Melody said:
I just noticed this thread and, since I apparently rattled someone's chain enough on another thread to get this one started, felt I should put in my .02.
I made the statement on another thread that you can be both Catholic and Christian, but it does not necessarily follow that you are a Christian just because you are Catholic. Someone took offense and said that if anyone had the right to the title "Christian" then it was the catholics. A strange comment since Christianity is not a title...it is a belief.
Melody - that was me - and it is why I started this thread. First - I did not mention the word title - you did. Your point is valid, but it did not address my point - and this thread has done just that.
My point was that the Catholic church predated all of the other branches (sects, cults, denominations, etc.) of Christianity - and that if anyone is Christian, the Catholics are.
For what it is worth, I did not take offense at your statement - I simply thought it was inacurrate and wanted more input from those that have a much deeper understanding of this subject than I (which would be just about anyone other than my dog).
If you take the time to read this entire thread, you will see that this has been addressed from just about every possible point of view, with SOG and the other Catholics clearly stating their case and (in my opinion) carrying the day.
At any rate, your statement that "it does not necessarily follow that you are a Christian just because you are Catholic" confused me, and flew in the face of everything I thought I understood about Catholics.
Thanks,
TVOR