Why do Catholics think Born-Agains are not real Christians, and Born-Agains think that Catholics...?

Question

are not real Christians? Who the f is right?

Answer 1

lol, in the 5th century AD the eastern orthodox patriarch excommunicated the catholic pope, who in turn also excommunicated the patriarch

this is the oldest form of religious "retaliation", right next to killing people in the name of god. kill them and damn their souls...what else is there to do?

Answer 2

Actually, all Catholics are born again but we call it the new birth. Not all non Catholic Christians are born again.

As others have pointed out, Catholics do not judge who are Christians and who are not. As the Orthodox say, we know where the Church is but not where it is not.

I want to be charitable but the facts are the reason so many are critical of the Catholic Church is based on misunderstandings and misconceptions spread and taught by ignorant or uneducated pastors who have no ability to discern Scriptures or anything else of God. This is sad because the information is readily available to explain these teachings and concepts but many Christians prefer to bask in their hatred and false notions about the Church. I think most Catholics would agree, if you wish to hate, hate us for what we do in faith and practice rather than the effigy or straw man you call Catholic with which no Catholic can identify.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 3

First, you're talking about two different concepts here. Not all Catholics and Protestants argue this point, but those who do are not necessarily talking about salvation. They are discussing the definition of the word "Christian." Catholics get frustrated when people say that "Christians" believe in creationism, speak in tongues, try to tell you about Jesus at the supermarket, or talk about the Rapture. Protestants get frustrated when people say that "Christians" burned heretics at the stake, organized the Inquisition, initiated the Crusades, or follow the dictates of the Pope. Each group wants to avoid negative stereotyping by clarifying what kind of Christian they are, and (more importantly) what kind of Christian they are not.

In my case, for example, I believe that Christianity (like any other category) should be defined by the characteristics shared by the majority of Christians. The majority of Christians are Catholic. Ergo, the most accurate definitions of Christianity are those that apply to Catholicism. That doesn't mean that Protestants are going to hell, that they are incapable of knowing God, or even that they are wrong.

And while many people assume that all religions are mutually exclusive, that isn't necessarily the case. Religion is an expression of culture, and individual religions reflect the culture of their adherants. In this sense, asking which religion is "right" is like asking which language is right, which form of music is right, which style of painting is right, etc. There is no "right" or "wrong" when you are talking about a personal, subjective expression. Only specific moral requirements are right or wrong.

Answer 4

Catholics believe that Born Again Protestants are real Christians if they accept the Trinity anf diety of Christ.
Of course there are ethical ways of being Christian and a person can "profess" Christian doctrines and not live them at all.

Answer 5

Catholics do not claim that non-Catholics are not "Real Christians" we are united with almost all of our Protestant brothers and sisters in Sacramental Baptism.

I am amazed when I think back that at one time I also believed like so many anti-Catholic posts above.

First of all there are many things that we all do that are not specifically in the Bible, Protestants do this as well as Catholics, that does NOT mean that they are un-biblical, or that they are in conflict with the bible in any way. I am always amused by those arguments.

In my life, I decided that rather than focus on what anti-Catholics told me about Catholicism, I wanted to study Catholicism for myself. I also studied Islam for myself, you can't study another group from only the people that hate it.

What I discovered is that there is nothing within the Catholic Church that goes against the Bible, there are perceptions of Catholic beliefs that can seem wrong if you do not understand them, that does not make them un-biblical.

The great thing about the Catholic Church is that all of our beliefs are in the catechism of the Catholic Church and anyone who wants to spend the time can find out for themselves what our beliefs really are.

Without going point by point above, I will say that none of those things are true about Catholics.

That is why I became Catholic myself.

To td above, do you know the 10 commndments? Try the "thou shall not bear false wittness"

IF you are going to present your cut and paste views to others, do you not have an obligation to find out the truth first? Why start with an incorrect sterotype, or a basic unfound dislike of Cahtholics and then find articles written by others that also do not understand Catholics and present them as your own, or as fact?

