Christians & Catholics...?

Question

I am a Christ follower "Christian" as my church puts it, and my boyfriend is Roman Catholic. I before never like or agreed with Catholics. Why does he get so aggitated with me when I lay his cross necklace upside down, or something gets set on top of his bible (that he never opens & reads). He gets so defensive if I make a comment, I don't understand why they follow these "rules" instead of just being about GOD & JESUS CHRIST. God doesn't care about the metal around your neck, or the book on your shelf, he cares about your salvation with his son Jesus Christ. I don't feel that he has his salvation or understands what I mean. He says he believes in God & Jesus but yet he prays to saints. Isn't there a 10 Commandment about doing that?

I know the 2nd commandment is all about that.

Only GOD can answer your prayers.

Ok..I don't need to be ridiculed for something I don't understand. I just asked a question.. He's not a praciticing catholic and does not consider himself a "christian". I have no problem about his religion; I'm trying to understand it. I was raised in a southern baptist church. I have my salvation and no one can tell me any different except GOD himself.

I don't do the turning his necklace thing over intentionally I know what he wants and that's the way it is layed down. It happened once or twice. Why do I have to explain myself to pple who don't have a clue or an insite on our relationship or our understanding of each others beliefs. There are only a few pple who have given any GOOD ADVICE on here..
I just want to understand.

That's like him telling me that my church is retarded because they have modernized alot of things. They use dj's & have a "rock band" he criticizes that all the time. My church has podcasts, and cd's they pass out, and ministries all over the world. And all some of you can do is criticise me for what I don't understand. I don't have to defend myself or my beliefs. Its stated in the bible. That is the word.

BTW JESUS WAS A JEW...

Our relationship is open about religion that is a reason it works for us. We can talk, agree & disagree. We understand each other no matter what you pple think. I accept his beliefs but I just don't understand the practices, just like he doesn't understand my practices. I asked a question and I got yelled at. That's BS from pple whom you don't know.

Answer 1

"I don't understand why they follow these "rules" instead of just being about GOD & JESUS CHRIST. God doesn't care about the metal around your neck, or the book on your shelf, he cares about your salvation with his son Jesus Christ."

Sounds to me like you have a pretty good grasp on things.

Yes, Catholics are heavily into the "traditions of men," but that is true of Protestants as well. Sadly, this often impedes a true and loving walk with the Lord. See that you recognize these man-made barriers.

I have a quirk about not wanting anything put on my Bible too. So, I can understand where your boyfriend is coming from. Does it matter in the grand scheme of things? No, but we all have our quirks, especially when it deals with God. So, I would repect his OCD...we all have it. These symbols are important to him, although you are correct, you should respect his views.

Answer 2

I don't think Christ looks at whether you are Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentacostal, Presbetyrian, etc... It's not what religion you are that is important. It only matters that you are a Christian and how you live your life. My husband is Catholic and he is one of the greatest Christians I know. He prays to God, not to Mary or any other saints. He still has other beliefs that I don't agree with, but that is his own personal beliefs where I also have mine. We don't argue who is right or who is wrong. We both could be right or we both could be wrong, but of course neither of us believe that we are wrong that is why we believe what we do.
My father was a pastor when I was growing up and he pastored a Baptist church and also had pastored a Pentacostal church. He didn't like having a title on a church. In all churches not everyone will agree on everything. Do you think in Heaven there will be a section just for the Baptist, Catholics, ...etc? My Dad gave a great lesson on this once. He bought different brands of peas, DelMonte, Libby's, Green Giant, etc. then he put labels on them, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, etc. then he poured them into a large bowl and asked if anyone can pull out which were the Catholics, Methodist, etc. No one could because they looked all the same. That's the way that Christ looks at us. Each person has to work out their own beliefs. We shouldn't judge anyone on what their beliefs are because we wouldn't want anyone to judge us. The Bible also tells us not to judge anyone.
I've heard someone say about a person that was in an automobile accident and died that that person went to hell because they definitely weren't a Christian. How do we know that at the very last second of that persons life they didn't accept Christ? We don't! That's why it is important for us not to judge anyone.

Answer 3

First of all, Catholics are Christians too. (I wonder why there are still some protestants that fail to understand that FACT).

