Offended at being called Protestant

[Peter_J]

This I know. But, I really don’t mind. My designation is wherever the seat of Peter is. I don’t even mind being called a Papist, because I am one.

Cool.

Truth is, I wouldn’t mind being called “Roman Catholic” (I am a member of the “Roman Communion” after all) except that I’m afraid that Eastern Orthodox would then use that as a handle to say “See? You ECs are not really eastern!”

 

[ltwin]

I’m guessing there are a great many non-denominational chapels that are being funded by one or another of the Baptist Conventions, though. There are very few stand-alone chapels that aren’t receiving funding from somewhere, especially when they are first starting out - unless you think 10 or 12 families can support a pastor’s family and an office staff, as well as building expenses? Not likely. Rather, it’s a way for denominational organizations to evangelize the local community and draw in the unchurched and the free spirits who don’t want to join up in a formal way.

If a church is affiliated with a Baptist convention then they aren’t non-denominational.

For example, the South Carolina Baptist Convention (the state Baptist body affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention) can decide that it wants to plant a church near some new housing development in South Carolina. It organizes a team of church planters, all of who are Baptist recruited from Baptist churches. The state convention provides the finances for the first 2 or 3 years of the church planting process.

The team decides they want to reach new un-churched groups and so will refrain from using the word “Baptist” in their name. Instead, they decide to name their church “NewSpring Community Church.” Furthermore, the team decides that they will not go out of their way to publicize their membership in the Charleston Baptist Association (the local SBC body) or the state Baptist convention.

This is a case where the church is clearly a Baptist church. Even though the church has made a conscious decision not to articulate a denominational identity, the fact that the church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention makes it by definition a Baptist (and therefore denominational) church.

Of course, Baptist churches are autonomous. If NewSpring Community Church ten years later decides that their vision no longer aligns with the Southern Baptist Convention, then it can decide to leave any and all Baptist conventions. Then, it would be truly non-denominational.

 

[andrewstx]

9 times out of 10, non-denominational means baptist.

Or charismatic, or a mixture of the two. They usually ‘get saved’ and are baptized by submersion as mature believers only.

 

[andrewstx]

I’m guessing there are a great many non-denominational chapels that are being funded by one or another of the Baptist Conventions, though. There are very few stand-alone chapels that aren’t receiving funding from somewhere, especially when they are first starting out - unless you think 10 or 12 families can support a pastor’s family and an office staff, as well as building expenses? Not likely. Rather, it’s a way for denominational organizations to evangelize the local community and draw in the unchurched and the free spirits who don’t want to join up in a formal way.

Just as an example most of the so called Cowboy Churches are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. But they don’t publicize it.

There is one of those Cowboy Churches not far away. Since they proclaim themselves to be “non denominational” I have debated with myself asking them to baptize my 6 month old granddaughter just to see their response.

 

[robwar]

9 times out of 10, non-denominational means baptist.

You would probably split that to 50/50 between some sort of Baptist/fundamentalist and then Charismatic/pentecostal.

 

[michaeldean]

Here’s a little background:

Two years ago, my daughter’s boyfriend (now fiance) entered the Church. During his conversion (and during RCIA) there was a lot of good-natured discussion (between my daughter and her boyfriend, and his parents) about the differences between Catholic and Protestant theology. But during a recent conversation, the future in-laws politely said that they take offense at being called Protestant. They said that they are Christians, just like any other Christians.

My question is, would you take this as a hint that they are tired of discussing the issue? Or, should the kids continue the discussions, somehow working around saying the “P” word?

Please be kind with your ideas. These are very wonderful people, and we are looking forward to the joining of our families.

If you have a discussion about the differences, there is no reason not to use the term, because it’s a valid means of differentiating belief systems. If you’re just having a casual conversation, then there’s no need to start an argument, so I’d say call them what they want. Catholics call themselves Christian, Protestants call themselves Christian, most people would not be offended if you called them that instead of whatever the proper name for their particular denomination is. The only problem would be when they say things like “Catholics and Christians” implying that there is a difference, which is probably what they think you are doing by specifying “Protestant”.

 

[weekendevents]

Just as an example most of the so called Cowboy Churches are members of the Southern [Baptist Convention. But they don’t publicize it.

