What Is Unique About Catholicism?

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AngryAtheist8

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What is unique about Catholicism?

What separates it from the other Christian denominations?
What makes it special?

I am particularly interested in what my fellow non-Catholics have to say about this. Its always interesting to hear an outsider’s perspective.
 
Sorry, I think I may have posted this thread in the wrong place.
Moreover I did not state myself clearly.

So the question is:
What do non-Catholics think of the Catholic Church?
What makes it distinct?
 
Other Christian denominations believe that the “Church” spoken of in the Acts of the Apostles and others books of the Bible, refers to the whole collection of followers in Christ.

At best they see the Catholic Church as one of many “denominations” of the Church. At worst, they recognize the Catholic Church’s claim as being the one true Church, and utterly reject the Catholic Church because, to them, this claim is nonsense.

The Catholic Church sees itself as the mother Church, the only Church founded by Christ, and the only one to remain faithful to the faith of the Apostles appointed by Christ in 33 AD in its entirety. We totally reject the notion that we are simply a “denomination” of Christianity that one can chose from.

Once one joins the Catholic Church, we believe one is bound forever to the Church law.

Non-Catholics who are baptized as Christians outside outside of the church are not bound to Church law, but only out of ignorance. They are still bound to live according to Christ’s commandments as best they understand. Catholics, once received into the Church, who attempt to join another denomination, or even another religion, are still believed to be bound by Catholic law and held to be derelict of their Catholic duties.

Non-Christians (those who are not baptized, whether or not claiming to be members of a Christian denomination), are also held to the commandments or to the “natural law” to the best of their understanding.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Sorry, I think I may have posted this thread in the wrong place.
Moreover I did not state myself clearly.

So the question is:
What do non-Catholics think of the Catholic Church?
What makes it distinct?
Click to expand...
There are a number of things that make the CC distinct. What exactly are you looking for?

As for what I think of the CC, I think it has a very central role in the history of the Christian faith, particularly in the West. Like Luther, I believe God has blessed it in a very special way. I also believe that Christian unity on earth depends in many ways on it.

Jon
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Sorry, I think I may have posted this thread in the wrong place.
Moreover I did not state myself clearly.

So the question is:
What do non-Catholics think of the Catholic Church?
What makes it distinct?
Click to expand...
The physical presence of JESUS
Protected by the HOLY SPIRIT
The sacraments which return sinners to grace and restore the soul toward salvation
Visitations by JESUS Holy Mother, Mary frequently through history
2010 years of unbroken roots from Benedict XVI to JESUS
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Sorry, I think I may have posted this thread in the wrong place.
Moreover I did not state myself clearly.

So the question is:
What do non-Catholics think of the Catholic Church?
What makes it distinct?
Click to expand...
It’s a church that believes that Jesus is the son of God-i.e, they are Christian…

I suppose the issue of transubstantiation would set it apart from other Christian denominations, along with needing a priest to intercede for the members to pray to God (or Jesus). I’d gather that the leader of the Catholic Church -the pope-is considered to be infallible when it comes to religious doctrine would set it apart, also?
Oh, and the Bible doesn’t seem to be the general mode of a Catholic’s tool for worship, but canon law? I don’t know too much about that one…but you all do have your own Bible, right?

What do I THINK of it? I see nothing wrong with it, in general. I probably have a special affinity for it b/c I went to Catholic mass for 10 years (albeit not being Catholic-and not having ANY Catholic instruction as a child).
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
What is unique about Catholicism?

What separates it from the other Christian denominations?
What makes it special?

I am particularly interested in what my fellow non-Catholics have to say about this. Its always interesting to hear an outsider’s perspective.
Click to expand...
Outsider here. It seems to me a need for an ultimate human authority to act for God above mere intercession for other believers.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Sorry, I think I may have posted this thread in the wrong place.
Moreover I did not state myself clearly.

So the question is:
What do non-Catholics think of the Catholic Church?
What makes it distinct?
Click to expand...
What makes it distinct?

The Saints of the Church…the communion of Saints…who can be relied on for their intercession in time of need.

Belief in the Virgin Mary…has the Virgin appeared to any one belonging to another religion? Which of the world’s religions can lay claim to the fountain at Lourdes, the prophesies at Fatima?

The Stigmata…have the wounds of Christ appeared on someone’s body outside of the CC? Among the notable ones who received them…Notable stigmatics

Blessed Lucia Brocadelli of Narni
Saint Catherine of Ricci
Saint Catherine of Siena
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Gemma Galgani
Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saint John of God
Saint Faustina Kowalska
Saint Marie of the Incarnation
Therese Neumann
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Saint Rita of Cascia

Miracles…that have occurred after the death of Christ…notable would be St Peter’s as recounted in Acts…miraculous and unexplainable healings attributed to the Saints…miracles from the waters of Lourdes, the Sun miracle at Fatima as the sign for non believers…

Unity…in belief and theology…even those with different rites…like the Eastern rite churches…but all are in communion with the Bishop of Rome.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
What is unique about Catholicism?

What separates it from the other Christian denominations?
What makes it special?

I am particularly interested in what my fellow non-Catholics have to say about this. Its always interesting to hear an outsider’s perspective.
Click to expand...
In my own not so humble opinion, what is unique about Catholicism is its age and the (related) fact that the Catholic Church is the last surviving institution of the Roman Empire.

