My thoughts about Catholicism and the Catholic Church

[jmcrae]

I’m a Christian but not completely Catholic.

Are you supposed to equate Christianity with Catholicism?

. .

It depends a great deal on the context. For example if someone is comparing Christian beliefs with pagan, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and other beliefs, then typically the dominant form of each religion is being compared, and in the case of Christianity, Catholicism is the dominant form, so they will be comparing Catholic beliefs with the dominant forms of these other religions.

In other contexts, “Christian” is short for “non-Catholic Christian” and contrasts are made between “Christians” (non-Catholic Christians) and Catholics.

 

[Hesychios]

I’m a Christian but not completely Catholic.

I am not trying to start a food fight here, but you have been mislead.

If you still can call yourself an Orthodox Christian (I am not sure you do) you are not only Catholic, but of the purest and most complete kind, no more and no less than Catholic.

It’s harder to be Orthodox, places demands upon one that will not be found anywhere else in Christendom. Most Orthodox would be able to tell you that Holy Orthodoxy is not only fully Catholic but the varsity team of Catholicism, I feel this with my whole being and that is what has drawn me to it.

I wish you all the best as you search out your heart, discerning your future. Whatever you decide you will always be respected for your honest inquiries and sincerity. Good luck my friend.

 

[crazzeto]

It depends a great deal on the context. For example if someone is comparing Christian beliefs with pagan, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and other beliefs, then typically the dominant form of each religion is being compared, and in the case of Christianity, Catholicism is the dominant form, so they will be comparing Catholic beliefs with the dominant forms of these other religions.

In other contexts, “Christian” is short for “non-Catholic Christian” and contrasts are made between “Christians” (non-Catholic Christians) and Catholics.

That last sentance I disagree with, “Christian” is not nor should it ever be considered “short for non-Catholic Christian”. Christian is what we are because we follow Christ, period. This idea you propose, is a protestant invention, an attempt to declare Catholic’s non-followers of Christ.

 

[rinnie]

Hi Hesychios. Thank-you for your reply. But from what you have wrote, and I thought I wrote I do not see where we are that different at all.

I mean don’t get me wrong, when we confess a sin and walk out of confession, thats it, it over and we are forgiven.

But what I mean is for some that sin can be over and done and easily avoided the rest of ones life. And that’s good, confess, repent, it’s over.

But what I mean for some the act of not commiting that sin can be a repentance. And for some a life sentence repentance. Do you see what I mean? It may be a struggle until the day they die. And many can walk out and fight that URGE the rest of their life and win. They CAN do this. It is promised to us from God. There is no sin that we cannot overcome with his aid, That is written in the bible actually.

So in a sense we do disagree there. I do believe that sin can be overcome in this life. But for the ones who have not accomplished this URGE we will call it is where Purgatory comes into play. It takes away that urge and you are completely perfected in Christ.

Now I do not mean that because a certain sin can be overcome, I do not mean that all sin is overcome. I agree none of us are perfect and we all have sin. But when I said we can overcome sin, I mean certain sins that are haunting us at this moment. We all have sin and will always have sin. But we can overcome that sin.

But like I am trying to say some sin is a life long walk and struggle with God and can be beaten. But for some its a struggle every single day. That is why I said that repentance is not over in confession for some. It is that suffering and struggle that can be seen as a special repenting with you and God alone and a walk through life.

I always have a hard time explaining the difference. Its like yes you repent, you confess and you are sorry. But the hard part comes now, its like you living in a constant repentance and what that constant repentance is for you is to fight that urge, fight that sin. ANd you can and must, But God is there with you each step of the way, and it can be done in this life. It really can.

But to me that repentance (walking with God) is a repentance that is not asked of us, Its our Thank-you to God. It is our way of saying I will do my best to not let you down for having this unconditional Love and forgiveness for me that I in no way deserve.

Its a self-repentance program that we are put on. Does that makes sense to you? And do we fail? Possibly. Can we fail? Absolutely! But as long as we are indeed truly on the program God knows that because he is with us if we continue to ask for his help. That program is what I call true repentance. That is just the way I was taught it.

