Help in dealing with non-catholic friends

[Calgar]

Roman Catholics do not go back to the beginning? The when exactly did the RCC start?

The burden of proof is not on me for that.

 

[jmcrae]

So you’re saying you must follow Peter and his “successors” to be a Christian? And here all this time I thought you just had to follow Christ to be a Christian.

And how are you a follower of Christ, if you are going in a different direction than Christ and His followers? If you separate yourself from His first followers, the Apostles, then have you not separated yourself from following Christ?

We must remain joined together with the Apostles, by means of their true Successors, the Bishops of the Catholic Church, especially the Pope.

You mean sin?

I mean rebelling against God’s anointed one - the person that God has chosen to lead His people.

Please be more specific. I don’t see prophecy there.

Moses was anointed by God to be the leader of Israel; Korah knew a better way, and persuaded people to depart from Moses, whom God had chosen to lead the people, because to his way of thinking, Moses was not leading the people correctly.

Notice that, even though Korah was probably right - they probably would have arrived at the Promised Land a whole lot faster if they had followed Korah’s map - God still punished him and his followers very severely.

This is exactly what happened at the time of the Reformation. Men thought they were better than the Pope, and departed from him, and convinced others to depart from him.

Having read the story of Korah, what do you think God thinks of those men?

 

[jmcrae]

But I really doubt the roman catholics go back to the beginning of Christianity.

Actually, it does. Our first Pope is Peter, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, to whom the promise was made, “I give you the keys of the kingdom of God. What thou bindest on earlth is bound in Heaven. What thou loosest on earth is loosed in Heaven.” (Means that Peter’s law is God’s law.)

It’s not just “a claim.” It is a historical fact. We have the whole list of Popes going back to that time, and we have their letters and their testimony that they received their Succession from Peter.

I mean, I understand that you SAY you do, but so do other churches.

What other churches claim that Peter, the Apostle of Jesus, to whom the promises were made, was their founding leader?

 

[jmcrae]

The burden of proof is not on me for that.

Actually, it is, since you are the one who claims that it started at a later time.

 

[Calgar]

What other churches claim that Peter, the Apostle of Jesus, to whom the promises were made, was their founding leader?

Several orthodox churches, anglicans/church of England, some lutherans, the E.G.C., the methodists do but they don’t .

I’m sure there are more, I just don’t know of them. Hope this helps.

 

[jmcrae]

Several orthodox churches, anglicans/church of England, some lutherans, the E.G.C., the methodists do but they don’t .

The Anglicans know that their church got started when King Henry VIII named himself Head of the English Church, in place of the Pope; they don’t claim to go back to St. Peter.

The Lutherans were started by Martin Luther in 1529. (He wasn’t excommunicated until 1534, but he was still creating an organization that was outside of the authority of the Pope, and he had no permission to do this.) Luther did not claim to be in communion with St. Peter, and in fact he knocked the heads off of the statues of the Apostles at the Vatican, when he attacked it in the late 1540s.

I don’t know what the E. G. C. is.

The Methodists were started by John and Charles Wesley in the 1700s.

 

[Calgar]

The Anglicans know that their church got started when King Henry VIII named himself Head of the English Church, in place of the Pope; they don’t claim to go back to St. Peter.

The Lutherans were started by Martin Luther in 1529. (He wasn’t excommunicated until 1534, but he was still creating an organization that was outside of the authority of the Pope, and he had no permission to do this.) Luther did not claim to be in communion with St. Peter, and in fact he knocked the heads off of the statues of the Apostles at the Vatican, when he attacked it in the late 1540s.

I don’t know what the E. G. C. is.

The Methodists were started by John and Charles Wesley in the 1700s.

What about the orthodox.

Also, the anglicans come from the church of England, but doesn’t the church of England claim succession?

The EGC is gnostic catholics. Don’t know much except they claim to be the church.

 

[onemangang]

What about the orthodox.

Also, the anglicans come from the church of England, but doesn’t the church of England claim succession?

The EGC is gnostic catholics. Don’t know much except they claim to be the church.

Funny that Lutherans claim Apostolic Succession while Luther himself rejected it!

The only Churches that can claim Apostolic Succession are Catholic and Othodox.
The Armenian Apostolic Church may be able to make that claim as well, being that they are a split from the Oriental Orthodox Church!

The Gnostic Catholics like everybody else, Lutherans and Anglican included, who claim Apostolic Succession redefine the terms in order to claim it.

That is why the only recognized valid consecration of the Eucharist is in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Every group that has removed themselves from Apostoilic succession, serves juice and crackers or bread and wine, No body, blood, soul, and divinity.

 

[Calgar]

Funny that Lutherans claim Apostolic Succession while Luther himself rejected it!

The only Churches that can claim Apostolic Succession are Catholic and Othodox.
The Armenian Apostolic Church may be able to make that claim as well, being that they are a split from the Oriental Orthodox Church!

The Gnostic Catholics like everybody else, Lutherans and Anglican included, who claim Apostolic Succession redefine the terms in order to claim it.

That is why the only recognized valid consecration of the Eucharist is in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Every group that has removed themselves from Apostoilic succession, serves juice and crackers or bread and wine, No body, blood, soul, and divinity.

