Should the Non-Catholic Religions Forum be abolished?

[Eleve]

Well, if there would be a crackdown on intra-Christian dialogue in this particular forum, that implies creation of a new forum for intra-Christian dialogue, right?

 

[Peter_J]

Well, if there would be a crackdown on intra-Christian dialogue in this particular forum, that implies creation of a new forum for intra-Christian dialogue, right?

Well, there aren’t a lot of certainties in life, but I admit that I would find it pretty incongruous if they didn’t create a forum for intra-Christian dialogue.

 

[Good_Fella]

Thank you for clarifying. For what it’s worth, I completely disagree: I believe that Christianity (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant) is one religion. Protestantism isn’t “another religion” any more than Canada is “another continent”. (In saying that, of course, I’m taking for granted that I live in the USA. )

Perhaps only the name of the forum should be changed from “Non-Catholic Religions” to “Non-Catholic Faith”. Both Catholics and non-Catholics belong to the major world religion of Christianity, but we don’t precisely share the same faith.

 

[Peter_J]

Well, if there would be a crackdown on intra-Christian dialogue in this particular forum, that implies creation of a new forum for intra-Christian dialogue, right?

Hi Eleve. After giving this some more thought, I’ve got a question I’d like to ask you. I hope it won’t offend you (although in light of what you said before, it’s very possible that it will, in which case I apologize in advance). Would it be a terrible thing if CAF decided not to do as you suggest? I’m not saying that there’s any particular reason for them not to create a new sub-forum for intra-Christian dialogue; I merely wish to point out that there are already lots of other forums out there for intra-Christian dialogue, and hence whether or not CAF also has one may not make much difference, in the big picture

 

[bobzills]

Well, if there would be a crackdown on intra-Christian dialogue in this particular forum, that implies creation of a new forum for intra-Christian dialogue, right?

I would vote for a division of the non-Catholics forum as follows:

1. Eastern Christianity
2. Protestant Christianity
3. Non-Christian

 

[Peter_J]

This is from another recent thread, but I think it also makes an interesting addition to the discussion on this thread …

To even add this comment, that Protestanism is not a different religion speaks in volumes about you not being Catholic. Because if you were a Catholic, you’d know why and where your church came from and wouldn’t possibly question it whatsoever. To think that Protestants and Catholics view the Eucharist as the same…tells me you need some research done. Perhaps reading the bible again.

 

[Jeeda555]

Hi all,

I think it’s pretty well-known that this forum, although it is officially intended for dialogue with other religions, actually contains a lot of intra-Christian dialogue as well. (Note: I’m more or less assuming that my readers agree that Christianity is one religion. I don’t mean any offense to Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, etc. who believe that Catholicism and Protestantism are two different religions.)

(I apologize if this gets a little off topic, I just have a really quick question and then please, resume discussion)

I understand that some Evangelicals/Fundametalists, etc. believe Catholic and Protestant are “two different religions” (although I would certaintly disagree and I have an Evangelical-like background; I believe they are one too We just don’t agree on everything, and hey, that’s okay. We’re all learning and growing in Christ).

But my questions is, does the Catholic Church believe we are one as well? It was always my impression that they too felt that “Catholic” and “Protestant” beliefs were very different and two seperate religions as well.

Sorry to shang-hi the converation, I’m just very curious. Thanks.

 

[Peter_J]

But my questions is, does the Catholic Church believe we are one as well? It was always my impression that they too felt that “Catholic” and “Protestant” beliefs were very different and two seperate religions as well.

Hi Jeeda. Are we one? I guess my answer would be that Christianity is one religion, but we (Catholics and Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox for that matter) are not at this time one as we ought to be.

In other words, Christians ought to all be in full communion.

As we profess in the Creed, “one holy catholic and apostolic church”.

Sorry to shang-hi the converation, I’m just very curious. Thanks.

No problem, I thought that was completely on topic.

 

[Rascalking]

This forum needs to continue. I think we need to remember that we have much more that unites us than divides us.

We, as a community of Christians. are under attack by society. It’s time to hold together and worry about our own disagreements later.

 

[Jeeda555]

Hi Jeeda. Are we one? I guess my answer would be that Christianity is one religion, but we (Catholics and Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox for that matter) are not at this time one as we ought to be.

In other words, Christians ought to all be in full communion.

As we profess in the Creed, “one holy catholic and apostolic church”.

That’s very interesting. I used to work at a Christian bookstore before it closed three years ago (sigh, RIP Christian Publications… ); most of our clientele were various Protestant denominations, although we had a good number of Catholic customers as well.

Anyway, I just find your thought interesting because I, and the rest of the employees, would constantly find ourselves in discussions with other backgrounds, and that’s where I learned so much about what Baptists, Pentacosts, etc. believe. But what’s funny is I *never *felt like I wasn’t one with them. A nice Catholic lady bought a gift for a baby that was being baptized, a Baptist friend was buying a bible for a friend who was being baptized (an adult), personally my church practices both and find value in both. These differences never made me feel like I wasn’t one.

