So, many of you think that the ongoing assault against Christianity is going to be solved by beating each other over the head with Bibles?
Honestly, I have been insulted and hurt as a Catholic in my life by some Protestants but I never let it change my respect and affection for them (at least the ones who were living a good Christian life). I have attended many Protestant services with friends and have attended Eastern Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Coptic, and Ethiopian Masses. It was a joy to participate in all of them because the spirit of Christ is evident in all of them.
Rather than emphasizing the differences in doctrine and customs, why not reach out to each other and work together to defeat the evils in front of us? The Devil is winning at this point, with marriage and family under attack, millions of babies murdered, and Christians around the world being martyred every day.
For those Catholics who feel it's necessary to attack others - you aren't helping anyone, certainly not God. If we wish to convince others, give good example and invite - don't insult or disparage. Our Lord wants us together with Him, doesn't want us to lose anyone.
I recommend prayer everyone, prayer for the salvation of the world, prayer for the defeat of the Devil, prayer for the love that Jesus told us was essential as neighbors.
But the point you still miss is that do hold to or take a stand for anything being right is by necessity to be opposed to the contrary. And thus while you promote togetherness with Christ, you disparage those who see this as impossible with those who preach contrary to Christ. And if hold that your warm and fuzzy ecumenism is of Christ, you must say in turn that those who contend for doctrine against those who distort are contrary to Christ.
Honestly, I have been insulted and hurt as a Catholic in my life by some Protestants but I never let it change my respect and affection for them (at least the ones who were living a good Christian life). I have attended many Protestant services with friends
Which examples another point you do not seem to realize, which is that the church began with division, which the Lord said He came to bring, and unity with those based on Truth, which was is exclusive by nature.
And thus your church, supposing she is uniquely the one true church, has stated, " this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics.” (Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, 10,11; http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280106_mortalium-animos.html)
1917 Code of Canon Law: "It is not permitted at all for the faithful to assist in any active manner at or to have any part in the worship of non-Catholics." (1917 Code of Canon Law states: that:Canon 1258)
the Church forbids the faithful to communicate with those unbelievers who have forsaken the faith they once received, either by corrupting the faith, as heretics, or by entirely renouncing the faith, as apostates, because the Church pronounces sentence of excommunication on both.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica)
And it is because traditional RCs see the historical (medieval) RCC as being true that they contend against modern teaching which they see as being in contradiction to it.
Thus you implicitly reprove as unChrist-like both Bible Christians and RCs for their contentions for what they see as Truth, while if you advocate unity based on a few basic beliefs while disagreement exists in essential core Truths, then you must make your case as to why this is Christ-like.
But if you will not substantiate the basis for your position and implicit censor of those who contend for essential Truths, then whatever body of believers you envision will seem to be just a warm mass that lacks necessary bones.
And i dare think I am in unity on this issue with my opponents.
I would submit to you that God is in control and though it may seem the "Devil is winning", he is not. Satan can do nothing without God's divine permission (see Job) and even when he may permitted to bring calamity on believers God uses it for our good to refine and strengthen us.
Given that knowledge, it is critical that we have sound doctrine. Over time Israel and Judah corrupted their view of God to such a point that they turned to paganism. It is important we do not do the same.
The battle isn't in the lost and dying world that rejects Christ. The battle is within the church against those who would see the gospel corrupted.