The use of the term "Protestant Sects" by Catholics

[Tommy999]

I’m not sure what my friend Kathleen meant by that, so I won’t answer for her, but that does segue into a question that I have: does your church permit divorce and re-marriage?

Hi PRmerger,
In short, No, or at least that is my understanding. In my case, both of us are Christians and our marriage is the first (and only) one for both of us.

Taken from ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/relations_09_div_remarr.cfm

Divorce: The Assemblies of God discourages divorce with strong teaching on the sanctity and permanence of marriage. This stand is obviously more stringent than the permissive attitude of society in general and the judicial system’s interpretation of the laws of the land. The strong feeling of the church against divorce grows out of the clear statement in the Bible that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and that no human being should separate two persons joined together in holy matrimony (Matthew 19:6). Yet the reality of divorce forces the church to draw from Scripture guidelines for instances when God’s ideal is not maintained.

Scripture regulates divorce as it pertains to Christians by providing guidelines for two separate groups: marriages in which both partners are Christians; and marriages where only one spouse is a Christian. In the first case, where both husband and wife are professing Christians, neither party is ever to seek a divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11). In the second case (the mixed marriage) the Christian husband or wife should never initiate or seek a divorce from an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). There are only two exceptions that allow for this initiative. A Christian may divorce a spouse only when his/her partner is repeatedly committing the sin of adultery (Matthew 5:32; 19:9), or if the spouse refuses to live with him/her and departs (abandonment) (1 Corinthians 7:15). Both exceptions present the believer with an option; but never a mandate. A better course whenever grace enables it is to forgive marital infidelity and seek healing in the marriage. This choice is especially desirable in cases where children would be further hurt and the family destroyed through divorce. Abandonment (a long-term physical withdrawal from the home with neglect of the responsibilities, support, and duties required of one partner within a marriage) would also prove the spouse’s sinful conduct and could eventually allow for divorce.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Are you suggesting that I am not in a legal or valid marriage because I wasn’t married in the Catholic Church? I think I know you well enough to where I don’t think you would question the validity of my marriage to my dear wife of 34 years that took place in the church where she grew up, so I guess I don’t understand what you meant by that statement. Perhaps you can clarify for me.

I think what Kathleen means is that of the communities that acknowledge sacraments, many Protestant communities dont consider marriage one of their two sacraments. They only recognize baptism and the Lord’s Supper

 

[Tommy999]

I think what Kathleen means is that of the communities that acknowledge sacraments, many Protestant communities dont consider marriage one of their two sacraments. They only recognize baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Perhaps my issue is that I don’t have a proper understanding of what the term ‘sacrament’ is. Can you or someone explain?

If a sacrament includes a holy binding arrangement between both of us to one another and to God, both of us consider our marriage to be a sacramental marriage.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Perhaps my issue is that I don’t have a proper understanding of what the term ‘sacrament’ is. Can you or someone explain?

If a sacrament includes a holy binding arrangement between both of us to one another and to God, both of us consider our marriage to be a sacramental marriage.

Sacrament (Latin) or Mysterion (Greek):

In Eastern lingo – The holy mysteries or sacraments in the Church are vessels of the mystical participation in divine grace of mankind. In a general sense, the Church considers everything which is in and of the Church as sacramental or mystical.
The sacraments, like the Church, are both visible and invisible. In every sacrament there is a combination of an outward visible sign with an inward spiritual grace. Saint John Chrysostom wrote that they are called mysteries because what we believe is not the same as what we see; instead, we see one thing and believe another.
The sacraments are personal — they are the means whereby God’s grace is appropriated to each individual Christian. In most of the sacraments, the priest mentions the Christian name of each person as he administers the sacrament.

Western lingo – Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification. “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.”
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Sacraments.htm

Pretty thorough here, from a protestant pastor: kencollins.com/sacraments/sacrament-02.htm

 

[Tommy999]

Sacrament (Latin) or Mysterion (Greek):

In Eastern lingo – The holy mysteries or sacraments in the Church are vessels of the mystical participation in divine grace of mankind. In a general sense, the Church considers everything which is in and of the Church as sacramental or mystical.
The sacraments, like the Church, are both visible and invisible. In every sacrament there is a combination of an outward visible sign with an inward spiritual grace. Saint John Chrysostom wrote that they are called mysteries because what we believe is not the same as what we see; instead, we see one thing and believe another.
The sacraments are personal — they are the means whereby God’s grace is appropriated to each individual Christian. In most of the sacraments, the priest mentions the Christian name of each person as he administers the sacrament.

