because I've heard Evangelicals/Protestants/Bible-fundamentalists call the Catholics non-Christians, and they say that Catholicism is a non-Christian religion, and some even ask what's the difference between Christians and Catholics. isn't that ridiculous?
aren't those protestants considered heretics? why does it seem like they are now the ones considered "real Christians"?
what's going on?
I'm honestly wondering.
2007-09-06 06:23:27 · 13 answers · asked by The Asker 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are correct. Unfortunately, the U.S. is a largely Protestant nation that does not care for history or facts, so they will tell you that you're wrong and they're right. Me, being an atheist, I care about history, so I know you're right. Good luck convincing the "true/real christians" though. They usually don't care what's right unless it backs up their claims.
2007-09-06 06:33:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Theres always been a schism between Christians during and after the fall of Rome. This schism or split later became larger during the Middle Ages. There were many Christian sects that condemned other Christian sects in the evolution of Christianity. For example, the Arians who believed that the holy trinity were not one entity, but separate entities, were condemned heretical. When Rome fell, Christianity was divided east and west, one side ruled by a pope and the other by a bishop. There were always indifferences. So, taken all this into account, are there really true Christians? Maybe they all are, or maybe non are.
2007-09-06 06:33:06 · answer #2 · answered by Swiftwind 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Those who are born into non-catholic Christian communities or convert to a non-Catholic Christian community from somewhere other than the Catholic Church are not considered heretics.
In my opinion a person who puffs themself us by claiming to be a "true Christian" lacks the humility that Christianity requires.
People who say that Catholicism is not a Christian religion either have an incorrect understanding of Christianity or Catholicism or both.
2007-09-06 10:24:28 · answer #3 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes as a Heretic I agree 100%.
However I'm always a Heretic so perhaps it will comfort you to know that the same spirit of the old Heretic murdering Catholics lives on today in the fundamentalist faiths.
Most of these people aren't Catholic because their ancestors found the Catholics to be too liberal.
2007-09-06 07:00:18 · answer #4 · answered by gnosticv 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is also very interesting to note that the very issues that many non-Catholic Christians bring up had already been debated and decided upon centuries ago (e.g., the Trinity, confession of sins, true presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, the authority of the Bishop of Rome, Mary as the Mother of God, purgatory, the Communion of Saints, etc.). If non-Catholics would simply study the historical works of the Church Fathers, they would not be re-hashing these old arguments. But then again, it is not entirely the fault of non-Catholic laypersons, as they simply follow their poorly trained pastors, who most likely obtained a worthless diploma from an unaccredited "bible college."
2007-09-06 09:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who decides who the heretics are? The group in power.
When the Roman Catholic Church was in power, they branded those who disagreed with their doctrines as heretics. Today, with Protestants in power in some places, while Catholics remain in power in other places, both sides accuse the other of being heretics.
Who is truly heretical? God alone knows for sure. Live your life according to your own best understanding and beliefs, and leave the arguments to those with nothing better to do.
.
2007-09-06 07:40:19 · answer #6 · answered by Stranger In The Night 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Catholic Church has maintained and will always maintain: that is is the one true church founded by Jesus Christ, rooted in apostolic tradition, able to trace its history and teachings directly to Christ and the apostles, rooted also in sacred tradition coming from the apostles, posessing the fullness of revealed truth, the full 7 sacraments, the authority to interpret scripture, the authority to make infallible statements concerning the christian faith aka dogma.
Protestant christians were excommunicated for various reasons, mostly the fact that they disagreed with the notion of the papacy.
Protestants are very much "real christians" if they faithfully abide in the christian religion, but as catholics, we maintain that they lack the fullness of truth which exists in the Roman Catholic Church. We do not say that they are not saved, but hold that the path to salvation is in the Catholic Church via Christ. Only God can judge whom is worthy of salvation...but alas, that is another question!
2007-09-06 07:22:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
They are in fact semi-Christians. They are not considered "true Christians" by anyone other than themselves. And each denomination considers itself true even though most of their beliefs conflict with the beliefs of the others, and conflicting beliefs necessarily mean false beliefs. I wonder if this kind of doctrinal chaos might be the reason Christ stated His divine will, "that they all may be ONE".
2007-09-06 06:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yup. I'm a heretic in comparison. Crazy huh?
2007-09-06 07:13:51 · answer #9 · answered by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Ma'am you are going to get some riled up answers on this one. But never mind them -- you are right.
In the past people who put anything before God was an "idolater." Fundamentalists today worship the bible instead of the God the bible points to; either that or they worship their pastor. Worshiping things or people is always easier and less challenging than worshiping the Living God.
2007-09-06 06:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by Acorn 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