[Gathnet] catholics/protestants and the bible

[Elissa Gathman]

Hey everyone -
Here's a conversation I had over the computer with one of my friends who 
is Catholic. It was rather strange, and seems a bit silly, and I don't 
really know what to think of it . . . but I'm curious to hear all ya'lls 
thoughts on what seems to be a much debated-over subject.


Lissa

Here's what my friend said: /
/

/
"Its too bad [some of my friends] are just christian and not catholic. I 
mean, I cant talk to christians the same way i can talk to other 
catholics. they never understand stuff i try to explain. its hard...very 
hard. I mean, everything i believe is like a joke to them (eucharist, 
scapulars, the pope, everything about mary, confession, basically all 
our sacraments!) they have their bibles and...uhh........ /

/sorry if i offend anyone. this is not directed at anyone in 
paricular. just christians in general. 
you can try to defend yourselves if you want. i would like to hear more 
about what you guys believe other than the bible (which was written by 
catholics in the first place!)"/

I at first decided not to say anything . . . but then was curious as to 
why she she thought the bible was written by Catholics (which I thought 
was a bit of an odd statement) so I just said a bit about that:

/"Your statement 'the bible was written by Catholics in the first 
place', while a bit odd, is quite true! You are right in saying the 
bible was written by Catholics . . . but, assuming that it really 
matters whether the authors were "catholic" or "protestant", I would 
also be right in saying the bible was written by protestants (or 
"christians" as you confusingly call them), if I happened to have reason 
to say that. Yes, that also is true.

Unless you have some strange definition of "catholic"?

My point is: there was no difference between "catholics" and 
"protestants" until like. . .the year 1500. (long after the bible was 
written) Those names did not even exist. You COULD say that the early 
christians (who wrote the bible) were catholic. Buuut, you could also 
say they were protestant and it would be just as true and make no 
difference.
/

/The point of this discussion? I have no clue. For in the very first 
place; the bible was written - inspired - by GOD."/

And her reply to that:

/"yeah, thats when protestans started their rampage.
catholics go way way back (course they werent called catholics back then 
but they WERE catholics)

anyway, my point is its our book (not to sound selfish) and later 
christians stole the bible and made new religions cutting out stuff 
catholics believe"
/

(I said nothing else; I saw no point in arguing)

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