Why do some Christians view Catholics as non-Christians

[twoshoes]

So in another thread of mine, it was stated that Catholics are not Christian. Why do some Christians view Catholics as non Christian? I remember being told I was going to hell for being a Catholic, but I have never been accused of by a non Christian.

I was going to say because they are idiots, but then I would be comfirming that I wasn’t Christian, so I will say they are ignorant in the history of christianity.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Ignorance, and in many cases; an unwillingness to see for themselves what Catholicism IS.

That’s as simple as I can make it.

I think every Catholic who is serious about learning the nuts and bolts of Catholicism, should also look at the causes and results of the Reformation. I also think any Protestant who is serious about THEIR faith, should objectively learn about Catholicism. It would make for a far better understanding of Christianity as a whole.

Hit the nail on the head.

 

[Lisa1967]

Ignorance, and in many cases; an unwillingness to see for themselves what Catholicism IS.

That’s as simple as I can make it.

I think every Catholic who is serious about learning the nuts and bolts of Catholicism, should also look at the causes and results of the Reformation. I also think any Protestant who is serious about THEIR faith, should objectively learn about Catholicism. It would make for a far better understanding of Christianity as a whole.

Thank you.

I never saw Catholics as non-Christians, even when I was a non-Catholic. However, I went to mainstream churches for the most part and not fundamentalist ones. I ran into some people in my life who were anti-Catholic, and when I became a Catholic it strained some relationships.

I hope that Protestants can learn about Catholics, that Catholics can learn about Protestants, and that all of us can accept the other side (I am a former Catholic who is now going to an Episcopalian church). To me, anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a Christian regardless of denomination.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Thank you.

I never saw Catholics as non-Christians, even when I was a non-Catholic. However, I went to mainstream churches for the most part and not fundamentalist ones. I ran into some people in my life who were anti-Catholic, and when I became a Catholic it strained some relationships.

I hope that Protestants can learn about Catholics, that Catholics can learn about Protestants, and that all of us can accept the other side (I am a former Catholic who is now going to an Episcopalian church). To me, anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a Christian regardless of denomination.

You are close to me. A friend of mine, Lutheran, had no clue how some Protestant Churches consider Lutheranism as bad as Catholics. He was very surprised to learn they thought he was going to hell as well.

My understanding, you are still Catholic unless you renounced the Church to the local Bishop.

 

[Lisa1967]

You are close to me. A friend of mine, Lutheran, had no clue how some Protestant Churches consider Lutheranism as bad as Catholics. He was very surprised to learn they thought he was going to hell as well.

My understanding, you are still Catholic unless you renounced the Church to the local Bishop.

Thank you.

I haven’t renounced the Church to the local bishop, and don’t plan to. There is a saying, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.”

 

[benjohnson]

. A friend of mine, Lutheran, had no clue how some Protestant Churches consider Lutheranism as bad as Catholics. He was very surprised to learn they thought he was going to hell as well.

I’ve been on the receiving end of that, and from what I can see it’s usually from people who don’t understand their own Christianity - If I had to guess, they seem to imagine themselves in God’s role and think that God would be a less that kind based on their own outlook.

What I’ve said to them is generally:

“Left to myself, I’m certainly am bound for hell. And left to your judgment, I’m certainly bound for hell. But thankfully, I have been given God’s true food, and I will have God’s judgment, not yours”

When they hear ‘true food’, they usually get curious and that’s when we have the conversation about Luke 22:19.

If you don’t wan’t to have spirited discussion with people, or don’t have the time, a good way to dismiss them is to say “I don’t think this conversation would build faith in Christ Jesus, so I will not be able to participate.”

 

[rfournier103]

Ignorance, and in many cases; an unwillingness to see for themselves what Catholicism IS.

That’s as simple as I can make it.

I think every Catholic who is serious about learning the nuts and bolts of Catholicism, should also look at the causes and results of the Reformation. I also think any Protestant who is serious about THEIR faith, should objectively learn about Catholicism. It would make for a far better understanding of Christianity as a whole.

Hit the nail on the head.

Thank you.

I never saw Catholics as non-Christians, even when I was a non-Catholic. However, I went to mainstream churches for the most part and not fundamentalist ones. I ran into some people in my life who were anti-Catholic, and when I became a Catholic it strained some relationships.

