If you are a Christian, what is the real reason for you not being a Catholic? - 2

[Memaw]

Indeed the heart of the Roman Rite is at the Vatican, but the Catholic Church is not “Roman”. This is the most common Rite in Europe and the West, but not in the East, South, or North. To characterize Catholicism as “Roman” is disregarding of the other 22 Rites who are in union with the bishop of Rome.

Sorry but we are not the Roman rite, there is no such thing as a Roman Rite. We are the Latin Rite. While the Pope is the head of all Catholic Rites, he is still a Latin Rite Catholic.

 

[Memaw]

if you check there are 7 rites of the Catholic Church with the oldest being the latin rite circa 46AD

When I learned it, there were 21 Rites in the Catholic Church.

 

[AMDGtoo]

But to reinforce Mike’s point, I drive by many Catholic Churches that say they are “Roman Catholic”.

See what a great idea it was to simply embrace the term “Roman Catholic” instead of taking offense and pointing out how incorrect the term is?! It took away all the “power” of the insult that was intended by those who “coined” the term. Now many Catholic Churches call themselves “Roman Catholic” although the one Catholic Church is made up of both the Roman (Latin) Rite and the Eastern Catholic Rites and the official name of the Church is still just “Catholic”.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

you will never see it listed as the “Roman” Catholic Church. It is the Catholic Church, never ever uses the word Roman in the title of the Catholic Church.

Sorry Dear, veto again
In Europe in several countries your ROMAN Catholic status is put down in your passport. In Germany also in the tax-list, as you pay “church-tax” when you are in (member of) either the Protestant or Catholic Church. It’s 10% of the amount of your income tax. Which is a lot (compared to other things paid with the income tax and won’t get as much) the sign rk means Roman Catholic. Nowadays the skipped the notification in the passport though, but it’s an important note in tax matters. Many who don’t care about church, left church for tax reasons, which I’d never do.
I repeat what I said before about Roman Catholic. In US-sight of things, you might be right, but in reality, I’m sorry, wrong.
However: Far more important than all those questions is our relationship to God.

I once asked someone who had changed from Roman Catholic to “Old Catholic Church”. The lady told me - for we do not believe n the pope - her husband later told me “because we skip this Church-tax”

In fact, there’s not much thought in this way to see things.

**

 

[Memaw]

See what a great idea it was to simply embrace the term “Roman Catholic” instead of taking offense and pointing out how incorrect the term is?! It took away all the “power” of the insult that was intended by those who “coined” the term. Now many Catholic Churches call themselves “Roman Catholic” although the one Catholic Church is made up of both the Roman (Latin) Rite and the Eastern Catholic Rites and the official name of the Church is still just “Catholic”.

Amen.

 

[mikew262]

To be honest with you, I think you’ve been more fair-minded than most people in this thread, at least pleading for equality among all Christians. I don’t think you have anything to apologize on that front, my brother!

Thanks!

 

[Memaw]

Fair minded or open-minded is not what is important here, Are you saying the Catholic church is not fair minded because she claims to have the fullness of the Truth. She claims to be and is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. To speak the TRUTH is LOVE, but to settle for less is compromise and the Catholic Church will not compromise her faith. She is not a democracy.

 

[guanophore]

Sorry but we are not the Roman rite, there is no such thing as a Roman Rite. We are the Latin Rite. While the Pope is the head of all Catholic Rites, he is still a Latin Rite Catholic.

I sit corrected!

 

[guanophore]

**Fair minded or open-minded is not what is important here, **Are you saying the Catholic church is not fair minded because she claims to have the fullness of the Truth. She claims to be and is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. To speak the TRUTH is LOVE, but to settle for less is compromise and the Catholic Church will not compromise her faith. She is not a democracy.

Yes, it is on CAF.

1 Peter 3:14-16
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

If we cannot defend the faith with gentleness and reverence,then we are damaging the cause.

Furthermore, such persons usually get banned from here, since it is against the forum rules.

 

[mikew262]

Fair minded or open-minded is not what is important here, Are you saying the Catholic church is not fair minded because she claims to have the fullness of the Truth. She claims to be and is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. To speak the TRUTH is LOVE, but to settle for less is compromise and the Catholic Church will not compromise her faith. She is not a democracy.

Fair/Open-Minded in the sense that there is more to Christianity than the Catholic Church. Granted, the Church makes up the majority of Christians in the world. However, IMO, because one is not Catholic does not lessen their chances of getting to Heaven, as long as they still are a sincerely practicing Christian.

 

[Memaw]

Yes, it is on CAF.

1 Peter 3:14-16
14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

If we cannot defend the faith with gentleness and reverence,then we are damaging the cause.

Furthermore, such persons usually get banned from here, since it is against the forum rules.

What puzzles me is that it is some fellow Catholics that find fault with my posts. I wish you would go back and read them and see who I was speaking to.
Well I guess I haven’t been to bad cuz they haven’t banned me yet and I have been on several threads defending the Faith. If they ever do ban me then you guys have the whole stage. Other wise I will continue to defend the Faith as I have been. Now can we stop picking on each other and get back to the truth.

