Christianity?

Question

I've noticed here that in Yahoo Answers, people say "Christians," but which denomination do they refer to?
I am a Catholic Christian, and I am not a creationist, I don't think that Paganism = Satanism, I am not a literalist, I do not think that if you are not Christian then you are going to Hell. Does this make me less of a Christian BECAUSE I am Catholic? Or are those on Yahoo making hasty generalizations? I don't know.

By saying I am not a creationist, I believe that God created stuff like cells or jellyfish and whatnot or a whole bunch of rocks in the beginning of time, then evolution took its course. God set it in motion, and then nature continued it.

Answer 1

Catholics are Christian. In fact, Catholics are the original source of Christianity.

After doing a lot of research on my own, I became a Catholic. Since I already believed in Jesus, I wanted to find the most Christian church. I chose Catholic because it is the original Christian church.

As a little background to this, Jesus created the first Pope when He said to Peter:

"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." - Matthew 16:18.

Peter was therefore the first Pope, or Holy Father and each successor Pope was chosen until today. There is actually a trace of all the Pope's (Holy Fathers) in the church back to Peter.

I like the church, and since it is the original source, I can trust more in how the Bible is interpreted and what Christ wanted for His church on earth. Also I like that I can go to any country or state and visit a Catholic church and I will get the same mass no matter where I am. But most of all, I like the Eucharist which is eating the bread and drinking the blood (wine) of Christ at every mass.

The Catholic church was also given authority on earth when Jesus said to Peter:

Matthew 16:19
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Of course Protestants broke from the church about 500 years ago and now there are literally hundreds of Christian churches. Now, I would be the last one to criticize other Christian churches because the thing that matters the most is a faith in Christ and living a Christian life which is hard to do. But the good news is that Jesus is about peace and love and forgiving sin.

Answer 2

Your views are not typical of Christians or even Catholics but all religions face the broad generalizations of stereotypes on Yahoo! Answers. There are hundreds if not thousands of ver diffeent religions that fall under the category of Paganism. Islam has a lot of different factions/denominations like Christianity. Many Christians on here lump atheists with pagans. Don't take it personally, this forum lends itself better to discussions of dogma and Church edict than to individuals' beliefs.

Answer 3

Well, if you're less of a Christian for holding those views, at least you've got company. I'm also a Catholic Christian who's pretty laid back when it comes to a lot of things.

I think people who think like you do are just not caught up in all the labeling and the "You have to believe the way that I do or else you're going to hell." Some people are control freaks, some people are intolerant, and some people apparently just like to make a great big green jacka$$ out of themselves.

Maybe we should form a splinter group here -- "The First Church of the Un-kerfluffled." :-)

Answer 4

Neither. When we (or I) as a Christian say someone is heading for hell, we are not making a hasty generalization but stating a fact from the word of God based on what the person has stated or asked. Christians are to be both positive and negative people. Positive on righteousness and Negative on sin. I make no bones about it, if you tell me you live contrary to the Holy Bible I believe you are walking in a direct line towards hell. But then, I do not attempt to give answers to make friends either.

Answer 5

Your denomination doesn't have a complete say in those beliefs. Your common sense does. I was raised catholic. My family were creationists, they did believe paganism=satanism, were literalists, and not only believed that if you weren't christian you were going to hell, they believed if you weren't catholic you were.

So this is not necessarily a denominational question.

Answer 6

It is totally fine to not always go along with the chuch on everything for me the Catholic church and mass in perticular are like a gas station where i fuel up through the sacraments and I burn that Gas in my live to do good by God.The important thing is that you have that relationship with God and a center for group worship.I don't think that makes you less christian or Catholic. A lot of people have an ingnorant understanding or lack there of about the church.Just like we always assume we know about other religions.

Answer 7

If you truely follow Christ's teachings you are a Christian, no matter which denomination.

But as Jesus said: the gate is small and the path is narrow, and FEW are those that follow it.

I believe that to love God and your neighbour and even your enemy is difficult but essential for a Christian. Hate and war mongering are NOT an option.

Answer 8

If you believe jesus is "lord" then you are christian. There is no such thing as more or less Christian. That's like saying you are less pregnant. It's hard to understand why you don't believe god created the world if you believe in god, but that doesn't make you less christian, maybe just confused.

Answer 9

secret: The misapplication of the label "Christian" is generalized by those, who obviously, are not. People are people and the more they generalize, the more presumptuous he or she becomes. I am a Christian myself, I do not believe in hell nor do I subscribe to going to heaven upon death. I do not believe in God trying to "save" nor convert everyone now - because He is loosing the battle if He is ! As you can gather, I am unique in my understanding of the Christian relationship with God. I leave the converting up to God and the understanding of Who He is to Jesus Christ - and they are doing a fine job with me.

Answer 10

Based on your statements you either:
A: Have not read the Holy Bible.
B: Have read the Holy Bible, but do not understand it.
C: Are a "Christian poser" who cherry picks what you will believe
D: You are not Christian.

Which is it? How's that for hasty generalizations!!!

What does this mean, "you're not a creationist?" That makes zero sense for any true Christian to say.

edit**I see, thanks for clarifying.