Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox

[Rhamiel]

I'm curious who "Pope Michael" is.

I used to belong to a Christian Facebook group that was an interesting mix of current events, theology, and memes
“Pope” Michael was in that group and gave gentle yet orthodox advice and was good natured about the jokes at his expense, I never got to know him well but I get the feeling he would have been a good priest if he was not so delusional

We United Methodists are about do deal with homosexuality once and for all, perhaps - in February. I hope those making the decisions will do so wisely.

My mother was a lay delegate for her Methodist church for a few years at their conference, she disliked how nothing was final, every time they voted down a proposed LGBTQ measure it would only be a year or two before they tried to push it through again

As I have stated before, I was circumcised when I was a baby. I went to a Catholic school up to the 5th grade. My mother took me and my brothers & sister to a Catholic Church every Sunday until I left home in my early 20’s.

Now in my late 60’s and no longer a church goer, I have two questions—

[1] Do followers of Judaism circumcise their children-?

[2] I have seen Jewish leaders wearing skull caps and I have seen Catholic leaders wearing skull caps too.

Is the meaning of the skull caps one and the same for both?

Just curious, no malice intended or implied

Circumcision is only popular among Catholics in America, I understand that it is not so with Catholics in Europe or Latin America

 

[Rhamiel]

Oh I forgot to answer the OP

I think the dividing line in Catholicism could better be described as orthodox/heterodox or traditionalist/modernist

But I do see what you mean in general

 

[Dave-W]

[1] Do followers of Judaism circumcise their children-?

Yes. It is done by a ceremonial circumcisionist called a Mohel. (or moyle) There is a short but moderately elaborate ceremony called a Brit (or bris) led by the mohel. It is done on the 8th day after birth. (assuming a healthy baby)

 

[Dave-W]

[2] I have seen Jewish leaders wearing skull caps and I have seen Catholic leaders wearing skull caps too.
Is the meaning of the skull caps one and the same for both?

I don't think so. In Catholicism, I have only seen priests (and above) wear the caps.

In normal Judaism, all male attendees wear them. It is a mark to submission to God. In liberal Judaism like Reform or Reconstructionist, not everyone wears them but some women decide to wear them also.

It is a mixed bag in Messianic Judaism. Most congregations are ok with wearing them or not.

 

[Dave-W]

Circumcision is only popular among Catholics in America,

Protestants as well.

 

[Rhamiel]

@Dave-W I edited my comment to show I was comparing American Catholics with Catholics in Europe and Latin America, not commenting on Protestants, sorry for being unclear

 

[chuckpeterson]

Yes. It is done by a ceremonial circumcisionist called a Mohel.

Since I was circumcised, does that mean that I am Jewish?

 

[Dave-W]

Since I was circumcised, does that mean that I am Jewish?

Not at all. You need to have a Jewish parentage; if you are Orthodox, Chassidic or Conservative it needs to be your mother. Reform and Reconstructionist say either parent is ok.

You would need to undergo a formal conversion after which they would draw a drop of blood from where the foreskin used to be.

Then you would be Jewish.

 

[Albion]

I suppose you need to be a Catholic to be aware of these things, since you don't hear much about it in the news.

I know. The truth is that almost every denomination or family of faith has a lot of splits, but the average person is almost never "up" on them because the media know that a story about this would be of interest to only a tiny number of readers.

The biggest of the splits and internal controversies will get some coverage, as with the Lutherans and Episcopalians in recent years, but that's about it.

 

[Newtheran]

Catholicism is a lot like protestantism these days when it comes to that. There is much more unity in the Eastern Orthodox church around historic Christian doctrine and morality.

 

[chuckpeterson]

You would need to undergo a formal conversion after which they would draw a drop of blood from where the foreskin used to be.

I'll pass on that
-

 

[Dave-W]

I'll pass on that
-

Good call.