Protestants, why are you here?

[2nd_Adam]

adam I am a Catholic not always have been but I do agree with you and it is a shame that we can’t all worship together:shrug:

Thanks for the kind words! What you wish for is unity which will happen on the other side of glory.

 

[tenderfoot]

Peter J thanks for starting this thread.

I was sent a link to Catholic Answers Forum by a Catholic friend. For some reason I enjoy reading the posts.

If someone knows of other Christian sites or a site by former Catholics I would visit those also.

Thanks

 

[LutheranDK]

If you’ll excuse me for asking a question that’s been asked before (in various forms) why are you (Protestants) here?

I often hear Protestants posters say that they’re here because they like conversing with Catholics – which I definitely respect, but it seems to me like an incomplete answer. Put it this way: I have many times chatted with Methodists [resp. Prebyterians, etc] both on and off the internet, but I’ve never felt like in order to do so I needed to sign-up for an account on a Methodist [resp. Prebyterian, etc] website.

So I guess the specific question I’d like to ask Protestant posters is this: Do you feel like there’s a dearth of Catholics in your life (online and/or offline) which you try to compensate for by coming here?

I joined this site, in order to increase my knowledge of the RC church - to learn more and to clear up misconceptions and prove prejudices wrong.

Sadly - failure on all points

The reason I’m still here is to do the opposite: To broaden the knowledge of RCs on Lutheran orthodoxy, clear up misconceptions on Lutherans (and “protestants” in general), and to prove prejudices wrong…

 

[tweetymom]

I joined this site, in order to increase my knowledge of the RC church - to learn more and to clear up misconceptions and prove prejudices wrong.

Sadly - failure on all points

The reason I’m still here is to do the opposite: To broaden the knowledge of RCs on Lutheran orthodoxy, clear up misconceptions on Lutherans (and “protestants” in general), and to prove prejudices wrong…

sorry that you failed it is too bad that people want to be prejudisices against others. I am happy to see Christians of Faiths come together.In the town where I lived before moving here to Sacramento, the Churches all came together 4 times a year to worship. Catholic,Baptist,Methodist, Lutheren,non demonational,Assembly, andey have started doing the same Pententcostal, and everyone was thrilled to be together and not one ug
ly or unkind word was spoken. Everyone worshiped togethe The Priest and all the Ministersprayed together it was a wonderful experience. Now here in Sacramento the samething was started 2 weeks ago. It was great. I am a Catholi but love all Christians, and have been called any numerous thing on some posts. Even been told I was going to Hell twice. So hang in there mstly what people show is not LOVE

 

[JonNC]

I joined this site, in order to increase my knowledge of the RC church - to learn more and to clear up misconceptions and prove prejudices wrong.

Sadly - failure on all points

The reason I’m still here is to do the opposite: To broaden the knowledge of RCs on Lutheran orthodoxy, clear up misconceptions on Lutherans (and “protestants” in general), and to prove prejudices wrong…

My outcome here is different. I have come away with a new understanding and appreciation for the Catholic Church, and a strong belief that many of our differences can be overcome through prayerful dialogue.
It has also made me aware of how close we are to Orthodoxy in some ways, as well as our Anglican siblings.
I also am aware of how hard the road to unity will be.

I do agree with your second paragraph.

Jon

 

[Danimal]

I joined because I became interested in Catholicism. I belong to a United Methodist church. I have become distressed at the errors expressed in sermons, the casualness toward Communion, and the inclusion of praise/worship music, etc. There is such an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Christ that faith has become quite subjective. Our liturgy has been jettisoned in favor of “comtemporary worship”.
I have learned much on this forum. Much more than I have in my church.

 

[RuthErickson]

I am here because I am searching for truth. I am in between churches. I left my holiness church and am looking for a church that fits me. I have been reading books on Catholicism for years and like the deep spiritaulilty. I am not here to be combative but to discuss and learn. I have been on this forum for a few months now and I am really enjoying reading the posts people have posted. The have really chalenged me to think about my faith in Jesus.

