The WORLD Needs Chrisitian Unity! NOW!!!

[seeker57]

I am starting prayer before Mass on weekend.

But we need to find a common point besides faith in Christ to build on in a practical way.

Any suggestions how we can work for better inter-faith country –

I know this thread is about Christian unity, but your question raises an answer that may extend beyond that scope and, since this is the non-Catholic religions forum, I thought I would just toss in this thought.

While Christians may make up the majority of those who adhere to a religious belief, we also have sizeable Muslim communities, as well as Buddhist, Jewish, and of course, Unitarian.

I believe hopes for a better inter-faith country would also have acknowledge that.

Just a thought.

M

 

[CMatt25]

While Christians may make up the majority of those who adhere to a religious belief, we also have sizeable Muslim communities, as well as Buddhist, Jewish, and of course, Unitarian.

I believe hopes for a better inter-faith country would also have acknowledge that.

Just a thought.

M

:clapping:

 

[KathleenGee]

Seeker,
I am engaged in Jewish dialogue…have had a number of cases…am actually returning to one with a humanist Jew – who no longer believe in religion but retain Jewish culture…I have spoken with a Muslim woman who was open, gave her a Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer card, ran into her later and she said she now understood how we relate to HIm…

I live by a community of Muslims, but as a woman, don’t know if I would be accepted to engage with people there…the Catholic church in this metro area has a Lutheran church next door…I was at a Thanksgiving service there and they sang for us…looking at us with such great desire to be one again.

We are going into hard times, and difficulties that cause people to reach out to help one another may help patch relationships in many areas of faith.

 

[Angel7]

Well, you are certainly providing a wonderful example of what I was talking about. Here the OP was wondering why all Christian groups (Catholics, Protestants, the lot) couldn’t get together, and you have just provided the reason why.

To you, only Catholics are Christians. That can cause a problem in inter-faith cooperation and ‘unity.’

"Defence of the Seven Sacraments, raises the standard of Catholic orthodoxy and helps refute the various forms of false ecumenism in our days, which instead of gathering together all peoples in one Creed, aims to gather all creeds into one people.

That was from the website I linked in the beginning.

 

[dianaiad]

That was from the website I linked in the beginning.

I see.

So the real title of this thread should be "the WORLD needs everybody to be a Catholic! NOW!!!???

 

[Carlan]

I see.

So the real title of this thread should be "the WORLD needs everybody to be a Catholic! NOW!!!???

That would be good. However, we just simply have to wait for the ending. In the meantime keep praying for the desire of Christ, “Unity”. God grant unity and Peace amongst us all , not only the present day Christians,Carlan

 

[Angel7]

We can work for a unity of Religious people.
But the Catholic Church cannot compromise what it teaches, simply for “unity”.

For example, Wouldn’t it be great if all Christians, (and all religions that are Pro-life). Worked together to make a GIANT campaign against abortion?

This is an example of working together, right?

 

[Angel7]

I saw on EWTN today a program. About an Apparition of Our Lady, near Rome. Very close to where St. Paul was martyred. The man who saw this Apparition said that Our Lady spoke about Christian Unity.

Speaking about there being one Church, One Flock.

---

I would like to add my personal belief here.

It would be easier to work under One Church, and One authority. Than with Many Churchs following different beliefs.

We could only work together as much as our Beliefs are equal.
We can’t get pass differences.
Sometimes our beliefs are so different, that the only thing we have in common is that We Believe Jesus is Our Lord, Our God, and Our Savior.

It is hard to talk about unity, when we are so divided.

 

[KathleenGee]

I took a class on ecumenism, as well as some others in regard to pastoral ministry.

Place to start is with the Word of God and the Our Father…and praying for each others’ intentions.

I put some feelers out to my neighborhood and nobody wanted to do it. I have some Nazarenes down the street. They invited us to come to hear about Rick Warren’s book, ‘On a Purposeful Life’…I read it and on a personal relationship with Christ, it totally concurred with Catholic faith practice. He left one’s concept of worship to the individual.