There is one of those Cowboy Churches not far away. Since they proclaim themselves to be “non denominational” I have debated with myself asking them to baptize my 6 month old granddaughter just to see their response.

What’s a cowboy church? Do Roy Rogers and Hoppy go there?
[/quote]

 

[andrewstx]

What’s a cowboy church? Do Roy Rogers and Hoppy go there?

It’s a religious organization with a Western cowboy flair. Usually in the Southwest and usually Southern Baptist though they do not call themselves SB and go by “non-denominational”.

They worship in barns and wear their cowboy hats in worship. They usually use only Country Western music.

Here at least they have Rodeo arenas attached to the grounds and have rodeos. But being of a puritan bent they don’t dip snuff or drink beer, which is commonplace in regular usual rodeos. I live in a rural area and there is one two or three miles away from my place, but I have only driven past and never been in one. I don’t see the point of blending country culture with church and I go to a regular church with an altar, icons and the like and sing hymns with the pipe organ.:hey_bud:

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Protestants, in general, must have “thick skin” on a Catholic forum. I suppose the word “Catholic” would stir up quick resentment on various Protestant forums. We are lucky to have some quite knowledgeable Protestants of Reformed/ Evangelical/ Baptist backgrounds.

 

[Peter_J]

Protestants, in general, must have “thick skin” on a Catholic forum.

And vice versa.

I suppose the word “Catholic” would stir up quick resentment on various Protestant forums.

Not too sure what you mean here, unless it’s that they would be offended if I said “I’m Catholic and you’re not.”

 

[marywarfield]

It’s a religious organization with a Western cowboy flair. Usually in the Southwest and usually Southern Baptist though they do not call themselves SB and go by “non-denominational”.

They worship in barns and wear their cowboy hats in worship. They usually use only Country Western music.

Here at least they have Rodeo arenas attached to the grounds and have rodeos. But being of a puritan bent they don’t dip snuff or drink beer, which is commonplace in regular usual rodeos. I live in a rural area and there is one two or three miles away from my place, but I have only driven past and never been in one. I don’t see the point of blending country culture with church and I go to a regular church with an altar, icons and the like and sing hymns with the pipe organ.:hey_bud:

You forgot the mountain men, re-enactment groups,
and rendezvous types. We have a couple cowboy churches
in Oregon but they are all fur trapper trndevouz types
who bring their “squaws”. The one full of cowboy/girls is
completely puritan- no beer, no tobacco etc. the mountain
man one though is very proud if their home made
white lightening. Had a girlfriend get married in
one a few years ago- a swede who liked to re-enact the Iroquois.
Name of “little green bead”. By the fund of the reception
in camp formed by terpenes everyone was too drunk
to mount their horses or pole their rafts downstream. Lol
But definitely- southern Baptist.

 

[babs57]

If you have a discussion about the differences, there is no reason not to use the term, because it’s a valid means of differentiating belief systems. If you’re just having a casual conversation, then there’s no need to start an argument, so I’d say call them what they want. Catholics call themselves Christian, Protestants call themselves Christian, most people would not be offended if you called them that instead of whatever the proper name for their particular denomination is. The only problem would be when they say things like “Catholics and Christians” implying that there is a difference, which is probably what they think you are doing by specifying “Protestant”.

Right. But, as this has only come up after two years of friendly discussions, what I’m actually wondering is not so much should the kids use the term protestant, but whether or not it was a gentle hint that the future in-laws are tired of the conversations. I think the “kids” have decided not to bring the topic up themselves, but let the fiance’s parents bring up the topic if they wish. And, if they do, to try to avoid using the offensive term.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

And vice versa.

Not too sure what you mean here, unless it’s that they would be offended if I said “I’m Catholic and you’re not.”

I was referring to what it means to be “catholic” for some Protestants. Among some Lutherans you may hear complaints like the worship is “too catholic” meaning the service has a fair amount of ritual. I read recently about a Lutheran parish in New Jersey I am familiar with that they stopped using incense during the Eucharist; probably due to allergies but that would be an example where some Lutherans would say the worship was “too catholic”.

I am not acquainted with other Protestant forums but did read excerpts from an Evangelical Presbyterian forum accusing Lutherans for being “too catholic” within the context of the Real Presence.

