Posted on 03/05/2011 5:29:44 AM PST by WPaCon
Lately, there seems to be a lot of conflict on the religion forum. Much of this has been between Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox. To show that we are all united as Christians and to reduce animosity, I hope we can all agree to one of 4 following statements:
1) I am Catholic. I love Orthodox and Protestant Christians. I consider Orthodox Christians and Protestants to definitely be Christian. All Christians need to work together to defeat our common enemies-- specifically Islam, liberal postmodernism, and totalitarian communism.
2) I am Protestant. I love Orthodox and Catholic Christians. I consider Orthodox Christians and Catholics to definitely be Christian. All Christians need to work together to defeat our common enemies-- specifically Islam, liberal postmodernism, and totalitarian communism.
3) I am an Orthodox Christian. I love Catholic and Protestant Christians. I consider Catholics and Protestants to definitely be Christian. All Christians need to work together to defeat our common enemies-- specifically Islam, liberal postmodernism, and totalitarian communism.
4) I am a non-believer. I love Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians. I consider Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Protestants to definitely be Christian. All Christians need to work together to defeat our common enemies-- specifically Islam, liberal postmodernism, and totalitarian communism.
I feel confident that most freepers agree to at least one of these statements, even if they do not say so.
If you agree with any of these statements, please feel free to say so.
Thanks!
So far, so good...
the absolute belief that the other will not be saved in his belief,
No, that's not why I engage in apologetics with non-Catholics.
I make no decision about their eternal destination. That's for the Almighty to decide. Most of my discussions with them involve me explaining Catholic doctrine after it has been distorted or attacked. It's not about the person who's engaging me in dispute. They already know the Catholic point of view in most cases and have rejected it.
It's about third parties. It's simply about ensuring that any lurkers of good will understand true Catholic teaching.
.... therefore, they are trying to save their eternal life. That conviction is a sign of true love......
That's a silly assumption. Nothing more.
When a Muslim places his scimitar to your throat and screams "convert or die", you think he's doing it out of true love?? You think he truly cares about your eternal salvation? After all, there's nobody more "convicted" than a Muslim, is there?
The real reason is hate fueled by an infernal pride. It's the belief that your faith is evil and that those who follow it and profess it are evil too. Therefore, your faith must be destroyed and if you attempt to defend it, then you must be destroyed too, because, (the assumption goes) that's what God wants. That's where the pride comes in. I speak for God.
There's a word for that. It's called fanaticism.
It's the same with some non-Muslims on these boards.
The aim is not to save. It's to destroy.
You know what I’m talking about. I’m talking about those who are so happy when someone “comes home to Rome.” They aren’t glad because someone surrenders their life to Jesus; they are glad because they’ve gone “home to Rome.”
Please don’t pretend that you don’t know what I’m talking about. That’s just silly.
I don’t think people are condescending to you. I think they just want you to know that the entire Catholic Church (yes, all 22 rites —and there is no Roman rite — it is called the Latin rite) want you to know that
1. Catholics put Christ above all things.
2. Catholics also have high esteem, as I suspect you do, for the Triune Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
That is no different that what Protestants believe. We show it differently through our Masses and services, but we all celebrate Christ.
Boast in Rome is what you said. You've not explained it.
You don't "come home to Rome", you swim the Tiber from Rome to the Church.
Me too...My grandma used to say that to us all the time.. we have a victim/wimp populous these days.....even here on a conservative site
Also, I should let you know that reading the minds of others is not allowed on the RF.
You are right, Salvation. Thanks.
If you think I’ve broken any rules, report me to the Religion Moderator.
My preference is not to do that, and that's why I let you know instead of whining to the Mod.
I'm taking Salvation's recommendation.
Most welcome! We need all the prayers we can use.
Thanks Salvation!
Me? I’m not the one who has a problem with fellow Christians.
I actually just pointed out the hypocrisy of your tagline, with dripping sarcasm.
Thanks Salvation!
amen
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. You know who are your sheep.
"... I myself have been moving in the direction of Rome for the last several years. I am very pleased to be able to announce that I intend to be received into the Church on May 26th, at St. Louis King of France parish in Austin. My own story is quite different from Frank’s, although our reasons for entering the Church of Rome are strikingly parallel."
You published that. You did. It's the testimony of someone who is excited about "Rome," about "the Church of Rome," about "Roman Catholic doctrine." He references Rome 10 times in his testimony, and Jesus he mentions only 2 times.
While I want to find unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I do need to oppose such promotion of a denomination over the promotion of Jesus.
Again, I affirm the premise of this particular discussion: Those who follow Christ should find our unity in Him.
(I should be surprised by the negative responses to my comments, but I'm not. Some people find their identity more in their denomination than in Jesus, and when someone comes along to promote Jesus over denomination, they become unsettled ...)
Often times those who contend for the purity of the Gospel are criticized for quibbling over things that don’t appear to be significant. However, contenders for the faith realize that the most dangerous lie is the lie which most closely resembles the truth. Conversely, the others consider anything that appears close to the truth as an opportunity for unity. Thus they embrace the false gospel of Roman Catholicism because it is the cleverest and best of all Christian counterfeits.
As more Christians seek the approval of men rather than the approval of God, the way of truth will become more narrow and less traveled. Those who remain on it will face persecution for refusing to compromise the Gospel . They will be accused of being intolerant, unloving and narrow minded. So be it.
Carry on, Theo. I’m taking Salvation’s recommendation.
Um. You say that you don’t have a problem with fellow Christians, and then use “dripping sarcasm” to call me a hypocrite? For paraphrasing John the Baptist, who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease”? For affirming that Christ should be promoted above all?
I’m feeling a good deal of negativity from those who are calling for unity. The thing is, we won’t find unity in denominations; we’ll find unity in Christ.
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