They went on to another Scripture study but I had to work. I also noted and they noted how we Catholics related to the Scripture differently. They brought little dictionaries and notebooks and reflected on the various meanings of the English words…I ended up sitting with 2 Catholics…we heard every thing…liked everything…but hearing the Word, we got the concept…and it was like, ‘go serve’. We faced out ward to serve…but were fed by the Scripture words.

Catholics tend to learn Scripture basically through the Mass. But there are people who have time to attend Bible Studies…and they have various programs, like ‘Little Rock’, for groups where they have structure and specific questions.

I am sure there are ecumenically based materials people can use. Then it is hoped these Scripture studies can help greater neighborhood well-being and people caring more for each other in Christ’s way. The goal.

 

[wmscott]

This implies an all-or-nothing approach, which I reject. Certainly, full unity would require a unity of doctrine, but there are other ways that Christians can show a general unity in the face of the forces of anti-Christian sentiment, secularism, and unbelief, etc.
We can witness together to people who face disaster - Haiti, for example - by pooling our resources and manpower. We can lower the tone of polemic rhetoric toward each other, and in fact defend each other when under attack. Most importantly, we can pray with and for one another that the Holy Spirit protect us, and guide us to further unity, if not now, in the Church Triumphant.

Jon

Jon I agree with your statements; however I would like to take it a little further.

The problem I see hampering unity is that there are far too many “CHRISTIANS” on every side and every flavor who, through the sin of pride, are enormous stumbling blocks. These are the ones who have the most ability or power to effect change and do nothing. Our law makers and WE who vote our law makers into office.

Take for example partial birth abortion; everyone here knows what is involved with this crime against life and God. If you do not, then you need to educate yourself. Yet there are “Christians” of every flavor who for the sake of “Political Correctness” will allow this to be perpetuated on society. Thankfully the Supreme Court in 2007 upheld the 2003 ban enacted by President G.W. Bush. Another example is embryonic stem cell research where human life is ended to harvest stem cells when it has been proven that there are far superior sources that do not kill a human life.

Look at the attack on the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage, “Christians” of every flavor are willing to go the easy way out and “if it does not affect me so what”. Take for example that we let a small minority to tell us that we cannot have the Ten Commandments in a court room; we cannot have a cross on a hill just because it is public land, we cannot have a nativity scene in the town square, we cannot have a Christmas party at school, we cannot say a prayer at a football game, we cannot have a bible or a bible study on campus. I am sure there are many more examples of what a Christian cannot do. Why? Because we might offend some Godless soul?

In Sacred Scripture we read in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour”. Does this seem familiar to you? Can you see it in how some “Christians” are acting to be PC and wounding US and also the ability to have any kind of Unity? Peter followed that statement to say “Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little”. So there is hope.

In short if there is to be any unity, Pride is the first thing to go, then as one we have to say enough! Enough of being PC for the sake of secularists, enough of being quitted for our beliefs because we might offend someone, the truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master needs to be proclaimed without fear of retribution.

Sorry folks for the rant, I feel better now.

 

[wmscott]

I see.

So the real title of this thread should be "the WORLD needs everybody to be a Catholic! NOW!!!???

In a sense, yes. If we were united then we would be Catholic (universal)

 

[JonNC]

Jon I agree with your statements; however I would like to take it a little further.

The problem I see hampering unity is that there are far too many “CHRISTIANS” on every side and every flavor who, through the sin of pride, are enormous stumbling blocks. These are the ones who have the most ability or power to effect change and do nothing. Our law makers and WE who vote our law makers into office.

Take for example partial birth abortion; everyone here knows what is involved with this crime against life and God. If you do not, then you need to educate yourself. Yet there are “Christians” of every flavor who for the sake of “Political Correctness” will allow this to be perpetuated on society. Thankfully the Supreme Court in 2007 upheld the 2003 ban enacted by President G.W. Bush. Another example is embryonic stem cell research where human life is ended to harvest stem cells when it has been proven that there are far superior sources that do not kill a human life.

