Why do Catholics believe that all non-Catholics hold the same beliefs?

[ICA04]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

 

[graceandglory]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. **Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary? **
.

No.
Look around, few Catholics can be characterized like that.

 

[ricko]

I’ve seen a few Catholics that are ignorant of some non-Catholic religions yes, I’m one of them. After all, there are hundreds of different beliefs out there, can’t expect to know all of them. However, I have never known any Catholic who meets the description you posted.

 

[1edyson]

I actually don’t believe that all non-Catholics hold the same beliefs, I actually believe that many non-Catholics hold all different kinds of beliefs, and wouldn’t be able to keep tract of them all to be perfectly honest. I have a familiarity of some of the mainline protestants traditions, but I agree, generalizing in any sense is wrong. Except when it comes to practicing Catholics, who do all hold the same universal beliefs.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

Those who do are ignorant. It’s as simple as that. It’s not really their fault- they’ve never really had a chance to learn about the differences between the different major denominations.

Invincible ignorance. I was that way once, too.
There are people like that no matter where you look. They don’t understand the nuances of the other position- the’ve never had the chance to learn.

 

[doughnut]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

the same question may be post back to you, why would you think all catholics assumed that? perhaps there is a significant number that have these beliefs, but it does not imply every catholic thinks the same, does the same etc.

personally i live in an area where catholics are the minority, so most catholic i knew in these region are not likely to imagine that every non-catholic is the same.

on the rosary, there are many religions that uses strings of beads, for prayer purposes, not unlike praying on the rosary. and neither are non-catholics automatically protestant…there are still muslims, buddhists, hindus etc.

 

[Trishie]

Hi! I don’t think all non-Catholics believe the same, nor does the Church teach that only Catholics go to heaven. If you are concerned about that I can quote sources e.g. from the Catechism of the Catholic Church for you.

Just as you wish us to know that not all non-Catholics believe the same, it is also true that not all threads reflect the position of all Catholics or even sometimes of many at all…so with gentle understanding of these things, I hope you will feel less oppressed by what you think we think!!!

Best wishes, Trishie

 

[Epeenchin]

Those who do are ignorant. It’s as simple as that. It’s not really their fault- they’ve never really had a chance to learn about the differences between the different major denominations.

Invincible ignorance. I was that way once, too.
There are people like that no matter where you look. They don’t understand the nuances of the other position- the’ve never had the chance to learn.

There’s nothing wrong with our Catholic Church teachings that have been practised since the first Pope, Peter, Jesus’ beloved disciple. It is the followers of the church who is not happy with each other that got all these Catholic worshipers splited into thousands of other churches to suit each and everybody. IMO, deep down in their very hearts, they know for sure that they are all Catholics in denial …

 

[Church_Militant]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

I never do, having come from over 30 years among you folks and knowing better. It complicates discussion and debate somewhat, but that’s just the way it goes.

Rash generalizations are always a bad idea.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

I’m one Catholic who acknowledges that there are many differences between Protestant denominations, and even between two Protestants sitting in the same church on Sunday morning. That’s one of the bases for my objection to Protestantism. And I’m quick to note that the same problem exists as between individual Catholics sitting in the pews on Sunday. But while that’s a pastoral problem of the Church, it is not the doctrinal and/or magesterial problem that exists within Protestantism’s many denominational permutations.

Thanks for raising this issue. I agree that it should never be assumed that Protestants all believe the same thing.

Peace,
-Robert

 

[kalt]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you reall believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

Catholics don’t believe “anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven”.

Where did you get that idea? It’s not in the Catechism, which is available on line. Or you can buy a hard copy for less than $10 at any bookstore.

I’m Catholic, and I don’t believe that all Protestants have the same religious beliefs. There can’t be many here who do. I’ve never seen a post like that, at any rate.

Most posts by Catholics on the huge number of different non-Catholic Christian churches talk about how when a few people disagree with the minister, they form their own church with it’s own version of the “truth”.

As a Protestant, what is your opinion on the many churches and beliefs?

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

.

Why do you believe that all dogs have brown hair?

 

[reteeks21]

I actually don’t believe that all non-Catholics hold the same beliefs, I actually believe that many non-Catholics hold all different kinds of beliefs, and wouldn’t be able to keep tract of them all to be perfectly honest. I have a familiarity of some of the mainline protestants traditions, but I agree, generalizing in any sense is wrong. Except when it comes to practicing Catholics, who do all hold the same universal beliefs.

What about Catholics who hold to different views on life and marriage among other things? Aren’t they examples of Catholics not holding to the same universal beliefs?

 

[Robert_in_SD]

reteeks21:
What about Catholics who hold to different views on life and marriage among other things? Aren’t they examples of Catholics not holding to the same universal beliefs?The distinction is that there is one set of universal doctrines and dogmas that Catholics are called to hold as part of their faith. To the extent an individual Catholic is not in union on these beliefs, he or she is not in union with the Church. I think the distinction being made is that “practicing” Catholics are in union with Church doctrine, while “practicing” Baptists, Methodists, CoC, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc., etc. are not in union on these same doctrines, or even with regard to which doctrines should be on the list of “fundamental” teaching. Hope this helps.

