I am a Catholic?

Question

and live in the Southern U.S.
I am constantly beseighed by other "Christians" , when speaking about religious faith, and beliefs...admonishing me for my Catholic beliefs, they seem shocked when I explain that Catholics ARE CHRISTIAN ...they are consistanlty asking if I have been "saved"...have I "Found Jesus"...
Why is it that NON-CATHOLICS do not believe, or have a hard time believing that Catholics are in-fact Christians??

Answer 1

If they are shocked that Catholics are Christians, their concept of what constitutes Christianity in general leaves a lot to be desired. As difficult as it might be, do them one better and take their criticism with a grain of salt.

Chances are, these people subscribe to a brand of Christianity in which it's theology actively requires the debunking of Catholic theology. Their theology is based on the idea that Catholic Dogma is fraudulent.

Like any "ism", any belief system that has to prop itself up by knocking other belief systems down is a belief system that leaves a lot to be desired.

Rest assured, you theology is better. You'll never convince them of this via conversation. Just show them how could of a Christian you can be by living your Faith. Chances are, even this won't convince them, but that's okay. It's not them you need to worry about. All we need to concern ourselves with is whether or not we make good Christians according to the Man Upstairs.

Answer 2

Poor education.

Most non-Catholic Christian denominations accept Catholics as Christians. A very few do not.

The World Council of Churches which brings together more than 340 churches, denominations and church fellowships in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world, representing some 550 million Christians accepts the 1.1 billion Catholics as Christians. http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/faq-e.html#07

A dictionary would say that a Christian is someone professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Catholics would fit this definition.

In the Nicene creed, from 325 C.E., Catholics profess:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father.

Through Him all things were made.

For us and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried.

On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are baptized as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

We truly are spiritually "born again," we just don't usually use those words.

For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

Yes, I am a practising Catholic. I do consider unhealthy while, at Christmas and Easter, all the ones "two times a yr" Catholics pop out - however then I notice that it might be worse. It might very good be viable they do not pop out in any respect. It's handy for any one, who attends Church each week, to visit Mass on Christmas, Easter, and Holy Days of Obligation. I more often than not marvel simply how a lot more elaborate it's for individuals, who do not attend Mass most likely, to get out and move to Mass a couple of time in keeping with yr. We are not able to assume it, on account that we all know what we might be lacking. I do not suppose those "two times a yr" varieties can wholly respect what it's they are lacking. If they did, they might be at Mass greater than two times a yr. I am proud to be Catholic, so it is the entire extra disappointing while I see individuals taking an "oh hum: perspective closer to their vocation as lay Catholics. All we will particularly do approximately it's pray, and wish that they instance we set will, at some point, encourage them to begin dwelling the Catholic subculture all yr circular.

Answer 4

My first religious affiliation was the Catholic church (baptized and confirmed). I was sucked into the fundamentalist thinking being convinced that they were more true to the Bible. I studied hard to "show myself approved" and tried to convert my family. But the more I studied the more I began to understand the grace of God and his inclusiveness. That He has got us all, no matter how aware of it we are. I found that I have come full circle in my journey and I am closer to my catholic roots in my adult beliefs. I consider my theology catholic, although I am not Catholic. But I find - apart from the hocus-pocus stuff - the Catholic religion is one of the most theologically inclusive of the Christian faiths and I like that a lot.

Answer 5

You're running into typical anti-Catholic bias. Non-Catholics (at least the ones I've seen) are born and bread on the belief that Catholics are non-Chrisitian, idol-worshiping pagans. They think we worship Mary and the Pope and do not believe in the bible. They think we worship saints.

Here's a great website: www.catholic.com. It has many great articles that you can show to your friends to explain the faith and our beliefs.

Continue in prayer and devotion to Jesus. Study the catechism and learn your Faith. It's your best defense against what you're dealing with.

God bless you and keep up the good work.

Answer 6

I think Catholics can be Christians as long as they believe Jesus died for their sins and have accepted that and as long as they are living a life of repentance. I think that Catholic is a denomination of the Christian faith. I like to remain non-denominational so that I hopefully don't get too caught up in false doctrines from all the different denominations and I try to stick as close as possible to what the Bible says and what the Holy spirit reveals to me that is in line with the Bible.

Answer 7

As a Christian Protestant I mean you know disrespect and I know that there are alot of Catholic Christians who are saved but with all the trouble the priests have gotten into lately you can see how there would be some doubt among other people about the Catholics. Jesus said in John 3:3, that you must be born again, Now if you have been Born Again then you know what that means and you are on your way to Heaven Praise the Lord but those priests were in no way Saved. No person with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in him could do such a thing. I am sorry that you are being harrased and what you are talking about I have heard that most of my life myself being a protestant, I even see it on here, because of the past it is something you will probably always have to live but if you are on your way to see Jesus then remember to just smile about it, tell them the truth and go on. We will all be Heaven together thats for sure and there won't be any difference there. God Bless You this Christmas!!!

Answer 8

I know exactly how you feel I go through the same thing. Next time someone asks you if you have been saved say yes because when Catholics make their confirmation they are making a decision to give their lives over to Jesus which is the same thing as being saved in other Christian churches.

Answer 9

It is such a hard thing when people judge others belief. I believe that Jesus came to show us a new version of spirituality. To accept one and another and to learn from one another. Religion can be such a narrow, controlling substance. I do believe that Catholics are Christians, they believe in Christ. Don't they? I think if we judge one another we are not being followers of his teachings. Not even Christ himself judge people. He ate with the "sinners". One group of people he did condemn were the religious people who used them self as example, who used people to enrich their synagogues. Who thought they were above everyone else. I have met some wonderful Catholics who's devotion and love are way more than any supposedly Christians. I grew up in the church, my father was a Pastor so..... My experience is that we should look at the good in people not to judge others.

Answer 10

Hi,

A lack of education both religious and spiritual. While many of these groups can rattle of verses which even the Devil himself can do, they know nothing as far as ancient history, sociology and philosophy goes and especially the history of the evolution of the hundreds of churches go. They howl at the Pope and stress self biblical interpretation yet thrive on what their fire and brimstone pastors say. I mean who needs Billy Graham through to the late Falwell if even a milk maid is her own expert on scripture?

The fact that after the Reformation got going that Luther's church split into so many like a continually dividing cell sure shows that there is little internal discipline and they still haven't got it agreed on what is true Christianity which begs the question; didn't Christ say to pull the pole out of your own eye before picking at the splinter in your neighbors?


Mike K