Look at the attack on the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage, “Christians” of every flavor are willing to go the easy way out and “if it does not affect me so what”. Take for example that we let a small minority to tell us that we cannot have the Ten Commandments in a court room; we cannot have a cross on a hill just because it is public land, we cannot have a nativity scene in the town square, we cannot have a Christmas party at school, we cannot say a prayer at a football game, we cannot have a bible or a bible study on campus. I am sure there are many more examples of what a Christian cannot do. Why? Because we might offend some Godless soul?

In Sacred Scripture we read in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour”. Does this seem familiar to you? Can you see it in how some “Christians” are acting to be PC and wounding US and also the ability to have any kind of Unity? Peter followed that statement to say “Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little”. So there is hope.

In short if there is to be any unity, Pride is the first thing to go, then as one we have to say enough! Enough of being PC for the sake of secularists, enough of being quitted for our beliefs because we might offend someone, the truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master needs to be proclaimed without fear of retribution.

Sorry folks for the rant, I feel better now.

Don’t apologize. I understand, and in many ways, share the feeling. Part of the problem with this isn’t the issue of corporate unity, but adherence to scripture, and to doctrine withing our own comunions. For example, there are Catholics and LCMS Lutherans who support abortion “rights” in spite of the rejection of this practice by both of communions.

One of the effects of the wounds to the ministry of Christ caused by the institutional division of the Church Catholic, is we are weakened in our attempts to influence, even in areas where our (American) constitutional rights are being undermined by opponents of religious liberty. You stated some of them above - limits on religious freedom in the public setting generally covers the topic.

Modern Christians, for the most part, are willing to live in pluralistic societies, where everyone is permitted religious and even secular liberty. The problem now is that there are those who have no intention of permitting us the same liberty.

Some things may help. first, pray. Also, we need to stand up for and defend each other. If a Catholic youth group, for example, is forbidden permission to meet at a public school or campus, non-Catholic Christians need to be at their side to stand up for the religious liberty. we need to stand shoulder to shoulder for life, etc.

Jon

 

[wmscott]

Don’t apologize. I understand, and in many ways, share the feeling. Part of the problem with this isn’t the issue of corporate unity, but adherence to scripture, and to doctrine withing our own comunions. For example, there are Catholics and LCMS Lutherans who support abortion “rights” in spite of the rejection of this practice by both of communions.

One of the effects of the wounds to the ministry of Christ caused by the institutional division of the Church Catholic, is we are weakened in our attempts to influence, even in areas where our (American) constitutional rights are being undermined by opponents of religious liberty. You stated some of them above - limits on religious freedom in the public setting generally covers the topic.

Modern Christians, for the most part, are willing to live in pluralistic societies, where everyone is permitted religious and even secular liberty. The problem now is that there are those who have no intention of permitting us the same liberty.

Some things may help. first, pray. Also, we need to stand up for and defend each other. If a Catholic youth group, for example, is forbidden permission to meet at a public school or campus, non-Catholic Christians need to be at their side to stand up for the religious liberty. we need to stand shoulder to shoulder for life, etc.

Jon

Thanks Jon, can’t agree more. Especially the last paragraph, ALL Christians need to stand against secularism, prejudice, and discrimination. What happens to one Christian will and does happen to other Christians.

When you stated “For example, there are Catholics and LCMS Lutherans who support abortion “rights” in spite of the rejection of this practice by both of communions” this could not be truer. Here we have “Christians” who basically have rejected the word of God, and for what, a convenient and comfortable lifestyle by putting these above the will of God. Where have we failed these souls? I know rhetorical question and circular with regards to the topic of the thread.

Thanks again for your thoughts, glad to see we are of like minds on these issues.

 

[Mikeoffaith]

But we need to find a common point besides faith in Christ to build on in a practical way.

Any suggestions how we can work for better inter-faith country –
What else can we do in our local to build Christian unity…common denominator Christ…let the theological differences go and let the Holy Spirit guide. Share meals…open our homes with no more intention than to pray the Our Father, pray for one another, pray the psalms…reflect on a current event to be aware of others sufferings…I have been thinking about this a long time.

Jon I agree with your statements; however I would like to take it a little further.

