What Do Catholics Not Respect Non-Catholics?

[distracted]

A lot of folks enter a church and expect things to happen, according to what they wish. But they themselves, and what is inside of them, is where the true change and experience takes place. Externals are not good indicators of spiritual matters. If one is completely unaffected by a church service, then perhaps the issue lies within that person rather than the four walls around him.

right… something i should have told someone years ago when she went on and on about how awful the Church is… I had the thought you so eloquently speak of… but was kind of afraid to say it that way (some people act like they’re possessed, you know… )

 

[dcb188]

Pro Domina: One thing I meant was that we go into a church expecting something for ME when in fact maybe we should concentrate more on giving to HIM (worship) instead of what I “get” out of the service.

 

[MrS]

Pro Domina: One thing I meant was that we go into a church expecting something for ME when in fact maybe we should concentrate more on giving to HIM (worship) instead of what I “get” out of the service.

…

That sounds like we should worship vertically.

More of Him… less of me.

Makes you wonder whose hand we should really hold during the Our Father, huh

 

[dcb188]

I have heard people exit a service and say, Gee, I didn’t GET anything out of it. And I must ask them, well, did you GIVE anything? No answer.

 

[Pro_Domina]

Worrying too much about “ego” than “Tu”.

D’accord.

 

[Cinette]

Do you believe that everyone who doesn’t agree with Catholicism is merely igonorant of it?

The Truth is true and we cannot say “I don’t agree with the truth” as if it is a matter of opinion. Fact is fact - we cannot disagree with a fact. It will remain a fact whether we like it or not! The Catholic Church is True and traces its beginnings to Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church is made up of very good people and very bad ones sometimes too (Matthews 13) and will always be this way.

Being a Catholic Christian is not easy but we cannot disagree with the Magisterium. We cannot expect the Church to compromise. The Church has maintained firm in its beliefs - on Faith and Morals - throughout the ages. It is the only Church which has not changes its mind. Like it or not we have to look to Christ and His Church for guidance.

Look at the history of Protestantism how it has changed over time. Look at what Luther believed and what Protestants believe today - it is something altogether different. Even Luther must be turning in his grave.

We Christians should unite. Look at what we have to fight in the world today - look at moral degeneration, look at secularism, look at the lack of respect for human life, look at war, look at abuse… one could go on and on.

As an outsider I observe Catholic Answers - they have been answering questions about the Church for a long, long time and there have been books on apologetics etc. etc. We have the Catechism which EXPLAINS EVERYTHING about our beliefs and yet we are told that we believe this and that. Imagine, people outside the Church think they know more about what we believe than we do. I get impatient when I find that we have to repeat ourselves over and over again. I guess that the people who work for Catholic Answers are selected because of their patience…

:yup:

I look forward to one day (maybe it will only be in heaven) when all Christians will UNITE and HUG!!!

 

[Cinette]

I would just like Catholics and the Church itself to take a good, strong, honest audit of itself and face some facts…

By and large, Catholics have never been a Bible-reading group (laity)…Most of my protestant friends always express ‘shock’ that I know scripture so well. The only reason I know scripture is because I’m SELF-TAUGH. The RCC never taught me squat about scripture. We learned catechism in CCD growing up, a little old testament, a few basic stories of Jesus and that’s about it. We mostly learned rules, when to bow, how to pray, and what to say…

Protestants are missionary-oriented. I can’t count how many of my protestant co-workers or friends have gone on missions. They use laity to go on missions and they’re driven. Catholics use the priesthood for missions by and large. I can’t name one catholic at our church who has ever gone on a mission.

Protestants tend to have more buy-in with kids and youth. Only in the last ten years has there even been a vacation bible school in our parish and that being said, it’s a pitiful-looking program. Protestants were having VBS way back in the day. I used to go with my lutheran and non-denominational friends as a kid to VBS because we didn’t have one.

Protestants focus on scripture heavily, catholics as a whole tend to focus mostly on the liturgy, confession, rosary, and prayer.

There is not as much fellowship in the Catholic Church as in protestantism. When my family and I used to attend the Anglican Church, there was always coffee hour directly after the service as well as Bible study and dinner together in the hall Wednesday nights. After Mass at our Catholic Church now, there’s nothing.

What I’d like to see is Catholics STOP just using the 7 sacraments as their only claim to fame to get protestants to convert. While I DON’T want roller coasters and ferris wheels or crazy born again revivals in the park, I’d like to see the Catholic Church try to open itself up with more scripture, more passion, more missionary zeal and evangelism, more youth buy-in, more fun, and some child care wouldn’t hurt at our parish!

