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10gr8kids
Guest
Mark 9:24
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
To be Catholic, do I have to think others are wrong? Or I'm right?
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Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
A
abucs
Guest
Hi, I think personally it is healthy to view your different family perspectives in a positive way. God is above all religion. That doesn’t mean all religions are equal, but it is important to not take the focus off the goodness, teachings and mystery of God and worry too much about the differences between faithful Christians.
As an interest you could read church history to see where the different teachings diverge without taking the focus off the majesty of God. God is the father of all mankind. I personally think the Catholic church is His creation but of course that doesn’t mean we in the church think those outside are somehow morally bad. The church is a guide which we can follow or not. Others have a different path but we are all sisters and brothers on the same journey.
Faithful Catholic,
Abucs.
L
Lenten_ashes
Guest
I want to second this.
I care not just about what Jesus said, but what He meant when he said it. Because 2,000 years later meaning can get lost with our modern, fallible interpretations.
And when you read Church history and you see the heavy focus on Sacrament/Eucharist/Baptism and the Mass as a Sacrifice, you get this understanding that fundamentlist Churches, while still a good and fruitful expression of Christianity, are off base on these very important issues.
Jesus said:
M
May1980
Guest
But I don’t understand, for example, purgatory. We don’t really know exactly what happens after we die. How can purgatory be proclaimed a TRUTH by the Catholic Church? Not trying to say that purgatory doesn’t exist. Just that I don’t know! And man doesn’t know. So how can one church (in this case Catholic) proclaim it as true?
How can a church really claim that’s the truth? Isn’t that delving into an unknowable mystery? And this is dogma, so do you have to be 100% in belief in your heart of all Catholic dogma to get communion? Truly it makes my head spin to think about some things and I…don’t know. Like the example of purgatory.
Just trying to understand. Thank you!
How can a church really claim that’s the truth? Isn’t that delving into an unknowable mystery? And this is dogma, so do you have to be 100% in belief in your heart of all Catholic dogma to get communion? Truly it makes my head spin to think about some things and I…don’t know. Like the example of purgatory.
Just trying to understand. Thank you!
S
Sy_Noe
Guest
Yes and that can apply to the faith beliefs of non Catholics as well.
S
Sarcelle
Guest
We must remember that disagreement does not equal hate.
I may disagree with others but that does not mean I hate them.
I may disagree with others but that does not mean I hate them.
L
Lenten_ashes
Guest
Greetings!
I understand your frustration.
Important to understand that the bible is a product of the Church. And the Church has always maintained that not everything was written down. And that the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth. (1 Tim 3:15) , it was given authority to make important decisions(Matt 18:17) and her leaders the faculties to forgive sins, even (John 20:21-23). And that Jesus promised to be with her always (Matt 28:20). And that we were left a Vicarious shepherd here on earth (John 21) And that God speaks to that Shepherd (Matt 16)
So you can trust in the Church He established. She has the promise from the Lord, and unlike these restoration movements, she actually has the pedigree of 2,000 years of protecting and preserving the faith to back it up.
May1980, Jesus ministry was 3 years long, yet all we have are the gospel accounts of some of those events and quotations. Really not much information overall as John tells us this in John 21, last verse.
In the example of purgatory, I was once a Sola Scriptura practicing Protestant who actually became convinced of this state of existence through the scriptures. So there’s enough scriptural support to say it exists, and we have the infallible ruling of the Church to back it up. Read ACTS 15, this is how the Church has always operated since it’s inception. Councils ruled infallibly because they were guided by the Spirit to do so, sometimes without it all being spelled out for them scripturally.
One final passage I would point out is ACTS 9:4. This often gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t because it shows us just how intimate the Lord plans on being with His Church.
Jesus asks Paul why he persecutes HIM. But Paul/Saul had not met Jesus, he was actually persecuting Christians. Demonstrating you cant separate the Lord from the Church. Impossible to decapitate the body of Christ. The Church is a living entity and He is right there in the middle of it. If something has been infallibly decreed at a Council, you can take it to the bank.
BTW, 1980 was a good year. Ronald Reagan got elected that year and some of my earliest memories are in 80-81. So you have a interesting screen name.
P
PopePiusXIISupp
Guest
The Catholic Church is the one true Church. Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus (Outside of the Church their is not salvation). We know that the protestant churches are false since they promote heresy. All the protestant religions and all non-christian religions are false as well. To be a Christian you must accept all kerygma such as the Virgin birth, Perpetual Virginity of Mary, Transubstantiation, etc. if you believe and accept all you can be saved. If you have ignorance you can be saved. If the ignorance is willed then no. To be a catholic you must accept all dogma. Once when you are baptized you are a part of the Catholic Church since by baptism the Trinity and grace enters your soul. Some of the churches (protestant) that accept kerygma are Anglicans, Methodist, and Lutheran. You may not participate in their false worship since it is indirectly approving their beliefs.They have no Eucharist (maybe if a catholic priest becomes a minister in their churches) and so they eat bread and drink wine. We have Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament which we eat His Flesh and drink His Blood. The same would apply to the orthodox (I don’t know about the orientals though).
