Political Crossfire Forums

[superchick]

Just wanted to get some opinions of communion here.
1st is important.
If so how often?
Should real wine not grape juice be used?

I think it is important. I take it every Sunday with my congregation. I think it is more important over Passover, but when I think that, I don't even know if that make sense.

Do you feel certain criteria should be met to take communion?

[mgwisni]

I think that communion is important as a reminder rather than as some kind of ritual. My church does it about once a month. I don't think it matters whether it's real wine or grapejuice.

I have a question. Why can't non-catholic Christians take communion at catholic churches?

[Todd D.]

I'm Catholic, so this should be obvious. I think it's crucial, celebrated as many times as you can up to once a day, and it absolutely matters if it is Grape Juice or Wine. Shoot, if it didn't matter, we could use Water or Milk.

Quote: I have a question. Why can't non-catholic Christians take communion at catholic churches?
Because Catholic Churches believe that the Wine and the Bread are transformed to the actual body and blood of Jesus. That's not a metaphor, that's not rhetorical, it's literally the Body and Blood of Christ. Right before Communion, the Eucharistic Minister will hold the Host up and say "The Body of Christ", to which you respond "Amen". In other words, "I agree, I beleive". Professing that you believe it is literally the Body of Christ when you do not is lying, not something I'd particularly recommend anytime, but especially not in Church.

Secondly, it pretends that there is unity where there currently is not within the Catholic-Protestant split. By accepting Communion in a Catholic Church, you are in effect saying that you are in Communion with them on their theological teachings, which I think we can all agree is not the case. It's the same reason that a Catholic can not accept Communion at a Protestant Church.

[superchick]

Todd D. wrote: I'm Catholic, so this should be obvious. I think it's crucial, celebrated as many times as you can up to once a day, and it absolutely matters if it is Grape Juice or Wine. Shoot, if it didn't matter, we could use Water or Milk.
So you believe that grape juice can't be subbed for wine?

[Gilbert1908]

superchick wrote: Just wanted to get some opinions of communion here.
1st is important.
If so how often?
Should real wine not grape juice be used?

Wine and bread were used at the last supper, as far as we know no Welch's products, so it has to be wine.

superchick wrote: I think it is important. I take it every Sunday with my congregation. I think it is more important over Passover, but when I think that, I don't even know if that make sense.

Do you feel certain criteria should be met to take communion?

There is criteria set for the reception of communion within the Catholic faith which is both reasonable and logical given context with which the sacrament takes place within our faith.

[Todd D.]

superchick wrote: Todd D. wrote: I'm Catholic, so this should be obvious. I think it's crucial, celebrated as many times as you can up to once a day, and it absolutely matters if it is Grape Juice or Wine. Shoot, if it didn't matter, we could use Water or Milk.
So you believe that grape juice can't be subbed for wine?
Depends on the situation I would imagine, but if there is wine available, I see no good reason why it should not be used.

[John]

Quote: It's the same reason that a Catholic can not accept Communion at a Protestant Church.


No. I've never ever heard of that. You most certainly CAN come to my church and take communion.....as long as you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins.

Catholics CAN take communion at a Protestant Church....they are welcome with open arms.

[Todd D.]

John wrote: Quote: It's the same reason that a Catholic can not accept Communion at a Protestant Church.


No. I've never ever heard of that. You most certainly CAN come to my church and take communion.....as long as you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins.

Catholics CAN take communion at a Protestant Church....they are welcome with open arms.
Perhaps I was not clear. I am not allowed to take Communion at a Protestant church not because said Church would not permit it, but because mine would not. Sorry for the confusion.

[John]

Todd D. wrote: I'm Catholic, so this should be obvious. I think it's crucial, celebrated as many times as you can up to once a day, and it absolutely matters if it is Grape Juice or Wine. Shoot, if it didn't matter, we could use Water or Milk.

Hmmm. I wonder what proof the wine was that Jesus used in the last supper. If we don't get it down right....it magic ritual will lose its effect. Gimmie a break. It’s about FAITH...not the type or how fermented the juice is.

I personally think it’s a contradiction to put faith in the ritual instead of WHO it represents.

[John]

Todd D. wrote: John wrote: Quote: It's the same reason that a Catholic can not accept Communion at a Protestant Church.


No. I've never ever heard of that. You most certainly CAN come to my church and take communion.....as long as you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins.

Catholics CAN take communion at a Protestant Church....they are welcome with open arms.
Perhaps I was not clear. I am not allowed to take Communion at a Protestant church not because said Church would not permit it, but because mine would not. Sorry for the confusion.

Don't get me started. This issue REALLY TICKS ME OFF!!!!!!! What nerve to turn people away from the Lord table because of formalities!

[Todd D.]

Quote: Hmmm. I wonder what proof the wine was that Jesus used in the last supper. If we don't get it down right....it magic ritual will lose its effect. Gimmie a break. It’s about FAITH...not the type or how fermented the juice is.
I agree, but at the same time recreating it as faithfully as possible is important as well. Otherwise we might as well use Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers.