The tone I often feel in these forums is: "hey, we have all seven sacraments and Peter himself. We’re infallible and that’s enough. Reform? Bah, Trent did that. So many Catholics are contemptible toward Luther and try to sugar coat the indulgences racket back in the Middle Ages or sluff off papal misdeeds. I think the Catholic Church needs to take stock of itself. When I’ve gone overseas in the past ten years with my wife to the Philippines it is shocking to hear how boring, urbane, and just all around dreadful the Mass is. Good Lord they’re just dull. Even Mass can be dull if the lector, priest, and co-celebrants are boring farts. I don’t think we Catholics can just rely on some statements by St. Ignatus and Polycarp about the Eucharist to get folks into the Church. We need to breathe more life back into it!

You know whagt? If people attended Mass more often and LISTENED AND ABSORBED what was going on they would KNOW the scriptures BACK TO FRONT.

Of course, it is recommended that we read and re-read because there IS ALWAYS MORE. We read a scripture for the 10 time and suddenly it appears that it is for the first time because we keep discovering more and more… That is why the Bible is so amazing.

:bounce:

 

[Cinette]

Some of what you say is true. Clearly there is a variety of experiences growing up Catholic. You should have ‘remembered’ as a child, that the Scriptural passages for the week used to be on “notice boards” beside the pulpit or somewhere in view.

There was a time when the readings used to be “alternated”…the reader reads a verse, the ‘mass’ reads the next, and so on.

We were also not taught Scriptures in specificity, because the point is, to 'hear" the WHOLE BOOK, as EVERY WORD is God Breathed / Inspired. It matters not what Esther says, or Jeremiah, or Isaiah, Matthew, Paul or John!! THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE WHO “IS SPEAKING” BECAUSE GOD IS THE AUTHOR !! There WAS no difference between the ‘writers.’

Reformers dwell on individual passages of Scriptures, because outside of The Book, they have no “legitimacy” to claim to BE OF CHRIST! Even with the best of intentions, they have, unwittingly assisted those OPPOSED to Christ, in dismantling His Gospel.

But God USES every free will choice we make to further His Purpose. That is, that ALL may know HIM and HIS LOVE for His Creation. What has occurred, is the ‘awakening’ of interest of attention to details contained within The Book. It coincides with the progress of the Messianic Age where ‘man’ begins to realise how smart he really is.

Before Christ (The Messiah) wisdom and intelligence was periodic, ‘sporadic’ and ‘splintered’ from people to people. Since ‘The Age’ began, intellect has been spreading like “A Light” and is becoming unified. Technology and all its ability is now GLOBAL. (Mirroring The Good News!)

You may, for instance and good research, reasearch on the WORLD WIDE WEB what Catholics actually do around the globe, for humanity. (You may be pleasantly surprised) The difference is Catholics DO NOT sing, dance and wave neon lights about it, because IT’S NOT ABOUT US! We do not do it to draw attention to US, or increase the membership. We DO IT, because of the Love of Our Founder Who just wants it DONE!!

For the record, I used to ‘agree’ with you, until I learned THE FACTS!

**MASS is boring and dull…IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA (OR FORGOTTEN) WHO IS PRESENT, AND TO WHOM IT IS BEING OFFERED!! **

Whilst every Christian ‘celebration’ is acceptable, I’m sure, What has been GIVEN as Perfect, by Perfection, must be conducted, Perfectly!

God Bless

Yes, those who think the Mass is boring are boring themselves. They are obviously not paying attention. The Mass is the most perfect and wonderful thing and if we would only realise it we would never miss a single Mass.

It is amazing and wonderful as I look at my husband at my side at daily Mass. He was an athiest, a communist…and yet the same principles and characteristics which led him to believe in communism led him to accept God and come home to the Catholic Church. He had a strong belief in justice and morals.

:clapping:

Isn’t this a great forum? We talk and exchange views, get mad and happy and want to strangle and hug!!!??!!!

 

[onetimeposter]

The Truth is true and we cannot say “I don’t agree with the truth” as if it is a matter of opinion. Fact is fact - we cannot disagree with a fact.

**Absolutism, is not necessary for my Christian faith. I don’t agree with your truth, that absolutism is required or even essential for a Christian understanding and belief.
**
Being a Catholic Christian is not easy but we cannot disagree with the Magisterium.

