What is the Catholic Church's stance regarding other Christian denominations?

Question

I have a lot of questions, actually:

1) Do they attempt to convert each other?
2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?
3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?
4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?

Note: I'm sorry if I made any mistake in my assumptions. I don't really know much about Christianity, hence the questions.

Answer 1

1) Do they attempt to convert each other?

Not really. Catholics believe that their church is the one, true church, but they don't seem to be as obsessed with converting people as other denominations (evangelicals, "born agains", baptists, etc etc... all fundamentalist groups, plus others like Mormonism).

2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?

The catholic church is on pretty friendly terms with some other churches, including the orthodox church. There are some orthodox churches that recognize the pope as their leader, and they are called "restored" churches (because orthodoxy split off from catholicism hundreds of years ago). Also, lots of christians "acknowledge" him, but don't call him their leader.

3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?

Catholics sing during every mass. It's part of their ritual.

4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?

According to the catholic church, we can sin. When Jesus died, he removed what is called "original sin." They believe that when Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden, that God changed human nature fundamentally such that all human beings were born guilty of sin. Jesus Christ removed that automatic guilt, but I believe you must be baptized. Also, catholics believe that people who died before Jesus came (who were damned because of original sin) were released from hell. After Jesus was crucified, he went down to hell to save people first. Before Jesus, the only person to be born without original sin was his mother, Mary. Her special, guilt-free conception is called "immaculate conception" by catholics (but most catholics don't know this).

Thanks for the good questions. I think it's good you want to know, but don't take our word for everything. The best thing you can do is sit down and talk to a catholic priest. They will be incredibly happy to share their beliefs, and they will give you the straight answers. Catholicism has standard beliefs that every member of the church agrees upon, so there is always an "official" answer to any question.

Don't trust everything you read here, either. Most non-catholics don't know anything about catholicism, and most catholics know very little. As I said, talk to a priest or real scholar.

Answer 2

1) Do they attempt to convert each other?

Yes, some more than others.


2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?

Some do, some don't. Some claim the Pope is the anti-christ and the Vatican is the "Babylon" spoken of in the book of revelation. They really don't have a clue.

3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?

The Catholic Church has a long history of respecting local customs, traditions, and preferences, so long as they aren't heretical or anti-christian.

That said, the Catholic Mass is not, and never will be just another worship service, so the specific hymns allowed to be sung during the Mass are usually selected from a few hundred standard ones.


4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?

The first thing Jesus did after he rose from the dead was to give his apostles the power to forgive sins in his name.

He also explained how that would work.

It's apparent that Jesus didn't die so everyone could sin without limitation, and it's also clear that he didn't pay the full price for all of our sins, because if he had, than people wouldn't die anymore, God couldn't still judge bad folks to hell, and Jesus would still be imprisoned there, concurrently serving all of our eternal sentences.

Jesus died so we could be freed from slavery to Satan, and so our sins could subsequently be forgiven, according to his mercy and grace, and according to his own very particular and eternal laws, which predate the ten commandments, and go all the way back to Adam.

In order for sins to be forgiven by God there must, on the part of the sinner, be true contrition for the offense, and then, a firm purpose of amendment, and a real possibility of repentance.

Absent all these, sins may not (typically) be forgiven, whether someone makes a good confession to a priest, or confesses directly to God.

Answer 3

What is the Catholic Church's stance regarding other Christian denominations?

From what I gather they consider them "seperated brethen", after "Vatican II". Before we were heretics.

I have a lot of questions, actually:

1) Do they attempt to convert each other?

I'd say so.

2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?

No. Although some consider him an admirable man (some, not all).

3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?

They sing in church too.

4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?

It's just like "How can there be Flu if there are Flu shots". It doesn't do any good if you don't take the cure.

Answer 4

>>1) Do they attempt to convert each other?<<

The Catholic Church happily welcomes converts (I'm one), but she seems to be pretty laid-back and low-key about pursuing them. There are many Protestants who do not acknowledge that Catholics are Christians as well, and aggressively attempt to "rescue" them from "the Whore of Babylon".

>>2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?<<

They do not recognize the Successor of Peter's God-given authority, no (John 21:15-17).

>>3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?<<

We Catholics sing in church, too. St. Augustine taught, "singing is praying twice."

>>4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?<<

We can, and do, sin.

Answer 5

1) Not precisely. The Catholic Church views conversions as originating from God and so does not seek to bring converts in from other denominations but welcomes anyone who wants to enter into full communion with the Church.