A lot of Christian denominations have had imperial pretensions in the past (such as the Church of England/Anglican Church), including the Catholic Church. But due its connection to the old empire, Catholicism probably has the most right to put on such airs.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
In my own not so humble opinion, what is unique about Catholicism is its age and the (related) fact that the Catholic Church is the last surviving institution of the Roman Empire.

A lot of Christian denominations have had imperial pretensions in the past (such as the Church of England/Anglican Church), including the Catholic Church. But due its connection to the old empire, Catholicism probably has the most right to put on such airs.
Click to expand...
And let’s not forget - it is THE ONLY Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself!
 
What do non-Catholics think of us? Here in the South some think we are not Christian, they think we are idolaters,… It can be tough sometimes. Unlike the Catholic Church, the protestant churches do have a concise set of ‘rule and instructions’. Beliefs are often different on a church to church basis.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
In my own not so humble opinion, what is unique about Catholicism is its age and the (related) fact that the Catholic Church is the last surviving institution of the Roman Empire.

A lot of Christian denominations have had imperial pretensions in the past (such as the Church of England/Anglican Church), including the Catholic Church. But due its connection to the old empire, Catholicism probably has the most right to put on such airs.
Click to expand...
I am not very sure about his one. Maybe a historian can shed more light in this one.

And not to forget too…the Catholic Church is the only church with a Heavenly Mother.
 
pablope said:
I was referring to the Blessed Virgin. Does any other church recognize the Marian doctrines aside from the CC?
Click to expand...
I should have put a smilie emoticon, because I meant it lightly, but I knew who you meant. (Who else?)

It depends on the doctrine. Lutherans accept the virgin birth, the title Holy Theotokos, and the confessions speak of ever-virgin.
The thing about Lutheran teaching is that most of mariology is considered adiaphora. So, Lutherans are free to believe as they wish on the subject, as it is not an article of faith. You’ll get varying opinions. I generally beilieve in semper-virgo, full-of-grace, and the assumption in some way or another. Others might not. I certainly would not cede role as “Heavenly Mother”.

Jon
 
JonNC said:
I should have put a smilie emoticon, because I meant it lightly, but I knew who you meant. (Who else?)

It depends on the doctrine. Lutherans accept the virgin birth, the title Holy Theotokos, and the confessions speak of ever-virgin.
The thing about Lutheran teaching is that most of mariology is considered adiaphora. So, Lutherans are free to believe as they wish on the subject, as it is not an article of faith. You’ll get varying opinions. I generally beilieve in semper-virgo, full-of-grace, and the assumption in some way or another. Others might not. I certainly would not cede role as “Heavenly Mother”.

Jon
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Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)uts, jon. Your posts have certainly been an refreshing, as I had lumped all protestants before as:blush: CC haters. Now I know better. I was just wondering, if you do not mind me asking. what have kept you from coming across the Tiber? Marian belief one of them? Have you ever tried the rosary? (you do not need to answer if you do not feel like it and will take no offense):o
 
pablope said:
I am not very sure about his one. Maybe a historian can shed more light in this one.

And not to forget too…the Catholic Church is the only church with a Heavenly Mother.
Click to expand...
Its something the Catholic Church admits to. ‘Boasts of’ might be a more accurate term.

Its no secret that the structure of the Catholic Church is largely a legacy of the old
empire (especially in Europe).
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Its something the Catholic Church admits to. ‘Boasts of’ might be a more accurate term.

Its no secret that the structure of the Catholic Church is largely a legacy of the old
empire (especially in Europe).
Click to expand...
Honestly, I had not encountered this before. Can you provide a link to where to read this.
 
AngryAtheist8 said:
Its something the Catholic Church admits to. ‘Boasts of’ might be a more accurate term.
Click to expand...
Let’s not confuse the doctrine with what non-catholics may claim to be so. Mary is a human being, not a divine being. In stark contrast, “heavenly mother” is what LDS Church members sometimes refer to as the divine spouse of their Father God. Catholics hold to no such belief. Mary’s titles e.g. “Mother of God” confirm what Catholics believe about Jesus Christ’s divinity. It is not a proclamation of Mary’s divinity as some critics of the Catholic Church may contend. Mary’s various titles are often misunderstood and/or intentionally misconstrued by non-Catholics to suggest Marian worship when in fact Mary is highly honored as the Mother of Jesus Christ, but adoration of her has never been condoned by the Church. She is a creature like all of us, but we believe she is one that was given some very special graces by God, because it He demmed it befit her role as the Mother of Jesus.
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AngryAtheist8:
Its no secret that the structure of the Catholic Church is largely a legacy of the old empire (especially in Europe).
Click to expand...
I’m not sure what you mean by “structure.” If you are referring to its administrative structure, then I think you are somewhat mistaken. If you are referring to the structure of the ministerial priesthood, then the roots run deeper than the Holy Roman Empire - back to a more Apostolic nature. Then again, I suppose I should ask you to clarify which “old empire” you are referring to. If you are referring to pagan Rome, then I think you are in error. Christianity stood in stark contrast to that pagan culture with it’s religious tradition of emperor worship and polytheism - it was one of the primary reasons for christian persecution during the early period of the Church.

Perhaps I should back up and ask you to clarify your comment, and provide some source material for your assertions.

Peace,
Robert
 
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