Freeper needs help finding objective information on Catholism vs. Christianity

6/24/2002 | Myself

[kemathen7]

I need help finding objective information on the Catholic faith in comparison to Christianity. My boyfriend, a devout Catholic, and I, a Christian, are in the beginnings of a discussion on our faiths and how we can continue in our relationship. I'm having a difficult time finding resources that don't try to sell you on one or the other. Any help would be appreciated!

[kemathen7]

Ummm, I can't spell either. Title should read "Freeper needs help finding information on CATHOLICISM ... " It sure is Monday.

[John H K]

I need help finding objective information on the Catholic faith in comparison to Christianity

Talk about a troll. If not a troll, better don your flame-resistant suit. In case you haven't noticed, Catholics ARE Christians.

[foolish-one]

As of now, your problem isn't going to be getting enough information, it's going to be picking through the trash and determining what is factual, truthful and relevant to your discussion.

Have fun!!!

[kemathen7]

Hmmm ... when I asked my boyfriend if he was a Christian, he said "No, I'm a Roman Catholic." Sorry for the misunderstanding. Maybe I should have said "Catholicism vs. EVIL Protestants."

[Polycarp]

objective information on Catholism vs. Christianity

There is no such thing as "Catholism vs. Christianity."

Catholics are just as Christian as you or anyone else. You need objective information not about Catholicism, but about Christianity and historical interpretation of scripture and where protestntism walked away from the rest of Christianity, i.e., Orthodoxy and Catholicism.

The best place to engage that discussion is in the Religion Forum.

Maybe the moderators could move this thread there for a better exposure to those willing to take up the task?

[CubicleGuy]

In case you haven't noticed, Catholics ARE Christians.

It's like asking for information providing a comparison between grapefruit and citrus fruits in general. Or between Corvette Stingrays and automobiles.

[big'ol_freeper]

Can anyone help them out?

[patent]

I don't know that you will find anything resembling a source that won't sell you on anything, but you can look at sources that will tell you what Catholics believe. A good source is the Catechism, found online here. It has a search engine and all that, or you can just browse by the table of contents.

I am a Catholic, and if you have specific questions you can feel free to ask me publicly or by freepermail.

patent

[TheDon]

I was going to say the same, pretty funny statement. Perhaps he meant "non-denominational Christianity".

[SunnyUsa]

"Maybe I should have said "Catholicism vs. EVIL Protestants."

Is that what he called YOU... an EVIL protestant?

Did you just land on the planet?

[Gaston]

Catholicism vs. Christianity

LOL

[Remole]

1. Find a copy of the Documents of Vatican II (1962-65). Read the document on the church (Lumen Gentium) and the one on Revelation (Dei Verbum). By the way, both of you will have to bone up on your Latin!!

2. Find a copy of the Catholic Cathecism (early 1990's); it should be well indexed and you should be able to find clear statements on what the Catholic Church believes herself to be.

3. Find a copy of Ronald Knox's book The Belief of Catholics. Also his series of lectures, The Mass in Slow Motion.

4. Go to the New Catholic Encyclopedia (the one from the mid-1960's) and read the entry on "Sacraments." The sacramental life is the center of the faith.

[Mad Dawg]

HI, Good luck on your search. Am I right in assuming when you say you are a "Christian" you mean what some call "Campbellites" or "Disciples of Christ"?

In any event there are not going to be super easy answers. The one's that look easy will tend to oversimplify.

But there are a few decent "encyclopedias" of Christian denominations in the US. They TRY not to take sides. I would look in a couple of those to see how they describe your denomination and then read what they say about Catholicism. That would give you a start.

[Dumb_Ox]

Here's one piece of objective information: Catholics are Christians. Catholicism vs. Christianity is an erroneous title, positing an adversarial relationship where there is none; perhaps Catholic Christianity vs. Church of God Christianity(for instance) would be a more productive topic, since it frames the dispute as one between denominations, not denigrating the Christianity of Catholics.

[nevergore]

Ummmm...I'll take a stab at it......

Catholic's are the only true Christian faith.

.....or at least what the Catechism states...

Flame Suit On.....

NeverGore :^)

[patent]

Another good book that is much more readable (the catechism is a bit dry to just pick up and read) is Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. It talks about some of the big differences and why they chose Catholicism.

patent

[big'ol_freeper]

Good information source on early Christians... a good info source to see what they believed and practiced. Requires study.

Early Church Fathers

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

He's Catholic? Dump him.

Just kidding, kinda.