Reformation Sunday

[JustaServant]

Many Protestant churches celebrate this day on October 31st.
I would like non-Catholics to explain why it is necessary to celebrate such a negative event. It’s like a person celebrating thier divorce every year.

 

[Publisher]

I have a feeling those Protestants that celebrate Reformation Day, do so with joy at the freedom they share in Christ…those who celebrate do not consider it a ‘divorce’…but a “new beginning” of the message of salvation by grace through faith…

Of course Catholics wouldn’t consider it a time to celebrate because the Protestants that do celebrate it are celebrating being “divorced” from the rule of Rome…Just a thought.

Friends don’t celebrate it as a rule…some of the Evangelical Friends may…but us “liberal” Friends don’t typically.

 

[LilyM]

Many Protestant churches celebrate this day on October 31st.
I would like non-Catholics to explain why it is necessary to celebrate such a negative event. It’s like a person celebrating thier divorce every year.

Some divorced people I know, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do - they dislike their exes intensely enough to be happy to be rid of them. Wouldn’t surprise me if some non-Catholics have the same attitude to the Catholic church.

 

[JerryS]

Protestants view the Reformation as a correction of the abuses of the Romish church. October 31 is celebrated as a throwing off of the onerous yoke of Rome and embracing of true Christian freedom.

 

[KathleenGee]

Let he who does not sin, cast the first stone.

The Lord’s constant prayer was for us to be one…division is nothing to be happy about. Christians make up the greatest block in our country while it goes down the tube, but we are so divided, the division is facilitating it instead of us united.

 

[LilyM]

Protestants view the Reformation as a correction of the abuses of the Romish church. October 31 is celebrated as a throwing off of the onerous yoke of Rome and embracing of true Christian freedom.

Hmmm - sounds from the way you put it that you enthusiastically agree with them … so in what sense did your protest end in April, hmmm?

 

[JM3]

Hmmm - sounds from the way you put it that you enthusiastically agree with them … so in what sense did your protest end in April, hmmm?

This is why we are divided.

 

[gcnuss]

From my perspective, Reformation Sunday is not a time for triumphalist gloating about the divisions in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. As we acknowledge our history, we will include prayers for the unity of the church, the body of Christ.

 

[Erich]

Some divorced people I know, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do - they dislike their exes intensely enough to be happy to be rid of them.

The date of September 19 for Talk Like A Pirate Day was chosen because it was and is the birthday of one of the originators’ ex-wife, and “the only date he could readily recall that wasn’t taken up with something like Christmas or the Super Bowl or something.”

From talklikeapirate.com:

John was sitting at home when the phone rang. He picked up. The voice on the end sounded vaguely familiar. She identified herself. It was Rhonda, Mark’s ex-wife. Mark hadn’t seen her in a couple of years, since she had moved to California. She sounded more bemused than anything. “My mother just came over and asked if Mark knew anyone named John Baur,” she said.* “When I said yes, she said, ‘Well, you’re in the paper’.”*

   She was curious how we had chosen her birthday for the event. When John          explained, she seemed to accept that we hadn't meant anything malicious.          It was just a day we could remember, and the sort of detail that made          the story odd enough to garner national attention. She didn't have Mark's          number, but asked John to pass on the message,* "I've never been          prouder to be his EX-wife."*

 

[JerryS]

Protestants view the Reformation as a correction of the abuses of the Romish church. October 31 is celebrated as a throwing off of the onerous yoke of Rome and embracing of true Christian freedom.

Hmmm - sounds from the way you put it that you enthusiastically agree with them … so in what sense did your protest end in April, hmmm?

No, just expressing a Protestant perspective. I did not really mean to represent all Protestants in my response, which was made (poorly, I guess) tongue-in-cheek.

My protest ended in this sense. I was a Lutheran for 50 years, but this Easter I came into full communion with the Church founded by Jesus Christ. So, I can speak of the Protestant perspective (my view of it anyway) out of my own experience, even as I now rejoice in finally experiencing the fullness of the Christian faith in the Catholic Church.

 

[Holly3278]

I wouldn’t celebrate “Reformation Sunday” if it would save my life! I tell you, that day should never have been invented in the first place and the “Reformation” definitely never should have been invented in the first place! It is sheer and utter heresy and I do believe it infuriates our Lord! Anyone who used to be a Catholic and now claims that the Church is in error on faith and morals (which it is not because it is utterly infallible in almost every single part of this matter) is the one who is in error! They are in sheer and utter error as a matter of fact! And that is exactly what the “Reformation” did! The “Reformation” may have reformed some parts of the Church NOT related to infallible matters of faith and morals but it did reform certain errors! The only error I know of that the Church made before the “Reformation” was charging for indulgences. That was Simony but since we have repented and reformed since then, we are no longer guilty of it. And not everyone did that either! I tell you, I could go on and on and on and on about anti-Catholicism but it’d take probably more than a few thousand pages. Indeed, books have been written that long on the matter I believe. But I shall cease now.

