How Do Catholics View Protestants

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The title is kinda vague. Im curious about any views Catholics may have about Protestants. How come Catholics are Catholic and how come Protestants are Protestant. What the big differences are. Is there a common ground where both agree. Thank you.
Officially, there is much common ground. We share in a common baptism and can declare together that we are part of the Church, although not in communion. Generally speaking, we all accept at least a handful of Ecumenical Councils as binding on the faith. We profess Jesus as Lord, accept the same New Testament canon, and much more depending on what denomination of Protestant Christianity we are talking about.

I have no problem having friends who are Protestant.

However, you will find some Catholics (especially on the internet) who have not yet understood or accept that Protestants are also a part of the church or even Christian.
 
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fathomf5ve

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Hopefully not head on. :)

From the protestant point of view, there is some disagreement as to the importance of Mary and the treatment of sainthood and canonisation, the elevation of importance given to the papcy, sometimes with the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic church, and the role of salvation vs sanctification (are believers saved at conversion or is it an ongoing saving process throughout the lifetime?). These are issues about the concept of venal and mortal sin, the role of confession, etc.

In practice personally, I get along with Roman Catholics and don't often get into discussions of differences. I'm happy to discuss and agree to disagree. I'm also aware that Roman Catholics come with things to offer to the protestant arm of Christianity - for example, the loss of the arts to a lot of protestants due to a historical iconoclastic eschewment of images (though pentecostal Christianity certainly embraces the arts), the prevalence of carnal Christians due to the once-saved always-saved belief (personally I think we are saved at conversion and are also being sanctified each day as God makes us more like Him). The role of tradition and strong community that give a greater sense of respect in Roman Catholicism.
 
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Needing_Grace

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Officially, there is much common ground. We share in a common baptism and can declare together that we are part of the Church, although not in communion.

Amen! This is exactly true.

Generally speaking, we all accept at least a handful of Ecumenical Councils as binding on the faith.
Generally speaking, for the Protestant, the notion of a dogma being "binding" on a Christian is unheard of. On the other hand, it could be said that the teachings of many of the early Councils were descriptive of the true doctrine of Christ as revealed in the Scripture, but never "binding" in the same sense a Catholic would understand.

Remember, most Protestants adhere to 'sola Scriptura' (by Scripture alone), so, for them, councils can only be instructive, but never dogmatic.

We profess Jesus as Lord, accept the same New Testament canon, and much more depending on what denomination of Protestant Christianity we are talking about.

I went from Evangelical to Pentecostal to Lutheran to Catholic, so I can confirm this to be true. While virtually all have valid baptisms (except some Oneness Pentecostals who baptize in the name of Jesus only--I never got involved with these folks myself). The Evangelical and Pentecostal groups both had their own style of worship services that were extemporaneous but everything happened generally at the same time. The evangelical group I attended (where I was baptized) celebrated communion every Sunday but it was not sacramental in any sense. The Pentecostal group was very evangelistic (always doing "outreach") and there was no respect given to the beliefs of other Christians...Catholicism, in particular, was considered to be diabolical. After my family moved to another city, I kind of stopped going to church for a long time, though I still believed.

After we moved again, I spent a short time going to Mass and falling in love with it (yes, the Novus Ordo, even!). At the time, I couldn't deal with the really Catholic doctrines, like Mary and such, but I fell in love with the liturgy as well as the sacraments. I became a Lutheran because they had the closest liturgy to Catholic, a form of sacramental theology and had other doctrines I could live with (Calvinistic Double-Predestination and Limited Atonement have always bothered me).

Only when I saw Catholics who spoke of Jesus the same way I did...as though they knew Him in a real way did I consider investigating the Church and seeing whether or not I could take that step towards the Catholic Church.

I'm so glad I did. :)

I have no problem having friends who are Protestant.
Living and working where I do, I associate with people who are Sikh, Orthodox Jewish, Muslim, Russian Orthodox, Catholic, Non-denominational, etc.