 

[rev_kevin]

I came here looking for some nice people of religion to talk to.I noticed the non-catholic religion part and thought that is was for non-catholics but I was wrong. What I noticed was a bunch of rude so called christians that will belittle you because you are not catholic. So I decieded to stay and see if this was a true religious based sight. What I found is some, not all but some, are very rude and hurtful to those of other religions But then I noticed that there are nice people her as well. I stay here because it like looking at at train wreck, you don’t want to look but you can’t turn away. I have been called everything in the so called book and it bothered me at first, but not now. I just look at the source and understand and realize that not all here, although they claim to be christians, are following the ways of Christ and that is to be nice, kind, loving and understanding of all people reguardless of who or what religion they are.

 

[tweetymom]

I came here looking for some nice people of religion to talk to.I noticed the non-catholic religion part and thought that is was for non-catholics but I was wrong. What I noticed was a bunch of rude so called christians that will belittle you because you are not catholic. So I decieded to stay and see if this was a true religious based sight. What I found is some, not all but some, are very rude and hurtful to those of other religions But then I noticed that there are nice people her as well. I stay here because it like looking at at train wreck, you don’t want to look but you can’t turn away. I have been called everything in the so called book and it bothered me at first, but not now. I just look at the source and understand and realize that not all here, although they claim to be christians, are following the ways of Christ and that is to be nice, kind, loving and understanding of all people reguardless of who or what religion they are.

God Bless you and not all are rude. I try and love all but it is hard sometimes. I am a Catholic who attended Protestant Church and when you try and explain somethings you are treated very rudly. We just have to be faithful to God. Bless you in your journey with Christ

 

[2nd_Adam]

I am also here to help each other to grow our love for God. As seperated brothers, it’s good to sharpen each other for the purpose of flaming our religious affection for our Savior and God. How is your fire for God, is it burning strong or fizzling out?

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. - Proverbrs 27:17

 

[mpjw2]

Hi all, I am here for a couple of reasons.

I was brought up catholic and stayed catholic til I was about 30 years old.

I am 52 now.

within the past 20 years I have come to the belief that, as a catholic, I had some some false beliefs.

For one only catholics go to heaven. I was immature spiritually and I did not open my eyes to other christian churches.

That is until when people of other churches approached me and it seemed that they only had one thing on there mind…to tell me I need to know Jesus and be born again and be saved.

As a catholic, I believed in Jesus …so telling me I needed to now Him offended me.
Being told I needed to be saved and born again was not language I heard at a catholic mass or catholic school so I basically politely said no thank you…not interested, have a nice day and walked away

I wonder how many of you had a similiar experience?

Well today I am not catholic and find myself as a saved born again bible believing christian.

How I got from catholic to being a saved born again christian is a long story.
I do believe that God has directed my path to be the person I am today.
I know He is not finished with me.

The reason I am here is to reexplore my young years.
Through this community I hope to gain a better understanding of how catholics believe when it comes to the issues I believe I had false beliefs about.

I am also here because I realize that we are all christians, believers in Jesus Christ.

I believe the biggest difference in our beliefs is Jesus’ church…

Is it the one and only true Roman Catholic Church built on the “rock” Peter?

or

Is it what ralphy posted which I also believe…
ralphy ,

God created the catholic (universal) church, to which I belong. Those who are born again belong to the “body of Christ” (composed of all christians), and that is His church,

I believe the rock Jesus was talking about the faith Peter had in him, That faith is what we all should have a rock solid faith in Jesus Christ

The sad thing is…from what I have heard from the outside world and reading some of these threads here, our differences of beliefs may lead into some harsh discussion where someone may get offended and hurt.

as Melanie said…

we, individually, do not “do as Jesus” would, we create problems, and when these problems are magnified by the numbers of people in the world, we end up with huge problems, disagreements, etc.

this is exactly what I illustrated in the following post…
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=5701633&postcount=379

I believe these huge problems create yet another problem…

Do you believe our harsh discussions attract the lost world to our family of christianity?

Aren’t we, including me, suppose to be a witness for the love of Jesus expressed in love we are suppose to express to each other and to everyone in the world?

the reason, I believe rev kevin, post #88, and StrawberryJam made the following comment addresses this problem…

Who you should be upset with, is your own organization for having a program that you feel did not adequately address these things. Instead, you choose to humilliate your brother in Christ.

And, you wonder why some sit on the fence?

I can almost hear StrawberryJam say …“if this is God’s united one church, I am not sure I want to be part of it”

That is sad if I am correct.

