For Protesters (aka: Protestants)

[tGette]

Warning! Many questions within one thread:

I want to know why for those who protest the Catholic Church that a lot seem to adopt this mentality that it is OK to be any kind of Christian as long as it is not Catholic?

Why are a lot of protesters content with the generic term “Protestant” although a myriad of theological beliefs fall under that blanket? Do you like the fact that your faith is described as protesting against something?

It seems to me that every church (besides the Catholic Church) is based on denying the Catholic Church in some way or another and that their manifesto is more on why they are not a Catholic Christian instead of why they are their specific version of protesting Christian.

In summation:
Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **

 

[cathopologist]

Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **
Because the Catholic Church follows a narrow path than a broader Protestant path?

Ok, ok, i’ll wait for the professional Protestant to answer.

 

[Adam14]

Warning! Many questions within one thread:

I want to know why for those who protest the Catholic Church that a lot seem to adopt this mentality that it is OK to be any kind of Christian as long as it is not Catholic?

Why are a lot of protesters content with the generic term “Protestant” although a myriad of theological beliefs fall under that blanket? Do you like the fact that your faith is described as protesting against something?

It seems to me that every church (besides the Catholic Church) is based on denying the Catholic Church in some way or another and that their manifesto is more on why they are not a Catholic Christian instead of why they are their specific version of protesting Christian.

In summation:
Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **

Why the blanket statements? How many protestants have you actually seen protesting? There may be a few, although I don’t know of any, but not all protestant churches’ sole intention is to deny the Catholic church. And I’m sure that there are people who say “as long as it’s not Catholic”, but I’m willing to bet it’s nowhere near the majority of protestants.

I was raised protestant. I don’t even know where the closest Catholic church was to my home, but it wasn’t anywhere close, that’s for sure. Most church goers went to protestant churches…NOT to protest, but to worship God the only way they knew how. Growing up, I always thought the Catholic church was another denomination(now I know it isn’t a denomination). My point is, not all protestants know exactly what the Catholic church teaches, nor does all protestants choose to deny it out of spite. Not knowing and knowing/rejecting are two totally different things.

I’m not trying to be rude, but I think your post shows that the same applies for some Catholics, and that not all Catholics know what every protestant believes.

Now let me get back to making my picket sign, the protest line is already forming outside the Catholic church…j/k

PS: I’m converting to Catholocism, starting RCIA in September, so spare me the lecturing about me “protesting”.

 

[Lost_Again]

Warning! Many questions within one thread:

I want to know why for those who protest the Catholic Church that a lot seem to adopt this mentality that it is OK to be any kind of Christian as long as it is not Catholic?

Why are a lot of protesters content with the generic term “Protestant” although a myriad of theological beliefs fall under that blanket? Do you like the fact that your faith is described as protesting against something?

It seems to me that every church (besides the Catholic Church) is based on denying the Catholic Church in some way or another and that their manifesto is more on why they are not a Catholic Christian instead of why they are their specific version of protesting Christian.

In summation:
Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **

If you take the time to read anything about Luther you might have answers to some of your questions. I blame the CC for causing the reformation. Even history points out that the church at that time was filled with corruption and non-Christian teachings. Then lets not forget that wonderful period called “The inquisition” its no wonder people started to turn away from the church.

I consider myself to be a “recovering Catholic”. in my 53 years I had WAY too many bad experiences with the church, Too many rules, too much legalism, I mean the Geez the catechism is almost a 1000 pages! Could this really be what Christ wanted for his church? I don’t in my heart believe so… Therefore I became a Protestant.

However…

Now this is going to sound like I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth (because I am)
If the Protestant Reformation was such a good thing, why are there 1500+ major denominations (and growing) all with their particular slant on what a “Christian” should be?
At least the CC (right or wrong) has been singing a consistent tune for over 2000 years.

IMHO… and not my words (but I wish they were) “The only thing standing between God and man is religion”

Or as my dear sainted mother would say “there are more people in nut-houses because of sex or religion than anything else”
Am I going to heaven? That is for the Good Lord to decide and he is the only one I will ultimately have to answer to not a priest, a minister, lay teacher. This is just my two cents as an imperfect human being trying hard to be the man God wants me to be.