Too long; didn’t read
Catholic is correct. Protestants are wrong.
Too long; didn’t read
Catholic is correct. Protestants are wrong.
L
Lenten_ashes
Guest
I know we are not supposed to take communion in their churches, but where does it say we cant worship in them?
There are couples where the husband is protestant, wife is catholic or vice versa, and they attend each other’s service.
I know a protestant service does not fulfill Sunday obligation. But I don’t think the OP is saying or implying that.
M
May1980
Guest
Pope, thanks for your response.
I don’t believe I cannot participate in worship at a church that is not Catholic. I am a Catholic and “indirectly” validating their beliefs does not come into it at all. We praise Jesus, together. There is no prohibition on my attending this other Christian non-Catholic church when I want to, in addition to my own.
In fact, people from THEIR church came to a mass at my Catholic church. We love, we serve God. We don’t build walls or divisions.
Of course, we can disagree with beliefs. We can serve God together, though.
Just as an uncle of mine came to Catholic church for Christmas mass. He is not Catholic but he loved the mass and found it beautiful.
I don’t believe I cannot participate in worship at a church that is not Catholic. I am a Catholic and “indirectly” validating their beliefs does not come into it at all. We praise Jesus, together. There is no prohibition on my attending this other Christian non-Catholic church when I want to, in addition to my own.
In fact, people from THEIR church came to a mass at my Catholic church. We love, we serve God. We don’t build walls or divisions.
Of course, we can disagree with beliefs. We can serve God together, though.Just as an uncle of mine came to Catholic church for Christmas mass. He is not Catholic but he loved the mass and found it beautiful.
G
GLam8833
Guest
I was invited to a Brethern church on Sunday
after holy mass at my Catholic Church, I love
the teachings of the elders there and I think
that I will CONTINUE to attend it, it believes,
among other things(baptism, salvation, veiling
for the women, the sacred assembly of believers)
the ideal of SEPARATION from the world for
Christians which is a very holy calling!! 2 Cor. 6:17
after holy mass at my Catholic Church, I love
the teachings of the elders there and I think
that I will CONTINUE to attend it, it believes,
among other things(baptism, salvation, veiling
for the women, the sacred assembly of believers)
the ideal of SEPARATION from the world for
Christians which is a very holy calling!! 2 Cor. 6:17
S
SAVINGRACE
Guest
I thought the same when I first converted but have since changed my mind. Once in a while to attend a wedding, funeral etc is considered okay but active participation regularly (every month or every couple of months) in worship that is not Catholic is discouraged, as Cardinal Arinze former Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine on Faith advises below at 1:47.Pope, thanks for your response.
I don’t believe I cannot participate in worship at a church that is not Catholic. I am a Catholic and “indirectly” validating their beliefs does not come into it at all. We praise Jesus, together. There is no prohibition on my attending this other Christian non-Catholic church when I want to, in addition to my own.
In fact, people from THEIR church came to a mass at my Catholic church. We love, we serve God. We don’t build walls or divisions.
Just as an uncle of mine came to Catholic church for Christmas mass. He is not Catholic but he loved the mass and found it beautiful.
Of course, you are free to take his advice or ignore it.
youtube.com/watch?v=BIjys5NuPwY
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ProdigalSun
Guest
What about the westboro Baptist church? Is everything ok with them???
They believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and are baptised.
M
May1980
Guest
There is no rule prohibiting a Catholic from attending worship at a church that isn’t Catholic. And yes, I participate, and I sing. (I don’t take Communion there; I do that at my Catholic church weekly). It might be discouraged to go, but that’s neither here nor there. I am a regular. They know I’m Catholic, too! It’s about…Jesus, and showing his love to others. Not building walls. My kindergarten child goes to SCHOOL there; she sings at the service sometimes with her class. Do I say, oh, I’m Catholic, sorry, we can’t go and participate?" Nope! (There is no Catholic school with a bus nearby, but anyway, when she comes home saying Jesus loves us, it sure beats the public school where you can’t even celebrate Christmas, and you call it “winter break.” 
So I love being a regular at that church, yes, weekly. Doesn’t make me not Catholic by attending.
My kindergarten child goes to SCHOOL there; she sings at the service sometimes with her class. Do I say, oh, I’m Catholic, sorry, we can’t go and participate?" Nope! (There is no Catholic school with a bus nearby, but anyway, when she comes home saying Jesus loves us, it sure beats the public school where you can’t even celebrate Christmas, and you call it “winter break.” So I love being a regular at that church, yes, weekly. Doesn’t make me not Catholic by attending.
