crossingstandrewspass Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 A new non-denominational organization is being started in St. Ferdinand's Parish called Cross. It's actually a great idea to get people to know our faith and us to get to know the faith of others. Right now, the organization is holding high hopes for Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Non-Denom. Church Members to all get together and talk about the differences and similarities between our churches. It also is going to work on spiritual salvation and serving the community. I personally think this is a great idea. What do you think?
dUSt Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 If it's goal is to make all religions seem equal, then it's a bad idea. If it's goal is to teach the other denominations about the Catholic Church, in a non-watered down way, then it's a good idea.
crossingstandrewspass Posted February 6, 2004 Author Posted February 6, 2004 First of all I'd like to take this opportunity to preach to you. I'm not a priest, but this might come in handy. One, the Catholic Church is not a religion. The Catholic Church is a denomination of Christianity, which is a religion. Second of all, the Catholic Church has major differences between churches, however, we are all "equal" as so you preach against. All denominations under God, under Christ, and under the Blessed Mother are equal in every way. We all believe in the same things and there's not one thing that can decompose my belief in that matter. Third of all, the misinterpretation that the Catholic Church is something bigger than a denomination is complete and utter misunderstanding that needs to be put to an end. The Catholic Church is not a religion, nor should it ever be classified as one. The Catholic Church is under Christianity seeing as how over 65% of it's doctrine is Christ-based. The Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church, the Episopalien Church (sp?), the Baptist Church, and Non-Denominational Churches are indefinitely equalized because they all believe in God, the Father Almighty and Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. God Bless, Andy
Dave Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 First of all I'd like to take this opportunity to preach to you. I'm not a priest, but this might come in handy. One, the Catholic Church is not a religion. The Catholic Church is a denomination of Christianity, which is a religion. Second of all, the Catholic Church has major differences between churches, however, we are all "equal" as so you preach against. All denominations under God, under Christ, and under the Blessed Mother are equal in every way. We all believe in the same things and there's not one thing that can decompose my belief in that matter. Third of all, the misinterpretation that the Catholic Church is something bigger than a denomination is complete and utter misunderstanding that needs to be put to an end. The Catholic Church is not a religion, nor should it ever be classified as one. The Catholic Church is under Christianity seeing as how over 65% of it's doctrine is Christ-based. The Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church, the Episopalien Church (sp?), the Baptist Church, and Non-Denominational Churches are indefinitely equalized because they all believe in God, the Father Almighty and Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. God Bless, Andy Whoa, hoss!!!! The Catholic Church is NOT a denomination, as there's nothing for it to denominate from. The Catholic Church is the Church Jesus Christ founded. No Protestant church fits that description. Protestant churches are man-made. You don't seem to realize that until the Great Schism, when the eastern and western churches split, it was understood that Christianity = Catholicism. That's the way God intended it -- that there be ONE fold under ONE shepherd. You also say that 65% of Catholic Church doctrine is Christ-based. No, it's more like 100%. All of our doctrines, even those on the Blessed Virgin Mary, the papacy, etc., ultimately point toward Christ.