I hope that Protestants can learn about Catholics, that Catholics can learn about Protestants, and that all of us can accept the other side (I am a former Catholic who is now going to an Episcopalian church). To me, anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a Christian regardless of denomination.

By definition, ANYONE who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ is a Christian. I’m amazed at how few people really understand that concept. Peace, love, and charity, anyone?

As I stated, there’s a lack of understanding on BOTH sides, and that breeds alot of conflict. Education always helps. Maybe we can ALL educate ourselves and make the world a better place for all of us.

 

[Lisa1967]

By definition, ANYONE who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ is a Christian. I’m amazed at how few people really understand that concept. Peace, love, and charity, anyone?

As I stated, there’s a lack of understanding on BOTH sides, and that breeds alot of conflict. Education always helps. Maybe we can ALL educate ourselves and make the world a better place for all of us.

Well said. Thank you.

 

[aidanbradypop]

By definition, ANYONE who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ is a Christian. I’m amazed at how few people really understand that concept. Peace, love, and charity, anyone?

As I stated, there’s a lack of understanding on BOTH sides, and that breeds alot of conflict. Education always helps. Maybe we can ALL educate ourselves and make the world a better place for all of us.

We must all be better Catholics in order to help others. “Preach the Gospel Always: When Necessary, Use Words” Let us live as Catholics and for Christ. Let our lives reflect the Church and Gospel.

 

[cavaleriesoldaa]

Why do many Protestants believe Catholics to be non-Christian? I can sum it up very simply.

1. Catholics lead them to believe this. In large part, Catholics are to blame. As a Protestant, when I would meet a Catholic, if I asked them if they were Christian most would respond “No, I’m Catholic.” You’ve all heard this many times, in some variation and know what I’m talking about. It’s our own ignorance on our faith that compels others into believing this.
2. Many Protestant denominations teach this. Again, as a Protestant in a Calvinist Reformed tradition, we were educated that Catholics were barely Christian. It was literally in our text-book that Catholics were essentially a Pagan cult, all going to Hell. Many other denominations teach this as well. Now, it’s true that not all teach this, but there are more than enough who do to make my point.

All the fine points of doctrine aside, this is what it boils down to in realpolitik.

As a Catholic, you can do 2 things to help fix this.

1. Profess your faith properly. When asked if I’m a Christian, I respond with, “Yes, I’m a Catholic Christian.” Always add in that “Christian” part for emphasis.
2. Defend Your Faith. With a charitable heart, defend the Church. For example, explain that we are THE original Christian Church founded by Jesus Christ, and that if you look in any history book, you will see that from the very beginning, and for the first 1500 years of Christianity, our Church was it, and all Christians celebrated the faith the way we still do. And so on.

May God Bless you.

 

[Miss_Primrose]

Hi! I can simpathise with you, my brother often says something like that, people think that because Catholics use icons and use repeated prayers some people consider that un christian and going against the bible. it is this reason why some people consider them un christian because they see the bible as the only true inspired word of god so doing the above things aswell as believing in other things such as purgatory that they consider that to be not following the christian faith as the bible requires.

I am looking into becoming Catholic but this is what I have observed in some protestant circles and after being brought up in a protestant church.

 

[Doxiemom]

You all do understand that these folks don’t even think that the person sitting next to them in their pew on Sunday morning are “reallly” a christian either, no?

The main objections will beas they see it)

statues
icons
relics
kissing all of the above
mary adoration
her assumption into heaven
her being queen of heaven
praying to anyone besides the Holy Trinity
purgatory
rituals
wine
“cannibalism”- eating the flesh of Jesus
and of course
vampires- drinking the blood of Jesus
Pope is Jesus on earth
infallibility
the crusades
the inqusition
little gods-the saints
the paganism of old rome becoming Rc sacraments
nuns
works
rosaries
lady of fatima
lady of lourdes
self harm
legalism
church holy days
replacement theology
social justice
amillienism
baby baptism
priests forgiving you
eucmenism

basically, just about everything

it is so sad to know how hard their hearts are

 

[cavaleriesoldaa]

My recent article on the topic as seen on my blog:

streetevangelization.com/springfield/2013/02/28/why-so-many-protestants-do-not-consider-us-christian/

 

[IgnatianPhilo]

Don’t feel bad. Those same Christians would say the apostles weren’t Christian.

