So what religion are you?

[carlimac]

If asked if I were Christian, I'd probably respond that "I do believe in Christ, and in fact, I attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." *insert blank stare here* "The Mormons." But you're right -- I wouldn't give a flat "yes" answer.

I appreciate the responses about the Catholic vs. Christian label mentality. I served a Spanish-speaking mission in California, and met hundreds of Hispanic (mostly Mexican) Catholics, who almost invariably responded, "No, soy Católica."

Wait- don't you mean "No soy Cristiano" ? Why would they say they aren't Catholic if they are Catholic?

[prisonchaplain]

Don't evangelicals do baptism? I know of several young people from a church called Evangelical Free Church (whatever that means) who were baptized in a lake in their swimming suits.

We do...but our baptisms are viewed as one of the first acts of obedience a new convert submits to. In other words, it's an ordinance that people who are already saved partake in. We often describe baptism as a public testimony of our salvation.

[prisonchaplain]

Wait- don't you mean "No soy Cristiano" ? Why would they say they aren't Catholic if they are Catholic?

The , is all important here.

No, soy Catolico means "No, I am Catholic." not, "Catholic I am not."

[carlimac]

The , is all important here.

No, soy Catolico means "No, I am Catholic." not, "Catholic I am not."

Ah, si!

[Wingnut]

Wait- don't you mean "No soy Cristiano" ? Why would they say they aren't Catholic if they are Catholic?

The , is all important here.

Ah, si!

Yep! Note the comma.

[rameumptom]

I usually will say I'm Christian or LDS Christian. That allows them to know that 1. I believe in Christ.

It then opens the door for them to ask which church I belong to. I can then tell them I'm a Latter-day Saint or Mormon. It opens more doors and answers the biggest question of all: are Mormons Christian. In my case, at least, yes.

[rex8499]

I guess I'll tell people I'm Mormon; people seem to know that term more than the full name.

Gotta use the full name or they'll never learn it. *Poke* *Poke*

[Carl62]

I just tell people that I go to the LDS church. Then they're response usually is "what's that?". Then I tell them it's the Latter-day Saint church, and then they're like "Oh, o.k., got it". Even though I can tell by their look that they still quite don't.lol Also, they don't usually want to go a second "what's that" without feeling stupid so that helps me to avoid the whole 'Mormon' thing which I know what kind of questioning that tends to bring.

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

I still can't wrap my head around that. When I ask someone if they're Christian, I'm asking them if they believe in and follow Jesus Christ. I know that includes Catholics, so I can't figure out why I haven't met any Catholics who acknowledge that.

Maybe it's just me being too literal.

Many Catholics do not want to be confused with Protestants in that respect. It's in the same vein that Mormons identify themselves as LDS so as to emphasize their distinction from other non Mormon Christians. It's not a denial of Christianity, it's a clarification on what kind of Christian one is.

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

Don't evangelicals do baptism? I know of several young people from a church called Evangelical Free Church (whatever that means) who were baptized in a lake in their swimming suits.

The location of one's baptism matters not. It's the same water that's circulated all over the earth for ages. The Ethiopian servant who was being evangelized by St. Phillip noticed a body of water while they were traveling and said, "Here is some water. What hinders me from being baptized right here?"

The problem with a large portion of evangelical Christianity is not where they do baptisms but their theology concerning baptism. They believe that the full force of salvation is in effect when somebody makes a decision for Christ and that baptism is more of an afterthought, almost unnecessary except that somewhere in the Bible it says we should be baptized. They don't believe the Biblical concept of baptism as efficacious for the removal of original sin and initiation into Christ's church. They don't see it as a sacrament.

[Dravin]

Many Catholics do not want to be confused with Protestants in that respect. It's in the same vein that Mormons identify themselves as LDS so as to emphasize their distinction from other non Mormon Christians. It's not a denial of Christianity, it's a clarification on what kind of Christian one is.

I think it's starting off with "no" that makes her raise an eyebrow not responding with, "I'm Catholic" instead of a simple "Yes". As you say not just saying yes is the same thing most LDS do, except I think we'd be more prone to say "Yes, I'm LDS." rather than "No, I'm LDS."