Aloysius Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 #1 Andy???!!! is that you?! like, St. Ferd's.. stations retreat... Andy who i've been prayin for since we lost touch like last year andy??! this is dougherty, brian dougherty. Aloysius is my confirmation name. dude, you joined PhatMass? sweeeeet #2, srry but i gotta disagree witya. i have that 'misunderstanding' too. see, Catholocism does consider itself in and of itself a religion. She considers herself to be the first Christian Church, and other denominations denominated from her. for the first 1000 years of Christianity, Catholocism was the only Christianity, there were no denominations. then there was Catholocism and Greek Orthodox till about the 16th century, when a bunch of Catholics split away from the Catholic Church and created whole new brands of Christianity. While they are all Christian, they are not the same type of "denomination" as the Catholic Church is. i like to call it the "nomination" from which all other Christian religions "denominated"... Catholic Churches do not differ in teaching from place to place, while they might differ a little bit on what is emphasized and how worship takes place (although it should be mostly the same). ever Church which calls itself Catholic is answerable to the teachings of the Catholic Church as a whole, worldwide, centered in the city of the Holy Martyrs Peter and Paul, Rome, and thus must teach the same message. #3 sounds like a good idea, i'll join. however, i don't want Catholocism watered down. the fact is, we can't concede in any doctrinal points or else we cease to be Catholic and became "protestant" because "protestant" means protesting against the teachings of the Catholic Church, that's where that came from. anyway, Ecumenical Diaglogue is def. a great idea! #4 welcom to PhatMass! stick around a while you'll fit right in! if you disagree with the Church on things, feel free to discuss it here. i'm sure you'll be a welcome change from the ppl who have recently been here arguing against the Church. <they've been a bit uncharitable> #5 yeah i was just lookin at who was online and stumbled upon your pic and was like, WHAT! that's andy, then i freaked out. lol, welcome to PhatMass!!!!! :cool:
cimlog Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 Man, St. Ferd's! This is Scott. Stations?? I agree with everything Aloysius said. He stole the words from my mouth :o
crossingstandrewspass Posted February 6, 2004 Author Posted February 6, 2004 Well, I still hold firm on my own beliefs that it is a denomination. In this day and age, we are. So you're practically saying we're not Christian and the fact that Protestants aren't Christian either?! I don't think you understand. It's not politically based... it's spiritually based... pick up a Bible.
cimlog Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 Andy... St Ferd's PA? I feel you will be posting a lot on PhatMass. You are a firm believer with what you think and that is a solid quality. Hope you enjoy!
hyperdulia again Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 The Church is not a denomination. She is the Bride of Christ outside of which there is no salvation. She is the revealed truth, complete and unadulturated. Welcome to Phatmass!
Aloysius Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 (edited) oye vey. that's not what i said at all, in fact i specifically said in my post that they too were Christians. however, they are seperated on many issues, whereas Jesus intended us all to be ONE.. <that's what the Bible says at least > aight, here'z the deal. We were the Christian Church until the 16th century. Then we hadta be specified as "Catholic" and they as "Protestant" because they continued to believe what the Catholic Church taught about which books were in the Bible and who Jesus Christ was, they just stopped believing that the Church had the authority to teach such things and other stuff too. see, The Catholic Church is Christian, it is the Bride of Christ, protestants are Christian because they continue to believe what the Catholic Church teaches about Jesus Christ and His teachings. they believe the 27 books of the New Testament that the Catholic Church decided were inspired by God. how do you think those books came to be in the Bible? the Church had a council and decided it in the 4th century. that's what makes them Christian, they believe that the 27 books the original Christian Church (the Catholic Church) teaches are inspired by God, and they believe that Jesus Christ is True God and True Man, a doctrine defined by the original Christian Church (the Catholic Church). we're all Christians, the Catholic Church contains the fullness of Christianity where all other denominations conatain many of the essentials they took from the Catholic CHurch, but not the fullness of it, such as they reject the Holy Eucharist as the true Physical Presence of the Lord, and many of the other sacraments, which are important. we are all linked at the first dogma proclaimed by the first Pope "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (~St. Peter), and also by the books the council in 390 AD declared to be in the Bible. but that's not what Christ asked, His sacred lips uttered the prayer "that they all be one" even as He is one with the Father. Edited February 6, 2004 by Aloysius
crossingstandrewspass Posted February 6, 2004 Author Posted February 6, 2004 Although I have my own strong doctrines and beliefs, I still follow the Word of God. No matter what you say to me about how the Catholic Church is the almighty church and that all should flock to it and it's the best church around, I'm sorry, but I would be inclined to disagree with you. There are other churches in this world that have more of an impact on people than the Catholic Church. Even though people want to say that 100% of the Catholic doctrine is Christ-based, I'd beg to differ. Read the Catechism one more time, then tell me what you think. I'd also recommend reading the footnotes in the New American Bible published by the Council of Bishops (whatever it's called in the US). Anyway, the Protestant and Catholic Churches are the same in many ways and that's what Cross hopes to educate people on. We are also open to the reality that people do have different beliefs than the majority of the Catholic Church patrons. God Bless, Andy
Aloysius Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 Question: why is the Bible the inspired word of God?
hyperdulia again Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 The Church is not one of many options, she is it. She is the Church that wrote the Bible. She is the Church that canonized it. She is the only Church that preaches the whole truth. To believe anything else means that one has ceased being Catholic and become something else. Al he's your friend so I'm gonna leave this thread now.
