Question from a Methodist

mandydc0509 · October 2011

I've done some research on Catholicism online... and I still haven't really found the answer to my question. I figured you all could explain this in a way I can understand.

Catholics are Christians, right? So why is that Catholics seem to be in a separate group? (Ex. other denominations not being able to take communion in a Catholic church, having to have the marriage "approved" by the church for it to be recognized if it was not done in a different church, etc.)

A lot of my friends are Catholic, so I'm just trying to understand. I tried asking one of them, but by what he told me, I don't think he's practicing his faith right now...which kind of concerns me since he's trying to get married next year. But that's another story.

TIA. And I hope this didn't come off rude. I'm genuinely interested.

agapecarrie · October 2011

Yes, Catholics are Christians. Our history goes back to the time of Christ when He gave Peter the authority as the first pope. Communion to us is not just a symbol, but truly the presence of Christ Body and Blood...in receiving Communion, we are assenting to all of church teaching, as well as belief in this presence, and proclaiming oneness of faith. This is why one must be Catholic in order to receive communion...it is proclaiming a oneness that does not exist with other faiths.

A Catholic is also bound to follow the correct form and matter for their sacraments. Just as the government has rules to follow for marriage, so does the Church for her members. Non-Catholics are not bound by this form, and the Catholic church considers marriages of non-Catholics to be sacraments.

You can find lots of answers at ww.catholic.com

click on "read" then "Tracks" and it will give scriptural basis for what we believe.

professorscience · October 2011

For your communion question, the best explanation I've heard is that it's sort of a protection for non catholics. A person receiving communion who doesn't believe they are receiving the body and blood of Christ is not in the right state of mind to receive, at least from a catholic standpoint, which puts that person out of grace.

As I understand it, a lot of churches actually follow this teaching -- my dad wasn't allowed to (or at least, wouldn't) take communion until he was baptized when I was about 12 (I was raised church of Christ).

clearheavens · October 2011

Yes, Catholics are Christians.

As agapecarrie said, we believe that Christ founded the Church, and he gave St. Peter the authority to be his successor.

Christ created his new Church to teach, sanctify and govern until the end of time and the 12 apostles were the first to carry out this mission. The bishops are today's modern apostles. Their spiritual, ecclesiastical, and sacramental authority, power, and responsibility can be traced back to St. Peter, who originally got his spiritual authority from Christ. This is what we call apostolic succession.

Catholics and Orthodox are believed to be the only two churches that have valid apostolic succesion.

We believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Consecrating the Eucharist can only be done by validly ordained priests.

mandydc0509 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_question-methodist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:53232e82-0ffc-45e7-a05d-a7a617a690bcPost:8d2c8c97-fb6e-4ce9-bce5-d6eb1115b4a1">Re: Question from a Methodist</a>:
[QUOTE]For your communion question, the best explanation I've heard is that it's sort of a protection for non catholics. A person receiving communion who doesn't believe they are receiving the body and blood of Christ is not in the right state of mind to receive, at least from a catholic standpoint, which puts that person out of grace. As I understand it, a lot of churches actually follow this teaching -- my dad wasn't allowed to (or at least, wouldn't) take communion until he was baptized when I was about 12 (I was raised church of Christ).
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]

This is actually how I was raised (in the church) to receive communion. However, children are allowed to take communion, but are not considered "members" of the church. My churches have always had open communion, but I can definitely understand why some churches do not allow that for kids. I've just never understood why Christians who have gone through confirmation would ever be denied the opportunity to take communion.

I'm a little curious, why did you decide to convert? My sister (as far as I know) is the only family member I have that still attends Church of Christ. My parents actually started attending Methodist churche as a compromise (my mom was Baptist and my dad was Church of Christ) because my Mom didn't agree with some of the COCs views.

As for the other PPs, thanks for the info! I'll have to check out the website when I get home.

professorscience · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_question-methodist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:53232e82-0ffc-45e7-a05d-a7a617a690bcPost:58f5e6ba-d48e-490a-9e9b-c80c7c4f8ebe">Re: Question from a Methodist</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Question from a Methodist : This is actually how I was raised (in the church) to receive communion. However, children are allowed to take communion, but are not considered "members" of the church. My churches have always had open communion, but I can definitely understand why some churches do not allow that for kids. <strong>I've just never understood why Christians who have gone through confirmation would ever be denied the opportunity to take communion.</strong> I'm a little curious, why did you decide to convert? My sister (as far as I know) is the only family member I have that still attends Church of Christ. My parents actually started attending Methodist churche as a compromise (my mom was Baptist and my dad was Church of Christ) because my Mom didn't agree with some of the COCs views. As for the other PPs, thanks for the info! I'll have to check out the website when I get home.
Posted by mandydc0509[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I think it goes back to what is believed by the people taking communion. The church in which I was raised didn't do "confirmation," so I had no idea what that was or if anyone else did it until very recently, but children were certainly not allowed to take communion until they were baptized.</div><div>
</div><div>For your second question, I've attended mass with my catholic FI since about 2004. Early in our relationship I was extremely resistant to the idea of a catholic wedding and a catholic family, but he was an excellent teacher. Every time I had a question, he had a well-thought-out answer for me. I finally decided to attend RCIA just for the purpose of learning more, and through the course of the classes I made the decision to become catholic. I still really admire the church of Christ for their strict interpretation of the Bible.

