Not a Catholic or Protestant, but a Christian? what's going on?

Question

as far as I know if you think you are a Christian, it's either you're a Catholic or a Protestant.

so, what's with these people saying they are not Catholics nor Protestant? aren't they aware that they are either a Protestant or a Catholic?

outside the Catholic Church, people who profess they are Christians belong to Protestantism, because they exist as a protest to the Catholic Church, the original Christian Church.

LOL, DougLawrence, you're right about that!

Answer 1

They no longer know who or what they are. Protestantism has become so fragmented that they are in dire need of something powerful. They are ashamed to admit that they are "Protesting" Catholicism because the word is so un-Christian-like. They seek a root they reject. It's really weird. And these are the people the MOST against the Catholic faith and dogma and all the rest. They are the ones who try to shame you the most. They are leaves on the wind as far as I'm concerned.

Answer 2

Protestants WERE protesting the false man-made doctrines of the 'so-called' Catholic chruch..the True Catholic Church is The Body of Christ..not one formed by bodies of men who demanded that they were the only true church which is not possible as the "Church' is of The Spirit of God in Truth, The Life Giving Spirit. The True Church is all around the world in varying degrees. Today, some will protest the Protestant churches from bringing in 'false doctrines ' that have been passed through since before Christ ever came in the form of Gnosticism and even some 'inherited' doctrines that came out of the Catholic Church otherwise more commonly known as the 'Cathecism'. It's right there in black and white for all to see. The True Church existed before Catholicism was even invented. We really can't peg any one church down to being Fully Righteous as no one not no one is Righteous. In the end it's between us and God for those who are in Christ and to hold fast to their Salvation and being Transformed by the work of the Spirit all the while 'persisting' in wherever they are at with the body of 'believers' that they attend, though the RCC has much to much brain-washing history passed through the ages. Either way, does 'attending' any of these affect one's salvation if they are indeed even in it to begin with ? No one can answer that but The Father. If we can learn anything from Revelation and the Seven Churches we can see none of them we totally Perfect though the Philadelphians were close...on the other hand, the tiny mustard seed has grown into an over large TREE in which the 'birds' roost and spread their poop over the world and come back to roost in it's branches ..which sure looks like Catholicism since it is the largest demon-nation.

Answer 3

Technically, one is not incorrect to say that he or she is a Christian if another says he or she is a Catholic or a Protestant, but this is a neat little bifurcation that ultimately doesn't really matter.

Consider that one can bifurcate the world into Jews and Gentiles, though few of us define ourselves religiously as "Gentiles".

Perhaps it would make more sense to categorize, if need be, by theological tradition. In this light, there is Orthodox (which includes Catholic, Byzantine, Orthodox, Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Mar Thoma, etc.), Reform (those Protestant churches that originated from those who left Catholic congregations) and Evangelical (those churches who originated from the ones who left Reform congregations).

Alternatively, we could classify based upon agreement by councils. Those who accept the Nicean council but reject the Council of Hippo would be considered Restorationists (or Gnostics, if they also reject the Council of Jerusalem). those who accept Nicea, Hippo, Jerusalem, and Trent but reject Vatican II, would be considered Traditional Catholics (also, Old Catholics and Sedevacantists would fit in here). Those who accept all of the above councils would be called Roman Catholics because they are in full agreement with the Bishop of Rome.

Answer 4

Those who identify themselves as just a Christian or non-denominational are simply followers of Christ and are part of the true, universal (catholic) Church... the original Christian Church. This is not to be confused with the Roman Catholic Church. These people do not want or accept the labels and/or the divisions associated with the RCC or any other Church denomination. If you find this hard to understand, then you are seeking justification by faith in your religious affiliation, and not through the Spiritual sanctification which is found in Christ, available to all who have been chosen and believe. We abide in Christ, not the Church.

Answer 5

That four marks distinguish Christ's kingdom of heaven on earth. They are made known in the Creed—"I believe in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church."



One in:

Faith
Belief
Worship
Government


Holy In:

Origin, Christ.
Objective, redemption.
Means, sacraments.
Sanctity of faithful.


Catholic :

Teaches all nations.
During all time.
All Christ taught.
Peoples of all nationalities obedient to one universal authority in faith and morals.


Apostolic :

Founded upon apostles.
Teaches what apostles Apostolic taught.
Continuous existence from time of the apostles.
"The enemies of the Church themselves die and disappear, but the Church itself lives on, and preaches the power of God to ever succeeding generations" (St. Augustine).

Peace Be With You

Answer 6

There seems to be a movement underway that is attempting to promote the identification of one's self as Christian, as opposed to identifying one's self with their respective denomination.

Personally, whether one identifies one's self as Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Evangelical, whatever, or as simply Christian - makes no difference to me.

However, this movement also seems to imply an underlying distaste with anyone (specifically aimed at Catholics, in my opinion) who still chooses to identify one's self by naming his or her specific Christian denomination.

Answer 7

Maybe they belong to the Eastern Orthodox or the Oriental Orthodox groups :).

Answer 8

It had to happen sooner or later.

It's not bad enough that there are currently over 50,000 different protestant groups.

Now we have a whole new category of protestants who actually protest being protestant!

Answer 9

Anglicans? Orthodox?

Not Catholics, not Protestants....

Answer 10

Ephesians 2:8-9.they simply believers.