And communion? Catholics are more than welcome to except communion at my church, because they’re christian. I realize I wouldn’t be allowed to except communion at a Catholic church, and it saddens me but I except. So I see what you mean, but I’ve just never felt like we weren’t one.

 

[Peter_J]

That’s very interesting. I used to work at a Christian bookstore before it closed three years ago (sigh, RIP Christian Publications… ); most of our clientele were various Protestant denominations, although we had a good number of Catholic customers as well.

Anyway, I just find your thought interesting because I, and the rest of the employees, would constantly find ourselves in discussions with other backgrounds, and that’s where I learned so much about what Baptists, Pentacosts, etc. believe. But what’s funny is I *never *felt like I wasn’t one with them. A nice Catholic lady bought a gift for a baby that was being baptized, a Baptist friend was buying a bible for a friend who was being baptized (an adult), personally my church practices both and find value in both. These differences never made me feel like I wasn’t one.

And communion? Catholics are more than welcome to except communion at my church, because they’re christian. I realize I wouldn’t be allowed to except communion at a Catholic church, and it saddens me but I except. So I see what you mean, but I’ve just never felt like we weren’t one.

Well, let me put it this way … pretty much the only time when I even need to say “I don’t consider Protestantism and Orthodoxy to be ‘other religions’, because I consider Christianity to be one religion” is when I’m participating on the Catholic Answers Forum. Otherwise, I just don’t have any need to say that, because it’s just generally agreed upon (with a couple of exceptions, like if I was speaking with a member of the SSPX, or a Fundamentalist Protestant).

Having said that, I admit that I do often speak as though Protestantism and Orthodoxy were “other religions”, inasmuch as I discuss them on this sub-forum which is for “other religions”. I’m not entirely at peace with myself over that, but I guess I justify as a matter of convenience (and of course I occasionally make an effort to let people know that don’t consider Protestantism and Orthodoxy to be “other religions”). I’m finding, based on the responses on this thread, that I lot of other Catholics feel like that, albeit with a different emphasis (and of course there also a few who say that Protestantism and Orthodoxy really are “other religions”, e.g. the above quotation from OneTrueCathApos, in which case this sub-forum should be exactly the way it is).

As far as communion goes, I just follow the directives of my Church. I appreciate the fact that a lot of non-Catholic ministers are willing to offer me communion, but I’m not allowed to accept it. (And conversely, I appreciate the fact that a lot of non-Catholic Christians would be willing to accept communion in a Catholic church, but our priests are not allowed to offer it to them – with a few exceptions like the Eastern Orthodox and the PNCC.)

Sorry if I’m talking to much here.

 

[Jeeda555]

Well, let me put it this way … pretty much the only time when I even need to say “I don’t consider Protestantism and Orthodoxy to be ‘other religions’, because I consider Christianity to be one religion” is when I’m participating on the Catholic Answers Forum. Otherwise, I just don’t have any need to say that, because it’s just generally agreed upon (with a couple of exceptions, like if I was speaking with a member of the SSPX, or a Fundamentalist Protestant).

Having said that, I admit that I do often speak as though Protestantism and Orthodoxy were “other religions”, inasmuch as I discuss them on this sub-forum which is for “other religions”. I’m not entirely at peace with myself over that, but I guess I justify as a matter of convenience (and of course I occasionally make an effort to let people know that don’t consider Protestantism and Orthodoxy to be “other religions”). I’m finding, based on the responses on this thread, that I lot of other Catholics feel like that, albeit with a different emphasis (and of course there also a few who say that Protestantism and Orthodoxy really are “other religions”, e.g. the above quotation from OneTrueCathApos, in which case this sub-forum should be exactly the way it is).

As far as communion goes, I just follow the directives of my Church. I appreciate the fact that a lot of non-Catholic ministers are willing to offer me communion, but I’m not allowed to accept it. (And conversely, I appreciate the fact that a lot of non-Catholic Christians would be willing to accept communion in a Catholic church, but our priests are not allowed to offer it to them – with a few exceptions like the Eastern Orthodox and the PNCC.)

Sorry if I’m talking to much here.

No no! That makes a lot of sense. And I certaintly appreciate you being thorough. (By the way, who are the SSPX? I’m not familair with this term.)

As for not feeling at peace, I know it can be hard because sometimes we DO feel so different, especially when certain topics are being discussed where Protestant branches and the Catholic Church agree on little. And it can be rather frustrating, especially when dealing with a “bad apple” sort (meaning those loud or pushy people who can’t share their ideas/opinion/understand without sounding like a really rude horse’s behind ). And unfortuntely all branches of humanity suffer from “bad apples”. But, as they say, you can’t let a bad apple soil the bunch.

Also, just for curiosity’s sake, why are priests allowed to offer communion to Eastern Orthodox and PNCC (<---- I’m not familiar with this term either) but not others? Is there something in the E.O.'s/PNCC’s belief system that other branches are lacking?

 

[Peter_J]

No no! That makes a lot of sense. And I certaintly appreciate you being thorough.

Thank you.

(By the way, who are the SSPX? I’m not familair with this term.)

