How has the Eucharist been understood by the following groups catholic, orthodox, protestant, non-christian?

by [deleted]

I know it reads like a homework question but I promise I've been out of school for a couple years now. I'm just not sure how else to phrase it.

I came across a lovely internet argument a couple weeks ago with: Protestants accusing the Catholics of Idolatry because of the Eucharist. Atheists accusing Protestants and Catholics of Ritual Cannibalism. The Catholics accused the Protestants and the Atheists of being ignorant. I'm pretty sure the Catholics were right but only because ignorance seems to be a major part of most internet arguments. More importantly though the argument left me no closer to understanding what the Eucharist has meant to various groups throughout history.

I understand it may be asking a bit much for people to be experts on the Eucharist from both a Catholic and Protestant perspective. Helpful information about any single group or denomination would be much appreciated.

Please. No fighting, No bigotry.

Catholics: Eucharist is the body and blood of Jesus. Jesus says in the Last Supper, "This is my body... This is my blood..." and Catholics take him literally. The process of the consecration of the Eucharist from bread to body and from wine to blood is called Transubstantiation. Catholics believe that while the accidents of bread and wine remain (the physical characteristics: taste, smell, feel, etc.), the substance (what they are) has been changed into the flesh of Jesus (and the blood of Jesus).

Protestants: variations from Catholicism from consubstantiation (the substance of Communion is both bread & Jesus' flesh, etc.) to Communion as a purely symbolic gesture in imitation of the Last Supper. An anecdotal example of this latter view of the Communion celebration: a Pentecostal pastor friend of mine once celebrated Communion with Doritos and Mountain Dew because they were traveling and only had access to those foods. Catholics and Protestants who believe in consubstantiation of the bread and wine would balk at using junk food (and, frankly, anything other than bread and wine). Those denominations who see Communion as purely a symbol would be more okay with it, especially given the circumstances.

Orthodox: Roman Catholics believe that the Orthodox faith has retained apostolic succession (the transferring of authority and power from the original apostles to the bishops of today; this is especially relevant in terms of consecrating the Eucharist), but due to the schism of the two over the authority of the Church, it is seen as sending the wrong message to participate in the Orthodox Eucharist. Therefore, while the belief about the Eucharist is pretty much the same, you won't see many Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Christians worshiping together (although it definitely does happen).

Non-Christian: I would wager that most non-Christians are going to see the Eucharist/Communion as a symbol of family/community meal-sharing. It's understandable, but important to note that for many Catholics and Christians who believe in some form of consubstantiation, the Eucharist/Communion is not just a symbol of community, but also a necessary part of the Christian life. Jesus says in John 6, "Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life within you." Ergo, not just a symbol for them; rather an avenue of grace and eternal life.