I see it here all the time, WHY DO PROTESTANTS THINK THAT CATHOLICS?

Question

are not Christians? I do not get it, didn't they start that religion?
I am agnostic, former catholic, I do not get the protestants againsts catholics , I see it here all the time.

Answer 1

The Protestant Reformation was started by "catholics" who were protesting Rome (Vatican).

The Vatican has long withheld the Holy Scriptures from people, and taught traditions of men.

Christians believe the Bible. The Bible itself says that it is to be held above human traditions.

Where Vatican agrees with the Bible, we see them as being "christian"; however it is where Vatican diverges from the Bible that gets most Christian groups in a lather.

Answer 2

"I see it here all the time, WHY DO PROTESTANTS THINK THAT CATHOLICS are not Christians?"
Not ALL the time, but sometimes they say things which show that they have no clue what saves a person. Many I literally talk to say, " Because I observe the Ten Commandments." If you see error in their theology, please, explain it to them. Living the Ten Commandments is not what makes ANYONE a Christian.

"I do not get it, didn't they start that religion?"
No, That's another problem, they did not. Jesus started the religion, it was carried by the Apostles after that and none of them were Roman Catholics, ever.

"I am agnostic, former catholic, I do not get the protestants againsts catholics , I see it here all the time."
Setting the past aside when many Protestants were murdered for not attending Mass, there is a responsibility that the Roman Catholic clergy is responsible for: Allowing their congregation to be completely blind to what Jesus said.

We therefore have the best intentions, and the best reason to say what we say.

Answer 3

There are some radical Protestant sects that like the idea that they, and ONLY they, are real christians. As such, they reject and insult not only Catholics, but anyone with a slightly different interpretation of christianity.
Oddly, these are often the same people who love to cite the large numbers of christians in the USA, glossing over the fact that that number is only so high because it includes ALL religious groups that call themselves christian, including Catholics, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, all of which these people reject as "fake" christians. This seems to show a fundamental dishonesty.

Of course, honesty compels me to remind you of the Pope's recent remarks that Protestant churches aren't "true" churches. It's not all one-sided.

Answer 4

Dear The Sun,

i think as Pin well stated- being a Christian requires one to place their faith in Christ. There are practices in the Catholic religion which bring to question whether their faith is in Christ- ie: hailmarys, wearing of scabbards for salvation, etc.

The Scriptures seem pretty clear that whoever places their faith in Jesus receives the Holy Spirit and is saved. Personally when a person says whether they are Christian or Catholic, i simply ask them about their beliefs. i have found some Catholics who have placed their faith in Jesus- and others who have not. Off course i have also found those who claim the name of Jesus- but have very strange beliefs. i think at the end of the day you have to ask people why they believe- but understand what Christianity really is- so it's not based on people's interpretation - but what the Bible teaches.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 5

Some of the Protestant religions believe that the Catholics changed the bible and the religion for political reasons - and that those actions - and following the dogma that resulted from it - will damn them to hell.

I left the Catholic church and I don't believe in hell. So - I'm feeling pretty happy right about now.

Namaste!!!

Answer 6

I'm not sure either. One of my friends was told in college by her Protestant roommates that she was going to Hell because she was raised Catholic and "Catholics actually are praying to the Pope." She eventually had to move to another room because her roommates started having prayer sessions in their room and the Catholic religion was continually brought up as being "evil." I believe that the reason for such animosity is historical and that it's sometimes hard to stop the hatred.

Answer 7

Sort of the essence of Protestantism. It was created in protest against Catholicism. They stress faith through the Bible alone and consider the complex theology of Catholicism to be invented. (If its not in the Bible, you can't call it Christian, in their view) Essentially the charge is there was the early church, then the Catholics messed it all up, and then the Protestant Reformation happened and made it all better again.

Answer 8

It is a matter of poorly understood church history. Many conservative protestants, especially European protestants, still bear the cultural scars of the Reformation after all these Centuries. The misunderstandings can prevail among Roman Catholics, too. Consider the church of Constantinople.

HTH

Charles

Answer 9

Well catholics are not the "starters" of this religion, Jesus Christ is. The catholic church was just the most prominent for awhile until Martin Luther and then there were many divisions in the church which later developed into all the different denominations. Catholics in general do not believe in salvation through faith, though that may be what they communicate, most also require baptism, first communion, and other "rituals." The message is sent that if these things are not accomplished, you are not going to heaven. Protestants firmly believe in salvation through faith alone. To some degree yes, Catholics are Christians, but they require more than what is necessary. And I have nothing against catholics just for the record.

Answer 10

Totally agree. It completely sucks. It also sucks that Orthodox Christians and Catholics look down on protestants (if nothing else then as complete yokels, which, okay, is kind of true of us *sheepish*).

If we believe in the true Christ of scripture, we are Christians. I'm the first to admit that there is a lot of stuff about Catholic theology that I find extremely ooky --- but no one's theology is 100% correct and it's gross spiritual pride to assume that you have interpreted the Bible completely correctly and that everyone else is wrong.

Key to Christianity (and to life, really): humility.