Why do Protestants say that I'm being mean to them when I engage them in a friendly debate between Christians?

Question

Being mean would be if I did to them what most Protestants routinely do to us Catholics which is accuse us of being idol worshippers, say that we are all going to Hell, say that we are not Christians, etc.

I always say that Protestants are my Christian brothers and sisters in Christ, but I only believe that they don't have the fullness of the faith. Too bad, that I can't go a day without seeing a Protestant claiming that we are not Christians or making a false claim about what the Catholic Church doctrine teaches.

Look at my past questions and see how many times I address Protestants as "to my fellow Christians". The typical response to that is "you can't be a Christian." So who's being mean here?

Answer 1

Now, now. You're perfectly right; I see the same false accusations made on this forum every day. It's annoying, exasperating, discouraging, and infuriating. Still, remember that even when they're not kind to you, you should always be kind to them. Turn the other cheek. Show that you understand Jesus' message of love even if they don't.

Answer 2

I was raised in a Protestant church and converted to Cathocism
in 1970 when I was 27 y/o. The Protestants that say you are being mean are just ignorant. The ministers of the Protestant churches teach that Catholics are idol worshipers and not Christians and the lay people have no way of knowing that it's not true.

Part of the problem is that at the same time that Luther was excommunicated and started his own church, there was a philosophy beginning that taught that all truth could be known by human reason. Of course, that's not true, human reason is extremely limited. That philosophy has become secular science,
and is widely believed.

Also, there was a lot of hostility then between Catholics and those that broke away, as you can imagine. I must say, also, that
when I was 10 y/o, in 1953, the Catholic Church had a different teaching. They taught that Protestants were heritics and were all going to Hell. A number of times, when I was 8 to 10 y/o, I was told by Catholic kids that I was going to Hell.

Also, Protestant churches teach that we are "saved by faith alone". Many Protestant churches teach that to strive to be Holy is an insult to God! They teach that once you are "born again" it is wrong to make efforts to live by Jesus's teachings. That we are to relax, be joyful, and let the Holy Spirit do all the work.
You can imagine how you talking about Catholic teachings could be threatening to them.

Jesus said that we are to be "light of the world" and that when we speak the truth about God many people will not like it. Jesus was crucified when He spoke the truth. All of the Apostles (except St. John) were killed for speaking the truth.

I admire you and respect you for engaging Protestants in a respectful debate. If they don't like it and say that you are mean, all the more Glory for you in Heaven.

But also remember that Jesus told His deciples, "I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wise as serpents but gentle as doves". And that St. Francis said, " Teach always, and as a last resort use words".

God bless you and give you His Grace, His Wisdom, and His Peace.

Answer 3

Yeah, and that's only a brief sampling of the wrong that Protestants do to Catholics. In recent research, it has been verified that only 1% of the atrocities that the Church is accused of during the Inquisition actually happened. How did the numbers get so inflated? Fact: The protestants inflated the numbers during the reformation to have something to hold against the Church. They lied and the taught (and, in some cases, still do teach) hatred towards Catholics. They make fun of Catholics all the time. But don't worry. Jesus says: "Remember that the world has hated me first." The persecution of Catholicism is the mark of true Christendom.

Answer 4

Interesting: I have NEVER seen a Protestant make such a
statement. I am wondering if any argument to your point
is taken as "You can't be a Christian".

To quote Tom Lehrer:

"Oh the Protestants hate the Catholics
and the Catholics hate the Protestants,
all the Hindus hate all the Moslims
and everybody hates the Jews ..."

Catholics and Protestants are not persecuted in this country
to anywhere near the degree that Jews, Muslims, Atheists
or even Mormons are.

I think its hillarious that the various types of Christianity
even snipe about other types. Wow.

