Is it wrong?

[IamCatholic]

Okay, I found some of the references I talked about. The first one, that says that only Catholic worship is pleasing to God and that non-Catholic worship is not acceptable to Him is found in the catechism of Trent. It says the following: "Another figure presents itself in the great city of Jerusalem, which, in Scripture, often means the Church. In Jerusalem only was it lawful to offer sacrifice to God, and in the Church of God only are to be found the true worship and true sacrifice which can at all be acceptable to God." This is in the section on the Creed, Article 9 "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church", under Figures of the Church. This same teaching is found in Pope Pius XI's Encyclical [i]Mortalium Animos[/i] which says: "8. This being so, it is clear that the Apostolic See cannot on any terms take part in their assemblies [speaking of non-Catholic religious ceremonies, especially those that seek to foster a false "unity", which he condemns in the entire Encyclical], nor is it anyway lawful for Catholics either to support or to work for such enterprises; for if they do so they will be giving countenance to a false Christianity, quite alien to the one Church of Christ." So, he says it is forbidden to "on any terms" take part in their assemblies (not just if you are participating). I remember reading several Saints who said non-Catholic prayers are blasphemy, etc, but I will need to get back on that (if you guys are interested in that). The Council was the Council of Elvira that talked about even eating a meal with non-Catholics, specifically Jews in this case: "Indeed, if any one of the clergy or faithful has taken a meal with Jews, he is to abstain from Communion so that he may be reformed." This quote is from Canon 50 of the Council. I was incorrect earlier. The Council actually took place in the early fourth century in Spain. It was in the first two decades of the 300s, but apparently there is disagreement about when exactly it took place, so this was before Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and even Muslims, so Jews were pretty much representative of all non-Catholics. Anyway, you can read about the Council on New Advent at [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05395b.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05395b.htm[/url] As for the Saints, if you are interested, I will look for some of the quotes.

[scardella]

What would be the take on a non-denominational prayer meeting (as opposed to "services")? Do they see a distinction?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='jmjtina' date='Mar 23 2005, 12:10 AM'] If you don't want a debate, that's why there is open mic

you mean attend weekly the other denomination as well or just a couple times a year?



I don't think you should go [u]weekly[/u] to another denomination, (protestant, mormon, baptists, etc) but I've visited a couple of times a friends church. I don't think nothing is wrong with a couple of times a year, but weekly? No. [/quote]
Ahem...Mormons are a cult, not a denomination. No valid baptisms.

[CarpeDiem88]

I believe that if it is out of the will of love (which I do for my family since they are non-Catholic) it's okay. Why would it be wrong to attend another church? I mean as long as they don't partake in Communion, why would it matter?

[Dudette]

My friend who is Baptist wanted me to go with herto her service, well, we kind of, kind of not, made a deal. If she came to Mass with me, I would go to her service but my dad didn't want me to. Even though I am very strong in my faith, he was just being cautious. My personal choice, I wouldn't want to anyway.

I don't think it's wrong though. If a Catholic starts going and starts to take more interest in it, get more involved then it's bad. It you're going just to be charitable and you have no intention of giving way I think it's okay. Though not regularly of course.

[CarpeDiem88]

J'avoue avec ça!
I agree with that!

[cmotherofpirl]

As I said it depends on why you are going and what the circumstances are. You can certainly attend something at a church as a guest.

[Tony]

I voted depends on the church.. I wouldnt attend one that rejects the trinity (like the Jehovah's witnesses)

[MichaelFilo]

Actually, I'd think that all non-Catholic worship is displeasing to God. The book of Malachi makes it quite clear that imperfect sacrafices aren't acceptable to God. The Mass is the only perfect sacrafice.

I will go to any protestant church, because it would be silly to talk to a protestant about what they believe and expect them to know. They don't. No protestant can truely assent to some set belief system, but will say they bleieve in what the bible teaches (error, they do not)(note even the Creeds of the Anglican Church do not truely reflect what they believe). So I visit churches to see what they believe and how they worship. The best way to get a protestant or anyone to thinka bout what they blieve in is through their actions (and the actions of the churches they go to).

God bless,
Mikey

[megrc]

I don't think it wrong to go once in a while, but to go every week, that's putting yourself into a dangerous situation. That is opening the door for doubt about your own beliefs, and that's not health. I'm going to my boyfriends Methodist church this weekend, but only because I want to see what it is that he gets from his experience(and also cause I'm trying to convert him, but that's another story). As long as you don't start only going to the other church, then I guess it's ok.