Millions do.

We cannot expect the Church to compromise.

Everyone else in society does…except the Church…how odd?

Look at the history of Protestantism how it has changed over time. Look at what Luther believed and what Protestants believe today - it is something altogether different.

Belief is evolving, faith is evolving. Static religion, not too sure why you think its so great and a static religion is not near as important as you think.

We Christians should unite. Look at what we have to fight in the world today - look at moral degeneration, look at secularism, look at the lack of respect for human life, look at war, look at abuse… one could go on and on.
**
That takes compromise and as you said, the Church has no time for compromise. On one hand you say we should unite, but on the other you state the Church will never compromise. So, who then is to compromise? Everyone else but you?**

 

[benedictus2]

Okay, I am Catholic and love being one. And I respect Protestants but not their belief for how can you respect an adulterated form of Christianity. What is admirable is their dedication to the Bible but not their doctrines which are actually contrary to what the Bible teaches.

And doctrine is important because right practice proceeds from right doctrine.

Not all opinions are equal. Either something is true and or it isn’t.
In a lot of issues, there is an either/or situation when it comes to doctrine. Either we Catholics are correct or the Protestants have got it right.

But time and again, the two pillars of Protestantism (Sola Scripture and Sola Fide) have been proven wrong.

I have listened to and read countless conversion stories and the common theme running through it all is that once they started reading and reading earnestly, they have become convinced of the truth of the Catholic position.

How can you respect someone who calls Christ’s family here on earth the Whore of Babylon?

The most I can muster is compassion for their ignorance.

 

[onetimeposter]

Yes, those who think the Mass is boring are boring themselves. !

Amazing that you are so easily able to judge those that you do not know and judge negatively at that!

 

[Cinette]

onetimeposter:
Hello Onetimeposter -

Compromise is a good thing but not when it comes to the Truth. Does God evolve? I believe we must stand firm when dealing with matters of Faith and Morals. Just because millions might compromise and accept moral degeneration and sub-cultures doesn’t make it right.

I would hate it if my husband came along and said to me, “I have evolved so I am going to trade you in for a younger model”. His love is constant and evolves into a greater love. We evolve into a greater and closer relationship with God as we get to know Him. We believe in the absolute Truth of the Bible and Christianity. If that makes me an “Absolutist” then so be it!

Don’t be so angry OnetimePoster - have an open heart and mind.

I would like to recommend a book - “The Science Before Science” A guide to Thinking in the 21st Century by Anthony Rizzi. I would love to hear how you evolve after that. (Rizzi is a distinguished physicist who solved an 80 year problem in Einstein’s theory)

:tsktsk: :dts:

 

[Cinette]

Amazing that you are so easily able to judge those that you do not know and judge negatively at that!

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, IT IS A DUCK!

:extrahappy:

 

[Deconi]

Amazing that you are so easily able to judge those that you do not know and judge negatively at that!

I am impressed with your ability to slip in and out of the “judgemental shadows”

Your anti Catholic views are accusatorial (judgemental) but when anyone ‘corrects’ or rebuts you, you hurl the charges about with abandon!

BRAVO!

For the record, I cannot and do not ‘judge’ the “validity” of your ticket to Heaven. That is forbidden! But I do make judgements on what you ‘say’ and make the necessary inferrences from them to reach a conclusion on your “character” or ‘person.’ as it were.

Sometimes, it’s “negative,” sometimes it’s “positive.”

I expect the same in return.

 

[onetimeposter]

I am impressed with your ability to slip in and out of the “judgemental shadows”

Your anti Catholic views are accusatorial (judgemental) but when anyone ‘corrects’ or rebuts you, you hurl the charges about with abandon!

I’m certainly not anti-Catholic, as my entire family ( very, very large extended family) are all Roman Catholics. My family has been Catholic likely since Catholicism was introduced to Ireland.

My Grandmother ( God rest her soul) died at age 104 and attended daily Mass, prayed the rosary daily, up until the day she became ill.

I am not anti-Catholic, I admit I have difficulty with many RCC beliefs…but the RCC faith is a great faith, if it works for you…it does not work for me.

**I am casting doubt on the works based requirements of the Catholic Church in order for a person to obtain the promises of Christ.

The poster above, has suggested that all persons who believe that Mass is boring, are boring themselves. Does she really know every single person on earth who finds Mass boring? No, she does not, what she is doing is making a judgment about people she does not know.

