Holy Communion

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   wilbury4posted 12 years ago

   Is it true that a Protestant can not take Holy Communion in a Catholic Church but a Catholic can in a Protestant Church?
   If true, this to me, is very un-Christian by the Catholics.
   Thoughts?

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      KristenGraceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I'm Catholic, and I would only receive Communion in a Catholic church as I would expect a Protestant to receive in a Protestant church...
      Although many Christian religions have similar values and beliefs, the Eucharist is one major difference in that Catholics believe it IS the body and blood of Jesus, rather than just a representation of it.

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         paarsurreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         
         Is it not cannibalism?

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            Greek Oneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            haha  Yes, it's cannibalism, that is EXACTLY right!
            
            Merry Christmas Paar, how are you planning on spending the holidays?

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            brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            If it were a real piece of human meat it would be cannibalism BUT since it is a wafer of bread and a sip of grape juice I say you stretch this way to far.
            Symbolism. Sometimes as humans we need it to jog our memories. There is not much 'ceremony' involved in the spiritual walk of Jesus Christ, but this one is important as it serves to remind us of what GOD did to unite people with himself.
            Its a marvellous thing.

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               Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Brothery, I'm not sure that people will understand that subtlety.  But it's appreciated.

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      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      It works differently in my country. It is true a Protestant does not take Holy communion in a Catholic Church but also a Catholic does not in a Protestant Church. It is not a law by any of the denominations just works that way. 
      
      What I like the most is how they can come together when there is a funeral. Sometimes you can have five or more different priests (or whatever they are called in the different denominations) at one funeral because of the varying beliefs in the family.
      
      For instance, Catholic, Mormon, Apostolic, Presbyterian, and Ratana (Maori religion based on Christianity) can be at one funeral. Also sometimes happens for baptising.

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         KristenGraceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Nice reply, pennyofheaven.
         My grandpop passed away last week, and yes, at his funeral, we had many religions.  That is a nice thought.

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      zampanoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Exceptionnaly this year and for the years to come, I decree communion open to ALL.
      Because if I want, I can.
      So do you.
      We're not obliged to religious bureaucrats after all.

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      kirstenblogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      When I was in catholic school I got in a lot of trouble for this! I went through the motions, same as everyone else. This includes taking communion. My mom got told off for not taking me to church on Sundays, to which my mom said, 'she's not catholic!'. Oh boy did I get told off!
      
      I was confirmed with the United Methodists and found this one thing a reason for not choosing Catholicism. With the Methodists, you want to take communion you can, even if you are visiting from another church, not get yelled at for not knowing better!
      
      Sadly, I really did like them wafers too. Who knew Jesus tasted better in a catholic church!
      
      Sorry folks but I just can't treat ritualized cannibalism seriously anymore

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   wilbury4posted 12 years ago

   I wasn't really sure of the fact but the reason I asked is that a while ago, the wife and I attended a funeral at a Catholic Church (we're both C of E, though due to circumstances, my personal faith has diminished at present). There was communion at the service, something that I have never experienced at a Protestant Church funeral, and the Priest offered 'bread only' as I recall, but only to those confirmed as Catholic. The Protestants in the congregation were offered a blessing if they attended the Alter and bowed their head. I declined as I actually felt it discriminating. I suppose I could have taken the communion, who would have known only myself and the wife? Never-the-less neither of us did!
   At this point though, I wasn't sure as to whether this was the case in all Catholic Churches or whether it was at the discretion of the Priest.
   During my time as a Church goer, I never recal any vicar (C of E), stating that the communion was only offered to those confirmed as Protestant.
   Is this not a split in Christianity?

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      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It is a symbolic ritual. It is not the ritual itself that holds any real importance in my view. Rituals do not change the communion one might have with God. This is an inner event not an outer one. Whether one participates in it or not, I don't see why it would make a difference? Won't change whats happening on the inside.

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   hanging outposted 12 years ago

   Only those who have gone through the salvation process described in the bible are allowed, biblically, to partake of communion.
   
   The communion is all about JESUS in both bread and welches grape juice (yum).
   
   Catholics do not fall inside the parameters of saved according to scripture and therefore communion does not apply to them. Catholics, in fact, are not christians at all and this is the fault of their pope, Holy See and many diabolical doctrines.
   
   There is open communion - communion to all regardless (not scriptural)
   there is closed communion - what catholics do (not scriptural)
   there is close communion - (immediate church family) communion (scriptural but the next one is more accurate)
   there is family communion - (all saved by the blood of jesus, saved and born again) (completely scriptural)

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      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Who determines whether or not the salvation process has occurred?