With that, I believe we should all pray with the most hardcore prayers possible that all Protestants convert to the one true Church!

 

[cooterhein]

Many Protestant churches celebrate this day on October 31st.
I would like non-Catholics to explain why it is necessary to celebrate such a negative event. It’s like a person celebrating thier divorce every year.

I think a better example would be something like Independence Day in any given country.

One other thing: When you gain independence from a formerly sovereign nation, it’s normal for the ones breaking away to dislike the ones they’re breaking away from. You know- divine right to rule, consent of the governed, that kind of thing. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Look at America and the UK- they went back to war in the early 19th century, but less than 150 years removed from the American Revolution, they were allies again.

Maybe more Protestants will find a way to do that in the future. It’s slowly getting better, so maybe someday.

 

[cooterhein]

Quick addition to the post I just made: The UK really helped matters along A LOT when they accepted something about America: Regardless of disagreements in past generations, the horse is out of the barn and it’s not coming back in for anything. So they accepted the situation, made the best of it, and wound up thanking the Americans for their help in both World Wars.

Based on some of the responses to this thread, there’s some Catholics that could help things along if they do something similar.

 

[scottm]

Many Protestant churches celebrate this day on October 31st.
I would like non-Catholics to explain why it is necessary to celebrate such a negative event. It’s like a person celebrating thier divorce every year.

Pffttt. With a loaded question like that I’m surprised any Protestant would bother talking with you. “Such a negative event” ? “Celebrating their divorce” ? Puh-leeeze. Bias bias bias bias bias bias.

That’s not at all how Protestants see it. In the 1400’s and 1500’s the Roman Catholic Church was a disgusting slime pit. The Reformation fixed it. That’s an historical fact. Protestants are celebrating the revival of the gospel, the revival of evangelism, the revival of the preaching of the Bible. All of that is good.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I hope you’re wearing kevlar because the bullets and mortars are uh-comin’!

Pffttt. With a loaded question like that I’m surprised any Protestant would bother talking with you. “Such a negative event” ? “Celebrating their divorce” ? Puh-leeeze. Bias bias bias bias bias bias.

That’s not at all how Protestants see it. In the 1400’s and 1500’s the Roman Catholic Church was a disgusting slime pit. The Reformation fixed it. That’s an historical fact. Protestants are celebrating the revival of the gospel, the revival of evangelism, the revival of the preaching of the Bible. All of that is good.

 

[Holly3278]

Quick addition to the post I just made: The UK really helped matters along A LOT when they accepted something about America: Regardless of disagreements in past generations, the horse is out of the barn and it’s not coming back in for anything. So they accepted the situation, made the best of it, and wound up thanking the Americans for their help in both World Wars.

Based on some of the responses to this thread, there’s some Catholics that could help things along if they do something similar.

So you think we should accept utter falsehoods in terms of religion/Truth??? Woah! No offense but I think you blew me down and clear through the floor!

 

[JonNC]

From my perspective, Reformation Sunday is not a time for triumphalist gloating about the divisions in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. As we acknowledge our history, we will include prayers for the unity of the church, the body of Christ.

Adding to Pastor Gary’s remarks here, my firm belief concerning the Reformation is that, by its very name, it is not successful without unity being restored. It is a vigil of sorts, that requires constant dialogue and prayer. If we, the ancestors of the Reformation become comfortable in schism and disunity, then the Reformation was/is a failure, and those who here polemically call it the “Deformation” are sadly correct.

Jon

 

[KathleenGee]

Agree…the divisions in the Mystical Body need much healing…with great consequences for society.

 

[The_Sentry]

Just a thought I’d like to add: There are some Protestants out there who don’t know the first thing about Catholicism. For them, celebrating Reformation Day may be little more than celebrating where their beloved denominations came from. Not all of them are trying to stick it to you by observing it.

I won’t celebrate it. It’s time for All Saints, and I don’t think the date of the Wittenberg Door event deserves to dominate the worship service! It was what it was. None of us can change that. But some Christians out there are observing it out of either ignorance or simply historical interest. Should they? Maybe not; I’ll leave that for the Spirit to decide as He molds minds and consciences.

Ahh, what a confusing mess Christianity has become. Lord have mercy.

 

[agent_grey]

The people of truth celebrate everyday alike. The earth isn’t flat and we love the creator of the non flat earth. Take christmas, easter, sunday, saturday… all the same.

The people of truth hold the divine liturgy daily. Without end. This is the continual sacrifice. And as perfect as it is it is no sacrifice at all.