Laudate_Dominum Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 Dear Protestant Brethren, I've heard many attacks of Catholicism from Protestants since I've been on PM. I hope no one will use this thread as an opportunity to say bad things (this is on Open Mic so let's not debate), I'm curious to know what things you Protestants like about Catholicism or Catholic people? I can easily answer this question towards Protestantism. I admire Protestants for their love of the Bible, their zeal for evangelization, and they often have very beautiful community life in their churches. So what do you guys like about Catholicism? I could go on all day on that question so I'll just let you answer. Thanks!
Brother Adam Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 That your united That you have liturgical worship That you have Gregorian chants (sp?) That you are all united in your faith and don't have to fight each other That your united I think you have cool cathedrals. They are big and mysterious. I want to get lost in one one day. That you can trace your roots to 33AD and have a divine founder. That you keep it real and admit your humans and make mistakes, but so what, you still believe that your the One True Church. That your united on all doctrinal fronts. That Catholics like those on PM exist and I can be honored to call them my friends. That you have unity (did I mention that yet?)
Brother Adam Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 You realize if the Body of Christ is ever fully reunited again, Catholics are going to have to change. While Mass may remain the same, your going to have to have pot-luck dinners, ice-cream socials, your going to have to stay an hour and a half after church to socialize with your fellow church-goers at least once a month, you'll have to have mens baseball leagues, youth groups that meet on wednesday nights to pray, read scriptures, and go on trips, AWANA, Bible Quizing, and so much more.
Laudate_Dominum Posted February 2, 2004 Author Posted February 2, 2004 Brother Adam. Thank you very much! Reading your posts nearly brought tears to my eyes. The thought of the unity of all Christians... And it's true, some of the best Catholics I've ever known were born and raised as Protestants, they bring so many great qualities to the Church when they join. I'm usually being critical toward Protestantism because it's always in the context of a debate that I say anything about it, but I must say that I love many things about the Protestant traditions and some of the holiest, most inspiring followers of Jesus Christ that I've ever met have been Protestants. It was a very humble, saintly protestant man who gave me my first Bible and my first lessons on Christianity when I was a teenager. I've never forgotten his great example and the deep simplicity and peace with which he loved and served Jesus Christ. Although some of the stuff he taught me wasn't quite right (he considered Jack Chick to be an authority on the Catholic Church, LOL!). Peace my friend.
Laudate_Dominum Posted February 2, 2004 Author Posted February 2, 2004 You realize if the Body of Christ is ever fully reunited again, Catholics are going to have to change. While Mass may remain the same, your going to have to have pot-luck dinners, ice-cream socials, your going to have to stay an hour and a half after church to socialize with your fellow church-goers at least once a month, you'll have to have mens baseball leagues, youth groups that meet on wednesday nights to pray, read scriptures, and go on trips, AWANA, Bible Quizing, and so much more. I admit that this probably applies in a general sense, but I must note that I live in a very Catholic area and the parishes are phenomenal! There are so many things to get involved with in the Catholic community here. Foreign mission trips, ministries to the poor and homeless, pro-life ministries, prayer groups, an incredible community of large Catholic familes including a great network of homeschooling familes, numerous Bible study groups, charismatic groups, Rosary cenacles, perpetual adoration at most parishes, parish dinners and social nights, etc... But I realize that this is probably better than average.
Brother Adam Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 The thought of the unity of all Christians I think its possible in the next 100 years
Brother Adam Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 I admit that this probably applies in a general sense, but I must note that I live in a very Catholic area and the parishes are phenomenal! There are so many things to get involved with in the Catholic community here. Foreign mission trips, ministries to the poor and homeless, pro-life ministries, prayer groups, an incredible community of large Catholic familes including a great network of homeschooling familes, numerous Bible study groups, charismatic groups, Rosary cenacles, perpetual adoration at most parishes, parish dinners and social nights, etc... But I realize that this is probably better than average. Yeah, but your going to have to expand for 500,000,000 protestants, so we will be bringing a few things with us as well. btw, you need AIM
Laudate_Dominum Posted February 2, 2004 Author Posted February 2, 2004 Yeah, but your going to have to expand for 500,000,000 protestants, so we will be bringing a few things with us as well. Haha! True... Hopefully you guys can teach some of our priests how to preach! I've been to too many parishes where the priest couldn't preach a decent sermon if his life depended on it. ;)
PedroX Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 AWANA!! I remember the tape lines, and the vests, and Sparky! Ha, great times peace...
