Posted on 12/30/2008 4:47:26 PM PST by SeekAndFind
While Catholics and Protestants both fall under the broad umbrella of Christianity, they practice their faith in different ways.
A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of regular churchgoers found that 25% of Evangelical Christians read the Bible on a daily basis along with 20% of other Protestants. Just seven percent (7%) of Catholics do the same. At the other extreme, 44% of Catholics rarely or never read the Bible along with only seven percent (7%) of Evangelical Christians and 13% of other Protestants.
Consider the divergence among the faiths in other areas, too. (All the figures that follow are based upon those who attend church at least twice a month.)
Ninety-one percent (91%) of Evangelical Christians consider themselves to be born again. Sixty-three percent (63%) of other Protestants have been born again along with 25% of Catholics.
Forty-four percent (44%) of Evangelical Christians reflect at least daily on the meaning of Scripture in their lives. Thirty-six percent (36%) of other Protestants and 22% of Catholics do the same.
Fifty-two percent (52%) of Evangelical Christians have had a meaningful discussion about their faith with a non-Christian during the past month. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of other Protestants and 18% of Catholics also have held such a discussion.
Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Evangelical Christians attend a regular Bible Study or participate in some other small-group activity. Forty-seven percent (47%) of other Protestants take part in small groups related to their faith, along with 24% of Catholics.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of Evangelical Christians say their Church does an excellent job helping them understand the Bible. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of other Protestants and 52% of Catholics say the same.
Despite these differences, the overwhelming majority of all Christians believe that the God of the Bible is the one true God. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of churchgoing Evangelical Christians hold that view along with 94% of other Protestants and 92% of Catholics.
Forty-four percent (44%) of American adults attend Christian church services at least twice a month, and 92% of these regular churchgoers believe the God of the Bible is the one true God.
Sixty-one percent (61%) of adults also say life in the United States would be better if more Americans lived as Christians.
“If we are looking for what we have in common, rather than our differences....we will understand we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ.”
It is statements like yours that make me proud to be a member of this forum.
“Why don’t we see what the Bible says about Sola Scriptura?
“John 20:
30
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book.”
They for sure weren’t spoken in the Catholic Church.
“John 21:
25
There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.”
It’s too bad the Catholic Church arrogantly equates the word of a dead Pope with the Word of the True and Living God.
“2 Peter 1:
20
12 Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation,”
This is exactly where the Catholic Church went astray. The Majority Text never believed Jesus built His Church on Peter, because no other scripture in the Bible agrees with it - one even forbids it. This a a “private interpretation” for profit and for control of the people.
“2 Peter 3:
15
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,
16
speaking of these things 12 as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.
17
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.”
Again, this describes the Roman Catholic error. But you have lots of company there.
“And what does Paul have to say about sola scriptura?
2 Thess 2:
15
Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.”
The Catholic Church teaches the “other” gospel that Paul said is accursed.
“Paul instructs us that the Church is primary. Still not convinced? Are you calling Peter et al dead popes and spurning their words? 1 Timothy 3:”
Peter wasn’t a Pope. There’s no evidence except forgeries that he ever went to Rome, and he would curse any Pope to his face for entangling himself in the things of this world for wealth and power.
“15
But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
The Church, RT; the Catholic Church, and not a rabble of Luther’s every milkmaid running around creating theologies on their every whim.”
The Body of Christ. No steeplehouse or papacy was thought up for it by men’s imaginations for a hundred years or more. Then it went astray.
Let’s try this again. If you find out who financed the poll, you find out the agenda. I’m not doing the research because I see the agenda.
If you want to know, you can do it.
When did it go astray? Fourth century? Second? First? Earlier?
I know you believe you receive Jesus Himself. I hope at the end you find that to be true, but to have Jesus Himself you need to ask Him to come into your life. He will. A bible study with other women is a wonderful fellowship and a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours learning. Try it, dear mom.
Amen, dear meowmeow.
I'm not sure where you get this. All I see is that it's a "Survey of 928 Adults Who Regularly Attend Church." Perhaps you have a subscription for the cross tabs?
But where's the agenda ? I don't see it in the poll itself. All I see is a DIFFERENCE in emphasis.
A difference if emphasis is a bias. That's how you bias a poll, by the questions you ask. Here's a link to the questions:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/general_lifestyle_toplines/toplines_churchgoers_december_16_2008
"pray to confess sins" ? WTH is that? I could attribute it to ignorance, but almost all the questions aren't relevant Catholic's practice of their faith.
Perhaps it is the title that's misleading: If it were "Catholics Don't Do Sola Scriptura, OSAS or Easy Believerism" it would be more accurate. :)
S&F, the poll is a blatant Protestant poll. They should have left the comparison part out of it.
Salvation IS a one-time gift of grace. Growing in Christ takes many years. Without the HS, we really can’t understand what the Bible or anything else pertaining to God is all about.
No, once is not enough because we ‘leak.’ (smile)
I’ve never been to a Bible study where women were catty. Our young women in my church are hungry for God. They bring their children and we enjoy coffee, fellowship and the word. Ever study a Beth Moore book and video? She’s amazing. I recommend her highly.
Amen. We don’t mention denominations either.
You knew I wouldn’t agree with that, didn’t you, Salvation? Being born again has never begun with baptism. You are born again when you are old enough to understand that you need to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life and save you. Baptism is important thereafter.
There are many other churches, like the Times Square Church, protestants all, who do these kinds of things. It’s not just Catholics, although I do praise the Catholic churches who are doing it.
No, but fellowship helps to you to get to know people more intimately and to understand their needs, which you may be able to help fill, or they can get to know you better. It’s all for love of God and love of His Kingdom folks.
Our pastor is going to teach our SS this semester on 1John. It is RICH.
AMEN, gitmo.
The way YOU are writing here, it SEEMS like you don’t value the Word of God. I hope we’re wrong. Truly.
Amen, PR.
God bless you, Petee Pie, and all those with you. May God protect and prosper you in the New Year. Thanks for your service to our country.
AWANA is a wonderful program for children, similar to Boy Scouting, but Christian.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.