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How do I become a Protestant?

  • 03-04-2010 8:26pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭


    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    M


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 190 ✭✭Chewbacca.


    go to hell


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭rugbyman


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    M



    I have no particular advice to give you but am intrigued as to why you, a non practicing Christian want to move from one branch to another. If it is private, thats fine.

    There are several Protestant churches and groups, with different beliefs, it is not simply a matter of becoming a Protestant.
    rugbyman


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Magenta


    rugbyman wrote: »
    I have no particular advice to give you but am intrigued as to why you, a non practicing Christian want to move from one branch to another. If it is private, thats fine.

    There are several Protestant churches and groups, with different beliefs, it is not simply a matter of becoming a Protestant.
    rugbyman

    I have a number of reasons, I would rather not say why as I do not want to offend any practising Catholics. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭mehfesto


    Chewbacca. wrote: »
    go to hell

    Fail troll fails.


    Anyway, to the OP, I'd imagin. You'd nee to defect from the RCC first, but I could be wrong. In sure then you'd just I've to locate a branch of Protestants you are happy with and approach a vicar there for more info.

    I know a few people undergoing this at the moment myself & if I hear more on how they got on, Ill letcha know. Will be interesting to see these figures in the next census too!

    Good luck anyway!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 58 ✭✭DesQ2


    The OP does not deserve some of the comments put up, he/she does not have to explain their actions or beliefs and that 'go to hell' comment was completely uncalled for,

    Sorry i can't offer any advice and best of luck with the change over,


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,900 ✭✭✭crotalus667


    mehfesto wrote: »

    Anyway, to the OP, I'd imagin. You'd nee to defect from the RCC first,
    nope although th op does risk being kicked out of the rcc (but that is hardly ever done unless they are pestered into doing it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 797 ✭✭✭Michael G


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    There is some kind of ceremony that they have in the "church of Ireland". You can find it in Tom Doorley's autobiography because he used it. It involved reciting some formula in front of one of their "bishops". But why do you want Christianity-lite instead of being an atheist?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    There was a similar thread on this a while back. I'll see if I can dig it up at some stage. I'm typing this on an iPod and it's not ideal for such things.

    Unless you want to officially leave the RCC then all you have to do is turn up at a Protesant church. They don't grill you at the door :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    Michael G wrote: »
    There is some kind of ceremony that they have in the "church of Ireland". You can find it in Tom Doorley's autobiography because he used it. It involved reciting some formula in front of one of their "bishops". But why do you want Christianity-lite instead of being an atheist?

    I suggest you read the charter.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭yessam


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    What takes your fancy to the practicing the Protestant faith. I would just like some info as I really don't know what the big differences are.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    I know several Catholic people who attend Protestant church services. You could visit several different church services over a period of months and decide where you feel most comfortable. There are several branches of the Protestant faith, you might find some pretty dull, boring, and old fashioned, and then there are others that are full of life, contemporary music, with very interesting preachers. Personally, I think there is a place for both the old fashioned, and the modern. Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water, as they say.

    What you need to remember is that both Catholics and Protestants are both Christian faiths, they basically believe in the same God and that Jesus is the Son of God, etc., they just have some different rules and different ways of worshipping God and most of the differences are really less than you think. There are of course the one or two ‘biggie’ differences i.e. Catholics believe the bread truly becomes the body of Christ during Communion and Protestants believe it is merely symbolic. Another difference is belief in the Virgin Mary – Protestants have given her a special place as the mother of Christ but do not pray to her as Catholics do. Protestants believe that Christ alone can save. Catholics pray to saints, Protestants do not. Both churches have a lot of tradition. I am not a theologian but this is just about as much as I know.

    I know someone who actually went through a church service ritual to ‘become’ a Protestant, but I personally don’t think it is actually demanded of you. Others I know just go to whatever church they are happy in. You should discuss it with whichever Protestant clergyman whose church you intend to attend.

    If you would like me to find out any more information for you, let me know.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Magenta


    yessam wrote: »
    What takes your fancy to the practicing the Protestant faith. I would just like some info as I really don't know what the big differences are.

    As above, I would rather not say, as I do not want to offend practising Catholics and nor do I want to provoke a debate on which religion is better.
    Jellybaby1 wrote: »
    What you need to remember is that both Catholics and Protestants are both Christian faiths, they basically believe in the same God and that Jesus is the Son of God, etc., they just have some different rules and different ways of worshipping God and most of the differences are really less than you think. There are of course the one or two ‘biggie’ differences i.e. Catholics believe the bread truly becomes the body of Christ during Communion and Protestants believe it is merely symbolic. Another difference is belief in the Virgin Mary – Protestants have given her a special place as the mother of Christ but do not pray to her as Catholics do. Protestants believe that Christ alone can save. Catholics pray to saints, Protestants do not. Both churches have a lot of tradition. I am not a theologian but this is just about as much as I know.

