Ok, Catholics, your turn

[t68ware]

I have read post after post about Catholics wanting Protestants to defend their beliefs, and I think that is fair. WhoI want to hear from is Catholics who have never been Protestant tell us what you think we believe? I am a Protestant, taking RCIA classes, and I am very interested in what you think we believe. Please keep it cordial!

 

[FaithofAbraham]

I have read post after post about Catholics wanting Protestants to defend their beliefs, and I think that is fair. WhoI want to hear from is Catholics who have never been Protestant tell us what you think we believe? I am a Protestant, taking RCIA classes, and I am very interested in what you think we believe. Please keep it cordial!

I’m neither but Protestants seem to be lukewarm Christians, they often condemn Catholics for their traditions and Mary worship, but don’t go as far as JWs to try to ditch it all since they still cling to Trinity and Santa and Christmas trees and other things rooted in paganism.

 

[Little_Mary]

It’s easy to talk about what Catholic believe b/c the Church is unified. On the contrary, it is difficult for me to list what I think protestants believe because protestantism is so de-centralized. There are many different protestant faiths, each believing at least one thing different from the others. So if I made a list of what I think a protestant believes, any given protestant could go down the list saying yes or no to each thing.

I think I know what protestants don’t believe in: the real presence, papal authority, confession, reverent respect for Mary and her sinlessness, to name a few.

But that’s just me. Don’t know if that’s helpful or not…

I’m glad you’re taking RCIA classes, is it to learn more, or for conversion?

 

[john_ennis]

I think they generally believe that God gives us all that is necessary to know regarding our salvation through Scripture, and that Christ’s creation of the Church was not intended as a means of teaching His Word for the rest of time.

Also that our works of love do not affect our salvation, and that there is no way for that to be believed without believing that we are making up for what Christ didn’t.

And most (excluding Lutherans and certain others) believe Christ’s words “If you do not eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have not life within you” do not mean that we should eat His flesh and drink His blood.

Peace.

John

 

[ibkc]

I do not view Protestants as a giant blob because there are notable differences between denominations and non-denominations. But there are things about each denomination that are no-deals for me. I really, really do not agree with the Calvinist view of predestination. I really, really think that sola scriptura is impractical and even dangerous when taken to its logical extremes. “Once saved always saved” is even more dangerous. I think the demotion of the importance the the Eucharist in some Protestant denominations borders on blasphemy, and crosses that line in a few cases. I believe that the anti-authoritarian (read: anti-magisterium) bent of most Protestant denominations is extremely hypocritical, as every denomination and non-denom down to the tiniest independent church-shack has a point-of-view which is held to, to varying degrees of strictness; and all have either a minister/pastor and/or a council directing what their members study and how they interpret the Bible.

 

[t68ware]

I think they generally believe that God gives us all that is necessary to know regarding our salvation through Scripture, and that Christ’s creation of the Church was not intended as a means of teaching His Word for the rest of time.

Also that our works of love do not affect our salvation, and that there is no way for that to be believed without believing that we are making up for what Christ didn’t.

And most (excluding Lutherans and certain others) believe Christ’s words “If you do not eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have not life within you” do not mean that we should eat His flesh and drink His blood.

Peace.

John

“and that Christ’s creation of the Church was not intended as a means of teaching His Word for the rest of time”
We do believe Christ set up His Church as a means for the teaching of the Word. Unfortunately, many of our churches differ as to how to interpret Scripture. That is a problem I also see. And I do agree with you with your last statement about His flesh and His blood. Most Prostestants take a very symbolic view of those words and other passages which have that kind of language.

 

[t68ware]

I do not view Protestants as a giant blob because there are notable differences between denominations and non-denominations. But there are things about each denomination that are no-deals for me. I really, really do not agree with the Calvinist view of predestination. I really, really think that sola scriptura is impractical and even dangerous when taken to its logical extremes. “Once saved always saved” is even more dangerous. I think the demotion of the importance the the Eucharist in some Protestant denominations borders on blasphemy, and crosses that line in a few cases. I believe that the anti-authoritarian (read: anti-magisterium) bent of most Protestant denominations is extremely hypocritical, as every denomination and non-denom down to the tiniest independent church-shack has a point-of-view which is held to, to varying degrees of strictness; and all have either a minister/pastor and/or a council directing what their members study and how they interpret the Bible.

well stated!

 

[justinthemartyr]

I have read post after post about Catholics wanting Protestants to defend their beliefs, and I think that is fair. WhoI want to hear from is Catholics who have never been Protestant tell us what you think we believe? I am a Protestant, taking RCIA classes, and I am very interested in what you think we believe. Please keep it cordial!

The really funny thing about this question, is that no matter what the Catholic says, they will be correct, in that you can find a protestant denomination that believes anything and everything. There are no limits as long as sola scriptura exists. I went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism etc. And of course when asked which denomination was correct on the matter, each one claimed they were it.

You cannot oppose any response to your above question because there is a protestant church somewhere that believes it.

Unlike the Catholic Church, the term “protestant” used in a general sense has no limits on beliefs, or contradictions to their beliefs.
The Catholic Church has defined beliefs that are unopposable and unchangeable, they are infallible on matters of faith and morals.
Therefore the things that non catholics believe about them can be argued against because there they are, in back and white, unchangeable, for all to see. They are not merely a persons personal intepretation of scripture.

 

[Pwrlftr]

There are no limits as long as sola scriptura exists. I went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism etc. .

Since you went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism, etc., what makes you think you will stick with the catholic church? Based on your past, which is typically a pretty good predictor of future behaviour, I would have to say the odds of you staying catholic are slim.