Pax!

 

[Harpazo]

Warning! Many questions within one thread:

I want to know why for those who protest the Catholic Church that a lot seem to adopt this mentality that it is OK to be any kind of Christian as long as it is not Catholic?

Why are a lot of protesters content with the generic term “Protestant” although a myriad of theological beliefs fall under that blanket? Do you like the fact that your faith is described as protesting against something?

It seems to me that every church (besides the Catholic Church) is based on denying the Catholic Church in some way or another and that their manifesto is more on why they are not a Catholic Christian instead of why they are their specific version of protesting Christian.

In summation:
Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **

I know exactly what you’re talking about. Some will go so far to say that’s it’s okay to be Catholic and it doesn’t matter which church you belong to as long as you subscribe to some obscure criterion. But, the clincher is, who describes the criterion? Who is in authority to say what said criterion is?

To me, this “invisible church” notion is very New Age-ish. “It doesn’t matter which church you belong to, just as long as you do this, this and this.” That doesn’t sound like the God of the Bible to me.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

 

[nsper7]

Warning! Many questions within one thread:

I want to know why for those who protest the Catholic Church that a lot seem to adopt this mentality that it is OK to be any kind of Christian as long as it is not Catholic?

Why are a lot of protesters content with the generic term “Protestant” although a myriad of theological beliefs fall under that blanket? Do you like the fact that your faith is described as protesting against something?

It seems to me that every church (besides the Catholic Church) is based on denying the Catholic Church in some way or another and that their manifesto is more on why they are not a Catholic Christian instead of why they are their specific version of protesting Christian.

In summation:
Why this attitude of “anything but Catholic”? And why are people content with any form of Protestantism (as long as it is not Catholic)? **

Well, during my Pre-Anglican days, I knew little about Roman Catholicism and what I did know about it was, for lack of a better term, propaganda heard from certain Protestant leaders. Unfortunately, many Protestants do not view Catholics as Christians. Also, many of the Protestants that heartily condemn Roman Catholicism, also condemn other Protestants and even members of their own ‘denomination’.

As an Anglican and regular poster here on CAF, I have grown in knowledge of Roman Catholicism and I have grown perhaps to even love Roman Catholicism as Anglicanism’s ‘elder brother’. I have a great respect and honor for the Pope (both for Benedict XVI personally, but also for the Office) and I do believe and/or hope that Roman Catholics are a part of that ‘One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church’ of the Nicene Creed. If it were not for Roman Catholicism, there would be no Anglicanism.

Although I do have some disagreements with Roman Catholic theology, I also do not think that when we get up to those ‘pearly gates’ that St. Peter will have a long checklist of theological points one had to get absolutely perfect in order to be Saved. After all, if it were like that, chances are I’d be lost as well.

I think what matters is that at some level a person recognize their sinfulness and that Jesus, God’s Son, suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins, that He was resurrected by God’s power and is Lord and Savior.

 

[cathopologist]

I consider myself to be a “recovering Catholic”. in my 53 years I had WAY too many bad experiences with the church, Too many rules, too much legalism, I mean the Geez the catechism is almost a 1000 pages! Could this really be what Christ wanted for his church? I don’t in my heart believe so… Therefore I became a Protestant.

Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24

If the Protestant Reformation was such a good thing, why are there 1500+ major denominations (and growing) all with their particular slant on what a “Christian” should be?
At least the CC (right or wrong) has been singing a consistent tune for over 2000 years.

1 Corinthians 1:13, Romans 16:17

 

[tGette]

First, this thread was not intended for those who were/are ignorant of Church teaching and the differences among churches (I used to be one of them.)
This thread is intended for those who do refer to themselves as Protestant and why it seems to be alright to have this title despite which denomination one actually has under the title Protestant.
It is true Catholics know nothing of other denominations and vice-a-versa. Again, this thread was not intended for those.

