Why do I have to be Catholic to participate in Communion?
476554
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.
491091
I don't feel that you have to.  But i think some people need some type of structure and assurance that they aren't alone in their journey.  I think it is definitely up to you as a person as to whether or not you need to belong to a church.  But going to church does not make you a christian.  That happens by asking Jesus Christ to be your saviour.  Just my opinion!
5526
More Sisters AND Brothers. It's easier to become a member of a religious order than it is to take Holy Orders.\n\nOf course, when you take into account the fact that the Catholic church is seriously hurting for priests (and they say more about that then needing nuns), the answer becomes a bit easier to determine.
257455
Call it what you want, catholics do venerate Mary, and the bible never says to do this. this is not an attack on Catholic church, but there is too much emphasis on ritual, the rosary and the saints can do nothing for your soul, that is dependent on you believing and accepting Christ, reading the bible and worshiping in spirit and in truth, which the catholic church does not do because they are so hung up on ritual. Isaiah speaks about how much God dislikes ritual, though it has it's place, it should not shift the focus away from God, which it does and God does not like that. Hey why don't you do a proper search before you swallow your doctrine whole, you might find that the catholic church really has alot of un-truths.
52058
Hi ! No there is no requirement to tie yourself to any church in particular to become a Christian. you have only to commit yourself to a relationship even if it's one on one with God and Christ as a statement of your belief. Truthfully no one has any more connection to God than you do right now if you are in search of Him. That is what He wants from us and affiliation with any organized church only broadens your personal contacts in this world regarding Him and your own relationship with Him. Just as in the rest of the world, you can be influenced by those around you and you must make choices regarding how you respond to those influences. Some influences are bad, and it is up to each of us to overcome the temptation to give in to bad influences. Now the only true answer to the conflict is communication with God, and a strong personal relationship with Him. And then you can learn how to hear what He says to your heart in your conversations with Him.  That said, try some churches out for your own opinion of them and find one in which you don't feel the phony-baloney going on, and then pray that God will speak to your heart to tell you where you should go. The benefit of a good church is only in fellowship and some experienced guidance to those things which you may not learn on your own.
607017
Catholics are Christians through and through--in the very fullest sense.  \n\nPeople like to give (and make up) all kinds of reasons why Catholics are not Christians, but the one thing that truly sets Catholics apart most is the Eucharist.  Together with members of the Orthodox Church (the Catholic Church's "Sister" Church), Catholics are the only people who receive the Real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Lord Jesus.  You don't get any more Christian than that!\n\nReceiving the Eucharist literally transforms us spiritually into true sons and daughters of God.  That was the entire purpose of Jesus's Incarnation--He died so that we could be true children of God again.\n\nThat said, in order to receive the Eucharist, we must be in a state of grace (proper disposition, no mortal sins on our souls).  Unlike many Protestants, who think their salvation is guaranteed just by saying they believe in Jesus (regardless of their sins), Catholics care a great deal about making ourselves as worthy as possible, and we often go to great lengths.  This is because we know we are truly, completely, receiving Lord Jesus into ourselves through the Eucharist.  You wouldn't want to invite a guest into a messy house--we *definitely* don't want to do that to Lord Jesus!\n\nIt's no surprise that lots of Christians don't understand Catholicism--there is so much to learn, and not everyone likes to learn.  But no argument against Catholicism can stand up to Scripture or any other element of Sacred Tradition.  After all, the Bible is a Catholic Book (despite some Protestants thinking that the King James Version just fell out of the sky one day).  Protestants claim that Catholic Sacred Tradition "adds" to the Bible, but the fact is that the Bible IS Catholic Sacred Tradition.  \n\nFinally, I'd like to address Catholics' veneration of Mary--which Protestants claim to mean that we worship Mary (and therefore, we are not Christians).  Veneration does not mean worship--it means honor.  As a good Jewish man, Jesus honored His parents (both Mary and St. Joseph).  Before His death, Jesus told St. John to regard Mary as his mother--which meant that Jesus was asking St. John to honor her as well.  So... who are we not to honor her?  Are we above Jesus and St. John?  Venerating Mary is one more way in which Catholics show obedience to Lord Jesus.  It should also be noted that at least some of the earliest Protestants (such as Luther) also venerated Mary and believed in her perpetual virginity.
1155684
That is your decision. I'm sorry to hear you felt brainwashed at your church - I've been to some of those. I'm Catholic, and for a time I wandered to other churches, 'bible-believing' churches with charismatic ministers who, after a service, would order me to leave "the romish lies" or some bigoted thoughts like that. I like Catholic Mass, there's the connection to Christ, there's the connection to the community, there's the worship and the Word. \n\nGo wherever you are fed. If you find yourself hungry, come to the table.
775754
Seriously, I had a friend who was in seminary school, and one day he was visiting with me and our buddies when we ordered out for some Pizza and beer.  It started as a joke, but being all Catholics at the time, we simulated Communion using the Pizza as the host and the beer as the blood.  Just as we started out, a weird feeling came over us all, and the joke stopped and we performed the communion together taking it very seriously.  \n\nI will ring your doorbell and run away!!!
