re: #156 silverdolphin

As a Catholic growing up in Southern Baptist territory, it was constantly explained to me why a Catholic was not a Christian. Simply, a Christian had a direct, personal relationship with Christ. A Catholic required an intermediary - the Church - to connect with God.

In the 70s, the Christian evangelicals realized it would be politically positive to bring the conservative Catholic leadership into the fold. So Catholics became “Christians” for that purpose. But as soon as that purpose is no longer needed, the Catholics will be jettisoned.

When my evangelical friend and her family made their pitch for my soul, they told me Catholics weren’t Christian because of infant baptism. When I told that to the Catholics, they said, well, that’s why we have Confirmation.