Non-Catholics: Which denomination do you belong to and why?

[c659smith]

PX SEEKER,

Now out with the truth and tell us what caused you to fall out of communion with the Catholic Church?

For one does not give up the Sacraments and the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for the sake of believing there is no differences,

Why many a converted Minister of the Lutheran faith to Catholism would deny that point.

Do you know what the rato that is among Lutheran Ministers and why?

If truly you went through twelve years of Catholic School you know your statement is false and mis-leading.

 

[jmcrae]

It is my opinion that there are no major differences of faith between Catholics and Lutherans, or Anglicans. We all share a rich catholic tradition.

The question of authority seems to be the obvious one, here. I don’t think Lutherans or Anglicans are allowed to believe the Pope to be infallible in matters of faith and morals, or that he is the visible head of the Church Universal; Catholics, on the other hand, are required to believe these things.

How do you reconcile these differences?

 

[Rightlydivide]

I do not belong to a denomination. It has been argued that every independent church is a denomination unto themselves but that is not the connatation most have for the term.

 

[DDClark]

Raised Southern Baptist. Have attended Methodist and non-denominational churches for the last few years.

Very interested in a local conservative Anglican church and plan to attend soon (talked with the rector this week).

 

[PXseeker]

The question of authority seems to be the obvious one, here. I don’t think Lutherans or Anglicans are allowed to believe the Pope to be infallible in matters of faith and morals, or that he is the visible head of the Church Universal; Catholics, on the other hand, are required to believe these things.

How do you reconcile these differences?

I didn’t hold that belief for about 30 of my 49 years in the Roman Catholic church, so it didn’t impact me. Some Catholics don’t believe what they’re required by Church rules to believe, I know many personally.

 

[jmcrae]

I didn’t hold that belief for about 30 of my 49 years in the Roman Catholic church, so it didn’t impact me.

How does it impact you now that you know? Do you still want to consider yourself a “Catholic” or are you going to make a full profession of faith in the Lutheran Church?

Some Catholics don’t believe what they’re required by Church rules to believe, I know many personally.

Irrelevant. Even if every Catholic on earth were a heretic, the teachings would remain the teachings. The Church is not a democracy.

 

[PXseeker]

I am curious, why? What led you to this choice of worship?

I was / am upset with the poor stewardship of the Catholic Bishops with regard to the sex abuse scandal. I was a “nothing” for about six months. I started visiting a very catholic Lutheran parish and learned a lot about their beliefs. I got involved with service projects and discussion groups. One of the pastors had been very involved with ecumenical efforts among Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans at Notre Dame. Not once was there ever any anti-catholic rhetoric. Pope John XXIII has a fast day on the Lutheran calendar.

Basically, Lutherans, like many Anglicans, view themselves as reformed Catholics, having shed many of the practices which accreted over the years between the early Christians and the Church of the middle ages. The congregation I joined is very active in terms of benevolence, emphasizing Word, Sacrament and Service. We call it our “Family” and it is a vibrant Christian community.

Peace,
John

 

[PXseeker]

How does it impact you now that you know? Do you still want to consider yourself a “Catholic” or are you going to make a full profession of faith in the Lutheran Church?

Irrelevant. Even if every Catholic on earth were a heretic, the teachings would remain the teachings. The Church is not a democracy.

the Benedictines taught us to challenge authority, to form our own conclusions in all matters. There is no requirement of “full professsion” of Lutheran faith, any baptized Christian can belong. That’s it, basically credal belief.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

PXseeker My question is If your beliefs have not changed, why are you going to the Lutheran Church? Now don’t get me wrong I have family members that are members of th Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church and have attended services with them I have a great liking and respect for the Pastor there. That said I could not leave the Church to join in a Protestant church no matter how close they were to Catholic.

As for the “some” catholics you referred to, all I can say is some people will believe/disbelieve many things no matter how completing the evidence or lack there of may be. to doubt and Question is human to out right reject, well in choose to error on the side of caution. I find nothing to prevent me from following Church teaching and doctrine that the Bishop of Rome is the Apostolic heir to the seat of St Peter. that Peter was the Apostle Christ selected to lead the Church after his resurrection, and no matters for faith has the authority of infallibility.

