Most Roman Catholics are happy to be referred to as Roman Catholic. It seems a miniscule minority are working to co-op a word which historically and accurately has covered all Christianity - catholic, meaning universal.
I suggest we Protestants insist everyone be required to call us (and only us) Christians.
From now on there are Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Christians.
In other words, Catholic ARE Christians, in fact, the first Christians.
Catholics, Protestants, and History (the faith of the early church)
I identify as Christian.
No hyphenation, no sub-level definitions, no denominations, or any such.
That seems fair although the Romanists on this forum insist that there are other sects associated with Rome so maybe they need to further qualify based upon their different sects.
I could vote for that. :o)
Actually the "Roman" in "Roman Catholic" is more of an slur started by the Anglicans. The history behind this pejorative label is described in some detail in this article.
I suggest we Protestants insist everyone be required to call us (and only us) Christians.
Then please allow me to make the equivalent counter suggestion that we Catholics should also change our language. A far more accurate description of any protestant who would deny the Christianity of Catholics would be heretic.
Works for me.
I’ve had it with that arrogance.
I’ve done back flips to try and work things out mutually agreeably on such matters.
I’m still reasonably ready to work with the saner more authentic blokes in that camp should something realistic surface.
However, I’m not holding my breath.
They can suck rocks or beads or their thumbs for all I care.
I’m seriously considering relegating the worst of them to NONPERSON status in my list of priorities.
I’m quite willing to follow your suggestion—the rest can call me Christian without calling themselves Christian. We’ll see how the shoe fits on the other foot. Though we know they can never tolerate that.
They compulsively DEMAND that the negative shoes always and only fit on the shoes of us CHRISTIANS.
What wicked arrogance!
BTW, if anyone wants to comment in a differrent, more CHRISTIAN friendly context, on the essay:
THE DEADLINESS OF RELIGIONISM
It’s available here:
http://daaixin.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/deadliness-of-religionism/
I guess that kicks out the Maronite and Byzantine Catholics.
;-)
You don't get that kind of power.
As God wills.