S
SAVINGRACE
Guest
You are free to make your own choices. We are all responsible for our own salvation journey. I’m just pointing out that it’s discouraged as someone else pointed out for me and as Cardinal Arinze has advised for all Catholics.There is no rule prohibiting a Catholic from attending worship at a church that isn’t Catholic. And yes, I participate, and I sing. (I don’t take Communion there; I do that at my Catholic church weekly). It might be discouraged to go, but that’s neither here nor there. I am a regular. They know I’m Catholic, too! It’s about…Jesus, and showing his love to others. Not building walls.
M
May1980
Guest
Thanks, Saving Grace. I appreciate you posting. Not trying to be difficult to anyone…I just…for me, attending is right. I am not looking at it as us vs. them or anything so involved, certainly not negating anyone’s beliefs in either church. I enjoy going and (bonus if I get to see my child sing about Jesus). They gave a very practical sermon about how to talk to people and love people, like Jesus did. Stick around after basketball practice and say hello, etc. It really helped me not be so self-centered. Maybe someone needed a kind smile, that kind of thing. So simple and beautiful. I got a lot out of that, and I think God would think that’s a good thing! I didn’t realize the question would be such a…point of pitting us vs. them. 
I guess I am kind of surprised that almost NOBODY I know goes to ANY church, that I can’t imagine anyone having a problem with my going to a different church if I want to. I still go to mass each week! Going to church is a good thing.
Not trying to be difficult to anyone…I just…for me, attending is right. I am not looking at it as us vs. them or anything so involved, certainly not negating anyone’s beliefs in either church. I enjoy going and (bonus if I get to see my child sing about Jesus). They gave a very practical sermon about how to talk to people and love people, like Jesus did. Stick around after basketball practice and say hello, etc. It really helped me not be so self-centered. Maybe someone needed a kind smile, that kind of thing. So simple and beautiful. I got a lot out of that, and I think God would think that’s a good thing! I didn’t realize the question would be such a…point of pitting us vs. them. I guess I am kind of surprised that almost NOBODY I know goes to ANY church, that I can’t imagine anyone having a problem with my going to a different church if I want to. I still go to mass each week! Going to church is a good thing.
S
Sy_Noe
Guest
Show me someone who thinks they know with certainty what the truth is and I will show you someone with faith. Be it faith in God, their faith in the men of the early church and in their writings, their faith in interpretations of those writings, and so forth. It takes so much faith for someone to come to think they know. Some people are drawn more towards those faiths where there is less black and white. They breathe better in a box with a lid not as closed so tightly. But at the same time I understand as well that for many others, having things spelled out in black and white provides them great comfort in their faith.
S
SAVINGRACE
Guest
Thanks, Saving Grace. I appreciate you posting.
If my Priest or a Cardinal who was the Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine on Faith advises that something is discouraged as it may be harmful to my spiritual life, I pay careful attention and take it on board and research further on why it is discouraged.I used to attend a Protestant church regularly along with Mass not thinking it would be a problem, my Priest advised against it for my spiritual wellbeing so I stopped apart from the odd wedding or funeral etc.
I am the captain of my salvation ship so I need to make wise and spiritually edifying decisions to ensure that my actions and decisions do not conflict with the Church. The Church was put there by Christ to guide me on my journey and how to avoid pitfalls. Just as Our Lady was prevented from falling into the pit of original sin.
Having said that, you are also the captain of your own salvation ship.
P
Peter_J
Guest
The apostles, and probably a very very large number of heroes and leaders in church history (though I can’t say for certain which ones aside cannot see into their minds) and mystics/visionaries. Although I think in some cases a person is granted certainty about only a few things.
L
LatinRight
Guest
God bless 10gr8kids and Lenten_ashes,
You said 10gr8kids:
“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.”
As follows I show you 10gr8kids, the Church your husband attends not as good as the Catholic Church.
Catechism of the Catholic Church.
1813 … They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. …
1821 … In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere “to the end” and **to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works ** accomplished with the grace of Christ. …
2010 … Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. …
2027 No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.
SUMMARY
I also agree with you 10gr8kids: Two opposite teachings cannot both be true.
The above and the following teaching is the crown of our beautiful faith, the fullness of our truth, that we have been entrusted.
1813, We are “meriting eternal life.”
1821, We are obtaining the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works.
2010, We can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life].
2027, We can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.
Yet our protestant brothers and sisters are teaching the EXACT OPPOSITE that we CAN NOT merit the grace of God and we CAN NOT merit our eternal life.
We all know, redemption/salvation is the central teachings of Christianity.
If a Church is TOTALLY WRONG on their CENTRAL TEACHINGS of Christianity, we all know what it means and we also know the results of it, you can take it to the bank.
God bless,
LatinRight
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