NewReformation Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 AWANA!! I remember the tape lines, and the vests, and Sparky! Ha, great times peace... C'mon, sing the song with me! "Approved workmen are not ashamed, Boys and girls for Jesus name, Hail Awana on the march for youth, *Hums this line* Building lives on the word of God Awana stands, *hums this line* *Keeps humming*" 2 Timothy 3:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Kilroy the Ninja Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 But we do have pot-luck dinners and ice cream socials...
NewReformation Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 But we do have pot-luck dinners and ice cream socials... Yeah, but ain't none of y'all can outdo a good Mennonite fellowship meal! Mmmmmm Mmmmm
Kilroy the Ninja Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 Yeah, but ain't none of y'all can outdo a good Mennonite fellowship meal! Mmmmmm Mmmmm You are correct sir!
cathgirl Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 That your united That you have liturgical worship That you have Gregorian chants (sp?) That you are all united in your faith and don't have to fight each other That your united I think you have cool cathedrals. They are big and mysterious. I want to get lost in one one day. That you can trace your roots to 33AD and have a divine founder. That you keep it real and admit your humans and make mistakes, but so what, you still believe that your the One True Church. That your united on all doctrinal fronts. That Catholics like those on PM exist and I can be honored to call them my friends. That you have unity (did I mention that yet?) Thank you so much Brother Adam for that!! I don't know any Protestant who would even admit to ONE thing that they like about the Catholic Church. (I love how everyone is so nice and open-minded here!!) Anyway, I definately think that Protestants all know so much about the Bible and I really think that's cool. I hope that one day all Catholics will start to know the Bible better. The Protestant parishes are really good at making a family, but I think that my parish is getting better about that, but there still needs to be lots of improvement!!
PedroX Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 New Reformation, You actually know what I'm talking about! Sweet, I thought I'd be a big loser for posting that. I had several crowns with "jewels" in them before I dropped out. Ha, haven't thought about that in years. Kilrory, We have festivals, fish fries, etc, but my parish has never had a pot-luck or a fellowship dinner. Maybe its a Yankee thing? Eating together and having an expectation of fellowship with other church members is the biggest thing I miss about the protestant church. No regrets for me, but I was really lonely for several months after I converted. peace...
NewReformation Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 New Reformation, You actually know what I'm talking about! Sweet, I thought I'd be a big loser for posting that. I had several crowns with "jewels" in them before I dropped out. Ha, haven't thought about that in years. Kilrory, We have festivals, fish fries, etc, but my parish has never had a pot-luck or a fellowship dinner. Maybe its a Yankee thing? Eating together and having an expectation of fellowship with other church members is the biggest thing I miss about the protestant church. No regrets for me, but I was really lonely for several months after I converted. peace... Dude, I got both the Excellence Award, and the Timothy Award. I got so many crowns with jewels that I lost them all. And in Pals and Pioneers, I got multiple bars and pins. I rocked!
Kilroy the Ninja Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 Let's see... last year my parish had a fish fry during Lent, Family Day during the summer (which was mostly water games and stuff), the annual Craft Show, the annual Bazaar, a few various dinners and our Parish Christmas dinner this last December was pot-luck - the church provided the meat and tamales and the parishoners provided everything else. As far as fellowship goes, we usually have doughnuts or tacos, so very tasty and good for you, after the morning masses on Sunday to encourage eveyone to visit with each other. Also I know the youth groups usually meet (I'm not sure how often) and have pizza parties and that sort of thing. So, maybe you should get your church to do more of these sorts of things... they're fun and affordable and a great way to get to know the people of your parish!
socalscout Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 That your united That you have liturgical worship That you have Gregorian chants (sp?) That you are all united in your faith and don't have to fight each other That your united I think you have cool cathedrals. They are big and mysterious. I want to get lost in one one day. That you can trace your roots to 33AD and have a divine founder. That you keep it real and admit your humans and make mistakes, but so what, you still believe that your the One True Church. That your united on all doctrinal fronts. That Catholics like those on PM exist and I can be honored to call them my friends. That you have unity (did I mention that yet?) I can read your posts all day Brother Adam. :D
socalscout Posted February 2, 2004 Posted February 2, 2004 Thank you so much Brother Adam for that!! I don't know any Protestant who would even admit to ONE thing that they like about the Catholic Church. (I love how everyone is so nice and open-minded here!!) Anyway, I definately think that Protestants all know so much about the Bible and I really think that's cool. I hope that one day all Catholics will start to know the Bible better. The Protestant parishes are really good at making a family, but I think that my parish is getting better about that, but there still needs to be lots of improvement!! You are so right. If you read Scott Hahn's "Rome sweet Home" he challenges every Catholic to memorize Scripture like the Protestants. He said they are not born with a gene imbeded with that info, they have to read and memorize it. I am trying to do just that right now.
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