How Catholics view Protestants and visa versa

[OldeThom]

I’m new to the forums but I have been rummaging around here and there, checking out this and that and enjoying it a great deal and learning quite a bit. I am not a Catholic, but I am studying, using the US CCA as my core source, and will be taking the RCIA class this Sept.

I was raised Baptist, but I have been involved in other denominations as well as a couple considered as “high church”. It has been my experience that when asked, in most of the more “fundamental” or “conservative” type churches, if Catholics were considered Christians many said “no” - almost too emphatically. I know what the CCC (2nd Ed. 1995) says about non-catholic Christians, but how does being considered not a Christian by some affect you in your view of yourself as a Catholic? What do you feel about Protestants in general?

Before you answer, please consider that I think much of the divergent dogma that many protestant churches hold as “truths” as missing the mark and one of the many reasons why I am being led to the Catholic Church. I know what I have posted is at the very least “on dangerous ground” and has caused wars in the past, but I’m looking for more of a controlled and well thought-out response, rather than an highly charged emotional one or ecclesiology.

Respectfully,
Thom

 

[jesusluv]

I’m a convert from protestantism, so I know exactly what you are talking about when asking many if Catholics are to be considered Christian. I didn’t experience an emphatic no, but might as well have been. I mostly got the “I’m sure some of them are.”, which I admit I held to as well along the way.

Just learn to answer the “are you saved” question with something along the lines of “I have been saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved, just as Scripture says.” In regards to being born again, you can say a complete yes to them because you follow Jesus, have been baptized, and will be confirmed.

My view on protestants now? I respect most of the major denominations, while not completely agreeing with them. I will even defend them in some cases. I’m not the biggest fan of the approach of anyone with an ounce of scriptural knowledge going out and starting a church. Sometimes those end up being very “pastor heavy”. By that, I mean the congregation generally takes everything the pastor says as if it was the inspired Word of God.