Can Christians and Catholics ever coexist?

Question

Hmm. I just thought of this question as I login Yahoo Answers.

I felt that as long as we had a genuine desire to know more about one another's faith, to bridge our differences and learn from one another, we can stand to benefit in our own spiritual growth.

The love of God is not exclusive to just a certain group of people but extended to everyone.

You?

I appreciate Pastor Art for pointing out 'Today it is more a Pagan Religion with all of its statues than it is Christian.' :)

I am a Catholic. Last sunday I took a gal who is a Baptist to a Catholic Church which held the feast day. There were an incredible number of people and in a large room, there are few statues of saints where the faithfuls queue up with very long candles about their height and flowers to show their veneration. It was an overwhelming experience for her. Pagan worship perhaps filled her mind.

It is important to note that Saints occupied a very important place in Catholic Church history as they are human models we could model ourselves and they exemplify the love of God and neighbours. They all pointed to Christ and through their life stories, we know it is possible to attain what they achieved. Catholics too seek the intercession of the Saints who are close to God since they are already in heaven. Thus they held special place in Catholics' traditions.

Answer 1

The Roman Catholic Church stopped following the truth hundreds of years ago, if not more than a thousand years ago.

Today it is more a Pagan Religion with all of its statues than it is Christian.

When Martin Luther and others began to expose the false teaching in the RCC the RCC responded by trying to kill them.

We don't need to learn about the other's faith we need to read the Bible and find out what God has to say and obey what God has to say and not men.

Pastor Art

Answer 2

Of course it's possible for us to coexist; we are all followers of Christ (yes, even the Pope). Hopefully most of us -- with the occasional exception as represented by a couple of responses here -- have grown up a little since the Reformation.

I do wish more of the fearful, intolerant anti-Catholics among our Christian brothers would take the time to learn the Biblical truth behind the practices and doctrines they condemn us for. It may not convert them, but it would go a long way toward the understanding you speak of.

Funny that some consider it exclusivist of the Church to limit receiving Holy Communion to those who believe it is more than a symbolic "Lord's supper" and actually the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ ... as He told us ... when to receive unworthily or unbelieving is to "eat and drink judgment on themselves" (1 Corinthians 11:29) . It is not only reverence for the Eucharist but also concern for them that motivates the restriction.

Perhaps those who protest the most about this do actually believe in the transsubstantiation that occurs at consecration, and if so they need to keep in mind that the Church always stands ready to welcome them home.

Answer 3

Catholic Christians and Protestant Christians already coexist. We live and work side by side with each other. Some even get married.

We even have serious dialogues about our many similarities and few differences.

"The Catholic Church embraces with hope the commitment to ecumenism as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love…Jesus himself, at the hour of his Passion, prayed 'that they may all be one' (John 17:21)." -- Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, May 25, 1995.

The Catholic Church in the United States already has the following open dialogs with her sister Churches:

- The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation
- The Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops
- The Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation
- The Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic Dialogue
- The Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation USA
- The Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue
- Roman Catholic-Reformed Consultation
- The United Methodist-Catholic Dialogue
- Southern Baptist Convention-Catholic Dialogue
- The Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue
- Faith and Order Commission, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
- Consultation with the National Council of Synagogues
- Consultation with the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America
- Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims

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.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

http://www.usccb.org/seia/officialdialogues.shtml

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

But Catholics are Christian.

Answer 5

Catholics are Christians.

Answer 6

since Catholics are the original and largest Christian faith, do you mean "Protestants" and "Catholics"?

I think we can and we should work out differences and become a single undivided body of Christ.

Answer 7

You are basically asking if Christians can coexist with Christians.

Personally, I can coexist with anyone who doesn't lie about my faith and mock what I believe. When you attack the Catholic Church, you are attacking Catholics..which means you are attacking me. I can respect the beliefs and opinions of others, but they must do the same with me.

Answer 8

Catholics ARE Christians. if you're talking about the Bible-fundies, as long as they don't speak lies against the Church and just keep their beliefs to themselves, then there's no problem in co-existence.

Answer 9

Catholicism is a form of Christianity.

Answer 10

the answer to your question is very simple, of course.all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their savior should be as one big family.this division was brought about by Lucifer in order to confuse and divide the people of god.