Ok, Catholics, your turn

[Jacquelinem]

Having been a Methodist most of my life, I just need to tell Claudius that he’s right on point. I can’t find anything in your post that’s mistaken or off base.
As a Catholic convert for two years now (thank God!), I can remember protestant ministers telling me:

That nowhere in the Bible does it mention that we should give honor to Mary. Hmmm…really? So I suppose that when Christ spoke from the cross as he was dying, “Behold thy mother”, we should just ignore that? Should we just ignore this holy Virgin, who miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,and became the mother of God? Well, protestants do and sorry, I won’t. Christ gave his mother to all of us and no way will I ever believe He would condemn us for giving her the honor she deserves.

That communion is a just memorial service for Christ. What?? So you’re saying that when our Lord told his desciples at the Last Supper to “Take and eat; this is My Body. Then He took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Drink from it, all of you for this is My blood of the covenant which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”, and said again in John 6:53 “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you.” we should just hold little memorials every now and then but not put much stock in them? I think not. As Claudius stated, those who have faith in Christ believe in His true Presence in the Eucharist, the main reason we as Catholics attend Mass as often as possible.

There are many other issues that ministers and other protestants have brought up to me but these two are the ones that lead me to the true church of Christ because these two alone were sufficient. When I began seeing the untruths, there was nowhere to go but TO the truth and that is in the Catholic faith.

 

[reteeks21]

Santa is like a spirit that watches and judges you and rewards good and evil with toys, not everlasting life. Santa is the powerful Christmas God while Jesus is a helpless little baby who can’t do anything.

http://www.divinemercy333.net/Jesus143_with_santa.jpg

Matthew 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (INCLUDING LITTLE CHILDREN). Behold, I have told you before.

Wow. You really have no idea what you are saying. We do not hold these things in higher esteem than Jesus. Asserting that we do is way out of line. The things you claim we worship were instituted by Christian emperors who wanted to make sure pagan holidays and traditions were no longer relevant. An example of that is Constantine.

While I do think that sometimes Christmas is taken too far, I do not think it is to be disrespected. You knock “our” traditions, but you would be highly offended if we did the same to you. Which, by the way, I have not done, nor will I. Know your facts before you start maliciously saying things.

 

[elt1956]

Helllo Faith of Abraham. First, to set the record straight, Catholics DO NOT WORSHIP the Mother of God. We revere her as being the Mother of Jesus/God. We have only one God just as the Jewish and Protestant brethren do…

What I have noticed about many Protestant denominations is there is no centralization as there is in the Roman Catholic Church. If a law/rule is given by the Pope in Rome ex Cathedra (from the chair), it is considered to be given with the highest authority and infallible. Most Protestant denominations are looser in accepting personal revelation. Also most, if I am not mistaken, do not recognize the seven Sacraments as such as Catholics do. For instance, I believe divorce is acceptable in most Protestant religions while it is unacceptable in most case in the Catholic Religion.

 

[heisenburg]

How do I view protestanism?

It’s like a big salad at the Golden Coral Super Buffet…

Each individual piece is different from the next, Some are close (ie two pieces of lettuce look the same but may be shaped different) , others are completely different (i.e. one piece is a ham chunk another is a carrot sliver)

All together, they make a salad…

Like wise though you cannot make general statements about protestantism and to do so is bordering of baring false witness

Just like you cant say all elements of a salad are green because lettuce is green, likewise, you cant say all protestants believe “x” because one chunk believes it…

With respect to the “unity being an illusion” claim… the unity is in the teaching. Why on earth would you judge any group on its weakest members… would you want me saying that your church doesn’t teach “x” because there are members of your church that believe the opposite?

In Christ

 

[elt1956]

Hi again Faith of Abraham. Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas so called by many names in many countries is not revered by Catholics per se. Catholic Tradition says the idea began with an early Christian Saint who helped some dowerless girls, as I remember, with money to provide a dowry. Or maybe they were starving. I don’t really remember. So it is the spirit of giving that should be central when thinking of the fat jolly fellow so many go overboard on at Christmas time. Personally, I like the tradition of keeping Christmas Day holy and giving gifts at New Years. That would really put the merchants in a tizzy and keep Christmas as it should be, a holy day.

As I understand it, in the Jewish religion, Chanukah is not really a religious holiday, but one of celebration, just as Christmas has become to many Christians. Is this right?