Take for example partial birth abortion; everyone here knows what is involved with this crime against life and God. If you do not, then you need to educate yourself. Yet there are “Christians” of every flavor who for the sake of “Political Correctness” will allow this to be perpetuated on society. Thankfully the Supreme Court in 2007 upheld the 2003 ban enacted by President G.W. Bush. Another example is embryonic stem cell research where human life is ended to harvest stem cells when it has been proven that there are far superior sources that do not kill a human life.

Look at the attack on the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage, “Christians” of every flavor are willing to go the easy way out and “if it does not affect me so what”. Take for example that we let a small minority to tell us that we cannot have the Ten Commandments in a court room; we cannot have a cross on a hill just because it is public land, we cannot have a nativity scene in the town square, we cannot have a Christmas party at school, we cannot say a prayer at a football game, we cannot have a bible or a bible study on campus. I am sure there are many more examples of what a Christian cannot do. Why? Because we might offend some Godless soul?

In short if there is to be any unity, Pride is the first thing to go, then as one we have to say enough! Enough of being PC for the sake of secularists, enough of being quitted for our beliefs because we might offend someone, the truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master needs to be proclaimed without fear of retribution.

I saw on EWTN today a program. About an Apparition of Our Lady, near Rome. Very close to where St. Paul was martyred. The man who saw this Apparition said that Our Lady spoke about Christian Unity.

Speaking about there being one Church, One Flock.

I would like to add my personal belief here.

It would be easier to work under One Church, and One authority. Than with Many Churchs following different beliefs.

We could only work together as much as our Beliefs are equal.
We can’t get pass differences.
Sometimes our beliefs are so different, that the only thing we have in common is that We Believe Jesus is Our Lord, Our God, and Our Savior.

It is hard to talk about unity, when we are so divided.

The points brought up in this thread have been really interesting but I think we are kind of missing out on an important point.

Kathleen and Angel want us to work on unity but really don’t see any possible way because we have dogmatic and doctrinal beliefs that get in the way and aren’t sure how we can meet anywhere in the middle. Wmscott is worried about partial birth abortion, marriage, and reclaiming his birthright as a christian to have a nativity scene or a christmas party at PS 125.

Christ gave us the easy bake recipe for working together in a untied way that doesn’t interfere with our doctrinal bickering and in no way shape or form could ever annoy the secular.

In Matthew 25, Christ gives us 6 tasks: feed, water, house, clothe, heal and visit. We can look at the first one. It’s a great example. In the US in 2008 there were approximately 173.5 million Christians. In the US in Nov 2009 an estimated 17 million households (for the sake of numbers we’ll say an average of 4 people per household) or 68 million people couldn’t put enough food on the table. Why is it we can’t work together to end hunger? Even if every one of those starving people are Christians that still leaves 105.5 million who aren’t and can probably do something about it.

So when we can find in scripture “When my hill was empty and you put a cross on it,” then we can worry about why there aren’t more crosses on hills and the dechristianizing of america. But when Christ tells us that when you have fed the least then we have fed Him, why then does a nation full of people that profess to love Christ cannot get it together to end hunger, to end Christ’s starvation?

I don’t think you are going to find many Christians who are going to argue that the dogma or doctrine of their denomination or even personal belief doesn’t buy that Christ MANDATES us to feed in a physical sense the hungry.

So at this point, I ask everyone, Kathleen, Angel, Wmscott, JonNC, Mikeoffaith, do we agree or disagree on the point that Christ commands us to feed the hungry?

 

[KathleenGee]

Feeding those in need…perhaps poverty and hunger will come to our country some day…my uncle thought so…

Feeding the hungry is a praxis to reach out to the unbaptized…we can do it…but then, do we lead others into our own denominations…meaning, do we lead them to our fractions?

May be when the day comes, the way will be there…

I think we will have one faith and one baptism, but it won’t be like before…

 

[wmscott]

The points brought up in this thread have been really interesting but I think we are kind of missing out on an important point.

Kathleen and Angel want us to work on unity but really don’t see any possible way because we have dogmatic and doctrinal beliefs that get in the way and aren’t sure how we can meet anywhere in the middle. Wmscott is worried about partial birth abortion, marriage, and reclaiming his birthright as a christian to have a nativity scene or a christmas party at PS 125.