Lost_Again:
I am not talking about what corrupt people in the Church were doing…I am talking about theologically. A reformation could have come about without needing to form new churches. And your gripe with the Cathecism being so long, do you have the same problem with the Bible?
This idea that Christianity is about a relationship and religion is ruining it is an interesting concept. Let us consider this:
Jesus was religious, that makes it seem like religion is important. Also, it is the institutionalized part of the Church that allows the faith to be taught in a consistent manner through the ages. Without this, the faith becomes whatever you want of it.
The religion is where you learn about the relationship you can have with God.

nsper7:
The only problem with your last statement:
“I think what matters is that at some level a person recognize their sinfulness and that Jesus, God’s Son, suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins, that He was resurrected by God’s power and is Lord and Savior.”
It is an essential element of the faith (especially for one’s own individual salvation), but it does little to continue the Church which Christ established almost 2,000 years ago. The preaching of the Gospel is way more vast then just getting people to profess this.

Christ wants us to be one, just as He and the Father are one and now everyone in Heaven is one with them. We cannot do this with differing ideas. Am I wrong?

 

[nsper7]

nsper7:
The only problem with your last statement:
“I think what matters is that at some level a person recognize their sinfulness and that Jesus, God’s Son, suffered and died on the cross to pay for our sins, that He was resurrected by God’s power and is Lord and Savior.”
It is an essential element of the faith (especially for one’s own individual salvation), but it does little to continue the Church which Christ established almost 2,000 years ago. The preaching of the Gospel is way more vast then just getting people to profess this.

Christ wants us to be one, just as He and the Father are one and now everyone in Heaven is one with them. We cannot do this with differing ideas. Am I wrong?

I was talking about the Salvific minimum (what is the least one needs to be Saved?) and why I believe/hope that Roman Catholics are Saved/part of that One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Obviously, the goal of the Catholic (Universal) Church and of individual should be more than this minimum.

I do believe one can get along with those we disagree with if we so choose. After all, we can love each other, others and God without being in perfect agreement, right? After all, perhaps one of the ‘miracles’ of Anglicanism is that one can have an Evangelical Anglican (Low Church) and an Anglo-Catholic (High Church) worshiping together and both in communion with each other and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

EDIT: I do not wish to come across as a relativist, because I am not one. I believe that there is one Truth (as defined by God), but that no one consciously has all the Truth (I say ‘consciously’ because, theoretically, someone could discern the entirety of Truth either by a great outpouring of God’s grace or the proverbial ‘shot in the dark’).

 

[Lost_Again]

Cathapologist…

Please don’t sling scripture… I have arthritis and its hard for me to flip through the pages. Thank goodness my memory is still pretty good

Here’s a flash for you… Most Protestants (that I’ve known)think they’re the ones walking the narrow path, not the CC!!!

What I’m getting at is that I am oh so very tired of “we’re right!”, no we’re right" "no Allah is right!!!.

It all comes down to what you’re going to do when you face The Lord, or St. Peter or (God forbid) Allah!

Hopefully my faith AND my works will be enough…

Your Brother in Christ:thumbsup:

 

[allischalmers]

My two cents, in todays world most protestants do’nt give a hoot about what the Church Church teaches so why would they bother protesting, really

 

[tGette]

Lost_Again:
I can sympathize with your being fed up with people always talking about how they are right and others are wrong. This would be a big turn off to me.

The point in this thread I am getting at is being called a Protestant does no one any good when adhering to this “we’re right” theory. My point is…which Protestant church is right? If any.

I also want people to realize that when we see God face-to-face it is going to matter a lot what we left behind on earth and not just what we did to be saved.

I would like to note:
Allah simply translates as “the god” in Arabic and Christians who speak Arabic refer to God as such.

All glory and honor be to Allah, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

 

[cathopologist]

Cathapologist…

Please don’t sling scripture… I have arthritis and its hard for me to flip through the pages. Thank goodness my memory is still pretty good

Here’s a flash for you… Most Protestants (that I’ve known)think they’re the ones walking the narrow path, not the CC!!!

Oh i know that!

