Should I be Anglican or Roman Catholic

[Imcatholic7]

Hello everyone. I’m currently having issues deciding whether my beliefs are more Roman Catholic or Anglican.
-In the past I’ve been pro choice, but I’m now starting to see that even unborn babies are still alive, as the soul is created at the time of conception. Therefore, I only believe in abortion if it would be dangerous for the mother to have the baby. (i.e. she might die)
-I believe that we need to confess our sins to someone
-I feel that a Church needs a figurehead/leader to rally behind
-I think that frequent holidays and frequent rituals are important for us to renew our faith
-I believe we should pray to saints as well as Jesus
-This is a tad bit superficial, but I really like the look of Roman Catholic churches and priests.
-I’m against homosexual marriage, and I think it is wrong to be in a homosexual relationship, but I’m not going to walk up to homosexuals and start preaching to them as that is not my place.
-I feel that divorce is wrong, as when you get married you take those vows for life
-I am against premarital sex.
-I don’t really have an issue with contraception if you can’t support a child, but it is wrong for married couples who can support a child to deny nature.
So, with all of these, do you think the Roman Catholic or Anglican Communion is right for me? I welcome everybody’s (name removed by moderator)ut. Thanks!

Conform your beliefs on abortion and contraception to what the Church teaches and everything else you said is good. But, keep in mind, its not the Church that conforms to the believers but the believers to the Church. There aren’t commandments for us to pick and choose which to follow or to agree/disagree.

 

[cmforte]

Hey guys, I just wanted to pop in to let you know that my mother has consented to me joining RCIA. She will also drop me off at Mass on Saturday nights. I just went this past Saturday and it was a beautiful experience. Thanks for all of your (name removed by moderator)ut!

Great!! Welcome!! Needless to say on a Catholic message board, you made the right choice!!

-Chris

 

[englishredrose]

That may be true for some Anglicans/Episcopalains but not for others. Many Anglicans do pray to the saints. They have the Society of Mary, and the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is an Anglican shrine.

They do and I’ve been to Walsingham a very long time ago and some members of our Church are in the Society of Mary. Some may well pray to the saints you’re right there depending on how the teaching is worded though I think but I wasn’t sure how they actually pray to the saint… sorry.

 

[SteveLy]

Good for you!

 

[CopticChristian]

It was actually a response at the comment of pablope. But as a point of education I hear this a lot, and it is generally a sign someone has been indoctrinated into a belief system rather than educated about Christianity. If they would take the time to open their Bible and actually read what Christ said, in context, they would see the important point. I listed each version to show almost many English translation clearly point out Christ is claiming headship. But that is not heard in the translation of the average Roman Catholic. Not to leave the Protestants out, they tend to point out Ephesians 2:8-9 and forget Ephesians 2:10. (look it up…) We hear what we want to hear and repeat it as necessary, without really understanding the concept.

The reality is ALL Christian denominations have found justification for their belief system in Holy Scripture, it just depends on how the person has been brought up in the faith as to what they know or emphasize. As your previous comment about “one more soul saved…” type of church.

What I realize is those types of churches serve a great purpose in the body of Christ. They connect people who have fallen away from the church, or never been connected an entry or re-entry point. But though full of people hearing the gospel, they are lambasted by “sophisticated Christians” who often know the common points of their churches doctrines, but little else and little interest in learning something else. The reality is, most people leave those churches after a year or two for various reasons and I’m glad churches with a deeper theological understanding are available. I don’t point out your comment to be critical, just an example of a common belief within liturgical churches.

I think if Christians would have a bit more grace, rather than criticism, in their beliefs we would have a stronger church.

Peace

Steve,

Perhaps criticism should be gracious and our beliefs should be critically graced. The strength of the Church I believe in, is only weakened by its members as the head is perfectly strong. Are you with me on this?

 

[Imcatholic7]

Hey guys, I just wanted to pop in to let you know that my mother has consented to me joining RCIA. She will also drop me off at Mass on Saturday nights. I just went this past Saturday and it was a beautiful experience. Thanks for all of your (name removed by moderator)ut!

