To be Catholic, do I have to think others are wrong? Or I'm right?

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I was raised Catholic and try to follow the faith, but I don’t think other religions are all wrong, nor do I think that all of the Catholic teachings are the one and only right way. And for some Catholic teachings, I don’t even pretend to know what’s true, despite what the Catholic church teaches…only God can know. I do hold a Christian world-view but love God and love people, is what stands out for me.

My two grandmas were women of faith, and both attended church each week. They were kind people, too. One was Methodist and one was Catholic. I don’t think either was wrong. I don’t think either had the only “right” way to worship or lead a life. They loved people, as did Jesus.

The more I try to grow in my own Catholic faith, the more I feel walls are put up by other Catholics. Jesus taught us to love one another and respect all people. Why such division? My one grandma took me to her Methodist church whenever I was in town. Grandma is dead, but when in that town I still go to service there and remember her. I remember us praying there, and I did feel closer to God. All good memories.

And I don’t feel God is telling me, “Wait, you can only go to a Catholic mass, or you’re wrong. And all those people who don’t go to a Catholic church ever their whole lives are all wrong.” I do not feel my Methodist grandma’s prayers were somehow inferior because she was in a Methodist and not Catholic church, or vice versa. And I don’t feel her church experience was any less than my other grandma.
 
Greetings,

The Catholic Church doesn’t have a patent on the Holy Spirit. He most definitely works outside the walls of the Church. And I have no doubt your Methodist Grandma was/is a great Christian.

The Church does not hold the position that other Christian faiths are bad. Quite the contrary. What she does say, essentially, is that they hold partial truth while she holds the fullness of the truth. Not because she wants to antagonize other Christians, but because only the Catholic church has the full deposit of the faith delivered from the Lord directly to the Apostles. Truth can not be compromised, but there are correct and incorrect methods of doing things.

All validly baptized Christians are part of the body of Christ. Some(protestants) are imperfectly joined to her. We love them no less than we love fellow Catholics. We desire to share this beautiful faith of ours with them. But sometimes we are not very charitable in our approach.

Best wishes.
 
Thanks Lenten Ashes! You said it well.
I want to add…even the Eucharist disagreement…Catholics believe Jesus is present, whereas other don’t. I see receiving Jesus in communion (symbolic or not) in both manners as a beautiful thing either way. Just because I take communion at a Catholic church, I don’t think any less of communion at a different church who holds a different belief of the host. It’s different, perhaps, but I don’t think the other church is “wrong” and shouldn’t bother doing it. Of course not!

I even go to a church down our road every single week (it’s not Catholic but similar in many ways) because the message is good. It gave me practical steps about how I can go into the world and love and appreciate people as Jesus did. It was such a simple, beautiful message. And the focus was very practical so it resonated with me. And guess what? I did just that this week, trying to focus on loving people. And then I go to the Catholic Church too for mass, and…I would never say any of this is wrong. Love God, love people. If my religion tells me to hurt or harm others, then that’s a problem. But I get different things out of the Catholic mass vs. the other church (where I guess I am a regular guest?). And it’s all good things. I like both the mass and the service.
 
May1980 said:
Thanks Lenten Ashes! You said it well.
I want to add…even the Eucharist disagreement…Catholics believe Jesus is present, whereas other don’t. I see receiving Jesus in communion in both manners as a beautiful thing either way. Just because I take communion at a Catholic church, I don’t think any less of communion at a different church who holds a different belief of the host. It’s different, perhaps, but I don’t think the other church is “wrong” and shouldn’t bother doing it. Of course not!

I even go to a church down our road every single week (it’s not Catholic but similar in many ways) because the message is good. It gave me practical steps about how I can go into the world and love and appreciate people as Jesus did. It was such a simple, beautiful message. And the focus was very practical so it resonated with me. And guess what? I did just that this week, trying to focus on loving people. And then I go to the Catholic Church too for mass, and…I would never say any of this is wrong. Love God, love people. If my religion tells me to hurt or harm others, then that’s a problem. But I get different things out of the Catholic mass vs. the other church (where I guess I am a regular guest?). And it’s all good things. I like both the mass and the service.
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Who would say such a thing?

If they find purpose in it, then more power to them.
 
Yes, I agree. I guess I feel a little baffled when I hear Catholics criticizing and making fun of other churches or especially Christian mega churches. There are none near us, but…there are so many SAD things happening in the world right now. I would never say anything bad or uncharitable about a very large congregation praising Jesus and trying to do good. 👍 I think that’s a wonderful thing!!!
 
Do you realize that Christians were martyred for their upholding of orthodox teaching. One of my favorite Saints, St. Maximus the Confessor had his hand and tongue cut off for not choosing to standby when he knew heresy was being taught by Bishops. And before Christ’s Incarnation, Jews were brutally tortured and killed before they would transgress the law to abstain from pork. I think you may need to learn a little about the lives of the Saints before you start claiming that we can all believe whatever we want and God doesn’t mind.
 