What I’m getting at is that I am oh so very tired of “we’re right!”, no we’re right" "no Allah is right!!!.

Only one can be right, and that depends on who holds the key to the kingdom of heaven.

It all comes down to what you’re going to do when you face The Lord, or St. Peter or (God forbid) Allah!

St. Peter won’t save you, but he can teach you on alot of things. Only One person can save you and we all know who that is!

Peace brother :hug3:

 

[cathopologist]

My two cents, in todays world most protestants do’nt give a hoot about what the Church Church teaches so why would they bother protesting, really

Protestants protest because they love to protest about everything under the sun? Sometimes i also feel that the Catholic Church cares too much about the Protestant’s salvation (since Protestants themselves don’t seem to care).

But being as She is, the Church is after all, Christ’s testimony on earth. I guess it will be Her never-ending job to remind those who profess to be christians on how they should practice orthodox Christianity. Sad thing is, the Church always gets mocked at, just as Jesus had to put up with mockery.

 

[tGette]

Amen, cathopologist!

• I feel like I am saying that a lot lately to you *

Christ was killed because He claimed to have the Truth. Now people want to do that to the Church he planted His Truth in. What happens when you plant something? It grows and more and more is revealed!

 

[allischalmers]

Protestants protest because they love to protest about everything under the sun? Sometimes i also feel that the Catholic Church cares too much about the **Protestant’s salvation (since Protestants themselves don’t seem to care). **
But being as She is, the Church is after all, Christ’s testimony on earth. I guess it will be Her never-ending job to remind those who profess to be christians on how they should practice orthodox Christianity. Sad thing is, the Church always gets mocked at, just as Jesus had to put up with mockery.

if Protestants did not care about their own salvation they would not be protestants

 

[cathopologist]

Amen, cathopologist!

• I feel like I am saying that a lot lately to you *

Some people say i have an addictive presence. Just who those “some people” are, i don’t know.

Christ was killed because He claimed to have the Truth. Now people want to do that to the Church he planted His Truth in. What happens when you plant something? It grows and more and more is revealed!

Now its my turn to say “Amen”.

 

[cathopologist]

if Protestants did not care about their own salvation they would not be protestants

So Protestants care about their salvation? Really? So what does the Baptist think of infant baptism? Is it necessary for the infant’s salvation or is it not?

 

[Swan]

So Protestants care about their salvation? Really? So what does the Baptist think of infant baptism? Is it necessary for the infant’s salvation or is it not?

I was raised Baptist and was RC for close to 20 years. I don’t know a single Protestant (and I come from the Bible Belt where there are very few Catholics relative to population) who id themsevles as “Protestants” at any time other than to differentiate themselves from Catholics - in other words, they only use the term to in the place of “non-Catholic Christians” - it’s shorter and folks know that they mean. IOW, if you asked them what faith they were they would answer “Baptist”, “Methodist” or whatever. They wouldn’t say “Protestant”.

As to infant Baptism - Baptists believe you have to be of an age when you are able to understand what Baptism means and chose it freely - that’s why no infant Baptism. They believe God’s grace will “save” those who die before they reach that age. Please note I am speaking generally, I do not profess to know how all Baptists think.

 

[O.S.Luke]

The Latin protestari literally means “witness,” and in Elizabethan times to protest meant “to witness” or “make a confession or witness.” Indeed, most non-Catholics after the Reformation called themselves Reformed or Evangelical. The word Protestant was not even used to refer to the Anglican Church until long after the Reformation had taken place.

It really had a dual meaning when the word was coined; it wasn’t just used as a negative; it was also used in the positive. Over time, it - like many words - drifted from it’s original. Even Luther’s own “protest” was a witness: “Here I stand; I can do no other.”

One author has suggested that the same thing has happened to the word apology/apologia. It was coined to mean “formal defense” but has been replaced to mean “to repent or ask pardon.”

Since CAF has much to do about apologetics, I wonder if we would want people to define “apology” by what most people think it means. It may be the same for “protestant” - a seemingly bad word might in fact be a good word.