorced woman. I doubt an annulment process would be completed by springtime even if it were ultimately favorable.
God bless and have a very blessed and merry Christmas!
Church membership of itself does not save, and one has no right to profess oneself Christian if one declines to live as one. If one does not actively seek to live a life of grace while one is able, one cannot be sure that one will have the grace to seek or to receive God’s grace at one’s end. Hence my point previously.
Thank you for your kind invitation but I am unlikely to be enrolling in RCIA. We of course have siginficant differences about the validity of my Church’s Holy Orders and sacraments, but suffice it to say that I experience the same sort of spiritual wonder you record here.
Over and beyond this the problems involved would be more complex than you imagine them: I am a divorced man married to a divorced woman. I doubt an annulment process would be completed by springtime even if it were ultimately favorable.
God bless and have a very blessed and merry Christmas!
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