May1980 said:
Yes, I agree. I guess I feel a little baffled when I hear Catholics criticizing and making fun of other churches or especially Christian mega churches. There are none near us, but…there are so many SAD things happening in the world right now. I would never say anything bad or uncharitable about a very large congregation praising Jesus and trying to do good. 👍 I think that’s a wonderful thing!!!
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You don’t have many orthodox Catholics nor do you see many priests making fun of protestants.

We may criticize (constructive criticism) because the Protestant reformation has caused great damage to Christianity & Christendom.

Having so many denomination causes confusion, just like the confusion dissent Catholics cause too.

In regards to receiving Communion, the reason why protestants are not allowed to receive Communion is because (1) everyone must go to Confession within the past year and be free of grave sin, or go back to Confession before hand. And (2) we say “Amen” to “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ” because we are agreeing that we are receiving the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. For someone who does not believe that, to receive means they are lying in a prayer.

We are protecting them by not allowing them to receive communion.

And the reason Catholics should not receive in a protestant community is because it implies that we agree with their interpretation too.

I pray this helps.

God Bless
 
May1980 said:
Thanks Lenten Ashes! You said it well.
I want to add…even the Eucharist disagreement…Catholics believe Jesus is present, whereas other don’t. I see receiving Jesus in communion (symbolic or not) in both manners as a beautiful thing either way. Just because I take communion at a Catholic church, I don’t think any less of communion at a different church who holds a different belief of the host. It’s different, perhaps, but I don’t think the other church is “wrong” and shouldn’t bother doing it. Of course not!

I even go to a church down our road every single week (it’s not Catholic but similar in many ways) because the message is good. It gave me practical steps about how I can go into the world and love and appreciate people as Jesus did. It was such a simple, beautiful message. And the focus was very practical so it resonated with me. And guess what? I did just that this week, trying to focus on loving people. And then I go to the Catholic Church too for mass, and…I would never say any of this is wrong. Love God, love people. If my religion tells me to hurt or harm others, then that’s a problem. But I get different things out of the Catholic mass vs. the other church (where I guess I am a regular guest?). And it’s all good things. I like both the mass and the service.
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Your posts on this thread have resonated with me as I share the essence of your thinking.

When you said the message at the non Catholic church you also attend was simple and resonated with you, it reminded me of something Pope Francis has said to Catholics.

To quote Pope Francis, “We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel. The proposal of the Gospel must be more simple, profound, radiant. It is from this proposition that the moral consequences then flow.”

americamagazine.org/faith/2013/09/30/big-heart-open-god-interview-pope-francis

And when you said you don’t think any less of communion at another church, it reminded me of something a Disciples of Christ pastor once told me about their weekly communion. While it is a different belief and more symbolic, they certainly hope the Spirit of Christ is present with them!

God bless you along your journey!
 
Other faiths are not all bad, but they also are not just as good as the Catholic faith. That doesn’t mean other Christians are not as good as Catholics. In fact, my husband is a non-Catholic Christian and the main reason I married him was because of his strong Christian values. Yet, that doesn’t mean the church he attends is just as good as the Catholic Church. It is good, in fact great! The people are wonderful and kind! The singing and preaching are terrific! Yet, the communion they take every week is bread and juice. It is meaningful to them, but it is not the body of Jesus. How can eating bread be just as good as recieving Jesus?
Truth is very important. Two opposites cannot both be true, either one or both is false. To me it is very important to know the Truth that Gid has revealed to us. I believe the Catholic Church has been entrusted with the fullness of the Truth. Other Christians have a lot of truth in them, but some of what they teach is not the truth.

Once again, that doesn’t mean that Catholics are better than non-Catholics.
 
I believe it’s true that a lot of people fall into the trap of holding so tight to the “I’m right you’re wrong” mentality as to cause antagonism, which stems more from pride than from a genuine desire for the Truth.

Nevertheless, it is equally unhealthy to hold to a “everyone is right and no one’s wrong” mentality, which sacrifices Truth for the sake of others’ feelings.

Here’s the deal - objective Truth does exist. Mutually contradictory statements cannot be true at the same time. For example - Christians claim that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. Muslims on the other hand believe that Jesus escaped execution and was taken up to heaven without dying. One of these or neither of these can be true - but one thing’s for sure, they cannot BOTH be true.

So If the Catholic Church’s teachings are indeed the fullness of truth (as she believes herself to be infallibly guided by the Holy Spirit), logically speaking another Christian denomination that holds a contrary teaching would be wrong about that particular teaching. That doesn’t mean they are entirely wrong - like others have posted here, we believe that they have incomplete truth, but they should be commended for the truth they do hold.

I think a lot of people have this idea that none of the worlds’ religions are completely true, and that they just each have a grain of truth that will all combine together to make a full picture. But if that’s the case, why settle for any of the established world religions? Wouldn’t it be best to figure out which teachings of each religion are true, then start a brand-new religion that only teaches true things? What benefit is there in believing things that aren’t true? Why should I be Catholic if I don’t think that the Catholic Church is correct?

