|
religion thing
i am very perplexed. i attended a christian school since i was kindergarten and i already accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour. but i'm moving to a new school this year, a catholic one. but since i'm not baptized christian,and i was baptized catholic when i was a baby, so i'm technically a catholic.but since i'm not baptized christian, people will never think i'm christian.so people will really think i'm catholic because i was baptized and i have certificate as proof. i need help because i dunno should just go on prtending i'm a catholicwhen i'm really not. i really dunno what to do. sorry if its a bit confusing but pls. help.
Maddie
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
...
As mentioned, a Christian is a "follower of Christ". We follow the Christ of the Holy Bible, and believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is not the only authority. Their teachings include such documentation as Catechisms, and Papal Encyclicals (defined as "authoritative teaching instruments from the Vicar of Christ" (the Pope)) which have been written and added to throughout the years of the history of the Catholic Church.
Because of this, the Catholic Church has many teachings, beliefs, and traditions that are different from a Christian who believes the Holy Bible is the exclusive authority of Christianity.
A Catholic Christian believes in the Catholic doctrines, teachings, and traditions which include, but are *not exclusive to* the Holy Bible.
Most non-Catholic Christians believe the Holy Bible is the *exclusive* authority of Christianity... No other documents.
Much argument comes from this, as quite a few non-Catholic Christians believe the Catholic doctrines to be un-Christian and not corresponding with Biblical scripture. And obviously, Catholics disagree.
For more information about the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity, see the following link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
If you do not want to be characterized as a Catholic, you do not have to be. Just because you were baptized as a baby, doesn't mean the choice was made for you. You have Free Will and can make your own decisions. Pretending you are something you don't want to be is not good for you. Think carefully about your beliefs... Pray about it... And make your own decisions.
]
Catholics are christians too. Maybe you are a different branch of christianity, Like Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or just a general Christian thing in public. No set religion. Just Christian. But thats cool too man.
]
Catholocs are christians. It just a sub group of the faith, so if you are a catholic, then you are a christian too. However, being a christian doen't automatically make you a catholic.
I really wouldn't worry about it.
Aren't religions supposed to PROVIDE all the answers, anyway?
]
i think you sdhould honestly do what you feel is right. cotholisism is just another form of christianity. thts what alot of people dont understand. im pentecostal- and that is just another form of christianity as well. consider yourself whichever religion you feel God is leadig you towards, and you cant go wrong.
]
Maddie,
First of all, never pretend to be something you're not. Christian means "follower of Christ". If you accepted Christ, you ARE a Christian. Since you know Christ as your Savior, you know that belief in Christ alone is the answer. Being baptized as an infant isn't even Biblical. It's a church tradition that misleads people into thinking they're saved. The act means nothing and the certificate means nothing. Don't take my word for it....look in the Bible. There were no babies baptized. The children were blessed, but not baptized.
I encourage you to seek the Lord about being baptized now as a Chrisitan. Biblical baptism is about coming to a place of repentance before God through accepting Christ. (Which you have done) THEN, once a person knows Jesus, it's an outward acknowledgement of that belief.
I also want to encourage you to question everything this new school will be teaching you. Compare it with the Bible. If the teaching can't be found in the Bible, it's a false teaching.
]
Christianity is technically very all emcompassing, so it doesn't matter which type of specific church you were baptized in.I just want to point out that none of that matters, you are what you want to be. It sounds like you want to be more protestant then Catholic, and that's fine. You don't have to become Catholic because you go to that school, take it more as a learning experience about this other side to Christian religion.
]
A baptism in the Catholic Church is the same as a baptism in a Christian church. "Christian" is a broad term for a group of religions that includes Catholics, actually. Baptisms by religions such as Baptist, Lutheran, Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic and many others are regarded as the same as far as I know. This is because the form of the sacrament is the same ("I baptize you with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"). An exception to this is the Mormon baptism, because it is argued that they do not understand and accept the true Christian deffenition of the Blessed Trinity.
I hope I got all that right... Good luck at your new school!
]
More Questions: |