Dave Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 Although I have my own strong doctrines and beliefs, I still follow the Word of God. No matter what you say to me about how the Catholic Church is the almighty church and that all should flock to it and it's the best church around, I'm sorry, but I would be inclined to disagree with you. There are other churches in this world that have more of an impact on people than the Catholic Church. Even though people want to say that 100% of the Catholic doctrine is Christ-based, I'd beg to differ. Read the Catechism one more time, then tell me what you think. I'd also recommend reading the footnotes in the New American Bible published by the Council of Bishops (whatever it's called in the US). Anyway, the Protestant and Catholic Churches are the same in many ways and that's what Cross hopes to educate people on. We are also open to the reality that people do have different beliefs than the majority of the Catholic Church patrons. God Bless, Andy The Catholic Church follows the Word of God 100%. The Word of God is found in Scripture and Sacred Tradition. And I've read the Catechism, much like most of us here, and we all agree the Church is totally Christ-based. I'm sorry, Andy, but you're just plain wrong here. What we say about the Church is not our opinions; they're facts. And if you take the attitude that one Christian faith is just as good as another, then you shouldn't be calling yourself a Catholic, as that is a notion that the Church has CONDEMNED. Everything the Church teaches is true. If you disagree with its teachings, that's heresy, and if you embrace heresy, you shouldn't call yourself Catholic OR receive the sacraments, lest you do so sacrilegiously.
Aloysius Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 actually, i gotta go 2 wrk, so don't leave the thread. he actually isn't Catholic, he was planning on becoming 1, i don't know what he's planning on doing now. he's on a journey of faith and i wish him well. anyway, i'm sure you all know where i'm goin with the question. i g2g, someone else continue the dialogue for me if you will
Dave Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 he actually isn't Catholic, he was planning on becoming 1, i don't know what he's planning on doing now. he's on a journey of faith and i wish him well. Oh, my bad. Sorry, Andy. (blushes)
hyperdulia again Posted February 6, 2004 Posted February 6, 2004 well you know what they say about assuming...Sorry Andy.
crossingstandrewspass Posted February 6, 2004 Author Posted February 6, 2004 Hey People, This is Kristen Shuttleworth and I have to back up Andy here with my 2 cents. Firstly, Being Catholic is believing in the physical presence of God in the Eucharist. That is what makes us Catholic. If you want to say that following every word that comes from the Vatican makes you Catholic, and that everything that they say is from the Word of God himself, where is it in the Bible does it say that priests can't marry? Popes used to be married until much later in the faith. So does the fact that I disagree with that make me not Catholic? Where does it say that someone who isn't married in the church shouldn't be allowed to recieve Communion? My parents were married at a young age, and due to expenses had a quite ceremony in their back yard. My mother is a great woman, but she wasn't allowed to recieve Communion simply because she was not married in the Catholic Church until after I was born. Where does the Bible say that is acceptable? I listen to what Christ has told me. I know what Christ has said because I carefully read His Words. So if I disagree with what man tells me, that makes me no less Catholic than the best of us. Infact, I'd say that my faith is stronger because I can decide what I believe for myself and not have it spoon fed to me. Secondly, I understand that we were the first established Christian Church, but we are not our own religion. To be Christian is to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. That makes us a denomination of Christianity and there is nothing wrong with that. I think many Catholics need to open up to our brothers and sisters in Christ and realize that they also follow God's Word and they should earn our respect because of that. Thirdly, who are we to say that people who aren't Catholic are wrong or especially condemned to hell. We can't say who goes to hell, and contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church hasn't either. It is not for us to say that Catholicism is the only way to truth and salvation. Our God is all forgiving (or at least thats what the Catholic Church says!)
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