Sorry, I’m rambling. TL;DR claiming that “I’m right and you’re wrong” should not be seen as an insult, but as a natural consequence of people seeking objective Truth.
 
I consider my coming into the Roman
Catholic Church as stepping into the
Sunlight from a room illuminated by
a light bulb, I have ALWAYS been
Christian, but I believe that the Catholic
Church is “home”, where Christ resides
(in the tabernacle and host), and they
are the Church of the Living God.
1 Tim. 3:15
 
Your initial question is do I have to think others are wrong and I am right?

Yes you do, but you have to do it with love. This doesn’t mean you go around with a mega phone or start saying everyone is going to hell unless you are Catholic, quite the opposite. You are called to spread the faith, it’s something you need to do, but who says it has to be a blunt, in your face, un-Christ like way?

Here to answer your question better, what did Jesus do? Did He say, well if you wanna believe that then okay so be it, no He said, if you are not baptized, if you don’t eat the body and drink the blood, if you don’t show mercy, if you don’t love your neighbor, etc… you will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.

BUT, He always did so with love and mercy and understanding. Go over the gifts of the Holy Spirit and then the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. I think you, with prayer and love, will find the answers you seek…
 
My Grandma was a Southern Baptist and KNEW she was going to heaven. I wish I had that kind of faith. (Not saying I agree with her views of salvation, may she rest in peace). But we can affirm what is right in other traditions, without accepting what is wrong.
 
Lenten_ashes said:
Greetings,

The Catholic Church doesn’t have a patent on the Holy Spirit. He most definitely works outside the walls of the Church. And I have no doubt your Methodist Grandma was/is a great Christian.

The Church does not hold the position that other Christian faiths are bad. Quite the contrary. What she does say, essentially, is that they hold partial truth while she holds the fullness of the truth. Not because she wants to antagonize other Christians, but because only the Catholic church has the full deposit of the faith delivered from the Lord directly to the Apostles. Truth can not be compromised, but there are correct and incorrect methods of doing things.

All validly baptized Christians are part of the body of Christ. Some(protestants) are imperfectly joined to her. We love them no less than we love fellow Catholics. We desire to share this beautiful faith of ours with them. But sometimes we are not very charitable in our approach.

Best wishes.
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I love this explanation. Can I use some of this?
 
pacloc said:
Do you realize that Christians were martyred for their upholding of orthodox teaching. One of my favorite Saints, St. Maximus the Confessor had his hand and tongue cut off for not choosing to standby when he knew heresy was being taught by Bishops. And before Christ’s Incarnation, Jews were brutally tortured and killed before they would transgress the law to abstain from pork. I think you may need to learn a little about the lives of the Saints before you start claiming that we can all believe whatever we want and God doesn’t mind.
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The op should read and understand.
 
pacloc said:
Do you realize that Christians were martyred for their upholding of orthodox teaching. One of my favorite Saints, St. Maximus the Confessor had his hand and tongue cut off for not choosing to standby when he knew heresy was being taught by Bishops. And before Christ’s Incarnation, Jews were brutally tortured and killed before they would transgress the law to abstain from pork. I think you may need to learn a little about the lives of the Saints before you start claiming that we can all believe whatever we want and God doesn’t mind.
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Yes. Nothing wrong with being friends with people of other christian denominations or faiths but worshipping regularly with them is discouraged as it can lead to error.
 
Jesus teaches not to judge others and not to set ourselves above others. The crucials for imitating Jesus Christ are

Love
Forgiveness
Humility
Meekness
Loving God with all your heart ,mind, soul, strength

And Prayer.

Unfortunately humanity , not being perfect, corrupts these ideals, and misinterprets them.

We are called to imitate Jesus Christ.

Why the Catholic Church? It is the one Jesus initiated.
 
10gr8kids said:
Other faiths are not all bad, but they also are not just as good as the Catholic faith. That doesn’t mean other Christians are not as good as Catholics. In fact, my husband is a non-Catholic Christian and the main reason I married him was because of his strong Christian values. Yet, that doesn’t mean the church he attends is just as good as the Catholic Church. It is good, in fact great! The people are wonderful and kind! The singing and preaching are terrific! Yet, the communion they take every week is bread and juice. It is meaningful to them, but it is not the body of Jesus. How can eating bread be just as good as recieving Jesus?
Truth is very important. Two opposites cannot both be true, either one or both is false. To me it is very important to know the Truth that Gid has revealed to us. I believe the Catholic Church has been entrusted with the fullness of the Truth. Other Christians have a lot of truth in them, but some of what they teach is not the truth.

Once again, that doesn’t mean that Catholics are better than non-Catholics.
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Anytime I see discussions such as this one, your 2 words above which I bolded and underlined, say it all… “I believe”… Amen to that as no one truly knows without at least some degree of faith and belief. Blessings to all along their faith journeys.
 
Yep. However, one can easily misinterpret those words to mean something totally different. In this society, “tolerance” means “assent.”
 
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