I"m in the same boat! Practicing the faith for 8 years and now I can FINALLY receive the Sacraments! God bless!

 

[East_Anglican]

-I’m against homosexual marriage, and I think it is wrong to be in a homosexual relationship, but I’m not going to walk up to homosexuals and start preaching to them as that is not my place.

Most Anglicans agree with you except the ones in North America. I think a lot of American Anglicans would be to frightened to come to a lot of English Anglican church’s because we will start preaching to them for certain.

If you live in America and don’t want to confront liberal heretics then I guess you’d have to be RC.

 

[andrewstx]

Most Anglicans agree with you except the ones in North America. I think a lot of American Anglicans would be to frightened to come to a lot of English Anglican church’s because we will start preaching to them for certain.

If you live in America and don’t want to confront liberal heretics then I guess you’d have to be RC.

OTOH, he could possibly join one of the many schismatic “anglican” churches in the USA, like ACNA, the southern cone etc, they are endless.

In 2 local towns we have “Christ Churches”, more popular than the Episcopal church here in ultra conservative West Texas.

Midland’s Christ church splintered from St Nicholos Episcopal, which had been high anglo-Catholic. Christ church is definately Protestant and has a pentecostal character.

 

[GKC]

OTOH, he could possibly join one of the many schismatic “anglican” churches in the USA, like ACNA, the southern cone etc, they are endless.

In 2 local towns we have “Christ Churches”, more popular than the Episcopal church here in ultra conservative West Texas.

Midland’s Christ church splintered from St Nicholos Episcopal, which had been high anglo-Catholic. Christ church is definately Protestant and has a pentecostal character.

Not quite endless, but you do need a program to tell the players apart.

GKC

posterus traditus Anglicanus

 

[Contarini]

OTOH, he could possibly join one of the many schismatic “anglican” churches in the USA, like ACNA, the southern cone etc, they are endless.

In 2 local towns we have “Christ Churches”, more popular than the Episcopal church here in ultra conservative West Texas.

Midland’s Christ church splintered from St Nicholos Episcopal, which had been high anglo-Catholic. Christ church is definately Protestant and has a pentecostal character.

I think you may be confusing “Christ Church” as the title of a parish with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which I believe are very common in Texas.

“Christ Church” is a traditional title for Anglican parishes. There are plenty of Episcopal parishes with that name. But I am not surprised that it’s particularly popular among the ACNA splitoffs, who tend to be very evangelical and hence will gravitate to Christocentric parish titles (as opposed, say, to St. Charles King and Martyr, which you might get for a very Anglo-Catholic parish!).

Edwin

 

[andrewstx]

I think you may be confusing “Christ Church” as the title of a parish with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which I believe are very common in Texas.

“Christ Church” is a traditional title for Anglican parishes. There are plenty of Episcopal parishes with that name. But I am not surprised that it’s particularly popular among the ACNA splitoffs, who tend to be very evangelical and hence will gravitate to Christocentric parish titles (as opposed, say, to St. Charles King and Martyr, which you might get for a very Anglo-Catholic parish!).

Edwin

Well in this particular instance I think this schismatic “Christ Church” is attempting to become a nascent “anglican” cenomination by it’self.

They are founding other CCs in other cities and towns, all with the same name.

The original one broke away from St Nicholas Midland which still bears traces of their presence like a giant concert grand piano, video screens (ghasp) an on and on. The Episcopal church of St Nicholas has finally scrimped and saved to get a pipe organ installed.

When they left Christ church took the huge majority of the parish and left a nearly empty church which is just now 10 years later begining to recover.

They took much of the original parish in Midland Holy Trinity as well, gone from 4 masses on sunday to just 2.

I have a question for the Latin Catholics here. You hate schisms amoung your selves. but when it comes to ultra-conservative Episcopal churches going into schism, it seems like many here are for it.

