Most of my family are wonderful and God-fearing people but they are Protestants. This quote hits on something that bothers me from time to time when in discussions with my family who oppose our move to the Catholic Church (some more than others).\n\nIn a sense and for their own eternal good, couldn't the argument be made that it is best for a Catholic not to try to convert a Protestant, since it could potentially lead to a degree of culpability which otherwise might not exist in the Protestant? What are your thoughts? Should I keep my mouth shut in defense of Catholicism out of concern for their spiritual welfare, or should the truth always be proclaimed and simply trust God to sort out the mess in the end?
122592
Immediately after its discussion of extra ecclesiam nulla salus (Latin, "Outside the Church, no salvation") and its affirmation that it is possible that those who do not become formal Catholics may be saved, the Catechism of the Catholic Church goes on to say:\n\n"Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men" CCC 848.\n\nThe Catholic Church has the fullness of Christian truth and that truth is meant to be shared with all. Look at it this way: Suppose you were feasting at a banquet and knew that your relatives were scrounging for crumbs under the table. Should you invite them to the feast, even though they might spurn your offer, or should you let them continue to scrounge, figuring that they'll scrape up enough off the floor to keep from starving? (Jas 2:15-17).\n\nSomething similar might be said of truth. You can have a seat at the table and eat your fill, or you can make do with what you can find on the floor dropped in the dirt and covered in bugs. Catholics have a seat at the table of truth and have the obligation to share that with those who do not yet have a seat alongside them. Non-Catholics do have some truth (like food), but it is not complete (like a banquet) and may be mixed with error (like the dirt and bugs).\n\nIn short, yes, you should defend Catholicism as the opportunity becomes available. But, more than that, you should do your best to make Catholicism "appetizing" to your relatives by being the best Christian God's grace enables you to be and by showing them not just the plausibility of Catholicism but also its beauty. And if, in the end, your relatives are sincerely unable in conscience to accept the truth of Catholicism, God will judge them on how well they lived according to the truth that they did have.
537709
Wow!  Thank you very much for that.  I concurr.  \n\nPeople react with fear and/or hatred to things or people that are different than them in some way, and to those who  "overstep" the invisible boundaries they feel obligated to stay within.  I have no problem with someone's convictions.  Whatever you believe is fine - but it does not give you warrant to hate or mistreate others.  This is directly contradictory to the message of Jesus.  I believe he would slap the faces of many so-called christians today if he were not such a loving person.  He called us to love.  He called us to bring togeather - not tear apart.  Remember the parable of the sower and the tares?  Don't rip up what you believe to be tares or you will also rip up the harvest.  Wait and let the Lord do it at the judgement.  Just friggen learn to coexist and play nice....ok?
136499
Well, I'm not one of those Christians, so I can't really speak for them. If you have sensed that they fear you, I don't get it. I do know some Christians that feel they should disassociate themselves with non-Christians just because they don't have anything in common if they don't even believe in the same God. Also, many families want their kids to be close to other Christians because being around people who believe differently can open up issues that they feel would not come up if they only hang out with Christians. However, only hanging out with kids who go to church won't necessarily keep your kids from sin. Where do you think I learned all of my dirty jokes? (Christian School!) I think, though, that we need to accept those who feel they should be separate....as long as they are the ones to leave the public area instead of them trying to keep others who are different out. Did that make any sense?
255907
I think in what i have read about luther sola scriptura seemed in his eyes to be the correct and just way to not only reach God, but to bring more people to him. It is not like Luther woke up one day and said Forget Catholism, in fact luther does not out and out give up on everything the Church believes in (Transubstantiation being evidence). I think Luther wanted to work within the Catholic Church, but much like many other people throughout history, he could not reconcile his beliefs with the beliefs of the system he was apart of. \n\nI agree there were risks, but i think he had mostly good intentions. He saw a church that he believed needed to change and he went about making the changes he thought were necesary. Of course he certainly wasnt the only one doing so and much like the others, he expeirences some mixed results. \n\nAbout Luthers hatred of Jews....it is easy to look now and say well the man is clearly out of his mind as evidence from the Jew-bashing. However to discredit the ideas simply because the man is flawed is perhaps overstepping ones bounds. Also i think its important to remember this is a societal opinion by much of the Catholic Church at this point in their history so it is not like he deviates incredibly far from the norm. \n\nLast rant i promise...the whole idea of discrediting of discrediting the church because of the indulgence thing....everyone gets the idea. Catholism has accepted for a while that it was a big no-no and i dont think we really need to judge the current Church on that fallacy.
