Re: Turning Green

[Juanita Doyon <Jedoyon@AOL.COM>]

In a message dated 1/27/02 11:23:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,
jpbottini@ADELPHIA.NET writes:


> .  Some Catholics and others follow not the Biblical teachings of Christ,
> therefore, are not Christians (Christ followers).

I like to go by the teachings of each church.  The "membership" often screws
up the definition, by not knowing the beliefs to which they are attesting by
becoming "members."  If you read the Apostolic creed, which is prescribed to
in most of the Protestant churches, and definitely the Catholic church, it's
all in there.

I used to teach my junior high kids (in the Catholic church) to stand up for
themselves, when people might tell them, "Catholics aren't Christians."

Catholics were the first Christians. It is the human corruption of the
original Christian church that caused the divisions and the finger pointing.
Of course all of this is personal, and only God knows who is and who is not a
true follower and believer.  But we who believe in Christ and follow his
teachings are all "born again."  The common phraseology may differ.
Catholics don't generally have that "ask Jesus into your heart" moment,
nevertheless, the belief is what becomes the faith.

The sign I put up in every classroom I used at church said, "Christian: one
who believes in Jesus Christ as God's only Son and their Savior, and follows
His teachings."

All true Catholics are Christians, but all Christians aren't Catholic.  I
have a neighbor who's never quite sure if anyone is a Christian in any
church.  I suppose that's right, but I trust God can sort that out.  And I
believe He must have an omnipotent sense of humor, above all else.

Sorry if I offend anyone by posting this, but clarification of belief on the
spiritual level and the educational level often go hand in hand-- at least to
me.  Plus, it often comes in handy to stick by one's beliefs on one level,
when attempting to inform people about the other.

As I said to the minister of the church, where we may hold a WASL information
night, "Jesus wouldn't do this to little children!"

Jesus said, "Suffer the little children," not "Make the little children
suffer."

Just some Snowy Sunday afternoon ramblings...
Juanita