Answer 5

As a Roman Catholic of many decades, I can assure you that I know your experience with protestants first hand. And let me add, and I know you know this to be true, they don't want to understand the truth, so let me recommend something to you: Don't try explaining it to them. They don't want to learn, so don't let them. One point I will make with you, and I think you'll understand, because it agrees with a follow-up comment you made. The protestants are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and yet they're not, and the reason is made in your follow up comment, or the latter part of your same sentence, in which you said, ". . . they don't have the fullness of faith". Soooo Verrrrryyyyyyyyyyy Trruuue!! I wish I could say it as well as the author of a new book I just bought, entitled "Catholic Matters" by Richard John Neuhaus, 2006, by Basic Books. By page 15, Father Neuhaus, who has had extensive experience with Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, clearly begins addressing your point that there is a difference in the fullness of faith between protestants and Roman Catholics, the former having not as full a communion with God as Roman Catholics, and Father Neuhaus is very aware of how his belief "flys in the face of" "polite society" as he puts it, even though it's true. I think it would be well worth your investment of $25.00 for the hardback edition, or, when the paperback edition comes out, whatever it cost. You will enjoy that it promotes your thinking as the correct way to look at things, and elaborates more. You're on the right track. Don't let any protestant, or "American Catholic", which is a contradiction in terms since the only true Catholic is Roman Catholic and the term "American Catholic" is a media contrived term designed to split the Roman Catholic Church, deter you from your beliefs. You're sounding great, and you'll love Father Neuhaus' book, "Catholic Matters: Confusion, Controversy, and the Splendor of Truth". God Bless you.

Answer 6

Even though I don't agree with the Catholic teachings, I do agree that we are united in Love for Jesus Christ. We are United in a Belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Because of that we are brothers and sisters in faith.

I've heard Catholics say that Protestants are not 'real Christians' and I've heard Protestants say the same thing. The fighting is on both sides, and it is wrong. Debate is fine, but people have to learn to love and respect each other.

Answer 7

i apologize on behalf of the christians who have responded to you in a wrong manner. the catholic/christian controversy is a touchy subject with most people and is a very interesting debate. would you agree that a christian would say that any religion that contradicts the bible is false and therefore non-christian. i don't believe roman catholics are my brothers and sisters in Christ just like i don't believe muslims and jehovah witnesses are either. anything that teaches doctrine contrary to what is in the bible is heretical and therefore cannot be Christian. we tend to think that believing in deity of Christ is the cutoff for cults and other religions. i do not believe that's the case.
so on one hand, i do not hold that a person who has embraced the roman catholic teaching is saved, on the other hand i don't know why you would consider me or any other protestant a brother and sister in Christ. in one of the favorite catholic verses Jesus says in John 6 that unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you. i have never taken communion or mass in the catholic way where it actually becomes the blood and body of christ. with that interpretation of john 6 how can i be saved or on my way to heaven? the mass is a propiatory mass (removal of wrath) that i have never taken according to the catholic tradition. therefore although i fully believe in christ i cannot be saved by that logic unless i have wrongly interpreted the catholic position. if that's the case i apologize and would appreciate a response at my e-mail either way. [e-mail]

Answer 8

It is totally impossible to be a catholic and a christian at the same time ,If you truly believe in THE WORD OF GOD you would NOT be in the catholic church its that simple , Its to bad I cant go a day with out hearing some catholic using my Gods name in vain ,Good grief rosary beads why dont you go rub on a rabbits foot it gives the same results ,Im telling you right now the roman catholic church has not God, never has had God and never will have God ,Tell the poop to sell some paintings and go feed a third world country ,

Answer 9

Well I am a protestant and I used to be Catholic, but I dont think that being Catholic means someone is unsaved or that being protestant means they are. I believe it depends solely on what you do with Jesus. Ive seen mean Catholics here and mean Protestants so I think it might be a knee jerk reaction when a Catholic questions a Protestant and vise versa that one will be claiming the other is condemned.

Answer 10

I find I have the same problem. I'm not Catholic I'm 7th Day Adventist but I run into the same dilemma. When I try to talk to someone of a different faith I get accused of hating their religion. I just question their methods and ask for the reasoning behind the practices. In short I want to learn and understand. If you would like to chat just contact me. I love debating the different points of religion.

Answer 11

You are not of The Christian Faith... what is mean about stateing a fact?... I do not know you personaly but you state you are a Roman Catholic...that means you are not a Christian.

As an RC you can not tell me that you have the assurance of your Salvation, That you are going to Heaven. Even your Pope can not state that... If you were of the Christian Faith you would know with certainty that your Salvation was assured and that you had a place in Heave... for that rason alone you can not claim to be of The Christian Faith.