But to go further, typically its by fundamentalist evangelicals who make this accusation. By this accusation, I would also suggest they would consider Orthodox Christians and Oriental Christians not Christians either. Probably will need to get rid of the Anglicans and the Lutherans and then bam, only evangelicals are the true Christians who have preserved the gospel away from the whore of Bablyon.

Why do they feel this way? Many reasons including what they perceive as; Idol worship, Saint worship, use of Icon. calling priests father, incense, hierachy in the church, real presence in the eucharist, reliance on the creeds, not relying on the bible alone, misinterpreting the bible, celebrating “pagan” festivals like easter or Christmas, celibate priests, Monasticism, denial of Sola fide, Denial of Sola Scriptura, your pope lives the msot evil city of all time rome, you smell and I think your just mean whenever you try to correct me or talk with me and etc of bad reasons/arguments they attempt to make to not recognise historic forms of Christianity before htem.

 

[epan]

So in another thread of mine, it was stated that Catholics are not Christian. Why do some Christians view Catholics as non Christian? I remember being told I was going to hell for being a Catholic, but I have never been accused of by a non Christian.

That is a very relevant question today. My take on it is that the papacy is considered to be heretical by many Christians. This is in opposition to the Catholic view that the papacy is what gives legitimacy to the Catholic Church, and denies legitimacy to Christians who reject the papacy.

 

[joe370]

So in another thread of mine, it was stated that Catholics are not Christian. Why do some Christians view Catholics as non Christian? I remember being told I was going to hell for being a Catholic, but I have never been accused of by a non Christian.

As a former non-Catholic I would say that the primary reasons are due to misinformation or, in most cases, disinformation:

Christians belonging to the CC worship Mary along with God, or in place of God.

Christians belonging to the CC worship mere bread and wine, as opposed to God.

Most informed non-Catholics see beyond the mere ineptness of such silliness.

 

[JonNC]

As a former non-Catholic I would say that the primary reasons are due to misinformation or, in most cases, disinformation:

Christians belonging to the CC worship Mary along with God, or in place of God.

Christians belonging to the CC worship mere bread and wine, as opposed to God.

Most informed non-Catholics see beyond the mere ineptness of such silliness.

True that, Joe.

Christians belonging to the CC worship Mary along with God, or in place of God
Non-Catholics often do not have an understanding of the distinctions between latria and dulia (much less hyperdulia).

**Christians belonging to the CC worship mere bread and wine, as opposed to God. **
A lack of discernment of the body and blood of Christ. They would and do accuse Lutherans of this, as well.

Most informed non-Catholics see beyond the mere ineptness of such silliness.
Precisely.

Jon

 

[adf417]

All of the above answers are spot on but don’t you think it begs the next question…

If Christian “A” considers Catholics as non-Christian, and Christian “B” considers Catholics as true Christians – then how can Christian “A” consider Christian “B” a true Christian?

Peace!!!

 

[ericc]

2 reasons:

1. I am right and you are wrong. Period. Pride. Ego. I can not be wrong, therefore you must be wrong. Because my pastor says so.
2. Laziness. Unwillingness to seek the truth. Because if the opposition is right, I may need to work harder since OSAS might not be true. So if I remain ignorant, at least I may have a plausible excuse on Judgement day. Just blame it on the pastor. yeah , that should cover it. I don’t have to work as hard and I got a real good excuse.

 

[aidanbradypop]

2 reasons:

1. I am right and you are wrong. Period. Pride. Ego. I can not be wrong, therefore you must be wrong. **Because my pastor says so.**2. Laziness. Unwillingness to seek the truth. Because if the opposition is right, I may need to work harder since OSAS might not be true. So if I remain ignorant, at least I may have a plausible excuse on Judgement day. Just blame it on the pastor. yeah , that should cover it. I don’t have to work as hard and I got a real good excuse.

I bolded one that I hear often. “My pastor said_________” is one that comes up a lot.

A cousin of mine who was very much anti Catholic through the years is coming into the Church this Easter. I like to think I had a little to do with that, but I give credit to the Holy Spirit instead. I believe many people fight Catholicism from misunderstandings and some fight Catholicism because they are scared they might become one lol.