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StephenL
Guest
Okay, so what is an appropriate response when someone says I am not Catholic anymore I am a Christian?
God Bless you in the name Jesus!
God Bless you in the name Jesus!
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UpUpAndAway
Guest
The few times I have been asked, “Are you Christian or Catholic?” I responded that I am a Catholic Christian. I heard that suggestion once on a radio broadcast of Women of Grace; it was Fr. Edmund Sylvia, CSC who suggested it. No one has ever argued with this reply.
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JRKH
Guest
Well - depending on the specifics of the situation, I would make two comments. First would be to point out that Catholic’s ARE Christians and then ask them why they left the Catholicism.
Of course wording can vary in this…for example one might simply say, "Why did you leave Catholicism since, as a catholic, you were already a Christian?
The most important thing is to respond in an inquisitive manner…a way that will open up conversation.
Peace
James
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bzkoss236
Guest
How about, “I’m a Catholic, the original Christian”.
More specifically to the OP, I would respond with:
“Well, Catholics are Christians, so you went from being one kind of Christian to another. You went from Catholic to Protestant.”
then I would continue with, “However, you should know that the earliest Christians were Catholic and not Protestants.”
More specifically to the OP, I would respond with:
“Well, Catholics are Christians, so you went from being one kind of Christian to another. You went from Catholic to Protestant.”
then I would continue with, “However, you should know that the earliest Christians were Catholic and not Protestants.”
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tskrobacz
Guest
If we are still attached to our religion, skin color or country of origin then we do not yet know who we truly are.
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Neofight
Guest
Seems to me that “Yes!” Is the appropriate answer.
po18guy
Well-known member
The “Christians” were first so-called an Antioch in the first century. They celebrated the mass, confession, the anointing of the sick and all of the Sacraments. They had bishops, Priests and Deacons. Ask your “former” Catholic friends if they have those things today, or only the bible.
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Anglewannabe
Guest
Thank you for letting me get to know you.
Honestly, unless you want to get into a heated debate, I would live and let live and respect their opinion. Unless this person outright tells a lie about the Catholic religion, there is no ‘come back’ required at all. Jesus let him walk away, so should you.
Angie
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mlz
Guest
“Jesus let him walk away…” I’m not so sure about that… we all make choices. I can’t believe Jesus would let him walk away from the Church he founded…?! Really?! Logically, it doesn’t make sense to me…although God is capable of working ALL things together for His good!
mlz
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EasterJoy
Guest
“Um, excuse me, but since I’m still Catholic why don’t we settle on ‘not Catholic any more but still Christian’?”
The ensuing conversation will at least be interesting…
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Viki63
Guest
The problem with this is that you don’t cease to be Catholic by just switching churches. Once baptized, you remain a Catholic unless you officially resign. Which is why it’s easy to return to the Catholic church, you just go to confession.
I would say, “you know, Catholics were the original Christians. Why did you leave the Catholic church?”
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tskrobacz
Guest
We all have to get away from any addiction to “religion” or group…until we do we are blind. Go to God, go to Love…Love God and do what you want…that’s freedom from the need to identify with “Catholic”, “Christian” or any other label that is always a log in our eyes.
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kmcarl56
Guest
Perhaps it is their way of telling others that there should be no distinction between one Christian or another. Most Protestants believe that Catholics are Christians, but some people do not…and the other way around.
It is a very sad situation in my view that Christians are arguing over who is more Christian than others.
All who love the Lord God with all their hearts, souls, and minds and live a Christian life to the best of our ability, are Christian in my way of thinking. At least, I think that is the way God sees us.
It is a very sad situation in my view that Christians are arguing over who is more Christian than others.
All who love the Lord God with all their hearts, souls, and minds and live a Christian life to the best of our ability, are Christian in my way of thinking. At least, I think that is the way God sees us.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Yes, we are kind of the original Hotel California, although not in a bad way. More like a family.
My intention was only to let them know they were talking to someone who is Catholic who considers herself Christian, and to not be insulting by implying that the two are mutually exclusive. Still, I’d welcome a conversation, so I don’t want to object in a way that returns perceived insult for perceived insult. Your way would work, too. (Although I’d use the present tense “are” not the past tense “were”.)
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KellyPalmer
Guest
This doesn’t make any sense and Catholics aren’t likely to buy into this modern fallacy. Your comments present a false dichotomy. Religion is a relationship with God. That’s what it means. Jesus IS his Church.
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KellyPalmer
Guest
I would respond by stating that Catholics are Christian and maybe ask if they want to share more about their change in religion.
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fallow_spirit
Guest
I’ve never been told that before. The closest was when my violin teacher casually remarked during practice once “Oh yeah, your Uncle was a Catholic before he became a Christian wasn’t he?”
It came too quick for me to think up a good response, and I had to get on with practice, so I just said yes, but I cringed a little on the inside.
It came too quick for me to think up a good response, and I had to get on with practice, so I just said yes, but I cringed a little on the inside.
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Anglewannabe
Guest
I honestly have no idea what this means. Freedom from the need to identify with Catholic ???
Why on earth would I want to be free from that. I think it is a blessing to identify with God’s church
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tskrobacz
Guest
It is one thing to seek wisdom in the many great Catholic teachers, saints and mystics. It is another thing to label yourself as Catholic, Christian, etc as a means of distinguishing yourself from the remainder of God’s creation. The Jews made the same mistake in the old testament confusing “chosen” with their real role which was to announce the chosen-ness of all humanity, everywhere and always by a loving God.I honestly have no idea what this means. Freedom from the need to identify with Catholic ???
When labels are used to separate instead of unite ALL people, they become the very log that blinds us from seeing beyond dualistic human constructs to that which is true always, everywhere and for ALL people.
PS. It was St. Augustine that said Love God and do as you please (or what you want).
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