I was simply trying to show that other churches claim succession. Not just the roman catholic.

 

[jmcrae]

I was simply trying to show that other churches claim succession. Not just the roman catholic.

Here’s a tip: if the person who started the religion was not a Bishop (or actually an Apostle, as in the case of the Catholic Church), then they can’t have Apostolic Succession, since only Bishops can have Apostolic Succession.

Martin Luther: not a Bishop. King Henry VIII - not a Bishop. John Wesley - not a Bishop. etc.

 

[CourtAdvocate]

Hello there everyone! I am a new convert and I came into the Church after leaving an INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH. I was a part of that church for many years and developed some friendships there that I would like to maintain. I have found this to be very difficult. I tried to attend a Bible study there and even attended a few services, but after becoming Catholic and seeing the beauty of the Mass, I NOW see the many flaws in the teachings and beliefs AND “worship” in my former church. However, I still want to maintain my relationships with some of my friends from the baptist church…I just don’t know how. Attending services and Bible studies there only made me feel uncomfortable. How can I maintain relationships with non- catholic friends outside of the church building? Thanks in advance for your help and GOD bless!

Respect their choice to worship God as they do.

Differences should not lead to contention or arguments in anyway.

What would Christ do if he were here in the flesh?

 

[Melanilove]

A good majority of my friends are Catholic and I am Protestant, and I think it is very easy to maintain a stable relationship with them, they are all wonderful You don’t necessarily have to attend their church services, but you can still hold friendships with them that may last a lifetime.

Hope this helps a bit,
Melani

 

[anodos]

Respect their choice to worship God as they do.

Differences should not lead to contention or arguments in anyway.

What would Christ do if he were here in the flesh?

Christ did some pretty divisive things…
Ideally, if someone were truly my friend, I would want them to know what is important to me, and to hear where they’re coming from as well; I don’t want to put up “invisibilty shields” around difficult topics. I think its good when people can have great big healthy (and respectful!) arguments, especially if the argument is available in print; it helps me to see both sides a little better, and I usually learn something, and of course I’m entertained by the clash of wits. (I don’t have any wits to clash with, so its nice to see someone else doing it. )

 

[angierabbit2012]

UPDATE

When I first asked for help in dealing with my non-catholic friends, I was STILL attending Bible studies and an occasional service at my former baptist church.

After much prayer and a LOT of good advice (THANKS EVERYBODY AT CAF), I told my friend exactly how I felt.
I was gentle.
I was NOT confrontational!
I simply told her how HAPPY I am as a Catholic and that (while I love her and MANY others at the old church) I will NOT be attending any more services or Bible studies.

Things have NOT gone as I had hoped.:crying:
I haven’t heard from her (or anyone else for that matter) since I left.

I know that she THINKS that the FUNDAMENTALISTS are right and that ALL Catholics are bound for HELL but I really thought that our friendship could survive this.

L@@ks like I was WRONG!!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY for the GREAT advice.
There’s a comfort in knowing that MANY of you out there understand EXACTLY how I feel and what I’m going through.

Angela

 

[anodos]

UPDATE

When I first asked for help in dealing with my non-catholic friends, I was STILL attending Bible studies and an occasional service at my former baptist church.

After much prayer and a LOT of good advice (THANKS EVERYBODY AT CAF), I told my friend exactly how I felt.
I was gentle.
I was NOT confrontational!
I simply told her how HAPPY I am as a Catholic and that (while I love her and MANY others at the old church) I will NOT be attending any more services or Bible studies.

Things have NOT gone as I had hoped.:crying:
I haven’t heard from her (or anyone else for that matter) since I left.

I know that she THINKS that the FUNDAMENTALISTS are right and that ALL Catholics are bound for HELL but I really thought that our friendship could survive this.

L@@ks like I was WRONG!!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY for the GREAT advice.
There’s a comfort in knowing that MANY of you out there understand EXACTLY how I feel and what I’m going through.
Angela

Sorry to hear about the apparent loss of your friendship. Maybe it will take a little time for her to get used to the idea? Not saying that she’ll ever be comfortable with it, but maybe she needs to be allowed to reflect.
In my experience, the people (not many) who seemed to abandon me over Catholicism did so with real sadness and confusion, not at all with a “holier-than-thou” attitude (I’m sure you’re already aware of that, since you’ve probably had more experience than I have! ) She may be feeling that you abandoned her.

 

[angierabbit2012]

Sorry to hear about the apparent loss of your friendship. Maybe it will take a little time for her to get used to the idea? Not saying that she’ll ever be comfortable with it, but maybe she needs to be allowed to reflect.
In my experience, the people (not many) who seemed to abandon me over Catholicism did so with real sadness and confusion, not at all with a “holier-than-thou” attitude (I’m sure you’re already aware of that, since you’ve probably had more experience than I have! ) She may be feeling that you abandoned her.

