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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

42.0. "Catholics and Protestants/Protestants and Catholics" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (A Higher Calling) Wed Oct 03 1990 16:32

A very dear friend of mine was talking a few weeks ago about her
religious rearing and schooling in a parochial school.  She said
in those days she would have nothing to do with the "Three P's":

	Protestants

	Publics

	Pagans

And then she roared with laughter, as did everyone else who was listening.
The people within this circle were a rich mixture of Catholics and a
variety of Protestants (and one with no church affiliation).

Attitudes, at least in some circles, *have* changed.

My wife is formerly Catholic.  Many dear friends are nuns and priests.
I am grateful for the participation of Jim Richard here (even though
he and I continue to be plagued by notes that confuse our names ;-]).
In another notefile I referred to myself as a "closet Catholic".  I
would only consider myself welcome where Catholic Christian perspectives
were welcome.

Peace,
Richard
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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42.1QuestionEDIT::SMITHPassionate committment/reasoned faithWed Oct 03 1990 16:357
    Richard,
    
    I would like to here how you feel like a "closet Catholic," i.e., what
    about the Roman Catholic perspective on Christianity is particularly
    appealing to you, with your own varied background?
    
    Thanks
42.2Influenced by CatholicismCSC32::J_CHRISTIEA Higher CallingWed Oct 03 1990 16:5010
    I'm attracted to the life and writings of Giovanni Bernardone
    (AKA St. Francis of Assisi) and of Brother Lawrence.  I feel
    a kinship to souls like Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Archbishop Oscar
    Romero, Daniel Berrigan and Dorothy Day.
    
    There's more, but I think this'll give you a flavor for what I am
    talking about.
    
    Peace,
    Richard
42.3Another thoughtCSC32::J_CHRISTIEA Higher CallingWed Oct 03 1990 21:558
I had the honor of addressing a most cordial group of Roman Catholic
Christians in the Black Forest last Sunday.  I had been invited because
my name appears in the local Diocese's Speakers Listings (with a special
interest in peace and social justice).  I felt just as much at home at
Our Lady of the Pines as I do at my United Methodist local church.

Peace,
Richard
42.4Peace be with you.JUPITR::NELSONThu Oct 04 1990 01:3249
    The priest that leads our Sunday night Bible study has often
    spoken admiringly of some things that Protestant denominations
    do better than Catholics (Bible Study being one of them!). 
    
    I think that those who really hunger and thirst for our Lord
    are always happy to share with one another. As with any new
    relationship, it takes time to get to know one another and to
    establish close bonds.
    
    In my own Catholic community there are differences that can 
    generate considerable disagreements; sometimes these are more 
    hurtful and difficult to understand because of the general 
    assumption that we are united in all beliefs.
    
    When my Protestant sister and I get together we love to talk about
    our faith in the Lord, our spiritual pilgrimage, and scripture;
    we understand from the start that we will have differences and
    we transition off these before one of us feels compelled to 'win'
    the 'arguement'.  
    
    We recognize that we both have Jesus as our Lord and Savior; we are 
    able to have probing conversations about all the rest because we
    keep as the 'backdrop' to the conversation this dignity.
    
    I had a very prefunctory Catholic upbringing (due to my dad's very
    dominant anti-religious and particularly anti-Catholic attitudes),
    a worldly young adulthood (including a 2-year hell in a self-help
    cult), several years in the Protestant wings, and now, finally, a 
    life as an involved Catholic. I have both recieved and delivered
    high-pressure 'sales pitches' of beliefs and ideas, lifestyles, etc.,
    along the way. None of these left either party for the better.
    On the other hand, those that were experienced in love and enthusiasm
    without the pressure to sway views or win arguements were always
    positive.
    
    If we allow each other the dignity that comes from having in common 
    Jesus as our Lord and Savior then it seems that we can use these 
    conferences to build bonds and produce good fruit. Personally I am
    just as upset with my fellow Catholic when I hear Protestants being
    'dismissed' as when all Catholics are stereotyped negatively. (This
    is not the same as exploring and understanding differences through
    dialogue). In both cases (dismissing and stereotyping) the causes of 
    Satan are at work.
    
    May our loving God unite us in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
    
    Peace,
    Mary
      
42.5CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPeace WarriorTue Jan 05 1993 15:4519
Note 573.75

>    At least Jerry is on the sidelines without faith and doubts everything
>    so I know where he stands.

I'm not so sure Jerry is "without faith."

>   I believe in the Bible and all that is
>   taught by my Church; you know where I stand and therefore you know
>   where to direct hostility to 20 centuries of Roman Catholicism.

I, too, honor the Bible and the traditions of the church.

I know of no present contributors to this notesfile who harbor hostile feelings
towards the Roman Catholic Church, unless you categorize disagreement as
hostility.

Peace,
Richard
42.6YepMORO::BEELER_JEJohnny Paycheck time ...Tue Jan 05 1993 15:595
.5> I'm not so sure Jerry is "without faith."

I'm not so sure either .. but .. different folks have different opinions.

Bubba
42.7DPDMAI::DAWSONt/hs+ws=Formula for the futureTue Jan 05 1993 16:146
    
    		I sure do have problems with people who believe that they
    know a person *SO* well that they can even make a statement like
    "without faith".   Seems to me that that is God's province.
    
    Dave
42.8Just a thought .. hummmmmmmmmm...MORO::BEELER_JEJohnny Paycheck time ...Tue Jan 05 1993 16:2310
.7> Seems to me that that is God's province.

Er .. ah ... it just occurred to me .. perhaps what we are reading *is*
the word of - nah - God wouldn't do VAX Notes.  Also, I doubt that God
would manifest himself in New York.  He'd probably get mugged on the
way to the temple - couldn't hail a cab - would have to ask for
exorbitant tithes from the members of the temple so He could afford
a condo.  Nah .. it's just Pat.

Bubba