Sounds to me though that you might feel that a lot of people use Christian = Protestant, which makes your response understandable in that light. First part is answering what they really mean when they ask, the second part is answering what they literally asked by providing a specific type of Christian.

Of course I may just be trying to drudge up support for my previously stated theory, so my interpretation is probably biased. :)

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

I think it's starting off with "no" that makes her raise an eyebrow not responding with, "I'm Catholic" instead of a simple "Yes". As you say not just saying yes is the same thing most LDS do, except I think we'd be more prone to say "Yes, I'm LDS." rather than "No, I'm LDS."

Sounds to me though that you might feel that a lot of people use Christian = Protestant, which makes your response understandable in that light. First part is answering what they really mean when they ask, the second part is answering what they literally asked by providing a specific type of Christian.

Of course I may just be trying to drudge up support for my previously stated theory, so my interpretation is probably biased. :)

I understand the cause for confusion and believe you're more intelligent than to take isolated anecdotes as painting a general trend. I've met Mormons who have been quite feckless in their attempt to defend their faith, saying things that I know don't rightly portray LDS beliefs.

I think it comes down to what is lost when somebody is "just a Christian." Imagine stripping your beliefs to just a belief in Jesus, the Bible, and salvation. The wonderful stories in the Book of Mormon never happened, your faith didn't arise from divine revelation, and you have no distinct heritage on the American continent. Could you abide that?

In the same way if I were "just a Christian" and I were deprived of the Blessed Sacrament in the holy Eucharist, the divine graces from the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the distinction of an ancient and enduring faith, I would be at a tremendous loss.

So when people say I'm Catholic, or I'm Mormon, they are really saying, they are not "just a Christian" in the lowest common denominator sense.

[Dravin]

Your response is preaching to the choir, I think everyone here fully understands why one might clarify what type of Christian they are.

The question isn't so much asking about clarifying what type of Christian one is, but about why its "No, I'm Catholic." Which taken literally parses as, "I am not Christian. I am Catholic." It's possible what she encountered is simply a linguistic peculiarity, but the desire to be specific doesn't explain the initial no she encountered, it answers the "I'm Catholic" part, of which she understands unless I'm misreading her. So the question isn't "Why do Catholics differentiate what type of Christian they are?" but "Why did the Catholics in Wignut's mission do so in the way they did?" Your insistence that Catholics, like Mormons, like to differentiate what type of Christian they are is a non-starter on multiple levels.

To put it in a different context it would be like encountering people who when asked if they were American responded with, "No, I'm Oregonian." It seems weird to disown the overreaching label and then confirm a label that is part of the overreaching label that was just disowned. Note, someone responding "I'm Oregonian" or "Yes, I'm Oregonian" doesn't have the juxtaposition the first response does (of course, neither does "Yes" but it doesn't allow one to communicate what type of American one is).

To make things explicitly clear, I:

1) Agree that Catholics are Christians.

2) Fully understand why one would want to clarify what particular flavor of Christianity they are instead of just leaving things at "I'm Christian."

Edit: That out of the way if they, as you seem to, feel Christian = "Just a generic no specificity Christian", almost like asking if someone is a non-denominational Christian, then in that context disclaiming the label makes perfect sense. So if correct (that they share your thoughts on the identifier Christian) they were responding to assumed unspoken qualifications attached to the word Christian, I just had the specifics of the assumed qualifications wrong.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Dravin

[rayhale]

Who here knows who this group is: “Religious Society of Friends”? How about their more commonly known name: “Quaker”?

If someone said that he or she belonged to the “Religious Society of Friends”, I would stare at the person in confusion and ask questions. If they were to say that they were “Quaker”, I would still ask questions, but, at least I would have a starting point of understanding.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” is a LONG title, so long, that if someone that has never heard of the church before, would be lost half way through, and will ask, what. The problem is, there are splinter groups that have words like: Mormon; Latter-day Saint; Church of Christ, and other “Mormon” title words, in their title, so you almost have to say both the full name of the Church, and the more familiar Church name, so they won‘t confuse you with any other ‘mormon’ splinter group.

[prisonchaplain]

A simple question: Have not both Catholics and Mormon-LDS-Christians been passionately criticized by fundmentalist-evangelical-born-again "Christians?" If so, it might be a reaction, when asked by someone who seems to belong to that form of Christianity, "Are you a Christian?" to respond, "No [I'm not one of you], I'm Catholic/LDS."

