Who are the Catholics: The Orthodox or The Romanists, or both?

Me

[the_conscience]

I just witnessed a couple of Orthodox posters get kicked off a "Catholic Caucus" thread. I thought, despite their differences, they had a mutual understanding that each sect was considered "Catholic". Are not the Orthodox considered Catholic? Why do the Romanists get to monopolize the term "Catholic"?

I consider myself to be Catholic being a part of the universal church of Christ. Why should one sect be able to use a universal concept to identify themselves in a caucus thread while other Christian denominations need to use specific qualifiers to identify themselves in a caucus thread?

[the_conscience]

Are the Orthodox part of the Catholic Church?

[Adams]

We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

[boatbums]

I've been mulling that thought for awhile as well. The term "catholic" as meaning universal should be shared by all true Christians as it speaks to the entire body of believers. The word "church" is really "ekklesia" in Greek and means a called-out assembly. As such, "the church of Jesus Christ" is all believers, past, present and future. I don't think it is right for any one denomination to claim sole ownership of the name. Today, the Roman Catholic Church (although they insist on being called the Catholic Church, or just The Church), claims it is the only true church and proclaims it alone has authority in all doctrine and interpretation of scripture. It smacks of smugness and exclusivity to condemn all other Biblical Christians except themselves and goes against the teachings of the early believers and Apostles.

BTW...I know just by saying this, I will be called a Catholic-hater, but this cannot be further from the truth. All true believers in Christ are my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and hate is a sinful emotion I don't have. We are commanded to love one another as Christ loved us.

[the_conscience]

Whose “we”?

[Salvation]

You might be catholic with a small c. But unless you were baptized in the Catholic Church and attend Mass weekly and receive the Sacraments, you are not a Catholic with a capital C.

I would appreciate your insight as to why you think you are a Catholic with a capital C.

[the_conscience]

I agree entirely.

[the_conscience]

I would appreciate your insight as to why you think you are a Catholic with a capital C.

I'm a member of the universal Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church.

[Salvation]

Where were you baptized?

The Church of Christ is not the Catholic Church.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[the_conscience]

Where were you baptized?

Yes.

The Church of Christ is not the Catholic Church.

That's interesting. Please explicate the difference.

[Religion Moderator]

For the purpose of moderating caucuses on the Religion Forum, members of the "Catholic Caucus" are those who accept Papal Authority.

If the Catholic Caucus is to include Orthodox, it should be labeled "Catholic/Orthodox Caucus."

If the caucus is for those who believe in Christ as God, i.e. the Trinity, it should be labeled "Christian Caucus."

Many other designations may be used to limit the caucus to those who share a certain belief, e.g. Dispensationalist, LDS, Baptist.

I will be monitoring this thread to see if these meanings are adequate to avoid disruptions on Religion Forum caucuses.

[Salvation]

You didn’t answer my question— you only said ‘Yes”.

WHERE were you baptized?

[Dr. North]

Why isn’t “pro-men” in your tagline?

[Rodebrecht]

If you are not in communion with the bishop of Rome, you’re not part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church established by Christ. Sorry if that doesn’t make you feel good, but that’s what we believe. You can call yourself a catholic if you’d like, but you’re going to get some funny looks when you tell people you go to, say, a primitive Baptist church.

[the_conscience]

I’m sorry I misread your question.

I received a Trinitarian baptism in the town in which I was born.

[Salvation]

I figured this would happen. You are evading a direct answer, it seems.

In WHAT church were you baptized?

[the_conscience]

If you are not in communion with the bishop of Rome, you’re not part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church established by Christ.

So in your opinion the Orthodox are not part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church established by Christ?

You can call yourself a catholic if you’d like, but you’re going to get some funny looks when you tell people you go to, say, a primitive Baptist church.

I don't really care about funny looks I'd rather be truthful.

[Salvation]

**I’d rather be truthful.**

LOL!

I’ve asked you something THREE times now and you still have not answered me.

Good night.