 

[jmcrae]

That last sentance I disagree with, “Christian” is not nor should it ever be considered “short for non-Catholic Christian”. Christian is what we are because we follow Christ, period. This idea you propose, is a protestant invention, an attempt to declare Catholic’s non-followers of Christ.

I’m not “proposing” this; I’m merely describing the common usage of the word.

If someone comes up to you and says, “Are you a Christian,” you don’t say “No,” but at the same time, if they say, “I am a Christian” the odds are excellent that the person is not a Catholic.

This is the reality that’s on the street right now. I’d love to change it so that “Christian” refers to Catholics (since Catholicism is the religion that was established by Jesus Christ) and everything else is described using different words - but such is not our modern reality.

 

[Wesley7]

I am not trying to start a food fight here, but you have been mislead.

If you still can call yourself an Orthodox Christian (I am not sure you do) you are not only Catholic, but of the purest and most complete kind, no more and no less than Catholic.

It’s harder to be Orthodox, places demands upon one that will not be found anywhere else in Christendom. Most Orthodox would be able to tell you that Holy Orthodoxy is not only fully Catholic but the varsity team of Catholicism, I feel this with my whole being and that is what has drawn me to it.

I wish you all the best as you search out your heart, discerning your future. Whatever you decide you will always be respected for your honest inquiries and sincerity. Good luck my friend.

Hey, yea I’m still a Christian.

 

[Javl]

My Dear Brothers:

We are all members of the same family. We have the same Father ( God ) and Mother ( Blessed Mary ). Just because we fight like typical siblings doesn’t mean the we don’t like or love each other. There may be some jealousy between us ( who can say who’s wrong? ) but I do know that if we all keep the spats up, Our Father is going to step in an give us a good paddling!

God Bless.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem

 

[Hesychios]

Hey, yea I’m still a Christian.

I never had any doubt about that.

 

[rinnie]

I’m not “proposing” this; I’m merely describing the common usage of the word.

If someone comes up to you and says, “Are you a Christian,” you don’t say “No,” but at the same time, if they say, “I am a Christian” the odds are excellent that the person is not a Catholic.

This is the reality that’s on the street right now. I’d love to change it so that “Christian” refers to Catholics (since Catholicism is the religion that was established by Jesus Christ) and everything else is described using different words - but such is not our modern reality.

Hey Jm maybe we can write the Pope and see if he can Change CC Catholic Church into CC Catholic Christians

 

[jmcrae]

Hey Jm maybe we can write the Pope and see if he can Change CC Catholic Church into CC Catholic Christians

If he has the power to change it, he could just call it “Christianity.”

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Wesley7:
Consider/look in to one of the Eastern Rite RC Churches, maybe.

Sorry if it’s been mentioned before

 

[Contarini]

Consider/look in to one of the Eastern Rite RC Churches, maybe.

Sorry if it’s been mentioned before

But if the Catholic Church is one Church, then this advice makes no sense.

Don’t get me wrong–I think diversity is great. But the diversity between one parish/jurisdiction and another shouldn’t be of a kind that makes a difference with respect to whether one can convert or not.

Edwin

 

[jmcrae]

But if the Catholic Church is one Church, then this advice makes no sense.

Don’t get me wrong–I think diversity is great. But the diversity between one parish/jurisdiction and another shouldn’t be of a kind that makes a difference with respect to whether one can convert or not.

Edwin

If he converts, he would be able to attend any of the 23 Rites of the Church. If he were to convert through the Rite that most closely resembles his current Orthodox Church, he would find the process of adjustment a great deal easier, and it would probably happen more quickly, assuming there weren’t any huge stumbling blocks.

Once in, he can attend Mass anywhere he wants.

 

[Wesley7]

If any experienced Catholics have any insight or thoughts to add that would be very helpful.

 

[Nicea325]

Wesley7, this is a Catholic forum. Every Catholic on it will tell you to become a Catholic.

Eastern Orthodox, like Catholics, believe they are the One True Church established by Christ. Every Eastern Orthodox will tell you to remain in the Orthodox Church.

No one can tell you what to do except the Lord. Ultimately, he is the one you have to answer to. He knows your heart; even if you happen to make a sincere but wrong choice in the matter, He is mericiful. The Lord knew that Adam would fall before he was created–and had a plan in place to restore mankind to the fellowship He had intended to have with him. If God is able to redeem man in spite of the sinful choices he makes, he is certainly able to redeem us for our honest mistakes.

