Why I hate being labeled a "Protestant"

Sketcher · Aug 18, 2004

Father Rick said:
'Catholics' were ANYONE who claimed to be Christian. They were all part of the early church. Even this heretical groups were considered Catholics-- albeit heretical Catholics-- and the heresies they presented were addressed in various church councils. If they were not part of the church, there would have been no need to even address the issues. Again remember 'catholic' simply means 'universal'. It was 1000 years before there were any divisions in the church and everyone who was a Christian was part of the universal (or catholic) church.

Actually, there were the Donatists and many others. There was denominational bickering before the Roman Empire fell.

Bizzlebin Imperatoris · Aug 18, 2004

Crispie said:
Whered you read about these "denominations" in the bible? Are you sure your not confusing them with different names of churchs?

Nicolatians are an example. Revelation 2:14-15

Crispie · Aug 18, 2004

Messianic Judaism is heavily debatable on whether or not it is a denomination of Christianity, my personal opinion on the matter is that that is a, "denomination" of Judaism, but hey, Im not really supposed to make these kind of claims here...

New_Wineskin · Aug 18, 2004

Crispie said:
Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church". We all know that the original church consisted of the united Body of Christ, consisting of no denominations, yet we allow people to label us as protesters of the Catholics in the means that we broke off from there Church, when in fact our origins lye at the beginning, before Catholicism. I dunno, thats just how I feel everytime some Catholic calls me a protestant with some manner of pity at me(in many cases), as though I am against the "True Church". Im sorry if anyone is offended by this, but that is just how I feel about it! Isnt anyone else tired of being labeled this?

(I dont consider Catholicism not Christian, nor am I trying to bash them, (I love catholics, have many catholic friends) just stating my opinion about this label given to me)

I agree . I am *not* a protestant . I do not protest the Catholic denomination nor am I after reform for it . It is a derogatory term to group all noncatholics together . It is like saying "those people" or "you people" or by real protestants ... "us" . The only true Protestants are those groups that directly left the Catholic group or are actually after the group to reform so that they can be a part of it . No thanks . I think that others have waited long enough for that for me to know that it isn't going to happen . If it does reform to whatever standard those that desire it to reform , it will cease to be Catholic .

Brian Daniel · Aug 18, 2004

Crispie said:
Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church". We all know that the original church consisted of the united Body of Christ, consisting of no denominations, yet we allow people to label us as protesters of the Catholics in the means that we broke off from there Church, when in fact our origins lye at the beginning, before Catholicism. I dunno, thats just how I feel everytime some Catholic calls me a protestant with some manner of pity at me(in many cases), as though I am against the "True Church". Im sorry if anyone is offended by this, but that is just how I feel about it! Isnt anyone else tired of being labeled this?

(I dont consider Catholicism not Christian, nor am I trying to bash them, (I love catholics, have many catholic friends) just stating my opinion about this label given to me)

I'm not bothered because I am a non-denominational Christian influenced by the Protestant reformers, and by the catholic faith. Maybe I'm a fundamentalist Protestant with a traditionalist Catholic streak in me.

jcright · Aug 19, 2004

Yes, I do not like being called a protestant. As far as I'm concerned, it's the Catholic church that is doing the protesting...they are the ones that have implemented all of the changes.

Dead Man Walking · Aug 19, 2004

It doesn't bother me. We Protested the corruption of truth, sounds like a good thing to me.

Lynn73 · Aug 19, 2004

I agree with the last two posters. I guess it shouldn't really bother me to be called Protestant because I do indeed protest many of the teachings of the Catholic church. I think the term "separated brethen" bothers me worse than the term "Protestant." Like I'm separated from Christ's one true church, which I firmly maintain that I am not.

David Brider · Aug 19, 2004

Crispie said:
Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church".

To be honest, I'm not much in favour of any labels, denominational or otherwise. I mean, I grew up in an Anglican church, became a Christian while at university when I wasn't actively involved in a church, joined a Methodist church for a few years (and still have a lot of fondness for the whole Methodist heritage), and am now in membership at a church that's part of the newfrontiers family. I'm a disciple of Christ, fairly fundamentalist/evangelical, charismatic/pentecostal, but at the end of the day, that's all just labels. I'd rather be known as a Christian and have done with it.

