some people say that christians and catholics are very similar, but they do divide because of some major doctrinal issues. such as mass or eucharist. catholics beleive that when we take communion that the wafer actually becomes the body of jesus and the wine or juice or whatever is used becomes the blood of jesus. where as christians beleive, that this is just symbolic and that christ body being broken and blood being shed was only to needed once to cover the sins of mankind. there are other differences, but im just doing this to clear the record. agree, disagree why

Fr_Chuck

Sorry you are completely off here,

Catholics are Christians, they are just one of the many denominations of Christians. And no there are not that much difference when you also look at the entire Orthodox Churches, the Anglican churches, and even many of the Lutheran churches.

So in this context you have to remember that the Catholic and Orthodox were the only Christian church for over 1500 years, and it is all of the newer churches that broke off from them that changed thier rules of communion. But still there are many of the Protestant churches that still have and beleive that Christ is in the host and wine, some differ as in at what point, many beleive it is not in the cup or plate but in the eating and drinking.

But it is the fact that all beleive Jesus is the Son of God, and that it is only though Christ that we are saved.

oneguyinohio

If you examine different religions, such as Luthern, Baptist, Amish, etc... you will find that they also have differences. In my opinion, the same holds true for Catholics. Even within each of those divisions, there are different doctrines.

All are considered Christian because of their belief in Christ. For one group to engage in saying that another group is not Christian because of differing beliefs, is faulty since the differences do not exclude a belief in Christ.

Now, when you think of other religions such as Hindu, Moslim, Judaism... and many others that do not think of Christ as the promised savior, then they would not be Christian... but are still Religious.

ineedhelpfast

ok but if you go further back youll see where the church le d by constantine, is turning to be more worldly and less spiritual, and rome is becoming more "churchy" if you will. and later on the papacy that they were the only mediators between god and man, which in acctuality jesus christ is the only mediator. also another thing is penance. in this sacrament, the sinner confesses his sin and makes satisfaction, prayers, rituals. the word penance from the latin is a mistranslation, in both the vulgate and the english roman catholic douai-rheims bibles, of the word repent.(this is how it is in the greek orginal and the king james version. such as the verse "repent and be coverted" is much diffrerent from "do penance and be converted". which is a totally diferentr translation. penance like nearly all accroding to rome man made religon, suggests merit and human works for salvation. needless to say, only the priest can forgive sins. this practice is yet another contrast between biblical christianity, and roman catholosim, which is do and that which is already done. all man made religons says do and live. gods word says, live through faith and then do. our salvation is free because the lord jesus has already paid for it. god will not require the same debt twice-from christs nail pierced hand, it is all of grace.

Fr_Chuck

Please don't even go with that silly constantine thing, sorry but obviously you have been reading some of the anti catholic material that is not based on much fact but just enough to make it sound logical. sounds alot like that hate fulled material from Chick Publications.

But while he was invovled in the church, and actually helped spread it greatly, he was far from controling it, And he had no influence over the Church in the EAST which became the Orthodox Churches, So one only has to look and see the simular teachings of the two to see what little effect he had on the church at all. The Papacy was and is from the fact that every denomination has a leader, The Pope and the main Orthodox Churches, trace thier linage to one of the orginal Apostles. But every church has a leader, The President of the Southern Baptist, or the President of the MO Synd Lutheran church, the Orthodox have thier Patriarch, the Anglican have the Arch Bishop. One may disagree with aspects given to the Pope, but often not any more so than what Billy Graham may have said that God tells him specifily certain things, and no protestant seems to disagree that he talks to God???

there were some things done wrong in the church 600 years ago but then that does not make it wrong or unChristian, in that errors were corrected.
And no the Catholics do not say that only the priest can forgive, but they do say that because of the Keys of the Kingdom the ability to bind on earth, as written in the bible, the preists also do have the ability to proclaim Gods word for the person who does repent.,
This is also no different than is done in again, most Lutheran Churches, Methodist churches, and of course all Orthodox Churchs and all Anglican churches. It is not just a Catholic doctrine, and I challege it is actually the Christian doctrine of most Christians. I have to ask and wonder why the newer churches stoped doing it, it seems they lost part of the teachings and part of the power of the church given to them by God.

I would say you really need to go and learn what the Catholic Church really teaches, and also what the Anglican and the Orthodox teach and you will find that many of the things you may have been taught have some flaws in them.

Again there are many what I call hate publications that teach alot of wrong things about Catholics today, and of course we can attack many teachings and practics of many denominations, I prefer not to, and seek fellowship amoung all Christians.

ineedhelpfast

ok im not trying to fight or nothing, you seem very smart
, but tell me what is your say on the virgin mary.

Wondergirl

Even the conservative Missouri-Synod Lutherans accept Catholics as Christian.

I agree with Fr_Chuck. Please read up on the Catholic Church and its beliefs--and use not only their own materials but also fair comparisons with other church bodies. You are being brainwashed by someone or something.

ineedhelpfast

it is easier to side with someone then answer the question, what is your say on the virgin mary.

Fr_Chuck

Yes, actually the catechism of the MO Synd Lutheran in the 1970's and the one of the Catholic church were exactly the same except for one word,
I still have a copy of the Lutheran one here on my book shelf.

Also read about the teachings of the eastern Orthodox Church, remember they and the Catholic church was the same, the Bishops of the East and West made the choices, From the Orthodox teachings you read and find out alot about what the early church did beleive, ( if you beleive the Catholic church was tainted) since the Orthodox Church was not under the POPE so they could not have been effected.

And a good "healthly" discussion is great, I was just getting warmed up and even PM a couple of the good Catholic posters to get invovled.

but if you want to discuss a few of the things it is great, that is the reason for the "discussion" board so that a more "excited" discussion can take place.

I will not defend everything the Catholic Church did, esp in that 1000 to 1600 time frame, but what happend then is not what is happening now.
There was a time frame where political and religion lines were confused,

What we look at today is what the chuch is today.

Wondergirl

As for the Virgin Mary, I've always understood that she is revered and respected as the mother of Jesus. That's how my Catholic neighbors think of her. That's how Lutherans think of her.

Did you have other questions about her?