mainline Protestantism gone from Christianity?

Do you agree with Rick Santorum that "mainstream, mainline Protestantism, and of course we look at the shape of mainline Protestantism in this country and it is in shambles, it is gone from the world of Christianity"?

http://www.talk2action.org/story/20...t_Page/The_Religious_Bigotry_of_Rick_Santorum

 

Mainline Protestantism is a rapidly declining institution, rather than a Church. Is it Christian? That depends entirely on how you define Christian.

 

I attend a United Methodist church. It would be considered mainline Protestant and it is definitely Christian.

 

Romney thinks not

Pardon me. I meant Santorum. I tend to get some right-wingers confused

 

Christianity of any kind has had a very poor showing in the 'States, where Mammon-worship prevails. The two are difficult to combine, and Protestantism has a tradition of intelligent criticism which is hardly consistent with right wing nonsense.

 

I find it amusing that most Mammon worshipers don't even know it's nonsense or that they worship Mammon

 

This^.

All discussions like this are purely emotional and detached from reality until you include the actual definitions of the concepts. Christianity does not have a simple definition, so there is no way to make it into an actual argument.

That being said, the definition I tend to hear is "...that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life", which begs the question of what is meant by believing in someone. I believe he existed, and thus, I "believe" in him and am a Christian, on the other hand, I don't agree with the views and stories portrayed as his, so I don't believe in him in that way, ie, no Christian.

The only dangerous thing is when people such as Sanatorum or whoever it is you're quoting make their own definitions and rant about them purely for rhetorical reasons.

 

Being Catholic and knowing they were an offshoot, it's a good thing...come one home where you belong.

 

Christian believe in the essential scripture and doctrine they are the deity of Jesus Christ, the Three nature of God (Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and God the Father).

The original Protestant churches such as the Anglican and Lutherian believe in this essential doctrines. That is why mainstream Protestants are Christians.

 

That was not my point.

Ask a Mormon is Mormons are Christians. Then ask a Catholic if Mormons are Christians. One will say "yes," and one will say "no," and it is because they are using different measure to determine what is and is not Christian.

 

Actually as a Eastern Orthodox Catholic I would say they are Heterodox (wrong thinking), basicly they are Christian but their worship structure and beliefs are not correct and thus they are not within communion with the true Church. The same would be said for Lutherans and Roman Catholics but they are FAR closer to the truth then the Mormons. But at least they do believe that Christ is the savior which is the bare minimum.

 

There ya go. I would likely disagree with you on what defines the True Church, but you make the right point. And the point you made of them being Heterodox is a point that the overwhelming majority of people - Christians and non-Christians alike - have never even heard of.

 

It’s amazing how well he’s doing in spite of the way he constantly alienates his own base. Hopefully some of his protestant supporters see this, sober up, and vote for Romney. On a side not: “He (satan) understood pride of smart people…” that video is hilarious.

 

Just so!

It is all perspective.

 

Fundies do not think you are

 

To be a "Christian" to Fundies, you gotta fall down on the alter, sobbing, and accept Christ as your Savior. Try pulling that at a UMC Church and all would shake their heads as say, "poor guy" as you were carried out by ushers.

 

Nor do true Catholics.

 

Mormons are not Christians because Mormons do not believe or accept the essential doctrines, the deity of Jesus Christ and the Three nature of God. Mormons, beliefs are like Islam. Mormon is not even consider part of Protestant Christianity.

Catholic is using or follows the historical roots; historical continuity, Scriptural and Doctrinal continuity and Apostolic continuity.

Mormon was started in the 1800s by an American name Joseph Smith.

 

If Mormons can refer to themselves as Christians even though they do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ what's stopping Muslims from claiming the same? Muslims have the same beliefs with the Mormons that Jesus Christ is not God but Muslims don't call themselves Christians, Mormons do clearly it is a form to deceive Christians.

 

It will be fun watching the GOP gut itself.

 

I'm quite familiar with Mormonism, and personally consider it a very large cult. However, they see THEMSELVES as Christians, and they have a very clear explanation why.

 

In a broad sense Mormans are Christians. They are not evil.

 

That is the more reason why they are not Christians, their holy book they call it the Book of Mormons not Holy Bible followers of the Book of Mormons should be call Mormons not Christians.

Just like Muslims don't call themselves to be Christians even though they share the same beliefs as the Mormons that Jesus Christ is not God.

Mormons calling themselves Christians is to intentionally misled, distort, trick and deceive Christians.

 

They are not evil, just that they are not Christians they are Mormons.

 

Well, weirdly enough, I've got a good friend who is Mormon. He prays to Jesus as his SAVIOR. He does not pray to Joseph Smith or Brigham Young as savior. Just Jesus.

So I don't know. Make of that what you want.