[qote]However, you will find some Catholics (especially on the internet) who have not yet understood or accept that Protestants are also a part of the church or even Christian.[/quote]Ah, yes...the "Extra Ecclesia Nula Salus" (Outside the Church there is no salvation) crowd. Such a joy when encountered.
 
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Dark_Lite

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The title is kinda vague. Im curious about any views Catholics may have about Protestants. How come Catholics are Catholic and how come Protestants are Protestant. What the big differences are. Is there a common ground where both agree. Thank you.

Catholics are Catholic and Protestants are Protestant based on what people believe to be the truth.

If you are asking how individuals view Protestants and Protestantism, I guess I will give my opinion. As far Protestantism is concerned, I believe it has no basis in Christian history, and is born out of arbitrarily invented doctrines (Sola Scriptura, etc) that Luther and others created based on cherry-picking bits of the Church Fathers as a knee-jerk reaction against the abuses of the Catholic Church.

For individual Protestants, that depends on the person, just like any other interpersonal relationship. When it comes to theology, I have respect for Protestants who are aware of what the Catholic Church actually teaches, and have rational reasons for disagreeing with it. I have no problems with Protestants who are nice and respectful, just like I have no problems with anyone who is nice and respectful.

I have little respect for people who are ignorant of what the Catholic Church teaches yet parade their knowledge around and go on a crusade to "save the Catholics." That little respect turns into no respect when they persist in ignorance after being corrected by numerous people, documents, and other sources. Why? 99.9% of the time, those people have anti-Catholic prejudice built into their personality. And it's always obvious to everyone but themselves or other people with the same personality.
 
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Michie

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I have found most Protestants extremely adverse, and downright rude, to Catholics.
I lost a lot of protestant friends when I bacame Catholic. Even had my salvation questioned. Not all are like that but my faith is rarely discussed. They don't want to know it seems.

As far as how Catholics officially view protestants. We view them as brethern imperfectly united with the Church.

These links might help the OP as far as where Catholics are coming from & differences in belief.

Purgatory

Homosexuality

Do Catholics Worship Statues?

Apologetics
Bible
Church
Eschatology
Eucharist
Evangelization
Heresy
History
Jesus
Mary
Morality
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Papacy
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WarriorAngel

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The title is kinda vague. Im curious about any views Catholics may have about Protestants. How come Catholics are Catholic and how come Protestants are Protestant. What the big differences are. Is there a common ground where both agree. Thank you.

Common ground - believing in the Lord Jesus.

As one particular Catholic, i feel somewhat sorry for what they are missing in the Eucharist...and other sacraments and that nobody in their family prays for them when they leave the mortal life.

I also dont see the point in attending Church if there is no Eucharist. Its the climax of Christ's life - a Sacrifice to make present [says the Koine Greek] and the Apostles said to do as often as possible.

For us, thru the ordained hands since the Apostles, we go to Mass to not only hear the word of God - but to partake in His Everlasting Body and Blood.
 
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someguy14

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I appreciate the responses.

I have entered many churchs and observed various things. I lived near a college and a Roman Catholic Church is on the campus and attended there many times. When they went to kneel, I was unfamiliar with it and am still somewhat unfamiliar with it. The service area was so packed and people were cramed out to the hallway and even standing outside on the pavement listening through the open door. I must have been one of the only ones that didnt kneel because I didnt have any idea how come. I went to listen to the message and enjoyed it very much, many times. I look at it now, and from reading how important some take such instructions of the Catholic Church, and think, they must have thought I was crazy for standing there and continueing to listen to the prayers as though nothing else was happening.

Correct me if Im wrong, I did a wiki search of Eucharist, and it mentions Taking the body as bread and blood as wine. Many churchs I have visited do that, but also many of them dont call it Eucharist. Perhaps there is something different that Catholics do along with The Remembrance. As far as I can tell, it is very similar to many churchs though. If I look into it a little further, Im thinking that many of the terms Catholics use for worship techniques, are similar to how many other Churchs do it also, in one form or another. Perhaps the way things are labeled are the main differences between the two.