468133
No, most christions believe that the choice is one that the person has to make, a baby cannot choose. In catholism, they have to go through confirmation, in prtestantism, they must declare to a preacher and stand up before a congregation that they believe that christ is their one true savior and then be baptisted.\n\nThe age that a person can do that vearies depending on the sect you talk to.
1165173
I was raised Catholic my whole entire life until 11 years ago after my mother suddenly passed away.  I wanted to get my life in order so I met with the Catholic priest and as soon as I told him that I had 2 step children he stopped me.  I'm not married to a Catholic and didn't get married in the church and he said that I couldn't take communion and that my husband had to get an anullment.  Really broke my heart.  They keep these priests that molest little boys and just move them to another church.!  That's okay?  But me not being married to Catholic isn't okay?!  Sad huh?  So to answer your question, no!
431713
Nope, becoming drunk is the sin. Catholics often use real wine for communion. I have the occasional drink. I work at a 5 star restaurant, and we go to wine tastings. My Jehovah's Witness co worker tastes the wine with the rest of us.
1131888
To be fully initiated into the Catholic Church, one must be baptized, confirmed, and receive their first communion. Confirmation happens at an age when individuals are old enough to decide for themselves whether they want to be Catholic or not. One can be baptized in the Catholic Church and then go join another church.
347486
YES.  According to the good ol' American Heritage Dictionary, a Christian is one who professes "belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus."  I'm a Catholic, and I know this describes me, as I'm sure it describes you as well.\n\nI have come to understand a bit more about why sometimes Protestants say Catholics aren't Chritistian, however.  Hopefully, these will help you understand your friends' logic:\n\n1. The Saints.  It's thought that by praying to saints, Catholics are worshiping them.  This isn't true, of course, for reasons I won't get into here - I'm sure you know them - but you can see how people might think you're not Christian if they thought this was true.\n2. The Bible.  Because Protestants don't have a Church structure the way Catholics do, Protestants often end up paying a lot more attention to the Bible, memorizing passages etc.  It seems to them that Catholics ignore the Scriptures and so the word of Christ.  This isn't true either, but it's a not-infrequent misconception.\n3.  The Eucharist.  Catholics say that the Eucharist is the essence of Christ, present with us.  We worship Christ in and through the Eucharist.  If you're Protestant, you (generally) think the Eucharist is bread, symbolic of Christ, but not actually Christ.  So if they see us worshiping God in the Eucharist, they think we're bowing down to a piece of bread.  You can see how this would seem sacriligious?\n4. Salvation.  Generally, Protestants believe that salvation can only come from accepting Christ as your savior.  Essentially, no matter how good a person is on their own, because they're not perfect, they wouldn't be able to make it to heaven if it weren't for Chirst's sacrifice.    Catholics believe this is true, but that you also have to 'walk the walk, not just talk the talk.'  Salvation is based on the acceptance of Christ as savior combined with good works.  The reason some Protestants have a problem with this is because they're thinking we're discounting the importance of Christ's sacrifice and that we think we could get into heaven on our own. \n\nSo you see, the concept of Catholics not being Christian is generally based on misconceptions.  Try explaining these concepts to your friends (without proselytizing) and try to find out why they think Catholics don't count as Christians.  We all believe in Christ as the source of eternal life.  Maybe you can help them see this.
361512
Formally, yes.  \n\nBut for personal and/or spiritual reasons, if you choose to follow Catholic practices common to the Lenten season -- self sacrifice, examination of conscience, and so on -- then no, you don't have to be Catholic.  \n\nAs long as you're doing these thing to draw closer to God, or to increase your awareness of Him in your life, then I think it's great that you do these things, even if you're not formally Catholic.
969012
Catholic. Every week and on holy days of obligation. I"m even planning on spending First Friday adoration there sometime (an hour of prayer before the eucharist that lasts all night. YOu sign up for your hour so the church knows to not lock the doors) and I used to be an active member of the League of Mary (a charitable prayer group)
240282
Many Catholic schools offer CCD classes.  Also, if a church parish does NOT have a school, they may still offer CCD classes.\n\nI am so happy to hear you want your little one to learn about her faith and to receive Holy Communion.  If you really want to "bond" consider taking a class or 2 yourself so you can learn more about your faith.  That way, you can grow in love for each other and strengthen your faith.\n\nAfter she makes her Communion, please commit to continue to allow her to get religious education, and take her to church.  So many of the parents in our church parish baptize their baby, have them make their Communion, then fall out of sight.  If it's that important that your child is baptized and makes her communion, it should be important that you practice your faith, too.\n\nGod Bless!
198819
I am a Catholic Convert - trust me, the experience of receiving the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church is the most wonderful thing you will ever experience.  To try to describe it would fall short.\n\nMind you, this is all in a spiritual context.