I know what Protestants are. In fact, I am one. But I'm curious if Protestants today even know what it means to be Protestant...
2007-03-16 09:57:09 · 15 answers · asked by YourMom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am an Episcopalian, and hence, a Protestant. My family has been Episcopalian/Anglican for centuries. I have to keep this very brief because I'm having to shut down the computer in a couple of minutes, but in short, we are Protestant because we are not under the authority of the Pope, do not believe in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, or accept many of the other doctrines that have historically separated Protestantism from the Roman Catholic Church.
2007-03-16 10:06:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I decided to look this up and see some "official" definitions.
From wikipedia...
'Protestant (from "protestors") is one of three main groups of Christianity, typically referring to European churches that separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Renaissance-era Protestant Reformation.
A commonly given definition is merely "any Christian denomination which is not Roman Catholic or Orthodox Christian." (However, see also Copt (which do not descend from the Roman Catholic church) and Anabaptist (which rejected the state church altogether).) The term "Protestant" now represents a diverse range of perspectives, denominations, individuals, and related organizations, all typically focused on a worship of Jesus and a deference to the New Testament over the Old.
Taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia...
The meaning of the protest was that the dissentients did not intend to tolerate Catholicism within their borders. On that account they were called Protestants.
In course of time the original connotation of "no toleration for Catholics" was lost sight of, and the term is now applied to, and accepted by, members of those Western Churches and sects which, in the sixteenth century, were set up by the Reformers in direct opposition to the Catholic Church. The same man may call himself Protestant or Reformed: the term Protestant lays more stress on antagonism to Rome; the term Reformed emphasizes adherence to any of the Reformers. Where religious indifference is prevalent, many will say they are Protestants, merely to signify that they are not Catholics. In some such vague, negative sense, the word stands in the new formula of the Declaration of Faith to be made by the King of England at his coronation; viz.: "I declare that I am a faithful Protestant". During the debates in Parliament it was observed that the proposed formula effectively debarred Catholics from the throne, whilst it committed the king to no particular creed, as no man knows what the creed of a faithful Protestant is or should be.
2007-03-16 17:21:24 · answer #2 · answered by Badriya 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Protest
the Catholic Church
think it was Luther who protested against Cathohlic doctrine
Thus starting the protestant Order!/
2007-03-16 17:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by beantown10955 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Protestant because I read and understand the Bible and the other choices aren't according to God's will.
2007-03-16 17:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by V 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Protestants protest against idolatry or buying/ selling salvation for self or people in pergatory.
Also protest the other apocryphal books in the Catholic cannon or the false doctrine that Mary was born of a virgin.
2007-03-16 17:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by LottaLou 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I 'm not a Protestant - I'm a Protester
2007-03-16 17:05:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's the protesting of the sins of the catholic church but what the name does in reality is divide the church into denominations where it is can be controlled and manipulated by the world. There are no divisions in the true church.
The catholic church was the first denomination and it demanded all to attend sunday worship with serious consequences if not complied with. It has always been a false church.
2007-03-16 17:30:17 · answer #7 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If your not Catholic then you are a protestant, they are called protestants because they protested against the Catholic church a looong time ago.
2007-03-16 17:11:14 · answer #8 · answered by tinacatz2003 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Very few protestants out ther now.
2007-03-16 17:02:01 · answer #9 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
to me, it just means that you protest what the catholic religion claims as doctrine...
so anyone that is 'against' that doctrine but remains a follower of Christ would be considered a protestant...
I prefer tho, the term Christian.. i don't 'belong' to any church persay... i just belong to Jesus Christ
2007-03-16 17:16:23 · answer #10 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