I believe in Jesus Christ.  I can particiapte in other Churches. Why does the Catholic Church refuse to give someone the Body of Christ if they are not Catholic?
216385
Technically, it's a little more complicated than that.  The Roman Catholic Church offers Communion to some Christians who are not Roman Catholics, if their denominations are "reconciled" to the Catholic tradition--this would mean the numerous Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Polish National Church, and the Assyrian and Coptic Churches.  Christians who are members of churches, however, that are understood by Catholic theologians as being in revolt against the Catholic tradition (and that would mean all Protestant and Anabaptist sects) are not permitted to take Catholic Communion.\n\nHere's maybe the simplest way to explain this:  the Catholic Church understands itself to be, in fact, the only apostolic Christian church, the only legitimate successor to the religious movement founded by Jesus and in the Catholic tradition passed on after His death to Peter (whom Catholics regard as the "first Pope," a historically questionable claim to be sure, but important in the theology of the RCC).  The Roman Catholic Church holds that Communion is a sacrament that can only authentically occur within the sanction of that apostolic continuity.  In effect, when Christians from churches not reconciled to the Catholic Church partake of Communion, they are in effect interlopers, inadequately prepared for the miracle of transubstantiation.\n\nAnother way of saying this is that for some purposes, the Catholic Church does not consider Protestant or Anabaptist Christians as true Christians.  If that sounds coarse or narrowminded or shocking, please refer to the reciprocal understanding of Roman Catholicism from the Protestant and Anabaptist perspective, as exemplified in the statement made (I am sure) by an evangelical Protestant on this Yahoo list that the Pope is the antichrist and Catholics aren't Christians.\n\nHope this answer is helpful.
265455
Different protestant churches may have different views on biblical topics from each other and from the Catholic Church. One of the main things about the Catholic Church is that they put their church tradition at a higher place than the Bible. This is a very dangerous thing to do because it allows the church to hold views that even go plainly against the Bible. Example: if you read 1 Tim 4:1-5 you will read in the Bible (even the Catholic Bible) that men who forbid people to marry are following a doctrine of demons. The Catholic church disregards the Bible there and insists on promoting a doctrine that is not from God. The rampant homosexuality in the priesthood is a by-product of following that demonic teaching. Being single is actualy better for those who want to be more devoted to the Lord but that should never be forced on anyone. \n\nAnother area where there is great danger, is where the Catholic church makes a Pope to be in charge of the church. He is actually called the vicar of Christ which means that he is the representative of Christ here on earth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the head of the church and the believers are His body. A Pope is said to be able to speak "excathedera" (I think I mispelled it) which means that when he speaks on matters of doctrine and faith, he is "infallible" Obviously throughout the Catolic Church's history it has been wrong in many of its actions and beliefs as in the example I already gave. \n\nProtestants may have differing views but rarely are they as serious as undermining the scriptures and worshiping a man as supreme leader of the church.    \n\nYour average catholic does not know much of the Catholic official teachings which include "transubstantiation", progatory, outright idolatry, not beliving that Jesus died once for all sins as evidenced in the sacrifice of the "Mass", not being able to clain assurance of salvation (one of the worst beliefs of all), adding several books to the old testament about 1500 yrs after the fact to try to defend some of their unbiblical beliefs and the sale of indulgences ect.....Today when I meet a catholic who is open to the Bible, I don't try to bring up most of the above. I try to talk about having a personal relation with Christ and knowing that to get to heaven is a choice that depends on one's own decision not belonging to such and such a church.
657525
Because people are rude! Catholics are a christian denomination also like every other denomination out there. People make fun of them alot because they know deep inside that most catholics are going to be in heaven when they are not. I am not a catholic i am non denomintial but i know a catholic who has been ridiculed
571231
Jesus did build his Church, the Catholic Church, and the powers of death have not and will not prevail against it. The Catholic faith has millions of followers all over the world and the Church is growing every day. I'm sure some Protestants believe that their modern day church is the true Church but there are a lot of misinformed people out there.
152231
The Catholic Church believes that those who die never hearing of Christ but have sought the truth and does the will of God as they understand it can be saved. This is called the Baptism of desire. \n\nWith love in Christ.
