This is a Catholic forum, and to Catholics, you can not have Christ/God without His Church. It’s not one or the other. They are synonamous. That is why other posters are imploring malik1982 to try to stay. Christ didn’t say, “…I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it,” then added, “but if you don’t want to be in my Church, that’s fine.”
If you believe as such, then why worry about people asking for conversion? Wouldn’t God lead you to his real Church anyway?
There is no such word.
We do not know God’s will, that is why never demand anything specific. Some people go through a lot of other things to realize where God’s true presence is. The problem here is we resort to proselytizing because of what our own beliefs are.
Since you joined as an adult, we can safely assume that you took some form of RCIA and learned that the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation leave an indelible (aka permanent) mark on your soul.
If you believe as such, then why worry about people asking for conversion? Wouldn’t God lead you to his real Church anyway?
Again, don’t be surprised that Catholics are going to “proselytize” on a Catholic forum.
-Chris
Joan, what is the difference between these labels, excommunicated, apostate. Would an apostate be considered to be automatically excommunicated? But especially what is the difference between non practicing and lapsed? I’m always interested in all the various labels Catholics use to describe other Catholics… Cultural and nominal are others. What would be the difference between non practicing and lapsed and nominal?
To some extent, non practicing, lapsed, and nominal are just different words for the same thing. Some people might resent, for example, being labelled “lapsed” but would have no problem with “non practicing”.
That is just polemics, IMHO.
Thanks Joan. I understand what you mean. I’ve had a bishop tell me there are practicing and non-practicing. Lapsed to me sounds ok too. But nominal would seem to have a bit more of a negative connotation to me. With the first two it’s more likely the person would think they someday could return to practicing. But telling someone they’re nominal just gives me the impression, of eeeeewwww, they’re just nominal but that the person saying it is better. Maybe just how it sounds to me though. Anyway glad to know none of the other Christians are apostates then. Someone once called me apostate. So I know that isn’t so. God bless you and peace.
Yes according to Websters, polemics involves dispute and controversy. In my experiences and discussions with Catholics it has appeared to me there is a dispute and controversy among some Catholics as to who is a Catholic. Such a basic teaching I would think everyone would be on the same page with. Which is why I went to a bishop. Who I figured knows since he is considered to be an Apostolic successor.
And as of my latest post above, Pope Gregory VII has declared that those who are not at peace with the Roman Church is not Catholic. So yes, one can indeed leave the Catholic Church and not be Catholic. Pope says so.
Im sorry to hearthat you felt you were “forced into the catholic church.” and also that you were in a abusive relationship. I can understand why you would have bad memories when you go to that church on a sunday. However, if you are a christian and have a relationship with Almighty, then I would suggest you go to a different parish that you never went to with your ex. And when your there at mass, pay close attention to all thats going on at the altar ---- if you do and you study why the catholic church does the things it does and teaches what it teaches, as a christian my friend, you will grow in your walk with Christ more each time you attend mass. I was once Protestant for many years and since I have been in the catholic church i have grown so much more than ever before because its only in the catholic church that has the Fullness of the Truth. Dont make the mistake of leaving the church, the only church Christ Established over a bad marriage with your ex. You dont think your growing now, you certainly wont be growing in your walk any better anywhere else, im afraid to say. The problem with leaving the church is, most people get very comfortable staying at home on sundays, and thats no good! Im praying for you. -Mr. Franklin
Maybe he meant like others do that if they aren’t at enough peace with, they’re not going to be practicing. I guess I could ask the bishop if he disagrees with the late Pope. He already told me though what Church teaching was. I can’t be asking every bishop, Pope, or priest.
Best thing that could’ve come from this “relationship” is that you [became catholic].
First there is controversy over whether Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae 1090 is even a genuine document or not and who wrote it and secondly even if it was you are referring to one-liners not even in any context.
One liner? I posted the entire enumeration. It is not like the line before and the line after has anything to do with the line I posted.
Let me repeat this again. A sacramentally baptised Catholic is a Catholic forever. Any Catholic who turns their back on the Church and walks away remains a Catholic but is a Catholic in a state of mortal sin.
I think it is you who have been, on a couple of threads, been trying to just counter what I say.