</div>

catarntina · October 2011

Forgive me for my ignorance and for butting in... but is the Church of Christ the same as LDS?

I'm just curious as I've never heard of the Church of Christ, but I know several people who are Church of Latter Day Saints -- just wondering if they were one in the same!

ElisabethJoanne · October 2011

No, catarntina. The Church of Christ is historically a congregationalist (Reformed, Calvinist) Protestant denomination, with roots in North America to the early 17th century. It is not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

bibliophile2010 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_question-methodist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:53232e82-0ffc-45e7-a05d-a7a617a690bcPost:47912735-91e1-484c-a869-b1f39e4eef4e">Re: Question from a Methodist</a>:
[QUOTE]No, catarntina. The Church of Christ is historically a congregationalist (Reformed, Calvinist) Protestant denomination, with roots in North America to the early 17th century. It is not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).
Posted by ElisabethJoanne[/QUOTE]

Not quite. The <strong>United</strong> Church of Christ is historically congregationalist and is closely related to the Pilgrims' church. It is much more prominant in New England. I was raised in the United Church of Christ and was subjected to annual accounts of our ancestors the Pilgrims. Today, the United Church of Christ is extremely socially liberal, with openly gay clergy and a great deal of openness to the "progressive" agenda.

The Church of Christ (no "United") is an evangelical, strict interpretation of the Bible denomination. My understanding is that they are rooted in the American southeast and do not endorse some of the things that the United Church of Christ does.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were founded by Joseph Smith in the middle of the 19th century. Even though they self-identify as Christian, their doctrines are extremely different than any Christian sect; they also have an additional book of sacred text (The Book of Mormon).

FWIW, I converted to Catholicism (about 3 years before I met my Catholic husband) because of the deep historical roots of the faith. I have been a believer my whole life, but questioned how on earth I could know which denomination was right (even though I knew which ones were missing the mark in one way or another). My history classes led me realize the historical depth and reality of the Church and further study and discernment helped me to know that the truths I had always believed are, in fact, taught by the Church. Since my conversion, I have so much peace and joy and happiness I am barely the person I was before.

debbiem56 · October 2011

Thank you for this. My DIL, I believe, is a member of the Church of Christ. She always said she was Christian, and I would say, so am I as a Catholic. But now I understand and will do further research. My impression of her family is that they are close to the Mennonites in their customs - women are subservient to males, don't cut their hair, wear no jewelry or makeup, wear dresses, etc. They live near Amish country which may also be an influence. They they would take the Bible as the only sure guide to heaven," and they do " not advocate the starting of a new church, but rather a return to Christ's church as described in the Bible. "

professorscience · October 2011

See, there are many churches that call themselves "church of Christ." Bibli described two very well. The evangelical church of Christ can be likened pretty closely to baptists. They aren't baptists, but the interpretation of the Bible is fairly similar. It's hard to describe. There's no governing body, so all the churches vary in some ways.

catarntina · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_question-methodist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:53232e82-0ffc-45e7-a05d-a7a617a690bcPost:652da7ab-e004-4b66-b6b9-06acf333df12">Re: Question from a Methodist</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>See, there are many churches that call themselves "church of Christ."</strong> Bibli described two very well. The evangelical church of Christ can be likened pretty closely to baptists. They aren't baptists, but the interpretation of the Bible is fairly similar. It's hard to describe. There's no governing body, so all the churches vary in some ways.
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]

I think this is why I confused them with LDS. Even on Wikipedia, they are "Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)"

professorscience · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_question-methodist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:53232e82-0ffc-45e7-a05d-a7a617a690bcPost:757755e8-6e4a-44dd-b748-37b8141c34e0">Re: Question from a Methodist</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Question from a Methodist : I think this is why I confused them with LDS. Even on Wikipedia, they are "Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)"
Posted by catarntina[/QUOTE]

Oh the fun of non-denominations.

On the positive, I seriously had no idea there were variations of Christianity until I was like 11. I just thought everyone was a Christian and we were all cool with each other.

Jay&Marissa · October 2011

Really interesting thread!

vondalee · October 2011

What a great thread! Great explanations from current Catholics about our Church!
I was raised Nazarene (Protestant) and converted to Catholicism several years ago. My fiance was a "cradle Catholic", then was non-denominational Protestant, then Baptist (because of his first wife), but came back to the Catholic Church with me! YAY!
We consider all denominations our brothers & sisters in Christ. We are lovers, not haters!
Blessings to all here!

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