Peace,
-Robert

 

[reteeks21]

The distinction is that there is one set of universal doctrines and dogmas that Catholics are called to hold as part of their faith. To the extent an individual Catholic is not in union on these beliefs, he or she is not in union with the Church. I think the distinction being made is that “practicing” Catholics are in union with Church doctrine, while “practicing” Baptists, Methodists, CoC, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc., etc. are not in union on these same doctrines, or even with regard to which doctrines should be on the list of “fundamental” teaching. Hope this helps.

Peace,
-Robert

So if Catholics who still go to Mass, Confession, Communion etc doesn’t hold to those beliefs they are not considered to be “practicing”?

 

[Dauphin]

So if Catholics who still go to Mass, Confession, Communion etc doesn’t hold to those beliefs they are not considered to be “practicing”?

Their “practice” would be in vain. The sacraments aren’t magic rituals that substitute for faith. In order for them to be efficacious, the Catholic faith is essential.

 

[chris_molter]

Most Catholics know better. Anyway, that’s one of our primary arguments against Protestantism, so it’d be silly of us to debunk ourselves by claiming Protestants have any monolithic beliefs beyond denying the supremacy of the Pope.

 

[Schluns]

It takes me back that many Catholics post questions here in assumption that if you are not Catholic, then you must believe in a consistent non-compliant way against the Catholic church. Are you really that ignorant of those with faiths other than yours? Do you really believe that anyone who isn’t Catholic must believe that anyone who has passed is dead in the ground and cannot be in Heaven? Do you really believe that if one is not Catholic, then they cannot possibly recite the Rosary? Do you really believe that being Protestant automatically makes one disrespectful to Mary?

We desperately need for those who lump all Protestants into the same pot to reconsider their thoughts. Some of us Protestants are as despised by other Protestants as you Catholics are. This seems to be an ongoing disconnect here and it urgently needs to be corrected before further meaningful conversation can take place.

As a former Protestant (Baptist) who explored many Protestant religions before converting to Catholicism last year, I for one as well as a large number of people in my parish, including the Vicar General, do not agree with any of the “beliefs” that you pose *all *Catholics to hold.

So if you don’t want Protestants to be lumped into the same pot, why do you make untrue statements of Catholics? This is how Truth becomes veiled.

I agree that there is a great disconnect. What I find interesting is that people research subjects from their point of view. If you are Catholic you research Protestantism by reading Catholic authors, If you are Protestant you research Catholicism by Protestant authors. This is how misunderstanding occurs. The amazing part is that to understand Catholicism all you have to do is pull out your Bible and get a copy of the Catechism. These are your main sources. For a comprehensive look into our beliefs you can easily go to www.vatican.va and have a very comprehensive look into the Catholic world.

To study Protestantism this is much harder. You basically have to study the rubrics of each individual pastor, this I know I have attended routinely 10+ Baptist churches, about 5 Methodist churches, and several non-denoms. None of them believed the same thing. So you can’t lump all Protestants into the same pot, there’s just no way.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I’ve seen a few Catholics that are ignorant of some non-Catholic religions yes, I’m one of them. After all, there are hundreds of different beliefs out there, can’t expect to know all of them. However, I have never known any Catholic who meets the description you posted.

I find that answer disingenuous. There are threads here that ASSUME that all Non RC are sola scriptura believers, and sole interpreters. We are asked if we have ever heard of Thomas a Kempis and the rosary. Someone recently asked if we knew what Lent was. What do protestants think of the Trinity? All this assumes that all Protestants are the same, and of course it negates plenty of faith traditions that consider themselves not Protestant at all, but catholic in the sense of being apostolic.

Your attempt to be smug by stating that there are so many “can’t expect to know them all” doesn’t excuse the lack of some basis familiarity with the major denominations some here so wildly accuse of all wrong doing and thinking.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I’m one Catholic who acknowledges that there are many differences between Protestant denominations, and even between two Protestants sitting in the same church on Sunday morning. That’s one of the bases for my objection to Protestantism. And I’m quick to note that the same problem exists as between individual Catholics sitting in the pews on Sunday. But while that’s a pastoral problem of the Church, it is not the doctrinal and/or magesterial problem that exists within Protestantism’s many denominational permutations.

Thanks for raising this issue. I agree that it should never be assumed that Protestants all believe the same thing.

Peace,
-Robert

Where you are wrong is that they are not “two Protestants” sitting in the pews. There are two Methodists, or two Episcopalians or two Lutherans or two Baptists. And it is more likely that they agree on things than not. You are really saying that that the issue between RC’s is that when they have differences, one is right and the other wrong. And you call it a pastoral problem, rather than what it is, a difference in doctrinal interpretation. Now I would agree, one some things one is correct interpretationally, but on some things, its not quite that cut and dried.

You are guilty of lumping all Protestants together in your example. When you separate by denomination, you find that there is not nearly the difference of opinion. I would argue that there is a spectrum of Roman Catholic belief as well. But then, people here, I suspect don’t visit the Roman Catholic websites that speak of a different view of the Church.