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KJK80
Guest
Depends on your definition of religion I suppose…
As a protestant, I always supposed Catholicism as a different religion. heh. But then, I was probably more extreme than most.
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As a protestant, I always supposed Catholicism as a different religion. heh. But then, I was probably more extreme than most.
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HannahLisa
Guest
I’m one of the Protestants who think Catholics are still Christian…
I’m not sure that really applies to Protestants though. The part where I get confused is with EENS and all that.
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KJK80
Guest
If your definition of a different religion is being Christian or not Christian. I would say, in view of the Catholic Church, if you believe in Jesus Christ’s deity, and you have a baptism in the name of the Trinity, you are indeed recognized as Christian and therefore the same religion… and thus part of the Catholic church, though not in perfect union or communion.I’m one of the Protestants who think Catholics are still Christian…
I’m not sure that really applies to Protestants though. The part where I get confused is with EENS and all that.
At least, that’s my understanding.
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rpp
Guest
No. The Catholic Church does not think Protestants are another religion. The Catholic Church uses the phrase “separated brethren” when referring to Protestants. In fact, the Catholic Church teaches that there is only one Church and that Protestants, while not in full communion, are part of that one Church.
For example, the Catholic Church recognizes as valid the baptism in most Protestant denominations. The Church teaches that when one is baptized, they become part of the catholic (note the lower case) Church. In this case “catholic” means "universal.
Last summer (July?), the Vatican released a document clarifying this very subject. There were some threads here about it because the mainstream media distorted it and made it sound very anti-Protestant, which it was not. Here is a copy of the official translation which came out in August. Here is one of the threads that discussed the distorted news stories.
(On a side note, I did not see your post which preceded mine before I posted. I think that is because I think I started writing mine before you wrote yours, but posted it after you. Or is it the other way around? :whacky: )
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Righteousone
Guest
Funny how there were only Catholics who used the word “Christian” way before any Protestant came aboard…therefore Christians were only Catholic in the days before the reformation.I’m one of the Protestants who think Catholics are still Christian…
I’m not sure that really applies to Protestants though. The part where I get confused is with EENS and all that.
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KJK80
Guest
Personally, I do not think this is relevant to the conversation in 2008… But it is a valid point.
Historically, Protestant’s broke off from Catholicism, for various reasons, not the other way around (directly).
However, again, today this doesn’t really matter.
Also, I would say it depends on your Protestant denomination as to how much openness there is to ecumenical discussion there is.
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HannahLisa
Guest
rpp, thanks for the links and the clarification on that. I think I understand it better now. 
Don’t forget the EO. They were noncatholic Christians some 450 years prior to the Reformation.
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Righteousone
Guest
The EO broke away from the Catholic faith in 1054 in unity with the pope. And yes they too were (or are ) Christians. But Hannahlisa said she is one Protestant who believes CATHOLICS are Christian. She pointed out Catholics here and no one else.
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