 

[fbl9]

Then you don’t belong in the Church. The central belief of the Catholic Church is the Real Presence in the Eucharist. If you can not accept that then you need to be excommunicated. Too bad though, you are not invicibly ignorant so you just might have some explaining to do.

…maybe you should do some reading instead of skimming you are wrong Jesus is not present in the Eucharist rather He is the Eucharist.you are the one with the explaining to do,

 

[t68ware]

Having been a Methodist most of my life, I just need to tell Claudius that he’s right on point. I can’t find anything in your post that’s mistaken or off base.
As a Catholic convert for two years now (thank God!), I can remember protestant ministers telling me:

That nowhere in the Bible does it mention that we should give honor to Mary. Hmmm…really? So I suppose that when Christ spoke from the cross as he was dying, “Behold thy mother”, we should just ignore that? Should we just ignore this holy Virgin, who miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,and became the mother of God? Well, protestants do and sorry, I won’t. Christ gave his mother to all of us and no way will I ever believe He would condemn us for giving her the honor she deserves.

That communion is a just memorial service for Christ. What?? So you’re saying that when our Lord told his desciples at the Last Supper to “Take and eat; this is My Body. Then He took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Drink from it, all of you for this is My blood of the covenant which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”, and said again in John 6:53 “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you.” we should just hold little memorials every now and then but not put much stock in them? I think not. As Claudius stated, those who have faith in Christ believe in His true Presence in the Eucharist, the main reason we as Catholics attend Mass as often as possible.

There are many other issues that ministers and other protestants have brought up to me but these two are the ones that lead me to the true church of Christ because these two alone were sufficient. When I began seeing the untruths, there was nowhere to go but TO the truth and that is in the Catholic faith.

Having been a Methodist and am now a Wesleyan, I am surprised to see you agree with Claudius on so many issues. A majority of what Claudius has said is dead wrong and he paints all Protestants with a such a broad brush, I wonder if he actually has a deep anger against Protestants. He claims we don’t believe in the Eucharist, we worship the Bible, reject Baptism, reject forgiveness, believe in once saved always saved, reject miracles, etc. If you believe as he does, you are also mistaken. There are differences between Protestant churches, but, we all agree on the major issues. To say a Protestant rejects forgivness is an absurd statement. Forgivness is the foundation to Christianity, and Protestants agree with what the Bible says about it and what Jesus taught. Protestants as a whole do not hate Catholics, and if they did, they are not real Christians, because real Christians cannot hate and still be in fellowship with God. If you wish, please PM me so we can discuss this more. I offered Claudius to PM me but he has refused. I guess he is afraid to debate a Protestant one on one.

 

[cathgal]

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!

Self interpretation and sola scripturaaaaa.

Need I say more ??

 

[t68ware]

I am absolutely astounded by the replies my post has generated. One thing the Catholics are unified in is their arguments against Protestantism. Some of have been cordial, some tread on hatred for us Protestants. Not very Christian, hating us. It seems to me some, not all, Catholics paint us Protestants with a huge brush, lumping all of us into one big clump and saying “All of you believe in this heresy!” What a huge mistake that is! There are some of us who actually love Catholics and Protestants alike, and realize there are major differences between us. Jesus did not disrespect the Samaritan woman at the well, but some Catholics are treating us like the Jews treated the Samaritans. And don’t use the argument “You Protestants treat us that way!”. Two wrongs never make a right. Jesus says “a tree is known by its fruit”. Why not look at those Protestants who make a difference in the world, who point other to Christ, like Billy Graham. How many of you Catholics would say Billy Graham is not a true believer? Look how many people have been brought to the knowledge of Christ because he was willing to be used by God!! If all we look at is doctrine and ignore mercy, love and kindness, we will NEVER be a unified church.

 

[Gamera]

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!

Well, of course Protestants believe much of what Catholics believe — the Trinity, the Incarnation, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and so forth. But in terms of distinctively Protestant beliefs, I have always thought they all fall under one of the “Five Solas.” : faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone, Christ alone, glory to God alone. Pretty much every Protestant belief which differs from Catholicism goes under one of the five solas, as far as I know.

How’d I do?

 

[t68ware]

Well, of course Protestants believe much of what Catholics believe — the Trinity, the Incarnation, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and so forth. But in terms of distinctively Protestant beliefs, I have always thought they all fall under one of the “Five Solas.” : faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone, Christ alone, glory to God alone. Pretty much every Protestant belief which differs from Catholicism goes under one of the five solas, as far as I know.