Honestly, you owe it to yourself and to your soul to know what you are talking about so you do not bear false witness.

Peace be with you.

Answer 6

The bible. If a church , any church doesn't follow Gods word how can it be of God See Matt 23:9. The Catholic Church Gave you the bible .Show me where we believe the Pope is Jesus in the flesh. They use alcohol in their rituals . I think Jesus had a drink or two the first celebration of the Eucharist. Don't punish but rather pay off the accusers when a priest is found to be a pervert.

Welcome to a collection of news reports of ministers sexually abusing children:
http://www.reformation.com/

ALL Protestant denominations - 838 Ministers

147 Baptist Ministers

251 "Bible" Church Ministers (fundamentalist/evangelical)

140 Anglican/Episcopalian Ministers

38 Lutheran Ministers

46 Methodist Ministers

19 Presbyterian Ministers

197 various Church Ministers

Answer 7

I have never heard any Catholic say that evangelical and fundamentalist churches are not Christian. They do not have the fullness of truth but only parts of it. Over the 30,000+ denominations, each has its own opinion about what the Bible says on this and that. But none has authority.

As for the comments about Catholicism, the Church does not teach salvation by works, but Grace received through faith and works. The concept of salvation by faith alone is only 500 years old and cannot be honestly supported in the Bible. In fact the Bible says the exact opposite, that we are not saved by faith alone. As for the Pope being Christ on earth. NO, not taught in the Catholic Church. The Pope is Gods representative on earth who runs His Church. Similar to the way the prime minister runs a country for a king. The pope receives his authority through the lineage of Peter. the book of Acts shows us that Apostleship is not a person but an office. It is an office that was expanded in number to accommodate a growing Church. Peter was prayed over by Christ so that he would not err and bring unity among the Apostles.

We do, however, believe that all Priests in the Church are in the person of Christ during the consecration of the gifts. The are not Christ on earth but fill the place of Christ.

Answer 8

Catholics can trace their church leadership back to Peter, and therefore, according to legend, Jesus himself. The Protestants (who make up the vast majority of the born-again bunch) can only refer to Martin Luther, Henry VIII and a few other heretics.

I never really believed in any of it, even when I was a Catholic (some 35 years ago), but it was always kind of fun to watch the born-agains get a little crazy when I pointed this out. I do agree with Crusader up there; we never accused Protestants or born-agains of not being Christian. We just never quite understood their hatred of us.

Answer 9

Well basically, I think that all christianity as a whole is corrupt, steals peoples' money, and is a basic waste of time. If anyone would like to argue with me go ahead because i've made many nonbelievers. If you don't believe the truth then I truly believe you are stupid. Anyway, the concept of Jesus came about from other supposed Messiahs such as Horus and Buddha. The list goes on but basically all of these gods were "born of the virgin" and many were known as "lamb of God" and in order to go to heaven you had to "drink my blood and eat my flesh" sounds familiar huh? And, all the virgin mothers their names started with M just like Mary who was the virgin mother of Jesus. For example, Buddha's mother's name was Maya. Hm interesting right?! All of these theories just copied off each other, it's startling how similar they are! O and don't even get me started on how christmas is originally pagan. So basically the concept of Jesus was copied off of other people who were supposedly messiahs and all that jazz, just for power, to corrupt your little minds and make you believe and steal your money, and blood, o ya lots of blood! You could gain salvation by fighting in the crusades one of the bloodiest battles, or paying! hmm christianity, you decide! Hopefully I got some of youthinking!

Answer 10

The Catholic Church teaches:

Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.

Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church.

All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 819: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p3.htm#819

With love in Christ.

Answer 11

I've not heard about Catholics saying born-agains aren't real Christians. Could you point out an example to me?

I have heard, many times, born-agains say Catholics, Mormons, and JWs aren't real Christians.