For Catholics--How do you feel about non-Catholics?

[Philthy]

space ghost:

…we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and God wants us to love them as we love ourselves…

I can’t believe I agree with Space Ghost!
John 13:34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples - if you have love for one another.”

phil

 

[Philthy]

amanda_nicole82:

Where does it say in the Bible that God prefers for His children to be Catholic?
I believe that what is important is that you accept Christ as your Savior, and anyone can do that!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (II Peter 3:9)

Hi Amanda-

You make a good point, but there is a lot to consider in using the word salvation. For instance, is salvation instantaneous, complete and permanent at the time you accept Christ? Or is it a life long journey? give it some thought…you will see that Scripture points to the “lifelong journey” option. :yup:

Phil

 

[prophetdaniel]

I am sure somebody already said this: Treat thy neighbor as you would want them to treat you. And practice what you preach.

 

[twiztedseraph]

This’ll sound bad. But I mostly feel pity. Usually when I meet someone I end up thinking how I can lead them to the Church. Well not me, as its not something a person does, rather something God’s grace accomplishes in them. I try to think of how I can break down their mental borders to Catholicism and Organised Religion. I pray that God might send grace on me 'cause I really wanna fulfill the great commission but I’m a really unworthy vessel.

 

[MVH]

Wow, after I voted I was a little surprised that I was so far in the minority.

I believe that non-Catholics who are devout Christians (who do not slander the RCC) have an incomplete faith, but a faith sufficient to get to heaven. However, any Christian who blasphemes the Church will have an “interesting” time at judgement.

My grandfather is a Lutheran, and I am a cradle Catholic. I think he is a sincere and devout Christian who will make it to heaven.

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

I have nothing against non catholics. we are all human being all created to the image and likeness of God.

I am only concern to non catholics that destroy the image of catholic church. It is really sad to know that there are some non catholics that attacks the Catholic church.

I hope that these people instead of misqouting different verses and statements, why not just focus on what Jesus taught " love one another as I have loved you"

 

[Loboto-Me]

Imagine a father receiving a painting from his adult daughter who is an artist (Catholic Worship). Now imagine the same father receiving a picture from his 5 year old daughter (Protestant Worship).

Could you honestly tell me that the father does not hold both in high esteem? One may be framed and put in the living room for all to see and the other may be framed (or not), and put on the fridge for all to see.

The worship that the Catholic Church gives to our Father, may be just as deeply loved as the worship that Protestants give. Don’t worry the Lord knows the difference in quality… but I believe that He takes the “maturity and developpement” of the religions into account. He loves both but knows the quality differences.

I heard or read this analogy somewhere but I’m stumped as to where.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Loboto-Me:

Imagine a father receiving a painting from his adult daughter who is an artist (Catholic Worship). Now imagine the same father receiving a picture from his 5 year old daughter (Protestant Worship).

Could you honestly tell me that the father does not hold both in high esteem? One may be framed and put in the living room for all to see and the other may be framed (or not), and put on the fridge for all to see.

The worship that the Catholic Church gives to our Father, may be just as deeply loved as the worship that Protestants give. Don’t worry the Lord knows the difference in quality… but I believe that He takes the “maturity and developpement” of the religions into account. He loves both but knows the quality differences.

I heard or read this analogy somewhere but I’m stumped as to where.

Yes indeed - real worship can appear in the beauty of an unadorned simplicity: it has no need to dress up ​

Seriously though - the elaboration and colour of Catholic worship is a difficulty for some. ##

 

[Kristina_P]

BigJack1:

He founded one Church and he gave that Church the authority to teach rightly. Therefore, whatever it teaches concerning faith and morals has to be true. I’m not sure what’s so hard to understand about that.

Sorry to pop in here; I fully intended to just lurk on this thread and keep quiet.
I’m very glad you find it hard to understand why many Christians can’t simply accept the Church’s authority. It’s a blessing for you.

For one thing, most Protestants are, at best, only nominally familiar with the Church’s claim to authority in the first place. Most of us have absolutely no idea that the Catholic Church claims authority over us or that we’re considered by them to be in a state of rebellion against God’s church. The statement that “whatever it teaches concerning faith and morals has to be true,” seems, I’m sorry to say, pretty absurd to most of us on first hearing. After all, most of us were taught to not believe anything “just because your pastor said it.” We were taught to test it against Scripture. Consider also that most of our understanding of Catholic doctrine is completely off-base from actual Catholic doctrine, and you can see why many protestants think Catholicism “fails the scripture test.” There’s also a natural, deep mistrust of any person or group who claims to have infallibility in any situation, especially when the bases for that claim are misunderstood or unknown to us.

 

[Kristina_P]

Irene:

I just wish that we would talk charitably – not compromising the Truth, but remembering that Christ’s fondest wish was for us all to be one.
We just lead the horses to the water, and we should focus on doing that as compassionately as possible – let God worry about making them drink!

Thank you so much, Irene!

 

[Singinbeauty]

Subrosa:

I’m sorry rtkiii66, the word “catholic” does not mean “the true church.” It means “Universal.” It refers to the fact that all christians are members of Christ’s church, the only one He founded. It doesn’t matter which denomination, sect, or tradition that you belong to, as a christian, you are a part of Christ’s church.

Your definition is actually closer to the word “orthodox” which means “true belief” or “true faith”.

The word “Catholic” has also come to be associated with the Church of Rome, known as the Catholic Church. This meaning came to be associated with Rome after the schism of 1054 when the One church seperated into factions. Rome kept the moniker “Catholic” while the eastern churches adopted the word “Orthodox”.