 

[Metaron]

I’m neither but Protestants seem to be lukewarm Christians, they often condemn Catholics for their traditions and Mary worship, but don’t go as far as JWs to try to ditch it all since they still cling to Trinity and Santa and Christmas trees and other things rooted in paganism.

Whatever; the Holy Trinity and Saint Nicolaus are not rooted in Paganism.

 

[Metaron]

Since you went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism, etc., what makes you think you will stick with the catholic church? Based on your past, which is typically a pretty good predictor of future behaviour, I would have to say the odds of you staying catholic are slim.

No! What he’s saying is that in Protestantism he couldn’t find anything that was set in stone and everyone was bickering over this or that. But Catholics have a way of being sure of the Truth, that’s what he is saying; after all, there is only one Roman Catholic Church, and thousands of bickering, fragmenting, Protestant communities.

I’m another ex-Protestant. I know I’ll *never *return to that confusion.

 

[Tonks40]

Since you went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism, etc., what makes you think you will stick with the catholic church? Based on your past, which is typically a pretty good predictor of future behaviour, I would have to say the odds of you staying catholic are slim.

The only way justinthematyr will stray from Catholicism is if he begins to doubt the teachings of the Church. From what I gather about him and his journey from past posts, he has studied his way into the Faith. Those who are exposed to the Fullness of the Truth and understand it would reject it only if they reject the Truth.

 

[Pwrlftr]

The only way justinthematyr will stray from Catholicism is if he begins to doubt the teachings of the Church. From what I gather about him and his journey from past posts, he has studied his way into the Faith. Those who are exposed to the Fullness of the Truth and understand it would reject it only if they reject the Truth.

Nonetheless, he has passed through a total of 19 different churches. Apparently 18 non-Catholic churches held his attention for short time and now the Catholic church is what appeals to him.

We will see what he says but I would say the odds are against him.

 

[Metaron]

Nonetheless, he has passed through a total of 19 different churches. Apparently 18 non-Catholic churches held his attention for short time and now the Catholic church is what appeals to him.

We will see what he says but I would say the odds are against him.

That’s a stupid, personal smear, Pwrliftr.

As soon as I turned 17 I abandoned Protestantism, the religion of my entire family. I don’t regret it, and I won’t ever return to it.

Anyone on a religious journey will continue til he gets to the bottom of things-- that is, the Truth. And that is the Catholic Church, “the Pillar and Bulwark of Truth”, as St.Paul calls it.

 

[Pwrlftr]

That’s a stupid, personal smear, Pwrliftr.

As soon as I turned 17 I abandoned Protestantism, the religion of my entire family. I don’t regret it, and I won’t ever return to it.

Anyone on a religious journey will continue til he gets to the bottom of things-- that is, the Truth. And that is the Catholic Church, “the Pillar and Bulwark of Truth”, as St.Paul calls it.

It’s an observation. The guy says he belonged to 18different churches and now has found truth in the RCC.

 

[allhers]

I am a cradle Catholic and I think that most of the protestants that I know believe that the Bible existed before the Church.
They also don’t think that I have ever read it. (not because of anything I say but because they just don’t think that Catholic’s read it for some strange reason.) I have no idea why they think that but even some that use to be praticing Catholic’s have said that to me. (I wonder what they thought they were hearing at Mass when they do the readings and the Gospel? Were they sleeping then or what?) Most also believe the Eucharist is symbolic and they don’t believe in the Real Presence. They believe we worship Mary and that we pray to dead people. (When I explain to them that they are alive in Christ they don’t know what I am talking about.) I have a very difficult time speaking with most of them because of their preconceived beliefs about me and the Church. When I explain to them that the Blessed Mother and the Apostles were indeed the first Christians and that they all prayed together and that the Holy Spirit decended upon them (that Jesus said He would send to them), sometimes they start to get it then, but most get angry at me at that point and change the subject. They can read it in Acts of the Apostles if they don’t believe me and when I point that out they leave me alone for awhile but they always come back with some other “attack” and never seem to see that I am right about the Acts of the Apostles. Go figure, I just pray a lot now because I think that when Jesus walked this earth and people didn’t listen to HIM then, that they sure aren’t going to listen to ME now.

 

[VARC]

I would share that concern as well. I started protestant, then went catholic, then traditionalist catholic, and now becoming orthodox. I am taking my time on the orthodox conversion for fear that a quick conversion isn’t a true conversion.

 

[VARC]

Since you went to 18 different churches believing almost 18 different ways concerning salvation, baptism, etc., what makes you think you will stick with the catholic church? Based on your past, which is typically a pretty good predictor of future behaviour, I would have to say the odds of you staying catholic are slim.

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I would share that concern as well. I started protestant, then went catholic, then traditionalist catholic, and now becoming orthodox. I am taking my time on the orthodox conversion for fear that a quick conversion isn’t a true conversion.

 

[Pwrlftr]

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I would share that concern as well. I started protestant, then went catholic, then traditionalist catholic, and now becoming orthodox. I am taking my time on the orthodox conversion for fear that a quick conversion isn’t a true conversion.

Yeah…I think it’s a fair concern too. However, I think some (at least one) see this as a personal attack so I won’t be continuing in this thread although I will be interested in seeing Justin’s comments as to why he is settled now as opposed to the other times.

 

[Pwrlftr]

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I am taking my time on the orthodox conversion for fear that a quick conversion isn’t a true conversion.

I did want to add one more comment. I do think you are wise to take your time. I think if one jumps to fast it is likely to be a mistake.

I don’t know what your concerns are with the RCC but do wish you well in your decision making process.