Well it is very informative information on these post's and I am still reading through some. Thank you for the posts brother and sisters and may God bless.
 
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Dark_Lite

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Most Protestant churches do not believe in the full Real Presence. The biggest Protestant groups that believe in the Real Presence are Anglicans (theoretically; their beliefs tend to be rather varied) and most (all?) Lutherans. The Real Presence is the idea that the bread and wine literally becomes Christ's body and blood once it is consecrated.

Other denominations believe in a sort of spiritual presence or a completely symbolic communion. Methodism apparently believes in the real presence, although I was never really taught that growing up (or maybe I just didn't pay attention).
 
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someguy14

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Most Protestant churches do not believe in the full Real Presence. The biggest Protestant groups that believe in the Real Presence are Anglicans (theoretically; their beliefs tend to be rather varied) and most (all?) Lutherans. The Real Presence is the idea that the bread and wine literally becomes Christ's body and blood once it is consecrated.

Other denominations believe in a sort of spiritual presence or a completely symbolic communion. Methodism apparently believes in the real presence, although I was never really taught that growing up (or maybe I just didn't pay attention).

I went to a Methodist Church when I was very young, from ages around 5-12 maybe. I remember taking classes, and I cant think of what they were called, but I remember learning about The Body and Blood and a very strong importance of it, to not take it unworthily. I still today view it as very important. I suppose I also view it as important as the Jewish rememberance of The Exodus. I very much enjoy the seriousness emphasised on it by those that take it serious. For it is very important.
 
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MKJ

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I went to a Methodist Church when I was very young, from ages around 5-12 maybe. I remember taking classes, and I cant think of what they were called, but I remember learning about The Body and Blood and a very strong importance of it, to not take it unworthily. I still today view it as very important. I suppose I also view it as important as the Jewish rememberance of The Exodus. I very much enjoy the seriousness emphasised on it by those that take it serious. For it is very important.

According to the United Methodist Church,
Jesus Christ, who "is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being" (Hebrews 1:3), is truly present in Holy Communion. Through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, God meets us at the Table. God, who has given the sacraments to the church, acts in and through Holy Communion. Christ is present through the community gathered in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:20), through the Word proclaimed and enacted, and through the elements of bread and wine shared (1 Corinthians 11:23–26). The divine presence is a living reality and can be experienced by participants; it is not a remembrance of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion only.[8]
 
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WarriorAngel

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I appreciate the responses.

I have entered many churchs and observed various things. I lived near a college and a Roman Catholic Church is on the campus and attended there many times. When they went to kneel, I was unfamiliar with it and am still somewhat unfamiliar with it. The service area was so packed and people were cramed out to the hallway and even standing outside on the pavement listening through the open door. I must have been one of the only ones that didnt kneel because I didnt have any idea how come. I went to listen to the message and enjoyed it very much, many times. I look at it now, and from reading how important some take such instructions of the Catholic Church, and think, they must have thought I was crazy for standing there and continueing to listen to the prayers as though nothing else was happening.

Correct me if Im wrong, I did a wiki search of Eucharist, and it mentions Taking the body as bread and blood as wine. Many churchs I have visited do that, but also many of them dont call it Eucharist. Perhaps there is something different that Catholics do along with The Remembrance. As far as I can tell, it is very similar to many churchs though. If I look into it a little further, Im thinking that many of the terms Catholics use for worship techniques, are similar to how many other Churchs do it also, in one form or another. Perhaps the way things are labeled are the main differences between the two.

Well it is very informative information on these post's and I am still reading through some. Thank you for the posts brother and sisters and may God bless.