    Thanks for your post. It is just a number of small things that I think the Protestant faith practises better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭yessam


    Jellybaby1, are you sure it is acceptable in protestant churches for a catcholic to just attend a service without there being a reason other than checking out the service. I am sure a lone catcholic at a protestant service would get some looks in rural ireland


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,580 ✭✭✭Splendour



    Unless you want to officially leave the RCC then all you have to do is turn up at a Protesant church. They don't grill you at the door :)

    This is what I did. I first attended an Alpha course in an Evangelical church, then for about a year or so I swung between services there and the Catholic church. Eventually I just gave up attending the Catholic church knowing I'd found the right church to be in. And yes all done without being grilled at the door :D


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    Magenta wrote: »
    Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?

    Find church.

    Walk in.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    Yessam, in any of the instances I am aware of, no-one looked strangely at anyone in the Protestant churches. If you experienced any strange looks it may have been a church still living in the past or in Northern Ireland maybe!!

    Magenta, I suggest doing what Splendour did, go to an Alpha course, lots of Protestant and Catholic churches run them. There are Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodists, Evangelical Protestants, Evangelical Catholics, Pentecostal Churches (not all are African) - you are spoiled for choice for churches in this country!!

    I also recommend when you find your church, and get to know people, be honest and up front - it really is the best. You don't need to go into detail. One Catholic lady just said that she felt that "this was where she should be", another said "I just thought I'd try here and I quite like it", and that was accepted, no problem!

    Another thing about the Protestant communion is that it is open to all. No-one is asked about their background, all are invited to partake - nice.

    Hope this helps.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Magenta


    robinph wrote: »
    Find church.

    Walk in.

    I wasn't looking for smartass remarks. I'm sure if I went over to Long Term Illness and posted "Find hospital. Walk in" to people looking for advice, you'd have something to say about it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    Magenta wrote: »
    I wasn't looking for smartass remarks. I'm sure if I went over to Long Term Illness and posted "Find hospital. Walk in" to people looking for advice, you'd have something to say about it.

    I could be wrong, of course, but it didn't read that as a smartarsed remark. In certain respects, it mght be that simple. The tricky part is finding the right church for you.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    Magenta wrote: »
    I wasn't looking for smartass remarks. I'm sure if I went over to Long Term Illness and posted "Find hospital. Walk in" to people looking for advice, you'd have something to say about it.

    Not intended as a smartass response, but it does read like that. The RC church does not own you though and you are free to do as you please and go to whatever church you please, or not. Find one that you like and go to it, if one doesn't suit, find another one.

    I don't see how it is actually any more complicated than what I said.

    "Find hospital. Walk in" would actually be the best response for a lot of things on LTI actually.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Magenta


    robinph wrote: »
    Not intended as a smartass response, but it does read like that. The RC church does not own you though and you are free to do as you please and go to whatever church you please, or not. Find one that you like and go to it, if one doesn't suit, find another one.

    I don't see how it is actually any more complicated than what I said.

    "Find hospital. Walk in" would actually be the best response for a lot of things on LTI actually.

    I apologise, I read it and took it the wrong way :o


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭Puck


    It pretty much is that simple to be honest. Many churches have an official membership but this is often just to keep track of people for pastoral work or for church voting purposes. When it comes to belief systems the most important part is the belief itself, so the "hard" part is finding a denomination whose beliefs you genuinely share.

    Forgive me if I offend, but I hope you do realise that protestantism (and that's a very broad term encompassing many denominations) is not simply a lack of Catholic belief. Protestants do actually believe specific things too. This is why I suppose people have been asking you why you want to make the move. It is quite possible to state one's disagreement with Catholic belief and give reasons why you think you'd be happier in a protestant church without offending people by the way, give it a shot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 352 ✭✭Leopardi


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    M

    I'm a Presbyterian, and as such I would regard the Westminster Confession of Faith as a source of doctrinal norms. In no sense would you be required to agree with all of the precepts of this document (many Presbyterians do not), but it might aid your thoughts as to what some Protestants, particularly those with a Calvinist background believe. Perhaps your father might be slightly more favourable towards Presbyterianism, given its Scottish, rather than English associations? (tongue firmly in cheek).

    http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/index.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭homer911


    In the Presbyterian Church I attend, we have a number of regular attenders who make no bones about calling themselves Roman Catholic. These are some really nice people, some of them also attend mass in their catholic church - nobody bats an eyelid and everyone is equally welcome.