Western lingo – Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification. “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.”
catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Sacraments.htm

Pretty thorough here, from a protestant pastor: kencollins.com/sacraments/sacrament-02.htm

Very helpful links, SyroMalankara. Thanks!

 

[robwar]

Background
I’ve always viewed both the Catholic Church and most protestant denominations as Christians, believers of equal standing in the eyes of God. Of course, there are individuals in both groups who are undoubtedly more serious about their faith than others, but I am speaking in general terms here.
Observation:
On threads such as forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=926902, there are Catholics who refer to "protestant sects’.

Question1:
What is meant by that and why is that term chosen instead of “denomination”, “faith tradition”, or “communion”, as I’ve also seen used by other Catholics on CAF?

To some Catholics, this distinction may be little to do about nothing and merely semantics, but not to me.

To me, the word ‘sect’ carries a negative connotation as if suggesting illegitimacy or heresy, as in the definition 1a listed below taken from the Merriam online dictionary.

Full Definition of SECT (per Merriam online dictionary – full definition section)
*1a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical
1b : a religious denomination *

When I think of a sect, I think of Jim Jones and his group that committed mass suicide in South America or the Branch Davidians under David Koresh, not Southern Baptists, Assembly of God, or Methodists, for example.

However, the word ‘Sect’ can also be defined as “a religious denomination”, which is how I would describe most protestant churches.

Question2:
If you use the term “Protestant Sect”, what meaning are you applying to it, the 1a or 1b definition above, or neither?

Why does it matter?
Your use of the term offers a window into how you view non-Catholic Christians.

For example, are protestants like me considered lesser Christians or perhaps heretics, or are we what the CCC describes as brothers in Christ who "the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection" in CCC 818?

I apologize if I am being overly sensitive or if this issue doesn’t apply to you. If that is the case, please disregard this whole thread and thank you for being my brother or sister in Christ.

If it does apply, I hope you will give it a little closer examination in the future to the terms you use when describing other Christians who may not belong to your faith tradition.

Your friend in Christ,
Tommy

I do think the Catholics on CAF that use sect to describe Protestant groups are using it in the second definition that you gave. I think the same can be used with cult. I view both terms negatively. I am also disturbed on CAF by the repeated lumping of all Protestants together. Not all Protestants are anti-Catholic at all and many do view Catholics as legitimate Christians. I know sometimes this can be based on what part of the country one is from and those based in the “bible belt” seem to encounter more anti-Catholic sentiments than those like myself from a more cosmopolitan diverse area (midwest near major city). I think the thread you quoted in the beginning which I did comment on was about the frustration of a newer Catholic in finding Catholic radio for support and all he seemed to encounter are more stringent radio programs that might not be so pro-Catholic. One of the big draws to the Catholic Church for me was the lack of anti-other Christians. I do find it disturbing on CAF to see threads about the demonic origin of the reformation or asking Protestants why they are still protesting etc because these sorts of sentiments do not reflect Catholic teaching on how we are to view or welcome other Christians. I think some Catholics on CAF forget that many non-Catholic read this site and even actively participate on it like yourself. I think it is hard for some cradle Catholics to understand the diversity of views and ideas in Protestants and lump everyone together as if Jack Chick tracts represent what a majority of Protestants think or view or believe.

 

[Tommy999]

I do think the Catholics on CAF that use sect to describe Protestant groups are using it in the second definition that you gave. I think the same can be used with cult. I view both terms negatively. I am also disturbed on CAF by the repeated lumping of all Protestants together. Not all Protestants are anti-Catholic at all and many do view Catholics as legitimate Christians. I know sometimes this can be based on what part of the country one is from and those based in the “bible belt” seem to encounter more anti-Catholic sentiments than those like myself from a more cosmopolitan diverse area (midwest near major city). I think the thread you quoted in the beginning which I did comment on was about the frustration of a newer Catholic in finding Catholic radio for support and all he seemed to encounter are more stringent radio programs that might not be so pro-Catholic. One of the big draws to the Catholic Church for me was the lack of anti-other Christians. I do find it disturbing on CAF to see threads about the demonic origin of the reformation or asking Protestants why they are still protesting etc because these sorts of sentiments do not reflect Catholic teaching on how we are to view or welcome other Christians. I think some Catholics on CAF forget that many non-Catholic read this site and even actively participate on it like yourself. I think it is hard for some cradle Catholics to understand the diversity of views and ideas in Protestants and lump everyone together as if Jack Chick tracts represent what a majority of Protestants think or view or believe.