537510
I feel the same way.  I am a Catholic and I don't understand why people believe what they hear about the Catholic Church from those who are not Catholic.  Wouldn't it be better to learn the Catholic faith from a practicing Catholic who has been taught the truth about the teachings rather than from someone who has gotten their information second hand?  So many non Catholics try to tell me what the Catholic church teaches when they have no clue what they are talking about.  How can someone who is not Catholic tell me, a practicing Catholic of 38 years, what the Catholic church teaches?\n\nGod bless,\nStanbo
409810
As far as I know, Jesus never referred to His Church as Catholic or Protestant.  He said "Follow me."\nI am a protestant, but I really don't like to identify myself as a Christian, because of all of the False churches that are teaching anything but what He taught; so if someone asks me what my religion is I say "I follow the teachings of Jesus."
490420
because they live in there own little world, and probably believe the lie they say to some extent. your belief in the church may be destroyed but thats not the same as your belief in god surely? and you dont need to go to church to show that, isnt it more about living your life in a way you see fit with morals and principles that count? i dont believe in god personally, but i do live my life according to my morals and can look myself in the mirror every day knowing i do. but you shouldnt let anyone destroy your belief in god.
401901
You're thinking about the Catholic Church cult, not actually biblical Christianity, with regard to babies dying before being baptized. You go to heaven if you believe in Christ, and if you are a child, then you will go to heaven because you are below the age of accountability. Focus more on the Bible and not the Catholic Church's contradictory dogma.
557392
same ........ Catholic means christian..... Cathlocism was the basis for all religion and with all things that start out good, man eventually perverts it. I believe that Catholics and Christians all have some element of truth within their doctrine, but on the other hand each has their own faults. So I won't say which is better...yada yada yada\nThat's like trying to compare apples to oranges. As long as the person is a Born again believer they can differ on the fine points of religion.\n\n\nand AJ GET A LIFE!\n\nHave you heard of this? If so why do YOU sat it????\nThe Nicene Creed\nI believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.\n\nAnd in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.\n\nWho, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.\n\nAnd I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.\n\nAnd I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
206820
I don't know where you get your information from.  You have been misinformed.  There are some so called "Catholics" that are misguided, as well as many others.  I was raised and taught in Catholic schools.  Not once, did anyone ever suggest praising statues or worshiping anyone or anything other than (Jesus, Holy Spirit & the Father) Holy trinity = one God.  We believe in offering prayers for loved ones, and we believe that the Staints offer they're prayers for the living.  But if someone was to assume that Catholics are taught to worship anyone or anything other than God, they are sadly mistaken.  Statues, pictures, etc... are reminders of who are good examples of how to live as Christ did.  Just like having pictures of your children.  The pictures are NOT your children, but an image of your children.  you would feed, clothe or talk to the picture.  Being Cathoilic does not mean that you are out of touch with reality.
452745
I keep saying it's jealousy. We have the Mother the Father loves best. The Blessed Virgin Mary. Just like Josephs brothers were jealous of him our brothers and sisters in Christ are jealous of us and the wonderful things the Lord has given to us. If they only understood though that those that have been given much, much is expected, they would not say the things they do because many a Catholic offers up their pain and suffering and death not only for their own sins but, as a member of the Body of Christ -- the sins of these people who deny they are Christian. Didn't St. Paul say "I make up in my body's suffering for what is lacking in the suffering of Christ?". And also Romans 8:17\n\nFor other denominations Holy Communion is just a symbol but, not for Catholics because our Magisterium has the ordination to consecrate the bread and wine into his ACTUAL Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Didn't Joseph tell his brothers that he wanted Benjamin left with him and didn't Jesus say he wanted John to remain forever? This is the same thing. John the youngest brother of Jesus who stood beneath the cross with Mary Jesus Mother-- just like the Catholics do at every Mass. The other denominations looked on from a distance it says but, the Catholics are there!!
466605
some believe the catholic church
644398
Its mainly part of history.  Back in the old days I think there was mainly just catholic, and baptist....well, people start to have their own interpretations of the bible,a nd that is why there are so many denominations today.  It would be nice for us to all believe the same, but it is just human nature not to.  Nobody is perfect but Christ.  Our goal is to strive to be like him, but he knows the we are not, which is the reason that he died on the cross for us.  Like I said earlier, just human nature to believe differently.  I don't beleive humans will ever be unanimous on anything because we are not perfect as Christ is.
443756
No, you must, of course, believe in Christ as Savior to get to heaven.  The pope can guarantee NOTHING!
508065
Yes I agree. You can be a Catholic as well as being a Christian.I believe in God and I am Catholic and Christian
77838
Catholics do a lot of things not in the bible.  They live by their own little set of rules and ideas they consider "truths".  Most cannot give a reason for their actions/beliefs, etc beyond "because that's what the catholic church says" and they just blindly follow it.