One other thing, the Catholic Church can trace its actual lineage from the Apostles, which includes the chair of Peter.
Yes, his episcopate.
That ordination was unbroken since Peter himself ordained Clement l as his replacement, which after his death, he did replace him after a few others sat in his chair. That is, was a teacher for the Church. etc

Many Protestant groups broke from the chair. So the Church, the one who was always here from the beginning, looked at them as illicit.
And many began teaching new doctrines, and one of them being the lack of the chair of Peter was ok.

According to scriptures and history, that really is not true.

Peace be with you.
 
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Luther073082

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Most Protestant churches do not believe in the full Real Presence. The biggest Protestant groups that believe in the Real Presence are Anglicans (theoretically; their beliefs tend to be rather varied) and most (all?) Lutherans. The Real Presence is the idea that the bread and wine literally becomes Christ's body and blood once it is consecrated.

If you don't belive in the real presence. . . you are not Lutheran. I don't care if you've been going to a Lutheran church your whole life.

I don't personally consider confessional Lutheran's to be protestants because our theology is so radically different from most protestants that it doesn't make sense to put us in that group.

However even if you do how close the theology and worship is to the Roman Catholic Church depends a lot on which denomination.

Eastern Orthodox, Confessional Lutheranism, and Old Catholic is probably the closest to the RCC in terms of theology. Probably in that order. (I would not personally call any of those church's to be protestant.)

Then you look at Anglicans, Westlyan (Methodists), and Non-Confessional Lutherans as being still fairly close but still a couple steps away. These groups can vary but many of them have a liberal streak in terms of social issues like abortion.

Then the rest are pretty far away because they lack both a similar theology or a litergical worship style. The problem with the rest is a lot of them don't understand Roman Catholic Theology terribly well and tend to have knee jerk reactions to things they don't understand. Most of them look down quite a bit on Lutherans too.
 
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Rhamiel

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I appreciate the responses.

I have entered many churchs and observed various things. I lived near a college and a Roman Catholic Church is on the campus and attended there many times. When they went to kneel, I was unfamiliar with it and am still somewhat unfamiliar with it. The service area was so packed and people were cramed out to the hallway and even standing outside on the pavement listening through the open door. I must have been one of the only ones that didnt kneel because I didnt have any idea how come. I went to listen to the message and enjoyed it very much, many times. I look at it now, and from reading how important some take such instructions of the Catholic Church, and think, they must have thought I was crazy for standing there and continueing to listen to the prayers as though nothing else was happening.

Correct me if Im wrong, I did a wiki search of Eucharist, and it mentions Taking the body as bread and blood as wine. Many churchs I have visited do that, but also many of them dont call it Eucharist. Perhaps there is something different that Catholics do along with The Remembrance. As far as I can tell, it is very similar to many churchs though. If I look into it a little further, Im thinking that many of the terms Catholics use for worship techniques, are similar to how many other Churchs do it also, in one form or another. Perhaps the way things are labeled are the main differences between the two.

Well it is very informative information on these post's and I am still reading through some. Thank you for the posts brother and sisters and may God bless.

Labels and vocabulary is a little differant and that is part of what seperates catholics and protestants, just how we talk about things, this can really get in the way of understanding what the other people mean

now I would say this is not all that seperates us, there are differances in beliefs as well

As for the Eucharist, there are a lot of differant names for it, it is also called the Lords Supper and a few other terms
the Catholics believe that God turns the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ (in other words it totaly becomes Jesus)
Protestants have differant teachings on the Eucharist and you will have to ask them to what they believe because I have been accused of over simplifying it lol many see it as just symbolic or as having some spiritual value
the basic liturgical set up, the order of the service, is similar to Lutheran, Episcopalian and Methodist
 
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princess_ballet

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If you don't belive in the real presence. . . you are not Lutheran. I don't care if you've been going to a Lutheran church your whole life.

I don't personally consider confessional Lutheran's to be protestants because our theology is so radically different from most protestants that it doesn't make sense to put us in that group.

However even if you do how close the theology and worship is to the Roman Catholic Church depends a lot on which denomination.