Thanks, Robwar. I really liked your reply.

It’s mature Catholics like yourself with whom I like communicating on CAF. I get my questions answered and feel like we are two friends sitting on a park bench conversing instead of two politicians talking past each other in angry debate.

I appreciate those of you who are respectful and courteous in sharing your faith and patiently answering my questions. When that happens, I remain open and receptive.

On the other hand, when someone attacks or belittles my faith tradition, I close up and disregard anything else they have to say. That may be wrong of me but that’s how I am.

Take care and God bless.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I think the reason why most Catholics react that way, at least on this forum, is that the most vocal (think annoying) anti-Catholics are either from “mainline” now-liberal protestant groups which hate Catholicism for being “backward”, or fundamentalist/non-denominationalist types who hate Catholicism for being not their particular definition of “biblical”. If these two spend more time attacking some other groups, Catholics wouldn’t have that kind of impression. Particularly regarding the latter, they choose to attack Catholicism, but usually leave other non-Catholic Christians alone. The former, instead of going after fundamentalist Islam or some other group that their views would actually be a practical step forward for women or homosexuals, instead attacks Catholicism with strawmen or a skewed perception of Catholic teaching.

It may be that the protestant or non-denominationals that respect Catholicism or at least don’t speak about it negatively are actually few and far between.

 

[robwar]

Thanks, Robwar. I really liked your reply.

It’s mature Catholics like yourself with whom I like communicating on CAF. I get my questions answered and feel like we are two friends sitting on a park bench conversing instead of two politicians talking past each other in angry debate.

I appreciate those of you who are respectful and courteous in sharing your faith and patiently answering my questions. When that happens, I remain open and receptive.

On the other hand, when someone attacks or belittles my faith tradition, I close up and disregard anything else they have to say. That may be wrong of me but that’s how I am.

Take care and God bless.

no problem Tom, have a very blessed Christmas with you and yours. Your reaction is normal to those that belittle others.

 

[Contarini]

I haven’t read every post in the thread, so maybe someone else has pointed this out, but the scholarly usage of the term “sect” usually refers to a small group that sets itself sharply over against the mainstream version of its own religious tradition. So Independent Baptists would be a sect, but United Methodists wouldn’t be. Ernst Troeltsch is the most influential figure in this usage–he famously distinguished between “churches” and “sects.” In Troeltsch’s usage, “churches” are big umbrella organizations that try to include everyone. Historically they were usually tied to the state and persecuted people who weren’t willing to get into the “big tent.” Sects, on the other hand, give up on trying to embrace all of society, so they are very exclusive (you have to meet strict requirements to belong), but they also give up on using coercion. Anglicanism would be the most churchy church, in this definition. Both Catholicism and Orthodoxy are as well, of course, but monasticism (and in Catholicism’s case its strong sense of identity over against the state) gives both traditions a “sectarian” element that “mainline” Protestantism lacks. In other words, the church/sect division is primarily a Protestant phenomenon–it separates between two things that are, ideally, both contained in Catholicism (the desire to embrace all and the insistence on high standards of holiness).

Hence, when “mainline” Protestant denominations like Episcopalians or United Methodists are referred to as “sects,” it’s hard to see this as other than a slur. The term does have meaning when used of strict groups like the Plymouth Brethren, conservative Pentecostals, etc., (or the early Methodists for that matter), but given its primarily pejorative connotations today I tend to avoid it.

Edwin

 

[Della]

I haven’t read every post in the thread, so maybe someone else has pointed this out, but the scholarly usage of the term “sect” usually refers to a small group that sets itself sharply over against the mainstream version of its own religious tradition. So Independent Baptists would be a sect, but United Methodists wouldn’t be. Ernst Troeltsch is the most influential figure in this usage–he famously distinguished between “churches” and “sects.” In Troeltsch’s usage, “churches” are big umbrella organizations that try to include everyone. Historically they were usually tied to the state and persecuted people who weren’t willing to get into the “big tent.” Sects, on the other hand, give up on trying to embrace all of society, so they are very exclusive (you have to meet strict requirements to belong), but they also give up on using coercion. Anglicanism would be the most churchy church, in this definition. Both Catholicism and Orthodoxy are as well, of course, but monasticism (and in Catholicism’s case its strong sense of identity over against the state) gives both traditions a “sectarian” element that “mainline” Protestantism lacks. In other words, the church/sect division is primarily a Protestant phenomenon–it separates between two things that are, ideally, both contained in Catholicism (the desire to embrace all and the insistence on high standards of holiness).