There is a big difference in what I am doing and what she is doing. if you fail to realize that, that is quite literally your problem. **

 

[MrS]

I am casting doubt on the works based requirements of the Catholic Church in order for a person to obtain the promises of Christ.

The poster above, has suggested that all persons who believe that Mass is boring, are boring themselves. Does she really know every single person on earth who finds Mass boring? No, she does not, what she is doing is making a judgment about people she does not know.

**There is a big difference in what I am doing and what she is doing. if you fail to realize that, that is quite literally your problem. **

OTP, I think a lot of Catholics here know what you are trying to say. And for one, I agree with you… probably for a much different reason than you might like.

At the risk of sounding judgmental, and believing that the Holy Spirit will
[1] never divide the Church and
[2] works in all who allow Him into our lives…
[3] and may have chosen to make life a bit (un)ROCKy for you right now

I suspect that the Holy Spirit has great plans for you. Your Catholic background will be more powerful for you in years to come than you could ever imagine. Grandma’s efforts will not fail you.

Many, many of God’s children end up with Him after taking some long, different, and “round-about” routes… and perhaps that is your future… for now.

I have noticed a slight change in your posting… from inquisitive, to anti-Catholic, to non-Catholic. (Holy Spirit must be working fast for you ).

Anyway, I think you are wrong on many of your concerns about the Church. duh. And many posters here defend and share the Faith with the same attitude. You have been rather patient with us for that… thanks. (but you are still wrong)

So please interact here at CAF. We need it for the opportunity to think and respond. Posters, like yourself, keep our dourble edged sword finely honed. Being Catholic is the toughest thing I have to do (kids are raised and on their own now). But I enjoy, and am grateful for, the guidelines (rules) that are meant to keep me on the road.

As for the Mass… boring or not boring? I think the question is or should be…

Does the Holy Spirit want my eyes open to the Majesty of God now … or later.

again, don’t be a stranger:thumbsup:… besides, we have better hockey in Detroit, than in Canada

.

 

[Deconi]

I’m certainly not anti-Catholic, as my entire family ( very, very large extended family) are all Roman Catholics. My family has been Catholic likely since Catholicism was introduced to Ireland.

My Grandmother ( God rest her soul) died at age 104 and attended daily Mass, prayed the rosary daily, up until the day she became ill.

I am not anti-Catholic, I admit I have difficulty with many RCC beliefs…but the RCC faith is a great faith, if it works for you…it does not work for me.

**I am casting doubt on the works based requirements of the Catholic Church in order for a person to obtain the promises of Christ.

The poster above, has suggested that all persons who believe that Mass is boring, are boring themselves. Does she really know every single person on earth who finds Mass boring? No, she does not, what she is doing is making a judgment about people she does not know.

There is a big difference in what I am doing and what she is doing. if you fail to realize that, that is quite literally your problem. **

Heh Heh…SEE?? That wasn’t so hard now was it? I’d already deduced that you were either former Catholic or well versed in some if its tenets!

To be honest, I agree with some of your views on other threads. I do not question your faith nor require validation of it. I merely respond to some of your views.

God Bless your ‘search’ OTP. Where it leads is not my business, nor do I try to convince, or hold, you to Catholicism. It is, after all, FREE!!

The only thing I would add is that, where ever you go, and whatever vantage you may adopt to look back or at The Catholic Church, it will still look the same! Should your search take you 20 - 40years and you return for a ‘look see’ it will still be the same! It’s the nature of Truth. It cannot change.

It’s “boring” in that sense.

 

[onetimeposter]

we have better hockey in Detroit, than in Canada

.

I liked your post…I admit, I’ve gone through a bit of a roller coaster of emotion the last while…was I angry? You betcha, but that certainly doesn’t make it Ok. If I came across dis-respectful or rude, I’m sorry.

Your hockey comment…

The cup is coming back up North next year.

 

[placido]

“Respect” in the context used here, is EARNED! If you query with respect, the response will be respectful. If the query is a “charge,” then the response will be a rebuttal.

I like that one!

 

[peary]

Originally Posted by **onetimeposter **
Went to weekly Mass until I was about 15. I listened, the Christian message was lost on me and I was never really aware that Priests have the uncanny ability, on demand, to turn a piece of bread into the son of God. I knew that it was important to do what the Church said.

**Here we go again… **

***I *was…
I listened…
I was never really aware…
I knew…