You’re right!
I don’t think she has a “holier-than-thou” attitude.
I think you are probably correct as well in saying that perhaps she feels like I abandoned her.
Still, I miss her friendship.
She and I were friends for many years and spent almost every weekend of those years together.
Some of the other church members that I thought cared so much about me, have stopped speaking to me on FACEBOOK as well.
I just don’t get it!
I didn’t change my feelings towards them when I became Catholic.
Why can’t they do the same?
Just because I no longer hold many of the same beliefs as they do, now we can’t be friends?!

Sigh!

 

[rinnie]

UPDATE

When I first asked for help in dealing with my non-catholic friends, I was STILL attending Bible studies and an occasional service at my former baptist church.

After much prayer and a LOT of good advice (THANKS EVERYBODY AT CAF), I told my friend exactly how I felt.
I was gentle.
I was NOT confrontational!
I simply told her how HAPPY I am as a Catholic and that (while I love her and MANY others at the old church) I will NOT be attending any more services or Bible studies.

Things have NOT gone as I had hoped.:crying:
I haven’t heard from her (or anyone else for that matter) since I left.

I know that she THINKS that the FUNDAMENTALISTS are right and that ALL Catholics are bound for HELL but I really thought that our friendship could survive this.

L@@ks like I was WRONG!!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY for the GREAT advice.
There’s a comfort in knowing that MANY of you out there understand EXACTLY how I feel and what I’m going through.

Angela

Give it time, You never know what can happen. But if its not meant to be, then you just have to move on and always pray for your friend.

 

[fbl9]

You’re right!
I don’t think she has a “holier-than-thou” attitude.
I think you are probably correct as well in saying that perhaps she feels like I abandoned her.
Still, I miss her friendship.
She and I were friends for many years and spent almost every weekend of those years together.
Some of the other church members that I thought cared so much about me, have stopped speaking to me on FACEBOOK as well.
I just don’t get it!
I didn’t change my feelings towards them when I became Catholic.
Why can’t they do the same?
Just because I no longer hold many of the same beliefs as they do, now we can’t be friends?!

Sigh!

Let’s say one of your devoted friends were to suddenly become an adult actress. This friend then tells you that she beleivies this is how she ought to live…How would you react?
If she beleives that Catholics are going to hell, because of our beleifs that’s how your friends view your actions.

 

[angierabbit2012]

Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I mailed a friendship card to my friend.
I told her that I loved her and that I value our friendship.
I said that I would love to see her or talk to her on the phone sometime…NO REPLY!

I just don’t understand this!

How can we be such good friends when we’re attending the same church but now that we don’t worship together, she won’t speak with me?!

This isn’t a casual acquaintance, we were friends for YEARS!!

I miss her!

I reached out to her husband on facebook but he hasn’t replied either!

Well. I just thought I’d let you all know what’s been happening.

THANK YOU for your words of encouragement.

 

[JustaServant]

Well it’s been a couple of weeks since I mailed a friendship card to my friend.
I told her that I loved her and that I value our friendship.
I said that I would love to see her or talk to her on the phone sometime…NO REPLY!

I just don’t understand this!

How can we be such good friends when we’re attending the same church but now that we don’t worship together, she won’t speak with me?!

This isn’t a casual acquaintance, we were friends for YEARS!!

I miss her!

I reached out to her husband on facebook but he hasn’t replied either!

Well. I just thought I’d let you all know what’s been happening.

THANK YOU for your words of encouragement.

I am so sorry you had to experience that. When one walks away from that kind of cultish fundamentalism it can be jarring to see that side of a person you thought you knew. I was once part of that myself.
Four years ago I wrote a blogpost that I hope helps. It’s based on a dream I had:

**’Rome Phobia’ **

Phobia is an excessive and irrational fear that is usually based on some trauma in the past. Because of that trauma, anytime the person meets anything or anybody that is remotely associated with that trauma, there is an immediate knee-jerk response. The thing or person is out of proportion to the reality that it is. They are terrified of it and flee from it just at the mention of the name.
Many fundamentalists have ’Rome phobia’. Anything that remotely smells of Catholic, no matter how minute, they go berserk. The reactions of people who, at first talk of Christ and being a Christian, suddenly transform into something ugly and horrible.
Love becomes hate, peace becomes war, families are torn apart in revolt, joy becomes misery, mercy is replace by venom.
ANY enemy of Catholics becomes their friend. A root of bitterness is born that becomes a stench in the nostrils of God.
Watching people react to anything Catholic, the word Christian is the last word you would use to describe it.
Many times it is passed down from generation to generation. They have no clue as to WHY they hate Catholics….they just do.
Their identity is found in what they are against, not what they are for.
The history of the Catholic Church is re-written to show what a monster she is. Even her future is determined by ‘Bible prophecy’ which destines the monster to Hell. So there is no way out for the Catholic Church.
Born a monster, die a monster.
We teach our children to fear this ugly monster who will devour us on a whim. When asked about her they say, ‘she’s a horrible monster disfigured at birth and is destined for Hell and damnation.
When anyone DARES to face that phobia, remove the mask that has been put over her, he discovers that the Catholic Church is not the evil institution responsible for every evil imaginable.
But she is instead the most beautiful Lady Christ purchased, fear is replaced by love. She captures the heart and you fall in love with her.
Perfect love casts out fear.