protestantism is the fastest growing religion in China. thats evidence that its a positive impact for the spreading of christianity. unfortunately it also adds to the negative perception of catholicism.
any form of competition is bad for the catholic church.
I think the vast majority of various non-catholic Christian denominations impact society as a whole in a positive way. Charity is given, the love of Christ is preached, a devotion to the written word of God is strongly encouraged. Traditional Christian morals and principals are key factors in the lives of non-Catholic Christians and they use those principles to guide their way in what ever circumstance they find themselves (from school bus driver to politician).
I am Catholic and I am an absolutist. I believe without a doubt that the Catholic Church holds to and teaches the Truth about how God has revealed Himself to humankind. God is absolute Truth. How we all view Him can be a different view of that absolute. Absolute truth has no competition nor does it need any embellishment.
So, I don’t think non-Catholic Christians really have a chance to convert non-Christians like Buddhists, Jews, Muslims and Hindus etc. 
But I have thought at times how difficult it can be for an individual like me to lead someone to the Church. The only time I have really contributed a little, was when someone (a muslim of all people) after Mass approached me and asked about what we believed. I was able to allow him to speak with a priest, and from there he was taken under the wing of another priest. And to cut a long story short e has since been baptised and is now Catholic.I think they’re a hinderance. :twocents:
I don’t think non-Catholic Christians have ever converted a pagan nation like the way Catholics have in the past.
I think Protestants are only really good at converting Catholics. That’s like taking a fish out of the ocean and teaching it to swim in your pool.
Hi,I think they’re a hinderance. :twocents:
I don’t think non-Catholic Christians have ever converted a pagan nation like the way Catholics have in the past.
I think Protestants are only really good at converting Catholics. That’s like taking a fish out of the ocean and teaching it to swim in your pool.
It is how you use the opportunity
AMEN
I am constantly amazed and in awe of Him… It is true, in Him - ANYTHING is possible!!!bad reasoning and no understanding. protestants have had huge impacts on large groups of peoples (meaning entire tribes in Africa and South America, entire villages in China, etc.). and the assessment that the catholic church “converted entire countire” is just false. they have never converted every single person in a country. they have had huge impacts on countries just as protestants have. and as for them only being good at converting catholics, most of the catholics that i know have left the church of their own accord not through the influence of a protestant church. we are all preaching Jesus and Him crucified, let’s stop the petty pot shots and bickering.I think they’re a hinderance. :twocents:
I don’t think non-Catholic Christians have ever converted a pagan nation like the way Catholics have in the past.
I think Protestants are only really good at converting Catholics. That’s like taking a fish out of the ocean and teaching it to swim in your pool.
what was the catholic way of converting entire nations? by invasion & persecution? in the past catholics are no different from violent muslims.
Perhaps some reading about how Ireland and Germany were converted is in order.
as they say 'in every rule, there is an excemption".
Perhaps reading Acts of the Apostles is more in order…
The Apostles were catholics? WOW! That makes as much sense as Moslems arguing that Jesus, Abraham and Moses were Muslims. HARHARHAR!
If the Apostles weren’t Catholic, what were they?The Apostles were catholics? WOW! That makes as much sense as Moslems arguing that Jesus, Abraham and Moses were Muslims. HARHARHAR!
Ignatius was discipled by the Apostle John, ordained as Bishop by the Apostle Paul, set in place as Bishop of Antioch by the Apostle Peter. When Ignatius wrote the above he did not explain the term “Catholic” to his audience. It was not a new term. Given Ignatius’ background and the context of this quote it is not unreasonable to surmise that the term “Catholic” was used by the Apostles themselves.
just plain christians.
So your legends say. Legends also say that Mohammad ascended into heaven while riding a donkey.
I don’t think that’s true. This doesn’t justify division, but given our sinfulness it may be necessary–having competition keeps all of us “on our toes,” and since we (all Christians) are sinful and imperfect we may need differing Christians to remind us of the things we are prone to forget.
So you don’t believe that Jesus is an historical person? There were no Apostles? Thus there are or were no sucessors to these Apostles? Everyting dealing with actual persons in Christian history is suspect? Is that correct?
Good answer!Are we a hinderance or are we helping… Hmmm
You can say that about BOTH catholics and non-catholics. Christianity is made up of individuals who serve ONE God. And God gave us free will, so unfortunately there are those who hinder christianity by scandalizing it wherever they can. But isn’t amazing when God, the Almighty, pushes through our rubbish and sin and shines so that many people can come to know Him?!
like i said before, i believe that there was a Jesus person that inspired christianity. that he had apostles and diciples. but all those stories about miracles: its nothing but recorded myths, gossips & hear-says.
not the kind that catholics have in mind.
mainly the oldest ones. the beginnings of christianity was wrapped in too much chaos & obscurity. with rampant persecutions & executions, self-declared apostles, gossips, hear-says, feuding-churches, pagan interventions, anything could have happened.
I think that’s a good point. We can’t say the existence of sects is an objectively good thing (it’s never justifiable), but we can acknowledge that God permits such things so that a greater good can be brought out as you explain.