"Is there a difference between being Catholic and being a Christian?"
There are many denominations, types of churches that would be classified "Christian," such as Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran and so on. But obviously there are members in each one who genuinely have a relationship with Christ, and those who don't.
2007-08-01 03:12:21 · 29 answers · asked by flannelpajamas1 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I must agree with B H, Christ is certainly present in the Eucharist. But it goes much farther than that. I am a child of God, God is my father. He knows me, and I have known him from my Baptism. I see the work of the Lord in every and all things. He directs me daily, and I find myself praying to the Lord without thinking about it. This has made my Life as complete as it can be without actually being in his presence in Heaven.
By the way, I believe BH is Catholic, and a Christian. I am Lutheran and also a Christian. The RC's say that their Church is the only Church. A friend, and Catholic Priest once admonished me for not Communing in his Church. I told him that I was not allowed. He told me that the Lord allows me to receive in my Lutheran Church. In the Catholic Church, he said, we have the same Lord.
Yes Catholics are Christians. There are also Christians in the Baptist Church, the Amish, Mennonite, Methodist, Calvinists, non-denominational etc. etc. etc.
May God increase in us true knowledge of him and his will, and true obedience to his word, to the glory of his Holy name.
Amen.
2007-08-01 13:47:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a personal relationship with God and it has been there since late childhood. I have always felt His presense, especially when I prayed. I've received answers to prayers and blessings in my life for which I'm very thankful.
Catholics also believe in Christ. One difference is that they have priests, bishops and the Pope as their door to God, whereas other religions speak of a more direct relationship between God and the believer.
Not everyone who claims to be a Christian has a genuine relationship with God. I was not aware of that until a believer admitted it to me once about 10 years ago. He told me he had never really felt a closeness with God, but wished he could. This leads me to believe that there are many others who just go through the rituals, but don't really experience God in their hearts and minds.
2007-08-01 11:13:51 · answer #2 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Heaven and Hell are two completely different ways of relating to God."
The more appropriate question is, "Do you accept what God is giving all of us, right now."
I think it's going to come as quite a shock when the Apocalypse finally happens. Apocalypse doesn't mean doomsday or the end of the world in a catastrophic fashion. That is a modern, popular connotation. The word originally (and still) means "Revelation."
When, in the fullness of time, God reveals Himself (if you want to say 'Herself - that's your choice) to Creation in the fullness of His Glory, there will no longer be any opportunity for denying the Truth (God Himself). Those who have accepted and embraced Him here and now will know the joy and sublime ecstacy of that choice after time is no longer important.
Those who have rejected God, will see the whole unadulterated reality of what they have rejected, except it will be too late to do anything about it.
No matter the choice we make here, the consequence will be the same. Those who embrace God will know eternal joy in His presence. Those who reject God and push Him away in favor of their own ego, will spend eternity in God's presence with no place else to go. How will you get away from God who is Eternal and Everywhere?
God, Himself, will be the source of Heaven (a relationship) or He will be the source of eternal torment (the other, opposite relationship). In either case, we exercise our FREE WILL beginning Here and Now.
FREE WILL, however, cannot negate the TRUTH.
It is within our power to accept or reject the TRUTH. We cannot re-write the truth or reframe it in a way more pleasing to our personal desires.
For Catholics that TRUTH, is that Jesus is actually and really present in the Eucharist. Our acceptance or rejection of that TRUTH does not change it.
The choice is yours...
2007-08-01 04:38:47 · answer #3 · answered by B H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a great question if these people will take it to heart , not a play on words. I am as certain as anything that I know God very very personally. When one takes time to stop , listen, be still and know He is God, then you will realize He is whispering to all of us all the time. We are just too busy to listen, kind of like when we were preschoolers and our parents said "not now":) God is so real and my life has been earthly hell lately, like 10 years, but since I'm 56 and I know our life here is like the blink of an eye to God and compared to what Jesus suffered. That is the biggest issue WE ARE NOT ON THIS EARTH FOR PLEASURE AND FUN, WE ARE HERE TO DO GOD'S WORK. We are so so so so earthly focused and when you Let Go and Let God, Oh my gosh, I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2007-08-01 03:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by I Love Jesus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, i think you are right about different churches have members that feel the same way and have the same relationship with god and not a lot of people relize that. But i would say that they are a little different but some people really overthink the difference between the two. i hope i have helped you
2007-08-04 04:43:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether you believe in one god or many, all you really need for a personal relationship with him or them is to believe. A personal relationship with god does not require jumping through the hoops of any organized religion, though they will tell you it does. God does not require you to fill out an application, listen to the preaching of people who at best can give you their interpretation of his will, nor does he require you to donate half your salary to some group who says you must if you wish to worship. If I do wrong, I do not believe that any mortal here on earth can tell me I've been absolved. That's an issue between me and god. My grandmother used to say "live your religion, don't preach it". I live by that motto.
2007-08-01 04:09:54 · answer #6 · answered by ophirhodji 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a personal relationship with God once, I was tripping on acid during a Pink Floyd concert. I was sure that I had the answers to everything because he was talking to me. When the LSD wore off about 24 hours later, I forgot all those answers and God had mysteriously broke up with me.
2007-08-01 03:17:53 · answer #7 · answered by UpChuck 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I'm certain of my relationship with God. And yes, I think there are true Christians in every Protestant denomination and in Catholicism.
2007-08-03 15:12:24 · answer #8 · answered by hodgiegirl2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Prophet, Yes. My personal relationship is expressed by this parable saying When the Master came, he saw his two servants plowing in the field; and he said Come and serve me my meal. The two servants obediently served their Master his meal. After the Master has eaten, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST said Did the Master say Thank you to his servants. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST said No, instead the two servants said We are unprofitable servants we have done what was our duty to do. Thus, as a Prophet I am an unprofitable servant to THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and that is my personal relationship to THE MASTER. THANK GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD. Pls visit my website-http://groups.yahoo.com/group/THEGOODNEWSOFTHEKINGDOM/
2007-08-05 00:50:31 · answer #9 · answered by Prophet John of the Omega 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trough the writings of Mr. Hubbard which you can get in the bookstores around can you get a better understanding of your relation to god
2007-08-01 04:37:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