    Many in the Protestant Churches would consider themselves Christian first and denominational christian second (if at all). I dont call myself Presbyterian, I just worship in the Presbyterian style.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Magenta


    Puck wrote: »
    Forgive me if I offend, but I hope you do realise that protestantism (and that's a very broad term encompassing many denominations) is not simply a lack of Catholic belief. Protestants do actually believe specific things too.

    Yeah I know that Protestantism has its own beliefs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    I would agree with Homer911.

    Magenta I really hope that your journey will be a fruitful one for you, wherever you end up, and that you will find happiness there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    yessam wrote: »
    Jellybaby1, are you sure it is acceptable in protestant churches for a catcholic to just attend a service without there being a reason other than checking out the service. I am sure a lone catcholic at a protestant service would get some looks in rural ireland

    funny looks by whom?? the protestants in the congregation? or the catholics living in the locality??


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 339 ✭✭itsonlywords


    Chewbacca. wrote: »
    go to hell
    Nasty and uncalled for. :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,525 ✭✭✭StudentDad


    A number of years ago my wife and I were out for a walk with our children and we came across our local Anglican church. We wandered inside and the place just 'felt right.' We had both left the RC when we were younger. So, to cut a long story short, we contacted our Rector and asked about services and he just invited us along. So long as you are a baptised christian you are welcome to practice and receive in an Anglican/Church of Ireland service. Our children have now been baptised and we consider ourselves Anglican.

    SD


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 438 ✭✭TravelJunkie


    OP, I know what it feels like to go against family wishes in terms of what church to attend. It was really difficult for me at one stage, where it got to the point where I wasn't attending any church.
    I hope you find what you're looking for. Stay strong, go quietly, and I'm sure your dad will come to accept it in time.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,349 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


    As someone who was baptised and made Communion in the Catholic church, but went to a CoI school and was in the Boys Brigade, I've always felt that CoI services were much more uplifting. I dunno, there just seemed to be more a community feel - perhaps because it is indeed a smaller community - but I've always found CoI churches to be hugely welcoming and much more joyful that Catholic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,980 ✭✭✭wolfsbane


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    M
    My advice: don't bother.

    Why jump from one religion to another? Religions have nothing to offer but self-righteousness. At best they restrain outward wickedness, but do nothing to make us right with God.

    What we all need to do is find God. Then He will sort out where we should meet to worship with His people. That may lead you to a 'Protestant' church, but you can assure your father any link with the English is purely co-incidental. The Reformation was not English in origin.

    If necessary, remind him was the Catholic English who invaded Ireland in the first place, with the pope's blessing. ;)

    Every blessing in your search.
    _________________________________________________________________
    Acts 17:24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

    26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

    29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

    32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,492 ✭✭✭upmeath


    Magenta wrote: »
    Hello everyone,

    I was raised as a Catholic, however I do not practise. I have never been to Sunday mass in my adult life, I only attend for funerals and weddings.
    For a number of reasons I am considering, at some stage, leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a Protestant. Does anyone know how I would go about doing this?
    Would I have to get my godparents or any family members involved for the process? I would rather they didn't know because it is a private matter for me and they are a little judgemental about these things. My father in particular is very against anything that he considers to be remotely English.

    Thanks

    M

    The Protestant faiths had their origins in Germany and the other Teutonic nation-states of Central Europe, unless you join the C.O.E. or an Anglican church you're not really doing anything English at all really.

    P.S. Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the win.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    wolfsbane wrote: »
    My advice: don't bother.

    Why jump from one religion to another? Religions have nothing to offer but self-righteousness. At best they restrain outward wickedness, but do nothing to make us right with God.

    What we all need to do is find God. Then He will sort out where we should meet to worship with His people. That may lead you to a 'Protestant' church, but you can assure your father any link with the English is purely co-incidental. The Reformation was not English in origin.

    If necessary, remind him was the Catholic English who invaded Ireland in the first place, with the pope's blessing. ;)

    Every blessing in your search.

