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To: Dr. Thorne
The use of the word "Protestantism" is always amusing. It can be used in various ways depending on the agenda of the user but in this article, it is implied that it is a uniform, monolithic theology which is opposing another uniform, monolithic theology (Catholicism). Thus, "Catholicism" is losing out to "Protestantism."

Protestantism, however, is a fragmented, diverse world which is an umbrella for a wide spectrum of non-Catholic religions. Brazilians who are embracing "Protestantism" are in fact embracing a variety of independent, Pentecostal churches which profess a variety of different theologies and in some cases, no theology. A collection of custom made churches.

That's entirely in keeping with my cultural experience of modern Brazil and its chaotic, haphazard society. On reflection, it's a miracle that Catholicism has been dominant in Brazil for so long, given the Brazilian love of improvisation and spontaneity.

I guess they want to be just like Americans.

8 posted on 08/08/2012 9:33:26 AM PDT by marshmallow (.)
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To: marshmallow

All churches have a theology. All churches grounded primarily in Scripture have very similar theologies. Many of the core beliefs of the confessional reformation churches had a good representation within pre-Trent Catholicism as Augustinians. Jesus teaches in Revelation that no individual church is safe from losing its candlestick. He will not tolerate the lukewarm. Those who are not already passionate for Him must come home to Him, regardless of the name or history of their church. Those who love Him above all else, who love and obey his word, who are led by His spirit, are already home.

Peace,

SR


10 posted on 08/08/2012 9:52:01 AM PDT by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: marshmallow
My old boss is from Brazil, and is a form of Baptist.

We talked about this, and he said his parents were just “cultural” Catholics, and when he started to be interested in God, he couldn't find much support at his local church.

Bad teaching for generations leaves people hungry. Many left for places that were not just going through the motions.
He did say there is a “revival” movement going on in some Catholic churches. That may help, but there is a lot of cultural things working against them.

15 posted on 08/08/2012 10:57:35 AM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
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To: marshmallow
I guess they want to be just like Americans.

Is that an anti-America dig, or a hope?

20 posted on 08/08/2012 2:25:29 PM PDT by ansel12 (Massachusetts Governors,,, where the GOP goes for it's "conservative" Presidential candidates.)
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To: marshmallow
I guess they want to be just like Americans.
Hate Americans much ?

Reminds marshmallow of the fact that more than 50% of American Catholics voted to put a marxist muslim in the white house . How the former Catholic speaker of the house pushed bills through Congress without allowing people to read them . Personally I would be embarrassed to call myself Catholic when so many of them have voted to destroy freedom in this country.

27 posted on 08/08/2012 7:16:01 PM PDT by Lera (Proverbs 29:2)
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