Why can't the Catholics and Podestants get along yet?

Question

Heres a realy good Question but first let me comment: I was looking up info on the Apocrypha which I am currently reading as a prodestant because I also include the Catholic church as part of the body of Christ. Unfortunately I saw a lot of bickering and arguing on the subject and found it sad. Our body of Christ isn't supposed to be divided to the point of hatred towards different denominations. A kingdom divided cannot stand. I sometimes wonder where we went wrong? Christians are supposed to be open minded and guided by the Holy Spirit. So many churches are trying to be the first church. What ever happened to the last church? Thats the one I want! The real reason why the church is supposed to split is so we can minister to different walks of life not because of arguments and different beliefs. There is only one religion so my question is this and feel free to express yourself... Do you think based on the current division of our body this is realy the church God wanted?

Answer 1

because Protestants keep protesting!

Answer 2

Because both sects are so insistent on being right and focusing on their differences that they forget to look at what makes them the same. But it's the nature of man to quarrel, and I think people enjoy the fight far more than they enjoy the faith. And religious sects are created by a flawed man, not a perfect God. I guess everyone will find out one of these days.

Also, I don't think everyone is aware of the histories of the churches. There has been abuse on both sides, causing hard feelings. Read up on your church history, kids. Go to the Vatican and walk through St Peters which was paid for by indulgences and you can see why the Protestants protested. Look at the shoddy treatment the Catholics received in the US when they just wanted a job and because they were Catholic were humiliated and thrown out. It's a mess, and no one wants to take responsibility for their shortcomings.

I think I may become a Buddhist.

Answer 3

Why do people think that becaause we differ with someone on an opinion that we just automatically hate that person. Do you have to totally agree with someone to love them. I donot agree with Catholic doctrine, but I don't hate them. In the Bible the last church is the wrong one, it is the apostate church called the "lukewarm" church and is a mixture of all doctrine just like you want. I think you have found your perfect church for you. But I still will stick with the Word of God. Where did you come up with the idea that the true church is supposed to be open minded and guided by the Holy Spirit. The true church is closed to all that is not of God and the Holy Spirit guides you into the truth.

Answer 4

You have some good insites. Jesus prayed that they all be one. Clearly, unity is God's plan. It is a scandal that these divisions have developed through the centuries. It is only the work of the Holy Spirit that these divisions will be healed, but we must take the step of having a reconcilable heart. If you look around, there isn't just division between Protestants and Catholics either. I've seen it within a congregation.

Answer 5

All you have to do is read the variety of responses to find out why people, in general, don't get along: hatred, misinformation, failure to follow the one, great commandment.

I have copies of most versions of the Holy Bible, and they all say that Jesus told us to love one another, yes, even the Catholic bible, CJ.

I am a Roman Catholic and I love my Protestant brothers and sisters, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Confucians, Wiccans, and everyone else. We may have very different beliefs and perhaps I'm not loved in return. That's not my problem...I'm following what Jesus has taught me.

Yes, it is sad that people can't care for each other across religious, cultural and other lines. Maybe we can change it all....all of us reading answers on here. I dare ya! :)

Answer 6

Man is a false god. (Gen. 3:5-6, Psalms 82:6,John 10:34). He tends to be 'every man for himself'. Jesus 'raised the bar', unifying man. That raising the bar can be a major part of the '2 or more witnesses' principle given to the Jews and Christians separately. That to me presently is part of why the scriptural old testament is not Genesis-Malachi, but the law of Moses. (Email me here soon for more info).

Answer 7

"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 8

Well God did not want a divided church. One of Jesus final prayers was for the all believers to be one.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so tha the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:20-21

I believe those who are simply following the Word of God, devoted to the community of believers, and seeks for unity among the brothers and sisters in Christ then I believe those people are in fact the Church that God wanted.

I am a strong believer in non-denominational-ism. If God wants us to be one, when we label our selves we are automatically creating a division. May we all just seek to be the Church of Christ or the Christan Church that God intended us to be. May we only define what it means to be a Christian (that is "in Christ") they way the Bible defines it and not put any man made rules or regulations on it. One we learn to stick to the Word of God, and work together as the body of Christ as the family of God as brothers and Sisters the more we do this the more we are like the Church that Jesus died for.

***UPDATE***
I don't know about you but I want to be a part of the answer to Jesus' prayer. I want to be a part of untied body of Christ that the world may believe!

Answer 9

IMO because they don't fully understand or comprehend or WHAT to understand. i have many friends who are not Catholic but varying denominations. we have wonderful open, frank discussions - we respect each other as children of Christ. i believe too many vanities and pride get in the way of true Christian Charity.

Answer 10

Where did you get the idea that christians are suppose to be open minded?

Was it the book burnings, the war with science, or the intolerance of non-christians personal freedoms that convinced you?

Answer 11

Protestants don't want to talk to Catholics and they feel they're superior to them.