47902
your friend is crazy, she/he might be looking to increase member to their dwindling religious denomination. i was a practicing catholic; not anymore, i understand to a degree what you are saying. my dear if you feel enlightened by going to different churches than continue to do so. do not listen to your friend, this is exactly what I have said in the past. think for yourself and do what make you happy. think about it what's next your friend is going to say yo uare going to hell for buying the wrong brand of milk?
209374
This is EXACTLY how you should feel and I don't blame you a bit. I'm not catholic, but I have been wondering the same things. Why aren't more people in an uproar about this??
444553
they dont actully 'think' when they say that per se,\n\nit comes from protestant having to break off from catholic in a messy kind of way, with such justifications as 'they're idolatrous' 'un-christian' and others that really have no merit.\n\nwhen in reality, all it is is a reminder of the person that we're praying to.  in church the priest doesnt say 'statue have mercy' he says 'Christ have mercy'
388586
It is obvious that the seeds sown in your spirit by the catholic church are not as easy to get rid of as you supposed. I am amazed that for someone who does not believe in God,he takes a great proportion of your thought and your writings. I personally think you should change your stance to, God if you exist please reveal yourself to me or help me discover if you are real. Seekers of God always find him. I checked your questions over fifty percent are about God to spend that much time on someone you don't believe in is to have a pretty miserable life. Please do not take this as an attack if I hate someone I defintely want to stay away from them or the thought of them as much as possible. Wake up please leave God alone and truly move one with you life if it is possible to have one without God.
237501
Well, first of all, I am a proud Christian, but I don't try to convert people. I say let them be who they are. You aren't trying to convert me and you don't believe in what I believe in. My dad doesn't believe in God, but I would never say that he is going to hell or that he is a bad person. I guess some just go a little overboard!! I personally apologize for them.
312995
There is a lot of bigotry out there. If people admitted that the Catholic church was the source of the protestant denominations, they'd be acknowledging that perhaps the bigotry they hold onto in their heart is not entirely justifiable.
206758
i am catholic but i believe most of what you said especially the end part. people trust catholicism for the same reason they trust any other religion (i don't know why i follow the religion i am just guided) people use religion because they have weak minds and hearts. there is nothing wrong with this but religion gives them somethin to hold onto. someone in history i believe it was Marx or Stalin said the church was the "opiate of the masses"
263363
Unless God has shared something with him that He hasn't with the rest of us, the guy is wrong.\n\nBelieve it or not, Catholics can make mistakes just like other people.\n\nWith love in Christ.
340083
u tell them that they r getting hung-up on terminology we all have a biological father, then there is God the source of all goodness and creation, why stress yourself over something like that? or them for that matter? if you accept  Jesus Christ as the savior why are they upset with you? im Protestant and i never had a problem with Catholics because we are all on the same team
238813
If I am not mistaken, I don't think this was a generalization made that all non-beilievers are mean spirited and cruel.  (At least I hope not)  I think that each religion gets misunderstood at one time by those not of that religion, and some people just don't know how to address what they don't understand. There are those that do.  They respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.  I am a Christian, I believe, but i do not force my beliefs on anyone. i may share something about God, but I cannot judge anyone if they do not believe--and I don't think we should judge and ridicule each other.
628332
I had a child out of wedlock.  I can tell you that some Catholic priests would not baptize my daughter for precisely that reason.  That's one of the reasons I went to one of the Protestant churches.  I asked for and received forgiveness, and it was never considered something my daughter needed forgiveness for.  She has since been baptized.  Neither of us are going to hell for it, at least not according to our church :)
565950
Perhaps they are angry because they feel like they are not part of the inheritance and resent your confidence that you are. It's not good to judge others but it is natural  I guess, in the fallen world. I have moments of doubt too. It's not easy to love your enemy, especially when you don't want any enemies. If they say you are ignorant, remember, judge not for as you judge you will be judged. Remember also that wisdom appears foolish to a fool. It is not our place to convert. Maybe that has to do with the resentment. I don't know, but I think your delicate manner is a good example of kindness in the face of adversity. You are tolerant and in my opinion a good embassador for Christianity, if you are a Christian. Oh, and YES!,  you do make sense.
79334
I was brought up Catholic from birth and was brainwashed into believing what I was taught as teachings from the Bible. I have always believed and honored my spirituality in God, but too many years of it was not based in His Word.  \n\nLuckily, I was led to the Bible & I have been trying to sort out the Truth from the lies. It's a hurtful issue that I am working hard to overcome and find acceptance with. I am very confused, and somewhat bitter as well, but, at the same time, am I VERY thankful for the wonderful people here who share their knowlegde with beginners like me and are helping me along.  That in itself defines truth Faith in God to me and the power of believing he always there for you if you seek him.   Thank You everyone.