Hi,
Having been raised in England, I've been only too aware of the friction between some Catholics and Protestants. Whether it's Northern Ireland, or another part of the globe, problems and feuds hundreds of years old are constantly in the papers.
As such, I've started to wonder why. What's the big deal. I know about the basic differences in doctrine, i.e. the concept of communion, the pope, contraception and the rest, but surely these can't have caused centuries of bloodshed?
Is there something fundamental I've been missing? Catholicism is often portrayed as practically another religion. Is this the case? Or is denomination just an excuse for bitterness and violence?
1 Corinthians, Chapter 1, vs 10:
"I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. "