Understanding Non-Catholic Religious Beliefs Better

[takers]

I was hoping y’all could help me. I’m trying to get a better understanding on what the other Non-Catholic religions believe. For example: what’s the difference between Baptist and Nazarene or Pentecostal. Mostly I’m looking at the Protestant religions. I have a decent understanding of LDS and Seventh Day Adventist through friends. Does anyone know of a good website to review that highlights the differences in the various Protestant beliefs?

 

[Georgia]

I grew up Baptist in an area with quite a few Nazarene churches. They were distinctive in that the women never cut their hair and were allowed no makeup. I have no idea why. The women never wore slacks and could often been seen in public, even in summer in the South, wearing denim skirts that went about half way from the knee to the ankle.

When I was a teen, I visited Pentecostal churches a couple of times and was quite surprised. There was shouting at pretty much anytime, community prayer in which each member prayed his own prayer aloud, clapping, falling to the floor, and “speaking in tongues.” I only knew it came from what I, a Baptist at the time, considered an odd reading of the Biblical account of Pentecost.

 

[RedBert]

wiki

 

[Le_Cracquere]

Many thanks for your interest and curiosity!

It’s nearly impossible to draw up a thorough taxonomy of Protestantism, much less an exhaustive one. What’s more confusing, the foundational theology of a denomination doesn’t always map well with that denom’s brand of Christianity as practiced. Many denominations whose official doctrines are bluntly opposed are virtually indistinguishable for everyday purposes, and vice versa. Confining ourselves to American examples, and going more by real-world differences than by foundational doctrines, I’d say you could start with these EXTREMELY broad divisions:

• Mainline Protestantism: Episcopals, ELA Lutherans, most United Methodists, Presbyterians, and northern Baptists
• Evangelicals: these include some of the more traditional members of the mainline denominations, but also Southern Baptists, many Pentecostal churches
• Historically black churches: AME, etc.
• Outriders: Primitive Baptists, Mennonites, grab-bag sects

I have to rush to work, but that’s a start. One significant feature of American Protestantism is the roughly inverse correlation between orthodoxy and ecclesial/liturgical traditionalism, which accounts for many misunderstandings between committed Protestants and Catholics: for American Protestants, traditionalism in form is strongly associated with apostasy in content. That’s one of the first areas where a Catholic apologist might wish to educate and smooth the waters.

 

[Publisher]

Most Protestant groups differ on church government in the broader sense. Some differ on form of baptism and Lord’s Supper…while others such as the Salvation Army and Friends practice no “outward forms” at all in regard to the ordinances. Some differ on the “Gifts of the Spirit”…Nazarene vs Pentacostal…both believe in the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” as occuring subsequent to regeneration…but the Pentacostals tend to believe his baptism occurs with the “evidence of speaking in tongues”.

Others do not believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs subsequent to regeneration…but simultaneous with regeneration…it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which brings about regeneration…such as the Baptists.

Mennonite groups differ on mode of baptism…Mennonite Brethren baptize by immersion while Mennonite church offers pouring as well as immersion.

Methodists, Presbyterians and other “mainline” denominations practice infant baptism…while Baptists, Mennonites, Brethren only baptize “adults” or those who can make a conscious decision to follow Christ and commit a life to him.

Some are simply divided by what they are allowed to do outside of church such as drinking and smoking or women wearing make-up and pants or going to concerts and movies…

The differences typically are the “non-essentials” in many minds…others feel the “differences” underly a deeper understanding of commitment to Christ through their various “disiplines”.

I had a friend who would not attend a church that did not have the pulpit front and center…if the pulpit and lecturn were too the sides of the platform…she considered them too “liberal”…she wanted to “hear the Word preached” and the pulpit front and center symbolized this groups commitment to the “Word preached”.

Most Protestant differences seem minor to Protestants and many will worship with those of other religious persuasions when necessary without any problem.

Some of the more “Evangelical” groups do not like liturgical style worship as among Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, or Congregationalists but like the style of worship among the Baptists, Nazarenes or Free Methodists better.

 

[takers]

Confining ourselves to American examples, and going more by real-world differences than by foundational doctrines, I’d say you could start with these EXTREMELY broad divisions:

• Mainline Protestantism: Episcopals, ELA Lutherans, most United Methodists, Presbyterians, and northern Baptists
• Evangelicals: these include some of the more traditional members of the mainline denominations, but also Southern Baptists, many Pentecostal churches
• Historically black churches: AME, etc.
• Outriders: Primitive Baptists, Mennonites, grab-bag sects

I had no idea that there was such a split. Thank you for giving me even this high level of a split between the different faiths. I knew that there were Southern Baptists but didn’t realize that the other half would be considered northern Baptist. Since you put them in two different categories it sounds like while they have a similar main belief, perhaps their smaller differences add up to a big difference that splits that pretty much in two?

Most Protestant groups differ on church government in the broader sense.

Most Protestant differences seem minor to Protestants and many will worship with those of other religious persuasions when necessary without any problem.

