Ecumenism: "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

[leah777]

13 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

Is is charity as in giving alms/ money? Or is it the more encompassing charity?: 

Charitas or charity means love in action, love that is felt and seen by others; visiting friend, feeding them, gift giving, praying for them, and more.

“31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-46)

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15-18)

Pardon the huge font, ot happens when I paste. 

All charity. Why wouldnt Protestants be charitable? Where are you experiencing this lack of charity?

[Fidei Defensor]

Just now, leah777 said:

All charity. Why wouldnt Protestants be charitable? Where are you experiencing this lack of charity?

Is the charity just towards congregants of your church or is it across denoms where you live? 

To answer your query, I have experianced a lack of charity on three continents. 

[leah777]

2 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

Is the charity just towards congregants of your church or is it across denoms where you live? 

To answer your query, I have experianced a lack of charity on three continents. 

everyone, like the scriptures tell us. I am sorry you personally havent experienced this. However, I find it hard to believe that there is no charity among non-Catholics across three continents. Which three continents?

[Fidei Defensor]

1 minute ago, leah777 said:

everyone, like the scriptures tell us. I am sorry you personally havent experienced this. However, I find it hard to believe that there is no charity among non-Catholics across three continents. Which three continents?

Northern America, Europe, and Middle East. 

I am sure there are Protestant brothers and sisters being charitable, I am simply saying Catholics seem more initutive about needs, afterall they started hospitals: The Knights Hospitallers in 1070-1291 (Roman Catholic Monastic Military Order) started hospitals in Palestine (Israel, then called Outremer) where they cared for the sick as if they were Christ (according to an enemy named Saladin Ayyubid). In fact hospital comes from their namesake hospitaller. 

[leah777]

4 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

Northern America, Europe, and Middle East. 

I am sure there are Protestant brothers and sisters being charitable, I am simply saying Catholics seem more initutive about needs, afterall they started hospitals: The Knights Hospitallers in 1070-1291 (Roman Catholic Monastic Military Order) started hospitals in Palestine (Israel, then called Outremer) where they cared for the sick as if they were Christ (according to an enemy named Saladin Ayyubid). In fact hospital comes from their namesake hospitaller. 

It is hardly fair to compare the centuries of Catholicism with the more recent non-conformist and/or protestant institutions 15 centuries later, is it. 

I am in Europe and have travelled extensively across the world. There is much charity of all denominations. 

[Fidei Defensor]

5 minutes ago, leah777 said:

It is hardly fair to compare the centuries of Catholicism with the more recent non-conformist and/or protestant institutions 15 centuries later, is it. 

I am in Europe and have travelled extensively across the world. There is much charity of all denominations. 

I afford that our Protestant denoms have not had as long to develop charities, my point by using the long history of Catholicism was to show they have always had a knack (know how) for tending to needs. It wasn’t intended to dwarf Protestant history, but to illustrate that Roman Catholics have had a track record of coming up with great solutions to needs. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by Fidei Defensor

[leah777]

2 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

I afford that our Protestant denoms have not had as long to develop charities, my point by using the long history of Catholicism was to show they have always had a knack (know how) for tending to needs. It wasn’t intended to dwarf Protestant history, but to illustrate that Roman Catholics have had a track record of coming up with great solutions to needs. 

ermm - NO.

Christians have a track record of coming up with solutions to need. It just happens that for 1500 the Christians had to identify as Catholics as there was no alternative. I dont understand why you are trying to make some anti Protestant point, especially considering you are a Protestant, but thats your right. 

[leah777]

1 hour ago, Fidei Defensor said:

I have often found that we Protestants debate Scripture, while our Catholic cousins actually do charity.

this is a clear statement that Protestant are not being charity in action. Maybe you need to think more about the inconsistency of your recent posts. 

Early Christians were also very charitable, and they were not Catholic. 

Any simple search will show you lists and lists of charities and helpers on all three continents you mentioned. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by leah777

[Fidei Defensor]

1 hour ago, leah777 said:

this is a clear statement that Protestant are not being charity in action. Maybe you need to think more about the inconsistency of your recent posts. 

Early Christians were also very charitable, and they were not Catholic. 

Any simple search will show you lists and lists of charities and helpers on all three continents you mentioned. 

There isn’t an inconsistency, I feel you arn’t understanding me. I meant charity beyond charities, that is tending to a broad sense of needs from visiting someone to monies. I claimed Catholics seem more focused on this, and had devised methods that have worked like hospitals. 

[Sower]

2 hours ago, Fidei Defensor said:

I afford that our Protestant denoms have not had as long to develop charities, my point by using the long history of Catholicism was to show they have always had a knack (know how) for tending to needs. It wasn’t intended to dwarf Protestant history, but to illustrate that Roman Catholics have had a track record of coming up with great solutions to needs. 

I agree the RCC has had a hand in charity work, as it should be.
I was a catholic for thirty years. I love all catholics.
I also believe the work they do is more visible due to the popularity with the media.
Our church denomination, the largest protestant denomination,  does not have the same media attention. And most independent protestant churches do not have the funding as does the RCC, which is one of the wealthiest organizations in the world.
Another reason for the typical catholic member to be involved in charity  is simply
that they are taught it is by their works they might be saved, as you know, Fidei.
My mom, a staunch catholic till her death, knew very very little scripture, didn't
understand about being born again till I discussed it with her in her latter years.
But she was the epitome of a 'works' mentality, driven to help anybody/everybody 
she possibly could. I could not get her in her eighties to slow down and enjoy her family and play with her great/grand children. She was also stubborn.
She couldn't conceive of the idea that Christ did it all, and she only had to believe, and that works would not help in her salvation. Most all catholics I talk to believe the same. Works works. I learned much in those thirty years, good morals,
duty, respect and discipline, a great education.
But the church has millions of members that believe they need to do good (charitable) works to be saved. So, yes. The catholic church is known for it's works.
Through the media. And it's body of work driven members. My mom was one.

It's one thing to do all the misguided works you can to save your soul.
It is a better thing you do (as a believer) when it for the good of another.