just wondering, if i am a christian and catholics are christians, why don't I feel right going to a catholic church and seeing a statue of the virgin mary?
2007-05-19 12:32:21 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)
Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.
Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):
By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.
There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.
A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.
With love in Christ.
2007-05-19 17:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Because it's different than what you are used to. Catholics don't actually worship the virgin Mary, but they do venerate, or honor her, which I think Protestants should do more of. Protestants broke away from the Catholic church over many issues, the role of clergy, the nature of salvation and faith, the nature of the sacraments. At the time of the Reformation the Catholic Church was suffering from a great deal of corruption. Read more about Martin Luther if you are interested in the beginnings of Protestantism.
2007-05-19 12:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by keri gee 6 · 3⤊ 5⤋
Protestants are encouraged to read the bible and make up their own minds. Catholics MUST follow Pope/Church policy. Catholic priests can't get married. Protestant minsters and priests can (Bishops, if any, may not in some sects). Catholics can't get divorced. Protestants can. Catholics make a very big deal out of the Virgin Mary and the Saints. Proesstants don't. Catholics can't use intentional or artifical birth control, Protestants can. Catholics kneel a lot, Protestants don't really do that in services. Protestants sing Hyms, Catholics don't. Catholics have lots of rituals and some fasting days. Protestants have few rituals and no fasting days.
2007-05-19 12:48:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋
Hmmm. I wonder if the first two posters above are really full of Christan love. They sound awfully intolerant and hateful to me. Especially Michelle.
Catholics were the first Christians. Anything that comes after them is the change.
And for the first one, Catholics do pray to God. They ask for friends of God; ie Saints) to intercede for them. They do not worship Mary, either. This is the one of the most misunderstood things about Catholics from Protestants who do not take the time to understand what Catholics really believe.
2007-05-19 12:38:08 · answer #4 · answered by hopflower 7 · 4⤊ 5⤋
Protestant preachers can marry, protestant churches for the most part are free of religious icons, and are quite plain. You can research martin luther and the protestant reformation online.
Protestant churches don't really have a head like the pope, although the church of england "Episcpalians" have the Archbishop of canterbury.
Greek auhtodox is similarto Catholicism, but their priests can marry, exceptb their bishops, they must be clibate like catholic priests.
2007-05-19 12:42:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Why do people always leave out the Orthodox? The Orthodox were the first Christians, along with the Catholics. They split in 1054. The Catholics changed (added pergatory, limbo, infallibility of the pope, etc). The Orthodox stayed the same. The Orthodox Church is the original Christian Church.
2007-05-19 12:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
The main difference between Catholicism & Protestantism is, after the Authority of Christ Jesus, Catholics emphasize the authority of the Church, & then the Bible.
Protestants do just the opposite: After Christ's Authority, they emphasize the authority of the Bible, & then their particular churches.
Orthodox Christianity is the same as Catholic Christianity in their choice of Authority(ie: Church then Bible).
2007-05-19 12:36:56 · answer #7 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 0⤊ 6⤋
Catholics look at The Blessed Virgin Mary as our Mother and it is not wrong to have a picture of your Mother. What Protestants do not understand is that Catholics really do consume the Body of Christ in Communion and he is alive and so we are alive even if our body dies, we are alive with him and so is our Mother and all people who were part of the Body of Christ. Protestants are right in their thinking that communion for them is a symbol because for them it is only a symbol as their preachers are not ordained to bring forth the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary and so they only consume a symbol.
2007-05-19 12:53:05 · answer #8 · answered by Midge 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
It is recommended that Alexa V. should never start a dialoge........about anything. I have never heard such.. garbage before. To openly, without hesitation, to HATE anyone or anything........You stay a protestant. By the way....would you tell us all what faith you are. Statues are no big thing. you really don"t understand any thing about the Catholic Faith. At the same time....God Bless You.
2007-05-19 14:22:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Protestants vary all over the lot. Some denominations differ from Catholicism in little more than the authority of the Pope.
2007-05-19 12:37:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