when i was walking home tonight i was attacked verbally by a born again christian who said that basically the?

Don't put up with it. You've experienced simple anti-Catholic bigotry disguised as a discussion of dogma. It happens every day, and Catholics fall for it every day. You ought to ask them "If you're not Catholic, what business is it of yours, what Catholics believe?" But if they persist, or if you want to get into the discussion of dogma, don't let them attack you from a position of anonymity. Make them say what religion they belong to. If they say "non-denominational Bible Church" or such, say, "Like Jim and Tammy Faye Baker?" Constantly remind them of the parade of phony, discredited televangelists in their tradition. Personally, I'm not going to take it anymore. I'm calling this stuff what it really is: anti-Catholic bigotry.

I will say that the way the person came across was a bit judgmental, because they have no idea how you truly live your life, and what your relationship with God is truly like. However, I will also say that leading a moral and spiritual life doesn't save you. Jesus is the one that hung on the cross to die for you and for me. What saves us is not the good that we do, or the prayers that we say, (such as the Rosary)- but the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Don't listen to men, listen to God. What does God say in His Word?

Heck, *I* live a moral life and I'm an atheist! It has nothing to do with religion; just being a decent human being.

The issue is that these evangelists have been taught (all religion has an element of indoctrination or "brainwashing") that the only route to salvation is THEIR way, and that all others are doomed. In their minds they are doing you a favour, and saving your soul. No doubt as a believer, the concepts of "salvation" and "soul" have a real meaning to you, and you feel threatened by their language, but they are only doing what THEY believe God wants them to, just as you do in your own spiritual life. Their route to salvation simply involves trying to save others - it doesn't mean that it really IS any better than yours. In the past, even the Catholic Church FORCIBLY converted devout Jews, Muslims and others, often with execution as the only alternative.

Now, as an atheist, the concepts of "God", "soul", "Heaven", "Hell", "salvation" and so on have as much TRUE meaning to me as "Santa Claus". They are unprovable myths and no more; my own purpose in life is to help others to enjoy their lives, and when I die, that's my lot. I don't feel threatened by evangelists, I just find them intensely annoying, especially when they expect me to be impressed with concepts that I feel have no real value.

To sum up, ignore these people, continue your life as before, and enjoy yourself. It sounds as if you have found the spiritual mix that suits you, and you know yourself better than anyone else.!

You evidently look down your nose at this born-again Christian. How can I assume this? The born-again Christian simply has to believed to be saved. The Catholic has to earn salvation. It stands to reason that Catholics want to be recognized among men for their works. The Born-again is simple saying, "But this is what God says". The Catholic retorts, "Well this is what the church says."

I'll believe the bible over the church anyday, since it is nothing more than a way to empty the pockets of the laity and deny them salvation.

I'll respect your beliefs. That doesn't make them true. Only God can do that.

Hi hun

I am a born-again Christian and I am so sorry that this happend. It's people like that who give us a bad name.

I won't get into religious debates but prayer come from the heart and having a relationship with God is between God and you. Remember God knows your heart.

Jesus said "man looks at the outward but God looks at the heart"

don't worry about that one person but please don't think that's how we all are. I myself have gone to Catholic mass quite a few times with my friend who is catholic and she asked me :"oh is it ok for you to be here? I don't want to make you uncomfortable:"

I laughed and said "do you believe in God? Jesus? the bible? of course she answered yes

I said well then how could I feel uncomfortable?

take care hun

I think the issue is that many "Born-Again Christians" think that "Protestant" means Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, or any one of the scores of other Protestant denominations. These Born-Agains don't identify with mainline Protestantism, as a rule, and so they say they are not Protestant. What they are probably not aware of is that the term "Protestant," in a Christian context, refers to someone who protests against the Catholic Church. In my experience, no matter how much Born-Agains, Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, and every other stripe of Protestant disagree with each other, the one thing they can ALL agree on is that they strongly dislike and disagree with Catholics. You'd think they would embrace the term as a symbol of unity, but I guess that implies too much respect and Christian love for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Typically, newly "born - again" Christians have great fervency which has not been honed by wisdom or experience. Perhaps they were trying, in the only but yet inapropriate way that they could, to express to you that even though you may love Christ and live moral and upright, you are still in bondage by religious traditions.

JW's and Mormons believe that if you are not JW or not Mormon, you are going to hell. True Christians know that ANYONE, regardless of denomination, can be "born-again" as long as they have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and repent from their sins.

She was trying to help you, but ended up saying the wrong things. All that God wants is for you to truly submit your life to Jesus and believe in him, I know of ppl in all types of churches that r so in love with Jesus, it doesnt mean if you go to that church you r wrong, only the Lord can tell you if it is. To have a one on one relationship with Him is not about in what church you are, it is about belief in Him.

Morality and spiritually does not provide salvation from sin. Only repentance and forsaking sin and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will grant eternal life.

How does the fundie know that he/she has any relationship with god, it's all in their mind anyway.

How does he/she know that god doesn't want you to use the rosary?

How can he/she even presume to know what god wants?

Unfortunately, many fundies show this sort of arrogance