[armydoc]

Still waiting. You stated that there is as much variation in the Roman Catholic Church as there is in the Protestant. Name them. Tell me one Roman Catholic Church that does not believe in the tenets of the Church.

The Roman Catholic Church, of course, is composed of individual Catholics. Therefore, the phrase "tell me one Roman Catholic Church that does not believe..." makes no sense. Are you speaking of individual Catholic congregations? None the less, I believe LiteKeeper was speaking to the heterogenicity of beliefs among individual Catholics. Despite claims that the "cafeteria is closed", a Catholic who openly supports contraception, abortion, or a multitude of other behaviors contrary to official Catholic teaching will have no significant difficulty finding a Catholic congregation welcoming to them; and they in turn will have no problem warming the pew. Protestants, by and large, are not willing to maintain membership in an organization with which they disagree. So, in Protestantism, you end up with "thousands" of denominations. In Catholicism, you end up with thousands (? millions) of personal belief systems under one name. I believe that is the "variation" to which LiteKeeper was referring.

[OpusatFR]

"So, in Protestantism, you end up with "thousands" of denominations. In Catholicism, you end up with thousands (? millions) of personal belief systems under one name. I believe that is the "variation" to which LiteKeeper was referring."

That's a specious argument. The tenets of the Church are the same for everyone. We don't have a personal pope wherein interpretations are left to the individual to discern whether or not some out-of-context biblical verse means thus and such to suit a personal viewpoint. If so, then I could probably burn a few Swiss believers and enforce my own prejudices.

While I discern what God allows me to know during lectio and meditation, I do so knowing that the Church is inviolate and contains all truth.

By and large, people differ, but the church is unchanging.
I asked which of the Roman Catholic Churches did not believe the tenets of the church. There are none who do not. The Nicene Creed, the Eucharist, the Primacy of Rome as Christ's representative on Earth ordained and annointed by the Holy Spirit, the Kingship of Christ and salvation all are the SAME in every Catholic church.

We are the Communion of the Saints.

[OpusatFR]

I just caught this:

You said: "a Catholic who openly supports contraception, abortion, or a multitude of other behaviors contrary to official Catholic teaching will have no significant difficulty finding a Catholic congregation welcoming to them; and they in turn will have no problem warming the pew. Protestants, by and large, are not willing to maintain membership in an organization with which they disagree. So, in Protestantism, you end up with "thousands" of denominations."

A Catholic in open disagreement with the Church regarding abortion etcetera mostly understands that they are in a state of sin. As a Catholic, I am forever hopeful in Charity and love that the person in sin is enlightened by God. Charity hopes all things. I'd rather a thousand thousand sinners come to Mass and hear the Word.

I don't know anyone who can get through the day without offending Christ either through thought, action or word. All it takes is a driver cutting you off on the interstate and causing you anger, or a cross word with husband, boss, or co-worker....being washed in the Blood of Christ does not mean you are perfect and cannot offend.

Are you implying that Protestants in sin leave a church because they disagree with the judgment of that sin? Or are you implying that Protestants can't sin?