Thank you for your post! Catholics are Christians ... period. The Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. As the Church spread, it encountered different cultures and adapted, retaining from each culture what was consistent with the Gospel.
Many people forget - or do not realize - that Christianity came from Judaism. As the church expanded beyond the realm of Judaism, it adapted itself to the people and cultures in which it took root. This cultural adaptation resulted in the 22 different rites of the Catholic Church today.
It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Evidence from archaeological studies of Maronite church buildings show that they had earlier been synagogues.
Can someone explain why they are viewed as different (is it just the praying to Mary- there must be something more) and why it was such a big thing that prior to JFK there was not a Catholic POTUS?
These are two separate questions. The first one is the bigger question. Consider the divisions in the Jewish faith. There are those who cling to the fundamentals of the faith and others who have 'relaxed' the Kosher regulations as handed down to Moses and the Israelites.
For ALL christians, Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of a Messiah, made by God to the Israelites. That is simple enough. However, over its 2000 year history, certain elements in the One, Holy, Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ, have disagreed. As a result, breeches formed. During the Middle Ages, Martin Luther posted his disagreements on the doors of a German cathedral and the Protestant Reformation began. Meanwhile, the Church founded by Jesus Christ held its ground. This 'breech' has resulted in more than 30,000 different christian denominations. Meanwhile, the Church founded by Christ continues on its path of trying to reconcile with all those who have separated themselves from Peter, to whom Jesus entrusted His church.
why it was such a big thing that prior to JFK there was not a Catholic POTUS?
Now you've hit the ball way out into left field. Here are the present Jewish senators:
1. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif). 2. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif). 3. Norm Coleman (R.Minn). 4. Russel Feingold (D.Wisc). 5. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) 6. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J). 7. Carl Levin (D-Mich). 8. Joseph Lieberman (D-Con.) 9. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) 10. Alsen Spector (R-Pa) 11. Ron Wyden (D-Ore).
Which one of these stands out as exemplifying the traditions of the Jewish faith? This is true of John Kennedy, John Kerry, and all the other CINOs who profess a certain faith but betray the word of God for personal political gain.
I think of Joe Lieberman in that way. Am I wrong (addressed to Jewish FReepers)?