Mother Teresa stood up for the Faith even to the media, the House and Senate of the Unites States Government, including the President and V. Pres. and wives. She never backed down one iota to anybody. Fr. John Hardon S.J. wrote the catechism for her Nuns so they would be prepared to teach as they helped. Now if you want to take time to read his many books, you will see he never watered down the faith either. God Bless, Memaw.

 

[Memaw]

Fair/Open-Minded in the sense that there is more to Christianity than the Catholic Church. Granted, the Church makes up the majority of Christians in the world. However, IMO, because one is not Catholic does not lessen their chances of getting to Heaven, as long as they still are a sincerely practicing Christian.

Have I ever said otherwise??? I do not judge their sincerity. But for us to set back and say one is as good as another is not fair to the Truth. the Apostles died for their faith and the truth of it… If they would have had that attitude, then, the Catholic faith would have died out before the first year was out. Fr, John Hardon S.J. said many times that we must learn the truths of our faith and be ready to die for the truth, as it may very well come to that one day. We must be prepared to be martyrs and we must prepare our children to be martyrs also. God Bless, Memaw

 

[guanophore]

Fair/Open-Minded in the sense that there is more to Christianity than the Catholic Church. Granted, the Church makes up the majority of Christians in the world. However, IMO, because one is not Catholic does not lessen their chances of getting to Heaven, as long as they still are a sincerely practicing Christian.

This “opinion” of yours is not consistent with Apostolic teaching. What Memaw is trying to point out is that this opinion represents a wandering from the Truth.

What puzzles me is that it is some fellow Catholics that find fault with my posts. I wish you would go back and read them and see who I was speaking to.
Well I guess I haven’t been to bad cuz they haven’t banned me yet and I have been on several threads defending the Faith. If they ever do ban me then you guys have the whole stage. Other wise I will continue to defend the Faith as I have been. Now can we stop picking on each other and get back to the truth.

I read all your posts, Memaw, and I think you are a great addition to CAF. I am not seeking center stage, and I am not “picking on” you either. The fact that another poster is offended by your message does not necessarily mean there is anything offensive in it, either.

Mother Teresa stood up for the Faith even to the media, the House and Senate of the Unites States Government, including the President and V. Pres. and wives. She never backed down one iota to anybody. Fr. John Hardon S.J. wrote the catechism for her Nuns so they would be prepared to teach as they helped. Now if you want to take time to read his many books, you will see he never watered down the faith either. God Bless, Memaw.

Yes,but she did so in charity and humility, and that is why she is such a good role model for all of us.

 

[mikew262]

This “opinion” of yours is not consistent with Apostolic teaching. What Memaw is trying to point out is that this opinion represents a wandering from the Truth.

While its been awhile since I looked at the catechism, I believe the Church never claims specifically Catholics have a better chance at salvation than non-Catholics. In fact, I think it goes out of its way to say it has no way of knowing for sure. Again, I could be wrong on this and if somebody can show be otherwise, then I’ll be open to it. However, of course, I would then have to take the time search where I saw what I claim. I won’t give up that easy.

 

[NotWorthy]

While its been awhile since I looked at the catechism, I believe the Church never claims specifically Catholics have a better chance at salvation than non-Catholics. In fact, I think it goes out of its way to say it has no way of knowing for sure. Again, I could be wrong on this and if somebody can show be otherwise, then I’ll be open to it. However, of course, I would then have to take the time search where I saw what I claim. I won’t give up that easy.

The Catholic Church is the normative means for Christ to distribute Graces throughout the Faithful. The Eucharist, Confirmation, Confession, and the Anointing of the Sick are channels of Graces that other faiths deny.

It’s like trying to run up hill in the mud, when there is a paved road right next to it. You may still get up the hill (as you claim Mike - and I would confirm), but the course is so much tougher!

 

[Christian1983]

I consider myself Christian as I believe in Jesus the son of God. I also consider myself to be a Protestant. I do not belong to any particular church, but am greatly against abortion.

I know that many Protestants are considered to be social-liberals, but this is a somewhat false assumption. The truth is there are many Protestants, so many in fact that a great number do not even label themselves Protestant and seem confused when that term comes up in a conversation. The point is there are so many, that there are those that support abortion, rights to commit sodomy, etc.

These people exist in the Catholic church too (many Catholics go against the teachings of the RCC, but still consider themselves RC).
My view of the RCC is that it is a church with very strong beliefs and fairly clear definitions of what is acceptable and what is not. Many of these “RC’s” think that the RCC is the only Christian church. This I believe, is a reason why they consider themselves to still be RC.

I on the other hand do not wish to falsely label myself. I am not RC as I do not in any way shape or form believe in the Pope (I have met quite a few RC’s that do not either). By belief in the Pope, I mean that I consider the Pope to be just a guy. I do not beleive he has a special connection with God that is not afforded to the rest of us. I think that those who accepted purgatory and were ok with papal indulgences are messed up. Sure that is in the past, but a lot can be learned from the past.