    She isn't jumping religion. She is considering changing denomination in the same religion. Surely, while acknowledging that every church has its problems and failings, it is important for the individual to find a place where they can grow with God. Part of this is finding people to help you along the way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,980 ✭✭✭wolfsbane


    She isn't jumping religion. She is considering changing denomination in the same religion. Surely, while acknowledging that every church has its problems and failings, it is important for the individual to find a place where they can grow with God. Part of this is finding people to help you along the way.
    I hold the RCC is as much another religion as the JWs or Mormons.

    But that is beside the point: Magenta acknowledged she was not practising any religion or denomination. She is not 'in God', so she can't grow with Him. Changing religion or denomination will not help her - she needs to find God. Then she will find an appropriate church to help her and be helped by her.
    _________________________________________________________________
    John 4:1 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭lmaopml


    wolfsbane wrote: »
    I hold the RCC is as much another religion as the JWs or Mormons.

    Unnecessary personal observation :rolleyes: as usual I see......never miss a good dig should the opportunity present itself, very Christian!

    Is there any hope of sweetening those grapes Wolfsbane?...

    Catholics were and always will be the very first 'Christians'...then there are the spin offs :P


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭homer911


    @upmeath

    Animated Signatures are not allowed for good reason...

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=60479


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭homer911


    lmaopml wrote: »
    Unnecessary personal observation :rolleyes: as usual I see......never miss a good dig should the opportunity present itself, very Christian!

    Is there any hope of sweetening those grapes Wolfsbane?...

    Catholics were and always will be the very first 'Christians'...then there are the spin offs :P

    Put it down to his tight northern upbringing and forgive him for it...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 42 angry_bob


    lmaopml wrote: »
    Catholics were and always will be the very first 'Christians'...then there are the spin offs :P

    How do you work that one out? There were Christians long before the Roman Catholic church came into being.

    OP, the main difference between any form of Protestantism and Catholicism is the believe that the the Pope in Rome has a direct line to God. There are several other distinctions, as previously mentioned, but this is the biggie.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 Avaya79


    What is the difference between being Catholic or Protestant ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,942 ✭✭✭topper75


    She isn't jumping religion. She is considering changing denomination in the same religion. Surely, while acknowledging that every church has its problems and failings, it is important for the individual to find a place where they can grow with God. Part of this is finding people to help you along the way.

    How can other people 'help you along the way'? How could they know more about God than you or find Him more readily than you? It could be time to tackle that assumption.

    As Thomas Paine wrote: "My mind is my own church".


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,178 ✭✭✭thirtythirty


    Avaya79 wrote: »
    What is the difference between being Catholic or Protestant ?



    Catholicism is the peasant's denomination of Christianity :pac:















    *hides*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭antiskeptic


    Avaya79 wrote: »
    What is the difference between being Catholic or Protestant ?

    At root:

    Catholicism holds that a man has to do some work to obtain salvation (do good, follow certain RC ordinances, refrain from sin, go through purification in Purgo). In this core area, Catholicism is the same as other Religions and cults (Islam/Hinduism/Jehovahs Witness/Mormonism)

    Protestantism in the main, holds that man is saved by faith alone - there is no work he can do and no good behaviour he can contribute .. to his being saved.

    Protestantism (insofar as it holds this view of salvation) isn't a Religion as such - Religions are always about your following the Law in order that you be spared the consequences of your sin.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,078 ✭✭✭✭LordSutch


    Avaya79 wrote: »
    What is the difference between being Catholic or Protestant ?

    Where to start? If you are a Roman Catholic & you wish to become an Anglican, I suggest you start
    by attending your local CofI Church this Sunday morning, sit at the back of the Church, listen, sing, & enjoy :)

    The Anglican Church has a very broad spectrum, going from 'High Church' to Low Church, with everything else in between! so be warned. Anglican 'High Church' is very close to Roman Catholic church practice, which would include the smell of incense, lots of bowing, making the sign of the cross, hail Mary's, etc, etc, all of which are commonplace in an Anglican 'High Church', (alas they are few and far between in Ireland). Then at the other end of the spectrum you have the traditional Church of Ireland low church, which is very common place & much furthed removed from the church of Rome.

    I could go on for pages, but there are differences between & within the Anglican churches, and between them and the
    RC Church in Ireland. No 'one Church' can claim to be the one true church! so 'Vive la difference', and good luck I say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,245 ✭✭✭✭Fanny Cradock


    topper75 wrote: »
    How can other people 'help you along the way'? How could they know more about God than you or find Him more readily than you? It could be time to tackle that assumption.

    As Thomas Paine wrote: "My mind is my own church".

