Did Catholics stop being considered Christians at some point?

Faye, I will do my best. (Please remember that I am Lutheran and so am an outsider.) The Baptists (including the Southern Baptists) are in the branch of the Church known as anabaptists. This group of Christians practices "believers' baptism" by immersion. They do not practice infant baptism and believe that a person should not be baptized until after he/she accepts Jesus as personal saviour. Baptism becomes a sign or symbol of dying to one's old life and rising to new life in Christ. Baptists do not see baptism and communion as sacraments, putting more emphasis on human response. While they do not see marriage as a sacrament, they generally condemn divorce as against God's will. The Southern Baptist Conference generally emphasizes a literal understanding and following of scripture. They believe that one does not need an intermediary between themselves and God. One can confess directly to God and receive forgiveness and doesn't need to go to the priest for forgiveness or pray to the saints for help. Both groups have a strong sense of what is sin! Baptists (and other protestants) sometimes believe that Catholics think behavior doesn't matter since they can always go to the priest and confess. I suspect (remember that I have never talked to her) that your bmom felt condemned by her family and church for being a "bad girl" and left seeking forgiveness which she believed she found in the Baptist church. Unfortunately, it sounds like she kept her "past" a secret (at least from your siblings) and is afraid that would condemn her previous behavior.(My personal belief is that it's easier to believe that God forgives me than it is to forgive myself.) The longer we keep "secrets" like this buried, the harder it is to open ourselves up to public opinion. Most of us are pretty contradictory people however and while she doesn't want to reveal your presence to her family, I'm sure she has wondered (and worried) about you over the years. I don't know if this is helpful. I hope so.

Mod, I am sorry you are experiening this. I live in the South and Catholicas are sometimes not viewes as Christians here which makes us not eligible at Bethany. They haven't come out ans been so blantant to say so but made if fairly clear in our discussions. Best wishes!!!

Thanks emmalso. It's okay. The birthmom that chose us is "okay" with it, and her dad is Catholic so I am sure it will be fine. We meet her this week. However, the first couple that chose us a few weeks ago said they would expect us to raise the child Christian, and therefore go to two masses every week...???? We said we could not do this, and they decided to parent anyway before we could let them know this. I am totally fine with our child being Buddhist, Jewish, or whatever they want to be when they are old enough to make that decision. Honestly, we just don't have enough time in our lives to go to two churches every week.

p.s. we got the same feeling about Bethany

this is just a tester to see why my signature won't show up

Mod, out of curiousity, what would they consider ok for the 2nd "Christian" worship service. (Not a mass, BTW) Did they define what is "Christian" for them?

Just wanted to remind members that we DO NOT allow the discussion of agencies, their requirements or what they do or do not allow openly on the forums - all discussions regarding agencies must be done via PM. As a result of the above, I have deleted three posts from the forums that contained agency discussion. Thanks!

Brandy, I'm sorry I didn't realize that this crossed the line since there was no opinion stated regarding the agency, nor did either one of us use the specified agency. I will be sure to not mention it again. Kathy, we don't know which service they wanted us to go to exactly. They called 5 minutes after they chose us to tell the social worker that they wanted to parent....so we never got that far. We were just told in the initial call that they really liked us but they chose us pending us agreeing to raise the baby Christian, and attend Christian services (Catholic did not qualify as far as they were concerned)

I worked for an agency where one of our case workers apparently did not include "Catholic" when a birthmother requested a "Christian" family. I was flabbergasted!! Since when am I, as a Catholic, not a Christian? Because I'm not "born again"???? I feel that a Christian is someone that believes that CHRIST will determine someone's salvation and not us, trying to determine who is worthy and who is not. Geesh, it's not that hard, people. Let God do the roll call. We should each have enough to worry about just taking care of our own souls. Sorry. This whole issue makes me livid. Josie

The existence of this thread explains a lot about what's wrong with religion in the world today. Two groups share probably 95% of their beliefs, but one group doesn't consider the other Christian enough to even merit the label. Catholics have believed in and preached the Gospel of Jesus for over two thousand years, but that just doesn't quite cut it for some people. It's really unfathomable for me to understand how people can believe it's God's will that they fight over the best way to believe in Him. Jesus tought us to love our enemies, but we can't even seem to love our friends.

Wow! You nailed it with that one sentance! I will never forget the look on the face of my neighbors sister as she vehemently spewed some really vile comments about Catholics. I thought to myself: "This is hate in it's purest form." The Catholic Church has sure had it's share of proclaiming itself as the only one, true church, but I see hateful rejection, no matter where it is coming from, as a sin.

Unfortunately, this has been going on as long as there have been people. (There are those who would question my Christianity as well because the answer I would give to the question of are you saved, is yes, Jesus saved me when he died on the cross and rose from the dead!) Remember that the first commandment is "Thou shall have no other gods before me." Humans from the beginning have tried to make themselves God! I know what's right (and who's right.) If you disagree with me - you're wrong! Jesus himself said, "Judge not, lest you be judged." Obviously, the problem was not new to Jesus! There is a line somewhere is scripture that always comes to my mind when some part of the extended Chriistan family spews hate at another, "Look at those Christians, how they love one another." A few years ago, I was at an ELCA (Lutheran) churchwide assembly where we were wrestling with gay issues (ordination of practicing gays, blessings of same sex unions) and we were being picketed by one of the anti-gay groups. One man (I think it was the "pastor") carried a sign saying, "God hates fags." I didn't do it, but I wanted to go over to him and say, "You know, God even loves YOU! I can't figure out why, but I know God does! We wonder why non-Christians have so much trouble understanding Christianity and why they don't want to become Christians. Ghandi was intrigued by Christianity and said that he would have become one if he had ever met one. (I think it was in South Africa - he was refused entry into a church because he was "colored.") I must go to work... as I go grumbling (I'drather stay and post), I remind myself and you that as Christians (regardless of denomiation) we share a common assignment: Love God with all our hearts, minds and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

There are a number of religions that aren't considered 'Christian' by many. The largest religion discussion forum on the internet doesn't consider several of them Christian and if you post saying that you are one of those religions, you are quick to be shown the door...or attacked...or both.Very sad...so much intolerance with some people - the same people who claim Christianity and tolerance...

As for me, I will discuss faith (yours and/or mine) with anyone. My goal is to love unconditionally in the name of the One who loves us. (Of course, I fail miserably...) I do feel sorry for those who feel they have the only "true" understanding of Christianiry... I find it hard to believe they have truly experienced God's grace (unconditional love).

Mod, I am sorry that you have experienced this.... It is so weird to hear that for me since I live on the east coast and in a city that is probably "predominately" Catholic. I can say, when I lived in the NW, I remember a client talking to me how he was a proud member of the KKK; he hated (2 certain other groups and I won't "go there") and the third K ..."Katholics." I had never experienced any anti-Catholic sentiment, but obviously there is some. I also think the priest sex scandals probably make some non-Catholic birth moms pretty nervous (I also am horrified by it myself...and don't think the Church addressed it properly...that's another story). Anyway, good luck to you!