How’d I do?

You did very well. Something that most Catholics do not know is how heavy Protestants rely on tradition…not the tradition of their denomination, but how it was practised in the early church and by the church fathers. You will be amazed how much of the Early Church Fathers Protestantism adheres to.

 

[t68ware]

Self interpretation and sola scripturaaaaa.

Need I say more ??

We do not read the Bible and say, “I think I will believe this today.”. Protestants are taught Biblical interpretation by their pastors, colleges, etc. We do not believe every individual interpretation of Biblical passages is correct. It must be weighed against how it was used by the early church and what they thought it meant. Tradition is very important when interpreting the Bible. That may be news to some Catholics, but it is true. Scripture Alone is also misunderstood by non-Protestants. The Bible is the final authority. We weigh the entire scripture as a whole when it comes to our doctrines. Jesus said “Except a man be born again, he will not see the kingdom of God.” Based on Scripture alone, everyone must be born again, but where we differ is what is meant by that exactly. But based soley on the Bible, you must be born again!! I guess those “Born Again” Christians are just fanatics for such a belief.

 

[po18guy]

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!

1. Rejection of the Papacy/Priesthood
2. confess sins to god alone
3. sola scriptura
4. 2 Sacraments
5. 66 books of scripture
6. private interpretation of scripture
7. man-made tradition (i.e. Altar calls)
8. salvation by faith (possibly through grace)
9. baptism by immersion only
10. scripture authority rather than church authority

Even these are a stretch for some denominations.

Christ’s peace.

 

[Gamera]

We do not read the Bible and say, “I think I will believe this today.”. Protestants are taught Biblical interpretation by their pastors, colleges, etc. We do not believe every individual interpretation of Biblical passages is correct. It must be weighed against how it was used by the early church and what they thought it meant. Tradition is very important when interpreting the Bible. That may be news to some Catholics, but it is true. Scripture Alone is also misunderstood by non-Protestants. The Bible is the final authority. We weigh the entire scripture as a whole when it comes to our doctrines. Jesus said “Except a man be born again, he will not see the kingdom of God.” Based on Scripture alone, everyone must be born again, but where we differ is what is meant by that exactly. But based soley on the Bible, you must be born again!! I guess those “Born Again” Christians are just fanatics for such a belief.

I think that I understand sola scriptura, and agree that it is misunderstood (by both Catholics and Protestants). My understanding of sola scriptura is that all of God’s revelation is contained in Scripture — not that each individual reader of Scripture will understand everything God has revealed to humanity in Scripture.

 

[t68ware]

I think that I understand sola scriptura, and agree that it is misunderstood (by both Catholics and Protestants). My understanding of sola scriptura is that all of God’s revelation is contained in Scripture — not that each individual reader of Scripture will understand everything God has revealed to humanity in Scripture.

Your understanding is correct. The Book of Hebrews states in former times, God spoke through the prophets, but in the last days, God’s revelation to man came in the Person of Christ. We Protestants believe the Bible contains that revelation, and there are no new revelations that will point the way to salvation. The Bible is enough to point man towards God and salvation.

 

[Verisimilitude]

I am a cradle Catholic [same] and …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…

How funny. I don’t know if they were Protestant but I met a woman with her husband the other night who was in her late 50’s early 60’s at our county political convention…we were talking about the Iraq war and in my discussion of the Just War criteria I brought up I was Catholic and as soon as I did she kind of laughed with near scorn or incredubility(sp) and very seriously said she didn’t think Catholics read the bible. They were actually very nice though.

It was the first time I ever heard that. I was taken aback slightly and laughed myself saying I have been reading my (N)JB fairly regularly since I was 15 (40’s now). He husband then mentioned she just bought him a copy of the Koran and he was looking forward to reading it. He knew nothing about it he said except that he thinks it must be pretty close since ‘everyone’ says its from the same God as his. He was appreciative of the two book titles I wrote down for him as things to read with/when he realizes the Quran isn’t like reading Scripture or orgainzed like the NT and the very different message.

I left them with the impression of only by knowing Scripture very well will they be able to see the historical and biblical discrepencies as will as the dogma rifts between the two very different words of G/god that together total 1 of every 2 people on the planet.