Hence, when “mainline” Protestant denominations like Episcopalians or United Methodists are referred to as “sects,” it’s hard to see this as other than a slur. The term does have meaning when used of strict groups like the Plymouth Brethren, conservative Pentecostals, etc., (or the early Methodists for that matter), but given its primarily pejorative connotations today I tend to avoid it.

Edwin

Me! That was me. I made that distinction in one of my posts. It’s important to know the definition of terms or fruitful discussion is impossible. :yup: :tiphat:

 

[estesbob]

I haven’t read every post in the thread, so maybe someone else has pointed this out, but the scholarly usage of the term “sect” usually refers to a small group that sets itself sharply over against the mainstream version of its own religious tradition. So Independent Baptists would be a sect, but United Methodists wouldn’t be. Ernst Troeltsch is the most influential figure in this usage–he famously distinguished between “churches” and “sects.” In Troeltsch’s usage, “churches” are big umbrella organizations that try to include everyone. Historically they were usually tied to the state and persecuted people who weren’t willing to get into the “big tent.” Sects, on the other hand, give up on trying to embrace all of society, so they are very exclusive (you have to meet strict requirements to belong), but they also give up on using coercion. Anglicanism would be the most churchy church, in this definition. Both Catholicism and Orthodoxy are as well, of course, but monasticism (and in Catholicism’s case its strong sense of identity over against the state) gives both traditions a “sectarian” element that “mainline” Protestantism lacks. In other words, the church/sect division is primarily a Protestant phenomenon–it separates between two things that are, ideally, both contained in Catholicism (the desire to embrace all and the insistence on high standards of holiness).

Hence, when “mainline” Protestant denominations like Episcopalians or United Methodists are referred to as “sects,” it’s hard to see this as other than a slur. The term does have meaning when used of strict groups like the Plymouth Brethren, conservative Pentecostals, etc., (or the early Methodists for that matter), but given its primarily pejorative connotations today I tend to avoid it.

Edwin

An even worse pejorative is to refer to a denomination as a “cult”. I once went ballistic at a board meeting of the CPC I was at when one of the members referred to Mormons as a “cult”.

 

[steido01]

An even worse pejorative is to refer to a denomination as a “cult”. I once went ballistic at a board meeting of the CPC I was at when one of the members referred to Mormons as a “cult”.

I wouldn’t have gone “ballistic,” but I would have defended that board member’s correct use of the term.

From Merriam-Webster:

**cult **

noun, often attributive \ˈkəlt\

1: a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous

2: a situation in which people admire and care about something or someone very much or too much

3: a small group of very devoted supporters or fans

All three of these apply to the group founded by Joseph Smith. And since that belief structure is decidedly not Christian, yet loosely based on various and arbitrary selections of Christian doctrine (however much those bits of doctrine are perverted or mutated), then the term is correctly applied, both in the academic sense and the pejorative.

Additional reading:
CA - Why are religious groups such as Mormons …called “cults?”
Defenders of the Catholic Faith - Is Mormonism a cult? A heresy?
FAQ - Page 8
A Pastoral Response to Mormonism
Mormonism, a brief examination

As for the use of the term “sect,” I find myself agreeing with Contarini’s well-explained reasoning.

 

[KathleenGee]

Hi Tommy,

Yes, the Catholic Church recognizes Christian marriages. The Catholic Church is binding through Christ.

Ours is a sacrament, meaning…the married couple is sacramentally — binding…each person bonded to Christ…and through Christ are bonded to each other permanently. A sacrament is an outward sign with the fullness of grace of Christ within.

Yes, yours is a valid Christian marriage.

Those that are not fall into the category of all relationships…one partner did not have the intent, will…to be in the marriage permanently or was immature or had a belief system inimical to Catholicism.

Yours is Christ centered and your marriage draws on Christ through your faith.

When I speak of bishop and sacraments making ‘church’, this is the official Catholic understanding of a sacramental marriage in a church; Catholicism goes farther in that we have the papacy.

