I'm catholic can I go to a Christian church?

[Grassgreendashhabi]

Really stupid question

I'm Catholic I don't go to church but really to believe in God.

Now my local church is a Christian church. Is it wrong for me to attend

I want to take my little baby there as they hold brilliant mums and baby groups

But I'm wondering being Catholic is it appropriate

I have heard people say that Catholic are Christians so I'm totally confused ... If Catholic is a Christian why do they have different churches ??

So confused.

[annandale]

You can definitely go.

I'm sure by now I am cross posting with lots of others, but Christianity has at various times had groups of people decide they believe something slightly different, and they have set up different groups of churches. They are all Christian and certainly these days there shouldn't be any problem moving between them.

[gettingtherequickly]

Yes you can, Catholics are also Christians, there are minor disagreements over the interpretation of the bible, that's all.

[MessyBun247]

You are a free human being, you can go wherever you want.

[Grassgreendashhabi]

I know I can go I just wouldn't if it's not appropriate

[BitchyHen]

Catholics are Christians, it is one denomination (type) of Christianity. I would google your local church to see if you can find out what denomination it is, could be church of England/Anglican, Methodist, Baptist or something else.

Having said that it doesn't really matter which denomination of Christianity you belong to or even if you have no faith at all, most churches will welcome new members and probably wont ask.

[allegretto]

I think you are a bit confused. Catholics are Christians! Do you mean an Anglican church or another denomination? You can go to any church you like but taking communion is slightly trickier. Most (non-Catholic) Christian churches welcome anyone to take Communion but Catholic churches often do not allow non-Catholics to take communion. They might also object to you taking communion in a non-Catholic church but this is up to you (and your conscience).

[BertrandRussell]

There are lots of different sorts of Christians- Cstholics, Anglicans, Presbytarians, Bsptists, Methodists- all Christians but coming at it from slightly different angles.

What sort of Church is the one you want to go to?

[ChickyDuck]

There are many different Christian denominations, Catholic is one of them. What do you mean by a "christan" church? Is it Church of England? Or it could be Methodist or Baptist or one of many others. Either way, it doesn't really matter as the basics are the same in all of them. If it is High Anglican, you will find the service very similar to a Catholic one. Others may be more different.

[Emochild]

Definitely go -you will be welcome

Lots of different churches all fall under the Christian umbrella
Catholic
Church of England
Methodist
Baptist
And many, many more

There are differences in style of worship, conduct etc but the thing they all share is the belief that Jesus is the son of God and that he died on the cross and rose again

You don't have to be part of any faith to go to mums and tots anyway -quite often they are just hiring the space but if they are linked with the church it generally means that they will use bible stories such as Noah's ark, at story time

[Grassgreendashhabi]

It's st Luke's in tiptree - I've googled it and can't work out denomination

[llhj]

Of course you 'can' go to a mother and baby group. However, if you're worshipping in a service, you need to think about whether you want to receive the Eucharist as there is some divergence as to its significance between Catholics and other denominations.

[Ragwort]

Of course you can, and the vast majority of Churches will welcome you - although I belong to one specific branch of Christianity I like attending different Churches as well, to see different styles of worship, meet new people etc. Nearly always the Minister will say something like 'all are welcome to receive Communion' (although as alegretto says this is not usually allowed for non-Catholics in a Catholic Church - although I have received communion in a Catholic Church before I realised this - I wasn't struck down by lightening or anything.)

[SomedayMyPrinceWillCome]

Are you talking about a weekday parent & toddler group? This should be open to all members of the community of any faith or none.
Or are you talking about going to the church service and the child care ground that run during the service? Of course you can go along to these too. The CoE recognise Catholic Baptism & Confirmation so you would be able to receive Holy Communion there - however the Catholic Church do not believe that CoE is a "proper" (sorry can't think of better word) Communion or Mass.

[allegretto]

Well the vicar is called Anne-Marie so that rules out Catholic! . Looks C of E to me.