Quote: I personally think it’s a contradiction to put faith in the ritual instead of WHO it represents.
I do as well. Keep in mind what I believe Communion is. I think it's pretty hard to accuse me of forgetting WHO it represents when I believe that I am quite literally consuming the Flesh and Blood of Jesus.

Quote: Don't get me started. This issue REALLY TICKS ME OFF!!!!!!! What nerve to turn people away from the Lord table because of formalities!
Is it really a formality though? Professing that you believe that it is the flesh of Jesus when you in fact do not is lying, right? Likewise, professing that a communion exists where, I think we both agree very sadly, it currently does not is also lying.

As I said earlier though, I am not a fan of the ministers themselves turning someone away. I believe that is the individual's responsibility to assess whether accepting Communion is appropriate or not. I had a very similar reaction to yours when I heard that the Bishops had ordered Priests not to allow John Kerry to accept Communion because he supported Pro-Choice legislation. That was wrong, in my opinion.

[John]

Quote: I agree, but at the same time recreating it as faithfully as possible is important as well. Otherwise we might as well use Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers.

And if the persons heart is in the right place...it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

[Anjire2]

John wrote: Quote: I agree, but at the same time recreating it as faithfully as possible is important as well. Otherwise we might as well use Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers.

And if the persons heart is in the right place...it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

As to whether it has to be wine? unleavened bread? On this matter, I am with John. I also agree that it should be done as often as possible - whenever two or more of you gather together is the wording used. Will I be upset though that another feels differently or practices it differently? No.

[mgwisni]

Anjire2 wrote: John wrote: Quote: I agree, but at the same time recreating it as faithfully as possible is important as well. Otherwise we might as well use Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers.

And if the persons heart is in the right place...it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

As to whether it has to be wine? unleavened bread? On this matter, I am with John. I also agree that it should be done as often as possible - whenever two or more of you gather together is the wording used. Will I be upset though that another feels differently or practices it differently? No.

I couldn't agree with you two more. If all you have is Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers and you love the Lord I doubt he's going to be angry at you. The same way that I doubt He cares if you wear a tie to church or not. If you love God, and your heart is where it should be, everything else is trivial.

[sLiPpY]

Interesting topic.

For Episcopalians, the biblical sacrement of Holy Eucharist is present in several forms of the Daily Office.

Wine and Wafers are served at the High Church's
Medium Churchs look more like a Lutheran or Presbytarian service
There are even some Low church's within the communion, that more so resemble a Pentacostal service.

I've heard that some of the more evangelical and lower church's prefer Welch's. But the parish I grew up in, serves at least 12 proof. :lol:

[superchick]

John wrote: Quote: I agree, but at the same time recreating it as faithfully as possible is important as well. Otherwise we might as well use Yoo-hoo and Graham Crackers.

And if the persons heart is in the right place...it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

Does it say specifically in the bible when, where, who and what?

I have a friend who is a Jehovah's Witness and they only have communion, once a year in correlation with the Passover, (Nisan 14)but not many people will actually take the bread and wine. Only the annointed people. This is the only celebration they have.

[Eternal]

So where exactly in the scene of the last supper does Jesus, or for that matter any disciple, say that you cannot be a Christian unless to regularly partake in communion?

As for the belief in transubstantiation, oh please!!! If that were the case then why is it that people who are allergic to wheat suffer an allergic reaction upon consuming the wafer? Surely that would not occur if the wafer magically transformed itself into flesh?


Cheers, Eternal

[sLiPpY]

Eternal wrote: So where exactly in the scene of the last supper does Jesus, or for that matter any disciple, say that you cannot be a Christian unless to regularly partake in communion?

As for the belief in transubstantiation, oh please!!! If that were the case then why is it that people who are allergic to wheat suffer an allergic reaction upon consuming the wafer? Surely that would not occur if the wafer magically transformed itself into flesh?


Cheers, Eternal

:bana:

[connermt]

superchick wrote: Just wanted to get some opinions of communion here.
1st is important.
If so how often?
Should real wine not grape juice be used?

I think it is important. I take it every Sunday with my congregation. I think it is more important over Passover, but when I think that, I don't even know if that make sense.

Do you feel certain criteria should be met to take communion?

Some people feel taking it every week 'cheapens' it, as it becomes a common practice. I can see that point, however, if it is taken with the intended purpose, I don't think it could really loose its 'punch' (for lack of a better term).
Wine or grape juice - 6 of one, ½ dozen of the other IMO. People who freak out about wine being used I think are missing the point of communion.
As far as criteria goes, what do you mean exactly? I think that is up to the person taking it. If they feel that they shouldn't take it, for whatever reason, that is their choice.

[superchick]

Various denominations have criteria. The Catholic one above, Jehovah's Witness's etc. Some people feel they should be baptised before taking communion. I think that much makes sense.