The Church officially recognizes all marriages, those of good will minus Christ, God…those whose couples are permanently married, mature and share same values.

So if there is a Catholic who wants to marry a divorce person, they study to see the same issues…and if the divorced person’s prior partner had ‘defects’, then that marriage is considered invalid and the Catholic and divorced are free to have a sacramental marriage.

You have to go back to study what the sacraments in themselves are and we have a separate forum for the Liturgy and sacraments.

About ‘church’, it is hard to see one as such that has broken away into a sect…I have witnessed some whose beliefs revolve around one passage of Scripture and they broke away from a broader denomination.

I took a Lutheran to ‘church’ every Sunday until he could no longer go and passed away.

If I took you or someone else to your choice, I would still say, ‘Let’s go to church, Tommy!’

Merry Christmas!

 

[estesbob]

I wouldn’t have gone “ballistic,” but I would have defended that board member’s correct use of the term.

From Merriam-Webster:
All three of these apply to the group founded by Joseph Smith. And since that belief structure is decidedly not Christian, yet loosely based on various and arbitrary selections of Christian doctrine (however much those bits of doctrine are perverted or mutated), then the term is correctly applied, both in the academic sense and the pejorative.

Additional reading:
CA - Why are religious groups such as Mormons …called “cults?”
Defenders of the Catholic Faith - Is Mormonism a cult? A heresy?
FAQ - Page 8
A Pastoral Response to Mormonism
Mormonism, a brief examination

As for the use of the term “sect,” I find myself agreeing with Contarini’s well-explained reasoning.

I am sure that calling the Mormon women we were helping through a crisis pregnancy “cult” members would have helped immensely. just as it would have helped us in gaining the assistance of the Mormon community in our ministry.

 

[Tommy999]

Hi Tommy,

Yes, the Catholic Church recognizes Christian marriages. The Catholic Church is binding through Christ.

Ours is a sacrament, meaning…the married couple is sacramentally — binding…each person bonded to Christ…and through Christ are bonded to each other permanently. A sacrament is an outward sign with the fullness of grace of Christ within.

Yes, yours is a valid Christian marriage.

Those that are not fall into the category of all relationships…one partner did not have the intent, will…to be in the marriage permanently or was immature or had a belief system inimical to Catholicism.

Yours is Christ centered and your marriage draws on Christ through your faith.

When I speak of bishop and sacraments making ‘church’, this is the official Catholic understanding of a sacramental marriage in a church; Catholicism goes farther in that we have the papacy.

The Church officially recognizes all marriages, those of good will minus Christ, God…those whose couples are permanently married, mature and share same values.

So if there is a Catholic who wants to marry a divorce person, they study to see the same issues…and if the divorced person’s prior partner had ‘defects’, then that marriage is considered invalid and the Catholic and divorced are free to have a sacramental marriage.

You have to go back to study what the sacraments in themselves are and we have a separate forum for the Liturgy and sacraments.

About ‘church’, it is hard to see one as such that has broken away into a sect…I have witnessed some whose beliefs revolve around one passage of Scripture and they broke away from a broader denomination.

I took a Lutheran to ‘church’ every Sunday until he could no longer go and passed away.

If I took you or someone else to your choice, I would still say, ‘Let’s go to church, Tommy!’

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for clarifying further, KathleenGee. Merry Christmas to you and all of my CAF friends.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Background

I’ve always viewed both the Catholic Church and most protestant denominations as Christians, believers of equal standing in the eyes of God. Of course, there are individuals in both groups who are undoubtedly more serious about their faith than others, but I am speaking in general terms here.
Observation:
On threads such as forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=926902, there are Catholics who refer to "protestant sects’.

Question1:
What is meant by that and why is that term chosen instead of “denomination”, “faith tradition”, or “communion”, as I’ve also seen used by other Catholics on CAF?

To some Catholics, this distinction may be little to do about nothing and merely semantics, but not to me.

To me, the word ‘sect’ carries a negative connotation as if suggesting illegitimacy or heresy, as in the definition 1a listed below taken from the Merriam online dictionary.

Full Definition of SECT (per Merriam online dictionary – full definition section)
*1a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical
1b : a religious denomination *

When I think of a sect, I think of Jim Jones and his group that committed mass suicide in South America or the Branch Davidians under David Koresh, not Southern Baptists, Assembly of God, or Methodists, for example.

However, the word ‘Sect’ can also be defined as “a religious denomination”, which is how I would describe most protestant churches.

