My family is Catholic and my fiancee's parents are Baptist and he told me the church they belong to go on trips to go "witness" to Catholics....is this common? And if so why Catholics? I don't understand....
2007-01-28 08:26:22 · 22 answers · asked by I do what I want.. 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Baptists and other Protestants have to convince themselves that the Catholic Church is wrong, because if the Catholic Church is what it claims to be, and what history plainly reveals it to be, then the very existence of Baptist churches and all Protestant churches is a clear violation of the stated will of God, "that all may be ONE". They achieve this self-deception by avoiding any knowledge of Christian history; endlessly arguing theological points based on what they think the Catholic Church teaches vs. what they think the Catholic Sciptures mean; and by "evangelizing" Catholics, which presumably means bringing Catholics into their own little corner of Protestantism rather than any of the thousands of other Protestant churches whose beliefs conflict with theirs.
Notice the errors in the posts above - "Catholics think being baptized will get you into heaven" (No, they don't); "Catholics put Mary on an equal footing with Jesus" (No, they don't. That would be idolatry, which is absolutely forbidden in Catholicism). There is really no end to the misconceptions people have about the True Church of Jesus Chist, simply because they haven't bothered to find out before speaking or writing.
2007-01-28 08:36:34 · answer #1 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
As a licensed Southern Baptist Minister, I have encountered numerous people who want to go into Highly concentrated Catholic regions and witness; their reasoning is to help the lost see the light. My take is this, every denomination has some things that don't line up with scripture. Not one single fraction of Christianity has it all right. Many Protestants say that Catholics can't possibly be Christian. However, when asked, most really do have a faith in Christ, and thereby could be called Christians. Above all, Christians should stop beating each other over the head and saying, "MY WAY IS THE ONLY WAY!!!!" and focus on people who don't have a relationship with Christ.
2007-01-28 08:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by studentofword84 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some Protestants believe certain people are condemned to hell simply because they're Catholic. Unless somone "saves" them by "witnessing" to the "truth".
Catholics are a popular target because of their adherence to certain Doctrine some Protestants get "hung up" on.
Such as Intercessory prayer to Mary and the saints. The use of statues, relics, Rosaries, Crucifix's etc. Some of them do not believe in the Salvific nature of Baptism. Some don't believe in the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.
Most Protestants can deal with these differences without there being the slightest sign of confrontation. Some, however, cannot.
I'm into Catholic apologetics so I see it all the time. Most, who could care less about this sort of ministry/mission probably wouldn't even notice that such angst exists - unless they experience it personally as you have.
2007-01-29 03:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As we're already seeing on this thread, some Baptists have false beliefs about Catholic theology and practices and do not think Catholics are Christian. They are wrong, of course, but you can see why they think they need to "convert" Catholics.
Thankfully, not all Baptists are like this - it really varies between churches and individuals. Many Baptists recognize that while they disagree with Catholicism on certain things, Catholics are still Christians.
2007-01-28 08:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by Sass B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All Christians believe in the "priesthood" of believers; Christ's holy, catholic (universal) church. This transcends denominational barriers: Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist,
etc. The larger issue is that all Christians need to be firmly grounded and educated in their faith, God's word, and the means of grace. We need to tell non-Christians about Jesus, not attacking each other.
2007-01-28 08:52:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mortaro 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is the first time that I heard of this. I do not follow religion. I follow Jesus. Catholics have made many rules for themselves. I would not go so far that I say it is a cult, but I would never want to be a Catholic. I was born to a Lutheran family. Now I am attending a non-denominational Christians church.
2007-01-28 08:33:06 · answer #6 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I go to a Baptist Church However, We don't go out and witness to Catholics. We go out to witness to the Lost. Some Catholics are Christian people but there are rituals that Christ would not even like.
I have a website that explains witnessing to Catholics more.
2007-01-28 08:31:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Because some Protestants view Catholicism as flawed Christianity. For example. praying to Virgin Mary, praying to saints, carrying the statues of saints, and thinking the Pope has authority, even to contradict the Bible.
Protestants think praying to the Virgin Mary and to saints is idol worship (when statues, figures are involved) and praying to the Virgin Mary is having another god before God. Because, it seems she was just a person like everyone else (except for giving birth to Jesus, of course). The Bible never claims she is divine. Finally, Protestants believe the Pope is just a man like everyone else and as such, cannot issue edicts, statements, laws, whatever, that take precedence over the Bible. That would be blasphemy to Protestants.
So, you understand now why they do this?
2007-01-28 08:36:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of protestant denominations look at Catholics as a separate religion. They are taught that Catholics believe Mary is on an equal footing with Jesus, That when y'all take communion y'all are literally drinking the blood of Christ and eating the body of Christ. Why do y'all have a Pope? Why not just go to Jesus? I don't know if it's common Those are some of the issues though along with all the Saints, Purgatory?
2007-01-28 08:32:50 · answer #9 · answered by BamaJJP 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I am Catholic as well, and have never heard of that before, although I find it interesting. My wife is a "Born again Christian", and today I want to her church, to be fair, because she will sometimes attend Mass with me, ...I don't know , does that mean I " witnessed " to B.A.C.'s
Who knows, maybe that's where they get their information to use against us Catholics??
Bad joke,...I think I need to go light a candle.
2007-01-28 08:34:41 · answer #10 · answered by Jeff 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