Replies

Catholics possess the fuller Truth than other Christians, because we believe what has always been believed by the Church. This, when not found in the Scriptures, is known as Tradition. All Tradidition means is the teachings that have been handed down and preserved since the days of the Apostles. Most Christian groups ignore this Tradition, choosing, I believe intentionally, to position themselves directly opposite of the Catholic Church on these matters, likely just for the sake of opposing the Catholic Church.

But, even if we stick to Scriptures only, the Catholic Church is the only one that correctly interprets and applies the Scriptures to the faith. I know that sounds silly, considering that the usual accusation is that Catholics put the Bible second, but we are the ones that believe in the Sacraments as found in the Bible, that believe in the True Presence in the Eucharist, as mentioned in the Bible, among other things.

Basically, if you don't believe in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, you are going against the Bible.

To sum it up, Catholics believe there is one objective Truth. As you can tell, by the presence of thousands of exponentially expanding Protestant sects, with a not insignificant amount of them falling into actual heresy now, it seems Truth is made up as one goes or as they personally see fit.

Thank you. I think I'll comment on a couple fundamentals and leave the more esoteric issues for another day.

Most Christian groups ignore this Tradition, choosing, I believe intentionally, to position themselves directly opposite of the Catholic Church on these matters, likely just for the sake of opposing the Catholic Church.

Commenting only for myself and not Protestants at large, there is a partial truth in your observation.
Yes I (and some others) ignore Catholic tradition. Simply because I wasn't raised up in it and my doctrine and kingdom understanding comes directly from scripture, sermons, and theological writings, but not from Catholic seminaries or masses, etc. Also, much of what transpires is partially or completely in Latin which I don't know. And then as it is Catholic and I don't (at present) perceive understanding Catholic traditions to be essential to my salvation or works, so I don't pursue it.
Does that place me in opposition to the Catholic Church? Well I suppose in areas of tradition it likely would. As an example I lurked on a Catholic thread about "Communion in the Hand". I don't understand the importance Catholics place on how the elements are received. In my understanding, if the believer knows what the elements are, receives them in memory, gratitude and submission to Christ, in sincerity, and given God looks to the condition of the heart, I wonder if Jesus is concerned about intinction or placed on the tongue, if I serve myself from a tray that is passed, etc. So I would expect that might place me in opposition if I were asked.
But I don't take up that position willfully for the sake of opposing Catholic traditions.

the Catholic Church is the only one that correctly interprets and applies the Scriptures to the faith. I know that sounds silly,
No I doesn't sound silly to me. We all (somewhat in pride) would like to think our interpretations are correct. Obviously, if we thought them wrong, we'd research them and change to become correct (at least those of us who truly are seeking after the Lord's truth).
But I think you would agree, there is a single absolute truth and it is God's truth, and we in our fallen state endeavor to understand God's truth, probably never achieving that, this side of Heaven.
I would agree that the Catholic Church does teach God's one truth on many aspects of scripture (I couldn't pick an example right now because in my ignorance, I don't know what the RCC actually does teach - most of the information about the RCC I've seen is about it's traditions, which as I've admitted, I don't know). But it would not surprise me to find a great deal of truth - God's absolute truth. But that does not mean that someone outside the RCC can't also understand and teach the exact same God's truth about any given aspect of scripture (leaving out traditions again).
The RCC does not have a monopoly on God's truth. To believe so, is to believe that God saves, justifies, regenerates and sanctifies believers outside the RCC (as he most clearly does) but then withholds from them a true understanding of His Word? Withholds the quickening of the Holy Spirit as a non-RCC believer studies God's Word?
I would disagree. I believe it is God's desire that all have true knowledge so that His people not perish for lack of same.
The last point I would make is that not all Protestants are hostile to the RCC, myself particularly. As an example, not yet here on FR, but many times elsewhere I have defended the RCC from the misguided accusation that the RCC is the Whore of Babylon. In part out of loyalty to fellow members of the body, Christ's bride and invisible church. But also because I believe it to be scripturally true and provable, i.e it's the Truth. The same Truth I suspect that the Catholic Church teaches.