Replies

Fortunately, alliances are starting to be formed between real Catholics and conservative Protestants in recognition of their common causes and common Christianity

I am often astonished by the comments I hear from Evangelicals (whom I think include Baptists) about their perceptions of Catholic Teachings and Rites. A simple correction to what they think and you can see the light bulb go off in their head! We have differences, but a lot in common.

The Libs have almost entirely lost the Southern Baptists and the Evangelicals and are starting to lose the real Catholics in significant numbers

A Catholic who supports abortion is cut off. That is in Canon law. You will hear all kind of gymnastics from liberal Catholics including outright denial, but the CCL and Catechism is crystal clear, assisting the procurement of Abortion cuts you off. To be forgiven in the Church you not only have to be sorry, you have to change your position, and confess that act as a sin. You can't confess, and go back to the same position.

My point is the liberals, by supporting Abortion as a fundamental plank in the platform, can't have any Catholics in good standing; a person's support for the Democratic Party as an organization IS procuring abortion, and removes you from the Church.

There are enough doctrinal differences between the evangelicals and the Baptists to separate them. Personally, I was raised Southern Baptist in an area of Texas that was half Catholic. All of us growing up together knew there were enough common areas to make common cause. The Baptists' big problem was CYO dances and drinking (I used to suffer through Sunday sermons in misery after a Saturday night partying with my buddies at CYO dances).

It did not bother my parents at all when I converted to Catholicism when I married a Chicago Irish girl. The RE teacher at her church was really surprised at how much I already knew.

We have differences, but a lot in common.

We have differences because we think we can fathom an infinite G-d and have the temerity to try.

We have in common what He Himself has revealed in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we focus on what is written, rather than on what we think was meant between the lines, we are clearly One in the Spirit.

There is One Faith, One Hope, and One Baptism. There is only One G-d, and One Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Shalom.