I do not know about you, from StrawberryJam’s statement, I realize the need for me to be a better christian towards other people

this is the precisely reason I opened 2 threads …
one to non christian catholics and another to all christians …

message to non-catholics
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=375301

message to all christians
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=376665

I am here to offer a solution…

I loved these posts

MelanieAnne

Imagine a world where everyone treated everyone else as Jesus would, or as if Jesus were standing beside them.

rev kevin

…following the ways of Christ and that is to be nice, kind, loving and understanding of all people reguardless of who or what religion they are.

tweetymom in #84

the Churches all came together 4 times a year to worship. Catholic,Baptist,Methodist, Lutheren,non demonational,Assembly,
Everyone worshiped togethe The Priest and all the Ministers prayed together it was a wonderful experience.

in light of these statements, I opened this thread so as to encourage all of us to unite in one thread to worship Jesus’ love.

Jesus’ church of christian love
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=376693

imagine if we did live in a world that DWJW…Did What Jesus Would…

for one thing, I believe we would be a better witness of Jesus to the lost world.

By the way, I invite anyone who has personally gave witness to a non christian, and because of your witness they are now christian…share your story in the following…

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=375389

imagine if we lived in a world that DWJW,

MelanieAnne I believe is correct when she said

In that sort of world we would, I suppose, have heaven on earth.

wouldn’t that be awesome?

God bless you all

mpjw2

 

[mathematician]

Because I occasionally get an email from catholic.com, reminding me that I haven’t been here for a while. So naturally I realise that you can’t live without my glorious company, and turn up accordingly.

 

[2nd_Adam]

I’m here for fellowship and evangelism. I go to my local church for the same reason of fellowship and evangelism too. If you think about it, Paul continues to preach the gospel to Christians all the time.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. - Paul

 

[Nominefili]

If you’ll excuse me for asking a question that’s been asked before (in various forms) why are you (Protestants) here?

I often hear Protestants posters say that they’re here because they like conversing with Catholics – which I definitely respect, but it seems to me like an incomplete answer. Put it this way: I have many times chatted with Methodists [resp. Prebyterians, etc] both on and off the internet, but I’ve never felt like in order to do so I needed to sign-up for an account on a Methodist [resp. Prebyterian, etc] website.

So I guess the specific question I’d like to ask Protestant posters is this: Do you feel like there’s a dearth of Catholics in your life (online and/or offline) which you try to compensate for by coming here?

As a Lutheran seminary student, I like to use this board for apologetic purposes. I just joined but I’ve been lurking around for some time. There are many bright theologians on here, and I think that issues get addressed here which aren’t covered in apologetics textbooks. We don’t mean to be a bother, and unfortunately there are some with no manners who think this an appropriate medium for lambasting what they see as their ‘opposition.’

It’s a shame, but you should know that not every Protestant is out to get you. To be honest, I wish the LCMS would quit calling itself Protestant because we don’t like being associated with groups like Oneness Pentecostalism or Foursquare Church, etc. It sounds like you’ve been personally hurt by the postings of what you consider to be my brethren, but I believe you’ve greatly stereotyped ‘protestant’ posters beyond the realm of useful discourse.

 

[JonNC]

It’s a shame, but you should know that not every Protestant is out to get you. To be honest,** I wish the LCMS would quit calling itself Protestant **because we don’t like being associated with groups like Oneness Pentecostalism or Foursquare Church, etc. It sounds like you’ve been personally hurt by the postings of what you consider to be my brethren, but I believe you’ve greatly stereotyped ‘protestant’ posters beyond the realm of useful discourse.

I agree with you, except, to a degree, for the reason you give. We - LCMS - should quit the label Protestant because we are supposed to be evangelical Catholic. If nothing else, Augsburg is an attempt at dialogue, telling others what we believe, teach, and confess, and how it is Catholic.

Nor has anything been here said or adduced to the reproach of any one. 5] Only those things have been recounted whereof we thought that it was necessary to speak, in order that it might be understood that in doctrine and ceremonies nothing has been received on our part against Scripture or the Church Catholic. For it is manifest that we have taken most diligent care that no new and ungodly doctrine should creep into our churches.

Conclusion of the Augsburg Confession
We could start by signing the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, a clearly evangelical Catholic document, in keeping with Augsburg.
Jon