Sorry about that, the SSPX or Society of Saint Pius X is a group of “Traditionalist Catholics”. I guess I’ve been on this forum so long that I tend to forget that most people (including Catholics) have never heard of the SSPX. (CAF has, if I’m not mistaken, the largest “Traditionalist Catholic” forum on the whole internet.)

 

[tobinatorstark]

Hi all,

I think it’s pretty well-known that this forum, although it is officially intended for dialogue with other religions, actually contains a lot of intra-Christian dialogue as well. (Note: I’m more or less assuming that my readers agree that Christianity is one religion. I don’t mean any offense to Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, etc. who believe that Catholicism and Protestantism are two different religions.)

With that in mind, I’m curious how many people believe that CAF should crack-down on intra-Christian dialogue happening in this forum. And, if so, how? (I’m not suggesting that it would have to be by abolishing this forum – even though I think that makes a pretty good thread title. It could be done by less drastic means, e.g. CAF could simply warn everyone that any threads that are not related to dialogue with other religions will be closed.) Also, where should intra-Christian dialogue go instead of this forum?

Thanks in advance to all responders,

Yes I believe the Non-Catholic forum should be abolished. There are too many people including myself that start to lack charity, plus there are too many anti (fill in the blank demonination or Catholic) people in this forum

 

[SedesDomi]

Methodism (or insert any other Protestant form) is a “religion”. (It’s a “denomination”, true, but it is also a “religion” - “a system of beliefs and practices involving realities not accepted by modern Western science”.)

Methodism is “non-Catholic”.

Methodism, thus, is a “non-Catholic religion.” (And this statement says nothing about whether Methodism and Catholicism are both “Christian” or not. The “Christian” issue is a whole 'nother issue.)

No need to be offended by the simple truth.

 

[Peter_J]

As for not feeling at peace, I know it can be hard because sometimes we DO feel so different, especially when certain topics are being discussed where Protestant branches and the Catholic Church agree on little. And it can be rather frustrating, especially when dealing with a “bad apple” sort (meaning those loud or pushy people who can’t share their ideas/opinion/understand without sounding like a really rude horse’s behind ). And unfortuntely all branches of humanity suffer from “bad apples”. But, as they say, you can’t let a bad apple soil the bunch.

I quite agree. Indeed, it scares me little to imagine what kind of impression non-Catholics must get of Catholicism, based on some of the things that are posted here.

BTW, I’ve quoted this before, but I think it’s worth posting again. It’s one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes:

“Certainly I have met with little of the fabled odium theologicum from convinced members of communions different from my own. Hostility has come more from borderline people whether within the Church of England or without it: men not exactly obedient to any communion. This I find curiously consoling. It is at her centre, where her truest children dwell, that each communion is really closest to every other in spirit, if not in doctrine. And this suggests that at the centre of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice.”

 

[Peter_J]

Yes I believe the Non-Catholic forum should be abolished. There are too many people including myself that start to lack charity, plus there are too many anti (fill in the blank demonination or Catholic) people in this forum

Hi tobinatorstark. I certainly don’t have anything against you posting your opinion; but I don’t want anyone to read your post and get confused about what question I was asking. So for anyone who hasn’t read it or has forgotten (emphasis added):

With that in mind, I’m curious how many people believe that CAF should crack-down on intra-Christian dialogue happening in this forum. And, if so, how? (I’m not suggesting that it would have to be by abolishing this forum – even though I think that makes a pretty good thread title. It could be done by less drastic means, e.g. CAF could simply warn everyone that any threads that are not related to dialogue with other religions will be closed.) Also, where should intra-Christian dialogue go instead of this forum?

 

[tobinatorstark]

Hi tobinatorstark. I certainly don’t have anything against you posting your opinion; but I don’t want anyone to read your post and get confused about what question I was asking. So for anyone who hasn’t read it or has forgotten (emphasis added):

I stand by my opinion. In the year and 3 months that I have been part of this forum. I have seen many people being anti-Catholic, Ant-Protestantism, Anti-Islam, Anti-Buddist and even Anti-religion in general. I believe getting rid of the Non-Catholic forum would eliminate many of the anti(fill in the blank denomination).

 

[bobzills]

I stand by my opinion. In the year and 3 months that I have been part of this forum. I have seen many people being anti-Catholic, Ant-Protestantism, Anti-Islam, Anti-Buddist and even Anti-religion in general. I believe getting rid of the Non-Catholic forum would eliminate many of the anti(fill in the blank denomination).

Well, this is why we have moderators. Generally, I would suggest that if a person has a problem with a thread that he just ignore it.
In this age when the Vatican is pushing ecumenical relations with other religious groups, why should not a Catholic try to be well informed and learn to discuss Catholicism in charity and in friendship with non-Catholics?

 

[tobinatorstark]

Well, this is why we have moderators. Generally, I would suggest that if a person has a problem with a thread that he just ignore it.
In this age when the Vatican is pushing ecumenical relations with other religious groups, why should not a Catholic try to be well informed and learn to discuss Catholicism in charity and in friendship with non-Catholics?

I am not saying we shouldn’t have contact with non-Catholics or friendships but Too many times this forum has gotten too far out of hand. That is just my opinion.