Eastern Orthodox, Confessional Lutheranism, and Old Catholic is probably the closest to the RCC in terms of theology. Probably in that order. (I would not personally call any of those church's to be protestant.)

Then you look at Anglicans, Westlyan (Methodists), and Non-Confessional Lutherans as being still fairly close but still a couple steps away. These groups can vary but many of them have a liberal streak in terms of social issues like abortion.

Then the rest are pretty far away because they lack both a similar theology or a litergical worship style. The problem with the rest is a lot of them don't understand Roman Catholic Theology terribly well and tend to have knee jerk reactions to things they don't understand. Most of them look down quite a bit on Lutherans too.

If you don't mind me asking, if you do believe in the Real Presence, then how do you guys believe the ability to do so is passed down? I was under the impression that Luther believed in the Real Presence, but since he couldn't ordain priests himself, that he had to cut that out of his theology. In other words, you couldn't have the Real Presence because there was no one to do it.
 
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WarriorAngel

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If you don't belive in the real presence. . . you are not Lutheran. I don't care if you've been going to a Lutheran church your whole life.

I don't personally consider confessional Lutheran's to be protestants because our theology is so radically different from most protestants that it doesn't make sense to put us in that group.

However even if you do how close the theology and worship is to the Roman Catholic Church depends a lot on which denomination.

Eastern Orthodox, Confessional Lutheranism, and Old Catholic is probably the closest to the RCC in terms of theology. Probably in that order. (I would not personally call any of those church's to be protestant.)

Then you look at Anglicans, Westlyan (Methodists), and Non-Confessional Lutherans as being still fairly close but still a couple steps away. These groups can vary but many of them have a liberal streak in terms of social issues like abortion.

Then the rest are pretty far away because they lack both a similar theology or a litergical worship style. The problem with the rest is a lot of them don't understand Roman Catholic Theology terribly well and tend to have knee jerk reactions to things they don't understand. Most of them look down quite a bit on Lutherans too.

Luther was the first to protest.
Tho many sub groups abounded while even Luther was alive and he lamented what happened in his time and at his hand... all groups did follow suit.

It became practice to 'one up' the last broken reed because ppl like to create doctrines that they prefer rather than follow that which has always been most difficult.

Luther, may God have mercy on him, had pride and willful disobedience to the chair of Peter. He loathed the Pope's position and yet unbeknownst to himself, he put himself in the same position in creating his own following.

For one to have a church - one must have followers and be their teacher.
Just as Christ set up a teacher of the Church and his chair remains to this day. Obedience to a person is hard which leads to many sub divided groups and sects, but Christ gave that person in Peter's chair, however sinful; a charism that is not broken. For man as sinful as they are in nature, cannot change a promise from Christ.

Lutheran is not only Protestant, but it is looked at as the first Protestant. That is - those who protest the Catholic Church.
AND her teachings. Luther's first denial of the ancient doctrines was purgatory and thenceforth all that followed.
 
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WarriorAngel

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If you don't mind me asking, if you do believe in the Real Presence, then how do you guys believe the ability to do so is passed down? I was under the impression that Luther believed in the Real Presence, but since he couldn't ordain priests himself, that he had to cut that out of his theology. In other words, you couldn't have the Real Presence because there was no one to do it.

Only Bishops could ever ordain.
Luther was a priest. He was never given the ability to ordain. Ergo, his ordinations ended at him.

Anglicans went with a Bishop - who illicitly ordained outside the Church.
I dont have all the writings - but Michelina did once explain how Anglicans can be illicit for so long, somehow [again not sure how] are no longer even accepted as ordained from the Church.

This seems true being that those who convert must be ordained by a Catholic Bishop.

That gets all fuzzy in my recollections because i first had to understand it and i only know it by the surface and not the heart of it.
I am one of those folks who must dig deeper to comprehend it fully. Unfortunately Michelina isnt here :( to help me.
 
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