re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Catholics are Christians too

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Not according to some Christians.

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Is there such thing as just a Christian or do you need to be part of a specific church?

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Church of England, but does that matter at this lovelly time

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

You do if you want to become Pope, I think. ;)

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

:wavey: How much detail do you want ... ? :D

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Any faith that believes Christ was the son of God and follows Christ's teachings is a Christian

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Not true. There is an apostolic creed which all orthodox Christian denominations agree to, whether Eastern, Roman or Protestant, which as you very well know stipulates the Triune nature of the Godhead - the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct personalities yet indivisibly one God. The Watchtower Society, the Church of Latter Day Saints and a whole lot of less well-known crazy 19th century American cults are not Christian, because they are not in agreement with this key aspect of the creed.

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Damian, there is no rule about membership of a specific church in order to be a Christian, but as so much of the teaching in the New Testament likens the Church to a human body, with each member a part of that body, it is pretty hard to escape the conclusion that following Jesus pretty much mandates doing so in association with other people.

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Absolute rubbish. Christianity dates back before "orthodox" religions decided to put labels in it. You choose to believe in a version of the Bible translated in the Dark ages when the country was ruled by Rome translated it to favour good old King James. I choose to follow Christ's teachings and do not recognise your right to label me a non Christian just because I do not accept the trinity

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Whether you recognise my right to free speech or not is neither here nor there. And in point of fact I'm not labelling you as anything. I am aware of the Watchtower's peculiar spin on history by which it justifies its cultic beliefs and practices - what you do with regards to those teachings is entirely your own business. Just don't expect a free pass to avoid having those beliefs and practices criticised, especially in a thread about the Cathoic Pope who, be in absolutely no doubt at all, holds the same beliefs about the Trinity that I outlined above.

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Super, smashin', great...

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...3&d=1363210411

re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

I thought Mormon's believed the first two books of the bible, the Holy Trinity, and so on but then added a bunch of crazy American stuff.

It's almost as if South Park and musicals aren't a good way to learn about a religion. :D

Cool. There is no 'Christian' church as such then but a number of them. Christianity is just the aspects of faith that unites these different churches?

Re: [Updated] Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

Lol I know all about the trinity and your beliefs in hell ( a word bte not mentioned in any version of the bible other than newer "English" versions.

The Romans Crucified Christ then a while later the Emperor took it on an there is the birth of the Roman Catholics. Likelyhood they are the on true faith? pretty slim
The there is Lutherans and the Protestants who broke from Rome. Again not likely imo
The Trinity well you can quote scriptures but I will just tell the story of John the Baptist where in one section ( if you believe in the Trinity) God came down and endowed himself with himself (holy spirit)which made him know he was himself and it did his head in so much he went off to the wild to talk to himself for 40 days. And then of course there is when he died and he looked up at the moment of death and said forgive them me they know not what they do

I do not practice JW I do not accept they are a cult and find the fact you do and your prejudice disgraceful after all I have done nothing until tonight but treat your faith with respect. Blessed are the meek after all

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Chris talks about these religions without any real knowledge on the subject I am afraid. I had teachings off both JW and Mormons as well as Born again Christians and Evangelists before I chose my path.

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Let me just say this. Catholics and Protestants have fought and died in many a war and followed a country's flag in doing so. In WWII JWs were interned in the same concentration camps and killed just like the Jews in Germany because they refused to go to war and refused to salute the countries flag . True believers in their faith they would rather face death than go back on what they believe

Re: [Updated] Pope Benedict Resigns : Cardinal Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis I
 

... and I've taken the trouble to talk to JWs and Mormons too. I'm not pre-judging anything, I'm quite happy with the decisions I've taken and the beliefs I hold.

You seem to be confusing "respect" for a belief with "agreement" with it. Whatever respect I hold for anyone who has bothered to think about life beyond the material, what possible reason could I have for *not* criticising a set of beliefs that are at odds with my own? The very nature of these things means we believe they have eternal significance.