See? Even on this thread I’m confused by what people are saying.
Are you quoting the Bible? Are you telling me what Catholics believe?
If I am a Protestant ... am I damned? I have had Catholics here on Free Republic tell me that there’s only ONE TRUE CHURCH and it’s theirs?
I don’t want to disrespect you Catholics... but don’t you think you are overcomplicating salvation?
Is there such a thing as “born again” Catholics?
Please excuse my exuberance and clarity ... but I was raised Lutheran... and became an agnostic/atheist .... Jesus saved me in 2005 when I found my stupid self on my knees begging...
I’m just shocked to read Catholics saying I’m NOT saved by that grace.
What do you care what Catholics believe? Are you upset over hearing what Buddhists believe? The question is, what do YOU believe? Because no matter what religion you end up wtih, only you can choose it.
A million people waving holy books in your face won't tell you a thing. Why even post a thread if you're not going to talk about YOUR considerations, to see where they stand? Everyone has questions, so what? And if Catholics think you're not saved, what does it matter unless you're a Catholic? After all, it's not like were talking about Muslims, who will murder you for disagreeing.
You're sounding like a troll, trying to create factional fights instead of treating age-old questions with the respect they deserve.
I will tell you what Catholics believe and what the Vatican has proclaimed regarding non-Catholic Christians. From CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
RESPONSES TO SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ASPECTS
OF THE DOCTRINE ON THE CHURCH.
(about non-Catholic Christian churches.
“It follows that these separated churches and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church”
In other words, if you walk in the steps of Jesus, you can make it to heaven. It’s grace, period.
Ask your Catholic friend what his/her idea of being saved came from. Then quote the Vatican.
May we know a few things about this Catholic? Does he or she has any credentials of his/her authority to teach? Is there any reason to think that he or she speaks with any authority about Catholic doctrine. Do you think there's some scholarship here?
I would want to here the exact wording your friend used. But God is the source of every good thing. TO imagine that any fallen human could come up with a truly good work without Divine Favor is nuts.
You wrote:
“If I am a Protestant ... am I damned?”
No.
” I have had Catholics here on Free Republic tell me that there’s only ONE TRUE CHURCH and it’s theirs?”
And they’re right.
“I don’t want to disrespect you Catholics... but don’t you think you are overcomplicating salvation?”
Nope. Not in the least.
“Is there such a thing as “born again” Catholics?”
Yes, every single one of them. That doesn’t mean they all always cling to Christ of truth. Everyone is capable of backsliding.
“Please excuse my exuberance and clarity ... but I was raised Lutheran... and became an agnostic/atheist .... Jesus saved me in 2005 when I found my stupid self on my knees begging...”
Okay. As a “raised Lutheran” maybe you should read this: http://www.amazon.com/There-Stood-Here-Stand-Rediscover/dp/0759613206
One of my dearest friends in this world is a former Lutheran minister - now a Catholic.
“I’m just shocked to read Catholics saying I’m NOT saved by that grace.”
Anyone saved is saved by grace. Not all who think they will be saved will be, however. There’s a lot of presumption out there. Jesus warned us against it (Matthew 7:21-23).
Not everyone in the Catholic Church knows what he is talking about.
No, we can do nothing without Grace.
In addition to what I said earlier, once one has become a Catholic—and that was done by your free choice, responding to the offer of God’s grace and enlightenment, then we also need to make use of the Mass and the Sacraments.
Baptism, confirmation. Weekly Mass attendance. Confession at least once a year during the long Easter season, and more often if we fall into serious sin.
If we have Grace, it is possible to throw it away. And it is possible, through the help of Confession and Communion, to recover it.
Since the Church in America is still in a rather confused state—although it is still the one, true Church, One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—intelligent Catholics need to find ways to educate themselves, by reading the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, selected encyclicals, the Church Fathers, and by seeking advice from people and organizations you find you can trust. How do you do that? Well, it’s all cumulative. You need to pray, make use of the Sacraments, read, seek further inspiration, continue to ask for God’s help.
If I am a Protestant ... am I damned? I have had Catholics here on Free Republic tell me that there’s only ONE TRUE CHURCH and it’s theirs?
///
no, you are not damned for being Protestant. And 30 seconds of research, could tell you that.
Real Catholics know that. but MANY Protestants, including Ministers, teach that all Catholics will go to hell.
(i was raised Southern Baptist, and have gone to many protestant churches.)
and, the BIBLE says, REPEATEDLY, there is only “one true church”.
...however, ALL my life, i have endured anti-Catholic hatred. my child and i, went to the Papal Mass in Washington DC. it was magical. my child received “first communion there!”. a memory to be cherished forever!
...until we left. outside the stadium, were hundreds of Protestants, many with megaphones, and big signs, saying that all Catholics were damned to hell...
...and i had to explain THAT hatred, by our “brothers-in-Christ”, to my child.
even here on Free Republic, i have seen such anti-Catholic many times (and i’m relatively new!).
earlier today, i read here:
“And the last pope kissed the koran. The Vatican can no longer hide their detest for God’s own as they side with the enemies of Israel.”
...and MANY Freepers who I had respected, on that same thread, harshly condemned the Pope, for saying the SAME words that Palin and Netanyahu and President Bush have said !
this was my response:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2729527/posts?page=41#41
You were not talking to a Bible taught Catholic. Or this post is false. Which is it?