Are you sure you want to be courting a person who is not Catholic? This problem you are having right now is only a tiny glimpse of the troubles you will have if you marry this man and struggle to reconcile religious differences for the rest of your life.
As I said, it’s likely just the ones you’ve know. That’s the thing with Non-Denominational Chrisitians, you have no idea what their beliefs will encompass, what their worship style is, etc… just by the names of their churches. Some are in the Pentacostal tradition, many more are in the Baptist tradition, some are in the reformed tradition, some are something else entirely, or nothing at all. About the only thing that unifies them is they are generally speaking, Christian. But not all identify solely as Christian. Some do identify as non-denominational. Some identify with the faith tradition that their church may have sprung from even if no longer an official part of that tradition. It really does vary. Clearly you’ve run into many non-denoms who don’t think anyone but those in their church or style of church are Christian. But that’s in no way a comprehensive opinion of Non-denominational Christianity.
Of course, do most Catholics even believe everything the Catholic Church teaches?
Yes? At least they’re supposed to.
Can what a Catholic believes (as opposed to what they do), cause them to be in a state of mortal sin? For example, if a Catholic believes that using contraception is OK (just as a matter of personal belief, not as an action on their part), would that cause them to be in a state of mortal sin?
Because some think it a sin to split the Body of Christ, and hence not recognize Him at communion (and hence their philosophy of open communion) which is what they see Paul warning against in Corinthians. The Didache put emphasis on Baptism as the differentiation of who would and would not be allowed to participate in the Eucharist, many feel that is the way it should be now, or else it is a tacit teaching that not all Christians are part of the Body.
An active Catholic may want to amend what I’m going to say, but if you consider Catholics consider contraception to be a mortal sin. And if you support contraception you’d be supporting a mortal sin. I believe a Catholic would believe that to also be a mortal sin, yes. As such someone who supports contraception shouldn’t be receiving communion.
I am sorry but that doesn’t really clear it up. First off, we don’t need to swipe our Catholic membership card before receiving the Eucharist. So why would we be told we are not allowed? Secondly any parish that would say we are not a part of the “true Catholic” church wouldn’t be part of the Catholic church. Finally, the most important part of the issue is why would you want to receive the Eucharist in the Catholic church, when you don’t believe in the real presence in the Eucharist? Say I came from a very small parish and we all gathered around the altar and received the Eucharist together. Would it be OK for me to walk up beside your church’s leader to receive as I am use to in my church? Of course it wouldn’t it would be disrespectful for me to expect you to bend to my beliefs.
Well Catholics don’t believe other Christians are full members of Christ’s Church (body). So then by your logic, you can see why they don’t let us non-Catholics participate in the Catholic Eucharist.
The reason that some people, especially the non-denominationals, struggle with this is because we learn of communion as a time for all Christians to come together at the Lord’s Table. It’s quite confusing, especially those who don’t know a ton about the Catholic Church as to why they as baptized Christians would be denied a seat at the table.
When I read stuff like this on here, I really wonder how my marriage has been able to last 13 years.
Suppose that’s fair. But at the same time a little education goes a long way. Catholics are by no means the only denomination who practice closed communion. And frankly Catholicism has more reasons than most of the other Christian denominations to practice a closed communion. And many of those reasons are laid out pretty clearly and gently in the Missal on the very first page. Is it a little jarring to be denied a place at Christ’s table, absolutely. But then if you’re not Catholic you’re clearly a guest in their church, and if for no other reason you have to respect their belief on the matter even if you disagree with their reasons.The reason that some people, especially the non-denominationals, struggle with this is because we learn of communion as a time for all Christians to come together at the Lord’s Table. It’s quite confusing, especially those who don’t know a ton about the Catholic Church as to why they as baptized Christians would be denied a seat at the table.
It pretty much flies in the face of everything they’ve learned. I my case all I was told is “you’re not Catholic, you’re not allowed”. That can really pull an myriad of reactions from people if they don’t understand. Even when you explain Catholic Communion to some people they still might not get it, or feel dejected, unwelcome, etc… because the closed communion is such a different practice than what they’re used to and really, might be the only thing they know.
When I read stuff like this on here, I really wonder how my marriage has been able to last 13 years.
Ok, thanks for letting me know. I’ll try to clear it up (again, I’m trying to explain the Evangelical viewpoint here so you can better understand it, and then better make yourselves understood).
The above scenario makes zero sense to the Catholic mind: why in the world would one parish deny communion to other Catholics? Why would their priest stand up and say “Please don’t join us if you belong elsewhere”, or that you’re “not truly Catholic”? Are people whom act this way even really part of the Catholic church?
Evangelicals doesn’t view the bread and wine as Christ’s literal body. Rather they view the Lord’s Supper as a joining of all Christians coming to the Lord’s table-- true Christian unity. By excluding them, it feels like you are shunning them from the Christian family.
If you claim to be a Christian at an Evangelical church you are EXPECTED to come and sit besides the church members, even if you are a visitor to this particular congregation. In the Evangelical view, the only reason a person would refuse is because they are not Christian.
I’m not saying that the Evangelical or Catholic view is right. I’m just trying to explain the Evangelical view so that Catholics like the OP can better understand and better explain their view.
Probably, but not necessarily.
Maybe, but not always. I myself was in that position years ago when we moved to where we live now. The only Lutheran Church in the area is Missouri Synod. When we first attended, we spoke with the pastor, and after a brief discussion, he welcomed us to receive.
.I think this is the point: when you visit someone’s house you abide by their wishes.
Is such a person encouraging others to use contraception and causing confusion/scandal in the Church because of their beliefs?
But that’s not what you initially stated about those on “the other side,” you said, “That’s why I don’t understand why anyone has an issue with this.” I explained why some have issues with it.
When I read stuff like this on here, I really wonder how my marriage has been able to last 13 years.
My wife is Catholic and we’ve been married for almost nine years. With God all things are possible, amen! In all honesty, my wife is probably a better Christian then I’ll ever be.Considering the series of posts preceding, this is an exceptionally measured and charitable post.
Your example is still confusing because you are trying to compare a Catholic being denied at a Catholic Church to an Evangelical being denied at a Catholic Church. Seems like apples and oranges to me.