Are Catholics and Protestants that different?

There are five doctrinal areas that separate Roman Catholics from evangelical Protestants.

authority

justification

Mariology

sacramentalism and the mass

religious pluralism

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There are also similarities, particularly between conservative Catholics and conservative fundamentalist Protestants.

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I would like to discuss Catholicism and Protestantism in a general discussion...keeping our focus contained in the general beliefs of these two religions.

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Are there irreconcilable differences or are there minor interpretations that are unimportant? If so, why is there still a split after 500 years?

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Faith/Belief, please.

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

Do you believe that Mary was the Mother of Jesus?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

I think that the debate between Catholics and Protestants is a bit silly, but there are some fundamental reasons that a rift exists. I consider myself a non-denominational Christian. I believe in the authority of the Word of God. Everything else is just details. I don't like a lot of fluff or guff. Seeing that there are multiple denominations within Christianity, I have seen what it does to the "Body" of Christendom.Are they irreconcilable or can we make some conciliation? I guess that's all dependent upon the persons engaged in argument. I would like to say that such a focus on the non-essentials is just that-- non-essential. But perhaps our differences go far beyond mere appearances. Perhaps there are some serious character flaws in both.Though I don't like to consider myself as a Protestant because it implies division, the facts concerning my beliefs make it so whether I like the terminology or not. I have some serious objections to Catholicism as a whole, but that doesn't mean that some constructive dialogue won't comes about. Though I aspire to tread lightly, I can't promise that the debate won't eventually get heated.I just wrote a long discourse but decided to delete it. My objections are a lengthy laundry list of complaints, but as it turns out, there are so many that I can't seem to get into a rhythm. My thoughts are jumbled and it isn't flowing well. Instead, I think I will wait to respond to others posts. Hopefully, all my objections will be addressed and I can tackle them one at a time.

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"With derision the atheist points out that there can be no God because this world is so unfair. Without hesitation, I concur with him. Indeed, we live in an unfair world because of all sorts of social ills and perils. I must not contend with such a sentiment because it is factual-- we don't live in a fair world. Grace is unambiguous proof that we live in an unfair world. I received salvation when I deserved condemnation. Yes, indeed this world is unfair." -Andrew Jaramillo-

Of course. Where else would He have come from? His Mom was human, His Dad was God the Holy Spirit...she was impregnated spiritually and actually (carnally)This belief is central to both religions, by and large.When I used the term, Mariology, I think that the author of the article which I read was referring to folk who venerated Mary beyond mere honor...essentially elevating her to a 4th person of the Trinity.

I guess I'd have to ask, which one? Was Jesus' mother named Mary? Yes. (Well, Miriam, which translates to Mary).

Which would be interesting if it were true. But as usual that is NOT what Roman Catholics do. They do not raise Mary any higher than many Protestant sects. I assume you agree with the Bible that Mary is different than all other women.Luke:1:28 Furthermore, the Roman Catholics do not worship Mary, "elevating her to a 4th person of the Trinity". The snake oil salesmen who make such claims are simply lying and counting on their audience not checking the facts.You need to look before you believe the claims, the testimony of folk, particularly Evangelical, Pentacostal and Fundamentalist apologists.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This is my first communication with you since your return. Welcome back.This is just one of my problems with RC, that the RC doctrine does in fact consider Mary physiologically, spiritually and mentally different than other women when in fact she was a normal virgin who was abnormally impregnated by a spirit, being the Holy Spirit of God. This is not the first time this happened as per the Biblical record. In the OT we read of heavenly beings impregnating women, implicating some giants being the offspring.Nothing in scripture indicates any physiological, spiritual or mental transformation or alteration with the blessed virgin subsequent to the birth of Jesus. On the cross Jesus purposefully addressed her as "woman" in order to make that point, indicating to her and to the world that she was merely a human vessel which God used to bring about the birth of a human messianic one as prophesied by the prophets. At age 12 he asked what he had to do with her since he was to be about God's business. Jesus was the only one of the two which was truly different physiologically, mentally and spiritually than other humans so far as humanity goes.That she was "blessed" says nothing about her being "different" than other women. Elizabeth, Hanna, Sarah and other were also blessed women. "Hail" was simply a salutation or greeting.

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW ---- Jesus said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

Tell the Bible Buz. I quoted Luke for you, let me post it again.Luke 1:28 It is the Angel that GOD sent that said she was "Highly Favored" and "Blessed art thou among women".The Roman Catholics say and believe nothing that God's Angel did not say.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Well, yes they do. I would not go so far to say that Catholics esteem her as being, as you said, a fourth part of the trinity, but they certainly venerate her with almost deification. She was blessed beyond comparison, but I think some forget that she was just the vessel through which glory and honor passes, not the glory itself. I agree, but like I said, there is a almost a sense of deification. Even Pope John Paul, after an assassination attempt on his life, credits Mary with saving his life.“It was the hand of man who shot the gun, but the bullet was guided by the Virgin Mary.” I don't think the claim of many apologists is unfounded here. When people say the Hail Mary, they are trying to speak to Mary, a mortal woman.Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.To add, the most esteemed mortal was John the Baptist. Why not pray to John by the same premise?"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." -Matthew 11:11

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"With derision the atheist points out that there can be no God because this world is so unfair. Without hesitation, I concur with him. Indeed, we live in an unfair world because of all sorts of social ills and perils. I must not contend with such a sentiment because it is factual-- we don't live in a fair world. Grace is unambiguous proof that we live in an unfair world. I received salvation when I deserved condemnation. Yes, indeed this world is unfair." -Andrew Jaramillo-

"Highly favored says nothing about her physiological, mental or spiritual properties being anything other than normal so far as humanity goes. Hannah, Sarah, Esther and a host of other good and godly women were surely "highly favored" by God, as the apostle John was to Jesus and Enoch, son of Seth was to God way back in Genesis to the point that God raised him up, absolving him from death.

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BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW ---- Jesus said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

Sorry but simply not true. Mary's status is also recognized by almost every major Protestant Sect. Read what you write. They are NOT praying to Mary but only asking Mary to intercede, and it is an almost verbatim quote from Luke, a quote of the Annunciation. Guess what? John the Baptist is a Saint and many Protestants as well as Catholics recognize that. Want a list of Protestant Churches that are named St. John's?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

You asserted that before.I posted what the Bible says:Luke 1:28 Straight from the Angel's mouth Buz.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

So did God hit on her because she was hot?

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What "status" are you referring to? Isn't that a redundancy? They are praying for her prayers."I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." -Matthew 11:11 Actually, I think you are confusing John the Baptist with John the Disciple. Those are two different people. But aside from that, what understanding am I supposed to come to? What exactly are you getting at?

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"With derision the atheist points out that there can be no God because this world is so unfair. Without hesitation, I concur with him. Indeed, we live in an unfair world because of all sorts of social ills and perils. I must not contend with such a sentiment because it is factual-- we don't live in a fair world. Grace is unambiguous proof that we live in an unfair world. I received salvation when I deserved condemnation. Yes, indeed this world is unfair." -Andrew Jaramillo-