I also know that there are many things that were said and done by Christ and the Apostles that were not record in the Bible to do so would have filled many volumes so therefore SOLA SCRIPTURA must be in error.

MHO only here you would be wise as to make a decision are you Catholic or are you Lutheran, because at this point in time you can not be both.

 

[PXseeker]

PXseeker My question is If your beliefs have not changed, why are you going to the Lutheran Church? Now don’t get me wrong I have family members that are members of th Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church and have attended services with them I have a great liking and respect for the Pastor there. That said I could not leave the Church to join in a Protestant church no matter how close they were to Catholic.

As for the “some” catholics you referred to, all I can say is some people will believe/disbelieve many things no matter how completing the evidence or lack there of may be. to doubt and Question is human to out right reject, well in choose to error on the side of caution. I find nothing to prevent me from following Church teaching and doctrine that the Bishop of Rome is the Apostolic heir to the seat of St Peter. that Peter was the Apostle Christ selected to lead the Church after his resurrection, and no matters for faith has the authority of infallibility.

I also know that there are many things that were said and done by Christ and the Apostles that were not record in the Bible to do so would have filled many volumes so therefore SOLA SCRIPTURA must be in error.

MHO only here you would be wise as to make a decision are you Catholic or are you Lutheran, because at this point in time you can not be both.

You see things differently than I do, which is what keeps things interesting.

 

[jmcrae]

You see things differently than I do, which is what keeps things interesting.

We cannot be two opposite things at the same time. Obviously, you don’t want to be a Catholic in the normal sense of the word, so you might as well declare your allegiance, and formally become a Lutheran by whatever process that entails. (Registering for donation envelopes? )

 

[PXseeker]

We cannot be two opposite things at the same time. Obviously, you don’t want to be a Catholic in the normal sense of the word, so you might as well declare your allegiance, and formally become a Lutheran by whatever process that entails. (Registering for donation envelopes? )

They are not opposites for me. I joined a congregation, that’s why I’m a “little c” catholic.

 

[c659smith]

I didn’t hold that belief for about 30 of my 49 years in the Roman Catholic church, so it didn’t impact me. Some Catholics don’t believe what they’re required by Church rules to believe, I know many personally.

What Church teaching did you have a challenge with and I ask again what was the single cause in your life to fall out of communion with the Catholic Church.,

 

[c659smith]

I didn’t hold that belief for about 30 of my 49 years in the Roman Catholic church, so it didn’t impact me. Some Catholics don’t believe what they’re required by Church rules to believe, I know many personally.

I am a devout Catholic and am an active listener and there is something you are saying here that you are not spelling out. Stay with the Catholic Church even though at points in our lives we all fall out of communion, Work through it with us as family for we are one.

 

[jmcrae]

They are not opposites for me. I joined a congregation, that’s why I’m a “little c” catholic.

You are not any kind of a “c” Catholic; you are a Lutheran.

 

[PXseeker]

You are not any kind of a “c” Catholic; you are a Lutheran.

That is a very hostile quote, you really seem worked up.

Little c catholics are all over the place, and we’re here to stay.

 

[PXseeker]

I am a devout Catholic and am an active listener and there is something you are saying here that you are not spelling out. Stay with the Catholic Church even though at points in our lives we all fall out of communion, Work through it with us as family for we are one.

The abuse crisis, as I cited above, was the last straw for me, Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Uncle_Norbert]

The abuse crisis, as I cited above, was the last straw for me, Thanks for the kind words.

What’s most important in the end, is that even though you may choose a different path, that you keep climbing the same mountain

 

[Singinbeauty]

I am non-denominational (please, I don’t want to discuss what is or isn’t non-denom :yawn: it’s been done, then beat to death, then t-shirts were made and bought, then beat some more…). I grew up in this church and love it. That is why I stay…

 

[Pong]

The abuse crisis, as I cited above, was the last straw for me, Thanks for the kind words.

Because there are surely no Lutherans who do wrong.

Little c catholics are all over the place, and we’re here to stay.

Call yourself whatever you like. You are at best a fallen-away Catholic, at worst a Protestant. Simple as that. I could call myself the queen of the zulu people but that wouldn’t make it so.