Why are so many people Anti-Catholic?

Question

Just curious...as I just don't get it.

Please leave the "all priests are child molesters" comments out of your answers. Every institution in the world has leaders who are child molesters. I'm more interested in comments on church practices, etc.

Also, if you consider yourself "anti-catholic", how much do you really know about the Church? How have you learned this information?

Answer 1

Different people, different answers.

To some, they don't like the strict dogma - the Church's teachings don't leave a lot of wiggle-room.

Many people don't like entire hierarchy of the Church, from the Pope on down. Many religions have a pretty flat organizational structure and don't think that all power descends from Rome.

Others don't like the fact that the Church had a history of past abuses (too comfortable with European monarchies, the Spanish Inquisition, Crusades, and more recently, failed to speak or act out against the Holocaust.)

Still others don't like the modern Church for what it stands - many countries, including China, don't like the Church to speak out about human rights abuses and civil rights.

Many people don't like Church's rigid stance on human life (anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, anti-stem cell research, anti-in-vitro fertilization, anti-euthanasia, and mostly anti-war.)

And still others don't like the fact that the Church teaches us to always forgive -- some people can never accept that.

I guess there are a lot reasons.

Answer 2

Well, molestation doesn't help people to like catholicism. Not to mention that they can't back up their teachings in the bible. Or how about the fact that catholics use a version of the bible, and not a translation. Have you ever looked at all the different versions out there? Each one is different. Catholicism changes the bible with each "version" to suit their own needs. Why do catholic priests need so much money? Why do the higher ups need so much gold, jewels, etc? Catholicism is nothing but money grubbing hypocrites who look the other way when children get molested. Who force their children to become false catholics. Why shouldn't people be anti-catholic?

Answer 3

Read your history. Read about how the Catholics murdered millions of people. How they used to burn or torture people to death. How they supported the holocaust and wiped out whole peoples in the Americas in the name of religion. They waged war against the Muslims with the crusades and slaughtered Jews as a sideline. They started modern terrorism with the IRA. If it had not been for the IRA and their training of the Islamic terrorists then maybe 9/11 would never have occur ed. Many of their priests are pedophiles and are protected by the Vatican. And as a crowning glory the pope is infallible no matter what he does. Just a few thoughts on why people dislike Catholics but not an exhaustive list. Despite this I don't hate Catholics just their church.

Answer 4

I am not so sure that people are anti Catholic, I believe that there may be negative feelings towards what some perceive as the church not being completely politically correct, or being too strict. Some people may feel that th Catholic religion can be stifling, and folks tend to find it intimidating and avoid it. The outcome can create many misunderstandings and conflict which truly is unfortunate. I choose not to be Catholic, however I can respect that everyone has a different opinion. I think that if it were easier to find that balance than folks would not be anti- anything it would simply be a matter of preference.

Answer 5

See Martin Luther, 99 protests against the Catholic Church. Recent scandals i.e. priest child molesters seemingly condoned by the church via cover ups.

Answer 6

A lot of it is due to cases of child molestation discovered among the clergy, which the media has lead the public to believe is a common occurence in the Catholic church. Anti-Catholicism is the trendy thing right now, soon they'll have us hate some other group.

Answer 7

I suppose that it has something to do with the corruption of the Catholic church during the middle ages. While I am not catholic, I am not anti-catholic, but the corruption that stemmed from those times gives me reason to think that those who are anti-catholic have a right to be. The theory is that the whole church and it's history has ties to corruption and deceit.

Answer 8

The Catholic church added it's own doctrines (routines, beliefs, etc.) to the Word of the Lord - not to the Bible directly, but as part of their service. For example, saying a prayer to Mary ("Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed . . .). Where in the Bible does it tell us that Mary is so important that we should pray through her. Jesus told us that the only way to the Father is through the Son. Martin Luther rebelled against the church doctrine because he felt they were adding to the Word of God. I don't hate Catholics. I have friends who are Catholics and very good Christians. I just don't agree with the policy and practices of the Catholic church.

Answer 9

The way I see it is, the pope kinda puts himself in a higher position, almost like he himself is at the right arm of God. To me Catholicism just seems to be a very depressing faith. I like to celebrate the loving God I know, not to quote movies but, I have a problem with anyone who doesn't celebrate there faith, catholics seem to mourn it. My mother was Catholic but I never was. I try not to get caught up in "Religion" I'd rather have a strong, loving relationship with the Lord. I also believe we are to confess our sins to the Lord, not a priest. But as long as your serving the Lord, I guess it just matters whatever you feel most comfortable with. God Bless & Keep on keepin on!

Answer 10

Oh because the priest are allowed to molest boys and girls the the church turns it's head.