    What do you suppose is the point in gathering together to worship and read the bible in large and small groups?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,980 ✭✭✭wolfsbane


    lmaopml wrote: »
    Unnecessary personal observation :rolleyes: as usual I see......never miss a good dig should the opportunity present itself, very Christian!

    Is there any hope of sweetening those grapes Wolfsbane?...

    Catholics were and always will be the very first 'Christians'...then there are the spin offs :P
    My response was to Fanny's claim that the RCC is not a separate religion from Protestant churches. Was his claim an unnecessary personal observation? I think not - it was his sincerely held belief, one that conflicted with my assertion, so he was perfectly entitled to voice it. As was I in reply.

    Do you regard the JWs and Mormons as separate religions, or merely other denominations within the Christian church? Would it be unnecessary personal observation if you commented on them in a thread about How do I become a Protestant?

    _________________________________________________________________
    John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,080 ✭✭✭lmaopml


    Hi Wolfsbane,

    Not at all, quite simply Fanny's was nearer the truth..

    I suggest a read through the creed would be of help to you, perhaps even a distraction from yourself for a while......the creed that originated with the Catholic church and is still in use today by 'Christians...' that provides the basics of Christianity..


    ...but I'm betting you already knew that. Then again, you're entitled to believe whatever you want. You don't know us, you think you do, but you don't.

    Peace to you Wolfsbane.

    Magenta,

    Sorry for bringing your thread ot a bit. I wish you the very best of luck on your journey, and hope you find where you belong...we'll be sorry to lose you from the Catholic faith, but certainly wish you every happiness in your new church..:)

    You can 'sign out' of the Catholic faith online these days...However, I'm not sure if this reverses ( or even could ) your baptism as a Christian? I don't think it's prerequisit to joining one of the Protestant denominations either...


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,144 Mod ✭✭✭✭robinph


    angry_bob wrote: »
    How do you work that one out? There were Christians long before the Roman Catholic church came into being.

    Yep, the first christian being a Jew who decided he didn't like how that religion was run so started his own version up. I seriously doubt he considered himself a Roman either seeing as they were the ones who nailed him to a tree.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,980 ✭✭✭wolfsbane


    lmaopml wrote: »
    Hi Wolfsbane,

    Not at all, quite simply Fanny's was nearer the truth..

    I suggest a read through the creed would be of help to you, perhaps even a distraction from yourself for a while......the creed that originated with the Catholic church and is still in use today by 'Christians...' that provides the basics of Christianity..


    ...but I'm betting you already knew that. Then again, you're entitled to believe whatever you want. You don't know us, you think you do, but you don't.

    Peace to you Wolfsbane.
    Yes, the Creed's fine - but as they say, the devil's in the detail. ;)

    There's a lot it doesn't say, and a lot that it does could be taken several ways. I think the Wiki article is correct when it says, Because of its early origin, it does not address some Christological issues defined in the later Nicene and other Christian Creeds. It thus says nothing explicitly about the divinity of either Jesus or of the Holy Spirit. This makes it acceptable to many Arians and Unitarians. Nor does it address many other theological questions that became objects of dispute centuries later.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles'_Creed

    So not all who can sincerely recite the Apostle's Creed would be accepted as Trinitarians, for example. And I suppose you agree with me that Unitarians are not Christian. If you do hold them as Christians, perhaps you would give us an idea of what minimum standard you do set?

    _________________________________________________________________
    Matthew 15:8 ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
    And honor Me with their lips,
    But their heart is far from Me.
    9 And in vain they worship Me,
    Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,108 ✭✭✭Jellybaby1


    Magenta, I'm sure you weren't expecting the thread to go to these lengths, but hope you are still ok through all of this. There is such a lot of good stuff here interspersed with a few little impish responses here and there!! If you are still searching, I taped this service on RTE last Sunday. It's not my church, but the preaching is very good and although I have visited it a few times I decided not to continue going there as I was quite happy where I was. This church would not be Protestant but it is not Roman Catholic either - it is Pentecostal. You may not like it but this is just for your information and maybe you might like to have a look yourself:

    http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1073389

    Their website is: http://www.stmarks.ie/

    My own view is if someone wants to be Christian they should be allowed to be, wherever they find a home where they can be comfortable and feel the presence of God, whether that be a Protestant, Catholic, or any other Christian place of worship. Happy hunting!


  • Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 21,504 Mod ✭✭✭✭Agent Smith


    Avaya79 wrote: »
    What is the difference between being Catholic or Protestant ?


    Protestants took the soup :pac:


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