I find it interesting that you say that most Protestant’s can differ on their church beliefs but yet worship together without problem. As a cradle Catholic I was always taught that Protestant’s varied so much in their beliefs that this was the cause of the sprouting of so many churches. Your comment about being able to worship easier together than worship with Catholics gives me pause in having to relook at what I always believed. Perhaps I believed incorrectly on how wide their differences really are?

 

[Georgia]

Small differences can be big, at least in my former practice. There are any number of Baptist churches in my home town that are within a block of another. Often, it is a matter of some preferring a certain pastor, but other times there are church splits on small matters of doctrine, for example, the necessity of baptism before salvation is complete.

My personal favorite not too far from my home would be two Baptist churches that share a property line. And, yes, that is true. They face the same street and have adjacent lots.

 

[eureka525]

I had no idea that there was such a split. Thank you for giving me even this high level of a split between the different faiths. I knew that there were Southern Baptists but didn’t realize that the other half would be considered northern Baptist. Since you put them in two different categories it sounds like while they have a similar main belief, perhaps their smaller differences add up to a big difference that splits that pretty much in two?

I find it interesting that you say that most Protestant’s can differ on their church beliefs but yet worship together without problem. As a cradle Catholic I was always taught that Protestant’s varied so much in their beliefs that this was the cause of the sprouting of so many churches. Your comment about being able to worship easier together than worship with Catholics gives me pause in having to relook at what I always believed. Perhaps I believed incorrectly on how wide their differences really are?

My mother grew up southern Baptist and from what I understand from her, it’s just cultural differences between the south and the north. I know they weren’t allowed to dance or drink or listen to certain kinds of music and they had a ton of Bible studies throughout the week and other activities to keep them on the ‘straight and narrow’ but that’s about the extent of my knowledge of her church. I was raised in a Presbyterian church and their big thing is to have committees and sessions and elect elders and deacons from within the congregation, who then go on to select the minister for the church. Theologically, my church was certainly not ultra-conservative but I wouldn’t call us liberal either. I don’t know if you’re looking for more specific info than that…?

As for worshiping with other protestants, I would say it’s very easy for many ‘mainline’ protestants to switch between churches, depending on location, ministers, youth groups, etc. But beyond that I think I personally would have trouble participating in some other more ‘radical’ (no offense intended) churches just because I wasn’t raised that way or because the beliefs are too different.

 

[takers]

My personal favorite not too far from my home would be two Baptist churches that share a property line. And, yes, that is true. They face the same street and have adjacent lots.

That is too funny!

My mother grew up southern Baptist and from what I understand from her, it’s just cultural differences between the south and the north. I know they weren’t allowed to dance or drink or listen to certain kinds of music and they had a ton of Bible studies throughout the week and other activities to keep them on the ‘straight and narrow’ but that’s about the extent of my knowledge of her church. I was raised in a Presbyterian church and their big thing is to have committees and sessions and elect elders and deacons from within the congregation, who then go on to select the minister for the church. Theologically, my church was certainly not ultra-conservative but I wouldn’t call us liberal either. I don’t know if you’re looking for more specific info than that…?

Anything helps at this point! I’m a cradle Catholic who has attended a few Lutheran Christmas services with my Grandparents, attended one Episcopalin (sp?), service, two Baptist weddings, and a few LDS Girls Nights/Camp-Outs/Service Get-Togethers. Other than that I haven’t attended any other sort of Protestant service. Recently I started wanting to know more about Protestant faiths and what they really believed to compare to Catholicism. Not in ANY WAY do I want to put down any Protestant religion. This isn’t a fact finding mission to gain ammunition or anything like that. More a search to better understand the differences to gain knowledge. Since I’m a cradle Catholic all I know is Catholicism and I guess I’m feeling the pull to find out more about other religions.

 

[eureka525]

Hmm… well here are a couple of the bigger differences between what we were taught in my church and what I remember from my Catholic school days (switched to public school at age 12 so maaany things fuzzy! lol)

The biggest thing is that we were taught that Communion was a rememberance of the sacrifice of Christ only, and not the physical body and blood of Christ. We were not taught to ask Saints to pray for us, we were taught that we always had a direct line to Christ whenever we needed it. Even something small, like the crosses in church not being a Crucifix- they wanted to show the empty cross symbolizing that Christ was risen, not just that He had died. We were also taught that we only needed to confess our sins directly to God (again the direct line to Christ).

We only have three sacraments- Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion. Baptism is generally for infants, during the regular Sunday service. Part of the Baptism is to have the congregation and the parents/Godparents, all agree to raise the child in the church and teach them about Christ. Communion could be done once children had attended some Sunday school and understood what it was but it was mostly encouraged for older children. Confirmation is during the 8th grade- we attended classes and had homework and community service and things like that before we were confirmed in front of the church, reaffirming our belief in Christ as Lord and Savior and that we would continue to try live in His image, etc.

I don’t think marriage is treated as a sacrament, but rather a rite. Maybe I’m wrong? See how much I know… And we don’t have the Holy Orders or Anointing of the Sick.