One label I really can't stand is "religious"...but that's another story..!

David.

Dead Man Walking · Aug 19, 2004

Amen to the above post!!!

Lynn73 · Aug 19, 2004

Yes, that's why I prefer the Christian icon even though I know of at least one or two orthers that would be applicable. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26

Bizzlebin Imperatoris · Aug 19, 2004

Lynn73 said:
Yes, that's why I prefer the Christian icon even though I know of at least one or two orthers that would be applicable. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26

I am much the same way. It's funny since almost every denomination thinks I am part of them. I had a Catholic wonder why I just had the generic Christian icon up and not theirs

Archbishop 10-K · Aug 19, 2004

I equally find it offensive to call a certain event in the 1500's the "Reformation" because, as a Catholic, I feel the Church was severely damaged. I would prefer to call it the Western Schism or the Deformation.

(JUST KIDDING, but you know, I thought you'd like to see things from the Catholic POV)

Archbishop 10-K · Aug 19, 2004

By the way, as a side note, some Catholics are offended when the term "Roman Catholic" is used, since that term was first applied by Anglicans to Catholics, as though loyalty to Rome was a bad thing. Also, the abbreviation "RCC" can be offensive since the real title is just "the Catholic Church." It's offensive to non-Roman Catholics, such as Byzantine Catholics and other Eastern-rites.

DanielRB · Aug 20, 2004

Archbishop 10-K said:
By the way, as a side note, some Catholics are offended when the term "Roman Catholic" is used, since that term was first applied by Anglicans to Catholics, as though loyalty to Rome was a bad thing. Also, the abbreviation "RCC" can be offensive since the real title is just "the Catholic Church." It's offensive to non-Roman Catholics, such as Byzantine Catholics and other Eastern-rites.

Hi Archbishop, thanks for the post.

I was not aware that "Roman Catholic" was offensive. The reason I use the term is to distinguish those who are under the Bishop of Rome from other Catholics. Everyone who uses the Apostles' and Nicean creed considers themselves at a certain level "catholic." It would be offensive to them to suggest that the only "real" catholics are those in communion with Rome.

In Christ,

Daniel

P.S.--What is the 10-K in your name for? It reminds me of the annual report I have to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Form 10-K.

Monica02 · Aug 20, 2004

The use of the title Roman Catholic might at one time been a put down. My understanding is that the terms Papist or Romanist were much more insulting at the time and still are. Most people do not intend the use of Roman Catholic to be offensive although technically we are simply the Catholic Church or just the Church. It would probably be more accurate to refer to Catholics by their rite if one must distinguish between the particular rites. The largest by far, especially in the United States, is the Latin Rite. There are seven rites (methinks??) and several branches of those seven. All of the rites are in full communion with Rome. If a seperated sect or or one in schism is not in full communion with Rome then they are not fully united with the Catholic Church (capital C). The Church does however consider baptised believers to be part of the universal church.

The Protestant Reformation can be more accurately called the Protestant Revolt. The Catholic Reformation could be considered the period of and the actions of the Council of Trent.

cygnusx1 · Aug 20, 2004

I am happy to be amongst the children of the Protestant Reformers.....I guess that would make me "protestant"

The only thing I don't like is that it has many political overtones now , I have met men who are not Christian but consider themselves Protestant (rivalry , bigotory and fleshly) they boast about being part of orange orders and stuff , but I am no part of that scene.

I think all Christians should speak up when error is being pushed , especially by any group who threaten to silence you.

peace........cygnus

Archbishop 10-K · Aug 20, 2004

P.S.--What is the 10-K in your name for? It reminds me of the annual report I have to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Form 10-K.

The 10-K is written in gold capitals on one of my black baseball caps. It just means 10,000 or 10-karat gold. I just thought the name "Archbishop 10-K" sounded gangsta', me being a future Catholic priest (hopefully) and rap fanatic and all that.

Archbishop 10-K · Aug 20, 2004

There are seven rites (methinks??) and several branches of those seven.

Here's a link to a site that has a web diagram with all the different rites listed and branched out.

http://members.optushome.com.au/standrew/catholic/

Monica02 · Aug 21, 2004

Thanks 10-k.

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