Protestant Religion
Protestant Religion questions and answers
Find more information on the Protestant Denominations @ The Adherents Religion Website.
Q: What are some characteristics of the Protestant religion?
I think im protestant, but i dont know much about my religion, because i dont go to church. Most of my friends are catholic...what are the differences, and what else is there to know about Protestants?
Please dont be rude. I just want answers!
A: There is no "the protestant religion". They started out in the 16th cent. with 3 or 4 different theologies. Less than 500 yrs later there are between 30 and 40 thousand different protestant denominations. They have multiplied by division and schism. About the only thing that they agree on is that they don't like Catholics. Pax Christi
Q: List 3 reasons many Europeans supported the Protestant religion:?
???
A: 1.) The Roman Catholic church had become an institution in need of reform.
2.) Increasing literacy and the widespread availability of Bibles led many to question church teaching, particularly in light of scientific discovery.
3.) A rejection f papal authority.
Q: what exactly does the protestant religion believe?
im just wondering b/c i really dont know a whole lot about religion. thank yall for any answers. =)
im not understanding any of yalls questions. please answer more detailfully...thanks :)
im not understanding any of yalls questions. please answer more detailfully...thanks :)
A: There is not one set of rules for Protestants, because there are lots of Protestant religions. A few, like the Anglican Church, have beliefs that are very close to Catholicism.
Some Protestant Religions believe only what is in the Bible. Some take it literally, while most do not take the creation story as literal.
Most Protestant religions reject several books of the Bible that are part of the Catholic Bible. Personally, I am confused by this. St Ireneas sorted through the scriptures and decided which books should be considered the word of God and which ones should not be included. These books were later cannonized at the Council of Rome. Martin Luther then discarded several books (the Apochrypha). These books remain part of the Catholic Cannon, but are not part of Protestant Bible for most Protestants. I don't understand why Protestants claim that Ireneas was inspired by God when putting together the Bible, but claim that he made a mistake with the Aprochrypha.
The fact that these books are missing contributes to some of the differences between Catholics and Protestants. For example, Catholics believe that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life. This follows directly from something said in one of the Apochryphal books. Though the Protestant belief also follows from bad translations of the Greek into English.
One of the biggest differences between Catholic and Protestant belief has to do with the afterlife. Many Protestant sects believe that one can get to Heaven only by believing in Jesus -- and that is enough. Catholics also believe that acts are important. A believer who dies in a state od sin will not go to Heaven. Another belief that follows from the Catholic Cannon is that there is another place -- purgatory -- where those who die in a state of sin that is nor "mortal sin" go to have their sins purged before going to heaven.
There are other differences. Catholics, and some Protestant religions, believe that the communion host actually becomes the body of Jesus. Most Protestants look at the communion ceremony as a symbol.
Q: To any Catholics out there, if an adult person from a protestant religion wanted to join Catholicism...?
What exactly would that person have to do? Are there any ceremonies or anything the person has to memorize or anything like that?
A: If a protestant was to join Catholicism then that person was never a Christian to began with. Anyone who has 'tasted' God will not resign himself to joining a religious group that ties itself to good works instead of faith in God and who deny the cross by worshipping idols.
Q: how does one go about converting from protestant to the catholic religion?
my husband is catholic and I am interested in converting.
Thanks for the informative answers..... to all the haters, I believe my question was not "what do you think about me converting" Please keep your nasty oppinions to yourselves!!! I already am having a difficult day!
A: Gotta love Rene O. hehehehehehe
The Catholic church has a program called RCIA, check into it.
Rite of Catholic Initiation or RCIA are classes for adults (and possibly teens over the age of 16 I think) which want to learn more about Catholicism. They are usually held in the evenings once or twice a week because obviously, most Adults have day-jobs.
Obviously the majority of the people in there want to become Catholic, and so that is the MAIN thrust of the class, but I've heard a FEW people taking it merely to learn more about Catholics and then quitting towards the end.
During the course of the class, in addition to learning about Catholicism you will go thru the Sacraments which children usually go thru but in an accelerated process.
Confession, Communion, Confirmation, etc.
If you were Baptized in your other church, you are considered baptized and so you don't have to go thru that. However, if you received Communion, like in the Lutheran church, I think you STILL have to go thru communion in the Catholic church..because it is different.
At the end of the classes, your group will atttend a normal church service, and during that, will be formally accepted as Catholics and introduced to the rest of the general congregation. Kinda like how a Priest/Pastor often times says, at the end of a wedding, " I now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. ____ " -- Well the Priest will do the same at that mass, he'll introduce the group in a general sense to everyone there.
There might be some SLIGHT variation to this, depending on the size of the church and their local customs.
But generally speaking, you just find out from the Church Receptionist when the RCIA classes start up and how you sign up for them.
VOILA! the rest is just like taking a class in school.
You might check out your Husband's church's website, they might have a schedule online. You could also have your husband call for ya, if you are embarrassed or shy.
::NOTE:: You might here mention of the term "CCD" which stands for "Confraternity of Christian Doctrine" which is a fancy term for the classes that kids go to. Often times the RCIA classes are considered part of CCD , so you might hear the 2 terms used together.