In this day and age we would do well to know what God specifically says to us and what god specifically says to the Moslems. The unjust offensive war(s) we wage due to an irrational fear of a misunderstood ideology is in clear opposition to the Catholic/Christian doctrine of Luke 22:38 in response to the difficult trials ahead of them (us).

Do Protestants make up the majority of the US’s 85-90% Christian population that other polls show as much as 70% of Americans are against the war in Iraq and claim to be pro-Life, pro-secure border/no amnesty, and against multi-national companies influencing foreign/trade polcies causing loss of jobs and massive national debts?

Are you Protestants, and maybe our Baptist cousins in America responsible for the support of the leading pro-death, pro-war, pro-fear, pro-multinational business to continue the American Empire at all costs candidates? I believe Christ told us in Scripture a number of times not to be afraid and trust in Him. It was obvious our twice removed Mormon relations supported such polices but I counted them in the 10-15% non-Christian/Catholics. Don’t you guys read the bible too since we seem to be accused by Protestants of not reading it? How close is that to hypocricy?

At least I understand the popularity contest of this election cycle better after this excercise if anyone answers yes. Many Christians and obviously some Catholics are voting against their stated beliefs either out of fear or…something. I wish I knew.

The ideological conviction of those "few’ Islamo-radicals’ who want to kill us is stronger than our law and personal conviction since we eagerly change them in defense of 3rd world threats and call it ‘taking it to the enemy’ and real patriotism by sacrificing our secular foundation as well as our spiritual. I don’t get it. For all of the precautions, extra taxes and extraordinary measures we have taken in respnse to the ‘few’ radicals that want to set off a nuclear biolgical super-bomb all over America and the world…you would think we could control the gang murders in US cities. Wouldn’t you think so?

Maybe that likely Protestant couple I met will see; becasue they know and follow Scriptuer beter than Catholics do …obviously; when they read their books that the radical ideology is shared by the majority becuase it is so written. But maybe only if they realize the majority of that ideology are about as solid in ther convictions as as the seming majority of American Catholic/Christians who are not acting in accordance with their own ideology evident by the actual voting numbers of the current Presidental candidates.

Maybe not.

 

[elt1956]

QUOTE=Namesake;3366708]The majority of Catholics that I know do not believe in all of the teachings of the Catholic Church. So much for unity within the Church. It’s an illusion.

Hello there. The Unity of the Church does exist because all Catholics are “taught” the same laws, revelations etc. The teachings of the foundations of the Faith are the same everywhere. That doesn’t mean there are no doubters. We are not automaton.s

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I love my Protestant brothers and sisters, they have a sincere love experience with Jesus Christ. They know of Jesus as a personal savior. They have good intentions, they have a zeal like Paul to share the Gospel and I think that is good. In fact, alot of them have Catholic faith qualities, they may not know it, but many of them carry our Catholic Traditions, lent, easter, christmas, fasting, retreats etc.

It has been my experience that the Protestants and non Catholics that convert to Catholicism, make the best Catholics, When they convert they realize the word of God is alive, they get more revelation of the scriptures from Catholic teaching than when they were of Prostestant belief. It has been my experience that, the personal relationship with Jesus Christ experienced in the Catholic faith is no longer everyday mundane born again theology, They live out this personal relationship with Jesus in his Presence in the Catholic church. To me, when protestants convert to Catholicism, they become 10 times the Christian they were when they were Protestants, and that is a conservative estimate.

I dream of the day when all will learn of the true teachings of the Catholic Church. I have yet to run across a protestant or non catholic, even better a past pew catholic now practicing another denomination or non denomination for that matter, To repeat back to me truly my Catholic faith, there seems to be always a misunderstanding, of some doctrine or teaching.

 

[elt1956]

Having been raised Catholic and having the guidance from the Parish Priest to the Pope as to what was expected of being Catholic, I have always thought that if non-Catholics believe the Bible is the definitive answer to salvation, where does one go from there? Self revelation? Thanks.

 

[Namesake]

Having been raised Catholic and having the guidance from the Parish Priest to the Pope as to what was expected of being Catholic, I have always thought that if non-Catholics believe the Bible is the definitive answer to salvation, where does one go from there? Self revelation? Thanks.

The Bible is not the definitive answer to salvation. Jesus Christ is the definitive answer to salvation. I think you really know that.