2) The Orthodox, Coptic, Oriental Orthodox and among the Protestants, the Anglican Communion. How they acknowledge papal authority varies. Except for the Anglicans, the acknowledgment is somewhat hollow as they are in schism still, but it does acknowledge the Pope of Rome as successor to Peter. The Anglicans voted some years back, probably about a decade, to acknowledge the most ancient usage of the Vatican which is as the court of last resort in Christianity. Nonetheless, it is of little import given the divide.
3) Until the 1960's the Church generally did not permit the singing of hymns unless they were written in the bible. During the 1960's the Church acknowledged the importance and value of Protestant hymns in general. It still requires that they pass quality control through the bishops before they are used, but generally Protestant hymns are allowed as would be appropriate in the service.
4) You can sin, but why would you wish to?

Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Coptic Christianity and Oriental Orthodoxy are the earliest versions of Christianity. They really are but one denomination, but they are in imperfect communion. They are not really in schism anymore, but they are not one either. Lots of work is being put into reunion and so one day Orthodoxy and Catholicism will cease existing in the sense that you cannot distinguish them. As they are largely identical to one another except in focus and all have valid apostolic succession (their bishops are successors to the apostles per Acts 1:46 and each bishop can trace his ordination directly back to the call of the twelve) and all maintain the first century practices and beliefs.

Protestantism developed 1500 years later and now numbers 46,000 denominations. It was triggered by corruption in the Church and resulted in pretty much any belief system being called Christianity that anyone can invent. It correctly diagnosed the problem, but it failed in the solution. Fortunately, the main Protestant denominations are seeking union with Rome at various levels and the Reformation may be in the beginning stages of its end. That would be very positive and holy.

Answer 6

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements. Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

1) Do they attempt to convert each other?

Sure, each denomination thinks that their slant is a little better.

More important are discussions in ecuminism. "The Catholic Church embraces with hope the commitment to ecumenism as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love…Jesus himself, at the hour of his Passion, prayed 'that they may all be one' (John 17:21). -- Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, May 25, 1995.

The Catholic Church already has the following open dialogues with her sister Churches:
+ The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation
+ The Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops
+ The Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation
+ The Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic Dialogue
+ The Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation USA
+ The Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue
+ Roman Catholic-Reformed Consultation
+ The United Methodist-Catholic Dialogue
+ Southern Baptist Convention-Catholic Dialogue
+ The Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue
+ Faith and Order Commission, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
+ Consultation with the National Council of Synagogues
+ Consultation with the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America

2) Do the other denominations acknowledge the Pope and the Vatican?

Other Christian denominations acknowledge that the Pope exists but do not admit that he has any authority. One of the main reasons some sects have broken away from the Catholic Church is over the issue of papa authority.

3) What does the Catholic Church think of singing in church (you know, like those churches with mostly black people, singing "Oh Happy Day")?

Catholics have been singing in church for almost 2,000 years. I had sung along with "Oh Happy Day" in a Catholic church. I don't sing well but it was great.

4) And finally, a general question about Catholicism: Why can't we sin if Jesus has already died for our sins?

We can and do sin even though Jesus died for our sins. We do this using our free will in deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.

If our sin is serious enough (mortal sin) then we break off all relationship with God.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Interesting question. Although there are many Roman Catholic people who do good and love the Lord with all their hearts and the Lord sees that and loves them, the Roman Catholic System is NOT of God and He detests it. Where there is a person who follows the Roman Catholic System, I share what I know with them and then it is their choice. I do not acknowledge the Pope and do not respect him because the people look up to him as their god and that is detestable. The pope is under the Lord just as you and I are, and will have to give account, just like you and I will.

Your final question: if we love God, we will obey His commands. Also, there is such a thing as Satan and his demons and when we sin, we allow them to come into our lives. This is why the Lord gave us commands - not for His sake, but for ours.

With love from a born again Christian.

Answer 8

Go to the nearest Catholic church & speak to someone knowledgable. I don't think Yahoo Answers *as good as it is* IS the place to plumb these deep questions.

The CC does teach that you have to follow the truth wherever you find it.

Convert each other? There is some of that in all churches.
Some acknowledge the pope & vatican as important symbols.
Singing is integral to Catholic services.
We sin when we don't do what Jesus teaches & what goes against our consciences. We must appropriate the redemption for ourselves. No free rides for any of us! :-)

Answer 9

Copernicus was a pragmatist. He waited until he was dying before committing heresy. Galileo was bolder and suffered the Vatican's wrath. The Catholic church tried and convicted Galileo for confirming Copernicus' assertion that the earth revolved around the sun. Although Pope John Paul II, appeared to embrace evolution, the Vatican now appears to be "clarifying" that position. Pope Benedict proclaimed that:     "We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary." The dominant evolutionary model denies the possibility of divine design within the process of evolution. This model cannot be reconciled with the Bible and the Christian truth claim. It appears that Vatican support for evolution is not absolute.

Answer 10

1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Medieval hymns, usually without instruments.
4) What?