I am curious as to how people view other branches of the Christian Tradition.

I am Roman Catholic, and part of the Catholic teaching is that Jesus gave his apostles the authority to act on his behalf after he left. He specifically extended that to St Peter. There has been a line of succession to the Authority of Peter. Today the leader of Christendom is Pope Benedict, only those who follow Pope Benedict as Gods earthly representative are truly Christian.

There is also a Catholic ritual that is central to their beliefs where a ritualized version of the last supper is re - enacted. Catholics believe that each time an ordained priest practices this ritual by miracle the bread and wine of the alter become (not just represent but genuine transubstantiation) The body and blood of Christ. Some Christian groups have a similar practice, but the Catholics hold that only the Authority of the Direct line from Peter has the power to enable such a miracle. Each time a person partakes of this communion, they re enter the power of the resurrection and free themselves from sin. Without this they could not claim to be followers of Christ. Attending Mass or church without this sacrament is to a Catholic not attending church at all. In fact many feel that what Passes for Church in many religious organizations is nothing more than a rock concert and a scripture lecture.

Following this train of thought, the path to salvation cannot lead through any other means than that of Roman Catholic Orthodoxy.

The point is that we can haggle theology until we are blue in the face, but I hope there will come a time when we can move on.

Personally I feel that the reason people here are getting a little shirty is that they feel they are not being allowed to hold a difference of opinion. I understand that many Christian Traditions feel it is an important part of being a Christian to spread the good news and with this never to give up until all believe. However spreading the news is different to hitting people over the head with it.