 

[Izdaari]

Hello everyone. I’m currently having issues deciding whether my beliefs are more Roman Catholic or Anglican.
-In the past I’ve been pro choice, but I’m now starting to see that even unborn babies are still alive, as the soul is created at the time of conception. Therefore, I only believe in abortion if it would be dangerous for the mother to have the baby. (i.e. she might die)
-I believe that we need to confess our sins to someone
-I feel that a Church needs a figurehead/leader to rally behind
-I think that frequent holidays and frequent rituals are important for us to renew our faith
-I believe we should pray to saints as well as Jesus
-This is a tad bit superficial, but I really like the look of Roman Catholic churches and priests.
-I’m against homosexual marriage, and I think it is wrong to be in a homosexual relationship, but I’m not going to walk up to homosexuals and start preaching to them as that is not my place.
-I feel that divorce is wrong, as when you get married you take those vows for life
-I am against premarital sex.
-I don’t really have an issue with contraception if you can’t support a child, but it is wrong for married couples who can support a child to deny nature.
So, with all of these, do you think the Roman Catholic or Anglican Communion is right for me? I welcome everybody’s (name removed by moderator)ut. Thanks!

All of this could fit with either one, though I think if you chose Anglican you’d want a more conservative branch of it than TEC. I think what it comes down to is which ecclesiology do you believe is more correct. Do you buy the Catholic claim that they are the true church with universal authority, or don’t you? Personally I don’t, so Anglicanism is my choice, though I am more liberal than you and happy enough with TEC.

 

[Nelka]

Should I be Anglican or Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic.

 

[Contarini]

Well in this particular instance I think this schismatic “Christ Church” is attempting to become a nascent “anglican” cenomination by it’self.

They are founding other CCs in other cities and towns, all with the same name.

The original one broke away from St Nicholas Midland which still bears traces of their presence like a giant concert grand piano, video screens (ghasp) an on and on. The Episcopal church of St Nicholas has finally scrimped and saved to get a pipe organ installed.

When they left Christ church took the huge majority of the parish and left a nearly empty church which is just now 10 years later begining to recover.

They took much of the original parish in Midland Holy Trinity as well, gone from 4 masses on sunday to just 2.

I have a question for the Latin Catholics here. You hate schisms amoung your selves. but when it comes to ultra-conservative Episcopal churches going into schism, it seems like many here are for it.

 

[Contarini]

Well in this particular instance I think this schismatic “Christ Church” is attempting to become a nascent “anglican” cenomination by it’self.

They are founding other CCs in other cities and towns, all with the same name.

Christ Church Midland’s website has a link to the ACNA and appears to be part of that denomination. Mind you, they also claim to be part of the Anglican Communion, which is a somewhat deceptive claim if they’re part of ACNA–they certainly aren’t recognized by Canterbury, though they are recognized by some other provinces of the Communion.

It appears that some ACNA parishes are forming these networks of church-planting, and it may be that naming churches “Christ Church” is a mark of this particular network–that’s still not a denomination, though.

I have a question for the Latin Catholics here. You hate schisms amoung your selves. but when it comes to ultra-conservative Episcopal churches going into schism, it seems like many here are for it.

Well, for many Catholics breaking away from non-Catholic churches isn’t schism–you can only go into schism from the true Church.

This is one of the things that bothers me about Catholic ecclesiology, but in fact not all Catholics have that attitude. Still, one of the practical reasons I find it hard to become Catholic (the only one which I still recognize as having any real force) is that I don’t want to separate myself from those Christians I’m currently united with in order to seek some supposedly more perfect unity.

Edwin

 

[GKC]

Christ Church Midland’s website has a link to the ACNA and appears to be part of that denomination. Mind you, they also claim to be part of the Anglican Communion, which is a somewhat deceptive claim if they’re part of ACNA–they certainly aren’t recognized by Canterbury, though they are recognized by some other provinces of the Communion.

It appears that some ACNA parishes are forming these networks of church-planting, and it may be that naming churches “Christ Church” is a mark of this particular network–that’s still not a denomination, though.

Well, for many Catholics breaking away from non-Catholic churches isn’t schism–you can only go into schism from the true Church.

