I've mentioned this on the forums before, but I haven't come to this particular forum in a long time, so I'll explain this again: My parents both converted into to Judaism before when my oldest brother was little. This would probably be around 1981 or 1982. My dad came from a Catholic household (though somewhat of a liberal one), my mom came from a Protestant one (the church they went to was fundimentalist, but my mom says that they lean more towards Methodist). It's a part of my family that I was never really interested in it until recently (meaning the last year or so), and the more I learn, the more confusing it becomes. I've been searching, somewhat extencively, on the differences between Catholism and Protestantism. I know about the reformation, and I know that Protestants don't listen to the Pope, but I guess the differences I'm looking for more basic differences. And similarities. The problem I've come across is that I can't seem to find an unbiased source. Most of them lean either way, and denounces the other. The others subscribes to some other religion or philosophy, and denounces both of them. And for obvious reasons, I can not trust any of these sources. Religioustolerance.org, was as always, helpful, but not very detailed. Does anyone know of a source where I can find information that can help me understand this better?
I think personal testimony of someone that was pretty exposed might help. I know that protestants believe that the Bible is their authority, and that the Catholics believe the church to be theirs. I guess its an every-man-for-himself idea with the Protestants, that the bible means what it means to each his own, rather than depending on the church to translate it for you. Catholics are more into ritual too, while, say Baptists, dont parade around with incense and holy water, but all gather in church and sing hymnals to their lord. ITs more hands on for the people, with less focus on ritual and priesthood.
Catholicism is also quite liberal as opposed to what some people believe [for example, they don't believe you have to be Catholic, or even Christain to be allowed into Heaven] The Anglican and the Orthodox sects [neither of which believe in Pope infallibility] are kind of a middle groupnd in between Catholisism and Mainline Prodestantism too, i i remember correctly
ADDITION: i must say the "Religious Tolerance" website has loads of information on all sorts of Christianity, same with Wikipedia
i've always found religioustolerance to be quite helpful... if it doesn't give enough information, i'd pick up a few books on the history of christianity and start reading....
epicopalians believe gays can be priests while catholics believe gays can be priests only if they suppress their gayness... thats the differences between them
Many (if not most) Protestant Churches do not agree with the Episcopalians on that matter, so I don't see how you can use them to represent the Protestant movement. And your implying that that is the only difference, which it is obviously not.
It's a rat race.Once you get past the one-upmanship of which religion is better,you have to negotiate the battles between the various denominations,sects,branches.offshoots.etc ad nauseum. Please consider the simple yet elegant beauty of Atheism.Exercise your God-given right...err,I mean your right as a human being,to reject the myths and dogma that humankind has invented to try to deal with the unknown.Or to keep the riff-raff under control. You're a feminist hippie,right? Come ON.A woman needs a "god" like a fish needs a Popemobile.
Ok,if you absolutely have to go one way or the other,here's a thumbnail sketch that may save you some time.You may notice a tiny bit of bias toward the Catholics,my former team.Dominus vobiscum,y'all.The pope smokes dope. Catholics--often pray to Mary and the Saints to intercede with God. Protestants--revere the Bible,admittedly written by men,as the Word Of God. Catholics--the Pope is 100% infallible,no exceptions,in matters of faith. Protestants--the Bible is 100% infallible,no exceptions.except for parts like "No pork,death to adulterers,slavery is groovy and a real money-maker" and other cute parts like that. Catholics--original church. Protestants--"protested" centuries ago.Need a new name.Could explain the 90,000 different denominations. Catholics--Pope.No contraception. Protestants--Jerry Falwell.No fucking. Catholics--priests--dress in flowing robes. Protestants--preachers--dress like Buick salesmen. Catholics--Bingo. Protestants--Bible Study Class.Again. Catholics--Mother Teresa of Calcutta,winner of Nobel Peace Prize Protestants--Tammi Faye Baker,winner of "Best Transvestite Make-Up" award Catholics--priest pedophilia scandal. Protestants--amassing political power to try to revoke separation of church and state and make U.S. a "Christian Nation." Catholics--President Jeb Bartlett on "West Wing." Protestants--Reverend Pat Robertson on "Larry King Live" (Quick--which one is a fictional character? And I don't mean Larry.) Catholics--hated by Ku Kux Klan Protestants--Ku Klux Klan Catholics--incredibly magnificent cathedrals Protestants--incredibly tacky evangelist's mansions And that's how we play---Catholics v Protestants.
When did I say I wanted to become a Christian? I said I was interested in learning about various aspects of the religion. Just as I like learning about Hinduism and Islam. This is just closer to me because I have family members in the faith. And why are you preaching atheism to me? What does atheism have to do with any of what I said, and why do do you find it necassary to convert people? Just as I'm sure you would condemn religious people for attempting to do the same to you. You know, I specifically asked for people not to push their personal opinions on me, and I get people stepping on the Catholics because one Protestant Church's teachings and people trying to force Atheism up my ass. Forget I said anything. I'll continue to research on my own. Please delete this thread, moderator.
Why couldnt a feminist have a god? Thats like saying she cant have a husband. The Feminine power has nothing to do with removing the Masculine one, its more of the Female being put back into her place as the equal half of the whole rather than being kept down. Removing male creates more imbalance. I am a feminist too, and I am a guy. I took a spiritual dedication to always hold and revear the Divine Feminine above all, and see Her in all women. Does that mean I neglect Masculine? No, because I am the Masculine, so I offer love, strength and balance to my opposite.
I dont know a good unbiased source, but ive always felt that protestants believe with their minds, while catholics believe with their senses. Protestants are very bible-thumping, take everything literally and thats the way it is. Catholics are more about the rituals, the feeling of it all, and its more about the meaning of a story in the bible than about the story itself.
