I have read numerous posts saying what "Christians" believe and don't believe, and most of them by protestants (who usurp the name "Christian" unto themselves). My questions is: How can you say what Christians believe? Here are some simple facts:
The total number of Christians in the world is: 2.1 billion. This is how it breaks down:
1) Catholics: 1.3 billion
2) Eastern Orthodox: 0.4 billion
3) Protestansts (Baptists, Lutherans, etc. etc): 0.4 billion
In light of these statistics, how can a group that represents less than 25% percent of Christians say what Christians believe? And, more than that, 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 Bible, THE BIBLE THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GAVE THEM. The arrogance is stupifying. I really would like to hear someone try to answer this question.
2007-11-05 14:44:38 · 18 answers · asked by Swiss Guard 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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 list of popes can be traced back to Peter himself, the first pope:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm
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.
http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp
2007-11-05 14:52:09 · answer #1 · answered by Catholic Crusader 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
This is so very sad...my heart almost implodes.
When I was an atheist, I decided to set my mind to prove Christianity bunk and save Christians from their foolish fears of God and hell.
Even as an atheist, I was able to discern the common link with ALL Christians.
Do you know what that link is?
The Bible.
So, as an atheist, I sat down to read the Bible and prove it wrong.
...and while reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...God revealed Himself to me.
Now, I am a Christian filled with a passion to share Christianity with others....
Does this not mean I share the BIBLE and what is written in it?
Did you know that NO SANE CATHOLIC would EVER say that that they believe something that CONTRADICTS the Bible?
Why is that?
Did you know that Catholics consider the Bible of greater importance than other writings?
Why is that?
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I'm nauseated by how satan has crept in and reaked havok in the church...the Catholic Church...and ALL denominations!
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It has gone so far, that a person calls themselves a Christian REGARDLESS of what they believe...
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Did you know that many Jews are atheists?
To be a Jew no longer has any religious connotation.
A Jew is a Jew by birth...by blood...and/or by culture.
Christianity has become so culturalized that it almost has no meaning whatsoever.
People us the word "Christian" like an adjective...
"How Christian of you..."
...or...
"That's not very Christian of you..."
SICK! SICK! SICK!
WHAT...(I implore of you)...WHAT holds Christianity together?
What is the GLUE?
IT IS NOT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH!
IT IS THE WORD OF GOD!
And the WORD became FLESH and dwelt among us full of grace and truth:
JESUS CHRIST!
HE is the chief cornerstone!
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I am so SICK and TIRED of rotten teaching leading my Lord's children astray...to be slaughtered!
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Your ignorance is MORE than stupifying, it is BLASPHEMOUS!
...you bring chaos and confusion...and lies!
Your father is the father of lies.
It would BETTER for you if you were an atheist...for the blind cannot see. But you say you see...so your sin SHINES like the sun before all to see!
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I CAN say what Christians believe:
"Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by HIM."
Reject THIS, and you reject CHRIST.
For you cannot reject the BIBLE and be a Christian.
Thefore, I can share the BIBLE and tell you what a TRUE Christian believes.
...and I could just as well be a Catholic OR a Protestant and say EVERYTHING I have said!
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You have been lied to, you believe the lies, and now you are propagating the lies.
OH how I pray that the Lord God Almighty would OPEN your eyes...and FORGIVE you...
For, I say dear friend...you know NOT what you do...
...you know not what you do!
SEE EZEKIEL 3:18-21
YOU have been warned.
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2007-11-05 15:26:33 · answer #2 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Maority need not be always right. The Majority with the Organised Catholics may be having some disturbing pointers also towards many other things..
It was the majority of the crowd that chose to have Barabbas freed and Jesus crucified.
See the Sathya Sai Thought for the Day
Man is mortal and the Divine is immortal. In the mortal human being, there is the immortal Divine Spirit. In the field of the heart, there is a Kalpatharu (wish-fulfilling tree). The tree is surrounded by bushes and briars. When these are removed, the tree will become visible. This wish-fulfilling tree is within each person, but it is encompassed by the bad qualities in man. When these qualities are eliminated, the celestial tree will be recognised. This is the Sadhana (spiritual exercise) that each one has to perform. This is not the quest for something new. It is to experience what is yours. The entire cosmos is within you.
- BABA
http://www.radiosai.org/pages/thought.asp
SAI RAM
2007-11-05 15:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by jayakrishnaathmavidya 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Inspite of the disagreements Christians have with each other, there are at least a few things all Christians believe. All Christians believe there is a God, there is such a thing as right and wrong, that everybody has done wrong, that Jesus is the Christ, that he died for sins, that he was raised from the dead, that he appeared to his apostles and some others, etc. I don't think you could deny any of these things and still be a Christian.
I don't know why you would question the ability of the 25% to say "what Christians believe." It seems to me that even a non-Christian could know what Christians believe.
In the realm of disagreements, a person could say "Some Christians believe such and such."
2007-11-05 14:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by Jonathan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where those numbers come from and don't really care. But you seem to be missing the point, the very one that you have brought up. Why do so many disagree on petty doctrines? That is a very good question, one that can simply be answered by understanding that man can mess up anything if you give him the chance, Even to the point of reading God's word and twisting it to reflect his own view points. Read 1 Corinthians the first chapter. This is Paul calling for unity , Not to claim beliefs on him or any other prophet, This would include Peter. Christ himself called for unity, And I don't think he ever told us to say Rosaries or Pray to saints.
I claim no teacher or prophet of myself. None excepting Christ. We are followers of Christ or we are not . We must choose.
2007-11-05 15:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by wrench'n away 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1, How do Catholics not apply 100% to the Bible they themselves claim they wrote?
2. How do they claim they are the "founders of the church" when they came into existence centuries after those in Antioch made that claim in Acts 10?
3. You made a point, all disagree because of different doctrines. How did all these come up with different doctrines, since I believe God authored the Bible for all to agree in one accord?
The Catholics didn't make the Bible. If this was authoritative as the Bible claims, their doctrine would not be based on 75% of man's rationale.
Doctrines are not what God is looking for in approval.
"love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and ALL your soul. The Bible isn't doctrine, it is God inspired.
I hate doctrine. I love the Bible.
2007-11-05 14:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by n9wff 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am proud to be a Christian. Any person claiming to be a Christian should believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who gave His life for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day. HE IS THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!!!
2007-11-05 15:14:40 · answer #7 · answered by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pardon me, I seem to have missed your question. If I was Alex Trebek on Jeopardy, I would tell you "oh I'm sorry you have to answer in the form of a question..."
Its ok friend, we can disagree on many things and still be brothers and sisters in Christ. You seem a little angry but this to will pass. It is healthy to express your feelings. I hope you feel better!
;-)
2007-11-05 14:55:00 · answer #8 · answered by δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i understand your question. I see the same thing. But, I know that there can be only one truth. Somewhere in Thessalonians it is mentioned that there cannot be any private interpretations. Jesus said that he came to create divisions among you so that you may search the scriptures. I believe the God knows where your heart is and when he sees that you are really sincere that he will lead you in truth and wisdom. Anyway, that's my two cents.
2007-11-05 14:54:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i've got self belief catholics are Christian through fact they settle for Jesus Christ! My mum is catholic and she or he has an exceptionally huge family members while in comparison with my dad so maximum my family members is catholic. i'm a non-denominational Christian and replaced into pondering transforming into to be catholic yet then i found out staying non-denominational is the perfect for me.
2016-10-15 04:45:20 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