While there are different institutions of christianity, they all fall under the auspices of the one church that Christ founded, for He founded only One church, ergo the word “catholic”, or “universal” simply means all christians.

Subrosa

AMEN!

**Main Entry: cath·o·lic **

Pronunciation: 'kath-lik, 'ka-th&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole – more at CATA-, SAFE
1 a often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the church UNIVERSAL b often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it c capitalized : ROMAN CATHOLIC
2 : COMPREHENSIVE, UNIVERSAL; especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests

 

[Catholic4aReasn]

Saint Andrew:

At the end of the day so long as we believe in God what ever branch of Christianity it does not matter what Church we attend.

.

Hi Andrew!

Paul said:

*Romans 16:17 *
Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them;

1 Cor 1:10

• Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.*

*Eph 4:14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
1Ti 1:3 As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 1 Timothy 6:1
Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.

---

1 Tim 6:3-5
3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

2Ti 4:3** -** For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine: *

Conflicting and contradictory truths are taught at different churches. If it doesn’t matter what church we attend then it doesn’t matter what we believe to be true. How do you reconcile that idea with the above scriptures?

In Christ,
Nancy

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Kristina P.:

Sorry to pop in here; I fully intended to just lurk on this thread and keep quiet.
I’m very glad you find it hard to understand why many Christians can’t simply accept the Church’s authority. It’s a blessing for you.

For one thing, most Protestants are, at best, only nominally familiar with the Church’s claim to authority in the first place. Most of us have absolutely no idea that the Catholic Church claims authority over us or that we’re considered by them to be in a state of rebellion against God’s church.

Can you elaborate ?​

I’ve never seen the Church claim this. If it does - why does it not come clean, and say so clearly ?

If the Church thinks this, it looks very dishonest - because officially, the Church is very keen on ecumenism. If her real attitude is as you say, then her public actions don’t match her real thoughts: and if that is the case, some of us may be tempted to wonder whether ecumenism is just a façade, a front to hide the Church’s real intentions for other Christians. Fears of this kind have a long history.

At least Osama is an open & unmistakeable enemy of the West. It is obvious he loathes it. If you’re right, the Church is hiding her real intentions - and that puts her below those who don’t hide their intentions

If the Church regards other Christians as “in a state of rebellion” - she should say so: so where has she ? Not in Vatican II, or any other document since then. One thing other Christians won’t stand for is power politics masquerading as religion - I have to say I fully agree with them. This is one reason why the Orthodox, and Calvinists, are so leery of the CC ##

The statement that “whatever it teaches concerning faith and morals has to be true,” seems, I’m sorry to say, pretty absurd to most of us on first hearing. After all, most of us were taught to not believe anything “just because your pastor said it.” We were taught to test it against Scripture. Consider also that most of our understanding of Catholic doctrine is completely off-base from actual Catholic doctrine, and you can see why many protestants think Catholicism “fails the scripture test.” There’s also a natural, deep mistrust of any person or group who claims to have infallibility in any situation, especially when the bases for that claim are misunderstood or unknown to us.

 

[Kristina_P]

Gottle of Geer:

Can you elaborate ?

I’ve never seen the Church claim this. If it does - why does it not come clean, and say so clearly ?

I apologize if I’ve misunderstood anything about the Catholic Church’s teachings on her “separated brethren.” It seems to me that if the Catholic Church is, in fact, the one true Christian church, then it follows that anyone who calls themselves Christians should be under its authority. If the early Reformers were considered to be in rebellion to the Catholic church, why are not their followers considered to be in a state of rebellion (perhaps I should use the word “protestation” here)? I’m also not sure how this interferes with ecumenism as I understand it to be defined by the Catholic Church. Churches can work with one another and dialogue with one another, even while disagreeing, in the same way that a father can work with and talk with the son who has rejected his authority. This is especially true if the aim of these talks is to bring those in rebellion back under the authority of the church.

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

Kristina P.:

It seems to me that if the Catholic Church is, in fact, the one true Christian church, then it follows that anyone who calls themselves Christians should be under its authority…

Unfortunatly, not everyone knows the Truth of the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church.

 

[wcknight]

I saw a pamphlet listing the popes all the way from ST Peter to the current day. As I was looking at the dates of succession and the short writes ups, I not could help but think, it was important for the early catholic church to elect a new pope just as soon as the prior one had passed away.

It was done from the year St. Peter died, down throughout the many centuries. There was only one 3 year period somewhere in the first 200 year when there was not a pope.

Just about every early pope, among the first 30 or so, were martyred. IF you were elected pope, your fate was almost 100% chance of martyrdom. Also almost all of the early popes were declared saints.

It was really interesting to see how each pope was credited with establishing one or another Church tradition. Things that Protestants so callously tossed aside was established with the blood of the saints, what a pity that they can not continue to share in the wondeful teachings of these great men, who literally died serving Christ’s Church.

Christ’s Peace.

 

[catsrus]

Consider also that most of our understanding of Catholic doctrine is completely off-base from actual Catholic doctrine,

Yes! That was me for years.
From a coverted protestant - myself;
I long for ALL to come to a knowledge of The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I want them to ALL share in this glorious Faith.
I want them ALL to appreciate what Christ has given us.

 

[coyote]

rtkiii66:

The word catholic means" the true church" just because you call something by a name does not mean that it is.

No it doesn’t. Catholic means universal.