I think those are all the really big things, the rest of our services are pretty similar to the masses that I’ve been to, just we have a LOT more music during the service.**

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

We were not taught to ask Saints to pray for us, we were taught that we always had a direct line to Christ whenever we needed it.

Maybe I haven’t been Catholic long enough but I have never been taught that we don’t (or can’t have) a direct line to Christ as far as prayer is concerned. Perhaps that teaching comes in years 6 and 7

God bless

 

[TriuneUnity]

Maybe I haven’t been Catholic long enough but I have never been taught that we don’t (or can’t have) a direct line to Christ as far as prayer is concerned. Perhaps that teaching comes in years 6 and 7

God bless

I think you may only get that one when you join the Knights of Columbus.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I think you may only get that one when you join the Knights of Columbus.

Do you think that is when I will be informed about the Priory of Sion as well?

God bless

 

[TriuneUnity]

Do you think that is when I will be informed about the Priory of Sion as well?

God bless

Yes. You won’t find out about the monasteries with the hidden chambers full of prisoners until you reach the 4th degree, though.

 

[eureka525]

Maybe I haven’t been Catholic long enough but I have never been taught that we don’t (or can’t have) a direct line to Christ as far as prayer is concerned. Perhaps that teaching comes in years 6 and 7

God bless

Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… Just that it wasn’t part of our tradition, that we were taught Christ was the only one we needed. But we did ask others (i.e. friends, family, ministers) to pray for us in times of need so personally I don’t see why it’d be much different from asking Saints to pray for people… ??

 

[TriuneUnity]

Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… Just that it wasn’t part of our tradition, that we were taught Christ was the only one we needed. But we did ask others (i.e. friends, family, ministers) to pray for us in times of need so personally I don’t see why it’d be much different from asking Saints to pray for people… ??

A couple of things on this. I wouldn’t want to get into a long discussion about it because it isn’t the topic of the thread per se. We are given a command and a promise in Scripture in relation to asking living saints to pray for us. We are given no such command or promise with the saints who have gone to the Church Triumphant. This does not mean that they do not pray for us, indeed they do, only that we are never commanded to ask them for it.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… Just that it wasn’t part of our tradition, that we were taught Christ was the only one we needed. But we did ask others (i.e. friends, family, ministers) to pray for us in times of need so personally I don’t see why it’d be much different from asking Saints to pray for people… ??

I understood what you meant and there is no reason to apologize. My response was in good fun.

Welcome to the forums. God bless

 

[eureka525]

I understood what you meant and there is no reason to apologize. My response was in good fun.

Welcome to the forums. God bless

fair enough… and thanks!

 

[takers]

Hmm… well here are a couple of the bigger differences between what we were taught in my church and what I remember from my Catholic school days (switched to public school at age 12 so maaany things fuzzy! lol)

The biggest thing is that we were taught that Communion was a rememberance of the sacrifice of Christ only, and not the physical body and blood of Christ. We were not taught to ask Saints to pray for us, we were taught that we always had a direct line to Christ whenever we needed it. Even something small, like the crosses in church not being a Crucifix- they wanted to show the empty cross symbolizing that Christ was risen, not just that He had died. We were also taught that we only needed to confess our sins directly to God (again the direct line to Christ).

We only have three sacraments- Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion. Baptism is generally for infants, during the regular Sunday service. Part of the Baptism is to have the congregation and the parents/Godparents, all agree to raise the child in the church and teach them about Christ. Communion could be done once children had attended some Sunday school and understood what it was but it was mostly encouraged for older children. Confirmation is during the 8th grade- we attended classes and had homework and community service and things like that before we were confirmed in front of the church, reaffirming our belief in Christ as Lord and Savior and that we would continue to try live in His image, etc.

I don’t think marriage is treated as a sacrament, but rather a rite. Maybe I’m wrong? See how much I know… And we don’t have the Holy Orders or Anointing of the Sick.

I think those are all the really big things, the rest of our services are pretty similar to the masses that I’ve been to, just we have a LOT more music during the service.**

eureka525, if you don’t mind me asking, what demonination of Protestant are you?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

eureka525, if you don’t mind me asking, what demonination of Protestant are you?

Eureka will no doubt answer this question but in the spirit of this thread and learning about other religious beliefs it may be fun to guess based off of her response.

Eureka talked about her church having 3 sacraments. That he or she used the word sacrament is a good clue. Also stated that babies were baptized in her church. Those two things would eliminate a lot of the possibilities (baptist, AOG, most non-denominationals) Now my first guess would be Lutheran and or Anglican however this part throws me for a loop:

The biggest thing is that we were taught that Communion was a rememberance of the sacrifice of Christ only, and not the physical body and blood of Christ.

That would seem to exclude Lutheran and most Anglican/Episcopalian churches. I would say Methodist but AFAIK they also believe in the real presence of Christ but there is a more open view among the congregates. I am going out on a limb and am going to guess… Methodist.

God bless