I would imagine that a Roman Catholic participation on some of these Protestant forums would be a challenge because of strong opinions about the Catholic Church. The same occurs on this forum where some Protestants often feel like they are under attack by Catholics. Does that make sense?

 

[andrewstx]

You forgot the mountain men, re-enactment groups,
and rendezvous types. We have a couple cowboy churches
in Oregon but they are all fur trapper trndevouz types
who bring their “squaws”. The one full of cowboy/girls is
completely puritan- no beer, no tobacco etc. the mountain
man one though is very proud if their home made
white lightening. Had a girlfriend get married in
one a few years ago- a swede who liked to re-enact the Iroquois.
Name of “little green bead”. By the fund of the reception
in camp formed by terpenes everyone was too drunk
to mount their horses or pole their rafts downstream. Lol
But definitely- southern Baptist.

Interesting. Being from texass I have never seen “cowboy church” in the Northwest. Furthest I have been in that direction is Sausalito CA. I saw no cowboy churches in Nor Cal at all but I went to a rodeo in Salinas.

What is a terpene? Around here Baptists are extremely opposed to alcohol. My county voted itself “wet” for the first time in history the first time in history less than a year ago and only by a hair.

 

[andrewstx]

I was referring to what it means to be “catholic” for some Protestants. Among some Lutherans you may hear complaints like the worship is “too catholic” meaning the service has a fair amount of ritual. I read recently about a Lutheran parish in New Jersey I am familiar with that they stopped using incense during the Eucharist; probably due to allergies but that would be an example where some Lutherans would say the worship was “too catholic”.

I am not acquainted with other Protestant forums but did read excerpts from an Evangelical Presbyterian forum accusing Lutherans for being “too catholic” within the context of the Real Presence.

I would imagine that a Roman Catholic participation on some of these Protestant forums would be a challenge because of strong opinions about the Catholic Church. The same occurs on this forum where some Protestants often feel like they are under attack by Catholics. Does that make sense?

As you know I used to be Episcopalian and that parish used incense only once a year and everyone coughed and complained of allergies. After Mass they would all light cigarettes and then I coughed.

Bulloney, they were not allergic to incense, they were allergic to high church catholic liturgy and ceremony.

 

[andrewstx]

Really there is another group that hates the word “Protestant” and that is high church Anglo-Catholic Anglicans. They object to being called Protestant and actually use the word to criticize low church Anglicans. That and Methodist for some reason.

 

[marywarfield]

Interesting. Being from texass I have never seen “cowboy church” in the Northwest. Furthest I have been in that direction is Sausalito CA. I saw no cowboy churches in Nor Cal at all but I went to a rodeo in Salinas.

What is a terpene? Around here Baptists are extremely opposed to alcohol. My county voted itself “wet” for the first time in history the first time in history less than a year ago and only by a hair.

Tee pee. By the time I noticed the spelling error too
late to correct. Lol

 

[andrewstx]

Tee pee. By the time I noticed the spelling error too
late to correct. Lol

No big deal. we all make Typos, and believe me yours is not nearly as embaresing as the way I misspelled Texas.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

As you know I used to be Episcopalian and that parish used incense only once a year and everyone coughed and complained of allergies. After Mass they would all light cigarettes and then I coughed.

Bulloney, they were not allergic to incense, they were allergic to high church catholic liturgy and ceremony.

I think you are correct. Here’s the comment from Grace Lutheran parish:

After prayerful deliberation it was decided to discontinue the use of incense during our Sunday liturgies, and chief festivals, when we expect many worshipers and guests, who may not appreciate the use of incense.
gracelutheranteaneck.org/Worship.html

No mention of allergies.

 

[Brandall]

I didn’t read through all the responses because I wasn’t that interested. I grew up Baptist and that was a good life. Lumping me in with Lutherans would have been less accurate than lumping Catholics in with Lutherans. Most Lutherans have more in common with Catholics than Baptist do with either.

The schism in the church happened hundreds of years ago and did not concern me at all. My being Baptist had nothing to do with protesting anything. Why should I be called one that protests?

However, now I am protesting my Baptist faith of my youth and am in RCIA. Now I am a protestant.