Christ gave us the easy bake recipe for working together in a untied way that doesn’t interfere with our doctrinal bickering and in no way shape or form could ever annoy the secular.

In Matthew 25, Christ gives us 6 tasks: feed, water, house, clothe, heal and visit. We can look at the first one. It’s a great example. In the US in 2008 there were approximately 173.5 million Christians. In the US in Nov 2009 an estimated 17 million households (for the sake of numbers we’ll say an average of 4 people per household) or 68 million people couldn’t put enough food on the table. Why is it we can’t work together to end hunger? Even if every one of those starving people are Christians that still leaves 105.5 million who aren’t and can probably do something about it.

So when we can find in scripture “When my hill was empty and you put a cross on it,” then we can worry about why there aren’t more crosses on hills and the dechristianizing of america. But when Christ tells us that when you have fed the least then we have fed Him, why then does a nation full of people that profess to love Christ cannot get it together to end hunger, to end Christ’s starvation?

I don’t think you are going to find many Christians who are going to argue that the dogma or doctrine of their denomination or even personal belief doesn’t buy that Christ MANDATES us to feed in a physical sense the hungry.

So at this point, I ask everyone, Kathleen, Angel, Wmscott, JonNC, Mikeoffaith, do we agree or disagree on the point that Christ commands us to feed the hungry?

With all kindness, you have totally missed my point. The point is that as Christians there is an attempt to silence and push us to the background. There are the Christians who do stand up for the truth, however there are far too many that are disunited and bow to the altar of political correctness. This is where disunity is breed. They do not have the will or desire to be a Christian first. Yes they proclaim they are “Christian” however their deeds prove otherwise. **James 2:17 ***“So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead”. *The examples I provided are the glaring abuses against Christians and all of humanity across America and because of the lack of “Works” by those who profess to be Christians is why we have the things I cited. Not that I am worried, I stand and fight against these abuses.

As for the comment of reclaiming my birthright as a Christian, I hope that this is not an attempt to insinuate that I have lost it or a veiled jab of some kind. I am Christian and always will be. No one can take that from me.

You state “do we agree or disagree on the point that Christ commands us to feed the hungry” what is your point? Of course we agree. I am not following your logic in asking this question.

 

[Redratfish]

Unity will IMO never happen. As much as I want it to (believe me, I’ve gone to Protestant Churches to find similarities, studied different religions, ect), the problem is unity itself. Whenever a large group of people come together and make peace, who represents them? A leader, from the earliest days, a leader represented his people in times of negotiation. The Pope, the Patriach, and the Archbishop of Cantebury are all leaders of their respective Church. They can potentially make peace. However, with other denominations, such as Baptists, and Methodist, there is no centralized leader, other than God. How are they suppose to come to unity? Church by Church?

I honestly feel like the Protestant reformation was like toothpaste. Its all over the place right now. It is possible to get some of it back in the tube over a long period of time, but impossible to get all of it.

 

[Angel7]

I agree all Chrisitians can serve the Poor. And Work Together. The Lord would probably be happy to see us working together.

But is working together the same as unifying?
For example, Two Christian Churches can work together, but that is not the same as following One Belief.
TRUE UNITY. Involves all Churches following The One True Church.

 

[Catholic20064]

Christian unity is only valuable if it unites around the truth. I’m not sure that is possible. I’m not sure the normal Christian message of “God loves you, believe in Jesus or go to Hell” is a message that Christians can rally around and take to the world …

 

[JonNC]

=Angel7;6803656]I agree all Chrisitians can serve the Poor. And Work Together. The Lord would probably be happy to see us working together

But is working together the same as unifying?

No, it is not.

For example, Two Christian Churches can work together, but that is not the same as following One Belief. TRUE UNITY. Involves all Churches following The One True Church.

Without quibbling about “the one true Church”, unity does not have to be an all or nothing proposition. Certainly the goal is full unity, which would be confirmed by the sharing of the chalice and the altar, being partners in the one true Church. That should be our goal. Getting there will be aided by small steps of unity, as we’ve been discussing, and by ecumenical dialogue that results in convergence of doctrine, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jon