Why does this myth persist? Where did it originate? Some people believe we worship statues. We do not. Some people think we put Mary in the place of God. We do not. Some say we do not read the Bible but we do. Would it not just be better to thoroughly understand your own church than it is to attack our faith? Is it possible that attacks like these make atheists and agnostics uninterested in Christianity altogether? Would it be better for us all to work together sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, and promoting world peace? I think so. Peace be with you all.
2007-02-21 07:03:04 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Note to non-Christians: I would also love to work with everyone else on these and other important issues reagrdless of your affilliations or lack thereof
2007-02-21 07:32:54 · update #1
I've heard of this myth before from a Baptist not an atheist, and I'm pretty puzzled as it's my understanding that Catholics were the original Christians. I wonder if it's not stemming from ignorance of Catholicism and a desire to get more members into their church. As what most people would deem an 'atheist' though, the reasons I am not interested in religion don't have to do with attacks on Catholics, but with the theology taught from the bible and it's application. I do think it would be awesome if all us, not just Christians but atheists, too could work together for the positive causes you mention, and charity is one of the reasons I still respect the Catholic church even though I don't agree with it theologically. I highly doubt, however, I would be welcome in any church considering my opinions, even though I have a strong need to help people and be a part of a positive movement.
2007-02-21 07:24:19 · answer #1 · answered by l m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a defensive reaction. Allowing Catholics to be "Christian" makes it easier for themselves NOT to be. It's a matter of determining which denomination has gone off the rails. Catholics have all that continuous history stuff on their side. Protestants have only an accusation that God let things go bad and the Bible is the repair kit. For the more insecure denominations, if Catholics aren't still bad, their argument looks weaker, so they draw very firm lines. There are certainly people in the Catholic church who return the feeling.
2007-02-21 15:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by skepsis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the other Christians agreed with Catholicism, they would have no reason not to become Catholics. Sad though it may seem, they have to keep emphasising the differences, real or invented in order to justify their own existence as separate churches.
2007-02-21 15:16:25 · answer #3 · answered by A.M.D.G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
all Christians must be Catholic, but not necessarily Roman Catholic. Even though we don't meet each other, we belive we're in the same body of our Lord. So please try not to say to people that salvation can only found in your Local Church, becoz the Church is Universal, and that's why we call it Catholic.
2007-02-21 15:14:58 · answer #4 · answered by theSeed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea, but I fully agree with you. If you believe in Christ, you are Christian. Quite a number of Catholics I know wouldn't know what to say if they were asked "Are you Christian?" thanks to this nonsense. Then again, these are young Catholics, but still.
And we don't "worship statues", we pray to the saints and HONOUR them. The only one we worship is God.
Once again, I agree with your statements. God bless.
2007-02-21 15:11:50 · answer #5 · answered by Rei-chan 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
After the protestants invented their religion they considered papism putting the pope before God.
It's all rubbish to me but they saw following their religious leaders differently from following the pope.
2007-02-21 15:11:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many catholics are lost in the rituals of the church. Reciting endless dogma for for example does save one's soul, belief in Christ does.
Many Catholics pray to Mary and to Saints, this is not supported biblically. Only prayer through Christ.
I do agree that inter-christian wrangling doesn't help God's cause so maybe we should all knock it off and get back to work (his work).
2007-02-21 15:10:44 · answer #7 · answered by Fire_God_69 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I agree that Catholics are Christians.
When you come across someone that says otherwise - ask them to give you their exact definition of the word "Christian," you'll get all sorts of different (and even some very bizarre) definitions of that word.
2007-02-21 15:11:34 · answer #8 · answered by daisyk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am with you, we are Catholic/Christians but you won't get many good responses I 'm afraid as not many here likes the Catholic Church
God Bless You
2007-02-21 15:10:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I always thought Catholics ARE Christians.
Guess I was wrong. Though their beliefs are very similar, yet different.
2007-02-21 15:08:44 · answer #10 · answered by Alterna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