Q: Protestant religion - would I be welcome?
I used to go to Sunday school and was brough up as a Protestant. As I got older though, I rejected the church as I felt that I didn't agree with the concept. I saw lots of hypocrites there i.e. people who had sex before marriage taking sunday school classes. I didn't want to be such, and because I believed in sex before marriage I turned away from organised religion.
Now however, I feel that perhaps I made the wrong decision. I agree with a lot of what the church stands for, and I feel that many children today miss out on the valuable lessons that the church teaches. Would I be welcome in the church even if I don't believe in everything? I don't even know if I think it's right to pick and choose what you agree with. I'm really confused. Can anyone offer any advice?
I don't think you need a church to teach these lessons, but I think RE is lacking in schools today, and doesn't offer the type of spiritual guidance that I feel would be adventageous to children.
My personal belief is that it is only God that judges, so society and indeed the church should not judge, for instance, homosexuals. This is what I worry about.
A: I can offer you advice, but the choice is ultimately up to you.
I think it is GREAT that you are feeling like you might want to get back into church.
First of all - just so you know - there are still hypocrites in church - there always have been and there always will be.
I say that everywhere you go in life - not just church - there are going to be people who will not accept us as we are. So try not to let that ever be a motivating / un-motivating factor.
I think you don't need to be concerned with being picky and choosey at this time. What all you believe and don't...it's been awhile (from what I gather) and you probably just need some time to re-adjust - truth for you will be revealed as you venture on your new journey.
I DO think you should seriously follow the call on your heart and pray for guidance to find the right church. You might have to try a few until you know where you're supposed to be.
I offer thanksgiving that you are being called to re-new your thinking and are willing to even try again.
You have officially made my day - and it's still early!
Q: Can people of Protestant religion be Godparents to the baby being baptized in the Catholic church?
One godparent would be Catholic, and is married to a protestant. Can they be godparents in Catholic church?
A: No, but one can be an official witness.
Actually only one Godparent is necessary. You can have one godfather, one godmother, or one of each.
The role of the godfather and/or godmother is very important. They must be firm Catholic believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized—child or adult—on the road of Christian life.
To ensure this, a godparent must be at least 16 years old (for maturity's sake), fully initiated (having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), be someone other than the legal parents, and one who leads a life in harmony with the Church.
If you have only one Catholic godparent, then you may have a non-Catholic participate as an official witness. The witness will be responsible for setting a good example for the baptized person while the Catholic godparent will share the specifics of the Catholic faith.
With love in Christ.
Q: Which protestant religion is correct?
Every religion has their well studied theologians who know the original texts, etc...
Every religion interprets scripture differently. Many theologians from different religions will look at the exact same verse and come to different conclusions.
Which is correct, and which is incorrect?
Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, United Church of Christ or Assembly of God...of the protestant religions...which is correct.
then compare protestant to Catholic?
Catholic to Muslim, Jehovah Witnesses
Jehovah Witnesses to Mormons.
Please don't give me the he who believes that Jesus is the son of God and was raised from the dead, etc...I know the scriptures....and all protestant churches believe this...but, they split over other issues...so which is wrong and which is right?
A: All have been infiltrated by the Roman Catholic Church.
The only way that you can know for yourself which one is correct is to study the Bible for yourself. When you know the word of God then you will know who is right.
If you sincerely ask the Lord to help you and guide you you will find the answer.
I am non-denominational, I don't believe that any of them have the whole truth. Because the majority have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. It is very rare to find a church exactly how every individual believes. You have to find the one that is closest to your own faith.
The Lord helped me in this way. I asked him the same questions when I got my first Bible. I had been raised around many different denominations and they all disagree on something. I asked the Lord what is right? He began to reveal things to me through the study of his word. I had set everything aside that I had been told. And search the scripture myself to see who lined up.
There was a group of non-denominational churches the Lord let me know they were the closest to his will.
Q: "Freedom of Religion"/ Protestant Reformation?
How did the concept of "Freedom of Reilgion" impact the issues that surround the protestant religion?
A: I'm sketchy on the details, but, if I remember correctly, the Protestant Reformation was aimed at the most powerful church of that time frame, the Roman Catholic church. Martin Luther, among others, wanted the scriptures in the hands and language of common people, not read from the dais by a priest, bishop, or pope, in Latin. This was, as I recall, aided by the contemporary invention of the printing press.
Q: Are Catholic and Protestant the main denominations in the Christianity religion?
And all the rest off shoots?
All those thousands of others?
I want to be a Christian see so I'm looking for the correct denomination! I wouldn't want to make a mistake and end up in hell.