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         brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         i guess your not saved then.
         There is a scriptural pattern for redemption from sin and the salvation process. romans 10:9,10  The problem with catholicism is that is it not jesus centered. Jesus died on the cross that all might be saved not mary, not some catholic appointed saint. The whole focal point of christlikeness is Jesus and recognition of the finished work done on the calvary cross. Angels are not important, mary is not important, dead catholic appointed saints are not important.
         People need to come out of catholicism and into a protestant church, discover Jesus accurately this time and learn the salvation process.
         We have all heard of the sinners prayer, but praying that alone and being involved in catholic heresy doctrine will not bring about true enlightenment on the subject.
         There is only one God his name is both jesus and yahweh upon whom we must hang our salvation upon and follow him, who? Jesus, where? to the cross.

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   exorterposted 12 years ago

   I am a christian, the word says we are brothers and sisters by faith in Christ Jesus, That tells me,that it does not matter what church you go to, by faith in Christ Jesus, we are the children of God.
   A Christian should take communion at what ever church they happen to be visiting

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      wilbury4posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I would totally agree with you on that..... But if you are not offered to accept the Communion in a certain church, would you not feel out of place taking it?

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         exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I would tell them my thoughts on the matter,
         Then may be escorted out

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            wilbury4posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I applaud you on your views, and the strength of them!

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         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Do you really think they would?

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            exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I am really not wanted in a few churches, they do not say so but they do not want my thoughts added to any discussions

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               pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Oh ok

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               wilbury4posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Thats one thing I didn't know; The Church has a Wanted List!
               We should all be allowed free speech to give our views and opinions on any topic or discussion!

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                  exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  that is what the word tells us to do, get together and exchange our views and opinions, that is the way to understand the Word of God

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   Jane@CMposted 12 years ago

   I grew up Catholic.  My belief now is, if I'm visiting a Catholic church and I want communion, they are not going to call me out when I get up there and ask if I'm Catholic - they really just want your money

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      wilbury4posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Isn't everything 'Money Related' these days?
      Like you say, you would never be asked at the alter whether or not your a Catholic, but if only Catholics are invited, a protestant would feel wrong in accepting the communion.

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         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         No not everything

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   xixi12posted 12 years ago

   I doubt if anyone knows whether you are catholic or whether you are visiting. And I think the idea of not receiving communion in the catholic church if you are not catholic is that different religions have a different understanding of what the eucharist represents. Just my thought

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   Flightkeeperposted 12 years ago

   My personal experience is that there is no hard and fast rule.  I've attended catholic church where everyone was invited to take communion and this was during someone's wedding.  As for protestant services, I've never been to one where they distinguished protestants from catholic, they just invite everyone to partake.

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      exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have seen the non-believers trying to put words in the believers mouths quite a bit on these pages
      
      every communion I have ever seen has always been open to anyone

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         Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I do find what some people are posting hard to believe.  Especially when it comes to communion, it's one of the oldest rituals and literally it means breaking bread as a community, in communion.

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   exorterposted 12 years ago

   The Bible tells about the scoffers of the Word, and I believe it says it will get worse as the end draws near

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      Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well if scoffers are all I have to bear after what the early Christians had to go through, I think I can deal with it

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         exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         considering what they went through we are really blessed.
         sometimes I have to get away from these pages, because they are starting to get me mad and I have to leave before I say something I would be sorry about.
         I have started not even reading a lot of what is going on here

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            Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I can understand that, but I see a weird dichotomy, there seems to be real curiosity because many of them are so ignorant of Christian concepts and history and yet at the same time they want to slam Christianity because they don't understand it.  They keep asking for proof, like they're in some courtroom.  And they ask a lot of questions, some of which are just downright funny.  I tend to ignore it though.  If they were really curious they'd make some attempt at research.  It's not that hard.

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               exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I think they are trying to throw a little doubt into someone, some have had a bad experience in church and they want to blame all Christians for it

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                  Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh yeah, those are pretty sad cases.  Not much you can do for them because they gotta work it out themselves. 
                  
                  Then there's the situation where either a priest or pastor or minister has committed a crime and a huge betrayal of trust.  The only thing you can do there is let justice takes its course at the courts, the forgiving process will be much harder and takes years.  I pray for those victims.

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                     exorterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I am going to have to go get some sleep, it is after midnight here
                     am glad we ran into each other here, you are the type that makes these pages worth coming to.
                     Good night

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                        Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Good night.  Merry Christmas.

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               wilbury4posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Hi Fightkeeper, I think there must be a third weird category, the one which I fall into. I've been a Christian all my life up until the past few years, so I do understand the Christian concepts, (though I am also a scientific person); but things have happened to myself, to those around me, to the world, things which have altered my views on all religion (I'm not blaming God for everything?). On the other hand I would never slam anyone for their beliefs; people feel well, feel comfort, feel needed, feel valued etc by their faith and by their visits to Church, my wife being in this category.
               Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

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                  Flightkeeperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Well, I don't consider that weird.  Good luck.  Happy Holidays.

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