If Protestantism is heresy, then...

[Paladin D]

If Protestantism is heresy, then why is it rarely labeled as such? Some Catholic sources, such as Catholic Answers, label Protestantism as heresy but many seem to treat Protestantism as only an indifference and not a serious threat.

Before someone replies, [b]I am in no way encouraging people to burn Protestants at the stake, bash them, or anything[/b]. I'm simply am stating that since Protestantism [b]in general[/b] is dangerous and can lead to eternal damnation, why isn't this more stressed? My guess is that [b]love[/b] tends to be a better tool to witness to our brothers and sisters in Christ, rather then condemn them harshly.

Your thoughts?

[Guest Eremite]

Protestantism is, in many ways, a threat to the Catholic faith. However, in many ways, it is not. Because Protestants are, for the most part, honest Christians, born into error, the Church takes up an irenic posture towards them. She does not, of course, neglect the grave differences that exist between Catholicism and Protestantism. But she tries to draw out our commonalities, in hopes than we can more fruitfully engage our differences.

[Paladin D]

[quote name='Eremite' date='Mar 11 2005, 05:20 PM'] Protestantism is, in many ways, a threat to the Catholic faith. However, in many ways, it is not. Because Protestants are, for the most part, honest Christians, born into error, the Church takes up an irenic posture towards them. She does not, of course, neglect the grave differences that exist between Catholicism and Protestantism. But she tries to draw out our commonalities, in hopes than we can more fruitfully engage our differences. [/quote]
I praise the idea of the two to come together and draw out our commonalities. However is it still accurate, yet not highly recommended for the sake of charity, to claim Protestantism as heresy?

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Mar 11 2005, 04:16 PM'] If Protestantism is heresy, then why is it rarely labeled as such? Some Catholic sources, such as Catholic Answers, label Protestantism as heresy but many seem to treat Protestantism as only an indifference and not a serious threat.

Before someone replies, [b]I am in no way encouraging people to burn Protestants at the stake, bash them, or anything[/b]. I'm simply am stating that since Protestantism [b]in general[/b] is dangerous and can lead to eternal damnation, why isn't this more stressed? My guess is that [b]love[/b] tends to be a better tool to witness to our brothers and sisters in Christ, rather then condemn them harshly.

Your thoughts? [/quote]
Protestantism was founded upon heresies, but current Protestants are not heretics. As Father says in his above mentioned concern, in order for one to be a heretic it he must have a formal and full knowledge of the Catholic Faith and then outright reject it, and be obstinate in it. Many Protestants were never in union with the Church so cannot be labeled a heretic although their denomination may of been founded upon a heresy. I would recommed reading Father's posted concern. Pertinacity, that is, obstinate adhesion to a particular tenet is required to make heresy formal. For as long as one remains willing to submit to the Church's decision he remains a Catholic Christian at heart and his wrong beliefs are only transient errors and fleeting opinions.

[Guest Eremite]

[quote]However is it still accurate, yet not highly recommended for the sake of charity, to claim Protestantism as heresy?[/quote]

I don't think it violates charity to acknowledge that Protestantism is, from a Catholic perspective, a heresy; or more accurately, is composed of many heresies. However, this should be done without "throwing" it in people's faces. Also, the Church avoids the label "heretics" for modern Protestants, because they are usually raised in the Protestant faith, and thus are not true heretics.

[burnsspivey]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Mar 11 2005, 04:16 PM'] If Protestantism is heresy, then why is it rarely labeled as such? [/quote]
What function, exactly, would this label serve?

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='burnsspivey' date='Mar 11 2005, 04:38 PM'] What function, exactly, would this label serve? [/quote]
That is a fair question. Any thoughts anyone? What do peope hope to accomplish by calling someone a heretic?

[Crusader_4]

It is a techinical term. Just like you would not call an orthodox a heretic but a schismatic. You would not call Lutheranism a schism but a heresy. It has to do with the nature of the belief and its root in serperating itself from the Supreme Pontiff. For example, SSPX is a schism but not heresy.

[1337 k4th0l1x0r]

I think Pontifex does a good job of describing the situation in this thread: [url="http://phorum.phatmass.com/index.php?showtopic=13221"]http://phorum.phatmass.com/index.php?showtopic=13221[/url]