Question2:
If you use the term “Protestant Sect”, what meaning are you applying to it, the 1a or 1b definition above, or neither?

Why does it matter?
Your use of the term offers a window into how you view non-Catholic Christians.

For example, are protestants like me considered lesser Christians or perhaps heretics, or are we what the CCC describes as brothers in Christ who "the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection" in CCC 818?

I apologize if I am being overly sensitive or if this issue doesn’t apply to you. If that is the case, please disregard this whole thread and thank you for being my brother or sister in Christ.

If it does apply, I hope you will give it a little closer examination in the future to the terms you use when describing other Christians who may not belong to your faith tradition.

Your friend in Christ,
Tommy
The simple answer is yes both definition are correct and both can be applied and still hold to the teaching quoted from the CCC. Although Both Catholics and Protestants are bothers in Christ, just as in our own families bothers can and do separate themselves from the whole of the family at times.
Just like with Scripture you can not take one line of the CCC and use it without taking all the teaching into consideration. How does the quote form the CCC use used go with other teachings that there is but One Church?
Keep in mind that it is the prayer and hope of the Catholic Church that all of our separated Brethren come home to the Church. So the way I see and I would say the way the church would see it the use of FAITH COMMUNITY, DENOMENATION, SECT, ETC… would all mean the same thing.
Also keep in mind as well that the word PROTESTANT means to PROTEST against the Catholic Church.

 

[steido01]

I am sure that calling the Mormon women we were helping through a crisis pregnancy “cult” members would have helped immensely. just as it would have helped us in gaining the assistance of the Mormon community in our ministry.

Obviously, there is a right time and place to educate, preferably in a pastoral, caring way. Mormonism is not a Christian religion; it is every Christian’s duty to lead Mormons into the Truth. In situations concerning social justice, such as a crisis pregnancy center, I would hope that every Christian would respond with charity toward their fellow humans, regardless of their religious beliefs.

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Perter J,
I started this thread to clarify what those Catholics meant who were using the phrase, “Protestant sect” and whether they meant it to mean the 1a or 1b definition that I noted in post #1.

Like I previously have said, I respect all Catholics on this site and consider Catholics to be my brothers and sisters in Christ. I just wanted to clarify if that was a two-way street. As a whole, I was very satisfied by the replies and my concerns were laid to rest.

As far as Protestants saying “Are you Catholic or Christian?”, I’ve never personally heard anyone say that in person or read it on CAF before, but I trust it has occurred or else you wouldn’t have mentioned it.

To me, for a protestant to say such a thing is a sign of ignorance or bigotry and reflects a lack of understanding of Catholicism. In short, I don’t agree with it and I would tell them that to their faces.

Thank you for the reply, and sorry about my slowness. (I haven’t been spending much time on discussion forums – even Catholic ones, which are the best of course .)

I think the bottom line is that we can’t generalize about either Protestants or Catholics … But many often want to generalize, in my experience. For example, I’ve often seen, and perhaps you have too, someone take a statement made on catholic.com and treat it as representing Catholics (and I “assume” that Catholic make similar generalization about things said on Protestant forums), when in fact there’s a wide variety of attitudes held by Catholics about Protestants.

Anyhow, a good thread that you’ve started.

 

[KathleenGee]

Hi Tommy,

This experience came to our family…this in regard to marriage.

My brother, a single Catholic, met a divorced Protestant woman.

The Catholic Church recognizes the validity of a Christian marriage. She had to go through the annulment process…and it was granted as her former spouse did not believe in the permanency of marriage.

She is such a wonderful person…and we are all so thankful they had a Catholic sacramental wedding.

I heard a priest say lately…when we marry…we are bonded to Jesus first…and He is the one with our participation Who strengthens and solidifies the marriage…Jesus is the center, the focus, the means for the couple to grow in love and greater fidelity.

About sects…in the Catholic Church this term can be used to a certain group belonging to a devotion…we also have religious instiutions…with their own charisms…and having the freedom through Biblical studies to interpret Scripture – privately – for the enhancement of their religious order…such as the Carmelite interpretation in passages of Scripture…but they are not considered a sect so to speak.

To clarify more … when I apply sect to a protestant group…and this is personal on my part and not written down per se outside the Church having 7 sacraments and hierarchy…a sect would be that which is small and very unique to that which it broke away from.

Anyway, hope you are having a blessed Christmas season…now back to my own here…