(December 28, 2014 at 11:05 am)Alex K Wrote: They see themselves as direct successors of the first pope peter, who was appointed by Jesus Christ. Not calling them Christians is just silly.
They misrepresent: Jesus to Peter: you are the pebble/ rock on which I will build my church... to mean that only Peter's descendants are the church.
The Catholic church became a political organisation in the 4th century ad joining forces with Rome in a move that would see them owning most of Europe.
No one is "born" a Christian. Infant baptism isn't a magical path to salvation. It's a promise by Christian parents to bring their child up responsibly.
Jesus made the condition that you had to receive his salvation to be his follower. Catholics don't usually have this condition. It's more a social thing like Islam and Judaism tend to be, with a small committed minority.
A lot of Protestants are particular about the salvation bit. I don't personally understand how the Catholics think it works otherwise. I've never seen it adequately explained. I wouldn't go as far as calling the Pope the anti Christ as some do.
" Christians " in the wider sense, that is, outside Protestantism, together with JWs, Mormans... no question.
Some Catholics do practice salvation I think so would be considered Christian by everyone.
Anything else you didn't want to know, just ask
