What Christians believe in.............?

Question

I've read many posts saying what "Christians" believe and don't believe, most of them by protestants in an attempt to sayn that Catholic teachings are un-Christian. My questions is: How can less then 20% of ALL Christians have the nerve to 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 20% 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 Scriptures. The arrogance is stupifying. I really would like to hear someone try to answer this question.

To "Jack the Giant Killer": Don't call me sport, meat head

To "Hammy": There are more Catholics than Muslims: 1.3 billion Catholics, 1.1 billion Muslims

Answer 1

You know what? I wouldn't worry too much about what they say. We Catholics will continue to believe what we believe, and the Protestants and Jews and Muslims and everyone else will continue to believe what they believe. We're not going to change each other's minds.

If someone asks you a serious respectful question about your faith, answer them to the best of your ability. If they try to tell you you're heading for the lake of fire, ignore them. Some of them are just closed minded little people who have been misinformed by others who claim to know about Catholicism, and some of them seriously think they can help you.

Answer 2

Open the Bible and a good Concordance or Index. Read what it says and compare that to the various religions claiming to be Christian. Either the doctrines agree with the Bible or not. If they do not, they can't be correct.

Several scriptures apply to why the 2.1 billion people do not agree.

2Timothy 3:5 shows people have a FORM of godly devotion but prove false to its power.
Matt. 15:9 shows Jesus as saying worship is in vain or useless because they teach commands of men as doctrines.
That is because they have little love among themselves and do not acquire accurate knowledge and full discernment as from Philippians 1:9 says.
Titus 1:16 says they publically shout they "Know God" but disown Him by their works.

The main reason though is "they accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled." (2Timothy 4:3)

I saw an Oprah show where a woman had 75 tons of garbage removed from her home and then a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse of junk to be sold. Most of us don't understand how a person could live like that. Some people prefer it that way and must be dragged kicking and screaming out from under.

Likewise, as John 3:19-21 says most people do not want the light of truth but prefer the darkness. This is then why so many beliefs are in conflict.

Answer 3

Don't tell me that you believe that just because more people believe a certain way that; that makes it the correct way or path? ..Let me give you a quote of Christ saying the very opposite you will find it in Matthew 7 verse 13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
This however does not say that these people all come from within the same church denomination to the contrary read Revelation 7: 9-17 for a broader understanding I believe it clearly says that there will be A Multitude in White robes from every nation, tribe, people and language that will be saved.
Peace

Answer 4

Because the Catholic number is highly inflated and does not reflect reality. I am counted in that number, as is my mother and my sister. We are none Catholic but we were baptized as a baby in the church. Catholics count every baptized baby regardless of whether that person ever actually follows Catholicism. Who know how many of Catholicisms 1.3 billion are even living. I am sure no priest in charge of that number knows if I am alive.

For most protestant denominations the differences are small and unimportant. I think the true arrogance is the Catholic church claiming that only they can interpret the scripture.

Answer 5

First of all I'd like to say that most people who call themselves christian onyl do so because they share the same beliefs. Your beliefs don't make you christian, you'd have to be a christ-follower. So that knocks out your big christian percentage of the world from the start.
Also, i'll admit, I was bias against catholicism for its teachings of praying to the saints. I thought it was blasphemy and man-worship until I had a good discussion with one catholic guy who was real and made sense. He said after people die, there si a sort of connection with them and the people in physical world. The prayer (which is a form of worship btw) to them is more like a communication (or watered down prayer) to someone they can relate their troubles to. Not necessarily worship in the eyes of the Catholic. So there are ways where it isn't blasphemy but I still sure would rather DIE than to pray to somone other than God himself! And would pray to god before that death came lol. But that is why I used to detest Catholicism. Not anymore though although I still disagree with with that teaching.
Aw but what makes me mad also is when they say "I bless you in the name of some saint". NO! Bless me in the name of christ who has true power and not some man-diety. I understand why they believe this but I take things more heavily and disagree with it but thats all really.

Answer 6

In the Scriptures, as it is in life, the majority is often wrong.

Mat 7:13 Go in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are the ones entering in through it.
Mat 7:14 For narrow is the gate, and constricted is the way that leads away into life, and few are the ones finding it.

God determines who are His, and who are not. The Bible clearly reveals the marks of a believer, divides those who are His by the blood of Christ alone, and those who are not.

Answer 7

Well, I personally believe that Catholics can be Christians too. If they believe what is true. I also believe that "Christians" can be unbelievers. Why put all these labels on Christians anyway? I mean in the end God won't say "Oh, he was a Lutheran. He can't be in heaven." or "Baptists aren't welcome in heaven". He will say "Well done my good and faithful servant." (If you were). All that matters is that you believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity, and follow him with all your heart.

Answer 8

I feel that each man's faith speaks for itself, not any others. Hate is wrong, flatout. No one can speak for anyone else. That also is a fact. Yes, people can be guided, but that is not a justification, only God guides. Man can not simply have an idea and call it guiding. So yes, I agree, that's wrong. This is a flaw, I speak for no one but myself as a strong Christian man. Yes, there should be only one voice, but human ego makes that impossible. I hope this helps shed light that I understood your question. God bless.

Answer 9

And yet you still don't believe in the most accepted belief system in the world. I suppose you should become a Muslim. Then you'll really have the numbers behind you.

Edit: The numbers you are using are not correct. Sorry, just because you tell yourself it is true doesn't make it so.

Answer 10

That is why they are called protestant I guess.It's all about trying to prove their truth no matter how the words of the bible is manipulated.Leave each to their own non catholics shouldn't besmirch it.It comes across a vitriol.Most don't even know enough about it to comment let alone dictate.