Posted on 01/05/2010 9:46:47 PM PST by the_conscience
I just witnessed a couple of Orthodox posters get kicked off a "Catholic Caucus" thread. I thought, despite their differences, they had a mutual understanding that each sect was considered "Catholic". Are not the Orthodox considered Catholic? Why do the Romanists get to monopolize the term "Catholic"?
I consider myself to be Catholic being a part of the universal church of Christ. Why should one sect be able to use a universal concept to identify themselves in a caucus thread while other Christian denominations need to use specific qualifiers to identify themselves in a caucus thread?
That's why I put "Trinitarian" to distinguish from non-Trinitarian sects. Does one need to actually be able to actually recite the Nicene creed or just believe it to be considered Christian in your sect?
But that does bring up an important point if we want to use more accurate terms for each Caucus. I suggest that for Protestants we use "Trinitarian Christians".
You can join us Baptists anytime. We aren't hegemonic churches, but we love to talk Scripture and will still be FRiends if we don't agree.
When they hate the Catholic Church so much as to refuse to call her by name—so much as to seemingly be physically incapable of calling her by name—what do you expect?
"Romanist" is an offensive term: Definition by Webster
"Roman Catholic" has origins as an offensive term, but generally is no longer considered one. To use it to describe the entire Catholic Church is usually understood, but is inaccurate.
Dr. Eckleburg's suggestion allows all three branches of Christianity a universal conception.
If we're speaking about the "three branches of Christianity" (and we are, as all three groups profess Trinitarian Christianity), then Dr. Eckleburg needs a new term for the group that the average American would consider "Protestant Christians".
Are you suggesting that all Protestants believe in the Holy Trinity when in reality they don't, or are you suggesting that Catholics and Orthdox, all of whom DO believe in the Holy Trinity, are not Christians?
That’s very good, s! I agree with everything you have written.
RM, you should read sitetest’s enlightening post #100.
Geez - you’re not worried about the “deadly” part? I mean it was nice to get this warning, just for my own safety and all...
That's a kind offer, wf, but I think our incense and great hats would prove disruptive of your devotions!
"We aren't hegemonic churches, but we love to talk Scripture and will still be FRiends if we don't agree."
As indeed we have been for some years now. We appreciate that friendship too. How much longer there will be an active Orthodox presence on FR after this morning is another matter.
About Baptists, there is that big question — how do you define yourselfs? I mean, some Baptists have told me on this forum that they don’t recite or believe in the Nicene Creed, which I consider a fundamental statement of belief. I don’t know if that’s true or not though
Sure. Heterodox specifically names something as outside orthodoxy. Romanist, Papist, or any other term that describes an aspect of the Church of Rome does not necessarily imply heterodoxy.
As an aside, would statements like the ones below be considered ad hominem attacks or do you have some other category for them?:
No, those are merely proper deductions made from a series of comments that you made.
On your other point, certain terms which may be offensive are used in official documents, articles or correspondence which are subject to debate on "open" threads in the Religion Forum. Those terms often become part of the poster's language and beliefs. These include the terms Romanist, Roman Catholic and Papist.
Likewise, beliefs which are offensive to some are subject to debate on "open" threads in the Religion Forum. Those holding the belief are immediately at odds with those who find the belief offensive per se.
Furthermore, when one belief spawns from another it is common for both to condemn the other in the harshest terms possible: heretic, anathema, cult, Satanic, apostate, etc.
If a Freeper is offended by the knowledge that some other Freepers' religious beliefs condemn his own to perdition he should neither read nor post on "open" threads in the Religion Forum.
Thick skin is required for debate on "open" threads in the Religion Forum.
Thin skinned posters should instead read and post to Religion Forum threads labeled "prayer" "devotional" "caucus" or "ecumenical."
Except that Catholics and Orthodox are "Trinitarian Christians."
Alex Murphy has suggested some different distinctions that would be preferable to lumping all Protestants together => Reformed/Protestant, Evangelical, Restorationist, Charismatic.
He explains them in more detail here - it's a recent post but he first posted them quite some time ago. I think they may be useful to work this out.
It's descriptive of the Church of Rome and any offense is merely on the part of the person who believes it's offensive.
If we're speaking about the "three branches of Christianity" (and we are, as all three groups profess Trinitarian Christianity), then Dr. Eckleburg needs a new term for the group that the average American would consider "Protestant Christians".
Protestant Christians believe themselves to be Catholic so then Romanists and Orthodox need a new term.
Likewise, Protestants are Catholic.
While Protestants may be catholic, only the ones who have converted to Catholicism are Catholic.
LOL
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