I'm not suggestion this is accurate, or the most astute response. Rather, it may often be a negative reaction to a form of Christianity that is perceived as hostile.

[Dravin]

A simple question: Have not both Catholics and Mormon-LDS-Christians been passionately criticized by fundmentalist-evangelical-born-again "Christians?" If so, it might be a reaction, when asked by someone who seems to belong to that form of Christianity, "Are you a Christian?" to respond, "No [I'm not one of you], I'm Catholic/LDS."

I'm not suggestion this is accurate, or the most astute response. Rather, it may often be a negative reaction to a form of Christianity that is perceived as hostile.

Which is another response to connotative definitions of "Christian". It makes perfect sense if such is the case. For what it's worth, and I understand this happened, LDS responding to the same question with "No, I'm Mormon." would perk an eyebrow. Really, it's less a delve into someone's faith and more human psychology and linguistics. At least for me.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Dravin

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

A simple question: Have not both Catholics and Mormon-LDS-Christians been passionately criticized by fundmentalist-evangelical-born-again "Christians?" If so, it might be a reaction, when asked by someone who seems to belong to that form of Christianity, "Are you a Christian?" to respond, "No [I'm not one of you], I'm Catholic/LDS."

I'm not suggestion this is accurate, or the most astute response. Rather, it may often be a negative reaction to a form of Christianity that is perceived as hostile.

It may also be that, as the LDS church has made significant missionary inroads in Latin America, as have many other Christian denominations, the line gets blurred between them and they (LDS and other non-catholic denominations) as imports from America taking ground in Catholic dominated countries, incur equal amounts of hostility. Converts to those faiths might be seen as quislings, a strong basis for drawing a distinction, even a patriotic mustering between native Catholics and converts. "Sheep stealing" has certainly been a complaint of Catholic clergy who have become alarmed at the trend of Catholics slipping away to other faiths that have a greater appeal to them. Wouldn't some devout Catholics assume themselves to be defenders in this cause?

Edited March 16, 2011 by Saintmichaeldefendthem1
sentence structure

[mordorbund]

To put it in a different context it would be like encountering people who when asked if they were American responded with, "No, I'm Oregonian." It seems weird to disown the overreaching label and then confirm a label that is part of the overreaching label that was just disowned.

Replace Oregonian with Texan and I don't think anyone would bat an eye. :shrug:

[Anonymouse]

It doesn't help that the Church now accepts the use of "Mormon" and use the website Mormon.org for investigators. No distancing us from the name now...

[madeleine1]

I'm told that "born again" is something many Catholics in the Philippines considered a cult. Of course, that was back in '94, and may have just been one person's observation.

Probably because the term "the true born again Christian" is associated in the Phillipines to the cult Iglesia Ni Cristo.

I say Catholic when asked what religion I am. I've only had one really odd reaction to that (by a Mormon) regarding lighting candles.

[findingmyway]

"Well have a seat, let me tell you a story........" 30 mins later" and so I prayed about it....... " 2 mins later "... Im sorry , yes Mormon." 2 secs later " ...Sorry I didnt watch the game last night".........

[The_Phoenix]

Raised Baptist, converted to the Gospel of Christ as I understand it LDS long time ago. I do not feel the need to convert the world, so I am no "thumper" as you called it.

[prophetofdoom]

This depends on who I am talking to. If the person I am talking to doesn't believe in God. or doesn't know much about God.. I tell them that I am a Christian. If I am talking to someone who professes them self to be a Christian, I tell them that I am LDS.. otherwise known as a Mormon.

[curiousheathen]

Is/was "Mormon" considered an offensive term? Some of my friends often seemed uncomfortable with the term, and so as a matter of habit I just always say LDS.

[Dravin]

Is/was "Mormon" considered an offensive term? Some of my friends often seemed uncomfortable with the term, and so as a matter of habit I just always say LDS.

I wouldn't say generally it is. I think though that if you encounter someone inclined to use our name as an epithet you'll tend to find them using Mormon over LDS. As a Church we've kinda waffled on what nickname we want to be called, at some times stressing that Mormon is a perfectly acceptable nickname and at other times trying to stress the proper name of the Church.