[Lilaclily]

Interestingly though many Catholic churches don't welcome other Christian denominations
Despite being confirmed I'm not allowed to take communion in a Catholic mass for example as an Anglican

[pourmeanotherglass]

Most church based mum and baby groups welcome everyone, believers or not, even if you decide not to attend the church.

[BikeRunSki]

Catholicism is a form of Christianity.

In my experience, church baby groups welcome everybody, of any - or no - religion. There may be a religious slant to them, eg: making Easter cards, but the one I went to welcomed everyone. They didn't ask for proof of baptism or anything!

[notquitegrownup2]

Yes, it is appropriate to go - I'm sure that they would be very happy to welcome you at the babygroup or at any other events and also at the services if you wanted to go along.

Catholics and Christians of other groups (denominations) believe in the same God, and share many of the same beliefs. Baby groups however are open to people from outside the church, as well as to Christians (including catholics) - they are just one way in which the church tries to help people by sharing a bit of time, and by using the rooms they have during the week, so that the church is not cold and empty, but full of people having fun. Enjoy.

[SilverGiraffe7]

It's C of E - (good old Wiki!)
"Within the Church of England, the village is part of the United Benefice of Tolleshunt Knights with Tiptree and Great Braxted. The parish church is Saint Luke's, located on Church Road, next to St Lukes CofE Primary School. The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006."

[Sabistick]

On its webpage it looks church of it might be very high church and so more like usual catholic masses. I notice it a female celebrant (priest\vicar) . This is a difference but maybe the sight differences might bring you back to going to church. When you have kids the social life of a good church is really useful . Good luck (catholic mum)

[PacificDogwod]

You are Christian first, catholic second
It's just one of many 'flavours' of Christianity. And yes, some denominations are more 'strict' about what they accept from other denominations than others (this has always baffled me).

Personally, it would be more important to me how welcome I felt with the general feel of the church and the people running it than what particular denomination it was specifically.

[Iamthegreatest1]

I think Catholics may have a very different take on this. They particularly differentiate themselves as 'Catholic' rather than Christian. Being Christian means nothing to them unless you are Catholic. You can't in most cases get into a Catholic school is you are anything but Catholic because there octrine differs a great deal.

The differences between Catholics and other Christians are not minor but major as far as doctrine and belief are concerned, very major:
Catholicm teaches Mary as the mother of God - Christianity does not teach God has a mother I fact this would be heresy.
Catholicm teaches praying to the blessed Mary and the saints - but the mainstream bible says there is only one mediator and that is Christ. The preoccupation with saints has led to murmurings of idolism amongst other arms of Christianity.
Catholics teaches 'purgatory' - there no such thing in the mainstream bible or other form of Christianity.
The Catholic bible is distinct from the mainstream bible that all other arms of Christianity use, save for Jehovah's witnesses, that's another slightly odd/distinct arm.

I could go on, but these differences very much mark Catholics out as almost an entirely separate religion. Inspite of these differences, most Christian denominations embrace everyone, Catholics would be no different. I am not Catholic but have attended a number of services (mass). No oneasks what religion you are in order to attend a non specific service.

The differences arise when you want to attend a special service e.g communion, my church for instance you cannot partake in communion unless you have been baptised by full immersion in water, not 'sprinkling'.

It may be a problem in some churches if you want to take up an office or become a worker but your background is Catholic vice versa.

If OP is just a wanting to visit for regular services it shouldn't be a problem at all, unless in the above cases mentioned. Sorry to go on, just thought I should point these things out. If anyone disagrees with me I'm happy to listen.

[mouldycheesefan]

Catholics are Christians.🙄

[FoxesSitOnBoxes]

I think you would be most welcome as a Catholic in a Protestant church. It is Protestants who aren't allowed to take Catholic Communion, isn't it??? I think the other way round is fine. Something to do with Catholics believing that the bread and wine actually turns into the body and blood of Christ and Protestants seeing it as a symbolic thing?
(Please please correct if I'm wrong as I might be and wouldn't want to cause offence)

[wobblywonderwoman]

I would go.

Just wondering though - there is a difference in Catholic teaching (not saying better but very different) do you want to raise your daughter Catholic - then maybe go to the baby group but go to mass in local catholic church perhaps.