My question goes out to the knowledgeable RC’s. Must an RC believe in the Pope?

 

[NotWorthy]

I consider myself Christian as I believe in Jesus the son of God. I also consider myself to be a Protestant. I do not belong to any particular church, but am greatly against abortion.

I know that many Protestants are considered to be social-liberals, but this is a somewhat false assumption. The truth is there are many Protestants, so many in fact that a great number do not even label themselves Protestant and seem confused when that term comes up in a conversation. The point is there are so many, that there are those that support abortion, rights to commit sodomy, etc.

These people exist in the Catholic church too (many Catholics go against the teachings of the RCC, but still consider themselves RC).
My view of the RCC is that it is a church with very strong beliefs and fairly clear definitions of what is acceptable and what is not. Many of these “RC’s” think that the RCC is the only Christian church. This I believe, is a reason why they consider themselves to still be RC.

I on the other hand do not wish to falsely label myself. I am not RC as I do not in any way shape or form believe in the Pope (I have met quite a few RC’s that do not either). By belief in the Pope, I mean that I consider the Pope to be just a guy. I do not beleive he has a special connection with God that is not afforded to the rest of us. I think that those who accepted purgatory and were ok with papal indulgences are messed up. Sure that is in the past, but a lot can be learned from the past.

My question goes out to the knowledgeable RC’s. Must an RC believe in the Pope?

If you don’t believe in the Pope, you don’t believe in the authority of the RCC. If you don’t believe in the authority (being divinely given, of course), then you are simply spitting in the wind. Why follow anything else the Church teaches? If you don’t agree, just form your own beliefs, as with Purgatory. Then you become a Pope of your own.

Let’s take your example. What do you think of the Protestant who lives a live filled in Christ except for the fact that they feel abortion is no big deal, even having several abortions themselves?

 

[Christian1983]

Thank you, NotWorthy for your reply. Well what you wrote makes sense. I just wasn’t quite too sure if RC’s are expected to believe in the Pope (I thought they were but RC’s I have asked before did not give a satisfactory answer).

As for a Protestant who has abortion(s) or view abortions as an ok thing, well some churches are ok with that. The United Church of Canada is one of the largest Protestant churches in Canada and was formed as a conglomerate of smaller churches that came together. The UCC has been taken over by abortionists and gay rights activists. The UCC has been losing members steadily for many years now. Many churches over the years have been formed from people who left the UCC.

So a person can be a good member of the UCC but support abortion (the UCC was the main proponent for Henry Morgantaler (one of the main reasons abortion is rampant withing Canada) getting the Order of Canada on July 1 Canada day).

Basically its hard to label a Protestant. The one thing we all agree on is that we couldn’t care less about the Pope and that we don’t forget about papal indulgences (sure this Pope might be a great guy but its not because he is Pope, as some Pope have sold indulgences), and other nonsense.

I really wanted to teach at a RC Secondary School but you have to be RC to do that in Canada.

 

[NotWorthy]

Thank you, NotWorthy for your reply. Well what you wrote makes sense. I just wasn’t quite too sure if RC’s are expected to believe in the Pope (I thought they were but RC’s I have asked before did not give a satisfactory answer).

As for a Protestant who has abortion(s) or view abortions as an ok thing, well some churches are ok with that. The United Church of Canada is one of the largest Protestant churches in Canada and was formed as a conglomerate of smaller churches that came together. The UCC has been taken over by abortionists and gay rights activists. The UCC has been losing members steadily for many years now. Many churches over the years have been formed from people who left the UCC.

And what you have here is a case of the “faithful” leading the church to what it teaches. Your church, at one time, condemned abortion. But due to public pressures, it has caved in and said its all right to have an abortion. In other words, the Truth has changed!!! Remember Jesus words to the Pharisees on why Moses allowed divorces?

You can find fault with Church Authority all you want, but the Catholic Church can not nor will not cave in to some of these things that other churches have. Its one of the reasons I love Her so much.

Basically its hard to label a Protestant.

I’ve heard it’s about as fruitful as herding cats!!!

The one thing we all agree on is that we couldn’t care less about the Pope and that we don’t forget about papal indulgences (sure this Pope might be a great guy but its not because he is Pope, as some Pope have sold indulgences), and other nonsense.

You might want to read a more accurate portrayal of the whole Papal Indulgences incident. I don’t think it would agree with what you’ve been taught.

Also, if Papal Authority is the only problem you have with the RC, why aren’t you Greek Orthodox?

I really wanted to teach at a RC Secondary School but you have to be RC to do that in Canada.

Well, at least Canada does one thing right, eh?

 

[celticcrusader]

I really wanted to teach at a RC Secondary School but you have to be RC to do that in Canada.If your hearts desire is to teach why don’t you check out an RCIA program at the local RCC?
just because your in RICA dosen"t mean you will be coscripted into RCC, you would really learn what Jesus Christ’s Church teaches not what everybody else THINKS she teaches,