It’s clear that you have studied the issue. If you have not already done so, make the issue a concerted matter of prayer. Then do as you think the Holy Spirit is leading you, trusting that His Grace will cover you even if you are making a mistake.

Peace be to you.

Not true at all! I actually said the opposite!

 

[Javl]

Originally Posted by Metamorphoo
Wesley7, this is a Catholic forum. Every Catholic on it will tell you to become a Catholic.

That’s a blanket statement that is not true. I, for one, do not tell you to become Catholic. That is a personal choice. All I ask is that you look into the Catholic Church and learn about it, as I do other religions. If you find that the Holy Spirit is leading you to become a Catholic, then become one as many others have done. If you listen earnestly and with an open mind, He will lead you to the Truth. God Bless.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Brother Michael, great to see your posts as always. Stay safe overseas, brother! Hey, would you mind explaining what you mean here? Why is it harder to be Orthodox? I have never had many Orthodox friends or known much about the actual seasons and lifestyle so I’d appreciate hearing about it. what makes it more demanding and difficult?

I am not trying to start a food fight here, but you have been mislead.

If you still can call yourself an Orthodox Christian (I am not sure you do) you are not only Catholic, but of the purest and most complete kind, no more and no less than Catholic.

It’s harder to be Orthodox, places demands upon one that will not be found anywhere else in Christendom. Most Orthodox would be able to tell you that Holy Orthodoxy is not only fully Catholic but the varsity team of Catholicism, I feel this with my whole being and that is what has drawn me to it.

I wish you all the best as you search out your heart, discerning your future. Whatever you decide you will always be respected for your honest inquiries and sincerity. Good luck my friend.

 

[Javl]

If any experienced Catholics have any insight or thoughts to add that would be very helpful.

Have you looked into hebrewcatholic.com ?

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem

 

[wisdomseeker]

Wesley7, this is a Catholic forum. Every Catholic on it will tell you to become a Catholic.

Eastern Orthodox, like Catholics, believe they are the One True Church established by Christ. Every Eastern Orthodox will tell you to remain in the Orthodox Church.

No one can tell you what to do except the Lord. Ultimately, he is the one you have to answer to. He knows your heart; even if you happen to make a sincere but wrong choice in the matter, He is mericiful. The Lord knew that Adam would fall before he was created–and had a plan in place to restore mankind to the fellowship He had intended to have with him. If God is able to redeem man in spite of the sinful choices he makes, he is certainly able to redeem us for our honest mistakes.

It’s clear that you have studied the issue. If you have not already done so, make the issue a concerted matter of prayer. Then do as you think the Holy Spirit is leading you, trusting that His Grace will cover you even if you are making a mistake.

Peace be to you.

it is funny how you express your views. this reminds me of my cousin(protestant). she is veemently anti Catholic. when discussing our Faith, she doesnt care if protestant communities teaches wrong things about God, all she cares about is that people read the Bible even if it is wrong. this seems to be contrary to what God says, the Truth. our Lord made sure that the Truth would go on until the end of time. yet some seems to know that it is wrong their teachings yet they insist in claiming the mercy of God. why? didnt our Lord promise the Truth to us? why insist on the wrong teachings? isnt this considering lies about God? therefore a serious sin? lies about God, when there is a Church that was commanded to teach the Truth to all man. why carry on the lies? after all, is it not give false witness against God when one preach lies when enterpreting the Word of God in the wrong way?

 

[Contarini]

If he converts, he would be able to attend any of the 23 Rites of the Church. If he were to convert through the Rite that most closely resembles his current Orthodox Church, he would find the process of adjustment a great deal easier, and it would probably happen more quickly, assuming there weren’t any huge stumbling blocks.

Once in, he can attend Mass anywhere he wants.

I think that the ecclesiology expressed in this post would be utterly unrecognizable to St. Ignatius of Antioch, or any of the early Fathers for that matter.

Development is one thing. This is mutation. It’s Protestant “church shopping” in fancy vestments.

Edwin