How to explain Protestant Communion to a Protestant

[holdencaulfield]

Hello,

The other day I got in an argument with my close family. As many of you may know I am going to take the RCIA in September this year. My family does not want to got to the Catholic Church, so I agreed for the time being to go with them to their Protestant church to be nice and not fuel family tensions. When I was there I did not take Communion. When asked why I said because it is blasphemy. At this they went off at me like crazy. They said I’m not even Catholic, made fun of me for not wanting to do this, and essentially said I am a bad person for thinking that I am better than them.

What do you think I should do. Should I explain this to them. Or what?

Thanks.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Simply say, “We do not believe the same things here, and I believe I would bring damnation upon myself were I to receive with you because of this. I am not attacking your faith. Do not attack mine.”

 

[holdencaulfield]

Simply say, “We do not believe the same things here, and I believe I would bring damnation upon myself were I to receive with you because of this. I am not attacking your faith. Do not attack mine.”

That’s what I said. They then said that I thought I was better than them for not taking Communion.

 

[Rolltide]

Tell them that Catholics believe that Communion is, among other things, a sacrament of initiation into the church. Since you do not fully agree with their beliefs, and since they likely do not believe in the Real Presence (at least in the same way that Catholics do), you cannot in good faith receive, since it would be as if you were accepting beliefs of their faith. It is also incompatible with current Catholic belief. It is not about being better than them, or insulting them. It is simply acknowledging that we have different beliefs, and that we are, indeed, NOT in communion of belief with one another at this time.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Tell them that Catholics believe that Communion is, among other things, a sacrament of initiation into the church. Since you do not fully agree with their beliefs, and since they likely do not believe in the Real Presence (at least in the same way that Catholics do), you cannot in good faith receive, since it would be as if you were accepting beliefs of their faith. It is also incompatible with current Catholic belief. It is not about being better than them, or insulting them. It is simply acknowledging that we have different beliefs, and that we are, indeed, NOT in communion of belief with one another at this time.

Thanks, I hope that helps. I told them it isn’t considered a sin for them, if they don’t know any better. Is it?

 

[Rolltide]

Thanks, I hope that helps. I told them it isn’t considered a sin for them, if they don’t know any better. Is it?

They think of communion as symbolic. As such, its just a metaphor, with no additional meaning. For Catholics, we believe that the bread and wine actually physically changes into Jesus. He is right there in the room with us, not just spiritually, but in actuality, with the ability to touch His Body and Blood.

We do not consider Protestant communion a sin amongst Protestants, because we don’t really consider it communion in the same way. Now, if they were to receive OUR communion, similarly, it would be a sin, unless they didn’t know any better. You have to know that something is a sin for it to be grave matter.

 

[Lhhs]

They think of communion as symbolic. .

I thought they were taking the bible literally?

 

[IrishAm]

Thanks, I hope that helps. I told them it isn’t considered a sin for them, if they don’t know any better. Is it?

I think if you tell your family “they don’t know any better,” it will not help your relationship with them. I also think it is rather arrogant of you to think you are going to “explain Protestant communion to a Protestant.” May I suggest you just say that, by definition, “communion” indicates you are in community with the group of believers offering the communion, that you believe as they do. And, since you do not believe the same, it would be an insult to the community offering the communion to share it. You can, however, share your prayers with theirs.

Unless, of course, you really just want to irritate them all.

(Yes, I’m Catholic. Yes, I believe we have something so much more wondrous than a “symbol” at our Eucharistic Feast. And, if my non-Catholic friends or family couldn’t be “nice” – respectful – about my choices, I would not be attending church with them. But I would not be disrespectful of the beliefs of those whom I freely joined at THEIR worship service.)

 

[strngrnrth]

I thought they were taking the bible literally?

Protestants take more of the OT literally, whereas Catholics take more of the NT literally, the best I can figure it out.

 

[misterbee]

Would they be comfortable praying to Mecca?

I know it’s an extreme question - but in regard to Catholic communion to protestant communions, it’s as different as you praying the Angelus and Muslims praying to Mecca. They’re similar in some aspects, but they are tremendously different.

That’s what I’d say… then I’d make them eat a hefty dose of spicy mustard… I don’t know why, but I would.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Wow, telling them it would be blasphemy wasn’t quite accurate even though that’s how you felt. They might have felt like you were judging them a wee bit.

You could say that you believe Catholics really receive Jesus, Himself, and that Protestants receive a symbol of Jesus and you want to wait to receive communion in the Catholic church.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Would they be comfortable praying to Mecca?

I know it’s an extreme question - but in regard to Catholic communion to protestant communions, it’s as different as you praying the Angelus and Muslims praying to Mecca. They’re similar in some aspects, but they are tremendously different.

That’s what I’d say… then I’d make them eat a hefty dose of spicy mustard… I don’t know why, but I would.

Yea True.

 

[BennyBoy89]

You’re in my prayers, Holden.

When I was a protestant, I was always taught that “communion” was all about your personal relationship with Jesus. Your family, even in their context, has absolutely no right to pressure you into participating in their “Gospel ordinance.” It absolutely burns me up to no end to hear how immature and un-Christlike they’re being. The fact is, your conversion is making them question their own faith, which they don’t want to do.

I was once in a similar situation with my family. Prayer, especially the rosary, really does work miracles. Be strong. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Next time you get flack for not eating bread and grape juice, tell them that in your “personal relationship with Jesus” you’ve decided that you don’t feel like you should participate, as you wouldn’t want to “eateth or drinketh damnation unto” yourself. (Gotta love the KJV).

May I ask what denomination you come from?

 

[holdencaulfield]

You’re in my prayers, Holden.

When I was a protestant, I was always taught that “communion” was all about your personal relationship with Jesus. Your family, even in their context, has absolutely no right to pressure you into participating in their “Gospel ordinance.” It absolutely burns me up to no end to hear how immature and un-Christlike they’re being. The fact is, your conversion is making them question their own faith, which they don’t want to do.

I was once in a similar situation with my family. Prayer, especially the rosary, really does work miracles. Be strong. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Next time you get flack for not eating bread and grape juice, tell them that in your “personal relationship with Jesus” you’ve decided that you don’t feel like you should participate, as you wouldn’t want to “eateth or drinketh damnation unto” yourself. (Gotta love the KJV).

Thank You very much.

May I ask what denomination you come from?

Evangelical Presbyterian. The only problem is then my family says that I am accusing them of sin and blasphemy. I said that since they don’t believe in it, they are fine. It still didn’t work well. I honestly don’t know much even about the Evangelical Presbyterian church. When I started becoming religious and reading the Bible, the only Church that made sense was the Catholic Church.