stereotypically relate ALL Christians in to the Roman Catholic faith? The Da Vinci Code is a good example of this. I mean there are many different denomination that have different ceremonies and such...don't you guys realize that?
2007-07-17 14:01:43 · 18 answers · asked by Andi 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
since the rest have made good points but ignored the Da Vinci Code, I'll try and give you some nonchristian perspective on that...
The Da Vinci Code is a book which for considerable parts accepts the Catholic version of the history of Christianity, for example that between 350 and 1500 there were only Catholics in western Europe. Now why does it accept that idea, even though it is very critical of the Catholic Church? Because it wants to tell the story of a heroic battle between a well-kept and persecuted secret of the "true christianity" and an organized machine of evil which tries to suppress it. It deals with symbolism of art, rituals and architecture. Since most protestants are against religious art and rituals, they are not really interesting to the story. Also, the Catholic Church is a clear target: if you only talk about them and your own ideology, then if they are wrong, it is easier to suggest that you are right. A false polarization. But keep in mind that the Da Vinci Code is fiction, at least it is officially marketed as such. And while of course many people use it for factual information (of which it contains some, but nothing very shocking to anybody who actually knows any history of Christianity), the entertainment value was the most important concern I believe. And the Catholic Church is just much more fun to speculate about then protestants. They are such a huge and ancient organization! They have so many rituals and doctrines, so many different officials... everything about them is mysterious and food for drama, comedy, conspiracy theory etc. etc.
Also don't forget of the two billion christians one billion are roman catholic. The next, Eastern Orthodox, has only 240 million members.
2007-07-17 14:27:48 · answer #1 · answered by Ray Patterson - The dude abides 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask any person to name a religion, how many say Catholic right away? A lot! Roman Catholic is just what people tend to associate with. True, there are many other denominations that have rites, ceremonies, and such. The Catholic religion has always been in the middle or the root of some sort of hoopla, so it stands out!
2007-07-17 21:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by 76tinkerbell 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some non-Christians tend to lump Christians together, but I've seen more evidence that they are identified with the fundamentalists than with the Catholics. Most of us are well aware that there are many different denominations and they consider themselves to be seriously different. To an outsider, however, those differences are much smaller. They are clearly smaller than the difference between generic Christian and non-Christian, especially if we go further and say a non-monotheist. And of course, to an atheist, it is indeed of little consequence whether someone is a Baptist or an Episcopalian.
2007-07-17 21:07:17 · answer #3 · answered by auntb93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually we know there are different denominations, we also the history of the split. The Martin Luther and King Henry VIII stories. Now do you know about these two characters that virtually split the christians faith from the roman catholics?
Now, do you stereotype ALL Atheists and ALL non-christians? I am sure you do, from what you had written.
2007-07-17 21:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sorry B ^, not true, even if I weren't Catholic. It's not like I'm trying to stick up to my religion, but there are certain things you have to do in each of the religions, if it isn't in the Catholic religion, or if it's outside of it, then sorry, it's not.
Now, I don't wanna start anything, but think of the Mormons.
You need to believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be Christian let alone Catholic, and they (which I doubt) only believe in God. Jesus to them and others was just a great prophet, and I don't think they have a clue on the Holy Spirit. BUT, they don't believe in these things so they aren't Catholic, not even the Christians they claim to be. Maybe some Mormons are different than others, but from everything that I've heard, this seems to be the way they are.
I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I'm just stating the facts.
2007-07-17 21:20:12 · answer #5 · answered by Soaper 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Raised as a Catholic I understand the distinction completely. The difference? Catholicism is a rigid hierarchy. All the stupid interpretations of the Bible come from the central authority as dictum which all must believe. In the Protestant arena, all the stupid interpretations of the Bible are done on an individual basis, thanks to Martin Luther. While the Protestant method is much more democratic, the results are the same. If you don't believe me, just spend an afternoon reading this board and see how many people have a really thin grasp of the tenants of their faith, both Catholic and Protestant.
2007-07-17 21:08:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
All Christians are descended from the Catholic Church and their New testament canon and Creed they got from the Catholics .
The Da Vinci Code did not get it right about just about anything.
2007-07-17 21:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, and I am certainly not a roman catholic, as I follow the teachings of Jesus, and try to live as He teaches us to live, the catholic church follows many ideas and doctriness that have no basis in biblical fact.........
This doesn't mean that all catholics aren't christian.
Incidently the Da Vinci Code is a fictional novel, and nothing more!! it is not based on facts, its the creation of the writer's imagination......
2007-07-17 21:14:03 · answer #8 · answered by maggie rose 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're using a fictional book that specifically focused on the Roman Catholic church as justification to claim that non-christians "always" stereotype "ALL" christians based on the catholic church?!!
Brawhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
And, despite there being "different" denominations, a good proportion of the denominations believe in and support very similar positions on a variety of issues.
Peace,
Jenn
2007-07-17 21:10:14 · answer #9 · answered by jenn_smithson 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't think they do.
Everyone knows... in the beginning there was the Roman Catholic church. Martin Luther wasn't happy with a lot of what went on... so he started the Lutheran Church... and then there were the Methodist that wanted changes from that... and so on and so on.
Next time you're with a group of friends, check out all the different religious up bringings!
2007-07-17 21:12:58 · answer #10 · answered by M C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