UofDuck wrote:So let me get this right, If Catholics, or Mormons, or Protestants, or.... have different opinions of what the Bible says, then nobody can really be call Christian because the other sects say they are wrong in their approach? Do all three believe Geez is the Messiah/Savior etc, Yes. Do all three believe in the Ten Commandments? Yes. Do all three think Christ was resurrected after being crucified? Yes. Do all three believe in the possibility of a better life after death because of Christ? Yes. Do all three teach to follow what Geez taught; to be kind to your neighbors, turn the other cheek, to love one another,... etc, etc, etc. Yes.Phalanx wrote:It's just a difference in the way the term 'Christian' is defined. For many, it means any philosophy/religion having to do with Geez Christ, as opposed to Krishna, Allah, Buddha, Woden, Stephen Hawking, etc. For others, it means those who hold to a core of orthodoxy as defined in the Bible or church fathers (like the creeds), or those who 'follow Christ' according to that orthodoxy. I agree, when I saw someone saying Catholics aren't Christians, I did a double-take. I think he meant that according to his view, Catholics who believe in the Pope, Mary, praying to Saints, the Eucharist, etc. are not in line with the true faith. Obviously, this has been an argument for centuries, so not going to be settled on a message board. I would add though that neither Catholics nor Protestants view Mormons as Christians. They are on their own program that only tangentially intersects with traditional Christianity.GoDucksTroll wrote:100% this is USC related. I can speculate on why Funa chose to announce this now...
Also, I know we try to be civil on here, and I'm not a Catholic, but to say Catholic's aren't Christian when they were 99% of Christianity until the schism between Rome and Constantinople is just patently incorrect. Catholics outnumber Orthodox and Protestants, and both are offshoots of Catholicism. I hate to get sidetracked on this, but I've never heard anyone have that opinion.
Its fine to believe and follow your own faith, but how arrogant and hypocritical that any group can claim they alone hold the high-ground to be able to define what being a Christian is, and what it is not.
This is where the convo ended.
And UofDuck, the only thing I'd add to that, is Mormons and Catholics believe that the good works, penance, or regular tithing is a requirement for salvation. And I believe Christians view that by grace through faith in Christ it what saves you, and good works are a result of work of Geez. FYI. So I could see why one side would think the other side is not the same. That's a pretty significant distinction regardless of what side of the coin you're on, or even if you are not religious.
My 2 cents. But good questions and discussion...