2007-01-11 17:37:02 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Church, I meant Church.
2007-01-11 17:37:20 · update #1
It's called arrogance, or presumption:) They are the richest by far amongst all churches, THAT is true, but the one and only...it's unjust even for God, as he left us the possibility to choose, the free will. I am an orthodox, and very proud of being, know why? Because in a orthodox church they say the same things as in a catholic one, concerning concepts of Christianity or being a christian...what changes is the WAY they tell things to you: no threats about hell, more respect, love and comprehension towards the person and, the most important, more HUMBLE in front of God. Catholicism and orthodox ism were one at the beginnings, but after a while the orthodox chose to get separated from the catholic church, seen the "beautiful" things they did (look only at the crusades and inquisition). What if orthodox church would also pretend to be the one and only, as they come from the same root and the same Peter?? It has no sense, faith is not about having the power or being the one and only, faith is about believing from your heart and trying your best to be a good person.
2007-01-11 18:24:22 · answer #1 · answered by cri 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ALL denominations and sects consider themselves to be God's One, True, Genuine, No-Kidding-We-Really-Mean-it, Church. Currently, there are 34,000 denominations all vying for your heart and wallet, and the number grows every year. One and only church? Never was such a thing, as the historical records show that, right from the start, Christianity was divided into numerous sects, each with its own favorite gospels, epistles, and prophetic writings. Christianity has never been unified, has never had a single belief system, has never fallen under the jurisdiction of one governing church body (although Catholicism came close). This is probably just as well, since a unified Christianity would be a dangerous thing, indeed--as was proven in the times of the Inquistions, Crusades, and witch hunts.
2007-01-12 01:45:53 · answer #2 · answered by Antique Silver Buttons 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because its the church Our Lord founded and the Pope IS the succesor of peter.
It doesnt consider itself the only christian community,it does consider itself the real deal.
Also up until about 1500AD it was actually the ONLY christian church there.
2007-01-12 01:43:40 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has something to do with Jesus Christ founding only one church, and his stated desire that all be as one, in him.
It has something to do with the power of binding and loosing, which was given only to the bishops of the church that Jesus personally founded.
It has something to do with several divine assurances which Christ gave only to the church he personally founded, among them, that the gates of hell would never prevail against it, that he would see to it that the church would never teach in error, and that he would remain with it always, even until the end of the age.
It has something to do with the fact that the church has been known as Catholic since the early 2nd century, and that the Catholic Church was the ONLY Christian church in existence, anywhere in the world, until the 15th century.
It has something to do with the fact that the Catholic Church converted the Roman Emperor, the Roman Empire, and subsequently, most of the western world, long before the first Protestant ever nailed a thesis to any door, anywhere.
It has something to do with valid sacraments, and the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ, which can still be found in every Catholc Church around the world, and virtually nowhere else.
It also has something to do with the complete revelation of divine truth, exactly as Jesus taught it to the apostles, as it was brought to mind by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and as the apostles faithfully handed it down to their duly ordained successors.
And it has almost nothing at all to do with the Bible, which was produced, discerned, and compiled by the church, and which can never be used in an attempt to usurp the authority that Christ gave only to his holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
2007-01-12 02:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
because catholicism considers itself the direct descendant of Jesus' request of Peter to build a church
2007-01-12 01:43:35 · answer #5 · answered by relaxin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not the one and only Christian community, but the true Church, because it traces its lineage via Popes back to Peter.
2007-01-12 01:40:18 · answer #6 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a child in the Catholic church, that is what I was told. I don't know why, but apparently there are other churches that also believe that they are the one true church also.
2007-01-12 01:46:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ecumenism. look into it. You would have to be reading a 50 year old book for that to be even remotely true (an isolated church).
I would suggest you go to the Vatican site if you want answers to your questions on this subject. You'd be surprised how liberal the Catholic Church is on this subject nowadays.
2007-01-12 01:39:48 · answer #8 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was brought up Catholic (which cured me of being religious) and they consider it to be the ONLY true and correct religion. Everyone else is going to hell no matter what they do.
This is one of the many reasons I gave up on Catholicism.
2007-01-12 01:44:43 · answer #9 · answered by charley128 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It does not. It knows very well there are other Christian communities and respects them all.
2007-01-12 01:44:24 · answer #10 · answered by Imogen Sue 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