Ok, Catholics, your turn

[elt1956]

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.

What a lovely lettter/posting. I consider myself lucky enough to be one of those Catholics that while being raised in the Catholic Faith (16 years of formal instruction), many of my near relatives, Aunts, Cousins were Protestant, some belonging to an established religion, some not. Were they as Christian as I, definitely yes. Were they as chariitble in their thinking as many Catholics? YES! I do not condone anyone’s belief that those not of the Catholic Faith are misguided just because they don’t believe exactly OUR/MY way. Closed minds block learning and understanding of others. And that’s all I’ve got to say.

 

[t68ware]

What a lovely lettter/posting. I consider myself lucky enough to be one of those Catholics that while being raised in the Catholic Faith (16 years of formal instruction), many of my near relatives, Aunts, Cousins were Protestant, some belonging to an established religion, some not. Were they as Christian as I, definitely yes. Were they as chariitble in their thinking as many Catholics? YES! I do not condone anyone’s belief that those not of the Catholic Faith are misguided just because they don’t believe exactly OUR/MY way. Closed minds block learning and understanding of others. And that’s all I’ve got to say.

I’m not sure how much of your post was sarcasism, but I am glad to see you don’t think like so many of your Catholic brothers and sisters. While some Protestants behave badly towards Catholics, it appears often on these forums that more than a handful of Catholics go on a Protestant bashing event. My guess is that if all us posters would hang out, the differences between us would not be noticible, because we are all Christians, and that’s what matters. Maybe we should go see Casting Crowns in concert.

 

[elt1956]

I’m not sure how much of your post was sarcasism, but I am glad to see you don’t think like so many of your Catholic brothers and sisters. While some Protestants behave badly towards Catholics, it appears often on these forums that more than a handful of Catholics go on a Protestant bashing event. My guess is that if all us posters would hang out, the differences between us would not be noticible, because we are all Christians, and that’s what matters. Maybe we should go see Casting Crowns in concert.

Hello again. I am so sorry you would think of my posting as beiing in any way sarcastic. This to me is sad because it shows in another way how far apart we (humans) have been driven by belief systems. What I said true and given to you in a loving way. I couldn’t find any better group of people to be with than my very beloved non-Catholic relatives. They were great! And I do miss them so. They have all passed on. What was it Christ said, “Judge not that ye not be judged.” I wish more Catholics and Protestants would be less judgemental and admit we are all still seeking the fulfillment of our roles here on Earth. We are all God’s children. And you know what? I bet if we Christians met a few true Muslums personally, we wouldn’t fear them so much. What do you think?

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what is Casting Crowns?

 

[t68ware]

Hello again. I am so sorry you would think of my posting as beiing in any way sarcastic. This to me is sad because it shows in another way how far apart we (humans) have been driven by belief systems. What I said true and given to you in a loving way. I couldn’t find any better group of people to be with than my very beloved non-Catholic relatives. They were great! And I do miss them so. They have all passed on. What was it Christ said, “Judge not that ye not be judged.” I wish more Catholics and Protestants would be less judgemental and admit we are all still seeking the fulfillment of our roles here on Earth. We are all God’s children. And you know what? I bet if we Christians met a few true Muslums personally, we wouldn’t fear them so much. What do you think?

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what is Casting Crowns?

It’s fine. When you wrote in your last post “What a lovely letter/post” i took it to be sarcastic, but in a funny way, but no harm done. I am glad to meet a Catholic who is looking at me for my relationship with Christ and not my doctrine. We need to talk more. You can PM me, that would be great. Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian music Group, the hottest group in the nation right now. There music is fantastic and the message is truely Christian. Go to www.castingcrowns.com You will be amazed at what Christian groups are out there. Hope to hear more from you.

 

[elt1956]

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

Okay, I guess what I meant to ask, is who interprets what Jesus said, did for you? Do you do this through self revelation, or if you are Lutheran, Episcopal (only really big established non-Catholic churches I know of) does your minister interpret for you? My cousin, who is Babtist ,goes to Bible classes and they discuss what is meant in the Bible with members and their minister. Thanks.

 

[paarsurrey]

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!

Hi

Very interesting!

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

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?

Hi

A fair minded response.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

Hi

Interesting observation!

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

Hi

Does that not make Catholicism an undynamic and unflexible religion; not suited to the 21st century human beings?

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

Hi

I agree, there is no harm in studying other religions closely, only one should not join in the prayers with other, that look to me hypocritical.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

Hi

I like that, one should research in all earnest and when perfectly satisfied , convinced at heart and soul, one should settle down; till truth shows one further realities. One never knows and one should not be biased against truth at any stage.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

I am a cradle Catholic and I think that most of the protestants that I know believe that the Bible existed before the Church.