A: Yes! If you have learned about the protestant reformation then you understand that all other religions that "worship as Christians" came out of the Catholic church protesting the infallibility of the Pope. The Catholic church refers to itself as the "Mother Church" for this reason. It gave birth to all these religions that call on the name of Jesus. It is not a coincident that they call themselves the Mother Church while the scriptures refer to them as the Mother of Harlots. You can make the argument that the Protestant religions are the right ones because they see the lies but you must investigate before you make that conclusion. All of these religions celebrate Christmas, Easter,Worship on Sunday,Eat anything,speak of Going to Heaven/Rapture,Prosperity and Wealth and many other traditions that can't be validated with scriptures. These people protest against the Catholic church but hold fast to the Catholic traditions. Every practice that comes out of what we call Christian, originated in Pagan Rome. The sad part about it all is that nobody knows yet it is documented in history and the Bible. Don't take my word for it though, you have to research all of this on your own or you may end up deceived like the majority of the world. The Catholics or should I say Romans are the 1st church but not of Christ. They are the mother of Harlots and all other religions claiming to be Christian are little harlots. Nowhere in the bible supports the replacing of Israel or a covenant being made with any gentiles. If you believe that then Jesus himself lied in the New Testament.
Isaiah 24:5
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Psalms 68:11
11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
Psalm 147
19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
Deuteronomy 4:32-34
32For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
33Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?
34Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
Amos 3
1Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Hosea 4:1-2,5-7
1Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
5Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Romans 9:1-5
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
John 4:19-22
19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 1:16
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This is the protocol that Jesus set up not man. He teaches Israel and they teach everyone else. The same rules apply for all man and not even Israel is exempt from his wrath when they transgress the covenant(sin).A man must become spiritual Israel(submit to the laws of God)in order to be adopted into the family(church) Here are more examples that this is how it's suppose to be.
Matthew 15:21-24
21Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:5-7
5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Look at what the Apostle Paul says concerning this matter
Romans 11:1-5
1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Q: What is the Protestant religion? Facts Only please! NO OPINIONS?
....I'm interested cuz I saw a commercial on the History Channel
for Protestant.... In the commercial they said.... "This Culture or sumthing believes that Religion doesnt matter but only your individual relationship with God..... I consider myself Catholic
but I dont necessarly believe every single thing... I just returned from Mass. It was very long today since tomorrow is easter.
Mass was 3 hrs long...... Anyways, I kinda feel the same way...
I don't believe there is a "correct religion" I believe that what matters is what is in your heart. I'm 18 and still have a lot to learn....... Ohhh Also, I've never done my first communion.
I dont think it is a necesity to do a communion. Well thats my excuse for never doing it!~
A: When i first became a believer in Jesus, I thought I should join the catholic church because it was the oldest church. But the more I looked into Catholicism, the more it just didn't seem right to me - or very Biblical, either. Don't get me wrong - the Catholic church has done a lot to keep Christianity on the map over the centuries, but still, something didn't seem right. Just like you, I went searching to find out what the rest of the "churches" out there were really about.
Martin Luther started the protestant movement. He was a catholic monk who started searching the Bible and realized some things were really really wrong with how Catholicism was practiced back in his day. Out of his movement came the Lutheran church.
But then other reformers rose up, and started searching the scriptures too... names like John Calvin, John Wesley, Menno Simons, Zwingly, etc... each one of them looked at the Lutheran church and basically thought the Lutheran church had gotten the "reforming" of Christianity started, but hadn't gone far enough. Each one of these men started his own denomination based on what he thought Luther didn't notice or go far enough in reforming...
In the early part of the 1900's, among mostly poor people and minorities, there were some people at a place called Azuza St. who started praying daily for God to do miraculous things like He had done in the Bible. As these protestants (and some catholics) started praying together, they started to care less and less about what kind of church or denomination they had come from, and to see themselves just as "christians." Then the miracles started happening, and it was considered a modern day move of the Holy Spirit's presence upon the body of Christ - and this sparked the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements.
After some time, the charismatics and the pentecostals started splintering off and starting their own groups and sects. So sometime around the 1960's and 1970's, various protestants started wanting to get away from all the divisive little groups again and they started forming "independent" and "nondenominational" and simple "charismatic" churches.
In the 1990's, various people decided that going to church was too religious, and they started what has become known as "home churches" and "house churches." At the same time, mostly young people started looking back at the traditions of the Catholic church and said to themselves, "hey, the catholic church wasn't ALL bad - especially the parts where people lived together in monasteries to seek God and help the poor." So various protestant and catholic young people started getting together to form various communities in what has come to be known as "New Monasticism." At the same time, both in England and in the US, young people started gathering together for prayer without really caring much about "what kind of church" they all came from, and they just wanted to experience God together. This birthed the 24/7 prayer movement, which today is reflected in "houses of prayer" and "24-7 boiler rooms."
So, in answer to your question, Protestants are lots and lots of things...various flavors. It started as a movement with Martin Luther back in the 1400's, and ever since then has been one generation trying to rediscover something of God that they felt the generation before them had ignored or let go of. Basically, lots of people looking for different aspects of Jesus on their journey to know Him better and serve Him. You have the denominations, you have the nondenominationals, the charismatics, the new monastics, the prayer movement, and now there is also a thing called "the emergent church" (see: http://www.theooze.com or http://www.emergentvillage.com ) which is mostly younger people who are just trying to make sense of it all.
It's an exciting journey! Email me and let me know how it is going for you :)
Q: why did protestant religion get rid of the concept of purgatory?
A: Because there is no Biblical basis for the concept of purgatory.