Christians and Catholics?

Question

What matters the most? Intentions or actions? Why?

Answer 1

Both are important but I think intention matters most.

Jesus frequently criticized the religious leaders of His time for their right actions with the wrong intentions and complimented social outcasts for seemingly wrong actions with the right intentions.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Erm... for one - Catholics are Christians... They're the original Christian sect... anyway:

Intent without action is meaningless... some would argue that intent without action voids the intent entirely...

In that regard intent is meaningless.

Also, action inherently implies intent - if I were to give $50 to church, it seems self evident that I intended to do so...

On the grand scale then, I think action matters the most.

On impulse I have given money to people in need, there was no intent there, but I did help a person.

On the other hand, I've intended to donate to various charities, but I forget most of the time. I've done nothing to help anyone.

So once again I favor action over intent...

Just my musings - good question, its been argued for years.

-dh

Answer 3

A Christian has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. When that person repented and turned away from sin he/she was re-created and made a new person. This does not mean that he/she will not sin again. If they do, they can repent.

A Catholic is a person that has sworn themselves into a religious order and has agreed to practice the theologies and dogmas of that religion. There is such a thing as a Christian Catholic but they are hard to find.

As far as intentions and actions go, neither will get you into Heaven. You can intend to do something all day and end up not doing anything. Your actions are your works. If God is not there with you, you can beat yourself to death and get no where.><>

Answer 4

Both. Catholics follow the Vatican and the Pope as their leader. Christians follow what the bible teaches and understand that no one can or should be put in a higher respect than anyone else.
Actions simply follow intentions. Both are important, but you cannot have one wihtout the other. Good fruit comes from good trees. That is also what is referred to as 'searing your conscience with a hot iron'.
Read Revelation 17 and let me know if you have any questions. It's pretty clear.

Answer 5

Ok, for one thing, Catholics are Christians! IM SICK OF PEOPLE SEPARATING THE TWO! It's as if people assume that we don't believe in God and Jesus just because we're, what? Slightly different?

Actions are more important, because actions are what happens. An intention won't save a life. If you intended to do good, but you did bad, then it don't mean squat unless you use another ACTION to fix it. In the end, it's actions that speak louder than intentions. "I meant to file my taxes, but I didn't" won't mean crap to the IRS, that's for sure...

Answer 6

First of all, Catholics are Christians. Historically speaking they are the 'first' Christians then along came the Protestant Revolution which created a differing slant on the original Chrisitan faith, i.e., Catholicism.

I see intentions and actions being one and the same. The intent of your prayers and acting upon them. However, I see action being more meaningful due to it falling under the umbrella of "Charity", and charity covers a multitude of sins.

Answer 7

Actions are actually intentions followed through to their end. you can't have actions without some sort of intentions, but you can always have intentions without actions. For intentions to matter in your life you must follow through with actions.

Answer 8

Obviously actions matter the most. Most people have good intentions, few act.

Answer 9

Dear Munkees 81,

Both intentions and actions are important. i think that wrong intentions will lead to wrong actions. The Bible teaches us that our outward actions are a result of our inward thinking. (As a man thinketh so he is). A good man will bring good fruit (comes from within).

In that sense i think our intentions are slightly more important. However, what i think is most important is that when we realize our intentions and actions are wrong- are we willing to come to God and confess that they are wrong and ask Him to help us change our ways.

I hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 10

Catholicism is a form of Christianity, Intentions, if you wish to sleep with someone and are not married to them you have just committed are mortal sin. I don't think there is anything else that needs to be said.