Hi

To me, the **ScripturesProper **and **ActsProper **done by a ProphetMessenger ( in your case Jesus) as commanded in the SripturesProper go hand in hand; one has to abide by the both. It is like a man has two legs to walk on; both legs are important for walking.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

Hi

There you are right. Neither should be one in a hurry nor should one delay in religious decisions.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

The one thing I am always suprised by is the anti-catholic bias and prejudice. You wouldn’t be allowed to talk about people of other skin color, or ethnicity, etc in polite society.

Hi

I agree with you that one should not be biased and prejudiced. One must be polite and charitable in matters of religion. My experience is that Catholics are more polite ,civilised and peaceful.

Thanks

 

[paarsurrey]

From the time I was 9 I began studying religion. I studies Budhism, islam, hinduism, shinto and of course Christianity. I won’t say that I have been to every kind of Christian church that exist but I went to many. I would only stay just long enougn until I saw something in their teachings that I knew to be wrong. How could a 10 year old kid know that the middle aged preacher with the diamond rings was wrong? Grace of God is all I can think of. I heard lie after lie after lie about Catholics and I knew that they were lies the second I heard them and I had never even seen a Catholic in my life or knew anything about them. I know some of you are thinking, yah right, but I will tell you that this is true. I was the kid that looked different from everyone else. I spoke a different language and had a whole different vocabulary. I read books because I could understand them when I couldn’t understand the TV. I was the kid with the “non” hair cut and the thick glasses that was not accepted by anyone around me. My only recourse was to seek out “GOD”, whatever that was. One by one, every faith and religion, every path to enlightenment fell away from me. They were all dead ends. The finality of it all was always so present to me. I expected to die any day. I lived in a very violence environment.
When I was 13 I first entered a Catholic church and I witnessed my first Catholic Mass. There is a lot more to the story that I could write but to make it short, I have been Catholic by the Grace of God ever since. I consider it the most beautiful gift that God has ever bestowed upon me. Jesus is the Most important person in my life. The Catholic Church is the most important thing in my life. Indeed, the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ as the bride of Christ, for husband and wife become one flesh. The is made real and presant again every time the Eucharist enters me and I feel Jesus and his saving Grace.
So with that said, I could sit and list all of the different things that the protestants I interviewed believed but I will confine myself to the most important issues in stating what I generally apply to all of them.

Hi

I appreciate your research and struggle for truth. I have been also doing like you. I was born an Ahmadi peaceful faith in Islam and I am still the same, with no change.
Happy to get introduced to you.

Thanks

 

[RebeccaJ]

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 am not Catholic, yet (in RCIA too), and have never been Protestant. My understanding is that Protestants have a range of differing beliefs, but what makes them “Protestant”, is what they protest against. What those protests are/were, and if they still exist, I don’t really know.

I do know the Anglicans broke a bunch of really good glass art because the art depicted Saints. I have an affinity for glass art, and dang, that was harsh. So, Popes and Saints, and any art that depicts them…Protestants protest at least those things, that’s all I know for sure.

 

[paarsurrey]

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.

Hi

I think it is a restraint for unity.

Thanks

 

[elt1956]

Hi

Does that not make Catholicism an undynamic and unflexible religion; not suited to the 21st century human beings?

Thanks

Hello. I think I am quoting the right statement above. Personally I don’t think any religion can be undynamic with everything that is going on in the world today. I would have to agree that the Catholic Church per se is inflexible in some areas, mainly those given ex cathedra (from the chair) by the Pope. This statement veers into the infallibilty of the Pope while stating these dogmas. Now don’t ask me to quote those ver batum as I will have to go back and re-read them and they are veeeery long. Any Catholics out there want to give me a hand in stating these? Huh, huh? But there are many many rules, regulations, not given as infallible that in the past and probably in the future can be changed.

The infallibility of the Pope and those laws, rules, understandings, that the Pope has deemed infallible could be regarded as the backbone (spine), or heart ,of the Church while those laws not considered infallible are the rest of the body. Much of the rest of the body can be lost /changed without changing the backbone, or heart. That is why one can accept ethnic diversity when attending Roman Catholic Mass. In various churches the rituals of the Mass,outside the body of the Mass, the Eucharist, can be different, but once the heart and backbone ( ie. no belief in the Transsubstantiation at the Eucharest) are stricken, the rest of the body would be lost. There would be no “Mass.” Make sense? Sorry, that is the only parallel I could think of off the top of the head.

So I would say, no, in many ways the Catholic Church is a flexible, dynamic body that has maintained a central core of belief for many hundreds of years.

 

[elt1956]

Hi

Interesting observation!

Thanks

Let’s start a Prayer Circle for all of us, Protestants and Catholics alike that we may strive to be true followers of Christ in His Love.

I have an idea, lets see if from here we can find out how we are alike, rather than differrent?

 

[elt1956]

Hi

I agree, there is no harm in studying other religions closely, only one should not join in the prayers with other, that look to me hypocritical.

Thanks

I don’t think it would be hypocritical if one is truly searching. If one is only performing while not hoping for enlightenment, then I think that would be hypocritical.