Evangelical and Catholic difference?

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LoveMercyGrace

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Hi.
Im hoping someone in this forum may be able to help me. and my neighbor, who has chosen to not comply with the state “stay home” order and also the do not assemble …at this time of COVID 19 pandemic.

This involves organizing a sunday service where we both live, so in this way it affects me and actually everyone here.

Do evangelicals non denominational Christians believe they can pray for protection then disregard the laws which are set forth during this stay home time?
As a Catholic, our churches are closed , priests say private mass and many stream their Mass online. but there is no gathering of congregation.
I do not mean to cause any debate with these questions. I really want to understand…
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
Do evangelicals non denominational Christians believe they can pray for protection then disregard the laws which are set forth during this stay home time?
As a Catholic, our churches are closed , priests say private mass and many stream their Mass online. but there is no gathering of congregation.
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Yes, some evangelicals and non-denom Christians believe that they can simply pray to Jesus for protection and he will protect them even if they gather, or hold hands with each other to pray, etc.
They believe that those who criticize them for breaking the civil laws and social distancing rules simply don’t have enough faith in Jesus. I am sure that ALL evangelicals and non-denom Christians do not think like this; it is only SOME who do.

I have one of these currently on my social media friends list. I would really like to delete the person (they have also made a couple of annoying remarks about my Catholicism in the past) but they are a distant relative of mine and a closer relative to other relatives who are not evangelical and do not post such idiocy, so I’m kind of stuck with them for the moment.

The Catholic Church takes a different position, which is that God will help us but also that we should not “tempt the Lord thy God” by taking unnecessary risks with people’s lives, and that true Christian behavior is to follow reasonable laws and guidelines and avoid exposing yourself or others to the virus.
 
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Their belief of faith based healing usually stems from Mark 16:17-18
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
Do evangelicals non denominational Christians believe they can pray for protection then disregard the laws which are set forth during this stay home time?
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First things first. “Evangelical” and “non-denominational” are broad categories. Evangelicals have some commonalities, but there are important differences between different kinds of evangelical Protestants.

Some evangelicals are believers in what is called prosperity gospel, Word of Faith, and/or positive confession movements. Some within this movement may try to carry on services because they feel they will be divinely protected.

But this will be a minority, even with the prosperity gospel community. The church I grew up with is part of the Word of Faith movement, and they are having “drive in” church services where everyone stays in their cars. So, it certainly isn’t like all evangelicals are just disobeying government guidance. Most evangelicals are capable of using common sense.
 
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There are a few Pentecostal churches with pastors that are almost held to a cult like status that are continuing to have services. A couple of the pastors have been arrested for violating the shelter at home orders.

The vast majority of Protestant/Evangelical churches, including most Pentecostal churches, are having services live streamed or drive-in church services. I don’t know of any churches in my area that are continuing to have regular services, and I live in the heart of the Bible belt.

What you are seeing is the exception, not the norm.
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
Do evangelicals non denominational Christians believe they can pray for protection then disregard the laws which are set forth during this stay home time?
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I also need to point out, it’s not just them. There is a thread going on right now on the board where there are Catholics who think they should be able to go to Mass, they question Church leadership, or we’ve read of one priest who is openly defying the order and holding “wink-wink-nudge-nudge” “private” Masses.

From both sides of it (Catholic and non-Catholic) I’m just flabbergasted by it. What I really don’t get is why people show up. 🤦‍♂️
 
They have had shocking news and are stuck in denial. By talking to them (from a two metre distance at least) you will help them move through anger, negotiation, and acceptance.

Don’t get stuck in anger with them. Refer them to responsible science-based authorities with whom to negotiate and/or get sensible suggestions such as online gatherings. And then celebrate their acceptance, again at a distance especially if they have been getting close to people who may have been infected.

Good luck! (Just to save others the trouble of painting out I am not a believer, I am not. But I share susceptibility to viruses with both Evangelicals and Catholics).
 
I would suggest that you ask your Protestant friend to pray for you. While you are at it could you ask them to pray for me?
There is a priest I know of who heard about a group that was allegedly doing illicit exorcisms. His comment was to ask “Did they actually make the devil leave?”
 
poche said:
I would suggest that you ask your Protestant friend to pray for you. While you are at it could you ask them to pray for me?
There is a priest I know of who heard about a group that was allegedly doing illicit exorcisms. His comment was to ask “Did they actually make the devil leave?”
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That’s a kind thought. Unfortunately, I am concerned that if I were to say such a thing to them, they might take it as me being interested in leaving Catholicism and joining their church, as they did. They were originally from a Catholic family and “fell away”. So I don’t want to encourage them to think I want to do the same, or else I’ll likely get bombarded with “witnessing”.

I probably should be praying for them more than I have been doing, so I’ll do that instead.
 
There was a convert to the Catholic Faith who had a friend call him up and tell him that she was praying for him. He said “Yes, please pray for me. I need your prayers” She didn’t know what to make of it.
I am trying to observe what is required but I will not attack anybody who wants to pray communally with their community.
 
Yes, we all need prayers. I do not mind that the person would pray. I just don’t want to be getting little jabs at my Catholicism posted on my social media all the time. I also don’t want to have to tell this person to lay off doing that for various reasons (they are a distant relative, they are also facing a very serious personal situation right now completely separate from and unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic).

I do think their defense of people praying communally while touching is wrong and like I said, a bit idiotic given the current situation, but out of tact I do not tell them that.
 
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Definitely not all Evangelicals are alike. With the development of the non-denoms, there are literally thousands of variations in their belief system.

But most are pretty mindful of the need to stay home. And many are jumping into the relief effort with all the enthusiasm and support that they bring to their worship services!

Yesterday, one of the Evangelical megachurches in our city gave out free food, paper goods, and baby needs (diapers, formula, baby food)–thousands of cars drove through and received a carload of badly-needed supplies. It was a massive traffic jam in that “rich section” of the city, but a joyful one.
 
I know. I am aware of the Catholic disent, Im Catholic and so there are those who disagree with everything the church says and the gov.

I am trying to understand this situation ( and in prayer) so I am better prepared to respond at this point. It occurred to me this morning…when I spoke to her and replied it really had nothing to do with their gathering for a church service. they could be meeting to make a quilt or discuss a book. the point was cohercing the managment to go against the law and allow the meeting. She took great offense and declared me satan trying to dismember the church meeting. She was yelling. I kept repeating to her I am not upset, I would like to reason with you about this.

the bottom line is…what is Gods will.
 
rather than attack, I was trying to reason with her. and the meeting could have been any…quilting club book club etc.

we are mandated to not assemble. to stay in our homes unless necessary.
 
does anyone know where the quote reply button is? thank you. then my replies can be orderly:-)
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
does anyone know where the quote reply button is? thank you. then my replies can be orderly:-)
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Select the words you want to quote. When you do so, the quote button will appear above the selected words. When you hit the quite button, it opens up an answer window so that you can enter your answer to the quoted material.
 
Are you living in a seniors lodge or similar…you say “where we both live.”
 
Jbrady said:
Select the words you want to quote. When you do so, the quote button will appear above the selected words. When you hit the quite button, it opens up an answer window so that you can enter your answer to the quoted material.
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Like this! thank you Jbrady
 
Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut. helpful.

have a blessed Holy Week everyone
 
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