Why the angst between Catholic and non-Catholic chrstians?

Question

It seems that many non-Catholic Christians have a mild resentment for Catholics on the basis that they've sort of muddied the world's view on Christ over the centuries. Is this justified, or should there be more of a coalition effort to spread the gospel in a united way without organizational differences? Or are the differences healthy?

Answer 1

The Bible is clear that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. While I am a non-catholic Christian, I do believe that anyone (regardless of religious affiliation) has a responsibility to adhere to the teachings of the new testament.

I don't resent Catholic Christians, but if they teach doctrine that is not scripturally based, something Christ warned about, then I will be open to discussing with them where our differences are and why they exist.

Answer 2

The total number of Christians in the world is: 2.1 billion. This is how it breaks down:

1) Catholics: 1.4 billion
2) Eastern Orthodox: 0.3 billion
3) Protestansts (Baptists, Lutherans, etc. etc): 0.4 billion

What bothers me is, how can protestants who represent less than 25% percent of Christians always say what Christians believe? Among themselves they argue endlessly because that small group is divided into hundreds of "denominations" who all disagree on doctrines. Yet they claim that the Holy Spirit guides them when they read the Scriptures. The arrogance is stupifying.

Jesus promised, "I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.

Among the Christian churches, only the Catholic Church has existed since the time of Jesus. Every other Christian church is an offshoot of the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches broke away from unity with the pope in 1054. The Protestant churches were established during the Reformation, which began in 1517. (Most of today’s Protestant churches are actually offshoots of the original Protestant offshoots.) Only the Catholic Church existed in the tenth century, in the fifth century, and in the first century, faithfully teaching the doctrines given by Christ to the apostles, omitting nothing. The line of popes can be traced back, in unbroken succession, to Peter himself. This is unequaled by any institution in history: Even the oldest government is new compared to the papacy.

The Catholic Church has existed for nearly 2,000 years, despite constant opposition from the world. This is testimony to the Church’s divine origin: Any merely human organization would have collapsed long ago. The Catholic Church is today the most vigorous church in the world (and the largest, with 1.3 billion members: one sixth of the human race), and that is testimony not to the cleverness of the Church’s leaders, but to the protection of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20). For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28). Nowadays the Catholic Church is found in every country of the world and is still sending out missionaries to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). The Church Jesus established was known by its most common title, "the Catholic Church," at least as early as the year 107, when Ignatius of Antioch used that title to describe the one Church Jesus founded. The title apparently was old in Ignatius’s time, which means it went all the way back to the time of the apostles.

Answer 3

On the Catholic side of the equation, I think we are just tired of being lumped by some evangelicals in with Mormons, JWs, etc.

What is galling about it is the only reason they have a bible with which to pontificate at us is because our Catholic forebearers - Catholic monks and scholars - painstakingly copied manuscripts for a thousand years. They wouldn't even have the bible they so desperately cleave to if a bunch of Dominican friars had not copied it out for them!

So to hear them tell us we are not Christians based on a book we gave them.... well I think it takes nerve.

I don't have a problem with most Protestant Christians, because most of them leave us alone, consider us brothers and sisters, and even think kind thoughts about us. My problem is only with the crazies. :)

Answer 4

I think we should work together as fellow Christians. Yes there are differences in what we believe but are the basics right? If so then fighting among ourselves accomplishes nothing. The history is past. Bringing it up is pointless. I really wish I had learned this before going after Catholics like I have in the past.

Answer 5

This all has no merit based upon the true intent of Christ as the pure light that illuminates our souls. To question Christ-is to give weight to the devils' arguments. Any question here is akin to adding weight and substance to something outside of truth! Have you the nerve to destroy all that was carefully proven as truth? What is your motive? Why do you slander such a gift?------ The propiety of life pales in significance when all things are considered in there proper perspectives. Religious conformity is a trap that gives pleasure to the devil.

Answer 6

The real reason? Back in the day Luther wanted his own team. We let him go due to the fact he that he ran like a duck. We made him give us a late round trade. We picked up Knute Rockne who showed us how to kick butt in every sport. St. Knute Rockne is the patron saint of athletes and coaches particularly football. He is also the patron saint of chemistry teachers and converts from Lutheranism to Catholicism.

See you under the lights on Friday Night!

Answer 7

Non-Catholics (some, not all by any means) have alot of hate for us, and refuse to find out the truth about what we believe. I pity them.
They need help.

Answer 8

There are many differences, but the most basic of today are
The Pope (Non-catholics feel they don't need one)
Confession (Non-catholics don't feel they need to confess to a priest, that confession is between them and God)
Saints (Non-catholics don't believe in prayers to Saints)

There are many other doctrinal differences.

Answer 9

I commend Edge for his courage in Christ and I believe the Holy Spirit is working in him as he is working in us all who belong to Christ.

Answer 10

Because they worship the pope and bow before statues

and celebrate Christmas like pagans did well before the birth of Jesus

now many catholics disagree.

No we don't worship the pope, but we bow in reverence to statues.

The pope changes God commandments and then says Vatican law can't be changed

charming....


the pope says Genesis is not important and you should believe in evolution

While Jesus says that only the sons of Adam will be saved

i guess if you came from a monkey you are not a son of Adam

Catholics why do you think the pope encourages you not to read genesis and revelations?

Who do you think the serpents seed is as mentioned in genesis?

and who do you think the Antichrist is as mentioned in revelations, who will change god's times and laws?

and by changing the day of the sabbath do you not think he has done so already?

Why do you think the pope reinforces that all the bible is OK apart from Genesis and revelations?

any Catholic here actually read those two books,

in conjunction with Daniel in the OT who was also given the same testimony

the pope says the old Testament is not important

90% of what Jesus said came from the old testament


Dueteronomy: 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live


compare with Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


Quite cleasrly Jesus thinks that it's important
good enough for the good lord to quote from and challenge the wicked one infact


Stay blessed in Christ