This is one of the things that bothers me about Catholic ecclesiology, but in fact not all Catholics have that attitude. Still, one of the practical reasons I find it hard to become Catholic (the only one which I still recognize as having any real force) is that I don’t want to separate myself from those Christians I’m currently united with in order to seek some supposedly more perfect unity.

Edwin

So, it’s down to one?

I’m still watching.

GKC

 

[cccy3]

The Anglican and Roman churche both make up the one holy catholic and apostolic church so they are both good :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

 

[Azygos]

If Anglicans are baptized and believe in the basic fundamentals of Christianity then they are part of the Body of Christ which is the Catholic (Universal) Church (Unless they spiritually excommunicate themselves). This is why we call them our separated brethren. Is the Physical Church they attend Catholic? Absolutely NOT, because they do not have Valid Holy Orders (It is man-made, Not Of God). All Protestant denominations including all Anglicans do not have Valid Holy Orders therefore the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist are Not Valid. They have tried to claim them Valid but the Catholic Church says they lost Validity in the Protestant Reformation as did all Protestant sects. Since the Catholic Church has put together a council and declared it so then it must be true, after all it is the pillar and foundation of the truth. I don’t see them reversing this decision, ever…

Anglicans cannot (normally) receive complete sanctification outside of one holy, catholic, and apostolic church. They need confession and the Eucharist to achieve this. The Church Fathers were not kidding when they said there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church (The Body of Christ). Although Anglicans are partial members and they may enter heaven, it will not be because they are saved (achieved complete sanctification). It will be because they were sanctified in purgatory…

I suppose their are exceptions to this rule as an Anglican could baptize someone on their death bed making that person an Anglican worthy of heaven, thus skipping purgatory (See Matthew 20:1-16, helps to understand deathbed conversions). The problem with protestants sects is that they receive the grace needed for heaven when they are baptized but how do they maintain this free gift of grace? It is through the sacraments especially confession and the Eucharist, which are invalid in their physical church.

There is only One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of the Living God, Jesus Christ.

If you run into teachings that are hard for you to accept in the Catholic Faith because of your personal beliefs, just remember Jesus said only those who deny themselves and follow me can be my disciples. If you want Eternal Life and to have a Personal Relationship with the Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ then you want the Catholic Church. You can receive Jesus Christ, Body, Soul, and Divinity in the Real Eucharist, with no doubts of it’s validity. It does not get any more Personal than that and it is so personal that if you receive it (the Eucharist, Jesus Christ) in a state of mortal sin you cast judgment down upon yourself (1 Cor. 11:27).

 

[Azygos]

Well, for many Catholics breaking away from non-Catholic churches isn’t schism–you can only go into schism from the true Church.

This is one of the things that bothers me about Catholic ecclesiology, but in fact not all Catholics have that attitude. Still, one of the practical reasons I find it hard to become Catholic (the only one which I still recognize as having any real force) is that I don’t want to separate myself from those Christians I’m currently united with in order to seek some supposedly more perfect unity.

Edwin

Not wanting to separate yourself from your friends seems like a noble cause. Is it a sufficient enough reason to deny/avoid the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ?

Matthew 16:24 (Douay Rheims)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

[Regina_Love]

I’ve been reading Catechism of the Catholic Church, but I haven’t spoken to a priest or been baptized. By the way, I’m 14. I’ll be waiting till I’m 18 to do RCIA because whenever I bring up Catholicism my parents just say that every priest is a pedophile.

Tell them that statistically you are 4 times more likely to be attacked by a teacher than a Priest. Most of the Pedophile cases involved gay Priests with boys. This is a GAY PROBLEM. Notice the media NEVER told you the truth. In fact married men molest far more often than Priests, so your parents are way off, and just Catholic Bashing like the media, who hates teaching on sin. The seminaries have learned from this, and now seek manly men, as candidates.

Our last two Popes have been cleaning house. EVERY volunteer who comes into contact with children is finger printed, and investigated. We all complete a program which teaches how to keep children safe, and taught to report even the most miner suspicions. We read weekly training materials, so we are constantly taught how to keep kids safe! I honestly think ours is the safest Church now.