Second. If you take his Holy Rossary or any Christian Cross and put it upside down, you are making it a Satanic Symbol. That is disrespectful not only to Catholics but to all Christians as well.

Third. You are right. God doesn't care about the metal on your neck, but religious leaders do and impose their own perception as to what is to be a Christian and what isn't.

Fourth. If you love your Catholic boyfriend and respect him, you must also respect his beliefs. (He does seems to respect yours because in your comments you did not mention at all that he does anything wrong to you).

Answer 4

Actually, it is the first Commandment: "Thou shalt have no other God before me." Catholics are Christians, but they are caught up in the dogma of the Catholic Church. This is the fault of the priesthood, which feels that it has to have all these special rules in order to maintain control of the masses. the worship of Mary and saints is unbiblical and is idolatry. the crucifix is also unbiblical because it portrays a Jesus that is not raised from the dead. You will not see a crucifix in a Protestant Church. Concerning your reference to the Bible, unfortunately your boyfriend is like most Catholics---they do not read the Bible. if they did, then they would dump the pope and their priesthood and all of this celebration of saints and holy days nonsense. Do not let him get you caught up in this trap. God is watching.

Answer 5

First of all...sometimes definitions DO matter so please forgive me for sounding a little like a teacher.

1. Catholics (by definition) believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he came to the earth to redeem the world from sin. Therefore, despite your differences with your b/f's individual worship practices, you share Christianity. Catholics are Christians.

2. Every religious denomination holds different beliefs, traditions, history and symbolism. Your b/f’s crucifix is very important to his set of Christian beliefts. It represents the teachings of God as they were presented to him throughout his life. You need to respect it as he would if you love him. Whether you agree with it or not, the Roman Catholic faith is steeped in tradition and ritual. That does NOT mean they do not love Christ.

3. Religion for each of God's children is a very personal experience. Even within the walls of your own church house, you will find people who choose to worship The Lord differently. You will find those who spend 3 hours per day with their scriptures open--studying the Word. You will find those who only turn to sacred writings in times of need. Whatever people choose to do when they worship is their own decision and it's between them and God. If you love your b/f, you will not make assumptions about his religious dedication or faith based on YOUR understanding of religion.

Please--ask questions. Learn what he believes. Tolerate his faith and understand that it is his and yours is yours. Whatever you do...don't be critical of a loved one's faith. It hurts. What it sounds like you're really asking is: Why can't my boyfriend worship God/Christ the way I do. That's not a fair expectation.

Answer 6

The commandment that you are referring to is "Thou shall not worship false prophets". Your boyfriend is praying for the intercession of the saints, not praying to the saint. He's not worshipping the saint in the manner that he worships God and Jesus, he is praying for the saint to help him in find the answer to his prayers through God. The saints are saints because they devoted their lives to God and the church, they are considered to be some of those who are closest to God.

I guess I'm having a difficult time understanding the rest of your question. If you KNOW that putting something on his bible, or turning his cross over bothers him, then why do you continue to do it? Relationships are about compromise, and it doesn't seem that you are open to that if you continually criticize his faith, and knowingly do things to upset him.

Answer 7

You two do not share core beliefs...and that is why it's important to be equally yoked. The scriptures (Holy Bible) talk about that.

When he gets upset with you is when he thinks (or feels) you are being disrespectful.

You are correct, we pray directly to God through Jesus Christ...no saints or priests needed...and only God answers prayers.

Answer 8

You're forgetting that Catholics need symbols to remember Jesus Christ...these 'things' are treated with utmost respect because they are divine remembrances of Christ....which you're right--should be in their heart and mind...but you see, the problem with that is the conscience....and Catholics would rather go to confession for the same sin each week then 'have' to keep it in their heart....many hypocrites out there.........

Answer 9

the rules he follows are a symbol of his respect for God.

Do you know for sure you are correct and he is wrong? On what authority?

I say, in the end, if you both believe that Jesus is the son of God, born a virgin, died to save us all from our own sins, and ascended into heaven... what difference does it matter? That is the whole basis of Christianity... if you believe that part of it, then interpret the rest each for yourselves.

Answer 10

James 5:16; Proverbs 15:8, 29 - the prayers of the righteous (the saints) have powerful effects. This is why we ask for their prayers. How much more powerful are the saints’ prayers in heaven, in whom righteousness has been perfected